SEASONAL NEWS & NOTES ~ SUMMER 2018
SUM M E R I S THE TIM E Growing up in the South, Summer for me has always been about being outside—picking berries and harvesting tomatoes, grilling and dining al fresco, swimming and celebrating the freedom and spontaneity of the season. At Blackberry Farm, being out on the water is always a highlight of the Summer. Last year was our first Boats and Boards gathering with MasterCraft—what a special few days! I am so excited to welcome them back. I love a day on our beautiful mountain lake with its clean, fresh water and serene setting. Summer is the perfect time for life’s simple indulgences—a cold glass of rosé with lunch, a great linen shirt, a dip in the pool before dinner—and also for enjoying family. One of our most favorite family traditions is celebrating the Fourth of July with our annual barbecue battle. My late husband always made pork belly with his special sauce, “belly” dogs and tomato sandwiches, among other more traditional dishes. It’s a family affair. Sam’s dad, Sandy; Sandy’s father, whom we affectionately call Pop; my son Sam and of course my girls each help in different ways. Starting the day before, my kitchen becomes the hub of activity. Part of the tradition has always been watching everyone transport my favorite serving dishes and all the precious ingredients from the grill down to the Yallarhammer Pavilion…and wondering how many of my platters will survive the journey. I always make the mistake of thinking the Summer is endless. Those last few weeks come, and I am frantic, feeling like I didn’t take advantage of the time I had with my children at home. Summer is the time for fun, of course, but also the time for the difficult or awkward conversations I can’t easily weave into our school week. This season, I want to make time for the unexpected—time to let the day and night evolve, time to be present and engaged in what interests my kids. I also want to make time to ride my bike more this Summer! With the longer days, I can head out in the early evening and get in some miles before dark. My two eldest rode with me recently, so I am hoping we can do more rides together this season, as a family. Before Summer slips away, I hope you will make time to experience it with us here at Blackberry Farm. Come see the band Midland–they played a private event at Bramble Hall in August 2016 and now have blown up on the radio. Enjoy the night sky from the Main House Lawn, near dusk when the fireflies are dancing or much later when the sky is dark and the stars are out. Grab a blanket and just soak in the sounds and stars in the big sky above. See you soon!
Mary Celeste Beall, Proprietor
Summ
“The summer night is like a perfection of thought.” WALLACE STEVENS
Seeking Summer S ummer has always had a dreamy allure—
lazy afternoons, lawn concerts, special trips.
This year, don’t wait around for the sweetest
moments of Summer to arrive. Create space for the season and seek out the quintessential Summertime experiences you loved as a kid. String up some lights on the porch and host a late dinner with friends. Make time for a last-minute getaway with the whole family. Rope swing into the lake. Sip lemonade on the porch. Stargaze in the grass. Seize the free and barefoot simplicity of Summer and make your season all you hope it will be.
mmer
OUT ON T H E WAT E R
SPLASH WITH THE FAM On your next visit, make time for an afternoon swim at our Family Pool. Tucked away beside Camp Blackberry, the Family Pool is an ideal place to splash and play with the kids on a hot Summer day.
Some of the happiest Summer memories take place by a lake or pool. Whether you prefer a refreshing dip in the pool or an exhilarating kayak adventure, Blackberry Farm offers the chance to embrace the beauty of the season in practically any water sport under the sun. This Summer, take the water at your own speed. Spend a reflective morning stand up paddle boarding or feel the wind in your hair as you wakesurf behind a tricked-out MasterCraft.
Summer Favorites M A RY C E L E ST E ' S
For years, guests have asked us where Mary Celeste likes to travel, shop or eat when she’s not at the Farm. So, we decided to gather a few of Mary Celeste’s favorites for the season, from books to products and music. Visit Friends of the Farm to see more of Mary Celeste’s seasonal favorites: blackberryfarm.com/favorites
SUMMER READS “I have about 20 books waiting for me. I’m always gathering nonfiction books to make me a better parent, human or leader. I also love a good mindless read— escaping to another time and another place gives us such great perspective.” Love Does | BOB GOFF A Gentleman in Moscow | AMOR TOWLES Braving the Wilderness | BRENÉ BROWN Ahab’s Wife | SENA JETER NASLUND
SUMMER MUST-HAVES Whether she’s by the pool or hiking with her kids, Mary Celeste loves these items for the season. Turkish towels “Perfect for an airplane blanket, the lacrosse field, a picnic and, of course, the water.”
Powdered sunscreen “I keep it in my purse and car for a quick and easy layer of protection on the go.”
SUMMER PLAYLIST Soundtrack your Summer with some of Mary Celeste’s favorite tunes for the season on Spotify: blackberryfarm.com/favorites
Large Pewter Serving Tray $625 Pewter Jigger $108
Happiest Hours
The Pollinator A celebration of local flavor. 1.5 oz The Botanist Gin 0.5 oz Poli Miele Honey Liqueur 1 oz lemon juice 2 bar spoons Blackberry Farm Honey 2 dashes orris bitters
Gather a few friends and let the afternoon melt into evening with a thirst-quenching cocktail in hand. From cocktail shakers to bar tools, stemware to recipes, we have all you need to host your own farm-fresh get-together. Featured favorites available at blackberryfarmshop.com
Walnut Muddler $23 Blackberry Farm Julep Cup $148
NOTE: Our house-made orris bitters are made from dried orris, the root of Tennessee’s state flower, the iris. Blackberry Farm Cocktail Shaker $448
Blackberry Farm Honey $18
HE LONG VIE
The story of conservation is not a story of the Farm or the Mountain. “It is a Blackberry story,” said Sandy Beall, father of Sam Beall and co-founder of Blackberry Farm. “The conservation effort hasn’t changed. We have always wanted to protect the land and give back.” From the beginning, the Beall family and their partners felt a responsibility and a desire to help preserve the beautiful land in the Great Smoky Mountains.
generations
Sandy was 10 years old when he first walked the Blackberry land with his father. He always loved the land, and his son, Sam, shared exactly the same passion. Long before plans were drafted for Blackberry Mountain, the Beall family explored the hills, paths, waters and thriving natural wonder of the Mountain.
