Stephanie Wallace welcomed everyone into the supper club, also known as her backyard!
The Knox Heritage Summer Suppers are in full swing and they are a blast, as usual. Take the one we went to earlier this month at the beautiful mid-century modern home in Westmoreland of City Councilman George Wallace and his wife, Stephanie.
“Come fly with me,” the invitation said. And, as if by magic, we were transported back to 1958 to the “Pan Am First Class Supper Club.” In 1958, you see, supper clubs were all the rage, and Pan Am offered the first 707 Jet Clipper service to Europe. You know, back when flying was fun.
The hosts of this Summer Supper really did it up. Ellen Bebb made the stewardesses’ hats (that was before they were called flight attendants); others got authentic garb or reproductions off the Internet. And host Peter Acly had to cut short a lunch with me earlier in the week to go home and finish putting together some model airplanes that would be part of the decor. What a hoot.
Here’s the house. Oops, I mean supper club.
The welcoming party, from left, Natalie Robinson, Marshall Stair, Dick Goldstine and Joyce Tapscott.
We were given boarding passes and asked to put them on the tables to mark where we wanted to sit. Cute.
Here’s a real Pan Am uniform from back in the day. Joyce Tapscott’s cousin flew internationally for Pan Am.
One of the hosts, Ellen Robinson, right, with her sister, Nora Robinson, who was a guest.
Here’s one of those model airplanes Peter put together.
The signature drink? Tom Collins, of course. (My grandparents and their friends used to drink those!)
Great touch!
Hosts Barbara Apking and Councilman George Wallace.
Someone had a water landing!
Host Lorraine Burns was serving classic shrimp cocktails.
Asparagus rollups. Very popular in the day – and I still love them!
Stephanie was instructing Bill Tapp on how to pass them.
Guest Mark Hill was dressed appropriately.
Loved the place settings.
Cigarettes (candy ones) were on every table, of course.
It was a convivial bunch on the patio.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, wedge salads were being prepped.
I love aspic!
Ellen Bebb was hard at work on them.
Peter Acly and Stephen Apking were staffing the bar.
Here are guests Geoff Matthew and Chuckie Kirby.
Paul Berney and Deborah Franklin were styling from the correct era.
When we sat down, some professional dancers — Stephanie Braeuner and Jacob Rivera — put on a floor show.
Sandi Swilley and Allen Tillman.
Jim and Cathy Zarchin.
“Love Me Tenderloin” was the centerpiece of the entree. Ha.
Steve Drevik and Lee Ann Rogers.
Host Jeannie Dulaney serving Dawn Ford dessert.
Which was awesome chocolate meringue pie.
By then, the sun was setting, which was lovely.
Beth Antil and Kirk Finnerty.
Jane and Rich Ray.
From left, Deborah Emory, Robin Smith and Charlene Edwards.
Hosts Ann and Dick Goldstine.
Here are the four Knoxville City Councilmen who were among the hosts. From left, Finbarr Saunders, George Wallace, Duane Grieve and Marshall Stair. It was a great public service, guys!
Inside the house, these two — Alan Carmichael on the left and Richard Ford — looked like they had survived a rough flight.
Ellen Robinson and Peter Acly. (Get a room!)
Here’s the list of hosts, all of whom did an excellent job: Barbara and Steve Apking; Ellen Bebb and Finbarr Saunders; Lorraine and Mark Burns; Jeannie Dulaney; Ann and Dick Goldstine; Marianne Greene; Marsha and Duane Grieve; Ellen Robinson and Peter Acly; Natalie Robinson and Marshall Stair; Jeanne and Bill Tapp; Joyce and Jack Tapscott; and Stephanie and George Wallace.
“Be sure and check the overhead compartments for your belongings!” advised George as we left. Ha.
If you are interested in attending an upcoming Summer Supper, there are tickets remaining to three of them. Click here.
This summer supper took off! (I want that dessert.)
It was awesome, Maria. The supper — and the dessert. I got to taste mine just before Alan swooped in and stole it! (Just kidding. I told him he could.)
Glad you flew with us! It was a fun party — Ellen Bebb can do anything, I swear. And, George and Stephanie went “above and beyond.” (couldn’t help myself…)
You all did a fantastic job! Such fun. Can’t wait for the next one we attend. I think we are going to four of them this year.
The hosts did a masterful job, such attention to detail. Thanks to George and Stephanie for opening up their beautiful home. Got to give Ellen Bebb and Peter Acly a big shout out for their huge focus on the Pan Am looks, down to the epaulets. I do wonder if Pan Am pilots wore socks. Duane, Marshall and Finbarr could have easily shifted over to the “Love Boat.”
For those of us (most of Knoxville) who follow Cynthia’s Blue Streak blog, it is obvious that, for Knoxville’s being a “scruffy little city” —yes, I’m harking back—we do have a lot of festive and creative and fun times. I’m always amazed at the imagination of our community – and the joy of community. Knoxville is a scruffy-good place to be!
Thanks Bette! I couldn’t agree more about Knoxville being a wonderful place to live. That’s why I publish The Blue Streak. Just to show what a fascinating and fun town it is. I appreciate all you and Richard do to help keep it that way!
The host team had a lot of fun pulling this together! Thanks to ALL who attended. BTW I was especially excited by the event’s “Pan Am” focus. My love for that airline goes way back to the “Pan American Airways” days. That was, say, the mid-50s (yikes!); PAA equipment was the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser & Douglas DC-6 and -7. Besides the romance of these great planes — and I was able to have flown in all of the above — I happed to have the same initials as the airline! I thought it was my own personal airline. I was hooked. Thanks again to all.
Jeanne made the pies! She would share the recipe [email protected]
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