Chelly Clayton sits down to dinner at the sneak peek of Tremont’s second campus near Townsend.
About 30 nature lovers — and one confirmed city girl — recently were wowed by the possibilities presented at an al fresco dinner on the site of the future second campus of the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.
The non-profit in 2019 acquired the land — 194 acres near Townsend abutting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Plans call for it to be used to provide extended education and experiential programs for youth and adults alike.
“We have been connecting people and nature for over 50 years,” said Catey McClary, the organization’s president and CEO. The new campus will allow Tremont to expand its programs and reach new audiences, she said. The News-Sentinel wrote this comprehensive story about Tremont’s plans in 2023. It tells you everything you need to know about Tremont and the new campus.
But here’s something you need to know about this wonderful dinner: it was prepared by Chef Tyler Brown, the senior vice president of agriculture and hospitality at Southall Farm & Inn in Franklin, TN. He is the former long-time executive chef at Nashville’s famous now closed Capitol Grille at the Hermitage Hotel. It was fantastic.
The set table when guests arrived was very inviting, don’t you think?
First things first: mingling prior to dinner in a beautiful setting.
Cocktails were provided by Monk’s Road Spirits, one of the stops on Kentucky’s famous “Bourbon Trail.” (Fortunately for me, wine also was available!)
From left, Liz and Wes Stowers, Tricia and Brandon Bruce.
Donna Cobble, left, and Robin Gibson.
From left, Chelly Clayton, Corey Clayton, Alyson Colclough, Brittany and Whitfield Bailey.
From left, Bill Varner, Bill Cobble, and Randy Gibson.
It was fun watching Chef Tyler Brown tending to our dinner.
Yum!
Meanwhile, we enjoyed fantastic passed appetizers. (I was partial to those grilled oysters!)
Chef Tyler Brown, left, and Alan Carmichael.
Catey McClary, left, president and CEO of the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, and Megan Womack, the director of development. (They said they did not plan to wear these matching outfits!)
Tremont saff member Jeremy Lloyd, left, and Susan Varner.
Some folks ventured away from the tent to check out the beautiful surroundings. (Photo by Alan Carmichael.)
It was a lovely evening for this! (Photo by Alan Carmichael.)
Chef Tyler Brown welcomed us back to the dinner tent which, honestly, I had never left!
When folks sat down, dishes were passed around family style.
Pretty.
Trust me: nobody left hungry!
Whitfield Bailey during dinner.
Hello, little friend!
Catey McClary telling us about the enhanced outdoor experiences the new campus will offer.
Board Chair Brandon Bruce thanked everyone for coming.
What a lovely event.
Stay tuned as Tremont supporters launch their fundraising campaign.
The Blue Streak covers nonprofits like the dew. Tremont has more big doin’s scheduled August 23 at Marblegate.
Alan: Yes, and the Blue Streak will be there!
One city girl to another, I would have stayed close to the tent. What a lovely event! And PS loved the Capitol Grille.
Gay: We are on the same page, friend! But my nature-loving buddies sure loved it there. And I totally understand why it’s important to expose young people to nature. I made a go of Girl Scout camp myself, believe it or not!
Glad to see that Tremont has multiple events planned for showing off the second campus in Townsend. Like Catey’s spirit!
Georgiana: Yep. They are definitely pulling out all the stops! Good for them.
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