David Butler, left, with the birthday boy Ted Smith on the terrace of historic Crescent Bend last Friday evening.
Last Friday was the end of a stress-filled week. Alan and I had been out of town at a conference three of the days and we had, of course, been trying to cram everything into the remaining two days of the week. That’s why we were happy that the only thing on our social schedule was a lovely and low-key birthday party for our friend Ted Smith.
The party, arranged by Ted’s partner David Butler, the executive director of the Knoxville Museum of Art, was a stroke of genius. David had lucked up and caught the folks at Crescent Bend at a great time — between two weddings — so the terrace already was under a festive wedding tent. All David had to do was invite some lucky folks, bring in some great drinks and nibbles and enjoy the evening.
I think everyone had been having the same sort of week as us, because they sure seemed happy just to kick back and relax. Here are a few photos from the evening. Happy 60th birthday, Ted!
What a beautiful evening it was looking across the big fountain down towards the Tennessee River.
Melinda Meador, left, and Ellen Robinson in their "fascinators." Fun!
Mary Ellen Brewington of Cherokee Distributing, left, and artist Tommie Rush
Artist Marga and Jay McBride
Bill and Gay Lyons, left, pose with Alan Carmichael
I thought the centerpieces were quite clever: flowers displayed in chic caviar dishes.
Architect Ron Hutchins, left, and Lee Hyde
David Butler and Susan Hyde, the museum's development director
From left, Marie Alcorn, Connie Hutchins and Cathy Hill
Steve Cotham, left, and Dan McGehee
Tom and Melissa McAdams
Caesar Stair, left, with Lane Hays and Stuart Worden
Artists Lynda Evans and Richard Jolley
Gay Lyons, left, and Barbara Apking
This is urologist Dr. Bedford Waters. He had just come to the party from surgery (he brought a change of clothes to the hospital with him).
Dr. Waters matter-of-factly remarked that Knoxville is in the center of “the stone belt” — kidney stones! I asked him why and he said, “Your water, your soil, your heat, iced tea and leafy greens!” Apparently the biggest issue to avoiding kidney stones is staying properly hydrated and several of these things are obstacles to that. His advice: drink a lot of water with lemon juice in it. Ever since this party, I have been doing just that!
From left, Joe Vrba, Laura Barnes, David Houston, Ellen Lovett, and Wylene Vrba
From left, Alan Carmichael, Sheena McCall and David Butler
OK. There you have it. Now, go get yourself a big glass of water! With lemon.
What a swell evening. Fun to see so many friends under one tent. It was the perfect end to the week.
I had quit using lemon in tea and water. Now I’ll go back to it.
Hey, George: I think it as something to do with vitamin C. Cheers!
Why leafy greens?? As usual, if something is good for you for one reason, it’s bad for another, which is why, as you can tell, I do not cut much food out.
I wondered the same thing, Katie. I’ll try to find out.
Leafy greens are full of iron. Maybe that’s it? Too much of a good thing (iron)?
I love it that the doctor is…
… a urologist …
… encouraging everyone to stay hydrated …
and his name is Dr. WATERS.
OK, everyone. So, I ran into Dr. Waters again and I asked him about the problem with leafy greens. He said the issue is that they contain oxalates and oxalates cause kidney stones. Me: “But I thought we were supposed to eat MORE leafy greens!” Dr. Waters: “Moderation!” So, there you have it.
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