At the end of Knox Heritage‘s Patrons’ Party at Dorothy and Caesar Stair’s stunning Hilltop Farm Thursday night, a beautiful rainbow appeared over the Tennessee River. It was so appropriate.
The party itself was perfection. Food prepared by the non-profit’s board of directors was plentiful and delicious. Among the offerings: mini barbecue sandwiches, miniature artichoke quiches, blt/avocado wraps, sliced ham sammies and a spicy Mexican spread. Red and white wine was offered nonstop from passing waiters (also board members) and at the bar (tended by board members). And despite a few sprinkles, the weather pretty much held, permitting breath-taking views of the river with clouds and colors changing from moment to moment as the sun set. For a few minutes the rain did come down sending one guest, Fred Buffom, scurrying outside to put the top up on his convertible. The Stairs permitted tours of their lush gardens – so lavish that they must be tended to five days per week.
More than 250 folks attended, a welcome sign for Knox Heritage, an organization dedicated to local historic preservation. Take it from me, this Patrons’ Party is well worth joining Knox Heritage for. (It also gives new meaning to the term “working board!”) It offered the first chance to sign up for this year’s “Summer Suppers” series. Several of the fund-raising repasts sold out right off the bat.
Among the attendees: Jim and Tam Martin, Jack and Sara Rose, Barbara Apking, Susan and Arthur Seymour, Betsey Bush, Tom and Melissa McAdams, Barbara and Bernie Bernstein, Julia and Gary Bentley, Pat and Mark Donaldson, Gretchen Beal, Larry and Kay Lebowitz, Scott Fugate, Susan Brown, Steve Hackney, Robin Turner (hubby Joe Ben missed the event because he was in Texas at his high school reunion), Gay and Bill Lyons, John and Carol Petersen, Greg McKay, Doug and Jane McCarty, Doug and Jeanine McKamey, Keith Richardson, Duane Grieve, Ellen Bebb and Finbarr Saunders, Becky Wade and Jake Hudson, Melinda Meador and Milton McNally, Ellen Robinson and Peter Acly, Dick Krieg, Chyna Brackeen, Gail Jarvis, Mary Pom Claiborne, Lisa Duncan, Sam Beall, Judge Richard and Vicki Baumgartner, Susan and Kent Farris, Cindy Hassil, and Bruce and Elizabeth McCarty.
