Natalie Haslam, left, and Margie Nichols Gill at the UT Gardens Gala last Friday night.
OK. It wasn’t a little rain. It was a torrential downpour — twice! And we weren’t in buildings — we were under tents! Without floors.
But the folks who support the University of Tennessee Gardens are a hardy bunch. And, despite a literal river of mud running through the premises — and over some once pristine shoes — we partied on! And made the event another fundraising success for the UT Gardens.
Lisa Stearns Hammitt, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture‘s vice chancellor for marketing and communications, said the evening ended up raising more than $100,000 with about 325 folks in attendance.
There was a lot to pack in at this always beautiful and opportunity-filled event held at the Knoxville garden just off Neyland Drive. A silent auction, a live auction, a big reception with live music, and a fabulous meal featuring sustainable beef produced at UT’s Northeast Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center.
But, as always, the best part of the night was seeing so many supporters mingling and having fun. And watching local high school prom couples — and their parents — stroll through the garden to take photos in their formal attire — before the skies opened up, of course!
Pretty water gardens welcomed guests as they approached the sign-in stations at the plaza of the UT Garden just off Neyland Drive.
Alan posing on the plaza with his favorite canine!
Signature sculpture there.
Beyond the sculpture were hoards of prom-goers, their parents, and photographers brought to document the outfits!
It’s a great place for prom pics!
There also were some pretty memorable outfits!
And some stiunning flowers to take in.
We headed to the tent where the silent auction was set up. And where folks were socializing while sipping cocktails and pondering their next bids on the dozens of silent auction items that were available.
That’s where we ran into Walter Dykas, left, and James Newburn, managing director of UT Gardens, Knoxville. His suit caused quite the stir!
Stephanie and George Wallace.
From left, Jim Grossen, Sara Phillips, Lisa Stearns and Norman Hammitt.
Lee Riedinger and Mary Zuhr.
From left, Carrie Bearden, Marsha and Duane Grieve, and Jon Cheek.
There were a lot of beautiful flowers in the silent auction!
Some succulents, too.
I was tempted by this beautiful Patricia Nash purse.
And this wonderful package offered by Est8te!
Right outside the silent auction tent, the UT Jazz Ensemble was playing great tunes.
From left, Dennis Duchon, UT-Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman, Linda Martin, Carol and Jeff Aiken.
Passed appetizers were prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe with cracked pepper, top; and caviar and creme fraiche pomme frites. Yum.
Plus, a gorgeous charcuterie spread.
Here’s the other part of it!
From left, Hollianne and Keith Carver, and Nicki Collett. Keith Carver is senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the Institute of Agriculture.
Blake Gibson, left, and Eddie Mannis.
From left, Brian Browning, Marty and Julia Gibbs, and Randy Fields.
Lynne and Walter Fain.
Nancy Voith and Kenneth Stark.
Susan Seymour and Jim Brown.
In a huge nearby tent, dinner tables were set up. This tent, provided by All Occasions Party Rentals was in use for the first time. “The two most talked-about items of the night were the new tent — and James Newburn’s suit!” said Lisa Stearns Hammitt. Ha.
Folks slowly started filtering in.
That’s where we saw Patricia Bible and Stephen Hackney.
And Gary and Julia Bentley.
John and Sandra Butler.
Paul Church and Sara Rose.
From left, Susan Martin, Jim Haslam, and Chancellor Donde Plowman.
Tina Rolen and Bill Pittman.
About that time, though, rain came crashing down!
The downpour was quite sudden — and hard!
Staffers tried to hold the tent flaps up to contain the rain! They got drenched!
But, other than muddy streams on the ground, the tents pretty much held and most folks stayed dry.
Time to sit! From left, Natalie Haslam, Margie Nichols and John Gill, and Jim Haslam.
Tammi and Tyvi Small.
Norman and Lisa Stearns Hammitt.
Jen and Dean Chris Hackett of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral.
Daniel Spiotta, left, and James Newburn.
Dinner started with a salad of pickled carrot twill, heirloom cherry tomatoes, crushed blue corn grits and crouton stack on a bed of rough-chopped Swiss chard topped with blood orange vinaigrette.
Entree was a seven-ounce UT beef filet with a mushroom demi-glace and trumpet mushroom accompanied by a carrot puree, broccolini with creme fraiche and encrusted cheddar crunch potato croquette.
Dessert: olive oil and orange brandy bar dipped in chocolate, topped with gingered Chantilly cream and blood orange sauce. It was garnished with Amarena cherries and orange glass candy shatters.
The planning, preparation, and serving of the meal was by Aramark, UT’s dining services contractor.
Speakers during and after dinner, clockwise from top left: Charley Deal, vice chancellor of advancement of UT Institute of Agriculture; Leslie Ackerson, formerly of WBIR, who was the evening’s emcee; UT-Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman; Keith Carver, senior vice chancellor and senior vice president, UT Institute of Agriculture; and James Newburn, managing director of UT Gardens, Knoxville.
Eight items were then auctioned off by auctioneer Bear Stephenson to end a very successful 13th annual UT Gardens Gala.
Great pictures and an amazing group of wonderful supporters of UT Gardens. I was so sad to miss it but a reunion of college friends was set in 2024 for Callaway Gardens. Next year I will check with James Newburn first!!
Alice: Well, maybe at least the weather wasn’t so bad at Calloway Gardens?