APRIL 2016
Contents
FOUNDER/PUBLISHER Angela J. Baker CO-OWNER Mickey J. Baker CREATIVE DIRECTOR Angelica Ares OFFICE, SALES, AND EVENTS Savanna McDavid Felicia Conners EDITORIAL ASSISTANT James Helms DISTRIBUTION MANAGER James Helms ACCOUNT MANAGERS Lark Adams 423.612.3583 Lark@vipseenmag.com
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April Barnes 423.646.4626 april@vipseenmag.com Robyn Berrigan 423.765.5331 robyn@vipseenmag.com
FEATURES
Susan Couch 423.483.5591 susan@vipseenmag.com
Jacqueline Joseph 423.367.6785 Jacqueline@vipseenmag.com
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SPECIAL FEATURE: HOME AND GARDEN
26 COVER STORY
GEORGE DEVAULT: PILLAR OF STRENGTH IN DIFFICULT TIMES
42 KING OF SOLE:
Carolyn Kestner 423.292.3436 Carolyn@vipseenmag.com
DEPARTMENTS
COPY EDITOR Lucy Honeychurch
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Ares Lark Adams George Emerson Penny Goodwhistle James Helms G.C. Hutson Lucy Honeychurch Sherri Jessee Tony Marr Savanna McDavid Beth Street PHOTOGRAPHY Mickey J. Baker Liz Bushong Linda Coffey Goodwin Photography James Helmes Jacqueline Joseph Carolyn Kestner Savanna McDavid DISTRIBUTION Brooke Couch Bobby Flowers James Helms Charles Kilgore Sarah Moody WEBMASTER Robert Neilson Wired Web Development VIPSEEN, Inc., Tri-Cities 151 E. Main Street, Suite 5 Kingsport, TN 37660 423.398.5321 info@vipseenmag.com WWW.VIPSEENMAG.COM
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WELLMONT FOUNDATION
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
17 SERVE IT UP SASSY
Welcome Spring
48 VIP BEAUTY
Messy Big Bun
46
EVENTS
56 Nonprofit
30 Bristol Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards and Tailgate Kickoff
60 ARTSEEN
32 Boys & Girls Club of Johnson City Annual Dinner and Award Celebration
Serving Orphans Worldwide Hunter Grigg
34 Cornerstone 50th Anniversary Banquet
40 HAPPY
35 Jonesborough Chocolate Festival
52 PET PERSONALS
36 Domtar Chili Cook-off
64 SEEN ON THE SCENE
41 Be Mine Beer Dinner at Studio Brew 44 ETSU Hall of Fame Ceremony 46 Red Shoe Gala
ON THE COVER
George DeVault Photography by Mickey Baker
51 Greg Isbell Trunk Show 51 Teka Building and Development and Bath Planet After Hours 54 The Black Abbey and Alec Bradley at Ligero Cigar Lounge 55 The Lexington Senior Living After Hours 55 Johnson City Chamber 101st Annual Membership Meeting 58 My Little Valentine 59 United Way Annual Meeting 62 Farm, Fishing, Hunting and Camping Expo
Calendar of Events / APRIL 2016 APRIL 4 5:30pm – 7:30pm Women Empowered: Amanda Valentine The Gallery at Portico Johnson City, TN we@bankoftennessee.com APRIL 8 7:00pm Disney On Ice: Let’s Celebrate Freedom Hall Civic Center 1320 Pactolas Road Johnson City, TN www.johnsoncitytn.com APRIL 9 Symphony of the Mountains 9th Annual Evening of Musical & Epicurean Delights Benefit Gala 6:00pm The Club at Ridgefield’s 2320 Pendragon Road Kingsport, TN $125 / person – Private/Corporate Tables of 8: $1,200 423-392-8423 info@symphonyofthemountains.org Thirsty Orange Brew Extravaganza 1:00pm – 6:00pm Founders Park 74 Wilson Avenue Johnson City, TN www.thirstyorange.com The Bristol Half & Half Marathon 6:00am Virginia High School 1200 Long Crescent Drive Bristol, VA 423-963-1045 www.werunevents.com
APRIL 10 3:00pm Spring Youth Orchestra Concert Milligan College - Seeger Chapel 1 Blowers Blvd. Johnson City, TN 423-392-8423 info@symphonyofthemountains.org G.L.O.W. Children’s Theatre Program Performance *Check website for different times and dates. Lamplight Theatre 140 Broad Street Kingsport, TN 423-343-1766 www.lamplighttheatre.com APRIL 15 8:30pm – 10:30pm Spring Race 5K Bristol Motor Speedway 151 Speedway Blvd. Bristol, TN 423-989-6975 betsy@bristolmotorspeedway.com APRIL 16 2:00pm – 4:00pm Bye Bye Birdie Jonesborough Repertory Theatre 124 West Main Street Jonesborough, TN 423-753-1010 www.jonesboroughtheatre.com
APRIL 19 7:00pm – 8:30pm Jonesborough Storytellers Guild Concert International Storytelling Center West Main Street Jonesborough, TN 423-913-2166 www.storytellersguild.org APRIL 21 7:30pm Halestorm, Lita Ford & Dorothy Concert Freedom Hall Civic Center 1320 Pactolas Road Johnson City, TN www.johnsoncitytn.com APRIL 28 State of the City, County, Town Luncheon 11:30am – 1:00pm The Millennium Center 2001 Millennium Place Johnson City, TN 423-461-8004 hill@johnsoncitytnchamber.com
Wine, Women & Shoes The Virginian Golf Club 22512 Clubhouse Ridge Bristol, VA 423-230-8592 www.winewomenandshoes.com/ wellmont Capo’s Music Store Weekly Jam Session 6:00pm Capo’s Music Store 908 East Main Street Abingdon, VA 276-525-1880 www.caposmusicstore.com Kingsport Arts Follies 7:00pm – 9:00pm Renaissance Arts Center & Theatre 1200 East Center Street Kingsport, TN 423-392-8414 www.arts.kingsporttn.gov ***Keep checking our online calendar at www.vipseenmag.com as we update daily!***
APRIL 29 Through May 1 4:00pm (Friday) / 6:00pm (Sunday) Miss Virginia United States 2016 Virginia High School 1200 Long Crescent Road Bristol, VA www.missvirginiaus.com
APRIL @ BARTER THEATRE GEORGE ORWELL’S 1984
APRIL “In times of universal deceit, telling the 30 truth is a revolutionary act.”—George Orwell. 2:00pm – 5:00pm Winston Smith is a cog in the giant machine of the State. Physically and mentally under the omnipresent eye of Big Brother, Winston uncovers indisputable proof that the Leader is lying. Desiring to escape, he commits another crime by falling in love with Julia, which brings a deeper blur between propaganda and reality. With the brutal “help” of four Party Members, Winston is forced to confess his “ThoughtCrimes” before an unseen inquisitor, and the audience -- which acts as a silent witness. This is a ferocious and provocative adaptation of one of the most prescient works of literature of the last century.
Other showings for the month of April: My Imaginary Pirate By Catherine Bush, Classic Nashville Road Show, Big Fish
Visit www.bartertheatre.com or call 423-628-3991 for showtimes and to purchase tickets. APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 5
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Home & Garden SPECIALFEATURE
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inter has finally come to an end and with Easter fast approaching that means something else as well: Spring! Spring flowers such as daffodils, hyacinth, and crocus will start to bloom and followed shortly after that will be other flowers such as pansies and phlox. Blooming trees such as cherry, dogwood, and pear will begin to show their colors as well and we will all be certain that those cold winter snowstorms are behind us for at least another year. This time of the year is integral in preparing our homes and lawns for the coming summer months.
The outside of the house should be cleaned and taken care of in the spring to ensure that we have a beautiful looking lawn for the summer. Fertilizer should be spread as should any grass seed and lawns should be aerated as well. Flowerbeds should be reinforced with a new layer of mulch, any fallen debris should be cleaned up from the yard, and lawn equipment should be tuned up.
With the warmer weather windows are usually opened up for the first time in months, which allows us the opportunity to give them a good cleaning. We want all the sunshine possible to pour into the house! Most windows these days are easily cleaned, but if this is not the case, then there are plenty of cleaners that can be attached directly to the water hose for tough cleaning made easy. Lawn furniture that has collected dust all winter should be hosed off and decks and porches should be cleaned as well. This might need to be done in early spring and then again in early summer after all of the pollen has collected. Winter clothes can be stored for the season, automobiles should get a good washing and waxing, and fireplaces should be cleaned and closed up for the season as well. Many people take this opportunity to gather up unused items for summer garage sales: every little bit of extra money helps a lot! In VIPSEEN Magazine we have put together a home and garden issue to provide tips and advice for getting your inside and outside tidy and neat.
STORY BY LUCY HONEYCHURCH
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Change your Life by Tidying up?
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Jeff Howell Construction Custom Built Homes: Make Your Dream Home a Reality
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Mid-Atlantic Garden Faire, Abingdon
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Joseph Reconstruction
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Serve it up Sassy: Welcome Spring
21
Vegetable Gardening: The New-ish, Healthy Hobby
22
Oakwood Homes: We Build Dreams
24
Mass Planting: Big, Bold & Beautiful APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 7
SPECIALFEATURE
Change your Life by Tidying up?
STORY BY LARK ADAMS
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hat would your ideal, or dream home look like? Don’t think about size or location, but what it would be like on the inside. Most people would say they want their home to be neat, orderly, and pleasing to the senses. Basically, a space that brings them joy. Why then, is it so hard to achieve this perfect state? Many of us suffer from excessive amounts of clutter, which ultimately leads to a house looking dirty, or just plain disorganized. Oftentimes when we embark on a journey to neatness and order we start out very motivated and excited, but according to Japanese organization expert Marie Kondo, most of us go wrong almost immediately and are doomed to failure before we even begin. Kondo is the best-selling author of “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.” You are probably thinking this is Feng Shui 2.0, an Asian philosophy of harmonizing everyone with the surrounding environment. Feng Shui was hugely popular several years ago and had many people reorganizing rooms and possessions to find the peace they were seeking. Kondo has a very different, but basic approach:
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1. Only keep the items that truly bring you joy 2. Discard all unwanted items BEFORE organizing your possessions 3. Organize by Category, not by Room 4. Organize items in her prescribed order (Clothes, Books, Papers, Miscellaneous Items, and end with Sentimental Items) 5. Do the work in each category completely and intensely before moving on to another category (in one sitting if possible) Kondo provides many examples of why you should do things exactly as she prescribes, but the bottom line is that you will never suffer from ‘rebound’ or bounce back to a disorganized state if you follow her methodology. How could this be so different from other methods you have tried? It is very simple. As an organizing expert, perhaps the ‘most organized woman in the world,’ as some have called her, Kondo has tried just about every organizing method and discarded them all.
How many times have you tried one of these methods? 1.
Removing 10 (or 20 or 30) items of clutter a day, or filling a grocery bag every day with clutter
2.
Having an organizing day in the bathroom, kitchen, your clothes closet, etc.
3.
Getting started but then quickly distracted by sentimental items that seem impossible to get rid of
4.
Removing one item (usually of clothing) each time another in purchased
5.
