Just after midnight, we ended up in the hotel room of Judith and Michael Foltz at the Oliver Hotel on Market Square. From left: Alan Carmichael, Richard and Dawn Ford, Judith and Michael Foltz
For the past 11 years, we have been celebrating News Year’s Eve with two other couples: Richard and Dawn Ford and Jackie and Ray Fisher. Sometimes we go out to eat, sometimes we go to a party, and sometimes we watch the ball drop at Market Square.
This year we did all three. And we saw a ton of fun people along the way! See for yourself.
First, to get the evening off to a festive start: the party.
Party in a can
Shortly after we arrived at Katie and Blair Kline’s lovely home in the Kensington subdivision, our friend Michelle Hardin arrived with something she called “a party in a can!” Available at Ashe’s Wine & Spirits, this item is flavored whipped cream infused with vodka. And it’s squirtable! The flavor in this case: peppermint. Let the party begin!
After a squirt for the hostess, guests lined up for the new holiday taste sensation.
Michelle gives Katie a squirt.
Katie returns the favor.
Richard gets in on the action.
Well, you get the idea . . .
Katherine Lattimer, left, with Jimmy and Dortha Fay Hardin, his and Michelle's mom.
Our hosts, Katie and Blair with their dog, Lila.
Lila is one of the prettiest dogs I've ever seen. She is obviously a Wisconsin fan.
Then it was off to our dinner reservations at Bistro by the Tracks, where we knew we would see a lot of folks we know. And we did!
Right as we came in, we saw Noel Dill, left, and her friend Janet Hopson. Noel's daughter, Whitney, is a server at Bistro By the Tracks.
We spotted John and Carol Sheridan in the dining room, which was full.
These folks were leaving shortly after we arrived. From left: John McCallie, Patsy and Tim Wright, Anne Sprouse and Lin Christenberry
Meanwhile, back at our table:
Our friends Ray and Jackie Fisher
Jackie and Alan. We are a friendly bunch!
We loved our dinners. Among us, we had the grouper special, Bistro chicken, crab cakes and filet with a lobster tail. All excellent. But our favorite was the special dessert of the evening: amaretto chocolate mousse with raspberries and shortcake. Wow.
Unbelievable!
Dawn and Richard Ford over dessert. Richard opted for a chocolate martini. They make great ones there.
Meanwhile, in the wine room, we spotted some other buddies.
Robin and Joe Ben Turner were at a table of 10 friends. Everyone was going to their house after dinner to wait for midnight.
Melanie and Tom Wood were at that table, too.
We ran into our friends Janet Crossley and Bill Regas in the lounge on our way out.
We were headed to downtown and Market Square, where all the action was.
Bungee bouncing was set up on the south end of the Square.
I almost got motion sick just watching!
The ice rink was active.
In addition to funnel cakes, french fries, shaved ice, hot dogs and sausage sandwiches, there was some more exotic fare offered for sale.
The crowd seemed to have come from all of East Tennessee.
Scantily clad fire dancers were in front of the Bill Lyons Pavilion.
An appreciative audience
When we arrived shortly before midnight, the ball was poised to drop.
This young woman was hoisted on her boyfriend's shoulders for a great view.
And then, the countdown to midnight.
And fireworks!
And more fireworks!
This couple was standing on a table on one of the patios. They kissed at midnight. Sweet.
Other patio partiers
I always say nothing adds to the festive atmosphere like a few TV cameras!
And there was WBIR, Channel 10.
After the midnight excitement, we dropped in at Peter Kern’s Library, the new speakeasy at the Oliver Hotel and ran into some more folks we knew.
Singer Nancy Brennan Strange, center, was unwinding after a performance. At left is Jennifer Hodson and, at right, Jamie Webster.
Our buddies Judith and Michael Foltz were spending the night at the Oliver Hotel and invited us up to their room for a glass of Champagne. We were impressed by the size of the accommodations.
Here's a shot of the spacious bedroom.
And look how big the living/dining area is.
Here's our Champagne in front of the big flat-screen TV in the living room. It's interesting to see such modern furnishings in the historic inn.
We made a toast, as you can see in the first photo in this blog post, and then headed to our condo at Cherokee Lofts. Dawn and Richard stayed overnight in our guest condo.
Richard having a nightcap at our place. Another chocolate martini. (I make good ones, too!)
Dawn doing the same. We went to bed at 2:30!
The next morning, after a leisurely breakfast at our condo, we headed to another tradition: brunch at Madge and Barry Cleveland’s house.
We wouldn't dream of missing the luck-inducing greens and Hoppin' John!
Our New Year's Day hosts, Barry and Madge Cleveland
We got to see Katie and Blair Kline again.
Ginny Morrow, right, with Richard and Pat Cate
Arthur and Susan Seymour were there.
Alan chatting with Beth Waters.
Glo and Bob Marquis with Susan Conway, center.
From left, Allen Mealka, Elsbeth Freeman, Amy Styles and Mary Fran Darwin
Another tradition is that Dawn and Jackie and I go to a movie on New Year’s Day and Alan and Richard golf. (Ray had to clean out his closet! Ha!) We went to see “Hugo” and loved it.
I think we really did New Year’s up right this year. We wish all our friends — and friends of The Blue Streak – a very happy 2012.
Here is Arthur saying, "Happy New Year!"
Love it! Arthur is the symbol of 2012.
I have been wondering what the renovated Oliver Hotel rooms looked like. Now I know!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Georgiana! The rooms are very chic and modern. One friend says they remind him of a true New York boutique hotel. I think the Oliver Hotel renovation is a great addition to downtown. Love the little speakeasy. Hope the restaurant gets going soon.
Hope you and Gid had a good time!
We did. Dinner with Retta Ellis and Renfro Sproul at my place, then to O’Hanlons’ before going to Market Square to watch the ball descend. Love this downtown living.
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