Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Joy to the World!


It's hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner. Final exams at Carson-Newman are in progress, and students will soon go home for Christmas Break. Enjoy these pictures from Women of Vision's Christmas activities.


Tree Trimming Around Campus

Women of Vision members joined retired faculty and staff and others in late November to get lots of Christmas trees trimmed and ready for the holidays. Christmas cookies and conversations were shared. Locations included the MSAC Grand Hall, Fite Administrative Building Lobby, Seaton Guest House, and the President's Dining Room. 




Women of Vision Volunteers included Susan Davis, Susan Fendley, Sandy Presley, Diana Nixon, Leah Smith, Carol Strevel, Kathy May, Debbie Bean, and Pam Parker (not pictured)

Christmas Open House

On Sunday, December 4, Pam and Donnie Parker opened their beautiful home for Women of Vision's annual Open House. More than seventy people attended and enjoyed visiting the Parkers' beautifully decorated home, eating delicious holiday refreshments, and sharing wonderful social time with friends. All the proceeds from this event will go toward funding Women of Vision projects.  


Carol Strevel with hosts Donnie and Pam Parker

YWOP Members  Rachel McCausland and Sydney Myers


2017: A Look Ahead

The Women of Vision Council will be meeting in January to review project proposals and prioritize the list for 2017.  With more than 25 projects proposed, it will be a challenge to determine which ones to take on. When selected projects have been approved, a blog post detailing those projects will be shared. It's exciting to see what God has planned for 2017 and Women of Vision!


Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Ricky Skaggs Concert - What a Night!

Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder

APPALACHIAN CELEBRATION

Women of Vision's Ricky Skaggs Concert a Big Success



Thursday, November 10, was a big day as Women of Vision held their first ever concert to benefit Women of Vision projects. Over 200 people attended the concert which included not only Ricky Skaggs, but 12 year old fiddle phenomenon Carson Peters and The Voice finalist Emily Ann Roberts. In addition to great music by legendary performers, guests enjoyed a variety of Appalachian foods from local chefs. Mill and Mine was the perfect location for the event and everyone enjoyed the rustic setting of the refurbished textile mill on Depot Street in Old City Knoxville. 

Women of Vision Leadership Council members spent much of the day on Thursday setting the stage for the event. 

Becky Ford showed Carol Strevel, and Allison Pelham
how to assemble table arrangements.
Becky Ford designed beautiful flower arrangements 


 



Anne Marie Potts set up the admission table
 Tables and chairs were placed around the beautiful venue
 


Records with custom artist labels were placed on each table


Next, our wonderful food vendors began setting up their food stations. These included Appalachian Cuisine by Nancy Kendrick, Brown Bag, (Food with a Purpose,) Buddy's Hometown Catering Fare, Lulu's Tea Room, and Cruze Farm. 

 
Before we knew it, our first guests began arriving.

Beverly Adams, Amy Stover, and Sandy Presley greeted our VIP Guests who ate upstairs with the performers.
The performers talked with each VIP guest and also provided a photo op for them.
 Women of Vision members Mary Brandes and Donna Hooker talk with Ricky Skaggs

Emily Ann Roberts talks with guests                                                                   

 
WOV Event Chairs Jennifer Bates and Debbie Bean confer with Diana Nixon




Event co-chair Debbie Bean and her husband Skipper with performers

Downstairs a lively group visited our food vendors and socialized before the concert.

Young Women of Promise, our CN student service organization, helped serve beverages and food.
 
Rachel McCausland & Michelle Sharp dished out delicious banana pudding and slaw from Brown Bag.






Abby Seevers and Rachel Robeson kept everyone supplied with beverages from Buddy's Catering.

Carson Peters opened the concert with a selection of wonderful country classics and old gospel songs
During Ricky Skaggs portion of the concert, he invited Carson to play several songs with him.
Ricky and Carson have played together at the Grand Ol' Opry and are good friends.

Ricky Skaggs told stories about his lifelong love of country and gospel music and sang many favorites.

 During a short intermission, WOV Council Chair, Kathy May, presented Ricky Skaggs with a football signed by retiring CN coach Ken Sparks. Kathy also shared the purpose and goals of Women of Vision with the audience.


Emily Ann Roberts performed with Ricky, sharing with the audience her lifelong admiration for Ricky Skaggs and his role in her musical development.
 


 The performers spent time after the concert talking with guests.
Pictured is WOV campus liaison, Leah Smith, with Ricky and Carson.
Young Women of Promise with Ricky and Carson

A tired, but happy Women of Vision Leadership Council posed for a pic with Ricky and Emily Ann 
before beginning the process of cleaning up after the concert
A special thanks to our tireless concert co-chairs, Jennifer Bates and Debbie Bean 

Ten percent of the proceeds raised from the concert will go toward Ricky Skaggs' endowed scholarship for CN students with the rest designated for Women of Vision projects on Carson-Newman's campus. New projects will be selected for 2017 in January, and with over 25 proposals submitted, Women of Vision will have another busy year. Stay tuned for the list of accepted projects, and consider which one you might like to make a contribution of money and/or your time to see completed.

Happy Thanksgiving from Women of Vision. We are thankful for each of you as we work together to bring glory to God through the use of our time and talents.