Turning clothes hangers around at the start of the year to determine whether an item is worn within the year
Why don’t any of these strategies work the way Kondo’s method does? She gives simple and clear explanations: With #1, you never seem to finish, or can get easily distracted and lose motivation, long before any real benefit is realized. #2 will not work because when you organize by room instead of item category, you typically move items from one room to another and never get a full grasp of the total amount you own of the item(s). When you start, or get distracted by, sentimental items, like in #3, tidying and organizing feels like an insurmountable task since you are not yet mentally prepared and trained to decide whether or not to keep certain sentimental items. Also, it’s fun to look at memorabilia, or pictures of yourself as a kid, so that can be a time waster as well. #4 never reduces the total amount of your possessions, it just keeps the total amont from getting even bigger. And finally, #5 doesn’t answer the question of why the item is in your closet to begin with – if you love it, you will wear it. If you don’t love it, you need to get rid of it.
What is the result of completely decluttering and then organizing your life? If you follow Kondo’s concept that you should only keep things that you love, then your home and life will be your own personal paradise. Everything you lay eyes on will either be eminently useful or beloved, and will fill you will a sense of joy.
Saving time should be another result of tidying up. Instead of wading through mountains of items, you should have reduced your possessions to a point where everything you own in each category is visible and/or easily accessible. Following Marie Kondo’s method for decluttering and organizing isn’t easy, but as it is often said, nothing worthwhile is ever easy. And just imagine how much joy is ahead!
Make your Dream Home a Reality
“Meticulous Attention To Detail” A
native of Johnson City and graduate of East Tennessee State University, Jeff Howell has been a builder specializing in custom homes in the TriCities TN/VA since 2005. Jeff spends a great deal of time getting to know his clients so that he can design the perfect custom home to fit their lifestyle, needs, and desired lot. If you are retired, married with children, in the early stages of building a family, or anywhere in between, Jeff will work to understand all facets of your wants and needs to build the home you’ve always dreamed of. “During the planning stages, Jeff Howell’s patience and personal attention allowed us to develop our design to meet our specific needs.” – Keith and Angela Cretsinger Great communication is a key part of a successful home project. “He was able to take our vision and make it workable, communicating with us constantly about obstacles and ideas for how to overcome them.” – Ben and Alison Barton Even if you are unsure of whether to build, buy, or remodel, Jeff can help you decide and walk you through
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“Timely, Quality Work”
the process from start to finish. He has an intimate knowledge of the local banking industry, connections with the most reliable building sub-contractors, and a working relationship with the region’s leading interior designers to put the finishing touches on your perfect home. This knowledge gives Jeff the ability to add the extra, individual touches to each project. “Jeff created opportunities through the process to add energy efficiency and unique features to our home. ” – Nicole Coult “If you don’t want to worry about your construction project, do yourself a favor and choose Howell Construction.” – Chris Dagenhart
Jeff Howell is licensed in the states of Tennessee and Virginia.
Contact Jeff today to discuss your dream home.
423.833.3200
jshowellcustomhomes.com APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 11
SPECIALFEATURE
Mid-Atlantic Garden Faire Abingdon April 22-24, 2016 Combine two full days of educational gardening seminars with three days of shopping in a marketplace filled with an array of plants, yard tools and art, outdoor furniture and you have the most diverse garden show in our region – the Mid-Atlantic Garden Faire in Abingdon. The educational aspect of the show includes national and regional gardening experts presenting seminars on topics ranging from using trash to create treasures in the garden to learning how to grow microgreens in your own kitchen. The keynote speaker is Judith Tyler, a nationally recognized author and breeder of Hellebores which are also known as Lenten Roses. These fabulous evergreen flowers are in bloom from December through April. If you do not have them in your garden, Garden Faire is the place to buy and learn about growing them. Spend the day learning, shopping and enjoying lunch or a snack at the Garden CafÊ. Bring plant or soil questions to the Plant Clinic. Proceeds from Garden Faire support a Virginia Tech endowed scholarship for students from our region, as well as numerous community gardening projects. See a complete schedule of events at www.gardenfaire.net
APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 13
RE RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL RECONSTRUCTION Fires, floods, tornados, smoke, water – all can cause devastating property losses. JOSEPH ReConstruction eases those losses by working with property owners and insurance companies to rebuild structures. JOSEPH has earned the respect and trust of owners and insurance companies alike with quick response, quality repairs, and cost efficiency. The area’s leading insurance agencies have designated JOSEPH Construction a Preferred Provider. Emergency or non-emergency, JOSEPH ReConstruction assures any client a quick response, a thorough estimate, and timely working schedule. We will coordinate with your insurance company to expedite the claim process to insure that your property is restored to pre-loss condition. Our dedication is getting your property repaired properly and completely. Working with our Disaster Cleaning and Restoration division, DCR, we are a “complete all in one” stop company. From start to finish you can rely on JOSEPH Construction to handle any and all of your insurance restoration needs.
SERVICES PROVIDED EMERGENCY ROOF TARPING • EMERGENCY BOARD-UPS • EMERGENCY TREE REMOVAL ROOFING (ASPHALT, METAL, AND SLATE) • FLOORING • DRYWALL AND PAINTING GUTTERS, SIDING, BRICK, STUCCO, ETC. • PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL CABINETS AND FINISH TRIM WORK • FOUNDATIONS WINDOWS AND DOORS • CONTRACTOR CONSULTING BEFORE & AFTER
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PERSONAL SERVICE JOSEPH’s Reconstruction Project Managers are trained and experienced with commercial, industrial and residential property loss remediation and reconstruction of all sizes and types of buildings.
BEFORE & AFTER
We team with the property owner, insurance agents and adjusters, enabling effective communication and coordination. Work begins quickly and is completed in a timely manner. GUARANTEED QUALITY With 4 decades of experience in East Tennessee, JOSEPH has knowledge of local labor markets, subcontractor capabilities, and an established following of skilled manpower. Strong relationships throughout the region assure our clients of the highest quality work and prompt service. We warranty all of our work. JOSEPH is fully insured. SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY Accurate costs are determined using XACTIMATE software, the benchmark of estimating in the reconstruction industry. Digital photography and Internet file transfer capabilities expedite the communication and interaction necessary for quickly rebuilding your home or business. QUICK RESPONSE We offer emergency service 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Emergency phone numbers and contact procedures put us on-site as soon as possible to stop further damage. Reconstruction solutions, estimates and construction are scheduled so property owners can quickly regain full use of home or business. SERVICE AREAS JOSEPH serves all of the counties of East Tennessee. From Knox to Sevier, Cumberland to Blount, and everywhere in between.
NEED EMERGENCY HELP?
At JOSEPH’s RECON & DCR divisions our goal is to help families and businesses quickly repair property damage due to water, fire, wind, and vandalism.
CALL US 24/7
423.753.8843
RE JOHNSON CITY 3760 W. Market Street | Johnson City, TN 423.202.6434, Chad Mitchell www.josephconst.com APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 15
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Serve it up Sassy
Welcome Spring! RECIPE DEVELOPMENT, FOOD STYLING, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND ARTICLE BY LIZ BUSHONG
A
s the ground awakens from the wintertime slumber, tulip and daffodil stems push through the soil about to burst open with colorful fresh blooms. Bright yellow forsythia bushes and cherry blossom branches begin to pop open profusely with small and breathtakingly delicate flowers. The scent of sweet hyacinths and greening new grass alert our senses that spring has arrived. In the early morning hours, we listen to chirping robins singing their joyful songs as they gather twigs to build their nests and bunnies can be seen here and there as they hop across the fresh new lawn. All creatures great and small welcome the lively splendor of spring marveling at God’s creative works.
To create a springtime centerpiece for your table, gather some of the season’s best blooming potted bulbs, primrose and ferns. Place 3- 5 potted blooms at different levels inside a plastic lined basket at various heights. No need to remove the plants from the pot. Cover and tuck moss over the potted flowers and between spaces inside the basket. A good mix of flowers would include two to three colors with different textures and heights. Leafy green ivy and low packed ground cover with reindeer moss will add to the fullness of the arrangement. For a bit of whimsy add a small bird sitting on a faucet with dripping water crystal. An empty bird nest would also be a great touch to this spring arrangement.
What says “Spring-time” better than flowers? Whether you are hosting a luncheon or Sunday family dinner, a lovely springtime arrangement of your favorite floral can take center stage on your dining room table. For an easy, breezy centerpiece, embrace your spontaneous spirit and head to the floral department of your local grocery store or favorite greenhouse. Most merchants will showcase potted tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, primrose, moss, ivy and many types of ferns that you can place in a basket for a stunning and simple centerpiece.
After the flowers are spent, you can plant the bulbs in your garden for next spring. A note about tulips, you can plant Gladiolas and Dahlias this spring for flowering this summer. In September as fall arrives plant tulips and daffodils for next spring. Spring bulbs should be planted in the fall or early winter because they require a long period of cool temperatures in order for them to flower. In the fall, it is important to get the bulbs in the ground before the ground freezes. They need time to develop strong roots. You APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 17
Serve it up Sassy could also plant bulbs in individual containers as the merchants do forcing the bulbs to grow. My sweet bunny JJ was excited about spring too! He is an adorable New Zealand white bunny with red eyes. JJ allowed me to take a few photos of him checking out the floral arrangement while I was putting it together. He looked out the window, chewed a few willow branches, smelled the flowers by standing on his hind feet, and finally lay down beside the finished arrangement. With spring’s earliest blooms, you can celebrate everyday dining with ambiance that is fresh and vibrant. Royal blue, bright yellow and shades of green create a beautiful springtime palette. Evoke this palette with white and cobalt blue square plates and accessories. Yellow tightly rolled napkins look like flowers blooming as they stand in water glasses. For a take home favor, a small cobalt blue vase with
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a single rose sits pretty at each place setting. To continue the color scheme of cobalt, yellow and white, the Lemon Almond mini tart greets each individual guest at their place setting for an after dinner dessert. The crust is made with ground almonds and filled with a tangy lemon curd-type filling then baked to perfection. When serving this dessert, add a dollop of fresh whipped cream and lemon zest. Invite springtime into your home with this creative and fanciful setting that boasts this season’s vibrant scents and colors. You don’t have to be a green thumb to enjoy the beauty of the season. Bring the outdoors in with a beautiful potted arrangement. Like a breath of fresh air, after the morning dew, breathe in the cool breeze of this new season with a living arrangement that will linger in memories. Helping you Make a Statement, Make is Sassy and Make it Yours! ® For more ideas go to http://www.lizbushong.com.
