Fun, fireworks and fowl to celebrate Fourth

Rick Blackburn, president of the board of Knox Heritage, gets up close and personal with Sundance, the Dewhirsts' pet chicken. Isn't she pretty?

Rick Blackburn, president of the board of Knox Heritage, gets up close and personal with Sundance, the Dewhirsts’ pet chicken. Isn’t she pretty?

It’s summer and that means Knox Heritage’s uber popular Summer Suppers are in full swing. I love these things. They are great little (or big) parties put together by a creative host committee at a private home or interesting setting.

Earlier this month, 50 guests attended one at David and Tracy Dewhirst’s farm located in South Knoxville just minutes from downtown. It started with cocktails on the lawn of the house and ended with dinner and fireworks at a beautifully restored Amish barn the Dewhirsts saved and transported to their property from Indiana.

The hardworking host committee purchased the barbecue that was the main course, but they made the eight side dishes. And Tracy made three kinds of pies for dessert.

Don’t miss out on these fantastic fundraisers. There are still three that are not sold out. They are on July 23, July 30 and August 27. Click here for more info on them. Maybe we’ll see you there.

One of the hosts, Mary Ann Condry, greeted guests with refreshing fruit kabobs.

One of the hosts, Mary Ann Condry, greeted guests with refreshing fruit kabobs.

Just two days before Independence Day, the theme was patriot.

Just two days before Independence Day, the theme was patriot.

Another appetizer was stuffed Peppadews.

Another festive appetizer was stuffed Peppadews.

The setting for the cocktail hour was lovely.

The setting for the cocktail hour was lovely.

Hosts Melissa and Chad Tindell had bartendiing duties.

Hosts Melissa and Chad Tindell had bartending duties.

Host Kevin Murphy, left, with David and Tracy Dewhirst.

Host Kevin Murphy, left, with David and Tracy Dewhirst.

Sisters Arlene Lynsky, left, and Joan Markel with host Jeff Johnson.

Sisters Arlene Lynsky, left, and Joan Markel with host Jeff Johnson.

Benny Smith and Megan Venable.

Benny Smith and Megan Venable.

Emilie Finke, left, and Emily Stevens.

Emilie Finke, left, and Emily Stevens.

Chris and Christa Morton with Tinah Utsman, right.

Chris and Christa Morton with Tinah Utsman, right.

Hosts Dana and Tim Traylor.

Hosts Dana and Tim Traylor.

Michael Combs, left, with hosts Jim Nichols, center, and Bill Charles.

Michael Combs, left, with hosts Jim Nichols, center, and Bill Charles.

Polly Ailor Tullock, left, and Jane Ray.

Polly Ailor Tullock, left, and Jane Ray.

Scott and Annette Brun with Whitney Ray-Dawson.

Scott and Annette Brun with Whitney Ray-Dawson.

From left, Phyllis Nichols, Victoria Cape and Pandy Anderson.

From left, Phyllis Nichols, Victoria Cape and Pandy Anderson.

Gavin and Naomi Baker with Alan Carmichael, right.

Gavin and Naomi Baker with Alan Carmichael, right.

Kathy Brennan.

Kathy Brennan.

Loved her shoes!

Loved her shoes!

Caroline and Craig Friedrich.

Caroline and Craig Friedrich.

Rick Blackburn, left, and David Dewhirst making a few remarks prior to ushering everyone down to the barn.

Rick Blackburn, left, and David Dewhirst making a few remarks prior to ushering everyone down to the barn.

Awww. David and Tracy Dewhirst. (Photo courtesy of Jim Nichols)

Awww. David and Tracy Dewhirst. (Photo courtesy of Jim Nichols)

Here's the stunning Amish barn. (Photo courtesy of Jim Nichols)

Here’s the stunning Amish barn. The red rocker denotes a Summer Supper sponsorship by Home Federal Bank. (Photo courtesy of Jim Nichols)

Annette Brun at the buffet. Notice the red, white and blue pies at bottom right. Those are the ones Tracy made.

Annette Brun at the buffet. Notice the red, white and blue pies at bottom right. Those are the ones Tracy made. (Photo courtesy of Jim Nichols)

Hosts Mickey Mallonee, left, and Rosa Mar.

Hosts Mickey Mallonee, left, and Rosa Mar.

I love this picture that Scott Brun took of Sundance.

I love this picture that Scott Brun took of Sundance.

John Bradley and Mary Pom Claiborne.

John Bradley and Mary Pom Claiborne.

Julia and Gary Bentley.

Julia and Gary Bentley.

Joe and Barbara Hall.

Joe and Barbara Hall.

Mark and Cathy Hill.

Mark and Cathy Hill.

Newlyweds Gail Jarvis and John Cate. (They dated five years.)

Newlyweds Gail Jarvis and John Cate. (They dated five years.)

Kim Trent, left, executive director of Knox Heritage, with Joan Cronan, center, and Sherri Lee.

Kim Trent, left, executive director of Knox Heritage, with Joan Cronan, center, and Sherri Lee.

John and Linda Haynes.

John and Linda Haynes.

Hosts Leslie Fawaz, left, and Hollie Cook.

Hosts Leslie Fawaz, left, and Hollie Cook.

Sean and Sara Martin.

Sean and Sara Martin.

Melissa Charles, left, and Cathy Briscoe.

Melissa Charles, left, and Cathy Briscoe.

Dan and Suzan Murphy.

Dan and Suzan Murphy.

Allen and Lillian Meek.

Allen and Lillian Meek.

I made these two pose together because of their hats!

I made these two pose together because of their hats!

From left, Allen Tillman, Sandi Swilley and Chuck Shuman.

From left, Allen Tillman, Sandi Swilley and Chuck Shuman.

Sandy Gillespie, left, and David Arning.

Sandy Gillespie, left, and David Arning.

The band Misty River provided entertainment while we waited for darkness to fall and the fireworks to begin.

The band Misty River provided entertainment while we waited for darkness to fall and the fireworks to begin. (Photo courtesy of Alan Carmichael)

Willa waited with us.

Willa waited with us.

Some of us played with Sundance to pass the time.

Some of us played with Sundance to pass the time.

And then sparklers were passed around.

And then sparklers were passed around.

Here's Alan with his.

Here’s Alan with his.

And then, boom! "Those Chinese were onto something," cracked Dan Murphy referring to the inventors of fireworks.

And then, boom! “Those Chinese were onto something,” cracked Dan Murphy referring to the inventors of fireworks.

They were beautiful.

They were beautiful.

 

 

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3 Responses to Fun, fireworks and fowl to celebrate Fourth

  1. Alan Carmichael, on July 14th, 2016 at 5:15 pm said:

    I don’t think anyone chickened out on this Summer Supper.

  2. Kelly Keen, on July 14th, 2016 at 9:14 pm said:

    Willa! Love you guys

  3. Cynthia Moxley, on July 14th, 2016 at 10:13 pm said:

    Alan and Kelly: Glad the animal lovers are chiming in! (I am one, too!)

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