Committed to excellence and personal service since 1996

Little River Watershed Gala

March 9th, 2013 · Any Occasion Party

Clayton Center for the Arts

Maryville TN

Little River Watershed

2012 Comes to a Close and a Successful Year for Little River Watershed Association!

LRWA Stream Monitoring and World Water Monitoring Day:

After a long hiatus, we’re proud to say we have re-activated our citizen science and stream monitoring program. We are able to do this in part because of a generous donation we received from Chota Canoe Club in 2012.We are piloting our visual assessment in Reed Creek, one of the nicest creeks in the Little River Watershed.  We will also conduct similar visual assessments in the Pistol Creek Watershed in 2013. With help from area labs, we will also conduct chemical sampling on the trunk stream of Little River in 2013.

It’s been a great year for the Little River Watershed Association!

As we are leaving 2012, we thought it would be a good time to thank our sponsors, volunteers, and community supporters. With your help, these are some of our year’s accomplishments!

2012 Accomplishments:·  We maintained a 5-mile section of the Little River located in Walland, as part of the national Adopt-A-Stream program. As a result of our regular clean-ups, we have removed over 5000 lbs. of trash and debris from our river corridors.·  We hosted the second annual Little River Fest (formerly called Little River Roundup and Earthfest), a day-long river cleanup and afternoon celebration for volunteers at River John’s Island.  Over 125 volunteers helped clean up the river on this spring day.

·  We coordinated a successful campaign to treat over 20 threatened mature hemlocks growing on the banks of the Little River. These trees were identified as critical habitat for aquatic and riparian habitat along the river, but threatened by the invasive insect, the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid.

·  We conducted a watershed educational field school for an area Boy Scout troop, in addition to conducting over 60 hours of environmental outreach activities in Blount and Knox Counties.

·  We conducted three Little River Watershed 101 events, community-wide programs providing hands- on educational opportunities about Little River.

·  We initiated a stream monitoring program in Reed Creek with help from Chota Canoe Club. This program will expand in 2013, with new business and corporate sponsors and will include a youth stream monitoring program in Pistol Creek watershed.

·  We hosted our 6th annual Winter Gala at the Clayton Center for the Arts with over 130 in attendance.

Some Photo’s from the 6th annual Winter Gala!!!

Gathering and participating in the Silent Aution

GatheringLive BandSilent Aution Bid ItemsButler Passed Tray Shrimp CocktailButler Passed Tray Sausage BallsFeatured here is one of the LIVE auction bid items…. a vacation package.

Live AuctionThe Buffet for the Gala featured Heavy Hor D Oeuvres

Rotini Chicken AlfredoSeven Layer Mexican Dip with tortilla'sCheese Grits BarRosemary Roast with CroissantsFresh Fruit FondueAnd as a tradition….. we featured an incredible Dessert Buffet

*Chocolate Layer Cake  *Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake  *Strawberry Cake *Hummingbird Cake

Dessert Buffet*Red Velvet Cake  *Key Lime Cheesecake  *Italian Cream Cake

Dessert BuffetBeverage Station

Beverage StationDavid Harrill (Gala Board Member) talking with Steve Samples (Live Auction auctioneer)


→ No CommentsTags:··

Blount County Library

March 2nd, 2013 · Any Occasion Party

Baby Shower

Amanda (Mom to Be)

Centerpiece

“Welcoming Noah Thomas”

The theme for this extravagant baby shower was Noah’s Ark and held at the Blount County Public Library in one of the private meeting spaces. I really enjoyed being a part of this special event and wanted to share it.

The Cake was so fun! Amanda brought  artwork to be printed into an edible image for the the cake.

Shower CakeMommy to Be….

AmandaGrandmother to Be…. Anne Clayborne was very organized and planned a spectacular baby shower event. From her hand sewn table linens, guest favors and to her fresh flower centerpieces and candy platters…. she was spot on!