Lemon Almond Tart www.lizbushong.com
INGREDIENTS: 1 unbaked almond crust recipe-chilled 1 hour 1-1/4 cups granulated sugar 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour 1/3 cup lemon juice from concentrate 3 large eggs ½ cup butter, melted, no substitutes 1 teaspoon lemon zest, optional Garnish: lemon zest, mint or parsley leaf, assorted berries ALMOND TART CRUST RECIPE ¼ cup slivered almonds 1 cup all purpose flour ¼ cup granulated sugar ½ cup butter, softened, no substitutes 1 egg 1 teaspoon lemon juice from concentrate In food processor, process almonds until ground. Add flour, sugar and butter, process until crumbly. Add egg and juice, process until dough forms a ball. Wrap dough in plastic wrap, chill one hour. INSTRUCTIONS: Prepare Almond Crust, pres pastry into lightly greased 4-4” tart pans with removable bottoms. Set aside. In large mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour and lemon juice. Beat to combine. Add eggs, one at a time, beat after each addition. Add melted butter and mix to blend. Pour into Almond Crust shells. Bake at 325 for 30-35 minutes or until set. Cool on wire rack. TO SERVE: Remove sides and bottom of tart pan, top cooled tart with fresh whipped cream, fruit or mint leaves. Yield: 4-4” tarts
Make a Statement, Make it Sassy and Make it Yours!® Liz Bushong is an expert in the three-dimensional art of entertaining. She transforms simple dining occasions into beautiful and memorable moments by adding a touch of her own “sassy” style. For the past several years Liz been entrusted to decorate the White House for several Holidays. She is a featured monthly guest chef/designer on Daytime Tri-cities, Daytime Blue Ridge and other television shows. Liz is the author of the Just Desserts and Sweets & Savories cookbook as well as a contributing writer for VIPSEEN and Bella Magazine. For more information about Liz go to www.lizbushong.com or www.serveitupsassy.com
SPECIALFEATURE
Vegetable Gardening: The New-ish, Healthy Hobby STORY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID
P
erspectives on vegetable gardening have changed over the last few years. It used to be thought of as boring and something only those in rural areas practiced. Today, things have changed and gardening is becoming popular across the country. Besides the obvious advantage of harvesting fresh foods, people are more interested in where their produce comes from. Awareness of things such as pesticides and America’s health problems are two of the many reasons this ‘trend’ has begun catching on. It is also a great way to get children involved and interested in eating their fruits and veggies.
Next, think about the site. A place that receives at least 8 hours of sunlight is best. Also make sure it is near a water source for easy watering and the closer to the kitchen the better. Then think about your soil. Is it optimal for growing plants? If not, it may need to be amended and fertilized. Another consideration, decide if you will use seeds or transplants. This decision will affect your whole gardening plan. Many vegetables grow better when they are planted from seed, others do just fine as transplants. Find out what vegetables the family wants, then do a little research to see what choice is best for you.
People today are dedicating part of their perfectly cut lawns to veggie beds and are even mixing vegetables in with perennials throughout their landscaped areas. Blueberries and raspberries are background plants and floral and vegetable annuals are being planted alongside herbs. The traditional back yard garden patch has gotten a makeover. Some gardeners utilize containers, from pots and tubes on patios to palettes and raised beds in the yard, to provide extra space that may be needed. This also offers the option of growing vegetables in a better, more controlled soil, which allows for maximizing space when planting.
A great idea while planting, growing, and harvesting is to keep a journal. Keep notes about any problems you may have, suggestions on how to better things, and planting and harvesting dates. It is also helpful to remember how much food was harvested. This journal will be especially useful next year when planning for the garden.
New to gardening? Want to know where to start? Start with research and begin developing a garden plan. Who in the family will be working the garden? What vegetables does your family eat? How will the produce be used- fresh, canned or frozen? Those are all important questions to ask when mapping out your plan.
Vegetable gardening has begun to grow in popularity not only because people are trying to become healthier, but also everyone understands the importance of being in control of their own food. Growing at home gives the options of more or less pesticides and how big or ripe food grows. People are beginning to understand not only is that growing food better for our bodies but it is also better for our souls. So if you’ve been contemplating starting a vegetable garden, go ahead! Now is the best time!
APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 21
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Oakwood Homes of Bristol sells and services manufactured and modular homes selected from the Oakwood family of brands. Oakwood is a national builder of manufactured and modular homes that provides unparalleled options, comfort, and quality at all price points. This means more value for your housing dollar, no matter what your housing needs may be. We invite you to come on down today and walk through the homes listed here or choose one of the available floor plans that can be customized to satisfy your specific housing needs. 22 | VIPSEEN | APRIL 2016
of Bristol, Virginia
15297 Lee Highway | Bristol, VA | 276-669-0700 Shop us online at www.OakwoodHomesofBristol.com APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 23
SPECIALFEATURE
Mass Planting:
Big, Bold &
Beautiful STORY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID
T
he American culture is known for its boldness. When it comes to gardening, do it big and bold too! Is there a spot in the lawn that could use an explosion of color? Usually people plant annuals and perennials of different colors together that look nice, but it seems there is just something missing. Flower gardens often look sparse due to the low number of plants or the arrangement of them. IT is always more pleasing to the eye to plant in grouplings instead of rows. A groupling can consist of a dozen flowers in a sunny pattern fairly close together. Planting in rows can leave the garden showing a lot of ground and plants will look strung out all over the space. If you group plant the flowers will have lots of empty space around them still. However if you mass plant all of your flowers, simply cover the entire garden with bulbs and flowers, you will get one big burst of color. You will be looking at a solid mass of the brightest, boldest colors right when you’re craving color the most! A large square, circular, rectangular, diamond or crescent shaped would be gorgeous if fully planted to the brim with color. For example, plant the entire space with mixed colors planted very close together. Or try planting taller varieties above a shorter mass planting. You can use yellow in the center of your mass garden and beautiful colors on the outside, or mix colors. Don’t mix things up too much the first year, wait until the second year to experiment more if you liked the results. Some great flowers to mass plant are any bulbs, any sun loving annuals (as long as there is 6-8 hours of sunlight), tropicanas, artemisia, vinca plant, etc.… Try planting a “green garden” that is a mixture of light green to yellow leaved plants with the darker green and striped ones. This creates a striking foliage mixture. Ornamental grasses work well with smaller things in front or in between them. For an incomparable display of summer colors try French Mixed marigolds. Landscaping is all about personal preference. There are so many ways to turn a flower garden into an eye-catching beauty. One of the biggest, boldest ways to do that is by mass planting. There is nothing better than seeing a huge cluster of beautiful, colorful flowers; our eyes are actually drawn to these bursting color pops. So, when you are thinking of planting your flower garden this year, keep mass planting in mind; try it and you’ll love the results.
APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 25
VIP COVER PROFILE
GEORGE
DEVAULT PILLAR OF STRENGTH IN DIFFICULT TIMES STORY BY JENNIFER ARES
W
hen George DeVault was a little boy he can vividly remember riding into Kingsport with his mother and father: they to work and he to school. His mother’s favorite game to play was “what color is the river today?” Riding in on Highway 11-W now Netherland Inn Road, George can recall how Kingsport was in those days. “There were no fish in the river,” he says, “and people now complain of a smell but they have no idea.” Times have changed dramatically in many ways since then and, as we talked about the things that kids today will never know: cassette tapes, eight tracks, radio variety programs, and television that has to be watched at a certain time or caught on rerun, it occurred to me just how far things have come. For all of that forward progress, however, some of the things that have changed were better done the “old way.” George DeVault, CEO of WKPT for almost forty years, has witnessed a great many of Kingsport’s changes from the studios on Commerce Street. One most recent change is one that has caused great tumult and upset: a change brought about because of greed and one that DeVault has had trouble stomaching. “Regarding WKPT-TV’s recent loss of its ABC affiliation after 46 and a half years, DeVault says he bears no ill-will toward any other station, but wishes that ABC had been a little more loyal. “All of these years we’ve managed to hold on to people and keep them employed. Even through the downturn in 2008 and the great recession we didn’t have to lay anyone off. This has just hurt us so much.”
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GEORGE IN HIS OLD OFFICE IN THE ORIGINAL BUILDING.
INSIDE THE WKPT TV STUDIO DURING ANOTHER TELETHON YEARS LATER. GEORGE IS THE ONE WITH THE MUSTACHE.
WKPT’S ORGINAL TOWER. IT WAS LOCATED IN WHAT IS NOW THE PARKING LOT OF BIG LOTS.
WKPT started as a radio station in the 1940s and was doing quite well until tragedy struck in 1946. The building was gutted by fire, and the studios had to be rebuilt. They were completed in 1948 and, tucked away at the bottom of the column on page 62 of an April 12th edition of Broadcasting/Telecasting Magazine, is such a reference to the rebuild. “The new studios have been restored and formally reopened. The new studios have been expanded to permit separate programming of both the AM and FM stations. Two control rooms and three studios, one 30 by 40 feet and two 16 by 20 feet, have been provided in the air-conditioning building.” Recently losing its ABC affiliation has hurt worse than that long-ago fire did in that it has left WKPT without permission to broadcast many of the shows that people in this area love to watch. “There’s all sorts of talk about cutting the cord and people streaming what they like, but there are a lot of people who still watch local television. They watch local news, and they look for their favorite programs at certain times of the week. We don’t have the ability to give them all of what they want anymore.” The recent loss of the affiliation meant that WKPT has had to end its local news programs, which meant layoffs, and can no longer broadcast ABC programs, but must instead air more syndicated programming. The biggest reason for the loss was what endeared the station to so many people in Kingsport and the surrounding area: it was small. In today’s world, bigger means better so many companies don’t own just one or two stations in one market, but many stations in many markets. “WKPT was just WKPT, but owners of other stations have grown to be huge giants. The FCC used to have a rule that one company could only control seven AM stations, seven FM stations, and seven TV stations, but that rule was relaxed a long time ago. This meant that one company could own dozens APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 27
VIP COVER PROFILE
A SHOT INSIDE STUDIO “A” AT WKPT AM AND FM CIRCA 1948. THE SYMPHONY USED TO PRACTICE IN THE STUDIO.
or even hundreds of television and radio stations. Cable and satellite companies must have a station owner’s consent to carry the station. In the case of affiliates of the “big 4” networks cable and satellite companies pay for that consent. If agreement can’s be reached on the amount to be paid, the station owner can pull the station’s signal from the carrier. Big companies with lots of stations can pull all of their stations at the same time giving such companies a lot more bargaining power than smaller family-owned stations.” WKPT is a small family-owned station and did not have that clout. Companies like Media General, which owns WJHL, and 71 other stations in 48 markets, do have that clout. “If it threatens to pull its network affiliate signals in every market where both it and the cable or satellite carrier operate, it has immensely more bargaining power than one independently-owned, family-owned station like WKPT-TV. We can bargain and threaten a cable or satellite company to pull our signal, but we’re only one station in market number 97.” George DeVault has been around a while. He’ll be seventy in April, and has been involved in radio and television since he was 15 and a young student at Dobyns-Bennett. “I heard some of the announcing being done by students at WKPT radio, and I thought, ‘I could do just as good or better.’ When WKPT came to career day the young whippersnapper went up to the program director of the station, Martin Karant, and asked about auditioning for a student announcer position. “He welcomed me. I auditioned the following Saturday and was soon working on weekends. My parents were very supportive, except when I had to do the sign-on shift on Sunday mornings. Since I was too young to have a driver’s license, my dad had to drive me in for that, which meant no sleeping in.” George laughs, but says that he immediately loved what he did and was willing to spend all his extra time at the station in order to learn whatever he could. He also like working with Martin Karant, a local celebrity of sorts at this point in his career, and admits to learning a lot from the radio personality. “Martin was the best. He served as a mentor to lot of us who wanted to learn the radio business. He was known as “The mouth of the 28 | VIPSEEN | APRIL 2016
GEORGE, PRESENTING THE TENNESSEE ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD TO HIS OLD FRIEND AND PROFESSOR, DR. HERB HOWARD, DURING THE TAB’S 50TH ANNUAL CONVENTION IN NASHVILLE. A NATIVE OF JOHNSON CITY, HERB WAS THE FIRST WEATHERMAN AND THE FIRST PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT THE TRI-CITIES FIRST TV STATION – WJHL-TV.
