Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Cassius Cash and his wife, Vonda, at the Tremont Celebration.
The annual Tremont Celebration at Marblegate Farm was another whopping success this year, raking in more than $200,000 for the nature organization. “Thank you to everyone who supported our ongoing work of connecting people to nature,” the organization said in its newsletter and Facebook posts.
Founded in 1969, the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont‘s theory is that “we all belong in nature.” The group, through its research and residential programs, seeks to facilitate inclusive outdoor experiences that contribute to each participant’s sense of belonging in nature and in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Even for this die-hard city girl, the group’s annual fundraiser at Bill and Donna Cobble’s beautiful Marblegate Farm in Friendsville is an education in the power of nature to bring people together.
Mingling is always a big part of this event. And, at Marblegate Farm, there is plenty of room to do that!
Gary and Sandy Wade with Joan Ashe, at right, during the reception. Gary Wade is former chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court and long-time mayor of Sevierville. He is a supporter of many causes related to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Joan Ashe is a former long-time first lady of Knoxville.
Michell and Jim Clayton with Catey McClary, right, president and CEO of the Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.
Janet Testerman and Joey Creswell.
From left, Scott and Lynne Fugate, Jamie and Tommy Smith. Lynne Fugate is a Knoxville City Council member; Tommy Smith is Knoxville Vice Mayor.
Jim and Carol Davis, left, with Amy and Tim Williams.
Susan Varner, left, with Charlie and Sheila Barnett.
Cathy Ackermann and James Sidwell. She is a founding board member of the Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.
Erin Rosolina, Tremont’s marketing director, left, with Chieff Weaver and Kayla Stuart during the reception.
Vicky and Doug Kennedy.
Katie Kline, right, with Heather and Bert Robinson.
Alan Carmichael standing beside his oil painting of three bears that he donated to the silent auction. Alan is on the board of the Tremont Institute.
Quite the grazing table!
Alan and Rebecca Williams.
Douglas and Shelby Graves.
Dino Cartwright, left, Joan Ashe, and Mitchell Moseley.
Carolyn Forster, left, and Robin Goddard.
Megan Womack, left, and Erin Rosolina. Megan is Tremont’s director of development and Erin is director of marketing.
Dr. Liz Perry-Sizemore, vice president and dean of Maryville College, left, and Dr. Bryan Coker, president of Maryville College.
From left, Susan McCollum, Mary Kay Buckner, and Lori Clabough.
Here’s a hard-working guy! Rich Bryant donated his services to the cause. He was everywhere that night!
Pretty arrangement outside the air-conditioned dinner tent, where folks headed after the social hour.
Brittany Bailey, left, and Janet Testerman in the dinner tent where socializing continued.
David and Sandy Martin.
Auctioneer Bear Stephenson and Shirley Elder.
Glen Lewis, left, and Tim Chandler.
Board member Richard Maples and his wife, Joni.
Jim Clayton, left, and Mark Freeman.
Rev. Amy Bradley, the rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, delivered the invocation.
Scott and Lynne Fugate joined us at our table.
My husband loves bread! Everyone passed him their dinner rolls! Ha. Mitchell Moseley, rear, and Dino Cartwright were enjoying it!
Tremont’s president and CEO, Catey McClary, standing, dropped by our table. Seated, from left, Alan Carmichael, me, Janet Testerman and Joey Creswell. (Photo by Mitchell Moseley.)
Loved the centerpieces.
Brittany and Whitfield Bailey were at the table beside us. He’s on the Tremont Board, as well.
Speakers included, clockwise from top left, Tremont President Catey McClary, board member Brandon Bruce, and Smokies Superintendent Cassius Cash.
And then auctioneer Bear Stephenson took over, using a stuffed salamander as a prop!
He enlisted the assistance of another experienced local auctioneer, Dino Cartwright.
After dinner, some folks went back to the main house for an after party. On the way there, from left, Brian and Sarah Davis and Megan Thomas.
Thanks to everyone who helped us fill our table! Here we are, from left, Katie Kline, me, Alan Carmichael, Joan Ashe, Mitchell Moseley, Lynn Fugate, Scott Fugate, Dino Cartwright, Janet Testerman, and Joey Creswell. Sure was fun!
Music at the after party was by fun local band The Bearded.
Some folks couldn’t resist the temptation:
This looks like such a fun event! Tremont’s Homecoming is also a good time each year. Our son attended several summers as a child and participated in the Great Smokies Experience in high school. Truly a transformative and special place!!
Christine: I’m so happy to hear about your son’s experience. That’s truly what it’s all about!