Low Country Boil is a magical night
By: BONNIE BUCY
Lebanon Democrat
Posted: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 11:46 pm
October 6, 2008 – It was a magical night for 364 attendees
and a benefitting night for breast and colon cancer as the Sixth annual
Low Country Boil scored another success Saturday night in Lebanon as it
raised approximately $36,393.
Sponsored by the Shamrock Society, a group of nine hard working
businessmen and their equally talented and energetic wives, the event
is fast becoming one of the most well attended affairs in the area.
This year, the lights from the party lit up the entire hilltop in the
Southfork subdivision as it occupied two homes there plus an adjoining
vacant lot. The decor of each yard was well worth the price just to see
even if there hadn't been so much fabulous food available at each place.
The usual huge tent was set on the vacant lot between the two houses.
It was filled with linen covered tables with fall centerpieces,
cascading hanging lights, a probably 75 foot long table covered with
silent auction items and a stage in one corner that featured the Knob
Creek band from the Jim Beam Distillery that kept the music pumping all
evening.
Down the hill to the left of the tent was the entry to Pam and Bob
Black's backyard which was opened up for the first time this year as
part of the Boil. It was eclectic and charming. Fish balloons swam in
their pool. Colored miniature lights adorned every shrub and bush.
Beach towels hung on towel racks and bamboo wraps covered each bar
area. Brightly colored lawn decorations appeared now and again and
inflated palm trees set in inflated tubs that served as cold drink
holders. An arbor featured several bamboo hats and a chameleon
"crawling" up the piece,
"We wanted it to be cute and fun," said Pam Black, "but, we didn't want
it to look cheap and chintzy. I hope we succeeded."
Everyone assured her they had indeed succeeded in making it fun.
Tables and chairs or stools were set up around the pool and under the
canopy that covered a built-in fireplace. Napkins, plates and utensils
were served from a colorful table and then you proceeded to the food
table. There you found shrimp on a skewer, chicken on a stick, fabulous
black beans, chicken patties, beef patties, bread, fruit skewers and
some really good margaritas.
Annette Stafford, among others, kept commenting about how "beautiful
the scenery was and how great the food was."
Back across the way, you stepped into a country scene in front of the
tent that encompassed a wagon full of hay and pumpkins, various open
fire pits that permeated the air with the smell of wood burning, bales
of hay and other types of seats scattered around, A curving food table
there featured honey glazed pulled chicken, corn casserole, baked beans
chicken ya' ya' and barbecue. Appletini's glowed hot pink and apple
green
Down a pathway to Glenda and Ed Riley's house was the dessert area.
This was highlighted by a classic life-size figure of Marilyn Monroe
with her white dress blowing upward. The tables there were covered with
tempting deserts of all kinds, including Riley's signature designs in
the names of breast and colon cancer.
Riley, owner of Two Fat Men Catering, was responsible for all the food
for the Boil. Asked how he managed to do all of it, he replied, "With
the help of my friends." Everybody in the bunch came in to slice, dice,
stir and whatever needed to be done.
And proving it was all good, one group of five people came into the
tent with plates loaded down with food. As they dug in to eat, the
comment was made that more food was available across the way at the
other house. "Oh, we've already been there," was the reply.
The live auction brought funds right in at $7,000, including a painting
donated by Germany's most popular artist, Alfred Alerandie Dockel that
brought $3,500 and a rose quartz ring that brought $1,550. The silent
auction had some incredible items and the bidders seemed like they were
thinking about it and then digging even deeper into their pockets
because they considered the cause so worthy.
"This has so far exceeded anything I could ever have imagined," said
Riley with a tear in his eye at evening's end. "Everybody has been so
wonderful."
Each patron could make their entry payable to Sherry's Run for colon
cancer or to the Tennessee Breast Cancer Society.
