Solstice steals spotlight at summer soirees

John Schwartz, a member of the host committee, welcomed guests with wine at the Summer Solstice Dinner at the Knoxville Botanical Garden.

John Schwartz, a member of the host committee, welcomed guests with wine at the Summer Solstice Dinner at the Knoxville Botanical Garden.

It wasn’t too long ago that you didn’t hear much about the solstice. And when it was discussed, it was just a mention in the weather report about the longest day or something. The only solstice “celebrations” you heard about conjured vague images of Wiccans and other assorted pagans dancing around in a field.

But, it appears that solstice celebrations have now gone mainstream. To such an extent, as a matter of fact, that Alan and I attended two solstice dinners last month which were fundraisers for two different gardens in our community. And I didn’t see a single Wiccan at either of them!

Several posts ago, the Blue Streak covered a solstice supper that was held to benefit Beardsley Community Farm, an urban demonstration site that promotes food security and sustainable urban agriculture. (Click here for that post.)

The second we attended was the fourth annual Summer Solstice Dinner benefiting and located at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum. Both were delightful.

One of the longest days of the year provided plenty of time for an outdoor evening meal at the Knoxville Botanical Garden.

One of the longest days of the year provided plenty of time for an outdoor evening meal at the Knoxville Botanical Garden.

Jim Richards, executive director of Knoxville Botanical Garden, offers guests cucumber and salmon canapes.

Jim Richards, executive director of Knoxville Botanical Garden, offers guests cucumber and salmon canapes.

Chef Rex Bradford Jones of Bradford Catered events was in charge of the fabulous dinner.

Chef Rex Bradford Jones of Bradford Catered Events was in charge of the fabulous dinner.

Allyn Schwartz, posing here with Alan Carmichael, was chair of the committee that planned this fun event.

Allyn Schwartz, posing here with Alan Carmichael, was chair of the committee that planned this fun event.

Maureen Dunn McBride, left, with Julia Bentley.

Maureen Dunn McBride, left, with Julia Bentley.

Victoria Cape, left, and Angie Campbell.

Victoria Cape, left, and Angie Campbell.

From left, Alice Woody, Donna Maxwell and James Anderson.

From left, Alice Woody, Donna Maxwell and James Anderson.

Michael and Judith Foltz.

Michael and Judith Foltz.

Elaine Clark, left, offers gat cheese and tomato bruschetta with balsamic glaze to Pamela Chips.

Elaine Clark, left, offers goat cheese and tomato bruschetta with balsamic glaze to Pamela Chips.

Gary Bentley, left, with Dan Chips.

Gary Bentley, left, with Dan Chips.

From left, Mickey Mallonee, Dorothy Smith and Debra Thacker.

From left, Mickey Mallonee, Dorothy Smith and Debra Thacker.

From left, Rick Fox, David Williamson and Ralph Cianelli.

From left, Rick Fox, David Williamson and Ralph Cianelli.

Jeff Talman, left, and Alan Carmichael.

Jeff Talman, left, and Alan Carmichael.

Carol Evans, left, with Georgiana Vines.

Carol Evans, left, with Georgiana Vines.

Amanda Plante and Jim Richards. Amanda is head of the Garden's Center for Urban Agriculture.

Amanda Plante and Jim Richards. Amanda is head of the Garden’s Center for Urban Agriculture.

Betty and John Hanes.

Betty and John Hanes.

Anna Ford and Rick Fox.

Anna Ford and Rick Fox.

From left, Kathy Brennan, Lois Findlan and Aggie Burrick.

From left, Kathy Brennan, Lois Findlan and Aggie Burrick.

It was a beautiful cocktail scene.

It was a beautiful cocktail scene.

But soon it was time to sit down.

The first course was these gorgeous horseradish deviled eggs.

The first course was these gorgeous horseradish deviled eggs.

And Tuscan bread salad, which also was fantastic.

And Tuscan bread salad, which also was fantastic.

I belief Ralph Cianelli would agree with that assessment.

I belief Ralph Cianelli would agree with that assessment.

John Craig with Kelley Segars.

John Craig with Kelley Segars.

Main course was beef brisket with blackberry-peach salsa.

Main course was beef brisket with blackberry-peach salsa.

It was accompanied by grilled garden vegetables tossed in basil and olive oil, garlic smashed red potatoes with Greek yogurt and fresh herbs and lemon green beans.

It was accompanied by grilled garden vegetables tossed in basil and olive oil, garlic smashed red potatoes with Greek yogurt and fresh herbs and lemon green beans. (Although I guess I took this photo before the beans were added!)

The focaccia from Flour Head Bakery was out of this world.

The focaccia from Flour Head Bakery was out of this world.

Bob Wilson and Annette Anderson.

Bob Wilson and Annette Anderson.

Joan and Victor Ashe.

Joan and Victor Ashe.

Former Knox County Commissioner Wanda Moody, Joan's aunt.

Former Knox County Commissioner Wanda Moody, Joan’s aunt.

Marcus Shirley provided dinner music.

Marcus Shirley provided beautiful dinner music.

Joan with her friend, Michael McNeely.

Joan with her friend, Michael McNeely.

Fran Scheidt, left, with Nancy Campbell.

Fran Scheidt, left, with Nancy Campbell.

Emily and James Anderson.

Emily and James Anderson.

Cathy and Mark Hill.

Cathy and Mark Hill.

Chris and Sheila Hill.

Chris and Sheila Hill.

Ann White, left, with Marlene and Jack O'Hanlon.

Ann White, left, with Marlene and Jack O’Hanlon.

Desssert was an awesome sweet potato and mulberry bread pudding with Cruze Farm ice cream.

Dessert was an awesome sweet potato and mulberry bread pudding with Cruze Farm ice cream.

Nancy Strange sang us some after dinner songs.

Nancy Brennan Strange sang us some sweet after dinner songs.

And night was gently falling as we left. I'm liking these solstice celebrations!

And night was gently falling as we left. I’m liking these solstice celebrations!

Here are a few seconds of Nancy singing “The Tennessee Waltz.”

Nancy Brennan Strange and Marcus Shirley: Tennessee Waltz.

A video posted by @cmmoxley on

 

 

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7 Responses to Solstice steals spotlight at summer soirees

  1. Sara pinnell, on July 8th, 2016 at 2:14 pm said:

    Beautiful!!! Wish we could have been there although I now feel like I was!!!

  2. Alan Carmichael, on July 8th, 2016 at 3:29 pm said:

    I had a good time despite the withering heat.

  3. Allyn Schwartz, on July 8th, 2016 at 3:30 pm said:

    Thanks for joining us again, Cynthia and Alan! The food was fabulous, the company was, as well! I loved every minute of it!!

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on July 8th, 2016 at 3:32 pm said:

    Sara: I think you all would have loved it.

    Alan: I guess you have to expect that in late June.

    Allyn: Glad you could enjoy it. You sure did a great job.

  5. Jackie Wilson, on July 8th, 2016 at 3:46 pm said:

    I was so sorry to be out of town for this fabulous event this year. Thank you for catching me up with all the fun, Cynthia.

  6. Cynthia Moxley, on July 8th, 2016 at 3:54 pm said:

    Jackie: We did miss you. But, judging from Facebook, you had a pretty fantastic trip!

  7. Gay Lyons, on July 8th, 2016 at 5:11 pm said:

    This is one of my favorite parties–first time I’ve missed it. I hope to be there next year. From the photos, it looks like it was as fabulous as always.

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