Sunset & Roses Gala celebrates 30th anniversary of University of Tennessee Gardens — and much more

Mary Anne and Sam Beall, center, are flanked by their friends Jack and Sara Rose. The Bealls were the honorary co-chairs of the "Sunset & Roses" event.

Mary Anne and Sam Beall, center, are flanked by their friends Jack and Sara Rose. The Bealls were the honorary co-chairs of the Sunset & Roses event.

The UT Gardens have a lot to celebrate. Just last month, Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law a bill sponsored by Knoxville state Sen. Becky Duncan Massey designating UT Gardens as the “State Botanical Gardens of Tennessee.”

Food was prepared and served by students in the UT Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism program and in the Pellissippi State Culinary program. Chef Tyler White heads up the Pellissippi program and Chef Carol Costello heads the UT program. Both programs have a collaborative relationship with UT Gardens.

Food was prepared and served by students in the UT Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism program and in the Pellissippi State Culinary program. Chef Tyler White heads up the Pellissippi program and Chef Carol Costello heads the UT program. Both programs have a collaborative relationship with UT Gardens.

UT officials say this is significant because it recognizes and brings attention to the outstanding teaching, research and outreach programs conducted by UT horticultural experts across the state of Tennessee.

The UT Gardens also are recognized as one of the 51 official All-America Selections test sites in the United States; they are a certified Tennessee Arboretum; and they are an American Conifer Society Reference Garden. Additionally, they are home to the Beall Family Rose Garden, the largest public rose garden in the Midsouth.

Fittingly, Sam and Mary Anne Beall, the forces behind construction of the rose garden, which opened in 2009, were the honorary co-chairs of the Sunset & Roses Gala, an event earlier this month to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the UT Gardens — and everything else about them. Funds raised from the gala will provide student internships and will fund even more growth at the Gardens, which every year host more than 100,000 visitors. They are special to the state of Tennessee because they combine the beauty and openness of a public garden with a hands-on university and community laboratory for conserving, restoring and celebrating the environment.

Even though the evening was a bit overcast at the beginning, the enthusiasm of patrons was in no way dampened, as you can see from these photos.

It was a little cloudy, but festive, nonetheless.

It was a little cloudy, but festive, nonetheless.

Deb DiPietro, left, and Penny Mitchell during the cocktail hour.

Deb DiPietro, left, and Penny Mitchell during the cocktail hour.

Music was by UT's Faculty Jazz Trio. From left, Rusty Holloway, Keith Brown and Mark Boling.

Music was by UT's Faculty Jazz Trio. From left, Rusty Holloway, Keith Brown and Mark Boling.

Mary Hope and Ken Maples were visiting from Pigeon Forge.

Mary Hope and Ken Maples were visiting from Pigeon Forge.

Tanner Hall offered bacon-wrapped scallops.

Tanner Hall offered bacon-wrapped scallops.

Natalie Haslam, left, was visiting with Tommy Ayres and Betty McWhorter.

Natalie Haslam, left, was visiting with Tommy Ayres and Betty McWhorter.

Jim Haslam, center, flanked by Ileen and UT Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek. Ileen was on the planning committee for the event.

Jim Haslam, center, flanked by Ileen and UT Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek. Ileen was on the planning committee for the event.

Vintner Mike Reedy, left, with Tom Looney of UT Agriculture Institute's development office. Reedy donated wine for the evening.

Vintner Mike Reedy, left, with Tom Looney of UT Agriculture Institute's development office. Reedy provided wine for the evening.

These are just four of the wines from Reedy Creek Vineyards and Cellars of Kingsport.

These are just four of the wines from Reedy Creek Vineyards and Cellars of Kingsport.

Click here for a little more information about Reedy Creek.

UT President Emeritus Joe Johnson and his wife, Pat

UT President Emeritus Joe Johnson and his wife, Pat

From left, Chuck Jones, Sandy Beall and Maribel Koella

From left, Chuck Jones, Sandy Beall and Maribel Koella

From left, Fay Bailey, Ken Hall, Sandy Bertelkamp and Janie Hall

From left, Fay Bailey, Ken Hall, Sandy Bertelkamp and Janie Hall

Soon we were instructed to go to the huge silent auction tent for more food and wine. (Wine is a critical element to a successful auction!)

Fran Scheidt and Lynn Carlson in the auction tent

Fran Scheidt and Lynn Carlson in the auction tent

Alan and I placed the winning bid on this painting of sunflowers by the late Warren Butler.

Alan and I placed the winning bid on this painting of sunflowers by the late Knoxville painter Warren Butler.

We did not know until that evening that our buddy Lofton Stuart makes birdhouses for a hobby! Isn't this one lovely?

We did not know until that evening that our buddy Lofton Stuart makes birdhouses for a hobby! Isn't this one lovely?

