VIPSEEN Jan/Feb 2019

VIPSEEN

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

CELEBRATING SEVEN YEARS OF SHARING OUR REGION’S STORIES

2019

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Contents

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019

FEATURES

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COVER STORY JERI WARD AND HER WILL TO SURVIVE

Jeri Ward talks about her health issues in the last year, her will to survive, and the strength that she gains through giving.

13

WEDDING FEATURE SAVE THE DATE

Highlighting regional businesses to help plan the perfect wedding.

DEPARTMENTS

7

WITBIT W/ BETH STREET Reverse Resolutions

36

VIPBEAUTY Beauty Tips for Brides

54

VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE Diversity & Inclusion Throughout Our Region

58

SPECIAL FEATURE Acoustic Christmas Foundation Celebrates 10 Years of Giving

on the cover Photography by Nathan Mays Photography Hair & Makeup: Sherri Jessee, Bristol, VA Dress: Bristol Bridal Station, Bristol, TN Flowers: Filomena’s Florals, Kingsport, TN Location: The Bristol Hotel, Bristol, VA

76

LOCAL FLAVOR ABINGDON OLIVE OIL

Perfect Pairing: Tuscan Herb Infused Olive Oil + Traditional 18-Year Barrel Aged Balsamic Condimento vipseenmag.com

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contents

VIPSEEN

EVENTS

FOUNDER/PUBLISHER Angela J. Baker angela@vipseenmag.com

GRAY 39 Broadway in the Barn

CO-OWNER Mickey J. Baker CREATIVE DIRECTOR Angelica Ares angelica_a@vipseenmag.com

ABINGDON 40 Mistletoe Market 2018 40 Mistletoe Mingle Cheers to Twenty Years 42 Elf The Musical Opening Night Gala 43 Barter’s Theatre Thursday BRISTOL 44 YP Bristol Tacky Christmas Sweater Party 45 Bristol Christmas Parade ERWIN/UNICOI 46 Erwin Christmas Parade 47 Christmas at the Cabin 48 Christmas Open House in Unicoi BLOUNTVILLE 49 Clara’s Tea and Chocolate 50 211 Hoedown Benefit

EVENTS COORDINATOR Allison Galloway allison@vipseenmag.com SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Nathan Mays

JONESBOROUGH 73 Chuckey Depot Breakfast with Santa 71 Washington County Shop with Cop and Firefighter Celebration 72 Isaiah117 House Fundraiser 74 Jonesborough Christmas Parade of Lights KINGSPORT 75 Regional Chambers of Commerce Breakfast at Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee 78 Kingsport Intercity Ballet Tea With Clara 79 FIRST LEGO League Competition 80 Downtown Kingsport Parade and Tree Lighting 81 Kingsport Chamber Holiday Breakfast 82 Lamplight Theatre New Years Eve Gala 83 2018 KOSBE Awards 89 Friends of Allandale Christmas Party 90 Night of Hope and Miracles 92 Kingsport Chamber Holiday After Hours 93 Prom and Mom Luncheon and Fashion Show DANDRIDGE 96 Richard Petty Special Appearance

JOHNSON CITY 60 Johnson City Christmas Parade & Whoville Village 61 Bank of Tennessee After Hours 62 Johnson City/Jonesborough/ Washington County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast 64 Midnight in Paris New Year’s Eve Gala 65 Makeover Madness 66 Washington County TN Federated Republican Women’s Fall Gala 67 Johnson City’s Sesquicentennial Anniversay Celebration 68 Wreaths Across America 70 2018 Girls on the Run Fall 5K

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january/february 2019

COPY EDITOR Lucy Honeychurch BEAUTY EDITOR Sherri Jessee ACCOUNT MANAGERS Lark Adams lark@vipseenmag.com Kirsten Hall kirsten@vipseenmag.com Hollie Beth Johnson holliebeth@vipseenmag.com Beth Muncy beth@vipseenmag.com

Whitney Carr whitney@vipseenmag.com Morgan King morgan@vipseenmag.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Crystal Dawn Carter Linda Coffey Allison Galloway Lexie Little Matthew Penix Beth Street Haley White PHOTOGRAPHY Crystal Dawn Carter Linda Coffey Allison Galloway Matthew Penix Haley White DIRECTOR OF DISTRIBUTION Barbara Werner DISTRIBUTION Charles Kilgore Martin Kilgore Mark Kilgore Leslie Morgan VIPSEEN, Inc., Tri-Cities 151 E. Main Street, Suite 5 Kingsport, TN 37660 423.398.5321 vipseenmag.com

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

She Says...

A

new year always brings many changes. This year is no different. With the political climate being so divisive, the vision of VIPSEEN has never wavered. We have always been and will continue to be a vehicle for positive news around the region. We love sharing all the wonderful and inspiring stories from our region and, wow, does this region have a lot of love to spread.

Most recently, I have been involved in helping to promote and educate on behalf of Jeremiah School. The overwhelming support of the community has been nothing short of amazing.

Jeremiah School is a therapeutic day school for children on the Autism Spectrum. As some of you may already know, my son was recently found to be on the Autism Spectrum and it has catapulted a passion for awareness that I was unaware was needed so badly in our region.

In the past eight years of helping to promote and educate the community about the nonprofits of the region, we have only encountered a single entity that is specifically geared towards autism awareness. This year, I am pledging that we change that.

With staggering numbers of children being diagnosed with autism (later 2018 studies are reporting 1 in 40), this has to change and Jeremiah School is the beginning of that change.

This, by no means, means that we will divert our attention from all the other wonderful nonprofit organizations, events, businesses, and people that are serving our community to help other causes. It just means that we will be helping to bring this very important and heavily ignored statistic in our region to light.

We all possess the power to make a difference. Whether you chose to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, volunteer at the 2019 Susan G. Komen Walk, or help serve food at Salvation Army...you are creating a positive impact.

All you have to have is passion for a cause.

To learn more about Jeremiah School, visit their website at jeremiahschool.com or find them on Facebook.

Angela Baker, angela@vipseenmag.com

Calendar FEBRUARY 1 6pm 72ND KINGSPORT CHAMBER ANNUAL DINNER MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center Kingsport, TN 423-392-8800 Kingsportchamber.org 6:30pm 3RD ANNUAL WINE AND CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL Bristol Train Station Bristol, VA 276-525-1550 Highlandscsb.org FEBRUARY 2 NATIONAL GROUNDHOG DAY FEBRUARY 8 NATIONAL KITE FLYING DAY 6pm TIM TEBOW FOUNDATION’S NIGHT TO SHINE Crossroads Christian Church Gray, TN crossroadschristian.org FEBRUARY 8-10 50TH ANNUAL HOME SWEET HOME AND OUTDOOR SHOW East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN 423-282-2561 Jcahba.org

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019

5:30pm CASA RED SHOE GALA MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center Kingsport, TN 423-247-1171 Casa4kidsinc.org 6pm MY LITTLE VALENTINE: DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE Memorial Park Community Center Johnson City, TN 423-434-5749 Myjcparks.org FEBRUARY 10 2pm 11TH ANNUAL FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE – BOWS AND BOWTIES Holiday Inn Bristol, VA 276-669-6051 bristolballet.org 5pm DENIM AND DIAMONDS GALA Rose Hill Weddings Johnson City, TN 423-724-7398 seasonsofhopetn@gmail.com FEBRUARY 14

Morning After Grace

By Carey Crim Angus and Abigail fall into each other’s lives after meeting at a funeral in Florida. Not the first place you’d expect to find romance after clocking plenty of miles on the road of life, but startling surprises come in unpredictable packages. Strangers just the day before, Abigail thinks she may finally be ready to take another chance on love, but Angus has a few issues to work through first. Enter neighbor Ollie, formerly a baseball player for the Detroit Tigers who now enjoys golf and yoga. Nothing is as it seems with this trio and every disclosure reveals a new perspective.

This charming and big-hearted comedy takes us on an unexpected journey toward a new lease

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january/february 2019

FEBRUARY 23 4pm 8TH ANNUAL COCKTAILS AND CUTE HANDBAGS The Virginian Golf Club Bristol, VA 276-669-8686 girlsinc-bristol.com 6pm LUCY SIMPSON FOUNDATION CHARITY EVENT The Venue at the Kings Centre Johnson City, TN 423-930-4052 lucysimpsonfoundation.com 6:30pm BREAKFAST AT THE ADDY’S KVAT Corporate Headquarters Abingdon, VA info@aafswva.com Aafswva.com 7pm DANCING DOWNTOWN: 2ND ANNUAL ADULT PROM The Foundation Event Facility Bristol, TN 423-573-2201 Info@believeinbristol.org FEBRUARY 25 6pm PAINT WITH A PURPOSE Masterpiece Mixers Johnson City, TN 423-833-6028 tricitiesrotaryclub@gmail.com

FEBRUARY 9 10am DRINKIN’ WINE AND FEELING FELINE Corey Ippolito Winery Blountville, TN 276-285-1532 cindyholmesrd@gmail.com

FEBRUARY @ BARTER THEATRE:

FEBRUARY 17 NATIONAL RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY

on life. Just when they think they’ve got it all figured out, well-traveled people can be rookies when it comes to learning the good stuff. “...a beautiful vignette about life...treated with kindness, humor, and lots of love.”

Other shows this month

CONVERSATION WITH THOMAS JEFFERSON CAMELOT

Visit www.BarterTheatre.com or call 276-628-3991 for show times and to purchase tickets.

THE WIT BIT

Beth is a wife to Stephen, mother of 2 boys, and business owner who is passionate about Jesus. She likes the color orange, good grammar, and junk food; she detests misspelled words, laziness, and mouth noises of all kinds. She is also passionate about helping people create residual income by working part time from home. www.bethstreet.myrandf.com

Reverse Resolutions On December 31st, 2018, I made approximately 8 New Year’s resolutions. I didn’t write them all down, I just made a mental note of things I want to be more diligent about in 2019. I’d love to say that I’m well on my way to being a better person, but the reality is that I mentally gave up on 7 of those resolutions well before midnight on January 1st.

I plan to continue winning fake arguments with random (invisible) people in front of my bathroom mirror.

The truth is that I suck at resolutions. In 2016, my only New Year’s resolution was to NOT make any resolutions so I wouldn’t disappoint myself, but the joke was on me, because I ended up being disappointed in myself for not making any resolutions. My point is, whether they happen on the first day of a new year or in the first hour of a new day, I’m terrible at sticking to resolutions; mostly because I hate change.

I’m quite positive that I will keep on pulling doors that say, “push”. Every time.

I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this, which is why I’d like to introduce you to a ‘semi-new’ concept in resolution making. It’s called making “reverse resolutions”, and yes, it’s a real thing.

Google it if you don’t believe me. With reverse resolutions, instead of planning on changing a habit in the New Year, you decide to stick to a routine, habit, or way of being you have already cultivated in the previous year. Ideally, these habits or routines should be positive and productive, but since I don’t really have many positive habits, I’m just going to share with you a few things I am fairly sure that I will continue to do on in 2019 and beyond.

I’m going to continue to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach and make terrible food choices, which means spray cheese will still be on my snack menu in 2019.

In 2019, I will keep binge watching Netflix while pretending I am working. I will also continue to decline invitations so that I can stay home in my pajamas.

I feel sure that in 2019, I will continue being painfully awkward and having painfully awkward conversations.

I will continue NOT to go to the gym and run only when being chased. I will also continue to make fun of those who do go to the gym and post ridiculous pictures of themselves on social media.

I will keep restarting the dryer over and over rather than emptying it, because I hate folding clothes.

In the New Year, I plan to continue to judge people by their grammar, the movies they like, and how old their forwarded messages are.

And those are just a few of the things I will keep doing in 2019. Some things never change. And that’s the way I like it. Reverse Resolutions – you should try making some.

Happy New Year!

Beth vipseenmag.com

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cover story VIPSEEN

THE EXPLOSION IN HER HEAD CAME OUT OF NOWHERE.

As beauty queen and social justice advocate Jeri Ward and her soccer coach husband Dean Ward lounged on the couch of their Dayton, Ohio home, working on their laptops, and generally avoiding the pop, flash and sizzle of cameras and microphones that dominate their daily lives, it happened: the white hot flash of pain pierced the comfortable silence like a gunshot.

Jeri unexpectedly seized up. The air zipped out of her lungs. Her body froze.

Somewhere, deep within her petite 5’4” foot frame, a “pop” erupted. Then another. Suddenly, it was if a stick of dynamite had exploded in her head.

“It was like fireworks blasting off,” she said. “Then it all fizzled out just as fast as it came.”

Jeri, trying to make sense of what just happened, rationalized it all to herself in the moment. She felt fine now, at least relative to the electric darts scorching through her head seconds earlier. Ever an optimist, the beauty queen downplayed the spell, calmly considering it was either the start of a migraine or some odd result of pent up stress.

Then she tried to speak. She tried to tell Dean how fireworks had just rumbled through her brain. She wanted to tell Dean how weird she felt, but that she was likely fine now. She wanted to reach out and hold his hand.

Instead, she uttered half words, all jumbled and slurred, mostly incoherent.

They were more guttural grunts than recognizable English. She knew what she wanted to say, but she forgot how to say it and her hand failed to reach out to Dean as she commanded. As if in an out of body experience she saw herself floundering. Her mind was working: her body was not.

PHOTO BY NATHAN MAYS | HMU BY SHERRI JESSEE

A grim reality thumped her like a sledgehammer to the chest. This wasn’t a migraine. This wasn’t stress. This was much worse.

Jeri Ward and the to

Will

Survive

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY JERI WARD STORY BY MATTHEW PENIX

“That’s when I knew something was wrong,” Ward said. “Very wrong … I immediately broke down into tears.”

Her mind shifted from calm to near panic. She tried to force the words out this time, but still nothing. Finally, after starts and stops, stutters and gasps, she managed to choke out the one word that mattered: “Hospital.”

Dean, who had put down the game film footage he was studying as he frantically tried to decipher his wife’s words, heard her this time loud and clear.

Within 20 minutes they were at the first of many ICU waiting rooms they’d grow to know.

“In that moment, our lives changed forever,” Dean said.

TRAPPED INSIDE In what seemed like a split second, Ward, a reigning beauty queen of national recognition and gung-ho advocate to right all things unjust, had lost most of her speech, as if her cute southern accent was snatched from her throat without permission. Meanwhile, her motor functions failed as if they were too rusty to crank.

She was frozen in time and space, caught in her own body, with a mind that worked like normal, but a body she couldn’t control. She could hear people talk about her, in front of her, as if she wasn’t there. She watched in horror as her doctors and family attempted to understand her basic requests, sickened with anger that she couldn’t simply say she wanted ice. Her body had failed. It quit.

It hijacked her soul, keeping it silent, unable to fly free, to communicate, to do what she wanted, to help others. She was held captive by her own body, but even worse, she knew it and there was nothing she could do. vipseenmag.com

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cover story VIPSEEN

When you can make a difference, even with just one person, everything is so worth it.

I seem to get back so much more than what I give out.

“

Now, months later, after five brain procedures, and a two months of rehab, Ward has regained much these lost abilities but, as of press time, Ward’s doctor’s still don’t know how or why her stroke(s) hit in such a sudden, visceral way. And now when she tells anyone about the ordeal, its punctuated with a new European-ish accent. It’s so foreign that sometimes when she hears herself speak, it catches her off-guard.

The world of the reigning Mrs. Ohio might not ever be the same.

prison improvements among other issues. In 2016, she created an autism program to assist child behavior and improve school readiness skills. When crowned Mrs. Ohio in April 2018 she used her platform to battle the country’s crippling opioid addiction.

Although she has no children of her own, Ward, as of last year, was also the legal guardian of 42 children through her work.

“My work is my life,” she said via phone from her home in Ohio, in between a whirlwind week of doctor’s appointments and therapy sessions, typically five per week. “When you can make a difference, even with just one person, everything is so worth it. I seem to get back so much more than what I give out. It’s been a blessing.

Now, after being in this predicament, it gives me a better understanding of those I serve, the hardships some of these people have faced.”

Not shy of controversy, last year Ward became one of four Mrs. America contestants who, in October, rallied against alleged racist comments made by pageant President and CEO David Marmel.

During an early October 2018 press conference in New York, on live TV, before a national stage, while standing next to famed woman’s right’s attorney Gloria Alfred, Ward spoke out against Marmel’s alleged remarks and showed the nation she was more than a captivating smile framed in flowing dark hair she was also a bombshell activist.

“If you look at the tape of that conference, she spoke so eloquently. She spoke with such passion. I was so proud of her,” husband Dean said. “It’s like whatever she does, she just gets after it. Whether it’s working with foster families … or holding a national press conference. She had no other reason to do that (press conference) than its what was right. That’s who she is. She’s got a purpose in mind. It’s an amazing thing to witness.”

Fresh off a successful nationally televised press conference, Jeri was reeling with pride and future possibility.

Two weeks later, she couldn’t speak.

12 TO 14 YEARS The lightening bolt of a stroke struck about 10:30 pm, Oct. 25, 2018. There were no indications. No droopy face. No slurred speech. It was as if tragedy silently crept into the room and sat on Jeri’s chest. “Looking back I wish there was something we could have prepared for,” Dean said. “But there were no signs.”

That’s the thing with stroke issues, according to of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. They can strike even the healthiest of people, sometimes without warning.

Jeri hopes to change this.

