
Jim and Missy Kane Bemiller during the silent auction at the Evergreen Ball.
The Evergreen Ball, which raises funds every year for the Friends of the Smokies organization, was another big success this year, selling out Cherokee Country Club’s ballroom and two overflow areas and raking in big bucks in its silent and live auctions.
And, it was a lot of fun in the process!
Although the term “ball” usually connotes dancing, the only actual rug-cutting happened at the “after party” with a phenomenal 10-piece band, “The Atlanta Party Fanatics,” taking the stage of a large tent in the parking lot. And, to keep the crowd from bailing to see the anticipated University of Tennessee vs. Auburn basketball game late that night, a huge screen was set up adjacent to the stage with the live television broadcast of the game. So, even though the results were disappointing for most in attendance — the score was 53-51 in favor of the Tigers — folks could distract themselves and maybe salve their wounds with terrific music and an open bar!
According to Friends of the Smokies, the silent bids totaled $127K and the live auction brought in more than $60K. On top of that, a special “Fund the Cause” segment, where folks who had already paid dearly to attend were asked to donate even more, pulled in an additional $40K. The final fundraising results will take ticket sales and expenses into account and will be released later.
In the meantime, let’s look at that party!

The ballroom at Cherokee Country Club was lovely as it was set up for the Evergreen Ball.

The people were nice-looking, too! Here are Michael Searcy and Cheryl Light during the silent auction/cocktail hour.

Alexa and Bill Riley.

Sandy and David Martin.

Passed nibbles to keep folks’ strength up for the strenuous bidding taking place: brie and berry jam bites.

From left, Barbara and Dale Keasling, Ginny and Bill Morrow.

You often see taxidermy items like these raccoons in a rowboat at auctions around here. But what I like about the taxidermy offered at the Evergreen Ball is that all the animals involved have been found dead. They have not been shot for the purpose.

During the silent auction, here was an overflow tent on the patio with another bar. Smart.

That’s where we found these three! From left, Emily McCaul, Alexander Waters, and Melissa Stooksbury.

And these! From left, Jim Blalock, Dr. Charlie Bozeman, state Sen. Becky Duncan Massey and Morton Massey.

M.S. McClellan auctioned off two shopping sprees — one for men and one for women. This was the display for the men’s item. I still saw shades of Melania. Ha.

Mini beef Wellingtons were passed to rave reviews!

Meanwhile, folks started finding their seats in the ballroom. Meg and Kevin Counts were at the Pilot table.

Mitchell Moseley, left, would be at Table 29 with Alan and me. Dino Cartwright would fulfill auction duties.

John Trotter and Mollie Turner.

The Hon. Gary and Sandy Wade. Gary Wade, a former chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, is founding chair emeritus of Friends of the Smokies.

My husband, Alan Carmichael, with my friend, Kay Clayton.

It was great to see Rev. Dr. Dan and Deaner Matthews. He’s chair emeritus of Friends of the Smokies. He also gave the invocation at the Evergreen Ball.

Allie and Jimmy Fleming, left, visited us from the Pilot table. That’s me and Alan on the right. (Photo by Adrian Pearce.)

The flowers sure were pretty! On the tables, left, and adorning the chandeliers, right.

Jerry and Nancy Daves. She was on the steering committee for the Evergreen Ball and is a board member of Friends of the Smokies.

Lisa and Dr. Steven Skinner.

Haha! Here’s what the back of his shirt looked like when he took off his tuxedo jacket later in the evening! (Photo by Lisa Skinner.)

Gary Wade posed with Robin Goddard, a retired teacher recognized for her long volunteer service to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Over at the East Tennessee Realtors table, from left, Trish and Lyle Irish, Kevin Brown, Laura Slyman, Annette and David Sydes.

Back at our table, from left, Richard Jolley, Tommy Rush, and Alexander Waters.

Mitchell Moseley and Stefani Hess.

Mike and Amy King.

Alan Carmichael, left, and Adrian Pearce.

Dinner was fantastic. A beet and orange salad to start, left, and a dual entree of sliced beef tenderloin with red wine demi glaze, and chili-glazed salmon accompanied by Brussels sprouts and pimento cheese grits.

Dana Soehn, president and CEO of Friends of the Smokies, made a few remarks.

Heath and Nikol Davis Shuler. He’s on the board of Friends of the Smokies.

The packed ballroom was full of folks having a rollicking good time!

I noticed the cutest little desserts about to be served!

Adorbs!

My table-mates thought they were so clever poking fun at me and my animal-loving heart as they chomped into the little bear!

Jerks!

But, time for the auction!

Here’s artist Robert Tino, left. The guy beside him, Todd Proffitt, purchased one of his paintings for $9,000 during the live auction!

One of the two overflow rooms. Quieter, but still full of fun, as folks followed along with the auction.

The other overflow room.

Carolyn Lawrence, left, was joined by Sara Cummings, a friend from their college days at Vanderbilt.

Nathan Sparks, right, the longtime publisher of CityView magazine, with his son, Ethan.

Shirley Elder and Bear Stephenson, who helped with the live auction.

Carolyn Lawrence, right, with her grandson, Andrew McLean, and Abby Kline.

As the live auction drew to a close, Gary Mach launched into the “Fund a Cause” segment of the evening.

And then we headed to the tent in the parking lot because it was time for the After Party!

Where little baskets of French fries greeted you as you entered!

And, donuts! Kay Clayton helps herself!

The dance floor filled up fast!

From left, Ann Goldstein, Cindi DeBusk, and Kay Clayton. Cindi was co-chair of the Evergreen Ball, along with Stephanie Daniel.

Cindi DeBusk and Nathan Sparks on the dance floor.

The Atlanta Party Fanatics.

More action.

Loved seeing these two there: Matt Prince and Lindsay Cates, both of The Trust Company of Tennessee.

Well, you get the idea!

Parting gifts: Everyone went home with a Dolly Parton cookbook and a Friends of the Smokies Christmas ornament. Sweet.