Guest FavorCenterpiecesGift TableThe Mid-morning menu was perfect for a Shower:

Mini Quiche Florentine

Fresh Fruit Skewers

Crescent Chicken Salad Finger Sandwiches

Parmesan Spinach Roma Tomatoes

Sharp Cheddar Sausage Balls

Sparkling Cranberry Punch

BuffetFruit Skewers and Parmesan Roma TomatoesChicken Salad Sandwiches/ Quiche Florentine

Sharp Cheddar Sausage BallsSparkling Cranberry Punch

Noah's Ark PlatesWe had so much fun “Welcoming Noah Thomas”  !!!!   Thanks Anne and Amanda for making First Fruits Catering a part of your special celebration :)

→ No CommentsTags:·

Foothills Bridal Extravaganza

February 24th, 2013 · Open House Events

Airport Hilton

Jackson and Jessi The Bridal Show had great attendance! First Fruits Catering introduced several new menu items at this show. Pictured above is our new Bacon Cheese Cream Puff.

Southwestern Black Bean SaladThis Southwestern Black Bean Salad is tossed with an avocado vinaigrette … pictured above as martini’s .

Beverage StationOur Beverage Station featured Strawberry Lemonade, Sweetened Iced Tea, and Sparkling Grape Punch.

Wedding CakeThe Sunflower Fondant Cake is artificial and demanded over 8 hours of detail work. … and can easily be duplicated using fresh baked cake. At the show we served Fresh Strawberry Cake and Chocolate Fudge mini chip Cake.

All the linens used on our buffets are available for vintage weddings… We used a Wheat colored floor length linen and covered it with White Lace overlays.

We really enjoyed working with the other vendors at the show… to many to mention and feature… But here are some :

House on The Hill Venue/ Simplicity Event PlannersVery unique decor provided by House on The Hill venue and Simplicity Event Planners (Heather Lynn).

J and J event consultantsJ and J Event Consultants (Ms. Jackie McCord)

Smithview Event Centers

Smithview Event Centers Venue offering indoor and outdoor event space.

Melissa Trimm DesignsMelissa Trimm Designs Florals.

Savvi Formal WearBen Dobson with Savvi Formal Wear

Anderson Rental CompanyAnderson Rental Company (Ms. Angie and Ms. Lesley)

Farrah's PhotographyFarrah’s Professional Photography

Campbell Rental CompanyCampbell Tent and Party Rentals

Colonial Estate WeddingsColonial Estate Weddings

Kimz EntertainmentKimz Entertainment (Dan and Branden)

Alfred Angelo GownsAlfred Angelo Gowns

Snazzle Dazzle Snazzle Dazzle Embroidery and Unique Gifts

→ No CommentsTags:··············

Wilderness Lodge Cabin

November 17th, 2012 · Weddings

Cobbly Nob Area

Gatlinburg, TN

Fire Pit with a ViewWilderness LodgeThis Wedding Lodge offers all the extras! The ceremony site was set up on the mountain top landing with incredible views. This cabin is located at the top of Pinnacle View on the East Parkway.

Fall EleganceThe buffet was selected from our heavy hors d oeuvres package menu at Chef Tony Catering, which included a fresh fruit fondue station.

Fresh Fruit FondueGarnet Package BuffetThe surrounding outside porch offered views from each side of the cabin.

Great ViewHappy Endings  last Forever….

Happy Ending :)

→ No CommentsTags:··

The Reserve at Bluebird Hill

October 14th, 2012 · Open House Events

The Bride Link Vintage Bridal Show

Lenoir City, TN

Today's MenuWhat a fantastic Bridal Show !!! I really appreciate all the newly engaged couples for stopping by our buffet to sample…. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of your special wedding day !

BuffetThis event offered exciting energy…. Fashion show, entertainers, dancers, displays of all kinds, Oh My !

Our beverage station was v-e-r-y popular !!!

Mason Jar beverage StationSpecial Thanks to the awesome ladies at Vintage Southern Rentals for letting us borrow the mason glasses for serving and the great dessert props!

Mocha Espresso Cupcakes

I especially enjoyed working on this wedding cake!!! The Vanilla Bean Cake was covered in pink fondant and hand brushed with edible gold accents!

Vanilla Bean CakeA BIG thank you to Ms. Haley Dotson from The Bride Link for working so hard to connect us vendors (over 40 vendors) with our wedding couples…what a fabulous job!

→ No CommentsTags:····