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Leadership Giving Event Kingsport Chamber Annual Dinner
from VIPSEEN March 2020
by VIPSEEN
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73 rd Annual Kingsport Chamber Dinner
PHOTOS BY RACHEL K. BURRUS, LINDA COFFEY, AND NATHAN MAYS | STORY SUBMITTED
More than 1,700 business, civic and community leaders celebrated another great year for Kingsport at the Kingsport Chamber’s 73rd Annual Dinner on Friday night! The event was hosted at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center, “the Nation’s Number One Party Band” – Party on the Moon – entertained another huge and sold-out crowd at “Kingsport’s Social Event of the Year!”
The Kingsport Chamber also recognized and congratulated Eastman on its onehundredth year and thanked the company for the tremendous impact it continues to make on the community and region and for its philanthropic support during the past century.
Eastman served as title sponsor for the popular affair and WJHL News Channel 11/ ABC Tri-Cities was the host sponsor. Ballad Health presented the entertainment, Eastman Credit Union served as concert hall and stage sponsor and Food City was the printing sponsor.
The event remains the largest Chamber annual dinner in the nation.
“What a perfect night to celebrate a wonderful community in Kingsport and great organization in the Kingsport Chamber,” said Paula Jackson Kingsport Chamber 73rd Annual Dinner chair and WJHL News Channel 11/ABC Tri-Cities vice president and general manager. “The WJHL News Channel 11 and ABC Tri-Cities team were once again thrilled to be a partner in this incredible event and we were elated to celebrate Eastman in reaching its centennial year.”
The evening’s theme was “This is Kingsport,” as the program was highlighted with a number of recognitions and accomplishments for the Kingsport community.
“It is amazing to look at the progress occurring in our city and at the list of achievements from so many companies and organizations for this past year,” said Lori Arnold, 2019 Kingsport Chamber chair and director of finance with GSM. “Kingsport is a great city and the Kingsport Chamber and its many award-winning programs make such a huge impact on this community.”
“Wow! How about our Kingsport Chamber?” said Eric Deaton, 2020 Kingsport Chamber chair and chief operating officer with Ballad Health. “What a great night of celebration of the past and the start of a new decade! It is my honor to stand before you as your new Board chair. My friends, I am so proud to be the Kingsport Chamber’s 2020 chairman. I have worked and chaired other Chambers across the Southeast. I can tell you we are so fortunate to have one of the best Chambers of Commerce in the U.S., bar none! What makes our Chamber so great is the leadership, Board of Directors and the Chamber volunteers.”
Turning the Page...
STORY BY DAVID MALLORY AND TODD FIELDS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE HENSLEY, JOHNSON CITY AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Retirement is something that most people work toward. Many view it as a time to settle in and just rock the years away. While others view it as a new chapter in their lives; a time to embrace change and view life from a perspective that isn’t clouded by the day to day routine of a career.
During our working years, often times the interior design of our home is done sporadically and usually based on necessity and whim. You need a new chair, you go out and find a chair that “matches” your decor....it’s a good price....you buy it and you’re done. But, was it really the right chair? Did it contribute to the overall aesthetic of the room? Or was it just something to sit on that filled the space? Choosing items solely based on function and price is a common mistake. It results in a look that you are not happy with in the long run.
While a lot of retirees resign themselves to “living with” their design dilemmas — that was not the case with the homeowners featured in this month’s article. After years working in corporate America, this couple was ready to retire.
Knowing that they were not the “rocking chair” kind of people, they enthusiastically set off on the next chapter of their lives. They sold their home in Kingsport and purchased a new larger home in one of Johnson City’s premiere planned communities.
But they didnt want to just “repeat” what they had done in their previous home. They were ready for a change! Wisely choosing to “Do it right the first time.” And not wanting to spend countless days, weeks and months, attempting to design their new home. They wanted to spend their retirement enjoying their new space. This did not include endless days of searching and questioning their own design choices.
job was to tap into both of these aesthetics and blend them in such a way, that both were pleased.
As you can see— in the living room, we placed a stylish sectional that provides more than adequate seating....and its very comfy! The custom ottoman is a favorite spot of their King Charles spaniel, Zoe! Matching chests, mirrors and lamps flank the fireplace and add balance and drama to the focal wall.
The fireside chairs are perfect for a glass of wine, on a cold winter evening.
The art piece is a large giclee of an antique print. When mounted in a sleek modern frame, it is a nice blend of traditional and contemporary. Little touches like this were key, to creating a look that were pleasing to both.
We kept the palette neutral and added the color with things like pillows, the ottoman and artwork.
Family pieces and personal favorites of the couple, were used throughout the design, to personalize the rooms.
The formal dining room once again was a blend of the two styles. Leaning a bit more toward the traditional side, the chandelier and wall sconces, add just enough transitional styling to make the room feel modern.
Just off the kitchen is the keeping room. This is a spot that they wanted to use for reading, a nice cup of java, or a conversation with friends. We chose to create a “round” conversation area. The vibrant striped velvet chairs, set against the backdrop of the rock fireplace, create a welcoming yet luxurious vignette. The couple loved the look and feel of the embossed Paprika colored velvet that we suggested for window treatments. This room has very limited wall space for decor, so the window treatments created the wow factor for the design.
The master bedroom took a slightly more sleek and modern turn. Nothing says R&R like an upholstered headboard. A graphic wallpaper provides the perfect backdrop..... then flanking the bed with two mid century inspired nightstands, modern metallic art and a matching pair of large lamps with an Asian dragon design finishes the space nicely. The pillows and bedding were kept simple and to a minimum. If you notice, the palette is very neutral with just a dash of color, for visual interest. Nothing jarring or overly stimulating.
We feel that bedrooms should be crisp and simple, with not a lot of fussy decor. It should be a space that when entered, makes you take a deep cleansing breath and let the relaxation begin.