South” and was just such a great guy. I really can’t say enough good things about him.” WKPT pioneered its “student announcer” program, which produced some great talents. A shining example is the late John Palmer. Karant ran the program. After leaving WKPT for Chicago Karant returned in semi-retirement to host the morning show. He became known for his sign-off slogan of, “It’s time for me to go for today. But, good Lord willin’ and the creeks don’t rise, I’ll be back with you in the morning after the seven o’clock news.” Not being given a choice in any matter is something we must all face at sometime or another in our lives. It just happens. Things happen. How all of us, as individuals, deal with these things that “just happen” is a testament to our personalities and our outlooks on life. Do we hide our heads in the sand? Push on through? Place the blame on others? Take control and find solutions? When George DeVault realized the deal that WKPT and ABC had together might go south, he acted quickly to salvage what the station had for the betterment of all involved. “I knew losing our affiliation would mean lost jobs. Some of the folks who work for us have been here thirty to forty years. I just couldn’t stomach the thought of letting them go.” Negotiating is a part of the business. “ABC comes at us wanting a humongous amount and we come back with a lower figure. Eventually, we meet somewhere in the middle, and a deal is struck. That didn’t happen this time.” The retransmission consent fees, what WKPT charged to retransmit programs, made up about half the station’s revenue. This revenue helped to pay for expenses, fund the news department, and provide a modest profit. With no ABC affiliation there are no retransmission consent fees and so no way to pay for unique programming like local news. The short time that I spent with George DeVault was a fascinating look into the world of broadcast television and the history of radio. He talked about WKPT, both past and present, like he was talking about his own family’s history. DeVault and his wife have long family
histories in East Tennessee with family trees going back to before the Civil War for George and to the Revolutionary War for his wife, so living in Kingsport and caring about the city is not some passing fad. “I love that downtown Kingsport is coming alive again. I remember how the downtown used to bustle: all the time too and not just on weekends or for festivals. It is great to see that area being brought back to life.” His dedication and concern for the well-being of the city and its residents is a driving force that has kept DeVault involved in civic duty since his early start as a student radio announcer. WKPT was the first digital television station in the State of Tennessee, aired its first TV newscast in 1969, and is a station that many have turned to for comfort during times of uncertainty. What happens then when that source of stability is suddenly changed so dramatically? “Our plan was to move MyNetworkTV programming from sister station WAPK over to WKPT. MyNetworkTV only produces about 10 hours of programming though,” DeVault said, “so we also moved over our best syndicated content to WKPT.” WAPK has become an affiliate of the nostalgic network, MeTV. George DeVault isn’t optimistic for the future of familyowned television stations because, at the end of the day, it all boils down to money, which equals power. Loyalty is not rewarded like it once was, and many larger corporations care more about the bottom line than about the lives of the individuals who make up the lifeblood of a company. George DeVault is different, however, a throwback to a time when a man’s word was enough to get a deal done. “We plan on filing a petition to change the current FCC rules, but I don’t know how far things will get. I’ve asked other small stations and groups in our situation to comment on our behalf, but greed may just win out with small operators like us continuing to disappear.” The road forward will be tough, but it is one that DeVault is willing to travel with those remaining employees of the company he has dedicated so much of his life to. He isn’t done working yet and he is not ready to give up on the station that has such an esteemed history in the city that he holds so dear. APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 29
SEEN IN BRISTOL
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
Annual Awards Tailgate Kickoff
Luncheon STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID
The Bristol Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Luncheon, held Jan. 15 at the Holiday Inn in Bristol, took on a different look this year as the event focused on the Battle at Bristol with a tailgating theme. The sold-out luncheon featured plenty of Tennessee orange and Virginia Tech maroon, along with 16 Bristol restaurants that served up tailgate-style food. The Tennessee High and Virginia High bands were also on hand to play Rocky Top and Enter Sandman. The emcee of the luncheon was ESPN’s Jerry Punch, who led a discussion with a panel, which included Bristol Motor Speedway general manager Jerry Caldwell, former Vol quarterback Condredge Holloway, former Hokie and NFL running back Kevin Jones and Chamber Chairman Jim Maxwell, about the Sept. 10 Battle of Bristol. The game, which will take place in the BMS infield, will feature the largest crowd to ever view a football game with more than 150,000 fans expected. Among the honors presented at the luncheon was the Lifetime Achievement Award, which went to Bruton Smith, founder and executive director of Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
Bobby Griffin, Jenny Doud, and Alan Hill
Trish Buckles, Alayna Holden, Kimberly Leonard, and Vicki Viers
Melissa Horton, Kristie Helms, and Justin Nidiffer
Steve Smith and Sean McMurray
Rebecca Benton and Milton Carter
Bristol Chamber of Commerce
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Susan Abel and Shannon Helton-Amos
Jerry Punch and Beth Rhinehart
Johnny Cecil and Ben Trout
Rex Gearheart and Randy Alvis
Bill Hartley and Jim Steele
Bristol TN Mayor Lea Powers and Margaret Feierabend
Tanya Foreman and Julie Bennett
Maggie Bishop and Christina Blevins
Jeremy Weaver, Janet Calahan, and Justin Rodda
SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY
WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Boys & Girls Club of Johnson City
Annual Dinner & Award
Celebration STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES HELMS
The Boys & Girls Club of Johnson City held their annual dinner and award celebration at Wesley United Methodist Church on Thursday, January 14, 2016. For the second year in a row the Olive Garden of Johnson City provided dinner for all of the attendees. Tonight’s celebration consisted of honoring the young members of the club, coaching friends, community supporters, club staff, board of directors and a special Hall of Fame inductee. Through hard work and determination the Johnson City Boys & Girls Club continues to serve youth in the area and in 2015 that number grew to 529 children who were served. Some of the 2016 goals of the club are to renovate the existing building on Market Street providing many necessary upgrades and improvements. According to Robin Crumley “2015 was a huge success and I am looking forward to a great 2016”. The club’s success can be contributed to the dedication of its members and their parents, the staff and volunteers who make things happen on a daily basis, the community sponsors and supporters who generously donate their resources and a very dedicated board of directors. There are many moving parts that make the system work, however in a tough economic time, everyone is encouraged to help support the club by volunteering, donating time, money or other resources, planning fundraisers or just by getting involved in some small way. The best investment we can make for our future is to invest in children and their success. Please contact Robin Crumley at the Boys & Girls Club to see how you can get involved at rcrumley@gokidz.org.
Eastman Chemical Company
Martha Abel
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Amber Farley and Cody Stallard
Heather Logan, Robin Crumley, and Jared Taylor
2015 Club Member Award Winners
Dave’s Waves Pool and Spa
Dustin Proffitt
Kappa Delta Gamma Delta Chapter
Loki Bunn
Commissoner Ralph Van Brocklin, Phil Pindzola, and Vice Mayor David Tomita
SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY
THE CARNEGIE HOTEL
Cornerstone 50th Anniversary Banquet STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES HELMS
Appalachian Christian Village has accomplished some major milestones, most notably getting a name change this past year and becoming Cornerstone Village. 2016 has also ushered in an amazing feat in that Cornerstone Village, located in Johnson City, TN, is celebrating their 50th anniversary. Danielle Back, Director of Marketing, organized an amazing celebration this year that also served as a fundraiser and was held at the Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City. This event included a silent auction, social hour, gourmet dinner and dancing with a live band playing all evening. According to Tom Sexton, CEO, the evening should bring in well over $15,000 of much needed funding to help the Cornerstone Village Benevolence Fund. Many sponsors also contributed to the evening such as Appalachia Business Communications who sponsored a table for the evening. Jeff Eaves of Appalachia Business Communications has been working with the Cornerstone village since 2004 and says that it is an honor to be associated with such a great group of people.
Jeff, Sandy, Darlene, and Jack Eaves
Palm and Dink Bennett
Jeri and Edie Linthicum
Ashley and Robert Brigendu
Sierra White and Danielle Back
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
SEEN IN JONESBOROUGH
Chocolate
Festival STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES HELMS
Will Botts
Lisa Borrow
The merchants association in Jonesborough helped organize the 1st annual chocolate festival designed to bring folks from the area to visit downtown Jonesborough. In all, 26 different locations set up areas inside their business to give out samples of chocolate. The journey began at the storytelling center where you could purchase tickets in packets of 5 for $5 each. You were given a list of the participating businesses and the chocolate samples they were offering. It was like a cross between a scavenger hunt and trick or treating. Just some of the offerings included cookies, chocolate bark, hot fudge cake, sundaes, hot chocolate, cheesecake and even fresh fried chocolate raviolis. The event was so successful that all of the tickets to get samples sold out, which sources say, were approximately 8500 with the crowd reaching about 1200 people. This gave shop owners a chance to meet a lot of new folks who came to visit the event as well as the faithful townspeople who support their downtown area. This is sure to become a mus see annual event.
General Store and Eatery
Food City
Hollifield Family
Breelyn and Alex Bomba
Susan Chikar, Cindy Lees, and Zel Hester
APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 35
SEEN IN KINGSPORT
DOMTAR
Domtar Chili
Cook-Off STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES HELMS
The staff at Domtar of Kingsport held their 6th annual Domtar Chili Cook Off to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank at the Domtar training center. The public, as well as the employees of Domtar, were invited to attend this event. For $10, attendees were able to sample 21 different batches of chili, and lunch also included chips, a drink and dessert. Representatives from the Second Harvest Food Bank were on hand to judge the chili competition and declare winners from categories such as best white chili, best traditional, best hot and most creative name. Names like “Make your tongue smack your eyebrows”, The Blizzard”, and “Crapper Slappers” were on hand. The proceeds that were collected are going to be used to provide bags of food to students in elementary, middle, and high schools in the area who are at risk of going hungry. To find out how you can help please visit the second harvest food bank online or in person and help support the hungry in east Tennessee. One thousand dollars was raised for Second Harvest Food Bank through this event.