THE BOMBSHELL ACTIVIST Born in Emory, Virginia, Jeri, now 30, is no stranger to beauty pageants. At four years old she won her first crown, going on to win virtually every contest she entered since. At one point the King University and East Tennessee State University graduate was even Miss Washington County 2005 and Miss Southwest Virginia 2006. After relocating with her husband north to Ohio so he could pursue his coaching career with the University of Dayton women’s soccer team, the pageants followed too. In 2018, Ward was crowned Mrs. Ohio, a win that guaranteed her a slot in the Mrs. America Pageant, where each state’s winners compete for the national crown.

For Ward though, the glitz and glamour of these whirlwind contests were only a fraction of the appeal. More importantly, she said, they opened doors, giving her a platform to address her real passion: social justice reforms.

Virtually her entire adult life Ward has been either an avid volunteer or state employee working with those from abusive homes, foster families, the homeless, disabled adults and children, and as an advocate for legislative reform; including court justice and

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january/february 2019

In her exclusive interview with VIPSEEN, Jeri spoke candidly on several occasions about her current and ongoing struggles with her yet-to-be determined brain condition that’s crippled her breakneck pace of work. Yet somehow through the harrowing ordeal of having to reteach herself how to speak, write, and spell, and after going through brain procedures still awake, she seems to have bequeathed a new found sense of self and appreciation for others that suffer from debilitating medical issues.

While she admits that in her story there’s not much she nor anyone could have done to prepare, especially considering the cause of the sudden stroke is only speculative at this point, she realizes now how important awareness is for what’s silently become the most ruthless and successful killer of both men and women on the planet.

Stroke is the number five cause of death, and leading cause of disability in the united states, according to the American Heart Association By the time you read to this point, it’s likely that at least one person suffered a stroke, with one occurring every 40 seconds. Even more compelling is the fact that the CDC reports that 140 American die each year from a stroke; that’s 1 out of 20 people.

By chronicling with us her very private, very intimate journey from the hospital floor to the top floor of the Bristol Hotel for this month’s cover photo, Ward seems to glow even over the phone; her beauty obviously more than skin deep. With a vocabulary of about only 10-15 words for the first few weeks to a month after her stroke, and three of rehab where her first word was mom, not to mention the strangers prodding her brain with strange medical contraptions, Jeri has had a tough ride for sure. Yet in some way, she’s managed to find the silver lining, despite more surgeries in her future and no definite medical reason for the stroke in sight. Most would complain. Jeri, however, sees an opportunity.

“My clients always said you can’t possibly relate, but now I can. I have a certified disability. It’s given me a new awareness that I never had before. When people struggle in the world because of some learning disability, I get it now more than I ever did,” Ward explains.

And if there is one thing she wants readers to get, it’s this: Memorizing the American Heart Association’s acronym F.A.S.T. saved her life, and it can save yours too. Ward, among others like the CDC, suggest the acronym:

After he rushed Jeri to the hospital that fateful night, the doctors did a brain scan.

They showed the blood clot in her carotid artery, creating an embolism in the prefrontal cortex of her brain. In other words, they showed possible death pulsating on the screen.

The doctors spewed off a lot of technical words, all mixing together, but clear in one way: things didn’t look good. He was drifting, thinking about the love of his life. When Jeri was rushed off in an ambulance to another local hospital, Dean asked the Doctor and Nurses to be real with him, and give him the possible outcomes. The spectrum of brain damage to loss of function, and even death, was the possible reality.

Dean held it together just long enough to get in the car and follow Jeri to the nearest hospital five minutes away for her emergency operation. It was now near 4 am, and Dean, alone for the first time that evening, broke down.

“I burst into tears,” he said. “I couldn’t lose her.”

Jeri, however, with her desire to make an impact on the world, wasn’t going anywhere.

Face drooping: Does one side of the face droop, or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven or lopsided?

MORE TO COME From that first surgery to now, Jeri has undergone five brain procedures.

Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms.

Does one arm drift downward?

Thankfully, Dean never left her side and because of this connection, he was more often than not able to understand the thoughts she so desperately tried to convey.

Speech: Is speech slurred? Is the person able to speak, or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.

Although not out of the woods yet, Jeri’s progress is encouraging. When she speaks, it’s fluent, a gigantic leap forward and one made with warmth and compassion that’s palpable. It’s as if despite all the heartache, Jeri is not nearly as mad at life as she could be. And this just makes this beauty queen all the more beautiful. It’s more than physical. It’s something deeper.

Time to call 911: If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and them to the hospital immediately.

It was this simple acronym that made the difference of why she is here today.

A HUSBAND’S JOURNEY Dean’s preparations for the upcoming Sunday game in a conference quarter final, were well underway and he was due to travel the next day with the University of Dayton women’s soccer team. If the team had won their previous game they would have been a higher seed in the post season tournament, and therefore he would have already been traveling for a Saturday quarter final contest. Instead, the team bus left without him.

“If the result of the previous game would have been different, I wouldn’t have been on the couch with Jeri, and who knows what would have happened. The worries of wins and losses seemed pretty insignificant at this point” Dean said recalling the night of her stroke.

Dean tells a story of how Jeri, still in the ICU, recovering from yet another surgery while going through rehab, learning how to talk and walk and function again, sees an older lady come into the room next to her, alone. No family. No friends.

And there was Jeri, in her most troubling times, thinking about that woman, Dean said recalling how Jeri forced herself up straight as if to make a point he couldn’t refuse. If nobody comes and visits her by the morning, Jeri told Dean, we’re going over there to spend time with her.

“Are you serious,” he said. “You just had a stroke and here you are thinking about someone else?”

“That really sums up who Jeri is. Yes she is beautiful on the outside, but she really has the heart of gold.” vipseenmag.com

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1 4 V I P SE E N R E A L W E D D I N G : G E O R G E & B R I T TA N Y BA R GE R 1 6 V E N U E : D I ST I N C T LY B L AC K T HO R N 1 8 V I P SE E N R E A L W E D D I N G S P R O F I L E : C A L E B & G A BR IE LLE H A LL 2 2 V I P SE E N R E A L W E D D I N G S : JA MI E S HO E MA K E R & MO RGA N F LE MING 2 4 D R E S S : B RI ST O L B R I D A L S TAT I O N , C OU T U R E F O R A C AU SE 2 6 V I P SE E N R E A L W E D D I N G S : W I L L & L E X I M C CA R T T 2 8 JOY & C O M PA NY W ED D I N G S A N D E V E N T S , W H E R E T H E D R E A M B E G I N S 3 0 V I P SE E N R E A L W E D D I N G S : L U C A & P HI L E N A P IA Z Z A 3 2 W E IG H T L O S S : M U N C Y FA MI LY C HI R O P R A C TIC, L O SE T H E W E IG H T B E F O R E T H E DAT E 3 4 C AT E R I N G : C AT E R I N G B Y P R AT T ’ S 3 6 V I P B E AU T Y B E A U T Y T I P S F O R B R I D E S vipseenmag.com

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V I P SE E N R E A L W E D D I N G S

George & Brittany Barger OCTOBER 20, 2018

F U N FAC T S A B O U T T H E B R I D E & G R O OM Brittany and George met through Match.com on August 30, 2015. The couple loves lazy Sundays, the great outdoors, and spending time together.

When Brittany and George say “I do,” they mean “forever.”

Joy & Company Weddings and Events Charlotte Powers Sutherland Wedding & Event Planner Couture Design & Production

Wedding and Rehearsal Dinner Pumpkins Stewart Ettet Lee Highway Farms

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Photography Cable Photography Venue The Olde Farm Lodge Lawn Reception The Olde Farm Pavilion Rehearsal Dinner Martha Washington Inn Parents of the Groom Mr. & Mrs. Joe Lotts january/february 2019

All photos courtesy of In A Mother's Eye Unique Photography .

january/february 2019

At Blackthorn Club our promise is to ensure a flawless, joyous, and memorable experience from beginning to happily-ever-after.

B

lackthorn Club takes pride in being unique.

With convenient access to all areas of the Tri-Cities, the Club is situated on 205 acres, just east of Historic Downtown Jonesborough. At Blackthorn, guests enjoy the friendly warmth and elegance of a courteous, private club. We pride ourselves on our thoughtful attention to every detail that makes your special event truly memorable. We provide individualized, synchronized table service, private club touches and amenities, and a breathtaking setting.

Our professionals assist you in planning and coordinating your event, and membership is not required to host an event at Blackthorn Club.

at Blackthorn would make my day extraordinary.

I tell my brides that having their event with us– whether it’s a ceremony, reception, rehearsal, or anything in between- is always special. No two weddings are the same, and we make sure each bridal party has an exceptionally individualized experience with us.”

Host your wedding ceremony and reception with our championship golf course providing the perfect backdrop. No matter the size or type of your event, we have the right room to accommodate you and your guests. Our culinary team will help design the perfect menu for your event - whether it’s an intimate cocktail reception or a four-course wine dinner, our dedicated staff will assist you with every delicious detail.

Blackthorn prides itself on customized service for the entire bridal party. The Club can host small golf events on its course and even help the groom with gifts for his groomsmen. In the past, Blackthorn has helped the groom pick out custom glassware, apparel, leather goods, and other high-quality items.

The Club’s Events Coordinator, Jennifer Villarta, loves the setting at Blackthorn Club so much that she had her own wedding there in the fall of 2017.

“Blackthorn is more than just a place I work…I chose to have my wedding there because not only is the venue unparalleled, but I knew the people

Blackthorn Club features the only Certified Executive Chef in the Tri-Cities with James Allen.

Chef Allen has a versatile repertoire of cuisine and menu options. From an elegant buffet for 250 to an intimate plated dinner for 40, your options are endless with the culinary team at Blackthorn Club!

Even after the wedding day, the newlyweds are forever linked to the Club. Every couple is invited back on their first anniversary to share a special evening where they exchanged their vows or held their reception.

To learn more about hosting your special event at Blackthorn Club, please contact Jennifer Villarta by email at jenn@blackthornclub.com or by phone (423) 913-3164.

vipseenmag.com

V I P SE E N R E A L W E D D I N G S

Caleb & Gabrielle Hall N OV E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 8

Venue The Millstone Officiant Mr. William Hall Ceremonial Music Mrs. Karen Smith Wedding Day Coordinator Holly Davis/Lexi McCartt Jeweler Gregory Isbell Groom and Groomsmen Men’s Warehouse Wedding Dress Low’s Bridal Bride’s Hair Caitlyn at Salon Bella Donna Photography Cable Photography Florist The Posy Shop Reception Venue The Millstone Reception Coordinator Holly Davis Reception Music Steven with Starr Entertainment Cakes The Icing in the Cake Catering MenuVenue Events

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After several failed relationships throughout college, Caleb and I had given up searching for our future someone. But in March of 2016, everything changed. I was at my first clinical of nursing school when I met a young CNA, Caleb Hall.

After weeks of shadowing him and changing many bedpans together, my first clinical rotation came to an end. I added Caleb on Facebook about a week later. A few nights after that we met at Sonic. That night was full of awkward conversation and lots of tater tots. We saw each other several times that week and began officially dating on April 22, 2016. From the beginning we were best friends, I went over to his parent’s house several nights a week and we just hung out, watched videos, and I listened to him play guitar. Being with Caleb was easy because I never had to be anything except myself.

I took him to Nashville in June 2016 to meet my family and that’s when I knew things were getting serious. My little brother was ten at the time, and the way he bonded with Caleb made my heart melt, even to this day they spend countless hours sharing videos, giving each other video game advice, and playing basketball when we visit. My parents were supportive of us from the start and would always make a point to include Caleb in family events and to see his family when they were in town.

When I started my senior year of college we began to talk more about our future and what it would mean for our relationship. I had always planned on moving home to Nashville after college, but began to consider a life in Johnson City. I had worked as a nurse intern all through nursing school and knew I could easily get a job here upon graduation. Caleb was finishing his associate’s degree and wasn’t quite sure where it would lead. On April 10, 2018, Caleb proposed at Sonic…the very same location as our first date.

We started planning our wedding about a week later. The hardest part was choosing a date. We decided to go with November 24, 2018, in hopes of having a romantic fall wedding. As the day grew closer, more decisions needed to be made. I have wanted to get married at the Millstone in Limestone, TN since I first went to an event there in 2015. By early November, I had all the details planned, we were just waiting to see what the weather was going to do. I woke up on the 24th to heavy rain, but by 10am the skies had cleared and made way for a beautiful afternoon wedding. It ended up being a smaller wedding with about 70 guests, but we wouldn’t have had it any other way. At the end of the day, we were husband and wife and surrounded by all our closest family and friends and that’s all that we wanted out of our special day. We will never forget this day and the special people who shared it with us.

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V I P SE E N R E A L W E D D I N G S

Jamie Shoemaker & Morgan Fleming AU G U ST 2 1 , 2 0 1 8

The Grand Staircase in the San Francisco City Hall. The building was constructed in 1915.

Photographer Rachel Levine Photography Hair/MUA Triple Twist Makeup & Hair Design Flowers Bells & Bloom Dress Vintage from ebay Venue San Francisco City Hall

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In the winter of 2013 a couple of friends decided to play matchmaker setting the ball rolling for Morgan & Jamie to meet. They set a date for dinner a week later with Jamie suggesting if Morgan felt spontaneous, they could meet earlier in the week for a drink or coffee. Morgan sent a text on February 21st saying she’d be happy to meet Jamie at Bistro at the Bijou later that night after she got off work, if he was available. He was. Sitting at the back table framed by a mirror, they were so engaged in conversation that they didn’t realize they had closed down the restaurant. Morgan knew he was a keeper after that night. The dinner date followed along with many adventures.

During a trip to San Francisco in the summer of 2017, they decided marriage was in their future and ideally in San Francisco as it is one of their favorite cities to explore. Neither wanted a large ceremony, preferring the simple elegance of eloping. Having San Francisco City Hall’s Rotunda & Grand Staircase as a backdrop, there really couldn’t be a better venue for the ceremony. With Morgan’s parents as witnesses, the marriage was performed in the mid-morning on a quiet Tuesday. Morgan honored both her deceased grandmothers by including personal items from each in her wedding ensemble.

The rest of the day was spent celebrating in Golden Gate Park, celebratory champagne in the lobby of Hotel Zetta, dinner at Gracias Madre in San Francisco’s Mission District and ending with a night cap at Whitechapel. The next morning Morgan & Jamie left to explore the wine and food of Sonoma County, making Healdsburg their home base for a few days before returning to Knoxville. A celebration with close friends & family was held at their home in Crown Court in mid-October.

Morgan works as the Data Coordinator for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and is a pilates instructor specializing in small group & private sessions. Jamie is the Director of Music Operations-Global Music Services for Discovery Inc.

The Temple Gate in the background at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. The Park was built in 1894.

Above: Morgan and Jamie, with her parents, Joe and Lucy Fleming in the North Light Court of City Hall.

Right: The ceremony took place under the dome in the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda and was performed by a Deputy Marriage Commissioner. Up to 6 private ceremonies are performed each hour.

Left: The Rideout Memorial Fountain at Golden Gate Park in the background.

BRIDAL STATION SPECIAL THANKS TO NATHAN MAYS PHOTOGRAPHY, FRASER PHOTOGRAPHY CO., ELIZABETH HILL PHOTOGRAPHY, AND FOREVER JUNE PHOTOGRAPHY

New

•

Affordable

OSCAR DE LA RENTA. STELLA YORK. MAGGIE SOTERRO. VERA WANG. The bride is amazed by gown after gown on every rack. It’s not because of the price, but because she can’t believe the beauty of her choices. She’s not in New York. She’s in Bristol, Tennessee - at Bristol Bridal Station. It is here, she will find her one of a kind gown at an affordable price – and where you can, too!

Bristol Bridal Station recently was named “Best Local Boutique” by: GoTriCities Magazine, Johnson City Press, and Kingsport TimesNews Readers. Our boutique is nestled in a cozy courtyard alongside YWCA Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. We are proud to be one of the most unique boutiques in the region offering new, affordable, couture gowns.

COUTURE FOR A CAUSE We often hear “Bristol Bridal Station is too good to be true”. We are proud to serve our local communities and surrounding states with our exquisite gowns, offering reasonable options to our brides. Every gown purchased from Bristol Bridal Station, supports YWCA programs; Affordable Childcare, Women’s Health & Safety Programs and Racial Justice. Our brides look stunning, and are

•

Couture

“paying it forward” as 100% of the proceeds support the heart of our local communities.

BRAND NEW, FOR EVERY BODY Every bride is unique! We offer only new, affordable, couture gowns in a vast range of sizes, styles and fabrics. Our gowns are donated by high-end boutiques - from larger metropolitan cities. You will not find our variety of constantly changing inventory of over 400 bridal gowns, large array of bridesmaids dresses, mother of the bride/ groom attire and formalwear in any other local boutique.

DESIGNERS YOU LOVE AT AFFORDABLE PRICES YWCA NETN and SWVA is fortunate to partner with over 30 bridal boutiques from locations all over the country including: Miami, Philadelphia, Charleston, Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas (just to name a few), bringing an incredible selection of couture gowns, rare in our region. Oscar de la Renta, Maggie Soterro, Monique Lhuillier, Sella York, LulaKate, Yumi Katsira and Vera Wang make up just a handful of the designer gowns you’ll find at Bristol Bridal Station.

Our pricing is structured to be affordable, with most gowns priced under $599 and discounted up to 75% off (or more).

“Wow! Top-notch experience and every cent sold in the store goes to YWCA programs so you leave with a beautiful dress knowing it went to a great cause!”

“I can’t believe how much fun I had finding my wedding & reception gowns, and how amazing it felt making a purchase that supports the YWCA. I love my dresses and what you guys are doing!”

