Partying with the butterflies

Eddie Mannis and Shanna Browning at the Green Thumb Gala

“No garden truly blooms until butterflies have danced upon it.” So says butterfly enthusiast Kristen D’Angelo.

The folks at Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum have taken that to heart. They are installing a 10-acre butterfly meadow, a conservation project focused on creating a safe and consistent habitat for East Tennessee’s native butterflies. They used their second annual Green Thumb Gala last weekend to celebrate that project and all things butterfly.

Specifically, the land for the new butterfly meadow is being rehabilitated, using environmentally friendly methods, through the introduction of native plants that will attract specific kinds of butterflies.

In this blog post, you will find the recipe for a butterfly martini and tips for making your own property more butterfly-friendly. How’s that for pubic service? But first, let’s have a look at that party!Last Friday night was a stunner — perfect weather for an outdoor event. As we approached the huge tent set up at the East Knoxville location of the Knoxville Botanical Garden, we were greeted by these beautiful young ladies, members of the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble, with their faces painted like butterflies.

Some of the members of the Tennessee Children's Dance Ensemble

Knoxville City Councilman Duane Grieve and Susan Brown say hello during the cocktail/silent auction phase of the evening.

Joan Ashe, Knoxville's former First Lady, left, is chair of the Garden's board and co-chair of the Gala. She's with Burke and Lezah Pinnell.

Sisters Nancy Cann, left, and Jackie Wilson, who was the other co-chair of the Green Thumb Gala

Sandra Butler, left, with Tom and Deanene Catani.

Ha! Sharon Miller Pryse shows up in garden clogs that match her outfit! Sharon is herself an avid gardener.

News Sentinel Editor Jack McElroy and his wife, Deb, center, with Gay and Bill Lyons

Doug and Jeannine McKamey with David Butler, right, executive director of the Knoxville Museum of Art

Harold and Theresa Stone, left, with Fred Young and Rosemary Gilliam

Jackie Nance samples -- and likes! -- the butterfly martini.

OK. Here’s that martini recipe.

1-1/2 ounces citron vodka

2 ounces white grape juice

3 basil leaves

3 mint leaves

1 tsp. Elderflower cordial

1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

lemon rind

Fill cocktail shaker with shredded basil and mint leaves and combine with all other ingredients. Shake with plenty of ice. Strain and garnish with lemon rind or edible flower.

Alvin Nance, left, and Bill Lyons

Duncan Mansfied of TVA with Robin Helton, center, and his wife, Vivian Vega, both of the News Sentinel

Jim and Carol Cortese with Dorothy Stair, right

Victoria and the Reverend Dr. Valentino McNeal. He's the new pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church East.

Carol White, left, and Annie Jones. Didn't they look cute? (Even if I did catch Annie with her eyes closed.)

Served during the cocktail party/silent auction: french fries and popcorn!

Joshua Williams, an Alcoa Volunteer, mans the popcorn station.

Here is the pretty scene when we were called inside for dinner.

Great big black and white paper butterflies moved gently overhead.

Check out the dramatic centerpieces.

News Sentinel photographer Michael Patrick, left, chats with lawyer Caesar Stair inside the dinner tent.

Music at dinner was by the Early Morning String Dusters

The dancers performed with beautiful fabric "wings."

Former mayor and U.S. Ambassador Victor Ashe, left, with Cathy and current Mayor Daniel Brown

Mayoral candidate Madeline Rogero, top left, with Jackie Wimbley, Sam Anderson, right, and Thomas "Tank" Stickland

Caterer Nancy Kendrick of Creative Catering did a fantastic job with the food, which was served family-style. Kendrick is famous for bringing her huge grills to catering sites — and that’s what she did last Friday.The menu simply screamed, “fall.”

After a salad of mixed greens with pear, gorgonzola, walnuts and fig vinaigrette, we had this main course of marinated flat-iron steak with cabbage and caramelized onions.

A beautiful platter of grilled vegetables and curry roasted carrots was passed at each table.

Roasted sweet and Russet potatoes with sea salt and rosemary

Yummy desserts were maple pots de creme with almond pralines.

Then it was time to check out and pay the piper.

Betsey Bush and Sarah Nuckolls with a beautiful bowl. Not sure which one went home with it!

Burke Pinnell left with a centerpiece and a garden tool.

Lezah Pinnell also departed with a little something!

Want to attract butterflies to your own garden? Here are some tips from the Knoxville Botanical Garden:

• Full Sun. Butterflies use the sun for orientation and bask in sunlight to keep their flight muscles warm. (Who knew?)
• Leave residual vegetation throughout the winter. These annuals or perennials can contain overwintering butterfly pups or larva. (Butterfly pups?)
• Overlap blooming seasons. Adults need nectar throughout the warmer months. Plan your yard so that blooming seasons overlap to provide a constant supply of nectar.
• Avoid lawn insecticides or herbicides. Butterflies are insects. (Duh!) You might kill them when you are trying to kill other pests. Also minimize use of herbicides that kill weeds that butterflies and caterpillars might utilize.
• Provide areas sheltered from the wind. Butterflies need protection from strong winds. Establish your butterfly garden on the windward side.

If you’d like to see a website with tons of info on butterflies, click here.