Ann Rhem and Wanda Gillis
Jonathan, Page, and Amelia Henderson
Paul Jarvi
Selena Hall
Jan Arnold
Steve Fletcher
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Kevin Hudmall
Better Websites More Customers OUR TESTIMONIALS
SAY IT ALL! “Evergreen may be the Garden Experts but Possible Zone is the local online marketing expert.” Henere Valk, Evergreen
1 Sheridan Square • Suite 102 • Kingsport, TN 37660
423.765.9699 possiblezone.com
WINE + CRAFT BEER TASTINGS BBQ + MUSIC FESTIVAL
Souuern Rock Legends
THE
MARSHALL TUCKER BAND
plus
CRAFT BEER & WINE TASTINGS! TH SAT, MAY 14 FESTIVAL & MUSIC: 12-10PM | TASTINGS: 2-7PM DOWNTOWN KINGSPORT
TASTING + CONCERT: $30-$45 CONCERT ONLY: $10 ($15 DAY OF) TASTING TICKETS WILL SELL-OUT! Proudly Sponsored by: Food City, Cumulus Broadcasting, Libation Station, Sierra Nevada, Reedy Creek Vineyards & Cellars, Dermatology Associates, Powell Valley National Bank, Pepsi, AccuForce, Sapporo Beer, KCVB, Action Rentals, Barberitos of Kingsport, VIPSEEN and WJHL
ABOUT RACKS BY THE TRACKS
Racks by the Tracks is a barbecue competition, craft beer & wine tasting, and music festival held on May 14, 2016 in downtown Kingsport, Tennessee. Celebrating its 9th anniversary in 2016, Racks is one of the largest one-day festivals in the region. The festival is recognized within the community for being fun, family-friendly, well-organized, and committed to charitable giving. The festival returns to its location at the Kingsport Farmers Market facility.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT RACKS: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
9th Year of the festival - this year’s date is May 14th, 2016 Festival will be from Noon-10pm Festival is family-friendly Attendance size is over 12,000 people Access to main festival area is FREE 2,000-ticket, 70+beers craft beer tasting event has sold out seven years in a row Over $60,000 generated for non-profits through the festival 30 barbecue competitors and 10 additional food vendors 85% of attendees come from the Greater Tri-Cities region (Kingsport, Johnson City, Bristol, Abingdon, Elizabethton, Greeneville) 15% of attendees come from the Tri-State area (Knoxville, Chattanooga, Asheville, Gatlinburg, Greenville SC) The Wine Tasting Event has expanded to four different wineries and over 20 wines SPF 10K & 5K Race/Walk had over 500 runners in its third year last year The SPF Race has what is considered the fastest race course in the Tri-Cities due to how consistently flat the course is Kid’s Station features activities such as large inflatables and face-painting Festival generates thousands of dollars every year to local community non-profits, which has included: Sullivan County Humane Society, Relay for Life (American Cancer Society), Skin Cancer Foundation, Second Harvest of Northeast Tennessee (Feeding America), Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Kingsport Association, PEAK Young Professionals, Kingsport Ballet
THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND LEGENDARY SOUTHERN ROCK BAND
One of the major Southern rock bands of the ’70s, the Marshall Tucker Band was formed in Spartanburg, SC, in 1971 by singer Doug Gray, guitarist Toy Caldwell, his brother bassist Tommy Caldwell, guitarist George McCorkle, drummer Paul Riddle, and reed player Jerry Eubanks. The group’s style combined rock, country, and jazz and featured extended instrumental passages on which lead guitarist Toy Caldwell shone. The band was signed to Capricorn Records and released their debut album, The Marshall Tucker Band, in March 1973. They gained recognition through a tour with the Allman Brothers Band and found significant success during the course of the ’70s, with most of their albums going gold. Their peak came with the million-selling album Carolina Dreams and its Top 15 single “Heard It in a Love Song” and “Can’t you see” in 1977. Since then, the group has continued to write, record, and tour, and entertain fans from around the world.
WANTED: THE BON JOVI TRIBUTE BAND
Bon Jovi is one of the most iconic bands in rock history. Everyone knows their songs and singing along is a must. “WANTED: The Bon Jovi Tribute Band”focuses on performing the music of Bon Jovi the way it was meant to be played, so fans have a true “Bon Jovi Concert Experience.” Wanted is excited to play the extensive catalog of Bon Jovi Rock and Love songs that have stood the test of time and appeal to generations of music lovers including Runaway, Livin’ on A Prayer, You Give Love a Bad Name, Wanted Dead or Alive, It’s My Life, and Have a Nice Day
APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 39
Happy April Happy19th to our Princess! We love you Madison!
Happy Birthday Baby Girl! Love Mum!
Happy Birthday Rochelle Trent!
Happy Birthday Presley Rasar!
Happy Birthday to our precious Carly! We love you! Happy Birthday Kellie Rogers Trent! Happy Birthday Dylan Shockley! We love you very much!
Happy Birthday Katie Lee!
Happy Birthday Danielle Holder! We miss you!
Happy Birthday April Pack!
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Happy Birthday Charles Kilgore!
Happy Birthday 70th Birthday George DeVault!
Bappy Hirthday Row Man!
Happy Birthday Ryan Stipp!
Happy Birthday Amy Margaret McColl!
STUDIO BREW
SEEN IN BRISTOL
Be Mine Beer Dinner STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROLYN KESTNER
Lonnie Salyer and Valentine, wife, Andrea Wilcox
Singer Samantha Gray
Studio Brew, home of artisan craft beers and insanely delicious food, hosted their Be Mine Beer Dinner on when else? Valentine’s Day of course! Owners Erich and Pam Allen along with Chef Ryan Stipp and team served an authentic 5 course beer and food pairing dinner. Each dish was paired with one of their own brews and showcased how beer can be art. The sold out event was held in the newly remodeled upstairs studio space where couples sat grouped at large tables to taste Stipp’s newest creations. Attendees were served these pairings: First Course: Jerk Chicken Meatball - Hop Rye IPA ,Buffalo Chorizo Stuffed Date - Mex-I-Can Backfire, Mulberry Goat Cheese Crostini - Bourbon Barrel Gone With The Wit, Shrimp And Grits Bite - Dark Rider IPA, Smoked Oyster, Jalapeño-Lemon Chow Chow, Citrus Creme Fraiche - King’s Porter Second Course: Arugula And Micro Salad, Slow Poached Egg, Nueske’s Bacon, Smoked Apples Terese Belgian Triple, Third Course: Choice Of - Buffalo Filet, Herbed Butter, Roasted Fingerlings, Seasonal Vegetable, Bleu Cheese Foam - Studio Vienna Pan Seared Red Snapper, Caramelized Leek Risotto, Micro Citrus Salad - Daz Pilsner, Fourth Course: Hibiscus Witbier Sorbet - Gone With The Wit, Fifth Course: Ferguson Chocolate Cream, Drunken Strawberry Pearls, Chocolate Crunch, Strawberry Foam - Ferguson Stout . Wow! Bristol based blues singer Samantha Gray and band entertained while couples relaxed, danced and shot darts and everyone left with a Studio Brew snifter glass to remember this unforgettable evening with. Studio Brew is located at 221 Moore St. Bristol, Virginia. (423) 360-3258. You can check them out on Facebook or on their website http://www.studiobrew.beer/.
Karen and David Foster celebrated their 12th anniversary
Ian Sutherland with Emily McEndarfer
Carla and John Rickus celebrating 17 years married.
Studio Brew Staff Carmen Huffman, Ben Carder, Chef Ryan Stipp, Courtney Conner, Zachary Kennedy, and Aulikki Brandt
Owner and Master Brewer Erich Allen talking with guests
Lauren and Josh Devine with Brenda and John Fincher
APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 41
ENJOY A GIRLS’ DAY OUT – AND SAVE LIVES. Saturday, April 30 • 2–5 p.m. The Virginian Golf Club
•
Bristol, Virginia
With sip-sational wines, food, high fashion and charming Shoe Guys, Wine Women & Shoes is a can’t-miss event for the ultimate girls’ day out. In addition to exclusive designers and vendors, this event also features:
• Keys to the Closet, a one-of-a-kind drawing to win unique fashion and home accessories • Wall of Wine, where you can win a top-dollar bottle • A high-energy fashion show • Silent and live auctions
Buy your tickets today, and make it an afternoon to remember. Individual: $100 | Sole Sisters (2 tickets): $150
VIP Individual: $150 | VIP Sole Sisters (2 tickets): $250 VIP Table (six tickets): $850
VIP tables include reserved seating, upgraded swag bag, a bottle of wine for the table, personal Shoe Guy attendant and valet parking. Only six tables available! All VIP tickets include reserved seating, upgraded swag bags and valet parking.
Visit WineWomenAndShoes.com/Wellmont to purchase tickets, or call 423-230-8592 to learn more. Proceeds from Wine Women & Shoes will help the Wellmont Cancer Institute improve access and affordability for breast cancer screenings. Through earlier detection, we can help women live out their dreams – by outliving cancer.
WHO
WILL BE THE TRI-CITIES’ 2016
KING OF SOLE?
For the first time, our charming Shoe Guys will compete for the title of King of Sole. With a $10 donation to the Wellmont Cancer Institute’s breast cancer screening programs, you can vote for your favorite Shoe Guy. These friendly guys are men from our community who are passionate about our cause – and who can resist a man who knows the difference between a wedge and a pump! King of Sole voting and Shoe Guy bios are available online at WineWomenAndShoes.com/Wellmont. The winner will be crowned during the Wine Women & Shoes event April 30.
Event emcee Julie Newman, WCYB news anchor Auctioneer, Kimball M. Sterling
Fashion Partners
Vann Avirett Wallace Cars
Jack Dempsey Vice president and general manager WCYB-TV
Mickey Baker
James Bunn
Fourth-generation coal operator Central Coal Company
Miles Burdine
William Burriss
President and co-owner Subco East, Inc.
Frank Goodpasture III
Logan McCabe
Mark Mitchell
Bryan Morton
President Goodpasture Motor Company
VP Consumer Group Bristol Motor Speedway
President and CEO Kingsport Chamber of Commerce
Polymer maintenance superintendent Eastman Chemical Company
BurWil Construction
Software sales executive NICE Systems
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The Galleria Ciao Bella! CK Raggs Beauty in Stone
Geoff Newman
Corporate contracts manager Strongwell
Michael Quillen
Retired coal company executive
Clay Rolston
Director of community support Wellmont Foundation
Dr. Greg Russell
Founder East Tennessee Eye Care
Dr. Kris Saadeh
Diagnostic radiologist Blue Ridge Radiology
Sponsors Bill Gatton Automotive Group Bristol Motor Speedway BurWil Construction Epic Systems Healthcare Trust of America JA Street & Associates
Jason Stephens
Director of consulting business partners and vendors DoctorsManagement
Jamie Vance
Owner agent Farmers Insurance and Financial Solutions
David Wagner
Executive vice president and market president Bank of Tennessee
David Wharton
Senior vice president Regions Bank
SHOE GUYS
VIPSEEN Magazine Walgreens WCYB-TV
SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY
MILLENNIUM CENTRE
ETSU Hall of Fame
Ceremony
Greg Ryan
Erika and BJ Adigun
STORY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACQUELINE JOSEPH
The ETSU Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony presented by Johnson City Honda was held Saturday evening, January 23rd at the Carnegie Hotel. The event followed the men’s basketball game at Freedom Hall. The whole community was invited and many attended to see the next group of Hall of Fame inductees. Everyone enjoyed dinner and an entertaining program by the athletic department. The most recent group of inductees included basketball standouts Jerald Fields and Zakee Wadood and football stars B.J. Adigun, Bill Casey and Greg Ryan. Track and field/cross country star Catherine Berry was inducted along with men’s golf star Allan Strange as well as women’s soccer’s first ever inductee Erin Ashton. The inductees attended ETSU in the 1970s 1990s, and the early 2000s. Congratulations to all the newest Hall of Fame members. Scott Ploucha, Allan Strange, Mixon Costner, Charles Byrne, and Gene Ploucha
Dimeco and Shannon Childress
Susan, John Parker, and Jim Epps
Debbie and Jim Holmes
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SEEN IN KINGSPORT
MEADOWVIEW CONVENTION CENTER
Red Shoe
GALA STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID
CASA for Kids, Inc. hosted the Red Shoe Gala at the beautiful Meadowview Convention Center in Kingsport on Saturday, February 13th. The Gala featured a silent auction with many beautiful and unique items. Delicious dinner was served followed by a live auction to raise even more money for the great cause. Red shoes filled the room and people danced the rest of the evening. Toward the end of the evening was the most anticipated red shoe contest that brought the most unique red shoes onto the stage. The mission of CASA for Kids, Inc is to advocate for the best interest of the neglected/abused children appointed to them by the Juvenile Courts in Sullivan and Hawkins counties. They accomplish that by recruiting, training, and supervising dedicated community volunteers. The Red Shoe Gala is one of the biggest fundraisers for the non profit. To learn more about the red Shoe Gala or CASA for Kids, Inc, visit their website at casa4kidsinc.org.