~ Amber, Kingsport, TN

~ Rachel, Washington, D.C.

bristolbridalstation.com

106 State Street, Bristol, TN | 423.968.9444

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Wedding Wire Appointments Recommended – Walk in’s Welcome Wednesday-Friday 11:00am – 5:00pm and Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm vipseenmag.com

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V I P SE E N R E A L W E D D I N G S

Will & Lexi McCartt AU G U ST 1 7 , 2 0 1 8

Venue Private Residence Photographer Maggie Smith Photography Catering & Styling Menu Venue Events Floral Flowers by Tammy Tables Made by Bride’s Father, Grandfather, & Groom DJ Beck and Champion Doughnuts Blackbird Bakery Dress LVD Bridal Bridesmaid Dresses Lulu’s Airstream Menu Venue Events Affogato Bar Starbucks

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january/february 2019

Our wedding day was the perfect culmination of our relationship--filled with anticipation and joy. Will and I knew the minute we began thinking about marriage, we wanted our wedding day to paint a picture of how Christ loves and serves His bride, just as we pray our marriage will in the days to come. We chose to love one another each day for the rest of our lives because we have experienced the love that Christ has for us. Our celebration included lots of laughter, dancing, delicious food, a huge thunderstorm, and even some affogato (from our guest Airstream, Willow).

We were blessed to have our wedding riverside with a gorgeous mountain view, surrounded by so many people who have invested in our relationship over the years.

I have been around weddings for many years. From working for my friend and creative florist at Flowers by Tammy, to coordinating, planning and catering with my mom, the owner and entrepreneur of Menu Venue Events.

The day was overflowing with the creativity of the wonderful people that made this day possible, and I could not be more thankful and overwhelmed with the generosity of those who joined us.

V I P SE E N R E A L W E D D I N G S

Luca & Philena Piazza AU G U ST 4 , 2 0 1 8

Photographer Rachael Wilbur Hair/Make-up Sherri Jessee Gown Rue de Seine Groom’s Suit Corneliani (Italy) Invitations Paper Source Church St. Thomas Episcopal Church Coordinator Kathy Evans Lodging and First Look/ Wedding Party photo’s A Tailor’s Lodging Rentals Celebrations Caterer Farm to Fender (Asheville) Cake Cakes to Live By, Jennifer Enloe Wedding Cake Toppers Philena and her Mom’s collection over the years.

Event Coordinator Debbie Snyder Event and Floral Designer Angie Gilmer Band The Royal Suits (Asheville)

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The celebration and blessing of the marriage of Philena Elizabeth Gilmer and Luca Piazza was held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Historic Abingdon, VA on Saturday, the fourth of August, 2018. Following the traditional service, guests were invited to walk with the bridal party along Plumb Alley to the Gilmer’s home for the reception.

Luca and Philena met in a Chicago coffee shop three years ago and even though they are quite opposite - she an actress and he a computer engineer the couple bonded instantly over missing “their mountains” - Luca’s mountains being in Italy and Philena’s in Southwestern Virginia. Even before they were engaged, Philena had dreamed about having a wedding in her home town at the church where she grew up and having the reception in her parents backyard. It was so amazing to have that dream come true and to have friends and family come from literally all over the world to witness the romantic event.

Since Luca’s family is Italian, they had a full Episcopalian mass, with key moments in both English and Italian. After the ceremony, the guests and wedding party walked through the quaint town of Abingdon to the bride’s parents house for cocktails, dinner and dancing. The backyard was transformed with gorgeous tents, twinkle lights, and greenery. One of the bride’s favorite details was the vintage wedding cake toppers she and her mother had been collecting since she was a little girl. There was also DIY photo booth with polaroid cameras and vintage theatre props. It was true backyard magic…a little bit of Appalachia, meets Italy, meets theatre people, computer nerds, and sweet family and friends, both young and old!

VIP

by Sherri Jessee

BEAUTY TIPS FOR BRIDES

Sherri 's Recommendations • Moroccan Oil Luminous Hairspray

• Sherri Jessee Brow Balm in Brunette

For long lasting, no transfer lips, use a liquid lipstick.

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january/february 2019

• Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink in Lover

HAIR & MAKEUP BY SHERRI JESSEE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATHAN MAYS

Frame your face by perfecting your brows.

Use a humidity resistant hairspray for shiny hair.

Specially Designed Cosmetic Bag Easily carry your essentials in one neat, concise space.

Unique, Magnetic Compact with Full Mirror Super strong magnet holds your custom cosmetics securely.

Hours of Operation Tues-Fri, 9am-5pm

Make an appointment with the award winning hair and makeup artist, Sherri Jessee.

CALL TODAY! 1932 Euclid Avenue Bristol, VA 24201 276.466.2689 | sherrijessee.com

For more beauty tips, watch FAB FRIDAY Facebook Live Makeup Demonstrations at 8am every Friday and replay on VIPSEEN Live! on Facebook. vipseenmag.com

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Gray LUCI JERNIGAN, OWNER OF SIDE PORCH VENUE

SYLVIA CRUMB APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT JACOB HESS, GREG JONES WELLS FARGO, FARGO SABRINA HESS SABRINA HESS VOICE STUDI0, STUDI0 LUCI JERNIGAN SIDE PORCH VENUE, VENUE AND SHANA JONES WELLS FARGO

Broadway in the Barn Benefit EVENT COVERED BY HALEY WHITE

Broadway in the Barn was a unique fundraising event sponsored by Wells Fargo that took place on November 30. The event was held at the beautiful Side Porch Venue in Gray. All the proceeds went to benefit Appalachian Sustainable Development and Sabrina Hess Voice Studio. Guests were treated to food and drink provided by Abingdon Winery and Bristol Station Brews. The talented students from Sabrina Hess Voice Studio entertained guests with showtunes from Broadway productions like Mamma Mia, Into The Woods, and Matilda.

Since 1995, Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) has been working to propel our mission to transition Appalachia to a more resilient economy and a healthier population by supporting local agriculture, exploring new economic opportunities and connecting people to healthy food.

JACOB MILLER AND STEPHEN CRADIC

This event was made possible with underwriting from Wells Fargo. Sabrina Hess Voice Studio is located in Jonesborough, TN. To learn more visit www.asdevelop.org

SYLVIA CRUM AND SABRINA HESS

STUDENTS FROM SABRINA HESS VOICE STUDIO

Since 1995, Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) has been working to propel our mission to transition Appalachia to a more resilient economy and a healthier population by supporting local agriculture, exploring new economic opportunities and connecting people to healthy food.

MATTHEW AND LINDSEY FELTY

Kathlyn Terry, Executive Director 1096 Ole Berry Dr. Suite 100 | Abingdon, VA 24210 Phone: 276.623.1121 | Website: asdevelop.org vipseenmag.com

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Abingdon VICKI MCCURRY AND ALICIA KNIGHT

EMILY DEPEW AND SHANE STALLARD

Mistletoe Mingle Cheers to Twenty Years!

EVENT COVERED BY ERIC DONAHUE

On Thursday, November 1, 2018, the William King Museum of Art hosted Mistletoe Mingle and the celebration of the 20th Mistletoe Market with preview shopping, auction items, fine wine, and a tasting of some of the areas finest chefs and caterers. The attire was very festive and spirits were high as friends and supporters of the Museum gathered in support and celebration of this being the 20th year for the Mistletoe Market. The event is held annually at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon. Sponsored this year by Powell Valley National Bank and supported by many local vendors, craft vendors, and restaurants. All proceeds from Mistletoe Market and the Mingle benefit programming of William King Museum of Art. For more information visit www.williamkingmuseum.org

FANTA JENNINGS

KATY MULLINS AND DAMMON VANCE

Mistletoe Market 2018 EVENT COVERED BY ERIC DONAHUE

One of the local shopping highlights of the holiday season is always the Mistletoe Market in Abingdon, Virginia. Highlights of this years Market included a $500 Shopping Spree, Mistletoe Market Cafe, and Daily Door Prizes. Over 100 Merchants from 15 states bring a variety of items including: Gifts for the gardener in your family, Jewelry including earrings, bracelets and necklaces, holiday decor, clothing, and toys. In addition to the cafe there are gourmet food vendors with fantastic holiday treats. All proceeds of the Market go to benefit the William King Museum of Art. The Mistletoe Market in Abingdon, Virginia is located at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. For more information please visit www.williamkingmuseum.org.

ANDREA AND BRAD VIETTI LILA THURMOND AND SANDRA DARDEN

SUSAN ARRINGTON AND K.C. ST. LOUIS

DIRK MOORE, BETSY WHITE AND GREG MCMILLAN

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THE JENNINGS FAMILIES

The William King Museum of Art is a premier visual arts facility in the region, offering outstanding fine world art, contemporary regional art and cultural heritage exhibits that change frequently, giving visitors a new experience each time they walk through the doors. Founded in 1992 and housed in a historic 1913 former school, the William King Museum of Art has been an integral part of the cultural fabric of Southwest Virginia and beyond for over 20 years as well as a cherished destination for residents and visitors. WKMA is a nonprofit art museum and Virginia’s only nationally accredited museum west of Roanoke.

ANTHONY DONAHUE AND BECKY DONAHUE

JENNI BOLUS, LEE ACRES, AND KATHRYN ACRES LYNN PRICE - WKMA

MARGARET LINFORD AND DONNA RUPARD-GREER

Abingdon SARAH LAUGHLAND AND HOPE QUINN

RICHARD ROSE WITH THE ELF CHILDREN!

Elf: The Musical Opening Night Gala EVENT COVERED BY LINDA COFFEY

Barter Theatre presented “Elf: The Musical” during the 2018 Christmas holiday season. The show opened to a sold-out audience on Friday, November 23rd. The crowd enjoyed the musical journey as Buddy traveled from the North Pole to New York City in search of his father. The magical play was filled with sparklejollyjingletwinkley-ness, that left everyone in the audience in good cheer.

ZACCHAEUS KIMBRELL (BUDDY THE ELF)

DR. BERT C. BACH AND HANNAH INGRAM

The cheer continued across the street at the Martha Washington Inn. A gala was held for donors of the theatre and gave them the opportunity to greet the cast and crew of Barter Theatre. Actors answered questions about the production and mingled among the crowd for photo opportunities. Richard Rose, Producing Artistic Director of Barter, welcomed patrons and took time for hugs and photos with the children who performed in “Elf: The Musical.”

Those who appreciate and love Barter Theatre, have the opportunity to become donors by contacting the advancement office. The Theatre is a 501(c)(3) organization and has many programs to provide education, as well as entertainment to audiences in the area. To learn more about becoming a donor, check out their website at www.bartertheatre.com or call (276) 619-3315.

HELEN AND JON JOHNSTON WITH PARIS BRADSTREET NANCY ARNOLD AND CHARLES FLANNAGAN

KEVIN DERR AND RYAN MOOR

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LISA BARKER AND JAKE DAILEY

Abingdon

RICHARD ROSE, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Barter Theatre Thursday BEHIND THE SCENES: WARDROBE

EVENT COVERED BY LINDA COFFEY

Patrons of Barter Theatre were treated to a special Theatre Thursday on December 6th. The guests were invited to the theatre rehearsal stages for a luncheon sponsored by a local restaurant, Mamma Mia. After the luncheon, Richard Rose, Producing Artistic Director of Barter Theatre, shared stories and information with the group about the actors, the business, and the artistry of the theatre.

Mr. Rose feels that being an actor is not all that different from being an Olympic Athletic. Actors are expected to execute the highest performance every night. It takes professionalism, precision, and dedication to reach these goals. Actors are not only expected to act, sing, and dance, but physical expectations are placed on them, which are often beyond the realm of traditional dance. The number one thing about an actor in a resident acting company is that they have to play a great variety. They are asked to possess skills at a high level and most of all, they are asked to be transformative, not always recognizable when they step out of the role.

Putting together a resident acting company is similar to putting together a world class sports team. The goal is to put together a team that interacts together, with a broad range of talent and ages.

Changes to the team happen regularly, people move on or change careers and Barter looks for new actors to join the team. For a given role, Barter will audition about 250 people. Barter searches for the people who are the hardest workers and can learn to improve their art. They look for those who can meet the role challenges

MARY ANN MOORE

and accomplish what they did not think they could achieve. Actors work hard, at any given time they may be working on four shows, two in production and two in rehearsal. Several actors are also coaching or directing.

Barter has a philosophy that If you can’t fail, you can’t succeed. You learn more from your failures than you ever do your successes.

Audiences will most likely not recognize failures, but the actors recognize when something doesn’t work so well, and that is where growth occurs.

The Barter Company also gives back to the community. They recently had a private party where all the proceeds from a silent auction went to support community needs.

Patrons at the luncheon had the opportunity to tour the facility and witness the wardrobe department in action. Wigs, costumes, and material are stored for future possibilities. Several members of The Barter Players were busy sewing on costumes for their upcoming children’s tour.

Resources are necessary to implement wardrobe, scenery, salaries.

Support from the community helps create extraordinary productions and enriching educational programs for the region. To learn more about donation opportunities, the 2019 schedule, and the staff of Barter Theatre, visit their website at www.bartertheatre.com.

BARRY HOLMAN

JOHN BATES AND JANICE SULLIVAN

ASHLEY CAMPOS TYLER CRAMER WORKING ON COSTUMES

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Bristol JENNIFER SNEAD AND SARAH HUTCHINSON

YP Bristol Tacky Christmas Sweater Party EVENT COVERED BY ALLISON GALLOWAY

On Wednesday, December 12th, the Young Professionals of Bristol held a Tacky Christmas Sweater party. Both members and nonmembers gathered for this social, networking event while learning what YP Bristol is all about. Attendees donned their best “worst” sweater in hopes of winning prizes for the tackiest Christmas outfits.

YP OF BRISTOL

NICK ESPOSITO AND WESLEY FLETCHER

RACHEL JAMES AND WENDY JOHNSON

WESTLEY KETRON, BLAINE HUTCHINSON, AND LAURA MCMILLAN

ASHTON AND HUNTER WHITE

YP Bristol is a program of the Bristol TN/ VA Chamber of Commerce inspiring young professionals to connect, lead, serve, and actively shape the future of our community.

TAUSHA HOBBS AND JOEY CAMPBELL

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JACOB AND HANNAH HOLMES WITH CHELSEA AND WESTLEY KETRON

(423) 989-4850 | ypbristol@bristolchamber.org ypbristol.com

Bristol VANCE JUNIOR VIKING MARCHING BAND

Bristol Christmas Parade L SEAN MULLINS ORTHODONTICS – THE MOLAR EXPRESS

BRISTOL VIRGINIA FIRE DEPARTMENT

AVOCA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

EVENT COVERED BY ALLISON GALLOWAY

Area residents lined State Street Thursday night, Dec. 6 as Bristol, Virginia and Bristol, Tennessee ushered in the holiday season with its annual Bristol Christmas Parade. For more than a century the Bristol Christmas parade has kicked off the holiday season for the twin cities and entertained crowds of thousands of people. Nearly 200 entries representing local businesses, civic and volunteer organizations, church groups, marching bands, schools, and neighborhood groups participated this year. The parade concluded with the much-anticipated Santa float sponsored by Ballad Health – Bristol Regional Medical Center.

The 2018 Christmas Parade Grand Marshals were Officers Keagan Bostic, Bristol Va. Police Department and Kevin Lee Frederick, Bristol Tenn. Police Department. Officers Bostic and Frederick most recently were awarded the Bristol Optimist Club’s Officer of the Year for Bristol Va. and Bristol Tenn. respectively. The Grand Marshal float was provided by Sunset Digital Communications.

Bristol Tennessee Essential Services led the parade as Premier Parade sponsor while the Tennessee National Guard served as Trophy sponsor.

Bill Gatton Automotive Group and Food City- Euclid Avenue were parade staging sponsors, the Cities of Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia were community sponsors, and the Bristol Herald Courier served as media sponsor.

“We are thankful to our great community and business leaders who sponsor the parade. They help provide a continued tradition for many families and generations to enjoy”, Beth Rhinehart, President & CEO, Bristol Chamber of Commerce added.

GRAND MARSHALS, KEAGAN BOSTIC AND KEVIN LEE FREDERICK

VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND

The Bristol Christmas Parade is a program of the Bristol TN/VA Chamber of Commerce. The mission of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce is advancing economic vitality. For more information, please visit bristolchamber.com

SULLINS ACADEMY

CHIEF’S KIDS

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Erwin SHOULYN AND KAMBRIA ARE READY TO HELP SANTA

UNICOI HIGH SCHOOL BAND

NATALEE, OLIVIA, JAMES, AND D.K.

Erwin Christmas Parade EVENT COVERED BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

The end of Thanksgiving means the start of Christmas Parade season in East Tennessee and Erwin held one of the first. Held on Saturday, November 24th in downtown Erwin the parade began at Erwin Village Shopping and made its way onto North Main Avenue and ended on Love Street.

Families aligned the streets, gathering with friends and fur babies to see the floats, classic cars, horses, and Santa, of course. Little ones also stood at the ready hoping they would be lucky enough to catch a bit of candy being tossed from the passing floats.

The theme of this year’s entry was “It’s a Wonderful Life” and featured some fantastic ideas of what that would be, including the beautiful life of Erwin’s most famous Elephant, Mary, who was made into a float for RISE Erwin, and a float that looked like it was reminding certain Texas football fans that life is still wonderful.

