Dinner was only part of the evening’s charm! There was music, a silent auction, and a live auction to enjoy! This beautiful tent was set up on the Great Lawn of the historic Knoxville Botanical Garden.
We have so many fun events to attend and support in Knoxville! As even an occasional reader of the Blue Streak can tell you, some are casual, some are formal. And most are an absolute pleasure to be a part of. But the best ones of all are for really good causes.
The annual Green Thumb Gala, benefiting the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, is among one of the most fun — and for a really important asset for our community.
For nearly 220 years, the 44 acres on which it is located was home to the Howell family nurseries. The Howells introduced pink dogwoods, pioneered innovative business practices, installed iconic stonework across the region, and preserved the property for the community. Their legacy lives on in the Garden. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the East Knoxville property features 16 historic structures, two miles of stone walls and walking trails, abundant wildlife, a level one arboretum, and 18 display gardens with local, ornamental, and exotic flora.
Operated as a non-profit and located on Wimpole Street, it is open to all free of charge from dawn to dusk every day of the year. Now that’s something worth supporting.
I don’t believe these three friends were the “official” welcoming committee, but they could have been! From left, Mary Fran Darwin, Jenny Hines, and Amy Styles.
Sharon Moore, center, is executive director of the Knoxville Botanical Garden. She’s with board member Margie Nichols and Steve Drevik.
My sweet husband, Alan Carmichael, center, with Rick Fox, left, and Ralph Cianelli. (Yep, a party is about to happen!)
Don’t these outfits just shout, “Garden Party?” From left Cynthia D’Andrea, Judy Balloff, and Judith Foltz.
Matt Keaney is immediate past president of the Garden’s board of directors. He’s with Maureen Dunn McBride.
Kent and Susan Farris.
Jim and Kati Blalock.
From left: Kevin Brown, Laura Slyman, Tony Benton, and Marianne Epps. (Tony and Marianne are newlyweds!)
Lyle and Trish Irish.
Kim and Simon Bradbury. (Simon is executive director of another prominent community green space: Lakeshore Park. I love how our non-profits support one another.)
The mingling was great!
From left: Kaley Abernathy, Dale Madden, and Brittany Bailey.
My beautiful friend Maria McHale.
From left: Alan Carmichael, Steve Davis, and Knoxville City Council member Denzel Grant.
Board member Walter and Lynne Fain.
From left: Rachel Bass, Joshua Peterson, and former Knoxville Vice Mayor Gwen McKenzie.
Knoxville’s Poet Laureate Linda Parsons, left, with Caitlin Wedekind.
Rick Fox, left, and photographer Scott Temple. Ha.
Ted Smith, left, and Mark Grayson.
Stuart Worden and Lane Hays.
From left: Nathan and Amy Honeycutt with Denzel Grant. Both Nathan and Denzel are members of Knoxville City Council.
Wendy Smith and Ralph Cianelli.
Linda and John Haynes.
Three Judiths! From left: Judith Rosenberg, Judith Foltz, and Judith Mallory. Wow.
Jeff Arbital, left, and Saeed Rahmanian.
Jane and Kenneth Creed.
From left: Jennifer Ackley, Jeff Talman, and Lauren Rider, a former City Council member.
Deborah Emery, left, and Rhonda Gowan.
From left; David Butler, Margie Nichols, and Bob Marquis.
David Balloff, left, and Ed Shouse. Ed is a fomer City Council member, Knox County Commissioner, and Knox County Trustee! Thank you, sir.
Annette and Scott Brun.
Alan Carmichael, left, and James Newburn. James is managing director of University of Tennessee Gardens.
The set tables beckoned!
Perfect centerpieces!
Some were tall!
Great music all night!
Dino Cartwright, standing, and Mitchell Moseley.
Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon and her husband, “First Dude” Ben Barton.
Jennifer Reynolds, left, was chair of the Green Thumb Gala committee and a major sponsor of the evening. She’s with Meghan and Jeff Markman.
From left, Melynda Whetsel, former Knoxville Mayor and U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe, Amy Honeycutt, and Jim Samples.
Bryan Goldberg and Joan Ashe. Goldberg was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives last night!
Bob Whetsel and Margaret Samples.
Alan and I were honored to sit beside Lee and Eugene Naughton, president of The Dollywood Company. He was still a little emotional talking about Dolly Parton, whom we all loved.
John and Beth Thurman.
From left: Matt and Ellie Kittrell, Leslie and Tommy Bateman.
From left: Ted Smith, Michaela Barnett, and Jacob Resor, the director of horticulture for the Botanical Garden. Barnett made a respectable showing in her race against incumbent Congressman Tim Burchett last night. He beat her 57.7 percent to 41.2 percent.
Here’s your reward for reading this whole post! Free advice: Do NOT bid against this guy at an auction! He’s Mark Pienkowski and he will give your wallet a workout! You have been warned!
It’s becoming less of a hidden gem as more and more folks discover it. I have found that people absolutely love the Botanical Garden once they visit. Congrats Sharon Moore and team!