Katie and Natalie Falconer
Mary Falconer and Kelsey Hughes
John and Sarah Good with Meredith and Christian Humbert Debbie and Buddy Waggoner
Whitney Allen Carr and Emile Parks
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Jim and Teresa Bowman
Christian Humbert, Kevin King, and Morgan Taylor
Fred and Betsy Cooper
Russell and Ashley Taylor, Ginny Ervin and Kristen and Matt Clabaugh
Charles Hall
Don Perry
Messy Big Bun
VIPBEAUTY
HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTIST BY SHERRI JESSEE
BY SHERRI JESSEE
Before pic: hair has been curled on a 1 ¼” curling iron. Spray each section with Pravana NEVO Super Shape Hair Spray to create great texture.
2.
Create a “bungee” by putting 2 bobby pins on a small rubber band.
4.
Use several large bobby pins to pin a “bun pad” to the crown of the head.
1.
Use your hands to sweep hair up to the crown of the head and secure into a high pony-tail. Allow front and back side pieces to drop out.
3.
Swing pony-tail forward and secure to the head with bungee. 48 | VIPSEEN | APRIL 2016
5.
Grasp the edges of the pony-tail and swing over to cover the bun pad.
 6.
Use another bungee to secure the edges of the pony-tail.
7.
Drape the front side pieces around to the back.
8.
Pin to secure.
9.
Spray with Pravana NEVO Super Shape Hair Spray for long lasting hold. APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 49
Featuring Party on the Moon® America’s Top Party and Dance Band
MAY 13, 2016 • 6-11:30 pm ON THE LAWN at THE MILLENNIUM CENTRE JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE A GALA BENEFITING SYCAMORE SHOALS HOSPITAL Call 423-302-3126 for more information. www.mshafoundation.org
GREGORY ISBELL CO.
SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY
Greg Isbell Trunk Show PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACQUELINE JOSEPH
Greg Isbell held a trunk show on February 12 and 13th right before Valentines Day. The two-day show featured many beautiful pieces of jewelry and most were one of a kind. Guests shopped for their special Valentine and some even shopped for themselves. Everyone was interested in seeing the newest and most rare pieces of jewelry. They also enjoyed delicious snacks and great company. The friendly, knowledgeable staff at Greg Isbell’s was on hand to assist anyone with their needs. The store has been located on Mt Castle Drive for many years but is moving to a new location near the Johnson City Mall. The location will be bigger, better and more accessible for customers. Go by Greg Isbell’s for your next fine piece of jewelry.
Shirley Daniels and Lynda Wexler
Tate and Ross Isbell
TEKA BUILDING
SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY
Teka Building and Development and Bath
Planet After Hours STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID
Heather Perry, Debbie Walker, and Jana Wells
Terry Lyons and Landon Mullins
Teka Building and development hosted a Johnson City Chamber After hours on Thursday, February 11th. Many chamber members came out to see the newly finished building and learn about everything Teka and Bath Planet have to offer. Guests enjoyed snacks and great networking as Teka employees informed guests about their services. Teka specializes in new construction, renovation, remodeling, and custom mill-work. Their services include residential and commercial projects with a special focus on offering complete turnkey services on new building projects. They have in house design available and their own custom cabinet shop located at 2510 West Market Street in Johnson City.
David Strickland and Rusty Little
Mark Willis, Pete Thacker, and Chad Mitchell
Tyler Parsons, Adam Grigsby, and Zac Clark
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Pet Personals VIPSEEN TRI-CITIES CLASSIFIEDS
April 2016 | The Premier Meeting Place for Pets and their Prospective Owners
Washington County Animal Shelter 3411 N. Roan Street | Johnson City, TN (423) 926-8769 | tailchaser.org
WELL HELLO THERE! MY NAME IS BRODIE, but some people call me Tank! I am a rare find. I have lived the hard life and am ready to settle down with the perfect family. I am not always friendly with other dogs, but I will be a loyal friend to my family. Please consider taking me in and giving me the love I have been denied thus far.
HAZYL’S THE NAME, playin’s the game. I am an active teen kitty and would love to go home with you. I have lots of energy and love to play with toys. Although the Washington County Animal Shelter is a great place to visit, I don’t want to stay here forever. I want a family to love and cuddle with.
HELLO, I AM HAMMIE. AKA JAYBIRD. All I need to make my life complete is a new home. My former owner passed away and I was brought to the shelter over two months ago. I miss living in a nice home where I can sit by the fire or in a sunny window and give love to my family.
Elizabethton/Carter County Animal Shelter 135 Sycamore Shoals Drive Elizabethton, TN (423) 547-6359
HI, I AM MAX! I am a handsome Collie/ Australian Shepherd mix. I am a big boy who loves long walks and retrieving sticks. I am looking for a forever home to love and take care of me.
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HELLO, I AM BROWNIE! I live at the Elizabethton/Car ter County Animal Shelter and, although, they are taking very good care of me, I would love to go home with a wonderful family. I am a young pup and need some space to run around. Come see me and let me show you why I would be perfect for your family.
HELLO THERE! MY NAME IS PRECIOUS and I am looking for a forever home. I am playful, but I also like to cuddle. I am housetrained, so you know what that means…no messes! My hair is short, so I won’t leave huge hairballs for you to have to clean up. Mostly, I just want to be loved.
SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY
LIGERO CIGAR LOUNGE
The Black Abbey & Alec Bradley at
Ligero Cigar Lounge STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID
The Ligero Cigar Lounge inside of Libation Station hosted the ultimate duo on Wednesday February 3rd. The Black Abbey Brewing Company and Alec Bradley Cigars paired up to bring guests a unforgettable combination of delicious beer with robust cigars. The room was crowded with fans of the brands and people who wanted to try them both for the first time.
Phil Ardire, Jim Moren, and Jim Templin
The Black Abbey brew is located in Nashville, Tennessee. These ales are creative, accessible and unique. They rely on 600 years of brewing tradition, starting with styles that Martin Luther himself might have enjoyed. Alec Bradley Cigar Company was founded in 1996 out of Bradley’s passion for cigars. His company’s number one goal is to give you, the cigar smoker, an unforgettable experience. Look for the next event at Ligero Cigar Lounge coming up soon.
Adam Hershner, Ryan Miles, David Harvey, and Tyler Shipley
Chris Carey, Carl Meier, and Joey Nickels Lee House and Thomas Dahlgren
Carl Meier and Chad Bennett Paul David Walker, Lewis Wexler Sr, and Jim Woods
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Jim Rhinehardt, with Annette and Molly
LEXINGTON SENIOR CENTER
SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY
MILLENNIUM CENTRE
SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY
The Lexington Senior Johnson City Chamber
Living After Hours PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID | STORY BY JAMES HELMS
The Lexington Senior Living center, located in Johnson City, held their after hours event for the local community. Attendees had the chance to meet the staff and residents and take a tour of the facilities. The complex offers 4 different apartment styles and offers its residents included utilities, three meals a day, bi weekly housekeeping and on site maintenance. The Lexington allows seniors to live independent lives with a vast array of amenities and activities and is within walking distance of several downtown hotspots. Guests are treated to gourmet meals provided by the food and beverage staff who selects the menu a day ahead. For more information contact lexingtonsenior.com
101st Annual Membership Meeting STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMITTED
The Millennium Centre served as the venue for the Chamber of Commerce’s 101st Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, January 15th. The 2015 Chair, Jeff Jones, CITI, handed the gavel to Joe Carr, Bank of Tennessee. Joe Carr commented, “Starting out the year with an event of this magnitude, supported by the Chamber membership, is certainly a grand way to kick off our 101st year.” The Chamber’s theme for 2016 is “Think – Can Do,” showcasing an ongoing trend to collaborate with others in the community to accomplish great things. Each year, a business leader is inducted into the coveted Chamber Hall of Fame. Dr. Steve Conerly, a member of the Chamber’s Hall of Fame and a Past President, shared a funny and serious perspective on the latest inductee. He reminds us that Al Fatherree is a very conservative gentleman in every way, from golf to entertaining. Al, he went onto say, epitomizes leadership in all that he has done, and will do. His theme as Chairman of the Chamber Board in 1997 was “Success Promotes Success,” which Al follows to this day in his volunteer endeavors. Dr. Conerly said the community and region will continue to benefit from Al’s executive leadership with Citi in Gray, which is one of our largest employers, as well as one of our best corporate citizens.
Trish Mims, Trish Aniol, and Silas Tolan
Travis Estes, Any Pierce, Michael Ciccarone, and Amy Fulkerson
Debra Hobson and Kimberly Broadway
Elisabeth Whiddon, Carter Wade, and Ian Ballinger
Heather Hill, Shaunda Blackwell, and Barbara Mentgen
Chase Giebner, Ryan Clark, and Jacob Estep
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VIP NONPROFIT Profile
Serving Orphans Worldwide We are called to defend the fatherless.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEREMY SNELL STORY BY EMILY GLOVER AND BRIANNA BENTLEY
FORGOTTEN NO LONGER Meet Esther and Monica. These two Kenyan sisters smile brightly knowing that they are safe, loved, and on the road to healing after years of painful neglect by their alcoholic mother. They toddle around the muddy yard of Agape Hope Children’s Home with grins on their faces and a sweet curiosity in their dark Kenyan eyes, playing and laughing together with childlike innocence. But it wasn’t always this way. Before coming to Agape, Monica’s six-year-old sister Esther was her primary caregiver. Esther was the only reason Monica was able to survive the severe neglect of their alcoholic mother. On days when Monica and Esther’s mother would retreat to the local bar, the girls were locked in the house alone for hours at a time. Monica’s sister would often have to climb out the window and walk to the local trash dump in search for food. When she returned to the house, Esther would toss her findings back through the open window, climb up into the house, and feed her sister the only meal they would eat that day. Forgotten and alone, this is how the two little girls survived for many months. But all of that changed one fateful night in December 2012. Monica and Esther’s mother went out again into the night, leaving her two little girls at home alone and uncared for. This time, however, she wouldn’t return. In the early hours of the morning, a few neighbors found Monica and Esther’s mother dead in the street. She had publicly hung herself in a drunken stupor. Maggie and Oliver Chiraba, the directors at Agape, vividly remember when Monica and Esther were brought to them by local police. Monica 56 | VIPSEEN | APRIL 2016
was three years old then, but weighed only a little more than seven pounds. She could not walk or talk. Her little belly was swollen from severe malnutrition and Maggie recalls that her dark eyes were wide as she clung to her sister in fear. Since that day, the road to healing has been a long, difficult process for the girls and their caregivers. But the joy of watching their restoration has been immeasurable. The greatest moment of joy so far came in the spring of 2014. Maggie was in the office, when she heard shouting and cheering outside. A small child ran into the room and beckoned her to come outside. Upon following her, she realized that the entire orphanage was surrounding little Monica. She had finally taken her first steps! Tears flowed down the faces of those in the yard as laughter danced in the air. Since then, Monica has continued to heal in other ways, too. Her swollen belly has finally returned to normal. She now chatters little phrases in Swahili, as one her age should do. She toddles around the muddy yard, giggling and laughing with the other children. Most importantly, she now smiles and her dark, Kenyan eyes are wide with joy, instead of fear. She is forgotten no longer. AT THE START OF POSSIBLE. It’s stories like Esther and Monica’s that inspire the work we do here every day at Serving Orphans Worldwide, and fuel the passion inside of us to fulfill the biblical calling to take care of orphans in their distress according to the scriptural mandate in James 1:27. Here at SOW, we are teaming up with donors all over the world who are just as passionate about orphan care as we are to bring about change to the global orphan crisis. It is our goal to provide the most efficient, accountable way for you to join us in the rescue of orphans, and ultimately develop the homes we
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED? JOIN THE RESCUE!
partner with into self-sustaining ministries that provide the best care and training for the children they serve. RESCUE. TRAIN. SUSTAIN. The church has always been involved in orphan care, and many organizations focused on building orphanages during the past thirty years. However, with the economic downturn of 2009, many homes struggled to survive as ongoing support declined rapidly. That’s the crisis that sparked the beginning of Serving Orphans Worldwide in 2010.
