Our friend, City Council Member Janet Testerman, right, with her mother, Janet Testerman Crossley, at our first Fourth of July party of the day.
You know us. We love a big event. Rarely skip them.
But this year, it just felt more comfortable having a low-key Independence Day celebration with a close group of friends in the suburbs — followed by front row seats, so to speak, to the city of Knoxville’s fireworks show downtown.
How was your Fourth? Was it a blowout? Or pared down? Just wondered how everyone else was feeling.
We started in West Knoxville at the Westmoreland Hills home of our good friends Judith and Michael Foltz. Judith, the former director of special events for the city of Knoxville, now has her own events company. She loves to throw a party and has a great place to do it.
We ended the day at the beautiful downtown condo of Gay and Bill Lyons. It’s in a development called The Overlook and was featured on this year’s Downtown Home Tour. Located overlooking the Tennessee River and the Henley Bridge from which the fireworks were launched, it truly provided a “front row” viewing opportunity.
Happy, happy Fourth to you! We at the Blue Streak hope your summer is going great! Onward!
Judith and Michael Foltz have a lovely home in Westmoreland Hills. We thought the patriotic bunting was a perfect touch for their Fourth of July gathering.
The whole house is beautiful, but the best “room” of all is the covered patio where the bulk of the party took place.
Everyone looked great and most took a nod to the the colors of the occasion. But our downtown buddy Moody Altamimi had the most fitting holiday attire!
From left, Alan Carmichael, Joey Creswell and Bill Lyons. Alan and I gave Bill that shirt for his birthday. It says, “I love all cats and most people.” His wife, Gay, says it would be more accurate if it said, “I love all cats and a FEW people!” Ha. (He’s really a very friendly guy!)
More downtowners venturing into the ‘burbs: Jacque Hawks, left, and Kim Henry.
Another downtown friend, Chris Crouch, said his friends would laugh when they saw this photo because he is not a “dog person.” I don’t think the doggie, Mazie, got that memo!
Old friends, from left, Judith Foltz, Teresa Scott and Evelyn Miller. (With Sookie and Mazie, the dogs.)
Sam Maynard, left, with Debbie and Roy Haisley.
Michael Foltz performing the all-important bartending duties!
A pool just really sets the scene for this holiday, don’t you think?
The Foltzes’ granddaughter, Madison, was the only guest to take advantage of it, though!
Robin Thomas, left, and Gay Lyons both came from downtown.
Karen Kluge and Tim Allen.
Jacque Hawks, left, and Janet Testerman.
These guys seemed pretty relaxed! From left, Alan Carmichael, Joey Creswell and Bill Lyons.
Here is a terrific dry rose that Moody brought. She got it at Downtown Wine + Spirits.
Sampling the rose, from left, Moody Altamimi, Gay Lyons and Judith Foltz.
Soon, our hostess called us to the table.
I took this photo before the stampede!
I love our host, Michael Foltz. He is almost always in a good mood! He and Judith are about to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
Dessert was served inside: fantastic brownies, a patriotic trifle that Gay made and the always popular lemon cookies from Ham ’N Goodys.
Somebody else got treats, too!
Madison and Moody put the picnic plate protectors on their heads!
Judith put an American flag in her cleavage!
We decided it might be time to go home for a short nap!
About four hours later — after we did, in fact, take a nap — we found ourselves on Gay and Bill’s fifth-floor porch overlooking the Henley Bridge, which had been closed to traffic. That’s where the fireworks would be launched.
On the porch, from left: Chris Crouch, Alan Carmichael and Robin Thomas.
Inside, from left, Teresa Scott, Gay and Bill Lyons.
In about an hour, it was almost dark.
And then, this:
Happy, happy, everybody!
What a fun–and delicious–day! Moody definitely wins the prize for best 4th of July attire. Great job capturing our fun group, Judith & Michael’s beautifully decorated space, and the spectacular fireworks. Pool party + naps + front row fireworks makes for a great Independence Day tradition.
I always enjoy these party retrospectives!
Great party. You did a wonderful job capturing the group of friends enjoying the day and the beauty and comfort of Judith and Mikey’s home. A feel good day indeed.
Looks like a great time had by all.
Wondering how everyone else celebrated. Big gathering? Or small party?
looks like fun! I also stuck to a few small friend gatherings but in the suburbs of south florida!
Moe: “Suburbs of South Florida” has a good ring to it!
The Journal could not have covered it as well as you and the Streak.
Frank: Thanks! Those were fun times, too, though!
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