Inside the VIP tent Saturday
Last week, the Robinson Road build site of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” was a muddy, cold mess. Heavy machines were slipping and sliding. People were falling down in slippery muck. There really was nowhere to go to get your feet on solid ground — until it froze!
But, starting late Thursday, a little oasis sprang up. A small bit of pristine, soothing heaven in the midst of a noisy, chaotic and slimy construction site: the VIP tent!
The VIP tent is something that is set up on every “Extreme” build. It is used for entertaining and to thank sponsors and others who have made the “Extreme” event possible — and to raise money to benefit the selected family. The folks from “Extreme” visited our VIP tent and proclaimed it the nicest they have seen in over 200 builds! Now THAT is saying something!
We have Merri Lee Fox and the other good folks at Gift Gourmet & Interiors to thank for that. Merri Lee is a friend of Christi Branscom, the president of Grace Construction, which is the lead builder on the project. When Merri Lee heard there was a VIP tent, she jumped at the opportunity to outfit it. And what a great job she has done.
Every oasis needs flowers.
Not only is it stunningly beautiful, it smells great! That’s thanks to the dozens of scented candles spread throughout the tent.
So far, events have been held there for elected officials, Chamber folks, business leaders, clients of Grace Construction, and sponsors. There has been a children’s event and an 18th birthday party for Christi’s daughter, Grace, after whom the business is named. Saturday night was a $125 per ticket fundraiser to benefit the Knoxville Family Build Fund. That money will help the Daniel and Mandy Watson family pay off the mortgage on their former home. The popular Johnson Swingtet provided music and Holly Hambright of Holly’s Eventful Dining, one of Knoxville’s premier caterers, provided dinner.
“This is surreal,” is what my husband, Alan Carmichael, said when he stepped from the battle scene of the construction site into the luxury of the VIP tent.
After a few words from Christi, Paul DiMeo, one of the show’s designers and co-stars, took the microphone, marveling at how everything in our community is orange — “even the porta-potties!” And Senior Producer Milan Vasic observed, “The Volunteer State has really shown up. You have done an amazing job!”
Then the Johnson Swingtet struck up the cheerful music and everyone dug in. I’m just saying: this is the best way to see this one-in-a-lifetime project!
On Sunday night, Con Hunley was set to appear at another sold-out fundraiser in the VIP tent. (I’m a huge Con Hunley fan, so you can bet you’ll see more on that later.)
The Johnson Swingtet plays tunes from the 30s, 40s and 50s. We hired them to play our annual client party last year. Everyone loves them!
Tom and Melissa McAdams were among the guests.
Jim Paris and Gwendy Kerney were at the McAdams table.
Orlando and Donna Diaz were there, too.
Here is Merri Lee Fox, right, of Gift Gourmet & Interiors, chatting with Terrell and Carolyn Burkhart.
Christi Branscom, right, with Van and Sue Tyler. All of them have been working tirelessly on the project.
The salad course featured a delicious potato terrine. Very unusual and flavorful.
Here is Erica Beck of Moxley Carmichael with her husband, Karl. Erica is a graphic designer and has worked on a lot of the signage for this project.
Our director of digital media, Gavin Baker, left, and our creative director, Charley Sexton, also have devoted countless hours to "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Glad they could make the party!
Another Moxley Carmichael co-worker contributing to this has been Scott Bird, right, our vice president. He's sitting with Jeromy Welch.
This winter stew contained sausage, pork and roasted root vegetables. We welcomed its deep richness and, especially, its warmth!
Here are the fabulous centerpieces! (All the MoxCar folks are on their mobile devices, of course!)
You don't really expect to see something this delicate on a working construction site.
Liz Lyons, though injured, was helping with catering. Her mom, Gay Lyons, is the food coordinator on the project -- a huge job.
Kristin Grove, center, is the architect on the project. She's with Johnson Architecture. In this pic, she's with her parents, Elaine and Gary Grove, who shared a table with us.
Our friends Gary and Julia Bentley dined with us, as well.
Burke Pinnell, one of the owners of Hickory Construction, with his wife, Lezah. I love them!
Dick Brower and Sharon Bailey. He's trying to sell a great lot we own in Gettysvue. Please call him!
Sara Hedstrom Pinnell of Hedstrom Design, right, is handling landscape design for the project. She and architect Kristin Grove took a little time during the dinner to discuss an issue. There are a LOT of women working on this build.
Alan stepped outside of the VIP tent to try out the spectator area. Pretty amazing.
Here's another view from the spectator area. You should come visit!
As we were leaving (if you can believe the lighting -- it was 8:30 at night!), Erica posed by one of our banners on the VIP tent.
Then it was back to earth again as we were loaded onto a school bus! Here's Karl Beck. What a fun night.
The contrast between the VIP Tent and the Catering Tent, where we feed workers and volunteers, could not be more vivid. Merri Lee did a fabulous job. “Oasis” is a good description. It was so pretty I was sure muddy me would not be permitted to enter when I dropped by to check it out (and say hi to Liz). But they pointed me to the Bootie Butler, a handy little machine that encases muddy boots with clean cloth, and waved me right in. It is hard to believe something so beautiful was created in the middle of all this chaos and muck.
The progress from day to day is amazing.
Three cheers for the Bootie Butler. I want one of those for my condo!
Mox, what an amazing project. You and your team are bless our amazing community. Thanks for taking on this effort and for telling the world that Knoxville is the best. Jim
I am so grateful for all you’re doing for Daniel and Mandy. I know this is the experience of the lifetime for them and will spur The Restoration House forward in a big way.
Sandy Rees
Nonprofit Coach
Jim: How sweet of you to comment on here! Thanks so much. That means a lot to me. Sandy: They seem like a very committed young couple doing something important for our community. We are happy to help.
Congrats for all Moxley/Carmichael has done to help with this project…..considering the past week’s weather, I am even more amazed at how this project has succeeded….kudos to you, Gay, Christi, and all the volunteers!
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