Here's a piece of art by another friend of ours, Melynda Whetsel.

Here's a piece of art by another friend of ours, Melynda Whetsel.

The poles inside the tent were decorated with roses.

The poles inside the tent were decorated with roses.

Very big roses, as you can see when I made my husband, Alan Carmichael, pose next to them! Wow.

Very big roses, as you can see when I made my husband, Alan Carmichael, pose next to them! Wow.

The food was fabulous. Here are mushroom crostini with truffle aioli.

The food was fabulous. Here are mushroom crostini with truffle aioli.

This was my favorite: blue cheese and pear tart

This was my favorite: blue cheese and pear tart

Corned beef canapes

Corned beef canapes

And then it was time for dinner! Here are two of our tablemates, Betty and John Hanes.

And then it was time for dinner! Here are two of our tablemates, Betty and John Haynes.

Jayne Morris, left, and Maggie Badal also were at Table 23 - a very good table!

Jayne Morris, left, and Maggie Badal also were at Table 23 - a very good table!

Nicki and Brad Collett rounded out our dinner group.

Nicki and Brad Collett rounded out our dinner group.

Strawberry salad wtih foccacia started our dinner.

Strawberry salad with focaccia started our dinner.

Entree was chicken stuffed with asparagus, pork roulade, corn souffle and roasted colored potatoes.

Entree was chicken stuffed with asparagus, pork roulade, corn souffle and roasted colored potatoes.

I couldn't even think of eating dessert! But Alan did!

I couldn't even think of eating dessert! But Alan did!

A festive crowd inside the dinner tent

A festive crowd inside the dinner tent getting ready for the program and auction.

Mary Rayson, left, and Nancy Butler

Mary Rayson, left, and Nancy Butler

Betsey Bush

Betsey Bush

Sandra and John Butler

Sandra and John Butler

James Newburn, left, the curator of UT Gardens, with Jimmy Brimer

James Newburn, left, the curator of UT Gardens, with Jimmy Brimer

State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, left, gives to Director of UT Gardens Sue Hamilton a copy of the law naming UT Gardens the "State Botanical Gardens of Tennessee."

State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, left, gives to Director of UT Gardens Sue Hamilton a copy of the law naming UT Gardens the "State Botanical Gardens of Tennessee."

Mark Windham presents Sam and Mary Anne Beall a special rose bush called "Good as Gold."

UT's "unofficial" rosarian, Mark Windham, presents Sam and Mary Anne Beall with a special rose bush called "Good as Gold."

Sandy Beall paid $1,200 for this guitar autographed by Kenny Chesney.

Sandy Beall paid $1,200 for this guitar autographed by Kenny Chesney.

Our friends Sara and Jack Rose went home with a beautiful “Grandmother’s Flower Garden” quilt, Ken and Mary Hope Maples placed the winning bid for dinner for four at Blackberry Farm and, in addition to the pretty sunflower painting, Alan and I won dinner for eight in the beautiful rose garden of Sharon and Joe Pryse. A very satisfying evening all the way around!

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9 Responses to Sunset & Roses Gala celebrates 30th anniversary of University of Tennessee Gardens — and much more

  1. Katharine Pearson Criss, on May 24th, 2013 at 7:34 am said:

    I want to go next year! Fabulous – thanks for sharing.

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on May 24th, 2013 at 7:38 am said:

    Oh, Katharine, you really should! I had not spent much time in the UT Gardens and was really impressed by what all is going on over there. Plus, of course, it was just a fun party.

  3. Alan Carmichael, on May 24th, 2013 at 7:46 am said:

    I keep humming Ricky Nelson: “went to a garden party/everyone was there. . . ” it was nice.

  4. Dawn Ford, on May 24th, 2013 at 10:06 am said:

    I love the UT Gardens. We had one of Presley’s best birthday parties there. Food looked great!

  5. Alan Carmichael, on May 24th, 2013 at 10:54 am said:

    UT’s Carol Costello has been coordinating the feeding of thousands of Destination Imagination folks this week, food allergies and all. Busy woman.

  6. Cynthia Moxley, on May 24th, 2013 at 11:43 am said:

    Alan: Carol is awesome. A lot of fun, too!

  7. Gay Lyons, on May 24th, 2013 at 11:45 am said:

    How did I not know about this lovely party? Everything looks fabulous.

  8. Cynthia Moxley, on May 24th, 2013 at 1:46 pm said:

    It was great, Gay. I got notified through the U.S. Postal Service! (I know. Odd!)

  9. Rusha Sams, on May 24th, 2013 at 3:37 pm said:

    We are quite fortunate to have the lovely UT Gardens right in our own backyard. Thanks for sharing the pictures of the people enjoying the event celebrating this treasure.

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