RISE ERWIN HAD A FLOAT WITH THE MOST FAMOUS ELEPHANT, MARY

ALETHA AND TYSON

For more information on events happening in Erwin contact the Unicoi Chamber at www.unicoicounty.org.

CLINCHFIELD RAILROAD FLOAT

THE PATE AND STACK FAMILIES

LORETTA, WILLARD, BENITO, MELISSA, AND HOPE

THE RANGE SCHOOL OF DANCE GETTING READY TO PERFORM

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Unicoi RYLEE, DRAVEN, TONY, AND KIM SHOEN

ASHLEY CAVENDER AND MAYOR JOHNNY LYNCH

MRS. CLAUS AND JOLLY OLE’ SAINT NICK

Christmas at the Cabin EVENT COVERED BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

It was an olde time Christmas celebration at Bogart-Bowman Cabin in Unicoi, Tennessee. Both town locals and regional guests arrived at the cabin on December 8, 2018 to see the outside area adorned as if it had rained down candy canes into the yard. The event was hosted by the Town of Unicoi History Group, which is lead by Pat Lynch.

Those candy canes wouldn’t remain for long, as the children gathered in the yard for the annual candy cane hunt. Smiling little faces were running from place to place filling up their sacks.

When all was finished, the show moved inside as Scott Wild offered the first round of Christmas music entertainment for everyone. Adults could enjoy the homey feel of the cabin while their little ones climbed the stairs to meet jolly old St. Nick.

Sweet treats were abundant, but the town didn’t forget to send everyone home with a treat. Brown paper sacks filled with fruit and goodies stood as a reminder of how the holiday seasons were celebrated in another era.

RYLEE TELLS SANTA HER CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

BILLY HARKINS AND BABY LAIKEN WITH THEIR COUSIN SYDNIE

PAT WITH MAYOR JOHNNY LYNCH

ALEXANDRA AND TERI REACH

The Appalachian Brass Quartet, who made their debut at the event, performed the region’s only holiday performance by a brass quartet. They performed both inside the cabin and during the tree lighting ceremony.

After the town crier aided the mayor and others in the countdown to light the outside Christmas tree, carols were sung and joy was abounding as the town of Unicoi officially began its Christmas season.

LEXI, TINA, JEREMIAH, AND CHEYENNE

FOUR GENERATIONS: KRISTIE, STACY, AMELIA, AND LESIA

MRS. CLAUS WITH KYLER

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Unicoi JOHNNY LYNCH AND DENNIS MULL

DONNA, LARRY, AND SUZAN

DORIS AND BILL HENSLEY WITH MICHAEL BORDERS

Christmas Open House in Unicoi EVENT COVERED BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

The Town of Unicoi got a chance to showcase all that they have to offer to our region as the Unicoi Christmas open house was held at the visitor’s center. The event was hosted by the Town of Unicoi for Erwin and Unicoi County.

The December 14, 2018 event was an open house that featured a lunchtime drop-in; bringing a variety of community and business leaders together. Guests enjoyed locally sourced cuisine for the event. There was even a variety of tamales made in the town’s own Mountain Harvest Kitchen.

CHARLENE OGDEN AND BETTY HAWKINS

MAYOR LYNCH SAYS EMPLOYEES CAN COME OUT OF THE COLD AND WARM UP

Clarence’s, Maple Grove Farm, and other Unicoi County eateries displayed the best of their culinary offerings.

The wintery decor and the faux fireplace made the meeting space seem cozy for just such a day. Its location also shares space with a great place for Christmas shopping. Guests got the chance to view some locally based artisan wares in the Tanasi Art and Heritage Center. A chance to buy locally made gifts and see what a variety of regional artistry exists in our area.

For more information on events in downtown Unicoi, please visit them online at www.unicoitn.net.

TOWN OF UNICOI STAFF

RICHARD ROURK AND ASHLEY CAVENDER

JUSTIN SHEPHERD, ASHLEY CAVENDER, AND JAMIE THOMAS

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DOUG HOPSON AND DUSTIN BROWN

JEAN MULL AND PAT LYNCH

Blountville JULIETTE AND HARPER EMMA

BERTINA DEW

Clara’s Tea and Chocolate EVENT COVERED BY LINDA COFFEY

Children, ages four through ten, gathered on Saturday, December 15th at Wellmont Performing Arts Center at Northeast State for a Nutcracker-themed tea party. Dressed in their holiday best, the children entered through the holiday arches to a beautifully decorated area for the party. Students and teacher, Dr. Galena Timofeev, provided holiday music for the guests.

DELANEY, DANCING THE ROLE OF CLARA

JANET MATHER

As volunteers greeted the children, they served delicious treats and chocolate goodies. Children were seated at tables decorated with fine china, while their mothers/chaperones observed from areas around the tables. Each child received a party favor, a nutcracker ornament to hang on their Christmas trees.

A special moment happened when performers from the annual production of Kingsport Ballet’s Nutcracker entered the room to greet the children and provided the opportunity to have photos taken together. Three of the younger guests also performed on their violins with Dr. Timofeev to the delight of the crowd.

This annual event, sponsored by Kingsport Ballet, is held so that children may experience the joy of the Nutcracker in a fun way. A performance of The Nutcracker was presented after the tea party.

Tickets for the sold out event go on sale in the fall, and more information can be found at www.kingsportballet.org.

NUTCRACKER CHARACTERS

CLARISSA TATUM

EEEK! MICE!

SABELLA, OLIVIA, AND MADDIE

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Blountville 211 Hoedown Benefit EVENT COVERED BY HALEY WHITE

On Friday, November 16 Contact 211 hosted their annual Hoedown Benefit event. The event took place at The Barn at Cate Family Farm. Guests were encouraged to dress for the occasion and wore cowboy boots, hats, overalls, and other country apparel. Music was provided by Phantom Entertainment. Guests could also bid on an array of items in a silent auction, learn how to line dance, and take home souvenir photos from Now and Forever Photobooth.

BRAD AND STEPHANIE NAEGLE

ALLISON STEWART (VOLUNTEER) AND MARGARET COUNTS (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 211)

DAN CHICCO AND TAMRA CLONTZ

DR. JOE AND AMY LEY

VICKIE ELLET (BOARD MEMBER) AND KEITH MONN ANNA HITE AND STEPHANIE DAVIS

Contact 211 of Northeast Tennessee, Inc. provides three crucial services to the community: Information & Referrals, Helpline, and Reassurance Calls.

Their services are free, confidential and available to everyone. The organization now serves eight counties in Northeast Tennessee, with a population of over 500,000.

To learn more visit www.contact211netn.org.

SHALINI RAJOO (VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD)

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RECTOR 211)

exclusive VIPSEEN SEEN

STORY BY MATT PENIX

DIVERSITY INCLUSION THROUGHOUT THE REGION A

t first, Dwight Berry tried to fight it. He was not expecting to feel this way, but as the 51-year-old from Church Hill stepped onto the grounds of Founder’s Park in Johnson City for the Tri-Pride Parade and Festival this past September, a sense of pride and accomplishment filled his heart. A flood of emotions churned inside and his senses sizzled. Everywhere he looked Berry saw people belonging to the community he had identified with for more than thirty years: gay.

Even better, everyone was gathered in a public space proclaiming his/ her own proud LGBTQ identity or support for the broader ideals of diversity and inclusion.

From men in makeup and women dressed as men, to the young and old, to black, white and everyone in between, the sheer mass of the local gay pride festival spoke volumes. They were loud and they were proud. And they were an estimated 10,000 strong – almost 10 times as large as the expected turnout. Berry had promised himself he wouldn’t do it, but as forty years of emotions bubbled to the surface; the tears rolled down his cheek. “You don’t understand what this means,” Berry said, standing next to longtime friend, and sometimes

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drag queen, John “Black Suga” Collins who nodded in agreement.

“I’ve been waiting for this day my whole life. It hasn’t been easy. We used to get beat up. We used to get harassed. It was awful. We only had one place to go back then and just getting there was dangerous.

Basically we had nothing, no where. Now we’re here. Celebrated.

Accepted. It’s just so overwhelming. It’s just so emotional. It’s a dream. Today is the happiest day of my life.” This year the festival is scheduled to take place in Kingsport.

Collins, like his friend Berry, remembers the days of yesteryear when gay men were harassed. “Police officers used to sit outside of the only gay bar in town waiting to write tickets,” he said. Drunken college students often started fistfights with his friends. “It was all about hate in those days,” back in late ’60s and early ’70s, even later, when he and his gay friends had to bond together to protect themselves, he said.

A lot can change in four decades. From constantly fearing retribution for his sexual orientation to a special day recognizing it, there’s no

exclusive VIPSEEN

Local business leaders seem to have taken note. In early January, leaders convened in an exploratory session to launch a diversity committee: one intended to look at the region and diversify the community. The idea is to take a snap shot of the area’s current diversity rankings in order to develop, if possible, a scorecard and then determine ways to improve it. While just the first such meeting, the room was packed with representatives from Kingsport’s Fun Fest, East Tennessee State University (ETSU), Kingsport’s Chamber of Commerce, First Tennessee Development District, and even BWXT, an Erwin-based nuclear fuel company, among others. “The economic impact is what gets people’s attention. That’s how we enter this conversation,” said Lottie Fields Ryans, director of workforce initiatives for the First Tennessee Development district. “Having the top of any administration taking an invested interest in diversity initiatives is critical.”

Dwight Berry and John “Black Suga” Collins stand together in solidarity at the Tri-Pride festival this past September. doubt the Tri-Cities region is becoming more accepting of others. So with this unprecedented turnout for the region’s first and only gay pride festival still fresh on our minds, coupled with Black History month quickly approaching, VIPSEEN recently gathered a group of business executives, community leaders, homeowners, historians, and others to examine what it means for a city to not only be diverse in the 21st Century, but to also embrace diversity as a model for its future.

According to the Pew Research Center, a non-partisan think tank based in Washington, D.C., nearly two thirds of Americans say an increasing number of people from different races, ethnic groups and nationalities in the U.S. make the country a better place to live.

This is good news as Post-Millennials, today’s 6- to 21-year-olds and also known as Generation Z, are on track to be the most racially and ethnically diverse generation yet. With a myriad of colleges in the region, one thing is clear: the new workforce and local population in the area is going to be more diverse than ever.

“

We’ve noticed that people are moving away to places like Asheville, Knoxville, and Nashville. We want to stop this exodus. We want to show this community that you can live here. That you can stay here, build a life here, and prosper. You don’t have to move away, because this is your home too.

“

This diversity, though, plays out in a variety of ways. In the workplace, researchers Mckinsey & Co have shown it makes an organization more successful, effective and, even, more profitable. In fact, some research suggests an organization’s success and competitiveness depends on its ability to embrace diversity and realize its benefits. A multicultural community is also known to validate the use and honor of various languages and cultural heritages, especially important for minority children, experts say. “We all need to look at diversity from outside ourselves. We need to see how without it we are worse off, but with a diverse community, a diverse workforce, we are stronger as whole than we are as one,” said Eastman’s Director of Global Public and Community Affairs CeeGee McCord.

Although determining a diversity index is difficult, many companies have diversity initiatives and/or tally the amount of resources in the community for such populations. “We’ve just begun to see the interest of the employers in the area taking notice regarding diversity recruitment and retention,” said Dr. Jeffrey L. Alston, director of student affairs at ETSU. “That’s a key place to start. It’s the beginning. It’s the start. But it’s the long game.”

For Alston, one draw to East Tennessee was its geography. In other words, its closeness to areas with dense African-American communities such as Atlanta: a city less than five hours away but a world apart in terms of demographics. According to the latest census data in 2018, Tennessee’s African American population represents less than one-fifth of the state, or roughly 17 percent. In Georgia this demographic represents about a third of entire state, or just slightly more than 31 percent. For the African American community, Alston said, the idea that in less than a day’s drive, someone can be in the majority rather than the minority is a big draw and “one that should be played up when recruiting others to this region,” he said. Just knowing how close he lived to his family in Atlanta was a fact he couldn’t ignore: It helped him “get through and sustain” moving to and living in the Deep South, he said.

Combined with the fact that, at least anecdotally, the research on post-Millennials entering college is more diverse than ever before, Alston believes the Tri-Cities area has a lot to help feed the diversity loop. It’s there, on campus, in a mixed environment, where Alston works and where he feels the safest. Outside of campus the story is different. Karen LeBlanc Sullivan, director of corporate relations and university advancement with East Tennessee State University still sees a lot of the close-mindedness coming from outside the campus constraints. “I don’t know how to fix these things. I don’t know how to make them go away,” she says.

The idea of “going away” has competing meanings throughout the Tri-Cities. For many, “going away” means tossing out traditionally restrictive ideals stuck to the Deep South. For others, it means a mass exodus of talented folk leaving for more accepting cities and states where race, sexual orientation, religion and other ideals play second fiddle to the one notion that truly matters: community.

The idea then, many community and business leaders said in exclusive interviews for this piece, is to showcase the Tri-Cities as a “We-want-your-talent-and-will foster it-regardless-of-your-backgroundvipseenmag.com

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exclusive VIPSEEN

or-skin-color” kind of place. Jill Ellis, graduate of Douglass High School, Kingsport’s formerly all black elementary/high school, put it another way in a recent media report. “African-American students of professional business have not found a reason to stay here. Their energies have carried them away to other cities,” Ellis was quoted as saying. “Now they come back home to Kingsport to visit the older ones still here.”

Elaine Washington, an African American executive at Eastman, is trying to change this. Several years ago, she looked around the community and wondered where all the people that looked like her were. She decided to do something about it and ramped up a recruiting campaign to attract more African American women to the area. She mentors, networks, and does both external and internal outreach to hire other African American employees: including targeting schools where her skin color is an asset. “It’s a simple statement but its an important statement,” she said. “These people look around and say, ‘Oh. Wow. There are people here that look like me.’ That’s a big deal.”

Washington agrees that the community has made significant progress, “but there’s always more work to be done,” she says. In the end, the entire diversity conversation is going to take bold words, from bold men and bold women taking bold steps. Jonesborough Alderman Adam Dickson, who chaired the diversity meeting mentioned earlier, has made the first steps. “How bold is it to address the systematic segregation, racism, homophobia inside (local) organizations?” asked Dickson. “And in doing so create a culture where diversity is embedded?”

George Chamoun is one of these bold men. For nearly a year, the chemical engineer plotted, planned, and developed every last logistical detail (alongside 30 to 40 volunteers) for the first annual Tri-Pride festival this past September. The September 15th Tri-Pride event was designed as a celebration of all things LGBTQ. It was an event aimed at connecting a population that for years operated in the shadows,

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often afraid of repercussions that might surface for coming out and proclaiming their gay pride so loudly in a conservative Appalachian region. On the event’s cloudy and cool Saturday, it was as if a ray of sunshine still beamed down and, for Chamoun, it was more than a celebration of diverse sexual orientations: it was about rewiring a community psyche.

Ultimately though, it was also about curbing a mass exodus of local talent leaving for more accepting cities. “If you look at every big city that now has a regular acceptance of the LGBTQ community, they started with a big pride event like this,” Chamoun said. “We’ve noticed that people are moving away to places like Asheville, Knoxville, and Nashville. We want to stop this exodus. We want to show this community that you can live here. That you can stay here, build a life here, and prosper. You don’t have to move away, because this is your home too.”

In other words, events like these are significant in changing a community’s fabric. They are a must when one wants to diversify the quilt we all sleep under. “It’s time for an event like this. It’s been time. It’s time to shine a spotlight on and for this community,” said Ella Youngman, 23, of Johnson City, a heterosexual woman who supports a diverse community. “We’re here celebrating love and equal rights. We’re here with thousands of friends we don’t even know. We’re here to show the world — and any protesters — that love trumps hate.”

While no area in the Tri-Cities has hosted an LGBTQ event of this magnitude within memory, Johnson City had already been identified as one of the top seven cities in Tennessee for LGBTQ people to live.

Johnson City, according to the most recent census data, is home to Tennessee’s fifth-largest LGBTQ population and, according to Movoto. com, is the second-best city to live in out of seven, falling behind Clarksville, and ranking above Chattanooga, Franklin, Memphis, Knoxville and Nashville, in that order. Color and sexuality aside, there are additional aspects that contribute to the Tri-Cities diverse population.

exclusive VIPSEEN

With just his wife and two-month old in tow, Puerto Rican native and recent Ph.D. graduate Humberto Collazo, looked around his new hometown in Kingsport and realized this city was nothing like his home. The then 23-year-old had just been hired at Eastman after earning his chemistry doctorate. He couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

But here he was a stranger in a strange land, a place with rolling hills, four seasons, a laid back country feel of life, a church on every corner and a population where most everyone’s skin tone was several shades lighter than his. Not to mention there was virtually none of the Hispanic food he grew up eating. The landscape, the seasons, and the way of life were all so new and so different. He’d relocated his entire family thousands of miles away, to a different continent, and now a sense of worry crept in.

Today, nearly 30 years later, these memories are as sharp and crisp as if it was this morning and Collazo likes it that way. These memories feed him. In 1990, Collazo helped organize and run Club Latina Americano, a 501c3 for the Tri-Cities aimed at helping new families primarily from Puerto Rico, Columbia, Mexico, and other South American areas meet, get settled and acclimate to a life in East Tennessee. “We’re the welcome wagon,” he said, adding the organization offers a variety of services, everything from translators and school tutors, to organizing cultural festivals complete with music and food. “When I got here we were isolated,” Collazo said of first settling in Kingsport. “It was really hard to be on your own, away from your way of life. I didn’t see anybody that looked like me. They were here, but there weren’t many of us. We were scattered. We didn’t know where everyone was and people weren’t connected like they are now: there was no Facebook.” Club LatinoAmericano helped to get people connected. It, and similar organizations, “created critical mass,” Collazo said. People gathered, pooled resources, and helped each other. Just this past Thanksgiving between 30-50 people, who are Kingsport transplants, gathered for food and worship; giving thanks to their new lives.