The Beall’s vision has always been to create something special for multi-generational use–not only to safeguard the natural quality of the Blackberry viewscape, but to ensure that the land remained undisturbed and protected forever. Blackberry Mountain has dedicated 2,800 acres of land to conservation easements, allowing the natural beauty to safely flourish. As visitors drive through Walland toward the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, nearly nine miles of ridgetop are protected by Blackberry, inviting passers-by to enjoy the pure, untouched splendor of the mountains.
For the Beall family, and the families who have loved this land before them, with them and after them, the mission goes beyond protecting the property. It is about enhancing the quality of life within the cove and protecting and celebrating the heritage and culture of the region. It’s a mission that Sandy hopes will continue on with his grandchildren. “If my father’s visit up here with me nearly 60 years ago had an impact,” he said, “then I’m sure the impact on them has been 100 times that based on being here and being part of this great place.”
KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE MOUNTAIN AND ENJOY THE VIEW LIVE WITH OUR EARTHCAM.
Among many significant conservation values, Blackberry Mountain is a natural habitat for hundreds of plant and animal species. The land supports Blue Ridge Bittercress, a Tennessee Threatened Species, and the Sharp-shinned Hawk, a Tennessee Threatened Animal Species. Visit blackberrymountain.com to see a full list of plants and animals observed on Blackberry Mountain.
COME AWAY TO THE MOUNTAIN Blackberry Mountain will soon be a refuge for a small number of private owners and guests. Those seeking their own private mountain home or an active, invigorating getaway will enjoy Blackberry hospitality and epic adventure surrounded by sweeping, protected views and thousands of permanently preserved acres. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT REMAINING REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE CONTACT TYLER CONGLETON AT TYLER@BLACKBERRYFARM.COM
TO BE AMONG THE FIRST TO RESERVE A 2019 STAY AT THE EXTRAORDINARY BLACKBERRY MOUNTAIN, PLEASE CONTACT OUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS TEAM AT RESERVATIONS@BLACKBERRYMOUNTAIN.COM
Blackberry Farm is celebrating a new partnership with ALLIED CYCLE WORKS. ALLIED is emerging as one of the country’s elite cycling brands, producing carbon fiber road bikes in the heart of the American South. Specializing in personalization, ALLIED designed a fleet of their ALFA ALL ROAD bicycles exclusively for Blackberry Farm. The ALL ROAD is a high-performance road bike suited for everything from racing to off-road adventure. With this partnership, both brands hope to continue inspiring interest in cycling and creating opportunity to connect and explore with a passionate community.
ALLIES ON THE ROAD
Sweet Summertime Warm weather and relaxed schedules make Summer the time to enjoy the most delightful parts of life. Create memories that will last far beyond the season with a special event at the Farm. PAS S I O N FO R P L ACE
MIDLAND
June 10
| June 10–13
Chef Steven Satterfield, Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Miller Union Andy Peay, Co-Owner of Peay Vineyards
M AR EN MO R R I S
June 18
USA NATIONAL C YC LING C HAMPIONSHIPS | June 22–25
Former Pro Cyclist and Cycling Coach Robbie Ventura
U N L EAS H S UM M ER
June 24–27
BOATS AND BOARDS WITH MASTERC RAFT
July 29–August 1 Musician and Surfer Donavon Frankenreiter
Blackberry Farm Wellness Lifestyle Expert Hope Parks, The Araujo Family, Vintners at Accendo Cellars and Trois Noix
KITCH EN FULL O F KID S | July 15–18 Cookbook Author Helen Fifield
SMOKY MOUNTAIN TAB L E C HRIS THILE
August 5
August 5–8 Blackberry Farm Field School Educator Jeff Ross Blackberry Farm Farmstead Manager Dustin Busby Blackberry Farm Garden Manager Michael Washburn
A B LAC KB E RRY CONVE RSATI O N WI TH HE NRY C LO U D
Blackberry Farm Master Gardener John Coykendall
July 15–17
Henry Cloud, Self-Help Author H AN D S O N KITCH E N S E S S IO N S WIT H J EFF RO S S | July 22–25
EMMYLOU HARRIS AND FRIENDS
Blackberry Farm Field School Educator Jeff Ross
August 17–19
Congratulations Cassidee! OUR VERY OWN CASSIDEE DABNEY WAS NAMED AMONG THE 2018 JAMES BEARD AWARD FINALISTS FOR BEST CHEF: SOUTHEAST. WE COULDN'T BE PROUDER!
growing season
Celebrate the fresh and colorful bounty of the Summer harvest during Garden Month. Throughout August, join us for hands-on activities centered around the Garden.
Call 800.557.8451 for reservations.