On the first stop of our downtown progressive dinner last Saturday, I tapped my cellphone to my wine glass in order to get everyone’s attention for an announcement. “D-flat,” stated Aram Demirjian, the Knoxville Symphony‘s new conductor, in a matter-of-fact tone. “What?” I asked. “That’s a D-flat,” he said, referring to the sound that emanated when I tapped the glass.
Demirjian, who along with his new wife, Caraline Craig, was a guest of honor for our dinner, explained that he has what is known as “absolute pitch.” That, according to Wikipedia (the source of all knowledge), is “a rare auditory phenomenon characterized by the ability of a person to identify or re-create a given musical note without the benefit of a reference tone.” Researchers estimate that about 1 in 10,000 people have absolute pitch.
This, I thought, is not a bad characteristic for a music director. On the other hand, however, Demirjian related that he is color blind.
As many readers of the Blue Streak know, a group of us downtown residents hold a progressive dinner a few times a year, and we often invite an extra couple to join as our guests. Our motive in this is to convince the invited couple to follow our lead and move downtown. We have been very successful with this strategy. Now we have Aram and Caraline in our sights. We chose an Italian theme on Saturday and started our evening at the lovely home of Monique and Bruce Anderson in The Glencoe, located at 615 State St.
I don’t know if Aram and Caraline ultimately will choose to live downtown. But, if they don’t, it won’t be because we didn’t give it the old college try!
As a bonus, here’s Gay’s fabulous Italian meat loaf recipe:
½ c. chopped sun-dried tomatoes
½ c. ketchup
1 c. seasoned bread crumbs
¾ c. finely chopped onion
¾ c. chopped fresh basil
½ c. shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese
2 egg whites
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb. ground round
For the topping: 1/3 c. ketchup
Preheat oven to 350. Combine first nine ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. I wear disposable gloves and mix by hand. It takes a while to get everything completely combined. You’ll know you’re finished when you don’t see any bread crumbs in the bottom of the bowl.
Shape into an oval or rectangular loaf on a broiler pan coated with olive oil cooking spray. Or make into mini loaves. Brush 1/3 c. ketchup onto meat loaf—top and sides. Bake one hour or until meat thermometer registers 160. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing. (If making mini-loaves, cooking time will be less. Rely on your thermometer.)
Always a good time.
I love our progressives! Always a great (& delicious) time with our neighbors, & I enjoyed getting to know Aram & Caraline. They’d be a great addition to the neighborhood.
I’d love that dessert recipe!
Every time we go to Tim and Jeff’s, another wall space is occupied with a lovely piece.
Monique and Gay: Well, we did what we could! Hope it works!
Rose: Are you on Pinterest? If so, it’s on my “Desserts” page. If not, I will put it up here. Let me know.
Alan: Absolutely true.
And the dessert recipe? Fab-u-losity!
This post definitely made me extra hungry. All of the food items look fantastic.
Cynthia’s dessert was awesome, and Monique’s antipasti was superb. We do not lack for good food on our progressives. Excellent beverages as well.
I remember seeing Blue Dog paintings in Congressman Cooper’s and Tanner’s offices. They were members of the Congressional Blue Dogs!
Loved the entire evening as usual. Food and drink were excellent, but the company of long-time friends and new ones was the real treat. We enjoy getting together with our downtown neighbors and there could not be a better manner in which to do so.
Cynthia….you must share the dessert recipe. I don’t typically eat more than a bite of any dessert and I CLEARED MY PLATE it was so light and delicious. I feel the elliptical calling me now……
Lillian: Funny about those blue dogs!
OK, everybody, here is that dessert recipe. Only thing I did differently was add a couple of tablespoons of Amaretto to the berry topping — to make it “Italian.” Enjoy: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/263812490650574108/
Can’t think of any reason the Maestro wouldn’t want to be a city dweller after such a stellar party! Thanks for great pics (as always) and a super Italian meatloaf recipe from Gay!!! (To Lillian: Those dog paintings are worth a lot of moolah now!!!)
Thanks for your comment, Rusha. I really think you and Bert would love living downtown!
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