Sara Hedstrom Pinnell, left, and Christi Branscom at the Great Gardens Party at River House
It was sprinkling at River House when the 2013 Great Gardens Party started last Thursday. But that did not deter the 200 or so folks who were headed over to the lovely terraced gardens of Kreis Beall on Lyons View Pike.
At first we huddled under umbrellas or on the wide porch. But, pretty soon, the clouds cleared and everyone fanned out, some going all the way down to the bottom garden with a view of the Tennessee River where the swing band The Johnson Swingtet had set up and quilts were offered for spreading out on the lawn.
The beneficiary of the second annual Great Gardens Party was Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, which is becoming a wonderful excuse for a whole season of outdoor fundraisers. The food — an assortment of burgers with every kind of condiment you can imagine — was by Luxe Catering and it was fantastic. Dessert — a selection of whoopie pies — was donated by The Sweetery. And the rustic barnwood tables, perfect for the occasion, were by Restoration Rentals.
Kreis Beall said she was happy to provide the location but that all the planning actually was done by a hard-working committee that consisted of Tracy Dewhirst, Anna Ford, Carlton Long, Beth McCabe, Sherry Shepherd, Megan Stair and Melissa Williamson. Great job, folks!
Kreis Beall with Burke Pinnell, left, and his son, Ben Pinnell.
Dick and Karen Krieg didn't let a little rain stop their good time.
Burke and Lezah Pinnell had a colorful bumbershoot!
Others took refuge on the porch.
It only rained for a little while.
Then the blue sky appeared.
Tami Hartmann, left, and Mindy Coulter
Ann Bodie said these little Bloody Mary shooters were fantastic.
Natalie Haslam, left, and Gay Lyons
Dr. Frank Gray, left, and Jim Haslam
Margaret and Cliff Rodgers
Cindi DeBusk, left, and Kelly Conley
From left, Robin Turner, Nick and Rebecca Cazana and Danni Varlan
Judith Foltz, left, and Sarah Stowers
Jim and Carol Cortese
From left, Zadie Robertson, Joan Ashe and Sandy Love
David and Tracy Dewhirst
Roses and other flowers were for sale.
Hydrangeas were given to the major sponsors.
This sign by the bar was made of bottle caps!
Burgers came in many varieties.
This is just a portion of the condiments that were offered!
French fries and fried green tomatoes!
Different kinds of whoopie pies were served in planters! These are carrot cake with vanilla bean ganache.
These are vanilla cake with lemon-raspberry ganache.
Keyes Williamson, the executive director of the Botanical Garden, welcomed and thanked the crowd.
More mingling
Susan Farris, left, and Mimi Turner
Marsha and City Councilman Duane Grieve
Stuart Worden, left, and David Butler
Michael Combs, left, and Alan Carmichael
I loved Susan Seymour's hat.
Kay and Larry Leibowitz
From left, Sheila and Chris Hill, Michael Combs, Cathy Hill, Mary Johnson, Mark Hill and Betsey Bush
Rick Fox, left, and Ralph Cianelli
From left, Judith Foltz, Duane Grieve, Christi Branscom and Gay Lyons
Kreis comforts her cute dog, Buddy, being held by Samantha Bradford, after he escaped from the house and had to be captured. He is an adorable Jack Russell terrier.
The gardens were lovely with their displays of purple hues.
Melissa Miller Feinbaum on one of the terraced lawns leading to the bottom.
Looking back up at River House
An awesome invitation at the bottom
A great idea
The Johnson Swingtet
A wonderful spot
A pretty climb back up
Thanks, major sponsors!
Dang it. I missed those desserts.
I can’t believe you — of all people — missed the desserts! Biggest sweet tooth in K-town!
Great pictures and lots of smiles for a rainy day event! The spectacular view would have been my first enticement to venture forth, but I would return to the table for the Whoopie Pies, for sure! What fun!
MIssing those whoopie pies is killing Alan! The garden was just stunning, Rusha. I should have taken more photos of it.
What a fun event! I want to try to make my own bottle cap sign. Love it!
Great event! Beautiful setting! Loved the food–I’ve never seen so many burger toppings. I missed out on the french fries, which is akin to Alan missing out on the whoopie pies.
Thanks to Kreis for opening her gardens to benefit the KBGA!
Also – all of us at Hedstrom Design would like to recognize Debra at Riverdale nursery who has worked hard to make the gardens “sing”!
and yes – those Whoopie pies were delish
What a wonderful event!
And of course I love the idea of “Restoration Rentals.” Knox Heritage might be able to help them stock their inventory from its architectural salvage collection…
Becky: I thought of you all at Knox Heritage when I heard about “Restoration Rentals.” Surely there’s a partnership in there somewhere.
Sara: You are just making Alan’s agony worse!
Gay: I missed the fries, too. But what I hate even more is that I didn’t get to taste the fried green tomatoes. Boo. Next time.
So sorry you missed the fried green tomatoes. I have experienced all manner of these tasty treats thru the years, but never have I tasted anything to compare to Bettina’s. Fabulous!! I want some now…
About the Author
What You’re Saying
What’s Hot
My Favorite Blogs
Archives