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact number of Hispanics living in the area today, but 2018 census suggests about two percent of the Tri-Cities population is Hispanic and Collazo sees anecdotal evidence of a rising population. When he first arrived here, for instance, there was one restaurant serving Hispanic food. Today they’re nearly on every corner.

When St. Dominic’s Church in Kingsport started a special mass at 3 pm on Sundays, Collazo says there were about 15 Hispanic people attending. Today there are 150, a more than 2,000 percent surge, and so many attendees, in fact, the church had to relocate the services to bigger accommodations. Other churches soon caught on. “Now, virtually all of the bigger churches in the area offer Spanish services,” he said, “This place has changed. The Hispanic population is very large and it’s just getting going.”

Courtney Holmes, 30, of Bristol, Tennessee understands that change starts with each of us. Although she identifies as heterosexual, she wanted her daughter, Aida Pendergrass, 5, to witness the Tri-Pride event. “If we want to change the future, if we want to change social issues, we have to start young,” Holmes said. “Our kids are the future. It’s hard to explain these things to them, though. So just exposing them to the new normal when they don’t know any better, you can erase hatred and negativity before the seed is planted.”

Former Johnson City Mayor David Tomita, who walked the grounds meeting people, shaking hands and laughing; said if he’d known such

a turnout would be so large, he’d pushed for a big event earlier. He marveled at how, just like business leaders had already said, diversity could bring such an enormous impact to the area. “We’re all in this together. If you want to attract people to this community, you’ve got to show them they are welcome.”

It is with this welcoming attitude in mind that the Chambers of Commerce in Bristol TN/VA, Kingsport, and Johnson City/ Jonesborough/Washington County are adopting Diversity and Inclusion statements. Bob Feathers, 2018 Kingsport Chamber Chairman, for example, is one of just a few business leaders who will be adding inclusion statements above the doorways of their businesses. Mr. Feathers is adding the statement above the entrance of his East Coast Wings + Grill establishment and above the entrance to Workspace Interiors. The statement reads, “This is a safe place.

We value your color, class, creed, gender, and orientation. Anything less will not be tolerated.” The same statement will also soon grace the doorway of the Kingsport Chamber, and many other business establishments around the Tri-Cities area, because the idea it encompasses is vital to the growth of our region. The acceptance of diversity and the inclusion of everyone are ideas here to stay: anything less will not be tolerated. vipseenmag.com

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special feature VIPSEEN

ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS FOUNDATION

Celebrates 10 Years of Giving STORY BY LEXIE LITTLE

Groggy students drudged into the Dobyns-Bennett Choral Room on November 4, 2013. With a morning high temperature near the mid-fifties and more than a month left in the semester, Christmas seemed like a lifetime away. But the teenage singers grabbed holiday sheet music off the lid of the old rehearsal piano and focused on nothing but Christmas.

Acoustic Christmas, that is.

With 30 minutes to spare before school started, the young musicians huddled in the choir room corner below the sole window, listening to Electric 94.9’s Jinger and Izzy in the Morning on mobile livestream.

“And here it is, the moment you’ve been waiting for, the 2013 Acoustic Christmas concert lineup: Fifth Harmony...

MKTO...Emblem3...Midnight Red...Jason Derulo...and...FALL OUT BOY...”

The announcement excited Tri-Cities teens and couples who clamored for tickets, just as it had in years past and would in years to follow with MTV Video Music award winners, Grammy nominees, and People’s Choice winners. However, the purpose of the annual December concert extends far beyond entertainment. For Grindstaff Kia of Johnson City and Bristol Broadcasting Company’s Electric 94.9, the 10-year-old concert series serves as a way to give back to the community – $10,000 at a time – through Grindstaff’s Acoustic Christmas Foundation.

The Freedom Hall Civic Center crew plays host to charttopping bands and artists, but for the Grindstaffs, respective regional charities remain the stars of the show. For 10 years, Ashley and husband Steve Grindstaff, owner of Grindstaff Kia, have sponsored the concert series benefiting a different local charity each year. In 2018, they reached $100,000 in donations to help those in need during the holiday season.

“My favorite part of the evening besides our amazing artists is what we’re able to do for our communities,” Grindstaff said at the 2016 concert, presenting a check to representatives from the Second Harvest Food Bank Backpack for Kids initiative.

“We don’t know how blessed we are in the United States of America to be able to be here tonight, to have food out on table, but there are some children in our area that need food the most.”

Grindstaff typically donates money raised to regional charities supporting children. Past recipients include the Sullivan and Carter County Sherriff’s Auxiliaries who provide toys to children at Christmas, the University School foundation in Johnson City, and the Junior League of Kingsport’s Children Exceeding Expectations school.

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Children Exceeding Expectations (CEE), which received a donation in 2012, exclusively educates children with cancer.

The second of its kind in the United States, the mission serves preschool and lower elementary aged children whose illnesses limit their abilities to attend school, plan birthday parties, or play with others. CEE helps children make the transition back to mainstream school after treatments and allows them to “grow socially, cognitively, and physically through theraplay.”

Then CEE Co-Chairs Hayley Dietrich and Jane Henry accepted the donation on behalf of the school.

“We were so honored when JLK’s CEE School was chosen as [the 2012] charity for Electric 94.9’s Acoustic Christmas,” they wrote in their Focus newsletter. “We were invited to attend the concert as VIPs and had to chance to mix and mingle with various entertainers...But, the biggest excitement of the night was when we were invited on stage to receive a check from Ashley Grindstaff.”

Despite the opportunity to meet Grammy-award winning band Train, Dietrich and Henry found the real thrill came from the funds used to bolster their educational plans and support annual Disney trips for families who need joy during a tumultuous time.

Education remains a central cause for Grindstaff Kia. The 2018 donation benefited the University School Foundation.

The East Tennessee State University School, a K-12 laboratory school, serves around 540 students and provides teachers in training with practical experience. The donation from Grindstaff Kia aids the school of choice in funding its mission: “Every child valued. Every child challenged. Every child successful...whatever it takes.”

University School took to social media to thank Grindstaff Kia, saying parents, students, and teachers are “so thankful for those who support [their] Bucs.”

The Grindstaffs send their twins to University School, seeing the need for funds first-hand. They also recognize that their school community, city, and region support their personal endeavors as well, adding to their desire to give back.

“It takes a village,” Grindstaff responded on the University School Facebook post from January 8, 2019. “We support those who have supported our business, too.”

With a decade of giving back and counting, the Grindstaffs continue to ensure that local students will have meals on the table, quality education, and a little fun through the sound of music, even when it’s not Christmas.

Johnson City MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE JOHNSON CITY EYE CLINIC!

OH MY! DINOSAURS AT THE PARADE?

BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY’S SPEEDWAY IN LIGHTS SLEIGH

Johnson City Christmas Parade and Whoville Village EVENT COVERED BY ALLISON GALLOWAY

The annual Christmas parade was held in downtown Johnson City on Saturday, December 1st. The parade went from ETSU through downtown and participants followed the theme “12 Days of Christmas.” Festive floats, marching bands, and more adorned the streets as attendees braved the rain to come out for this Johnson City tradition.

THE GRINCH WANTS PARADE GOERS TO FOLLOW HIM TO WHOVILLE!

Following the parade, the Pavilion was transformed into Whoville Village complete with Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch. It was a festive, family-friendly event with games, cookie decorating, coloring, ornament creating, reindeer-food making, and more!

For more information on events happening in downtown Johnson City, visit downtownjc.com.

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS!

LOVE 97.3 MEETING THE GRINCH AND CINDY LOU WHO IN WHOVILLE

ELVES FROM THE JOHNSON CITY COMMUNITY THEATRE

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FAITH FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH

EVENT COVERED BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

Tri-City Apartment Association (TCAA) used their December after hours event to help children in the communty. The group hosted the event December 6th. The group utilized the beautiful meeting area at Bank of Tennessee in Johnson City for this annual event.

RANDY CURDE AND BRENDA GREEN

MAC MCCLARINON AND TOMMY LEONARD

MARIA, RYAN, AND WILLIAM

Food was plentiful and provided by Justin and Christy Peters, and TCAA had a whole listing of sponsors to thank for helping them with this evening of fun.

Networking was not the only thing on the minds of those attending the event. The beginning of the holiday season had everyone thinking about those children that will get little or nothing without the help of others. TCAA urged each guest to come with a gift in hand for a needy child.

Among the things that TCAA asked for were coats, clothing, food, and monetary donations that go toward helping those having trouble with rent or other utility bills.

LORRAINE SCARAZZO AND SAMANTHA DISHNER

JULIE CAROLL, BRITNEY MUSSIER, LINDAY NICKELS, AND KRISTIN PETERSON

Guests dropped their gifts at the door and enjoyed and evening of laughter, food, and fun as TCAA wrapped up another successful year of hosting an after hours that helps the community.

Johnson City

Bank of Tennessee After Hours

Johnson City

LISA CARTER AND STAN HICKSON

BRAD PRICE, ALAN LEVINE, AND DEAN BORSOS

Johnson City/Washington County Chamber Breakfast EVENT COVERED BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

It was a packed house at the Millennium Center in Johnson City as Ballad Health helped host the Johnson City/ Washington County Chamber of Commerce breakfast.

The spotlight of the morning was on the new program being launched by Ballad Health that would add pediatric emergency rooms at its facilities to better aid the smallest patients.

Director of Niswonger Children’s Hospital Lisa Carter also spoke about a new program that allows video technology to link the regional children’s hospital to other Ballad facilities. This will allow those in more rural areas of the region to have access to the best pediatric specialists via tele-med links.

The most serious patients can be stabilized before being transferred to Niswonger but will allow those that can stay closer to home to be treated for minor issues.

Carter then showed Ballad’s latest promotion featuring some of the cutest kids Niswonger could find to explain the children’s facility.

After the program, the chamber leaders got down to the business of recognizing several new members to the chamber.

They included a variety of local businesses from occupational therapy to a craft works businesses.

Three very lucky chamber members walked away with a themed gift set made up of items donated by various chamber members.

The giant collections included grills, gift cards, and plenty of other goodies.

If you’d like to learn more about the Johnson City/Washington County Chamber of Commerce, you can find them online at johnsoncitychamber.com.

RONALD STILTNER, KEVIN HARKNESS, AND TIM BELISLE TAMMIE HEATON, TRACEY GRAY, PATTI ROBERTS, AND ANNE GODFREY

GARY MABRY AND ANDY DIETRICH

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Perfect giis for brides and bridesmaids!

DR. LARRY CALHOUN AND HAOWEI TONG

MOLLY LUTON

KELLIE WEAVER AND JOY MCCRAY

BECKY JONES AND SUSAN CHASE

SCIENCE HILL JRROTC PRESENT THE COLORS

of Johnson City

2 51 5 N O R T H R OA N S T. J O H N S O N C I T Y, T N KRISTEN SCHABERT, GREG VEST, ANDY DIETRICH, AND BO WHITAKER

@monkeesooohnsoncity www.monkeesooohnsoncity.com

Johnson City KATHY SOLT AND SUSIE COOPER

EDWARD AND BETHANY

JENNIFER AND JEFF SCHOONDYKE

Midnight in Paris New Year’s Eve Gala EVENT COVERED BY ALLISON GALLOWAY

Guests at Kari’s Heart Foundation’s Midnight in Paris New Year’s Eve Gala rang in 2019 while also supporting a great cause. The event marked the 10th annual New Year’s Eve Gala put on by Kari’s Heart Foundation and held at the Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City. The black-tie event also encouraged guests to dress in their best Parisian chic to match the theme. The night began with a silent auction that included many unique

CAROLINE AND KAMUSU CARLOR

ROSEMARY AND TONY CLABO

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items and experiences; attendees also enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and drinks. This was followed by a delicious dinner, a live band that provided music for the vibrant dance floor, and finally, a midnight champagne toast to bring in the new year.

All proceeds benefitted Kari’s Heart Foundation.

PATTI QUARLES AND JUNE ROMINGER

TONY ROMINGER AND DAVID MACKLEY

CHRIS REDDICK AND MECHELLE WOODSON

MELONY AND RANDY HENSLEY

KYMBERLI STINE AND DALE FLEENOR

Inspired by Kari Schoondyke who lost her battle with congenital heart disease on April 7, 2009, Kari’s Heart Foundation, Inc. is a faith based organization set up to provide a wide range of personal, financial, and social resources to families who are currently experiencing a healthcare crisis. For more information, visit karisheartfoundation.org or call 423-913-1171.

Johnson City DAN TOTH AND TRESSY SMITH

WANDA HALL AND MEREDITH SIEBER

DR. CHRISTINA AND KARA CHRISTIANSEN

Makeover Madness EVENT COVERED BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

It was madness at the Holiday Inn on Springbrook Drive in Johnson City…Makeover madness. The hotel played host to a variety of vendors for a women’s event aimed at making the outside feel as good as the inside.

MYRNA HART AND EVELYN HART WITH A PAINTING DONATED FOR THE AUCTION IN MEMORY OF MYRNA’S HUSBAND KYLE

ANGELA SHELTON POSES WITH THE PIC OF ONE OF THEIR MOST FAMOUS CLIENTS, INTERNATIONAL DRAG QUEEN EUREKA O’HARA

The event was a benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association and, although there was no cost to enter, it was suggested a donation be made.

Women could look at the latest clothing and hairstyles, talk about travel and relaxation methods, get help with skin care, or look for help with housework.

If shopping was on the agenda, you could find something at any of the vendors, or take a chance on one of the many auction items that were available for bid.

A different spin on this event was the mini-educational sessions held for the crowd on a variety of topics.

All proceeds go toward the Alzheimer’s Association. If you would like more information about the work that they do or how you can help they can be found at www.alz.org.

MICHAEL SMITH GETS A CHAIR MASSAGE FROM JIM LUMPKINS WHILE PAULA DUKES OBSERVES KATIE VACHON

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

TONYA GIBSON WITH LINDSAY WALKER

2020 Meadowview Pkwy #100, Kingsport, TN 37660 (423) 928-4080 | alz.org vipseenmag.com

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Johnson City TED THOMAS AND BILL BOSWELL

BARBARA BOSWELL AND SHARON BOREING

CHUCK AND CANDY STIELER

Washington County TN Federated Republican Women Fall Gala EVENT COVERED BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

The Washington County TN Federated Republican Women hosted their fall gala at Carnegie Hotel on November 28, 2018. The event featured a night of music, food, and comradery, and featured an upand coming conservative spokesman to round out the night.

The event was held in the 1st floor ballroom at the Carnegie hotel.

While it may be the fall gala, the holiday spirit was in the air with the beautifully decorated Christmas trees that line the way at the Carnegie Hotel.

Guests gathered for some friendly conversation before being led to the wonderful display of food selections awaiting them for dinner.

As some gathered in line, others took the opportunity to introduce themselves to the evening’s guest speaker, Mark Keith Robinson.

Robinson has been an internet political commentator for some time but made headlines last year as he delivered a message to a North Carolina city council discussing the cancellation of a local gun show.

His remarks went viral and set Robinson on the path of speaking at various republican functions throughout the country.

SAXOPHONE MUSIC FILLS THE AIR

Robinson says he feels a responsibility to speak out for conservative issues and uses his religious beliefs in a guide to his republican values. Robinson was accompanied by his wife, Yolanda, who says the early days of her husband’s internet work prepared her for taking this larger role of speaking within the republican party.

While everyone waited to hear Robinson speak, the women had a large variety of items all around the room that were open for bid at the silent auction. There was something there for even the most discriminate of shoppers, and the funds raised goes toward helping fund the Republican women’s organization.

The women were celebrated by many, who applauded their efforts of jumping straight from a hard campaign season in Tennessee, to planning and executing this event mere weeks afterward. For more information on this event or more on the involvement of this organization, you can find the on Facebook at Washington County TN Republican Women.

CANDY STIELER AND MARIE TOMA

MARK KEITH AND YOLANDA ROBINSON

SUSAN AND ALLAN JACKSON SHARA AND DEREK DARNELL

DARLENE AND JOE RANGAN, DONNA SELL, SHARA AND DEREK DARNELL

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FRANK AND JENNIFER LITTLE

CLARINDA ROE AND JUDY FOWLER

KYLE JOHNSON

MAYOR JENNY BROCK

CONGRESSMAN PHIL ROE

Sesquicentennial Kickoff Celebration EVENT COVERED BY ALLISON GALLOWAY

The year was 1969.

“I Heard it Through the Grape Vine” was the top song, man walked on the moon, and Johnson City, Tennessee celebrated its centennial year by burying a time capsule to be opened during Johnson City’s 150th anniversary in 2019. To kick off its sesquicentennial year, Johnson City held a celebration downtown on Saturday, January 5th where they unveiled the contents.

The time capsule contents included copies of articles from the Johnson City Press, typical boys and girls toys at the time, mail order catalogs from department stores, automobile catalogs, a copy of

the city budget in 1969, a sample of a water bill, maps of the city, educational reports, and so much more.

There was also a letter from Mayor Charles Gordon, the mayor of Johnson City in 1969, written to the mayor of 2019. Mayor Jenny Brock opened the letter during the celebration and read it to the crowd.

