Time — or “thyme” — was the theme of the Green Thumb Gala. This huge clock was a show-stopper.
The Green Thumb Gala (I love that name!) to benefit the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum might have been a typical silent and live auction, but the venue and the auction items made it special.
Held under a huge tent at the East Knoxville location of the botanical garden, the attendance at the party this past Sunday exceeded last year’s. With a theme of “thyme,” and many items for gardens, patios and landscaping offered for sale, it was a relaxed good “time” for more than 320 people to pleasantly end the weekend while benefiting a good cause.
This cute vignette welcomed guests to the tent.
The Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum consists of 47 acres of the former Howell Nurseries and features walking trails, display gardens, unique & historic horticulture and over two miles of distinctive stone walls and timeless buildings. Located just five minutes from downtown at 2743 Wimpole Avenue, it is privately owned and operated and is supported through donations and membership. The garden is open to the public for free.
It is a magical place and the whimsical round stone buildings, stone-sided greenhouses and secret garden paths and alleys give it special allure. Today, mature specimens of rare and unusual trees and shrubbery remain, surrounded by the beautiful stone walls that define the planting areas. The process of identifying, mapping and tagging every tree, plant and shrub on the property is underway.
It was beautiful evening for an outdoor party last Sunday. Here’s the view of the mountains from the botanical garden.
Here’s a truck from the old Howell Nurseries.
The Old City Buskers, one of our favorite groups at Moxley Carmichael, provided tunes.
From left, Julia Bentley, Christi Branscom, Sara Hedstrom Pinnell and Patricia Robledo. Julia was a co-chair of the Green Thumb Gala.
From left, Vicki Baumgartner, Robin Turner and Mimi Turner. Mimi was the other co-chair.
One of the very cool auction items.
I loved these botanical stepping stones. Unfortunately, living in a downtown condo, we have no place to use stepping stones!
Such a clever title on this collection of peonies!
Riley and Pandy Anderson.
John and Karen Kalec were considering this unusual chair offered in the silent auction.
Until John almost got stuck in it!
From left, Kay and Larry Leibowitz and Cathy and Mark Hill.
Keyes Williamson, the former executive director of the botanical garden, with Joan Ashe, the chair of the garden’s board. Keyes has moved back to Athens, Georgia, from whence he came, to accept a great job offer.
City Councilman Mark Campen, left, with David Butler, the executive director of the Knoxville Museum of Art.
These were delicious passed hors d’oeuvres: butternut squash and sausage picks. It was a great fall flavor combination.
From left, Ben Pinnell and Kati and Jim Blalock.
From left, Alan Carmichael (my hubby), Tom Bright, Gary Bentley and UT President Joe DiPietro.
Allyn and John Schwartz.
Another cute silent auction item.
Ha! A boot full of flowers.
A Halloween elf?
U.S. Cellular’s Tom Catani, left, and Marga and Jay McBride.
Jeff Stanley, left, and Clarence Brown Theatre’s David Byrd.
Deb DiPietro made this stunning neck piece.
She finished it right before the party! I thought it was very appropriate.
From left, Stuart Worden, Mike Strickland and Jeff Talman.
It was a great crowd on a lovely night.
Volunteers spent plenty of “thyme” making these origami birds!
The tables were lovely.
The Moxley Carmichael table was number 13! But that didn’t scare us!
Mike Devoto is the acting executive director of the garden. He welcomed everyone.
At dinner time, the Old City Buskers moved onto the stage in the dining area. Home Federal Bank, a very generous community supporter — and our client — was the stage sponsor.
From left, Dr. Alan Solomon, Andrea Cartwright, Phyllis Nichols and Dr. Joe DiPietro.
The garden fig and arugula salad with lemon honey vinaigrette was delicious. Caterer was Rex Bradford Jones.
The pimento cheese biscuits were worth the cost of admission!
Michael Higdon, left, and Scott Bird were at our table. Scott is a vice president at Moxley Carmichael.
Jim and Phyllis Nichols joined us.
Hannah Parker, left, and Shaun Fulco, both of Moxley Carmichael.
Here’s Alan with Alice and Michael Wirth. He’s dean of the UT College of Communication and Information Sciences.
The entree was chicken breast stuffed with sage dressing and topped with a dijon cognac sauce. Sides were roasted sweet potatoes and herb grilled zucchini.
Here are Dick Krieg and Lin Christenberry.
Pamela and Dan Chips.
Cathy and City Councilman Dan Brown, who also is a former Knoxville mayor.
Joan and Victor Ashe with Karen Krieg, right. Victor, of course, is former Knoxville mayor and Ambassador to Poland.
Dessert: lemon thyme bars.
Lovely parting gifts were thyme plants with quotes about time.
And another.
A nearly full moon greeted us as we left.
Here’s a little bonus info for you. The night’s signature cocktail, which was quite popular, was called “The Honey Thyme.” Ingredients: 1.5 oz. Puerto Rican rum; .75 oz. lemon juice; .5 oz. honey; 1 muddled clove; 2 sprigs of thyme; ginger ale to top. Directions: Muddle clove. Combine all ingredients and shake. Using a fine strainer, pour over ice. Top with ginger ale. Enjoy!
Looks like such fun! And your photo of the pimento cheese biscuits may just become my screen saver! Yum.
Thanks for coming (& sponsoring). This was my first year on the planning committee, which was great fun. I think the origami birds were worth the “thyme” we spent folding them.
It was a beautiful night! Thank you so much for your support of the event!
Looks like a great and fun evening. Food look so delicious. I think I will try and come next year Fay Bailey
Hey, Diana: Those biscuits were awesome! I would love to try to make them.
Gay: Great, great job on the committee. Kudos!
Sara: Wow, the weather couldn’t have been any better. Great seeing you and Ben.
Fay: You would love it. I hope you do get to come next year.
The very essence of “thyme in the Garden” was captured here! Were you an ace reporter at one “thyme”? Loved it! Many thanks, Mimi Turner
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