Because of your donation, the orphanages we support will be able to provide their children with: • A safe and loving home • Proper healthcare • Quality education • Faith-based teaching of Jesus and His love We are a local nonprofit based in Bristol, TN. We travel the world to find inspiring ministries that care for orphans and vulnerable children, and then give them what they need to keep their doors open and better the lives of the children they ser. Our goal is to meet children where they are and make sure they are provided the loving care they deserve. 100% of all donations go directly to orphan care around the world. With a one-time or monthly gift, you can join us in the rescue of children all over the world today! For more information, visit us at soww.org.
Although family is the ideal solution to the orphan crisis, we understand that it’s not an immediate option for most children globally. That’s why we believe our place in the ever-evolving landscape of orphan care is to support orphanages and children’s homes. We do whatever it takes to rescue struggling homes like Agape Hope Children’s Home from failure or destitution, because we know that failure isn’t an option when the lives of children rest in your hands. We come alongside partner homes with training opportunities to raise their standards of care, because we believe every child should have a safe and nurturing childhood. And we provide the means for our orphanages to pursue sustainability, because we want more for them than mere survival. A 100% APPROACH. We stand by what we call a 100% approach. Every penny you give goes directly toward orphan care all over the world, and the money you donate will never be spent on SOW’s administrative costs. Through the generous support of our Board, everything from paper clips to staff salaries is totally covered. We even pay the credit card fees when you donate online.
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SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY
MEMORIAL PARK COMMUNITY CENTER
My Little Valentine STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES HELMS
To call the third annual My Little valentine Daddy daughter dance a success is an understatement. The event started 3 years ago with about 300 attendees and this year there were over 700 confirmed ahead of time with more showing up at the door. For several dads it has become a tradition to bring their daughters to the dance but for many it was their first chance to bring their little girls to a dance. The event staff was assisted this year by volunteers by Alpha Phi Omega from ETSU. The community event offered plenty of snacks and treats, crafts, a photo booth, of course music and dancing. The Sargent family brought their twin 10 month old girls Ellie and Ava to their first dance for a special memory. Other dads like Bo Oshaniyi said his daughter Londyn was a good dancer and looked forward to spending some quality time with her.
Bo and Londyn Oshondiyi
Brooks and Grace Hollifield
Alpha Phi Omega Lily and Michael Dawson
Sargent Family
Bella, Annalise, and Alberto Salazar
Lizzy, Ella, Sara, and James Cruthers
Erika and Joe Oliver
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Hanna Lora and Kevin Bell
Roger and Kennedy Fox
V.O. DOBBINS CENTER
SEEN IN KINGSPORT
United Way
Annual Meeting STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES HELMS
Danelle Glasscock, Mary Jones, Jim Jones, and Cari Parker
Cari Parker
Jim Harlan
The United Way of Greater Kingsport held their annual meeting at the V.O.Dobbins Center in Kingsport with a luncheon catered by Chef’s Pizzeria. Outgoing and incoming board members were recognized during the meeting and an update was given on the financials for 2015. The keynote speaker was Jim Harlan, and Mayor John Clark was on hand to give a commendation to outgoing Board President, Cari Parker. Jim and Mary Jones and Tom Segelhorst received the UWGK Live United award. During 2015 over 4.3 million dollars were raised to support the many agencies in the area.
Susan LaGuardia, Lori Miller, Lindsay Hensley, and Joe Fleming
ARTSEEN
Hunter Grigg
Heads into the Great Wide Open STORY BY LUCY HONEYCHURCH
G
rowing up, Hunter Grigg always had a penchant for the arts and gravitated toward nearly everything to do with artistic endeavors. Dance, theatre, and music all intrigued and interested the youngster from an early age but music, music, would be the medium that would call loudest to him. Grigg is certain that his musical journey began the minute he became serious about learning an instrument and started piano lessons at Trinity Arts Center in Johnson City. “My time at Trinity gave me my first taste of the essentials as a musician: music theory, live performance, and a general fostering and strengthening of a love for my craft.” It was two years and countless piano lessons later when Grigg decided to switch to playing guitar. His fourteenth birthday yielded the best present for an up and coming, teenage musician: a Silvertone electric guitar. The gift was nothing fancy or expensive, but it was all the budding musician needed in order to start teaching himself the songs and chords necessary for musical fame. Finding like-minded individuals to start a band was an undertaking Hunter found daunting. “As I got older, I developed an ardent desire to be in a band, but had a hard time finding anyone who wanted to be as serious about it as myself. Not until I started high school at Science Hill would this vision really come to fruition.” Starting high school would yield another change in the young musician’s journey: a switch from electric to acoustic guitar. “I dusted off my brother’s old Fender acoustic and started writing songs for the first time. Ironically, it was when I embraced this change in my musical direction that I began to make those contacts and friendships I had sought for so long.” The consistent playing, coupled with voice lessons at Trinity Arts Center, helped Hunter to reap the rewards of seeds sown many years before: he was on his way to putting more and more puzzle pieces together. College started and Grigg found himself performing both solo and with the band Colony Park, but music began to take a back seat to the ever-increasing demands of academic life. “After returning from a Study Abroad trip to Germany and Austria in summer of 2014, I grew restless of the niche I’d found in school and felt a greater fire than ever for music to be back at the forefront of my life. It was late that same summer that I met a producer
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through a family friend. Steve Rutledge of Steel String Productions in Knoxville took a liking to my music and me: he offered to record me anytime I’d like.” Hunter Grigg found himself at an impasse. He had a 4.0 GPA, a great group of friends, and college life was treating him very well. The music called to him, however, and the decision to follow ended up being both easy and rewarding. “After consulting with my father about the situation, he was thrilled that I wanted to pursue my dream, and decided he would help me. In fact, he took on a kind of managerial position and we have essentially been business partners ever since.” Hunter began working on his first EP that August and soon realized that taking time off from school was the best decision he could have made. The time spent traveling to Knoxville for recording and writing material at night made for very long days and arduous work. Grigg began getting pretty regular gigs around the area as well, providing him with the experience he needed and the peace of mind that the decisions he had made were the right ones. “I packed my things and left my school, my band, and my town relocating to Asheville, North Carolina. Not too long afterwards, I began playing ceaselessly across the western portion of the state as well as in East Tennessee.” Hunter Grigg was getting his name out there and people were starting to take notice of the young man and the passionate music he played. It was only a matter of time before the right person took notice of Hunter and agreed to help him take that next step. The right person did come along and a lot sooner than Grigg might have thought possible. “I gained the attention of J.B. Beverley, a roots musician passing through Asheville on tour, who heard me at an “open mic” night. Impressed by my performance, he took me on as a pupil of sorts and began teaching me the ropes of the music business.” Beverley helped Hunter to create a strong online presence and used a farreaching campaign to promote the relatively unknown musician. The plan worked. In March of 2015, Hunter Grigg released This Cold and Fearsome Wild to a receptive and staunch fan base across the south and elsewhere. After the release, J.B. and Grigg set out in spring on a weekend tour of the Midwest, which concluded at Moonrunner’s Festival in Chicago. Returning from the tour meant some much needed time off, but it also meant that the creative juices were flowing and Grigg wrote a song about his touring experiences and in the summer of 2015 released “Anvil” in order to commemorate his first tour. Things have been moving along at a pretty quick pace for the musician since then. He spent the rest of 2015 performing all over the region at a steady pace and has been feverishly working on his next album. His first national tour will start in May of 2016 and will encompass a three-month and thirty-five state tour to promote his album and work. Hunter Grigg is a name to remember and an artist to look out for and a young man certain to make his mark on the music world. APRIL 2016 | VIPSEEN | 61
SEEN IN KINGSPORT
MEADOWVIEW CONVENTION CENTER
Farm, Fishing,
Hunting & Camping Expo STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID
Expanding the area’s farm expo into a universal event for all things outdoors seemed like a great idea, so this year the Farm, Fishing, Hunting and Camping Expo made its debut at Meadowview Convention Center January 16th and 17th. People from all over the region came out to support the newest event as well as shop the expo for great deals and handmade crafts. It was definitely a high-energy expo with too many things going on to count.
Vivian and Rick McCrary, Trudy Gross and Judi Shell
There were pro hunters and fishermen giving seminars for those interested in a more in depth experience and many chances to win some great prizes. This was the 19th year of the Big Farm Expo, extended this year, and there were some special guests to celebrate. The Clydesdales were in the building showing off their beauty and skills. This year was giant, but next year will be even bigger!
Lauren Johnson and Leah Graham
Madison Shuler, Lauren Harkleroad, Sid Cooper, and Gail Harkleroad
Ruffed Grouse Society
Noah Rhoton, with Courtney and Chris Mynhier
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Maureen Mulroy, Kathy Wagner, and Nancy Haas
Stacey and Kevin Wilson and David Booher
MEADOWVIEW CONVENTION CENTER
SEEN IN KINGSPORT
2016 Regional
Legislative Breakfast PHOTOS BY SAVANNA MCDAVID | STORY BY JAMES HELMS
Greg Neal and Gary Hicks
Beth Ingram, Bob Harshbarger, and Bill Kilgore
Eric Deaton and Rebecca Banton
The 2016 Regional Legislative Breakfast was rescheduled for Feb 12, 2016 due to weather conditions earlier in the month. The event was held by the Kingsport, Bristol, Johnson City, Jonesborough and Washington County chambers along with state legislators who briefed attendees on the upcoming legislative session. Tickets for the event were $30 per person and included a gourmet breakfast. Sponsors of the event included Appalachian Power, AT&T, Charter Communications, Domtar, Eastman Chemical Company, The Edinburgh Group, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, Mountain States Health Alliance, Pfizer and Wellmont Health System.
