Registration is closed as of August 9.

SMHC members and their guest(s) are invited to our annual SMHC Election picnic on Saturday, August 14 (rain date Sunday, August 15). We were unable to have any social events in 2020 due to the pandemic, so it would be wonderful to see as many people as possible turn out for our picnic! There are several very special features of the picnic this year.

Location: GATOP Gardens and Arboretum, 2541 Riverside Drive, Knoxville, TN. This incredible property is privately owned by Dr. Alan Solomon, a long-time Club member, who has designed, assembled and built a breathtaking collection of native trees, wildflowers and ferns, hundreds of varieties of conifers, hollies and other plants. There are extensive hand-built stone walls, terraces and steps, and the gardens are complemented by steel, bronze and stone sculptures.
(Note — we will have balloons at the parking entrance, which is 2 miles east from the exit off of James White Parkway. Handicapped parking is available.)

Time: We suggest arriving between 10:30 and 11AM to register, pick up a map of the gardens, and explore.

Program: Our program will start at noon and includes a boxed lunch and drink for you (choices on registration form). We will eat in a beautiful shady part of the gardens: please bring a chair or seating pad.

Special guest: We are extremely honored to have Richard Powers attend our picnic this year. Mr. Powers is the author of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, The Overstory, as well as books such as The Echo Maker and The Goldbug Variations. He spent much time in the Smokies while writing The Overstory, a book that can change the way you look at trees and forests forever.

Business: We have much to do!

• Introduction and election of your 2022 Board of Directors
• Approval of SMHC Constitution and Bylaws review/ edits conducted this year
• The membership will be asked to look at the hike program for 2022 and volunteer to lead or co-lead hikes!
• We will be awarding the Marshal Wilson Presidential Citation Awards for last year and this year at the picnic.

Please join us for the SMHC picnic in this beautiful place and celebrate the chance to see so many members and friends again!

For questions, please email dgoddard723@gmail.com. If you would prefer to register and pay by mail, you can download the printable form here.