![natalie-and-barbara-hugging Natalie Haslam, left, greets Barbara Dooley, wife of coach Vince Dooley.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/natalie-and-barbara-hugging.jpg)
Natalie Haslam, left, greets Barbara Dooley, wife of coach Vince Dooley.
Legendary University of Georgia football coach and athletic director, Vince Dooley — also the father of UT football coach Derek Dooley — is in town to visit the Knoxville Botanical Garden tonight and sign copies of his new book about gardening.
But last night, he was guest of honor at a $250-per-ticket fundraiser to benefit the Botanical Garden at the Sequoyah Hills home of Ann and Steve Bailey. This was appropriate because the Baileys recently have completed installation of a fabulous garden of their own. And the weather last night was perfect for a garden cocktail and dinner party.
Coach Dooley has said that gardens have certain similarities to football teams. “Gardens are never finished,” he said. “And neither are football teams.” In brief remarks after dinner, Dooley said when he started getting interested in gardens, “I didn’t know a grapefruit from a gardenia.” But he soon became obsessed with gardens and plants. “If I had gotten interested in gardens at the same time I got interested in coaching, I probably wouldn’t have become a coach,” he noted.
He joked that he might have taken his enthusiasm a little too far when he decided to surprise his wife, Barbara, on the couple’s 49th wedding anniversary by purchasing a large Japanese maple tree. “She went outside and started looking for gold and diamonds among the leaves,” he laughed.
Dooley drew applause when he promised that he would not let his son, Derek, to whom he referred as “Barbara’s little baby boy,” take up gardening. “I want him to stay focused on football,” he said.
If you hurry, you can probably get tickets to the event tonight. Tickets are $30 for members of the Botanical Garden and $40 for non-members. Click here for the phone number and more information. Our great client, Home Federal Bank, is the sponsor of this evening’s festivities.
![crowd The setting and the weather were perfect for an outdoor soiree.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/crowd.jpg)
The setting and the weather were perfect for an outdoor soiree.
![carlton-vince-and-natalie Carlton Long, left, Vince Dooley and Natalie Haslam](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/carlton-vince-and-natalie.jpg)
Carlton Long, left, Vince Dooley and Natalie Haslam
![barbara-mary-lynn-and-allison From left, Barbara Dooley, Mary Lynn Majors, and Allison Dooley in the Baileys' garden](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/barbara-mary-lynn-and-allison.jpg)
From left, Barbara Dooley, Mary Lynn Majors, and Allison Dooley in the Baileys' garden
![victor-and-haslam-chatting Former Knoxville mayor and U.S. Ambassador Victor Ashe, left, chatting with Jim Haslam.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/victor-and-haslam-chatting.jpg)
Former Knoxville mayor and U.S. Ambassador Victor Ashe, left, chatting with Jim Haslam.
![steve-and-friend Host Steve Bailey, right, and Sid Blalock](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/steve-and-friend.jpg)
Host Steve Bailey, right, and Sid Blalock
![ann-and-barbara Hostess Ann Bailey, left, and Barbara Dooley](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/ann-and-barbara.jpg)
Hostess Ann Bailey, left, and Barbara Dooley
![tables Just a beautiful setting!](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/tables.jpg)
Just a beautiful setting!
![pool The pretty pool and pool house](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/pool.jpg)
The pretty pool and pool house
![hot-tub The hot tub area featuring a huge Richard Jolley sculpture](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/hot-tub.jpg)
The hot tub area featuring a huge Richard Jolley sculpture
![big-richard-jolley A closer view of the sculpture](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/big-richard-jolley.jpg)
A closer view of the sculpture
![fireplace The outdoor fireplace also features artwork by Richard Jolley.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/fireplace.jpg)
The outdoor fireplace also features artwork by Richard Jolley.
![dr-solomon Dr. Alan Solomon, himself an avid gardener, is telling me about the reproductive habits of this holly bush. Coach Dooley spent yesterday afternoon visiting Solomon's garden.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/dr-solomon.jpg)
Dr. Alan Solomon, himself an avid gardener, is telling me about the reproductive habits of this holly bush. Coach Dooley spent yesterday afternoon visiting Solomon's garden.
![caesar-kim-and-ray Caeesar Stair, left, Kim Trent and Ray Hand](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/caesar-kim-and-ray.jpg)
Caesar Stair, left, Kim Trent and Ray Hand
![lucy-ann-sarah-and-kay From left, Lucy Hand, Ann Goldstine, Sarah Stowers and Kay Clayton](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/lucy-ann-sarah-and-kay.jpg)
From left, Lucy Hand, Ann Goldstine, Sarah Stowers and Kay Clayton
![ford-natalie-and-victor Tom Ford, left, with Natalie Haslam and Victor Ashe](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/lawyer-natalie-and-victor.jpg)
Tom Ford, left, with Natalie Haslam and Victor Ashe
![dr-solomon-and-woman Dr. Solomon and Anna Ford](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/dr-solomon-and-woman.jpg)
Dr. Solomon and Anna Ford
![steve-cheek-and-alan Steve Seifriend, executive director of the Knoxville Botanical Garden, left, with UT Chancellor Jimmy Cheek and Alan Carmichael, right](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/steve-cheek-and-alan.jpg)
Steve Seifried, executive director of the Knoxville Botanical Garden, left, with UT Chancellor Jimmy Cheek and Alan Carmichael, right
![sam-beale-and-tom-mcadams Sam Beale, left, and Tom McAdams. (Everyone got a nice-sized hydrangea when they left. Since we live in a condo, Mr. McAdams agreed to adopt ours! He said we could visit it anytime.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/sam-beale-and-tom-mcadams.jpg)
Sam Beall, left, and Tom McAdams. (Everyone got a nice-sized hydrangea when they left. Since we live in a condo, Mr. McAdams agreed to adopt ours! He said we could visit it anytime.)
![sandy-and-caesar Sandy Beale and Caesar Stair](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/sandy-and-caesar.jpg)
Sandy Beall and Caesar Stair
![nystroms-and-mr-haslam Frank and Kelly Nystrom and Jim Haslam, right](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/nystroms-and-mr-haslam.jpg)
Frank and Kelly Nystrom and Jim Haslam, right
![mrs-solomon-sandra-and-jackie From left, Alan Solomon, Andrea Cartwright, Monroe Trout, Sandra Trout and Jackie Wilson](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/mrs-solomon-sandra-and-jackie.jpg)
From left, Alan Solomon, Andrea Cartwright, Monroe Trout, Sandra Trout and Jackie Wilson
![pinot-grigio Yay! That is Jerry Kruse, owner of the bartending service The Pour Guys, pouring a glass of pinot grigio! Guests could chose between two white wines: pinot grigio and chardonnay. Very nice.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/pinot-grigio.jpg)
Yay! That is Jerry Kruse, owner of the bartending service The Pour Guys, pouring a glass of pinot grigio! Guests could chose between two white wines: pinot grigio and chardonnay. Very nice.
![sarah I liked this photo of Sarah Stowers.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/sarah.jpg)
I liked this photo of Sarah Stowers.
![steve-and-wife1 It was dark when the party ended. Here are Steve and Amy Seifried on the way out.](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/steve-and-wife1.jpg)
It was dark when the party ended. Here are Steve and Amy Seifried on the way out.
![alan-and-sport My animal-loving husband and the Baileys' dog, Sport](https://bluestreakprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/alan-and-sport.jpg)
My animal-loving husband and the Baileys' dog, Sport