Danelle Glasscock and Cheryl Russell David Golden, Julie Bennett, Bob Feathers, and Collette George
Pamela Costagliola, Diane Hills, and EdithAnn Wadewitz
Calvin Clifton, Craig Denison, and Pat Breeding
Sam Jones and Larry Shaver
David Sensibaugh and Fielding Rolston
Bart Hove, Andy Hall, and Marvin Eichorn
Gary Mabrey, Beth Rhinehart, and Miles Burdine
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VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE COMMUNITY COVERAGE APRIL 2016
Seen on the Scene APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES TO SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS AND IMPACT ECONOMIES WITH ROOTED IN APPALACHIA PROMOTIONS Abingdon, VA, – To create additional jobs in agriculture and meet customer demand for local food, Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) launches the 2016 Rooted in Appalachia promotions with the aim of continuing to build a vibrant local food economy. Rooted in Appalachia, is a partnership between ASD and Abingdon Convention and Visitors Bureau and it seeks to benefit farmers, consumers, restaurants and retailers. Some benefits: Farmers benefit from a unified, local food marketing campaign that encourages consumers to make a personal connection with their food and the farmers that grew it.
BRETT FARMER OF CLINTWOOD, VA WINS FOOD CITY CLAUDE P. VARNEY HUMANITARIAN AWARD ABINGDON, VA – Food City’s retail supermarket chain annually recognizes outstanding volunteerism among their associates via their Claude P. Varney Volunteer Recognition Program. The creation of the program came in response to President Bush’s call to boost volunteer efforts through corporate support. During a June 2002 White House meeting, President Bush met with corporate leaders from organizations across the nation and key White House staff members to discuss objectives for his Businesses Strengthening America volunteerism campaign. Steve Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer was among the select group. After reviewing his exceptional commitment to serving others, it’s not hard to see why Brett Farmer of Clintwood, VA was selected as this year’s Claude P. Varney Humanitarian Award recipient. Farmer has been employed with Food City for four years. DOBYNS-BENNETT TAKES TOP HONOR AT TENTH ANNUAL SCIENCE BOWL
Consumers benefit because they will have increased access to healthy, local food. They will know where local foods are available, how to cook fresh, delicious products and where they can connect with others that are interested in supporting local foods (tastings, cooking demos, workshops, restaurant events, road shows, etc). Restaurants and retailers also benefit from a unified marketing campaign and the opportunity to connect with farmers that can grow fresh and delicious local foods for them. Rooted in Appalachia events and promotions will be happening in many communities in the coming months. To learn more about Rooted in Appalachia, email: ria@ asdevelop.org or visit: www.rootedinappalachia.com or it’s facebook page.
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC ADVANTAGE, COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT APPLICATIONS FILED BY WELLMONT, MOUNTAIN STATES JOINT BOARD TASK FORCE ADDS THREE NEW COMMUNITY MEMBERS KINGSPORT and JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Wellmont Health System and Mountain States Health Alliance have filed applications for a Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA) in Tennessee and a cooperative agreement in Virginia that would enable the two organizations to unite, creating a new health system uniquely designed to improve health and manage health care cost growth in the region. Both applications include a copy of the definitive agreement between the two health systems, which was unanimously approved by the boards of both organizations and signed on Monday by Roger Leonard, chair of the Wellmont board of directors; Barbara Allen, chair of the Mountain States board of directors; Bart Hove, president and CEO of Wellmont; and Alan Levine, president and CEO of Mountain States. The definitive agreement is a binding legal document that outlines how the two health systems would unite their operations upon approval by the states. In filing these applications with the Tennessee Department of Health and the Southwest Virginia Health Authority, the proposed merger enters a formal review phase by regulators in Tennessee and Virginia. This process is expected to extend into the late summer of 2016 but may take longer depending on the review processes in both states. Mountain States and Wellmont leaders anticipate an ongoing dialogue with both states throughout the process. 64 | VIPSEEN | APRIL 2016
KINGSPORT, Tenn., February 11, 2016 – Students from Dobyns-Bennett High School were first place winners in the 10th annual Northeast Tennessee Science Bowl held at the Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center in Kingsport. The winning team received a $300 cash prize and plaque. Second place was awarded to Tennessee High School Team 1. They took home a $200 cash prize and plaque. Jefferson County High School Team 2 took third place and a $100 cash prize and plaque. The event, hosted by the Holston Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Eastman, brought together teams from Daniel Boone High School, Dobyns-Bennett High School, Jefferson County High School, Science Hill High School, Sullivan Central High School, Sullivan South High School, and Tennessee High School. Additional sponsors of the event include American Institute of Chemical Engineers (East TN Local Section), BAE, Brock Services, East Tennessee State University, Milligan College and Northeast State Community College. Each team, consisting of four students and an alternate, put its science skills to the test in the areas of astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, general science and mathematics. The event is designed to prepare the students for state and national Science Bowl competitions as well as encourage the pursuit of educational and career paths in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM), a key focus for education at Eastman. All of today’s participating teams were eligible to compete in the state competition at Pellissippi State Community College Blount County campus, Friendsville, Tenn. The winning team from Tennessee received an all-expense-paid trip to compete in the Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl® in Washington, DC.
Seen on the Scene ARTIST APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR ABINGDON’S 2ND ANNUAL BUSKER FEST Abingdon, VA – Performers of all types are invited to apply to be a part of the 2nd Annual Main Street Busker Fest, in Abingdon, VA Saturday September 3, 2016. Held each Labor Day weekend, Busker Fest fills the sidewalks of downtown Abingdon with weird, wonderful performing artists. The festival is presented by Abingdon Main Street and the Abingdon Music Experience. The organizers are calling for performers of all stripes to participate in the festival, whether or not they have busking experience. Accepted artists will receive a fee for their work, as well as tips from festival goers. “Busking” is an age-old tradition in which artists play publicly for tips, performing on street corners or wherever a crowd gathers. The 2015 festival featured musicians, acrobats, magicians, stilt walkers, fire breathers, living statues and more. The Festival will take place Saturday September 3rd, 11:00am to 5:00pm on Main Street in downtown Abingdon, followed by Buskers After Dark, an evening event for adults. Busker Fest is family friendly, with special kid-oriented activities from 11:00am to 3:00pm; Buskers After Dark is a 21+ event. Main Street Busker Fest is a fundraiser for Abingdon Main Street, a non-profit organization affiliated with the National Main Street program. Co-presenter Abingdon Music Experience is supported by the Town of Abingdon and the Abingdon Convention & Visitors Bureau. To apply artists should visit www.mainstreetbuskerfest.com and submit a description of their act and a link to a video. Applications will be accepted through June 6, 2016. BRISTOL CRISIS CENTER FUNDRAISER Bristol, VA – Three drawings were held on February 29, 2015 for race tickets with proceeds to benefit the Bristol Crisis Center. Raffle tickets were sold up to the date of the drawing. The tickets are for the spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Tickets are $5.00 each or five tickets for $20.00 with three chances to win. · The first drawing was for two tickets to the Xfinity 300 and PittLite 125 on Saturday, April 16, 2016. · The second drawing was for two tickets to Food City 500 on Sunday, April 17, 2016. · The third drawing and Grand Prize was for two tickets to J.A. Street & Associates Suite at Bristol Motor Speedway to the Food City 500 on Sunday, April 17, 2016 which includes food and drinks. The drawing was held on February 29, 2016 at J.A. Street office. For more information go to www.crisiscenterinc.org or call 276-466-2218. “The Crisis Center relies on successful fundraising to continue providing the muchneeded services in our community. I hope the community will actively participate in this fundraising effort and help us fulfill our mission of service.” says Stephanie Poe, Executive Director for the Bristol Crisis Center. The Bristol Crisis Center is a non-profit agency which provides free and confidential services to Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Since its beginning in 1973, the Bristol Crisis Center has grown from a hotline for teens to an agency which provides a wide range of services including those dealing with issues of sexual assault, domestic violence, suicide prevention and training, outreach to the elderly and homebound, Mental Health First Aid training and Campus SaVE Act Training. Our 24-hour, seven days a week hotline number is (800) 273-8255.
KEEP KINGSPORT BEAUTIFUL EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION AT 2016 KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL CONFERENCE Kingsport, TN – Keep Kingsport Beautiful received a Keep America Beautiful Affiliate Award at the annual Keep America Beautiful National Awards program, which took place during the recent 2016 Keep America Beautiful National Conference in Orlando, Florida. Keep Kingsport Beautiful was honored with the 2015 Affiliate Award of Excellence for distinguishing itself as an exemplary affiliate program in the Keep America Beautiful organization. KKB was honored for its outstanding community improvement programs and was the only affiliate from Tennessee to be recognized with this award. The Keep America Beautiful Affiliate Awards were open to its communitybased affiliates for program activities during the 12-month period from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015, that help create communities that are socially connected, environmentally healthy and economically sound. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful consists of a national network of more than 600 statewide and community-based affiliates whose programs, initiatives and efforts, supported by millions of volunteers, help transform public spaces into beautiful places. “Keep America Beautiful’s National Awards celebrates some of our country’s most dedicated community leaders – representatives from our affiliates and partner organizations – who personify the words imagine, inspire and transform through the work they help lead every day to keep America beautiful in local communities nationwide,” said Keep America Beautiful President and CEO, Jennifer Jehn. “It’s my privilege to recognize Keep Kingsport Beautiful and Robin Cleary for such valuable, mission-based work that helps their community be more socially connected, environmentally healthy and economically sound.” Keep Kingsport Beautiful was recognized for the success of the following programs: · · · · ·
Keep Kingsport Beautiful Tree Fund provides tree plantings on public lands in the spring and fall of each year. Donations to the Tree Fund are made by citizens in honor or memory of someone special. Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes has sponsored this program since 1986. Keep Kingsport Beautiful Greenbelt Cleanup, sponsored by Eastman Credit Union and Indian Path Medical Center had over 150 volunteers working together to collect over thousands of pounds of trash along the 8 miles of Greenbelt trails. Keep Kingsport Beautiful Downtown Kingsport Cleanup, sponsored by Domtar, had 100 volunteers collecting over 1 ton of trash and debris in the downtown area. Keep Kingsport Beautiful Conservation Camp, sponsored by Republic Services, is a 3 day camp held each September at Warriors Path State Park for area 4th graders. This camp gives students an inside look at how they conserve, protect and improve the environment. Presentations include protection of water quality, recycling/composting, early settlement of our region, forest fire control, air pollution, nature crafts, fossils, tree identification and uses for herbs. Keep Kingsport Beautiful was a recipient of a $20,000 2015 Lowe’s Community Partners Grant that provided funding for the planning and development of Kingsport’s newest park, Carousel Park.
“Keep Kingsport Beautiful is very proud to have the efforts of the program’s volunteers and sponsors recognized once again at the national level,” said Robin Cleary, Director of Keep Kingsport Beautiful. To learn how you can donate or take action, visit kab.org. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, like us on Facebook, or view us on YouTube.
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SEEN IN KINGSPORT
MEADOWVIEW CONVENTION CENTER
ABC Tri-Cities
Launch Party PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGELA BAKER AND GOODWIN PHOTOGRAPHY | STORY BY SAVANNA MCDAIVD
Media General, one of the nation’s largest media companies announced earlier this year that the ABC Television Network affiliation in the Tri-Cities will move to WJHL in Johnson City. ABC Tri-Cities will deliver a popular lineup of news, programming and sports, including Good Morning America, World News Tonight and 20/20. Primetime hits on ABC include Castle, The Bachelor and Scandal; ABC is also home to the Academy Awards. Many big names in news showed up at Meadowview to support and congratulate WJHL on the acquisition of ABC. Everyone enjoyed a great meal and many laughs as speeches were given and announcements were made. An ABC ice sculpture and an Oscar’s cake were among the unique pieces that made the party great. Watch for all your favorite shows on ABC.
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