Two of our “frequent flyers” on The Blue Streak. Erin Donovan of Visit Knoxville appeared nine times in the past year. Dino Cartwright of Prestige Tuxedo was on it 11 times.
One of the easiest parties to plan every year is our annual (for the most part) Blue Streak party. This is a gathering to thank the photogenic folks who have been on The Blue Streak blog the most in the previous year. We generally have it in March, when there’s not too much going on. And this year, for the first time, we had it on a Monday night. That plan worked pretty well.
The reason the event is so simple to plan is because the invitees generally know and like each other and — big factor — they are almost all extroverts! All we have to do is add some good food and drinks and voila! It’s a party.
We generally like to hold the party at an eatery with which we have done business in the past year. We’ve held it at Regas Restaurant and the Lunchbox Market and Cafe. This year, we held it at what is becoming one of our favorite reception venues, Windows on the Park, the bar/restaurant in the recently renovated Holiday Inn at World’s Fair Park. It’s light and airy, the food is varied and delicious (and the timing provided Happy Hour prices!), and the staff is friendly and helpful. They hired us to help with their opening a while back. What more could we want?
To add conversation starters (as if they were needed), we put on each person’s name tag the number of times their picture appeared in The Blue Streak during the past year. My husband, Alan Carmichael, came in first, of course, with 116 appearances! He was followed by Gay Lyons with 44, Jim Haslam with 30, Natalie Haslam and Bill Lyons each with 29, and Dawn Ford and Phyllis Nichols with 28. We appreciate everyone who pauses at all the events we cover and allows their photo to be taken for The Blue Streak.
Here’s to another successful and fun-filled year!
Some Moxley Carmichael folks who arrived early to prep for the party. (OK, so they arrived early to eat and drink!) From left, Charley Sexton, Maria Cornelius, Erica Beck and Amanda Shell Jennings.
Pulled pork sliders were popular.
Peter Acly, right, with Jon and Mintha Roach. Peter was on the blog 11 times, Mintha 13 and Jon 6.
Grilled pimento cheese with prosciutto. OMG!
From left, Mickey Mallonee (24 times), Ellen Robinson (13), Mary Bogert (17), Gay Lyons (44) and David Butler (13).
Buffalo chicken flat bread. (See what I mean about the food being interesting?)
Hahaha! Rachel tried to cheat by writing in a “2” before her actual number of appearances, 8.
Bacon wrapped scallops were a hit.
Jackie Wilson, left, with John and Allyn Schwartz. Jackie was on 10 times in the past year, John 2, and Allyn 11.
Black and blue flat bread.
Judith Foltz, center, with former mayor Dan Brown and his wife, Cathy. Judith was on 18 times, Dan 7 and Cathy 2.
Spinach dip with grilled shrimp. Yum.
From left, Bill Laing (9 times on Blue Streak), Sharon Laing (5), Bette Bryan (8) and Richard Bryan (7).
Jim and Phyllis Nichols. Her number was 28 and his was 14.
Cindi and Pete DeBusk. She was on the Blue Streak 14 times; he, 6.
From left, Vicki Baumgartner (7), and Moxley Carmichael’s Shaun Fulco, Michael Higdon (3), and Moxley Carmichael’s Scott Bird.
Jim Nichols and Richard Ford, who was on The Blue Streak 20 times.
Gay Lyons taking the trivia quiz about The Blue Streak.
Moxley Carmichael’s Lauren Christ announcing the results of the contest.
The winners: Ellen Robinson, on the right, who placed first and won three bottles of my favorite pinot grigio; Rachel Ford who won two bottles for her second place finish; and John Schwartz, who took home one bottle for placing third. Congrats!
Siler Haynes, the sweet guy who was in charge of our party at Windows on the Park.
Cute pic of Moxley Carmichael’s Natalie Lester and her fiance, Chase Bailey. She was the point person for us on the party and did a great job.
You give such great parties! And those that you don’t host, you attend and share with the rest of us. Who knew that the Blue Streak would become the best blog in town? Mox-Car did!
As we were reminded by the trivia quiz, the inaugural Blue Streak post revealed that you need some “sparklies” at any great party — and the Blue Streak party’s sparklies did not disappoint. What a fun night!
Aww, thanks, Phyllis. I forgot to ask everyone to cast ballots in Metro Pulse’s “Best of” contest which ended Monday. Oops. I’ll just be content knowing that some folks like it.
Lauren: You are right! Never seen so many sparklies in one room!
After reading this blog, I am struck by how many handsome people there are in Knoxville. It is also noteworthy that the person who has appeared on the Blue Streak the most was not photographed at this event. For once, suffering from severe overexposure, I moved fast enough to avoid the lens.
What a fun event! It’s tough not to have a great time with the Blue Streak “regulars”!
Ha, Alan. I’ll get you next time!
Shaun: Agree. We have the best regulars ever!
Alan, you are the best! I loved Cyn’s comment — “We appreciate everyone who pauses at all the events we cover and allows their photo to be taken for The Blue Streak.” Like we have a choice?! Mox, thanks for the great time — we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Ellen: Thanks to you and Peter for coming. When we see you guys, we know we are in for a good time!
Cynthia has a magic camera that actually takes a decent photo of me. No wonder people want to be in the Blue Streak!
Should I feel over-exposed with 44 appearances? Or does that mean I go to a lot of great parties? I’m voting for the latter. Party on, friends. PS: Cynthia’s correct about that sparkly thing. Try having a party without at least a few. Not good!
Good Lord, Mox, I would streak through a Blue Streak happening just to get my hands on one of those grilled cheese sandwiches!
Carol: I wish you would streak through a few! I miss you, girlfriend!
Gay: I need some of my friends to be overexposed! You are one of them!
Maria: It’s easy to take a good picture of you!
Thank you for the wonderful party…such a great time !!! Phyllis Nichols and Mary Bogert, I am still laughing about the conversations we had that night !!!
Now that I see the food I am sad that I didn’t eat! It was so fun to see everyone I guess I just talked all the way through it. Thank you again for having this great party.
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