Historic photos of the city were on display, and there were activities for children to participate in the time capsule fun as well. Attendees also had the opportunity to record their own video message to be included in the time capsule to be buried this year and opened in 2069.

The Sesquicentennial Commission is planning to highlight a different facet of Johnson City history each month as the year-long celebration continues.

For more information on upcoming events, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JCTN150.

ANGELA RADFORD LEWIS

TIMMY AND GABRIEL NORMAN WITH CAKEBUDS

DONNA NOLAND WITH THE SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMISSION

SHANNON JONES, PRESIDENT OF KIWANIS

BRYAN LAUZON AND RAY DARTEZ

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Johnson City DAVID CARTER

JENY WALKER AND MABEL ROGERS

WREATHS ACROSS MOUNTAIN HOME NATIONAL CEMETERY

Wreaths Across America EVENT COVERED BY LINDA COFFEY

“Wreaths Across America” honored fallen veterans at Mountain Home National Cemetery on Saturday, December 15th.

The national organization sent 1.75 million wreaths to 1,640 locations to honor the heroes. The effort to place wreaths on the graves began in 1992 at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Since that time, the program has expanded to cemeteries across the country to remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

The weather for Saturday’s event was perfect as the crowds gathered for the opening ceremony. Allen Jackson served as Master of Ceremonies, and Ernie Walker opened with an invocation. The National Anthem was performed by Cindy Thurlow as members of Sullivan South JROTC presented the flag. Remembrance Wreaths where displayed to honor those who served in the different branches

LT. COL LINDY WILLIAMS TALKS OVER THE PROGRAM WITH ALLEN JACKSON

of the military. David Carter, the local organizer for the program, encouraged everyone who placed a wreath on a grave to step back, salute the grave, and name the person out loud so that their name was “carried on the wind.”

7,100 wreaths were placed at Mountain Home National Cemetery by thousands of volunteers and local organizations. Mr. Carter shared hopes that next year other sections will be covered with wreaths until one day every veteran will be honored. Individuals are invited to sponsor a wreath, volunteer, or make donations towards the wreaths. Volunteering and donating provides an opportunity to join a grateful nation in saying “thank you” to our veterans. To learn more about “Wreaths Across America,” visit their website at wreathsacrossamerica.org.

TROOP CRES AND PACK 240 PLACING THE WREATHS

BUD DAVIS, ERNIE RUMSBY, AND BRENDA SHELTON

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ERNIE WALKER WATAUGA VALLEY FIFE AND DRUM CORP

PARADE TO THE CEREMONY

JAMES AND FRED ROUNTREE

ERNIE RUMSBY

PLACING SERVICE WREATHS

KENNY MARKLAND, JANE AND DAVID DOAN, WITH TOM VAUGHAN

Johnson City MELISSA AND GASTON ALDERMAN

ISABELE TELLEZ AND NIKKI CHAUDHARI

ANGIE AND ISLA LEWIS WITH TAYLOR AND RACHEL TURNER

2018 Girls on the Run Fall 5K EVENT COVERED BY ALLISON GALLOWAY

RAVEN AND DANIELLE DIXON

TORI STREET AND LAURA CUSICK

NORTH SIDE ELEMENTARY

It was a chilly Saturday morning in December to run 3.1 miles, but hundreds of participants showed up at ETSU Thomas Stadium to run the Girls on the Run Fall 5k. The race was a celebration of the end of the season for Girls on the Run that started in September. Elementary school girls practiced twice a week leading up to the race.

TARA, CHLOE, AND HAYLEY

NICKIE AND SHYANNE

Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a lifechanging non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running.

NORTHEAST TENNESSEE Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington, TN; Scott and Washington counties, VA

RACHEL AND BEATRICE

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Jessica Thomas | jessica.thomas@girlsontherun.org 423-677-3595 | gotrnetn.org

Jonesborough DR. WILLIAM FLANNARY AND LAVON

BETHANY, LAURA, DEAWNA, AND DEANNE

MASTER PATROL JEFFERS, KALEIGH, AND SIERRA

STEPHANIE AND SHELLIE

K-9 OFFICER LOKI WAS A HIT WITH THE KIDS

SGT. LITTLE AND COYAN

CHASE, LORENA, AND GABBY

Washington County Shop with a Cop and Firefighter Celebration EVENT COVERED BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

It’s close to Christmastime and several children are getting a special treat while meeting some great new friends. It was the 10th annual Shop with a cop and firefighter event in Washington County, Tennessee.

First responders, deputies, EMTs, troopers; this group had it all, and each officer was excited to have a child to help shop for the holidays.

The night started at the Jonesborough Visitor’s Center where each child was paired with a professional or two. Pizza and snacks were on hand and each child got to know their partner for the night.

Over 100 children are served, 130 gifts given, and $22,000 dollars raised for the event, according to coordinator Major J. Aistrop and his wife. The two have planned this event for months: always making room for a new name to be added to the list.

SGT. HALL AND TROOPER RIMER ELLIE AND TIA

After eating, the children boarded a Clarke tour bus and headed out to the local stores for shopping. The bus traveled in style, however, with a parade of police and first responder vehicles escorting them to their destination. The children were able to purchase gifts from Santa’s big list for the family members that were most important to them. While this was going on, parents waiting on children were given and extra surprise gift for them and their siblings to have something under the tree for Christmas morning.

Aistrop says children are preselected based on need and a suggestion from the local school systems. He says the event is a chance for public servants to meet the children in a positive setting.

Some children only get to interact with them in their official capacity and this event can bring them together.

DEPUTY SHERIFF FITZGERALD AND ELLIE

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Jonesborough GREG AND TERRY DRONE

BECKY RUSSELL AND FILOMENA MORAN

CINDY THURLOW, RONDA PAULSON, AND HOPE SHEESLEY

Isaiah117 House Fundraiser EVENT COVERED BY ALLISON GALLOWAY

On Friday, November 30th, the Edward Jones office in Boones Creek held an open house where guests brought Christmas presents to donate to the children of Isaiah117 House. This was the final fundraiser of the year for Cindy Thurlow’s Edward Jones branch, which has hosted several events in 2018 in support of local charities for their Commitment to Compassion campaign.

ANNE, MARK, AND ZAC ESTEP

EVELYN TETREAULT, MARGE LUCAS, AND LAURIE O’NEILL

KAREN AND JOHN KESTNER

LEO AND CINDY THURLOW BOB AND LAURIE O’NEILL

JERRY AND BEVERLY LOVEGROVE

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The mission of Isaiah117 House is to provide physical and emotional support in a safe and loving home for children awaiting foster care placement. Isaiah117 provides a comforting home where these children instead can be brought to wait – a place that is safe with friendly and loving volunteers who provide clean clothes, smiles, toys, and snuggly blankets. This space allows children to receive the comfort and care they need while Department of Children’s Services staff are able to do the necessary paperwork and identify a good foster placement.

Currently, Isaiah117 House serves Carter, Unicoi, and Johnson Counties in Northeast Tennessee, and their hope is to partner with others to add homes that serve children in all regions throughout the state of Tennessee and beyond. For more information, please visit www.isaiah117house.com

Jonesborough

DARRELL FOWLER IS CONDUCTOR FOR TODAY

VIOLET, DANIELLE, AND ROB KESLING

Chuckey Depot Breakfast with Santa EVENT COVERED BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

Pajama clad children had wide eyes and full tummies as they gathered in downtown Jonesborough at the Chuckey Depot. It gives the children two treats they love, Santa and trains, all in one stop.

The breakfast with Santa was a limited seating event.

Children and their parents could select from one of three onehour time slots to enjoy breakfast, hear Santa read a story, and get some one-on-one time with the big, jolly guy.

OLIVER LIKES PLAYING WITH THE TRAINS

Even the adults got in on the fun. Chik-fil-A not only provided the breakfast, but also brought two very special guests. The cow hung out in the train car outside the depot, and if you looked close, you could find West Market Street owner Darrell Fowler working overtime as the conductor for the event.

During the second hour of the breakfast morning, kids got a major treat when an actual train came through, letting the kids stand on the revamped loading platform and watch it pass.

JESSICA THOMAS, GRIFFIN CUSICK, LAURA CUSICK, AND TRENT THOMAS

The breakfast is one of several events being help at the depot.

The train station was moved to downtown Jonesborough and turned into a train museum after being saved from demolition.

For more information on future events at the depot, they can be found on Face Book at Chuckey Depot Museum.

ELYNN, RAMSEY, SOPHIE, AND RHEMI KERIBETH, CORBEN, AND FINN

RACHEL AND ELIZA CONGER PHOTO BOMBED BY SANTA

Jonesborough Jonesborough Christmas Parade of Lights EVENT COVERED BY ERIC DONAHUE

Every year, the city of Jonesborough hosts a unique parade for our region.

The annual Christmas parade takes place at night in an effort to showcase the floats with their decorated Christmas lights. The parade is set in the backdrop of the beautiful historic downtown Jonesborough and highlights many musical floats including choirs and other musical talents. Of course no Christmas parade would be complete without a visit from Santa. Children and adults alike giggled and laughed as the parade passed by. The cold weather did not distract from the delightful parade and all of its participants.

If you missed it this year make sure to add this to your calendar for the upcoming 2019 holiday plans. You can find more information by visiting www.jonesboroughtn.org

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EVENT COVERED BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

Kingsport

Regional Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Regionalism is the buzzword for 2018 and it was put into action on December 5 , 2018 as area chamber of commerce members gathered together to do a little networking and a lot of good for the community.

The Regional Chamber Membership Breakfast was hosted by Eastman Credit Union and held at Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.

NICOLE BRIGGS, KIM SISELY, KELLIE WEAVER, AND DONNA ROBERTS

The event is just one of the many events happening in the area with a focus on regionalism. The idea that the region is better as a whole to attract businesses and industry, quality workers, and new citizens to our area. It also focused on what a difference we can make in our region if we all work together.

Johnson City Chamber President Andy Dietrich introduced the event sponsor, Jeremiah Lounds of ECU, spoke of the impact both area chambers and regional charities like Second Harvest impacts the community.

Second Harvest Director Rhonda Chafin gave everyone a look at just how much of an impact Second Harvest is making in alleviating food insecurity in the region.

ANDY DIETRICH AND LORA BARNETT

JOHN ROTY AND DEBBIE PENCARINHA

Everyone then moved the the best part of the day, work time.

Volunteers gathered together and assembled food bags that are used for the Second Harvest back-pack program that gives children that are food insecure food so that don’t go hungry on the days school is not in session.

Anyone wishing for more information on Second Harvest Food Bank at netfoodbank.org.

THE LEADING LADIES FOR OUR AREA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE WORKING HARD TO MAKE A BETTER REGION.

SHELLEY HUBER AND RHONDA CHAFIN

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee has led the effort to end hunger in the region since 1986, serving Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties. They are a member of the Feeding America Network and a 501 (c) 3 organization. Food bank programs that provide direct service include: The Food for Kids Backpack Program, Summer Food Service Program, The Kids Café Program, The Mobile Food Bank, and the Mobile Food Pantry.

Director: Rhonda Chafin 1020 Jericho Drive, Kingsport, TN 37663 info@netfoodbank.org | 423-279-0430

STEVE AND BILL DARDEN

JOSIE RUSSELL, RICK HUGHES, AND CECILE WIMBERLY

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tastes

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Perfect Pairing Tuscan Herb Infused Olive Oil + Traditional 18-Year Barrel Aged Balsamic Condimento FACT Think of the membranes of your cells like a helium balloon. You think it’s a solid mass. You fill it with helium. 2-3 days later, it begins to deflate because microscopically it has pores. Likewise, microscopically, the membranes of our cells have pores. Whether you’re eating organic products or not, if you don’t coat your food in a good fat, the nutrients of the food you eat will simply bounce off the cell walls and head on out of your body. There’s nothing to ABSORB them INTO the membranes of your cells. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the healthy fat of choice to use. Ultra Premium EVOO is both lab-tested and taste-panel tested to the highest standards in the industry so you can be certain it will give you the great benefit of transporting the nutrients of the foods you consume directly into your cells thereby nourishing your body on a cellular level and making you feel full both after and between meals.

WHERE TO FIND THIS WONDER PRODUCT? ABINGDON OLIVE OIL COMPANY has exclusive privileges to offer Ultra Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oils in this region. Stop in and let our expert tour guides start you on your journey to healthy food consumption today.

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Welcome to VIPSEEN’s new food column. My name is K.C. St. Louis and I am the owner of Abingdon Olive Oil. We have two locations in the Tri-Cities and we have 76 varieties of oils and vinegars making for endless heart healthy combinations. Our oils are salt-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, gluten-free, carb-free, MSG-free and GMO-free. Every FREE, but fat-free! But it’s an important fat to consume.

Each bottle of oil and vinegar we offer holds many recipes within. Over the coming months, we will share the many ways we play with the various flavors whilst sneaking a heart healthy fact in here and there.

To begin, use them ...

• • • • • • • • • •

As salad dressings and bread dippers Over hummus On steel cut oats or granola On fruit, on yogurt, in smoothies, on ice cream For roasting nuts To start or finish eggs On any sandwich Underneath pound cake Over or under most cheeses, soft or hard, chilled or baked On any meat, fish, poultry, fruit or vegetable baked, roasted or sautéed, grilled or chilled

Think of our fine olive oils and vinegars as your paintbrushes. Use them to create your culinary works of art. Experiment as any artist would ... a dollop of this ... a drizzle of that. Some of our flavors add subtle significance to your favorite foods and recipes while others splash bold strokes of brilliance! What will best describe your next masterpiece? Rembrandt or Picasso?!

EZPZ 18-Year Barrel Aged Balsamic Roasted Tomatoes from The Happy Hearts Kitchen This recipe is as simple as it is delectable.

Add these tomatoes to enhance any pasta dish, an ensemble of roasted vegetables, or any soup or stew. Use them to top grilled or roasted fish or chicken breast. Spoon over beef brisket or fillet and sprinkle with bleu cheese. Top your favorite pizza! Use in an egg strata or omelet. Hide in biscuits or roll up in crescent rolls before baking. Add cream and chicken stock for an awesome bisque. Or try your hand at our EZPZ Tomato Brie Phyllo Cups!

INGREDIENTS Cherry or Roma tomatoes AOOC 18-Year Traditional Balsamic AOOC Tuscan Herb OO Salt & Pepper to taste DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees 2. Wash and pat dry tomatoes. Gently toss with AOOC Tuscan Herb OO and vigorous amount salt and pepper.

3. Gently spread out on parchment-lined sheet pan.

4. Roast the tomatoes 20-25 minutes. You want them to pop open and caramelize a little bit.

5. While still warm, finish with 18-Year Balsamic.

6. Serve hot or cold with small pitcher of the Traditional BV Reduction.

7. Enjoy!

Kingsport TANTY, ANNALISE, AND JIMMY SHELTON

AUDREY, VIVIENNE, AND ABRIELLE

DAKOTA AND ELLA

Kingsport Intercity Ballet Tea with Clara EVENT COVERED BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

Little ones were dressed in their finest with their eyes wide, full of awe and wonder. They watch intently at every pointed toe and pirouette as the characters come to life, twirling past the tables. Every character is more mesmorizing than before, the mice, the doll, and then the sugar plum fairy and, of course, Clara.

This was the scene at the ReNEWed Coffee Company in Kingsport on December 1, 2018 as they hosted the Kingsport Intercity Ballet’s 2nd annual Tea with Clara. The inaugural event was so successful, that this year they group moved to this larger venue. It was a successful second year, as the event was at full capacity.

The tea gives young little ones the ability to get up close and personal with one of our

MEG AND MADISON

favorite holiday traditions, The Nutcracker Ballet. Guests were served a variety of sweet treats and had a chance to get to know the dancers behind their favorite characters.

Many of those attending had dancing dreams of their own. A few of them were in their first year of performing with ballet and were dancing their first parts in the Kingsport Intercity Ballet’s performaces this year. They enjoyed asking questions of the older girls dancing for them this day.

The event was such a success, the group is already in talks to host the event for another group of dreamy eyed children next year.

Proceeds from the event goes to support the hosts of the event, Kingsort Intercity Ballet. That organization has worked for over thirty years to bring excellence in classical ballet to the region.

ALLISON AND SARA STEWART WITH DOROTHY RATCLIFF

BRIELLE, KAYLEY, AND WILLIAM

BARRY BRICKEY

Intercity Ballet Theatre It is the mission of Intercity Ballet Theatre to promote and foster an appreciation of classical ballet and the Arts through professional quality performances, dance education, and community outreach.

For more information on the Kingsport Intercity Ballet please contact them at www.intercityballet.org.

Artistic Director, Dorothy Ratcliff dhratcliff@chartertn.net | (423) 246-2199

MADDIE, CORINNE, AND ELLA

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MAELIN, CHARLI, AND ADREINNE STEWART

or Linda Bacon Lindab@chartertn.net

Kingsport TEAM GALAXY

CREATORS OF 4WESOMENESS

The STREAMWORKS Mission is to create Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STREAM) initiatives that are designed to promote rigorous STEM activities and competitions in our community. Ultimately, STREAMWORKS will cultivate and nourish an environment of critical and innovative thinkers which will foster a future workforce dedicated to help fulfill critical skills gap in hi-demand technology career fields. STREAMWORKS will work through the establishment of robotics teams and competitions over a variety of STEM disciplines to fulfill this goal. For more information, please visit streamworkseducation.org.

