It startled me a little when veteran auctioneer Bear Stephenson jumped up on a dining room chair in the middle of selling something! But that’s how Bear is — he does what he has to to get the sale!
I continue to think that Volunteer Ministry Center has one of the most unusual fundraisers every year. It’s called “Wine & Shine.” Maybe the wine tasting part of it is not so unique. But the moonshine tasting definitely is!
Don’t get me wrong. You aren’t going to get very high on the moonshine! It literally is served in thimbles! I loved it, though, because I don’t often have the opportunity to taste moonshine — I mostly just hear about it in country songs on the radio! And what a variety we had at this event for a most worthy organization. Thanks to Sugarlands Distilling Co. for providing the goods.
Volunteer Ministry Center serves the more than 9,000 people in Knoxville who access homeless services every year. VMC’s programs support its two-fold mission of facilitating permanent supportive housing for those who are homeless and providing services to prevent homelessness. It operates under the “housing first” approach — which maintains that people need a place to live before they can address other serious issues like substance misuse and mental illness. And, at VMC, unlike at some other shelters, participants don’t have to “pray to stay” — they are welcomed without the necessity of participating in religious services.
This event every year honors the late Don Sproles, a lawyer and longtime VMC board member who, with his wife, Karen Sproles, in 1981 founded the popular downtown eatery, The Lunchbox.
Retired editorial cartoonist Charlie Daniel, center, is a former board member and strong advocate of Volunteer Ministry Center. With him are Linda and Wayne Fogle.
From left, Gay Lyons, Benny Smith, and Megan Venable. Megan filled in for her dad, Sam Venable, who was scheduled to be the emcee but was under the weather. She also took photos for “VIP Knoxville” magazine, where she is a correspondent. (I love a multi-tasker!)
Janet Tate, left, and Karen Sproles, whose late husband, Don Sproles, is the event’s honoree.
Tracey Williams, center, is the new chief executive officer of VMC. She is flanked by Tara Winterbotham, left, and Melissa Houston.
The volume level was high during the mingling time at the start of the evening. That’s usually a good sign for the auctions that are to come!
There’s normally bluegrass music at this event. In this case, Vaden Landers, left, and Jason “Hoss” Hicks.
Here they are with the whole band.
VMC board member Cara Knapp, left, with Parker and Amanda Bartholomew.
Great seeing our friends Jeff and Lyn Johnson.
Susan and Bill Morris. (She had the cutest dress of the night, if you ask me!)
Loved this silent auction item! I believe my friend Gay Lyons went home with it!
This one was popular, too, of course!
Perfect for a lake house!
John and Lillian Mashburn.
Charlie was so sweet to invite Alan Carmichael and me to sit at his table.
Elizabeth Colonna, left, with Randy and Dedie Stansberry.
The event was held at the Crowne Plaza where Tammy Knight is director of sales and Ken Knight is general manager. Ken is a board member of VMC and the hotel was an event sponsor.
Crowne Plaza Executive Chef Aaron D. Gonnelly and Dennis Deal.
John and Kathy Buckingham are longtime supporters of VMC. He’s a former board member.
John Rosson, left, and Alan Carmichael.
Opal Bryant, left, and Vanessa Hensley.
Tracey Williams, left, and Leslie Ressler.
Evan and Megan Burton.
Larry and Suzanne Lawrence.
Linda and Joel Morris.
At our table, Patsy Daniel, left, and Leverda Sandlin.
Elizabeth and Michael Grant.
Terry and Zane Scarlett.
Megan Venable doing her dad’s emcee duties. She was great!
Candace Viox of Water into Wine restaurant in Farragut introduced the wine tasting.
We had a Rodney Strong Pinot Noir rose from Russian River Valley with a peach “cracker” of phyllo dough, left; a Davis Bynum Chardonnay from Russian Valley with orange-glazed duck, second from left; a Joel Gott Pinot Noir from Oregon with bison tenderloin on a sweet potato biscuit, third from left; and theoleo Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles with Gonnelly family strawberry rhubarb tart, right.
And then the buffet opened.
Food offerings, clockwise from top left: grilled watermelon and arugula salad; a deconstructed wedge salad; green beans; creamy gouda grits; assorted rolls; sweet tea-brined pork chops with blackberry rosemary reduction; blackened shrimp, peppers, and onions in lemon wine sauce; and smoked chicken in Cheerwine barbecue sauce.
Fun seeing my friend Nikitia Thompson, left, with Jeneane Stomm.
Tracey Williams making a few remarks.
The stars of the show! From left: Folds of Honor Sour Blue Raspberry, Mark Rogers American Peach, Appalachian Apple Pie, Peanut Butter Appalachian Sippin’ Cream, and Birthday Cake Sippin’ Cream.
We tasted them with — get this! — cookies from Moonshine Mountain Cookie Company! Brilliant.
Charlie gave all his table guests a copy of his fun book, “Eat Your Greens.”
It was a sweet and fun night. From left, Bear Stephenson, Charlie, Shirley Elder, and, seated, Patsy Daniel.
I love those lions at the Crowne Plaza!
Thank you for the wonderful review Cynthia! We enjoyed having you and look forward to next year. – Tracey Williams/VMC CEO
Tracey: Thanks! I guess the real question is: which was your favorite moonshine?? Ha! Mine was Appalachian Apple Pie!
Hi Cynthia, we enjoyed visiting with you and Alan. What a fun and worthwhile event! Great photos as always.
Hey, Madeline: Isn’t it fun? And VMC does such a good job. Glad to meet the new CEO, Tracey Williams.
Such a sweet and fun event. I had not attended recently and was glad to return to support VMC and to honor my LK ’10 classmate Don Sprouse. With some strategy and lurking just before the silent auction closed, I was the lucky high bidder on the painting called “Fancy Rooster.” You just never know what piece of art you are going to fall in love with!
This event was definitely a win-win opportunity — a chance to support a good cause and to sample moonshine. I am happy to hear it was a successful event.
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