TENNESSEE VOL STATE WINNIES 2015 STATE RALLY
Notes by Irene Craig
October 22-25
Members started arriving at the James E. Ward Agriculture Center/Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, TN on Monday and Tuesday of Rally week and began decorating the buildings. On Wednesday and Thursday, members and out of state attendees had the opportunity to participate in tours and activities in the Lebanon area. Martin Frost, local historian, took some on a "Back in Time/Civil War History" tour. Others visited The Hermitage (home of Andrew Jackson), Silver Ridge Pottery, or Antique Shops in Watertown, a nearby farm for lunch and a hayride on the "Antiques to Agriculture" tour.
We were glad to have Denise Yeager, Consumer Engagement Manager; Butch and Becky Moore, Eastern Area Reps; Patrick and Janet Wright, Central Area Reps; and Andy and Jeanie Bienvenu, Retired Area Reps join us for our Rally.
On Thursday evening, the Rally was opened with the Presentation of Colors by the Lebanon High School ROTC, the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Tennessee Hospitality Table, with finger foods prepared by members, was a real treat. Tom and Beverly Grant, well-known in the Lebanon/Nashville area, entertained us with songs and funny stories.
Friday morning breakfast was served by West Tennessee Travelers. Seminars about
Dry Wash & Guard, Pampered Chef, Thirty-One, Rallys R Us, T-Shirt Braiding (by Judy Ruth, WIT Member), and Geocaching (by Chuck Borcher, WIT Member) were presented. Vendor Booths were open. We had very competitive folks at the Corn Hole and Jenga Competitions.
Something new was added to our Rally. We had a Silent Auction. The well-known "Made in Tennessee" baskets were a part of this as well as kitchen items baskets, pet baskets, wine basket and others.
After our Friday evening catered dinner with ice cream (sponsored by FCIS), we were entertained by Debi and the Doo Wops. We enjoyed them so much two years ago that we decided to invite them back. They were as good as we remembered.
Saturday, Butch and Becky Moore opened the WIT Store. A hot breakfast was prepared and served by Rocky Top Travelers. Vendor Booths opened. The Silent Auction continued until 12:30. Seminars were: Silpada Jewelry, Dry Wash & Guard, Can-Tab Lanyard Making (by Irene Craig, WIT & VSW Member), WIT Caravans & Tours (by Butch & Becky Moore), Introduction to iPhone (by Steve Pacheco, WIT & VSW Member). The Crafts were judged and awards presented. The "Pumpkin Pass" (aka cake walk) was lots of fun with a variety of prizes from wine to baked goods to RV items. There were also Door Prizes for each couple attending the Rally. And I heard there were some heated Bean Bag Baseball games.
Ralph Miller and Joe Cochis from Camping World of Chattanooga gave Free RV Driving Lessons and brought three Winnebago Industries Motorhomes from Camping World of Nashville for people to check out. In addition, they provided hot dogs and snacks for lunch on Saturday.
After the evening catered dinner, the newly elected VOL State Winnies officers were installed by Butch Moore. The new officers are: Keith Mobley, President; Mike Logan, Vice President; Jan Mobley, Secretary; Joe Moore, Treasurer. Entertainment was one of our favorite ventriloquists, David Turner and Friends. Everyone really seemed to enjoy him and we could not stop laughing when he made a puppet (dummy) out of an audience member. You just had to be there!!!
On Sunday morning, after a Continental Breakfast hosted by Music City Winnies and the Retiring of the Colors, the VOL State Winnies 2015 State Rally was closed.
Notes by Irene Craig
October 22-25
Members started arriving at the James E. Ward Agriculture Center/Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, TN on Monday and Tuesday of Rally week and began decorating the buildings. On Wednesday and Thursday, members and out of state attendees had the opportunity to participate in tours and activities in the Lebanon area. Martin Frost, local historian, took some on a "Back in Time/Civil War History" tour. Others visited The Hermitage (home of Andrew Jackson), Silver Ridge Pottery, or Antique Shops in Watertown, a nearby farm for lunch and a hayride on the "Antiques to Agriculture" tour.
We were glad to have Denise Yeager, Consumer Engagement Manager; Butch and Becky Moore, Eastern Area Reps; Patrick and Janet Wright, Central Area Reps; and Andy and Jeanie Bienvenu, Retired Area Reps join us for our Rally.
On Thursday evening, the Rally was opened with the Presentation of Colors by the Lebanon High School ROTC, the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Tennessee Hospitality Table, with finger foods prepared by members, was a real treat. Tom and Beverly Grant, well-known in the Lebanon/Nashville area, entertained us with songs and funny stories.
Friday morning breakfast was served by West Tennessee Travelers. Seminars about
Dry Wash & Guard, Pampered Chef, Thirty-One, Rallys R Us, T-Shirt Braiding (by Judy Ruth, WIT Member), and Geocaching (by Chuck Borcher, WIT Member) were presented. Vendor Booths were open. We had very competitive folks at the Corn Hole and Jenga Competitions.
Something new was added to our Rally. We had a Silent Auction. The well-known "Made in Tennessee" baskets were a part of this as well as kitchen items baskets, pet baskets, wine basket and others.
After our Friday evening catered dinner with ice cream (sponsored by FCIS), we were entertained by Debi and the Doo Wops. We enjoyed them so much two years ago that we decided to invite them back. They were as good as we remembered.
Saturday, Butch and Becky Moore opened the WIT Store. A hot breakfast was prepared and served by Rocky Top Travelers. Vendor Booths opened. The Silent Auction continued until 12:30. Seminars were: Silpada Jewelry, Dry Wash & Guard, Can-Tab Lanyard Making (by Irene Craig, WIT & VSW Member), WIT Caravans & Tours (by Butch & Becky Moore), Introduction to iPhone (by Steve Pacheco, WIT & VSW Member). The Crafts were judged and awards presented. The "Pumpkin Pass" (aka cake walk) was lots of fun with a variety of prizes from wine to baked goods to RV items. There were also Door Prizes for each couple attending the Rally. And I heard there were some heated Bean Bag Baseball games.
Ralph Miller and Joe Cochis from Camping World of Chattanooga gave Free RV Driving Lessons and brought three Winnebago Industries Motorhomes from Camping World of Nashville for people to check out. In addition, they provided hot dogs and snacks for lunch on Saturday.
After the evening catered dinner, the newly elected VOL State Winnies officers were installed by Butch Moore. The new officers are: Keith Mobley, President; Mike Logan, Vice President; Jan Mobley, Secretary; Joe Moore, Treasurer. Entertainment was one of our favorite ventriloquists, David Turner and Friends. Everyone really seemed to enjoy him and we could not stop laughing when he made a puppet (dummy) out of an audience member. You just had to be there!!!
On Sunday morning, after a Continental Breakfast hosted by Music City Winnies and the Retiring of the Colors, the VOL State Winnies 2015 State Rally was closed.