MOON FORCE 2.0

FIRST LEGO League Competition SPACE MONKEYS EXPLORE

EVENT COVERED BY ALLISON GALLOWAY

On Saturday, December 8th, Kingsport was the site for the largest LEGO robotics competition in Tennessee – the second annual Model City FIRST LEGO League “Into Orbit” robotics competition qualifier and FIRST LEGO League Jr. “Mission Moon” Expo.

In the FIRST LEGO League competition, teams of students from 4th to 8th grades research a real-world problem such as food safety, recycling, energy, etc., and are challenged to develop a solution. They also must design, build, program a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS®, then compete on a table-top playing field.

The FIRST LEGO League Jr. competition is designed to introduce STEM concepts to kids, ages 6 to 10. In the Mission Moon challenge, the teams transport to the moon, where they make the rules, learn to thrive in a new environment and explore their surroundings.

The competition was presented by STREAMWORKS powered by Eastman.

JACKSON’S MOON WALKERS

ROOSEVELT MOON WALKERS

LEGOS GALORE

LOVE CHAPEL LUNAR LIONS

THUNDER CLAPS

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TRACEY AND STEVE EDWARDS

THE JOHNSON FAMILY

LUCY AND JOE FLEMING

Downtown Kingsport Parade and Tree Lighting EVENT COVERED BY LINDA COFFEY

The holiday spirit was evident in Downtown Kingsport on Saturday, December 1st, as the town gathered for the parade and annual lighting of the Christmas tree on Church Circle. For the second year, the parade was held at night with lots of festive lighting for the event. Area High School bands decorated their instruments with Christmas lights and several participants wore necklaces and hats lighting up the parade.

Rain began during the parade, but it did not dampen the spirits of those attending. Umbrellas were shared among friends and family.

Grand marshal Ernie Rumsby traveled along the parade route in a vintage Mercedes Benz. Mr. Rumsby is president of the Tri-Cities Military Affairs Council.

Cindy Lemons and Josh Smith served as emcees for the event and shared information about each parade entry.

After Santa Claus made an appearance riding on a City of Kingsport fire truck, Tracey and Steve Edwards led the crowd in caroling, and the countdown began for the official lighting of the Christmas tree. Candles were lit as the tree illuminated the darkness and the season of Hope and Light was celebrated.

THE ARNOLD FAMILY

KETA HAWLEY

OH, CHRISTMAS TREE!

MISS KINGSPORT’S TEEN ELIZABETH CLAPP AND JUDY CLAPP

TRACEY EDWARDS AND CINDY LEMONS

MAYOR JOHN AND ETTA CLARK

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LAMPLIGHT THEATRE

ABBEY AND OLIVIA DORAN

ALL SMILES!

Kingsport ERNIE RUMSBY, BILL KILGORE, AND BOB HAYWOOD

BOB FEAGINS AND ANDY DIETRICH

STEVE AND TRIDA LAHAIR

Kingsport Chamber Holiday Breakfast EVENT COVERED BY ERIC DONAHUE

COLONIAL HEIGHTS DENTAL

JOHN T. WILLIAMS, BOB FEATHERS, AND LORI PAYNE

This year the Kingsport Chamber holiday breakfast did not disappoint. The outgoing chairman Bob Feathers, president of WorkSpace Interiors and owner of East Coast Wings Grill, hosted a beautiful breakfast. While Bob showcased the achievements of the past year, chair-elect Lori Payne shared plans for 2019. The festivities were highlighted by the beautiful music of several members of the Dobyns-Bennett orchestra and harpist, Christa Wenger. One of the special moments of the morning was when Larry Estepp was presented with the lifetime member award.

The Kingsport Chamber Lifetime Member Award goes to an individual who has made an enormous contribution to the Kingsport Chamber and the community throughout his or her lifetime. Larry is the 33rd recipient of the award. “Humble.

Kind. Smart. Dedicated. Loyal. Giving. Respected. Admired. Servant Leader. These are just a few of the many words I could use to describe Larry Estepp,” said Miles Burdine, Kingsport Chamber president and CEO. “For years, Larry has given of his time, talents and heart to make this a great community…and he has done so with a gentle, generous and selfless spirit. He embodies servant leadership and his generosity and volunteer commitment have touched many lives. His business and economic leadership for our city will make a tremendous impact on this community and region for years and years to come. This is a much-deserved honor and we are so happy to present it to him.”

This annual breakfast is quickly becoming one of the most popular events for the holidays. The chamber truly goes out of its way to appreciate the members and volunteers in the community who support our region’s growth and development.

For more information on upcoming events and how you can participate visit kingsportchamber.org.

KATY WILSON, BRITTANY HARR, HOLLY SAMS, AND CHRISTA WENGER

LARRY AND TERESA ESTEPP

DR. BRENDA WHITE WRIGHT AND MILES BURDINE

TOM PARHAM AND MAYOR JOHN CLARK

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JOSEY, MATTI-JO, AND TAYLOR

HANNAH AND LAUREN

REV. BILLY WAYNE AND NONNA ARRANTS

Lamplight Theatre New Year’s Eve Gala and Show EVENT COVERED BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

Lamplight Theatre proves that you don’t need the typical New Year’s Eve festivities to bring in the New Year on a great note. While there may not have been thumping music and alcohol, there was lots of laughter, joyous songs, and a community that came together to hear words of encouragement and challenge for the New Year ahead.

The evening started with a Gala dinner. Chicken, lasagna, salad, and a table filled to the brim with sweet goodies. After a time of fellowship with old friends and meeting new ones, the festivities moved from the Emporium, the event space owned by the theatre, to the Lamplight itself.

Rev. Billy Wayne, who runs lamplight theatre, opened the entertainment with songs. Emceeing and

KARLA BAILEY AND REV. BILLY WAYNE

ANITA TORBETT

performing is just one of the many hats he wears. Wayne not only runs the organization, he also helps decorate the buildings, writes the plays, holds rehearsals and Bible studies, builds sets, and so much more to make Lamplight the premiere Christian theatre in the region.

Wayne works with 300-400 volunteers yearly to hold performances for the whole family. Wayne says he is delighted to provide good wholesome and entertaining fun for all.

Wayne then brought in the New Year with gratitude of the hard work of volunteers that will put on a show every weekend of the upcoming year. He also gave those in attendance words of reflection of the year coming to an end, and a look at concentrating on the difference one can make in the New Year and how looking to God is the best plan for a successful new year.

DEBBIE VANDERHEYDEN AND SUSAN DEPEW

STEPHANIE AND JADA

Lamplight theatre is a non-profit ministry that is located at 140 Broad Street in Kingsport, Tennessee. The theatre opened in 2013 and operates as part of Vision Productions under the director of the Rev. Billy Wayne.

The theatre’s goal is to offer quality, wholesome entertainment that promotes both family and Christian values. The theatre and its sister property, The Emporium (located next door), are used for theatre productions, dinner theatre, concerts, conferences, and seasonal events.

TIMOTHY AND ANASTASIA

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THE LOVELY MISS ADAMARIE IS A STAPLE AT THE THEATRE

Lamplight has over 200 volunteers that give their time to the charity. Anyone interested in learning more about Lamplight Theatre can contact Rev. Billy Wayne at (423) 343-1766 or by email at billy@billywayne.net.

Kingsport 2018 KOSBE AWARD WINNERS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDA COFFEY | STORY BY LEXIE LITTLE

In a region built by industry, small businesses thrive thanks to community investment rooted in respect, education, collaboration, and results. The Kingsport Office of Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship (KOSBE) focuses its mission on just that: helping small businesses to thrive.

Formed in 2004 through a joint venture between the City of Kingsport and Kingsport Chamber, the KOSBE team works to foster development of startup and small businesses in the Tri-Cities area. Through partnerships with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC), East Tennessee State University, Eastman, and the Kingsport Economic Development Board (KEDB), the organization aids entrepreneurs as they venture into the market, form businesses, write business plans and reviews, obtain government contracts, and plan for the future – a future built on the success of small businesses recognized annually at the KOSBE Awards.

This year’s KOSBE Awards will celebrate 25 years of support for entrepreneurs in Kingsport and the surrounding region. The annual award program remains the longest running of its kind in Kingsport. The awards originated as the Kingsport Chamber Small Business Contest in 1994 and transitioned to a KOSBE-run endeavor with its inception 10 years later.

Recognizing more than 10 categories of owners and businesses, the KOSBEs promote economic growth, tenacity, and community connection directly related to the region’s tax base.

KOSBE Executive Director Aundrea Wilcox discerns celebration of small businesses as a necessary duty. With more than 3,500 small businesses supporting the economic tax imprint, the region finds substantial support from proprietors with fewer than 150 employees.

“It’s [the community’s] job to recognize and celebrate [small businesses],” Wilcox said in the 2018 call for entries. Organizers changed the nomination process last year, allowing anyone to nominate deserving enterprises and accommodating limited time.

“In the past, we found that there are a lot of business owners who are too busy to apply,” Past KOSBE Advisory Council Chairman Sam Booher said in the same statement. “It was also extremely tough on

the judges to sit in a room for eight or more hours for two straight days, to listen to Shark Tank style pitches.”

Five small business authorities judge each category based on nominations and field interviews, all in efforts to reward the tight-knit enterprises behind the region’s continued development. After reviewing necessary criteria and conducting 10-15 minute spontaneous interviews with finalists, KOSBE announces winners at a special recognition event.

Honda of Kingsport General Manager Russ Rogers serves as the 2019 council chairman working to organize the silver anniversary recognitions.

“It is such an honor to play a role in KOSBE,” Rogers said. “It’s a machine in the background that no one thinks about working in the trenches on a daily basis face-to-face and with entrepreneurs; with the sole purpose of helping businesses grow.”

MeadowView Marriot Conference and Convention Center hosts the recognition celebration open to the public by ticket purchase. KOSBE recognizes outstanding for-profit small businesses not exceeding $10 million in previous-year revenue. Past winners represent an array of industries including spas, window cleaners, food trucks, dentists, restaurants, media, jewelry retailers, and fitness and health experts – each providing niche services to Tri-Citians.

The 2019 KOSBE Awards, slated for December 5, will honor diverse local businesses and leaders following the examples of those honored December 13, 2018 and prior, continuing a tradition of pride in small business endeavors. This year, KOSBE invites all regional small businesses to enter.

Nominations are also open for the KOSBE IMPACT Award granted to an outstanding individual who contributes significantly to a single small business or the small business community. The IMPACT Award recognizes a community member committed to innovation, integrity, and leadership in the small business sphere who makes an “impact” through his or her actions.

Entries for the 2019 awards are now open. To nominate a business or individual, visit KOSBE.org. All entries are free of charge. vipseenmag.com

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CHRIS AND LAURA WOODS

BRAD AND LEIGH ANN HOOVER

JENNIFER VICARS, ASHLEY MOHR, AND SHENOAH BRADLEY

SAM BOOHER

CHAIBA BLOOMER AND TRAMARA DARNELL NICK AND ALLIE ADAMS

DARRELL AND ALESIA DINSMORE

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MARGARET AND DAVID DOUTHAT

TREYANA HUGHES, CAROLINE JONES, VANESSA BENNETT, AND ALISHA NAPIER

KATIE PRENDERGAST AND AUSTIN WILLIS PATTY AND JEFF BARGER

Food Business Excellence Santa Fe Mexican Grill on East Stone Drive proved the best candidate nominated in the category open to all entities related to food and drink. Revitalizing the former Pizza Hut location, owner Teo Barrios turned the space into a Mexican food destination.

The Spanish revival style exterior stands out among the row of chain restaurants and American eateries with a porch where patrons enjoy margaritas from the bar or snack on chips, salsa, and guacamole.

Santa Fe Mexican Grill offers a variety of Mexican dishes including enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, and gorditas. However, the kitchen staff remains versatile with twists on American favorites like burgers and steaks. Seafood, chicken, four healthy combos, and various vegetarian options round out the menu, allowing customers ample choices. The grill also prides itself on freshness, making tortillas daily.

Customers enter to the smell and sight of the tortilla station where each comes out hot.

The staff at Santa Fe always welcomes guests to enjoy the food and atmosphere; which are “always fresh, always good.”

Santa Fe Mexican Grill supports the Kingsport community and education by hosting school spirit nights for local elementary and middle schools, with 15 percent of sales during events directly benefiting educational funds.

New Business Excellence Taylor’s Martial Arts Academy (TMAA) kicks

negativity aside as the dojo team teaches children, teens, and adults skills to develop physical and mental strength.

Positive reinforcement fosters social skills, self-defense, and confidence through TMAA’s program focused on “victory through character.” The academy’s character helped it to earn the new business award recognizing companies less than 3-years-old.

Head instructors Chandler and Landon Taylor maintain a mission to prove martial arts is “so much more than just kicking and punching and getting the next colorful belt.” The teen team leads more than 150 clients, drawing from personal past encounters with bullying and confidence-building to better lives, one body movement at a time. Taking over for Masters Glenn and Amanda Olson, the pair’s former teachers, the Taylor family has managed its own studio since January 2, 2017 with mother Twana Taylor at the helm.

Classes connect mind and body to encourage discipline and respect through exercise and group interaction. Children ages three to seven train for 30 minutes in the KUBS and Dragons programs to learn Taekwondo basics while students ages eight to 12 learn proper techniques in 45-minute classes leading to black belt tests. The academy also offers hour-long adult programs for those 13 and older.

The North Eastman Road location serves the Tri-Cities, Jonesborough, Blountville, Piney Flats, Rogersville, and other surrounding areas. TMAA plans to expand the 2,500-square-foot studio to accommodate two classrooms and new programs.

Franchise Business Excellence When Tri-Cities residents want to make their homes cleaner, they often turn to Stanley Steemer. The Kingsport franchise employs 12 individuals dedicated to eliminating dirt and grime from carpet, rugs, tile, grout, hardwood and vehicles.

Kingsport

2018 KOSBE Award Winners

Five service vehicles traverse the region from Abingdon, Virginia, to Green Mountain, North Carolina, where technicians clean, provide emergency water restoration, and sell and install carpet. The Stanley Steemer team also identifies the composition of and services hard-to-clean area and oriental rugs. Customers can count on a call from the Stanley Steemer team following their service to resolve any remaining questions or concerns.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America certified Stanley Steemer as the first allergy-friendly carpet cleaning service, removing around 94 percent of common household allergens through its processes.

Though the company prides itself on servicing individual homes, the Kingsport franchise invests in the community as a whole. Stanley Steemer sponsors area school events and supports non-profit organizations and events like the Jericho Shriners and Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure.

The Kingsport location is one of many franchises in the 72-year-old company’s network. Stanley Steemer, founded in Dublin, Ohio, has more than 280 locations in 49 states. The Kingsport franchise is operated by Scott McKelvy who worked as operations manager before purchasing the franchise in 2003.

Woman-Owned Business Excellence Moon Tuxedo Sales & Rental is a local staple and finds itself in the closet of many a young man: a white prom t-shirt with a cartoon man mooning the world beneath his tuxedo. Some see the shirts as a funny memento, but others see it as a mark of success.

Since 1973, family-owned and operated Moon Tuxedo in Kingsport has tailored the Tri-Cities with fine formal wear for proms, weddings, and galas.

Trained professionals measure males of all ages for rental and retail tuxedos, shirts, suits, shoes and ties. Moon Tuxedo makes alterations on-site and offer same-day service for black tie emergencies. Employees welcome walk-ins Monday through Saturday. Though no appointments are necessary, owner Joni Haynes and employees encourage a set time to conduct fittings.

Haynes often showcases her business at local expos like the Premier Bride Wedding Expo on January 20 at the Kingsport Civic Center and the annual Prom and Mom Expo presented by the Women’s Symphony Committee each November.

Moon Tuxedo, located on Jack White Drive, also invites clients to send measurements and event dates online at moontuxedo.com to ensure correct and quick service.

Employees expect rental returns the first business day after an event. From 3T to 3X, Moon Tuxedo offers rentals at any time. vipseenmag.com

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Retail Business Excellence

Service Business Excellence

Just Dandy Boutique helps women of all sizes to find clothing that fits, well, “just dandy.” Whether customers wear a small or a 3X large, Just Dandy outfits customers with dresses, tops, tunics, shoes, and accessories.

Since October 21, 2016, the Bloomingdale location behind CVS Pharmacy and Dunkin Donuts has gained attention with gift card giveaways, one-day sales, and inventory for every season. More than 3,500 followers on Facebook follow the retailer, which offers online orders and storefront next to Intimate Treasures in Kingsport.

Boutique owners Courtney Goad and Tandy Lawson serve local women seeking a perfect fit. Goad and Lawson believe women should make clothing decisions based on actual body measurements to create the most comfortable feel. Goad, Lawson, and other workers model clothing and post their own measurements (based on standard sewing tape measures) to assist local women in the shopping process.

The Just Dandy staff understands the importance of building connections in the region, working with partners like Signs and Designs Dunn Right in Weber City, Virginia, to create branded t-shirts and Tennessee and Virginia decals. However, thanks to online shopping options, sales extend far beyond Bloomingdale – some as far as Michigan’s upper peninsula – bringing money to the area.

Veteran-Owned Business Excellence

With locations in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Colonial Heights, the team of doctors and hygienists at Martin Dentistry understand community bond – one built on family.

For four decades, Martin Dentistry has prided itself on a family feel. Dr. Timothy Martin, who retired in 2017, operated his practice with son Kevin who continues to serve East Tennessee after 15 years.

“We really strive to make our patients feel like they’re a part of our family,” the younger Martin, now operating the practice, says in his website introduction video. “Your family is going to take very good care of you.”

