Friends of the Smoky Picnic in the Park

I hadn't rained for 8 days here, 8 long days of 90 plus degree heat. On Firday at 5:30 the Friends of the Smoky had their yearly picnic. First came the lighting, then came the thunder and you guessed it....sheets of rain. The time....5:31pm!!!

At 6:08 the power went out and with 3 guys running for a seat in Congress, one running for a seat in the US Senate, The newest member of the TN Supreme Court, County Commissioners, Mayors and on and on of big hitters......it didn't seem to matter.......

The silent auction, being held inside the house was extended from 7:30 until the lights came back on.....and as dark approached a live auction began.....with no Mr. Microphone. I always enjoy watching these events unfold and with good reason. They always have an open bar, by the time things really get underway most people are just beyond being silly. A Sony plasma TV that costs $1,600 at Best Buy went for $2,400.00. A day with Bruce Pearl, including a pre-game meal, locker room, seat behind the team and all the other goodies.....went for $7,000.00.


The head coach for the UT football team was there also and Phil got over $11,000.00 for a pivate dinner at his house with 4 of your best friends.....

A hat signed by Phil and Bruce went for $750.00 and they must have signed a couple of dozen of them......Last year they raised over $140,000.00 for the charity. But you have to know the history behind this charity.

A man was dying of cancer when Hurricane Hugo rolled over the National Park and destroyed bridges, trails and buildings. He loved the park so much that after learning it would take over a year for Congress to even approve money for the repairs and then close to another year for them to be completed along with any damage done while waiting for the money....he donated the money because his time was short......and he wanted to walk to Newfound Gap one more time.

The park was back to normal when he died in early 1992 and to everyone surprise he left his estate to a trust that is now the Friends of the Smoky. When people found out what he had done.....well it's now one of the two "must" events of the year around here.

Even with the rain and no lights....everyone had a great time busting on each other....and yes I don't like to lose when I bid on something....I ended up with two items that you can see if you come on down for a visit....and he never was able to walk to the Gap again......