Martin Dentistry employs six dentists trained in implant, cosmetic, and general dental services. Martin’s staff offers regular cleanings, same-day crowns, Invisalign, Kor Whitening, and dental implants.

Martin Dentistry is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), providing sedation dentistry options to ensure patients remain comfortable with care. According to Colgate Oral and Dental Health Resource Center, around 30 million Americans fear dental services. Martin aims to eliminate anxiety through use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral conscious sedation, allowing patients to relax without fully inducing sleep.

The newest location in Johnson City opened last April on Marketplace Boulevard. Two locations sit on Fort Henry Drive: in Kingsport across from Dobyns-Bennett High School and in Colonial Heights behind Hardee’s.

Pillar of Excellence Owner Steve Grant’s automotive repair shop took this year’s Pillar of Excellence because of its enduring capable service to keep Kingsport’s wheels turning. Grant Tire & Auto, located on West Main Street, retains a reputation of scrupulous service in regard to automotive problem diagnoses, engine repairs, and tire replacement and balancing.

Encouraging local residents to “smile more,” Dr. Leighton Wood and the team at Tri-Cities Orthodontic Specialists

serves three locations in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol.

After earning a dental degree from the University of Tennessee LEIGHTON AND PENNY WOOD and orthodontic residency at the University of North Carolina, Wood served as an orthodontist and an orthodontic educator in the United States Air Force. He retired as a full Colonel after 20 years of service.

Now, he and Dr. Marshall Jewett, a Kingsport native, strive to “meet each patient need to the best of [their abilities].” Patients ages seven and older receive consultations related to tooth and jaw structures. Both doctors work to combat the negative effects of thumb sucking, guide jaw alignment, create space for crowded teeth, and restore confidence in smiles.

Tri-Cities Orthodontics offers clear, self-aligning, ceramic, Invisalign, and metal braces to straighten teeth. Both doctors also specialize in dentofacial orthopedics, a process of guiding jaw bone growth during childhood and adolescence by way of expanders to increase width. They also use other appliances for mandibular and maxillary advancement – lengthening and aligning of the lower and upper jaw bones. Jaw alignment during childhood helps to ensure teeth emerge straight, avoiding potential problems and procedures in adulthood.

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STEVE GRANT AND TERESA CLICK

Two words repeatedly appear in the shop’s Google reviews: fair and honest. Grant Tire & Auto received accreditation from the Better Business Bureau since November 1, 1994, earning an A+ rating based on length of operation, marketplace conduct, and competency. Grant’s shop upholds its rating with industry standard knowledge and its policy of “service after the sale,” ensuring customers remain satisfied with their vehicles.

Grant Tire & Automotive received the distinction of “Best Tire Store” from the Kingsport Times-News in 2008. The shop provides a range of options as an authorized dealer of Michelin, BF Goodrich, Uniroyal, Riken, Continental, General, Kumbo, and other brands.

Grant Tire & Auto is a member of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce. Weekday operation begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m., closing earlier on Saturdays.

Grant Tire & Auto is located next to Citizens Bank and across from the Rock Church in the downtown area.

Few businesses dive as deep into local issues as Zion Marine, Inc. The company centered around commercial diving specializes in underwater repairs and welding, utilities inspections, and inland waterway structure installations.

Young Entrepreneur Business Excellence For more than 15 years, owner-operator Josh Haynie and the staff of Haynie’s Lawn & Landscaping have shaped the region, one shrub at a time. The lawn and landscaping service offers property maintenance like mowing, mulching, and pruning as well as landscape design through lighting and renovation.

The specialty contractor with headquarters in Kingsport offers maintenance and repairs on bridges, stop logs, and locks and dams.

Trained workers also install pipelines, coffer dams, and valves, among other marine services. The business maintains full insurance for general and marine liabilities.

With a goal of “exceeding [its] clients’ expectations at every level,” Zion Marine remains committed to nationally approved practices standardized by the United States Navy, the Association of Diving Contractors International, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The commercial diving and marine construction incorporation owned by Lori Templeton received certification from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the largest certifier of U.S. women-owned businesses. Templeton earned recognition in The Business Journal of Tri-Cities “40 Under Forty” class of 2017.

Zion Marine encourages education in the community, sponsoring local school endeavors related to science, technology, engineering, and math. The company sponsored Kingsport D-B EXCEL’s “R-Mateys” Marine Advanced Technology Education team at its regional underwater robotics competition last year.

Templeton and the Zion Marine team keep their headquarters at Indian Center Court off State Route 93 with regional offices in Atlanta, Georgia, and Tampa, Florida.

Innovation Business Excellence In 2009, owner of Ripper Art Studio, Michael Ripper took what he calls a “leap of faith” to achieve his dream as a professional studio artist.

Now, his innovations thrive in custom design, Appalachian hardwood furniture, heirloom quality, and wall art.

Ripper received two degrees from the East Carolina University School of Art in wood design and ceramics. His studies led to a position as chief woodworker at Tatum Galleries in Banner Elk, North Carolina, before he came to Kingsport.

MICHAEL RIPPER AND RYAN SHIPLEY

Inspired by nature, Ripper fills the adjoining Cindy Saadeh Fine Art Gallery on Commerce Street in Kingsport with sustainable and practical pieces crafted largely from reclaimed wood. From wine nooks to coffee tables, Ripper creates each piece by hand, often incorporating a regional flair.

Last December, Ripper produced Sassafras bookmarks from the oldest Sassafras tree in Kingsport, which fell during a storm. Such innovation earned Ripper the KOSBE distinction for unique creation.

The artist took to Facebook following the KOSBE Awards recognition event to thank his father for inspiration.

“My father always told me, ‘Hard work doesn’t go unrecognized. Be true to your work and your work will be true to you.’”

Nearly ten years later, Ripper’s work remains true to him and true to the Appalachian region where he got his start as an artist.

JOSH HAYNIE AND KATIE PRENDERGAST

Kingsport

Construction Business Excellence

Additionally, Haynie’s Lawn & Landscaping structures irrigation systems, patios, outdoor fireplaces and kitchens, and retaining walls.

Haynie’s staff specializes in paver patios, using interlocking concrete paver installation to renovate driveways, pool areas, and patios. With Techni-Seal and installer certifications, professionals connect more than 20 varieties of Belgard pavers, which resemble brick and stone, to create unique outdoor living spaces and walkways. Sealant ensures weeds and weather will not diminish the structures. Haynie’s tradesmen also received full masonry training. The staff practices through ongoing training at John Deer Landscaping University.

Haynie, 38, continues to serve the Tri-Cities after nearly two decades, sending crew members to residences and businesses in Kingsport, Johnson City, Bristol, Bluff City, Church Hill, and Elizabethton. In 2017, his company received the Home Show recognition for Best Landscaping Booth presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Kingsport.

Manufacturing Business Excellence With its cornerstone planted in faith, Zion Stone in Kingsport hopes to “enhance the world that God has created” through uniform creations to imitate nature.

The business, which derives its name from Isaiah 28:16, finds its “unshakable” will through the visions of father-daughter duo Junior and Jurnee Carr, who serve as chief executive officer and chief operations officer, respectively. The two started their journey in 2016 to provide Northeast Tennessee with in-house designed and manufactured stone.

Veneer stones mimic the appearances of natural river rocks, fieldstones, and ledges to create texture and individuality in homes and businesses. In addition to exterior home designs like chimneys and porches, Zion Stone creates custom concrete countertops and stone fireplaces.

Manufacturing locally, Zion Stone brings revenue to the region from which it derives inspiration for stone colors and combinations. However, the Carr’s mission extends beyond furnishing local buildings with veneer products. Zion Stone sponsors non-profit organizations like Holston Habitat for Humanity and youth sports teams.

Zion Stone, located on Regional Park Drive, received the Kingsport Times-News Reader’s Choice Award for Best Stone in 2018 prior to its achievement in Manufacturing Business Excellence. The office is open for consultation weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. vipseenmag.com

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IMPACT Award Ernie Rumsby, President of Tri-Cities Military Affairs Council Though his origins lie in Detroit, Michigan, Ernie Rumsby’s legacy lasts in the Tri-Cities. Rumsby, an Army veteran and former labor union representative, received the IMPACT award given to an individual who contributes meaningfully to the small business community.

The Tri-Cities Military Affairs Council (TC-MAC) works with local businesses to find employment for veterans returning to the area. Rumsby’s vision for the council originated in Kingsport and extended to Johnson City and Bristol, partnering with all three chambers of commerce to better the lives of those who served in the Armed Forces.

Rumsby uses his experience and connections to provide essential needs and networks for the region’s veterans. Whether they need work, financial help with utility expenses, or a social support system, Rumsby tailors TC-MAC’s mission to benefit each veteran’s individual needs.

“When we help someone, I mean truly hep them by providing a better quality of life, we can help to remove their sense of helplessness,” Rumsby said in a 2017 interview for VIPSEEN. “We are able to show them that people do care and that makes all the difference sometimes.”

Rumsby’s dedication to the region’s veterans translates to a stronger workforce in local businesses.

In addition to finding jobs for service members, TC-MAC staff also works with veterans to receive academic credit from military experience at local colleges and universities, allowing veterans to gain education necessary to enter the civilian job sphere successfully.

Education remains a pillar of TC-MAC and Rumsby’s goal: to inform the public, businesses, and local leaders about the social and economic impacts of military members. It’s through this work Rumsby makes an “IMPACT” of his own.

Kingsport ART AND CHARLOTTE ELLIS

GREG AND SARAH FLEENOR

Friends of Allandale Christmas Party

FRIENDS CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS AT ALLANDALE

The Friends of Allandale was formed in 1989 to support continuing improvements and develop the beauty of Allandale Mansion, as well as to create a distinctive location in the Kingsport area for special events.

EVENT COVERED BY ALLISON GALLOWAY

The annual Friends of Allandale Christmas Party was held on Friday, November 30th. Allandale Mansion was decorated beautifully inside and out for the holidays, and guests at the party received a first look at this year’s decorations. The party kicked off the 2018 Christmas tours that took place that weekend, where the community can tour the Mansion, see the Christmas decorations, and even visit with Santa.

For more information about Friends of Allandale or Allandale Mansion, please visit allandalemansion.com/ about/friends-of-allandale or call 423-229-9422.

FRIENDS OF ALLANDALE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BETSY AND DAN HARDIN

LORRIE AND SCOTT COOPER

GALE AND VAL MANLEY

MARGOT AND BUNKY SEAY

LINDA AND MIKE LAMB BILL AND PAT BRYAN

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TERRY AND CONNIE BEGLEY

BOB CANTLER, HEIDI DULEBOHN, AND TOM TULL

JOHN AND PATTY WILLIAMS

Night of Hope & Miracles EVENT COVERED BY LINDA COFFEY

The Marriott MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center was transformed into a Christmas town square for the first annual Night of Hope and Miracles. Guests stepped through a magical wall and were instantly transported to an evening of Christmas cheer and miracles. The “mayor” of Christmas Town greeted the guests as carolers gathered around the antique sleigh in the town center.

A huge Christmas tree was decorated with ornaments of individual photos, which told the stories of hope and miracles provided for patients through the services of Niswonger Children’s Hospital.

Packages under the tree represented the many gifts

made during the event to benefit Niswonger Children’s Hospital, giving babies and children access to lifesaving treatment, care, and technology, as well as support and partnerships for healthy lives.

Live music was provided throughout the evening, as guests enjoyed tasting stations that featured seasonal drink specials and selections of food pairings. A sprawling auction marketplace provided many shopping opportunities for Christmas cheer!

Alan Levine, Executive Chairman and CEO of Ballad Health welcomed the guests and shared a story of lives changed by the services of Niswonger Children’s Hospital. He introduced Lisa Carter, CEO of Niswonger Children’s Hospital, who shared her gratitude for the staff and resources available for their pediatric patients and their families.

The presenting sponsor for the event was The Regional Eye Center.

Platinum sponsors were Bass, Berry & Sims, First Tennessee Foundation, and Hancock Daniel. Baker Donelson, Citi and Pershing, Yoakley and Associates also furnished premier sponsorships.

To learn more about Niswonger Children’s Hospital, visit their website at balladhealth.org/children.

STEPHANIE AND KEVIN MORRISON

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ALAN AND ANGELA ARP WITH CLAY ROLSTON

january/february 2019

WHITNEY CARR, BEVERLY BOLING, AND MORGAN KING

TUCKER AND LISA CARTER

Kingsport CLAY ROLSTON, TIFFANY WILLIS, VICKIE HUNGATE, AND SHANE DUNCAN

JENNY AND BOB FEATHERS

BLAKE AND ANNIE HOWARD

CHRIS AND CANDICE CHANDLEY

HARRY AND PAT TURNER

DIANNA CANTLER, HEIDI DULEBOHN, AND KAREN CLARK

JASON AND BROOKE WALLS WITH CHAVILA AND KEVIN VISCONTI

ROCHELLE AND BRIAN TRENT

MIKE HAMMONTREE AND KAROL VAUGHN

KENT AND CANDICE BEGLEY

HERITAGE VOCAL GROUP FROM MILLIGAN COLLEGE

ROGER AND DREANA MOWEN, ALAN LEVINE, AND CLAUDIA BYRD

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Kingsport DON ROYSTON, RICHARD ROSE (BARTER THEATRE), AND MORGAN KING

KINGSPORT CHAMBER REPRESENTATIVES

LEE CHASE AND KELLY PENNINGTON

Kingsport Chamber Holiday After Hours EVENT COVERED BY HALEY WHITE

Your Kingsport Chamber hosted a special holiday after hours event on Thursday, November 30 at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center. The event was sponsored

by MeadowView as well as Barter Theatre. Guests enjoyed holiday themed food and beverages in the beautifully decorated Cattails Foyer.

Guests were also informed of upcoming holiday events happening around the region. Featured events included Elf The Musical presented

by Barter Theatre, The Symphony of the Mountains Holiday Concert, and Keep Kingsport Beautiful Holiday Light Tour.

General Manager of MeadowView, Ramona Jackson, spoke about the success of 2018. She also shared upcoming events for 2019.

Because of the great support for the World Long Drive Tournament, Cattails at MeadowView will be hosting Tennessee Big Shots for the second year in 2019.

This support is due to the great citizens of the Tri-Cities and regional support from the Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol Chambers of Commerce.

To learn more visit kingsportchamber.org

MELISSA ROBERTS AND LUCY FLEMING

MIKE PHILLIPS AND DONNA LAMPKINS

STELLA ROBINETTE, JEFF JORDAN, AND TANIYHA PHILLIPS BRAD AND BRADLEY HOOVER

LARRY ESTEPP, TERESA ESTEPP, AND DONNA BAKER

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january/february 2019

SHARON AND DARRELL DUNCAN

LORA BARNETT AND BILL DARDEN

Kingsport SOFIA, WHITNEY, AND ISABELLA VAN DER BIEST

LAUREN IN THE MAKE-UP CHAIR

BRODY CARMACK AND LELAND CORKER

Prom and Mom Luncheon and Fashion Show EVENT COVERED BY LINDA COFFEY

The Women’s Symphony Committee and Symphony of the Mountains hosted their annual fundraiser, Prom and Mom Luncheon and Fashion Show on Sunday, November 18th at Marriott Meadowview Convention Center.

Attendees enjoyed a buffet brunch before the show and then gathered around the runway for the fashion show. Local high school students and their moms modeled the latest styles in women and men’s formal wear, casual apparel, and makeup artistry.

ABBY AND JOANNA NASH

LAINEY HILL AND LORI HARLESS

Apparel and accessories were also available for purchase from the vendors. A silent auction was held during the event and had a wide variety of items available for bidding.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Symphony of the Mountains. The Women’s Symphony Committee is the largest noncorporate donor for the Symphony of the Mountains. The event was also a good opportunity for parents of eighth graders to find out about the Women’s Symphony Committee.

With over fifty years of service, the WSC is dedicated to serving the Symphony of the Mountains. The organization is open to both men and women who want to promote music and the arts in northeast TN and southwest VA. WSC members manage the box office and usher for the SOTM concerts. To learn more about the Women’s Symphony Committee, visit their website at www.symphonyofthemountains.org.

ELIZABETH AND GRANT WILKINS

ANNE AND CONNIE TUMLIN

JAZ

JULIE BENNETT

SITHNEY AND JACKIE WOLFE

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Dandridge SEVEN TIME NASCAR CHAMPION RICHARD PETTY

BETTY OGDEN AND RUBY ALLEN

Richard Petty Special Appearance EVENT COVERED BY ALLISON GALLOWAY

Seven-time NASCAR champion, Richard Petty, made a special appearance at the Food City in Dandridge on Thursday, November 29th. This store raised the most funds during this year’s Mission ABLE campaign to benefit Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).

As a PVA spokesperson, Richard Petty visited the store to sign autographs and meet fans to show his appreciation to the store’s loyal customers and associates for their tremendous generosity.

RICHARD PETTY WITH MISS FOOD CITY

JAMEY CLARK AND CHAD WHITCOMB

BRAD AND EMMY GOLDSMITH

PETTY WITH EVEN THE YOUNGEST OF FANS

SELFIE WITH THE KING

RICHARD PETTY MEETING FANS

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january/february 2019

RICHARD PETTY SIGNING AN AUTOGRAPH

Since 1946, Paralyzed Veterans of America has been a leading advocate for quality health care, spinal cord research, VA benefits and civil rights for veterans and all people with disabilities. For more information, visit www.pva.org. For more information about upcoming events, visit www.foodcity.com.

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