Christmas in the Park 2010

Christmas in the Park is tomorrow night! We hope to see you out there. Here are the event details.

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Tuesday, December 7, 2010

6pm until 8pm

Downtown McMinnville

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Order of Events

National Anthem by Diana Pelham

Posting of the Colors by the American Legion Post 173 Honor Guard.

Third Annual Luminaries Ceremony

Dance performance by the WCHS Pioneerettes

Musical entertainment by Jodi McAbee

Dance performance by Paula's Dance Academy Pee Wee, Youth and Junior teams

Musical entertainment by Covenant Academy Children's Choir

Cheer/Dance performance by Warren County Pee Wee All Stars

Musical performance by the First Baptist Church Choir

Musical performance by Diana Pelham

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Downtown Activities

Live Nativity - Covenant Fellowship Church

Inflatable Bounce Houses - Homeland Community Bank and Security Federal Savings Bank

Phone Calls to the North Pole - Ben Lomand Telephone

Visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus - Magness Library

Taking donations of non-perishable food items - Girl Scouts of Warren County

Children's activities at the Chamber of Commerce - Pioneer Pediatrics

And shop/visit the many Downtown businesses that will be open during the event!

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Be sure to have a bite to eat while you're there...

City Cafe

The Hot Dog Man

Main Street Bakery and Cafe

New York Grill

Noon Exchange Club Booth

The Sweet Shop

The Famous Junior Auxiliary Cider House (at Regions Bank)

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And most importantly...

Dress for the weather! It's going to be a cold night! But we'll have lots of great food, great entertainment, great fun...as well as some hot cider, wood-burning stoves and opportunities for the kids to run around, be active and stay warm!

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Thanks to everyone who helped make this event possible!

Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving from Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville!

Another successful Coats for the Community!

Thanks to all members and provisional members who came out to help with our 12th annual Coats for the Community project!

We would also like to send out a special thank you to our 2010 JA Little Sister Blair Fisher for coming out to help with the project, to Three Star Mall for allowing us to set up each year, to the mall shops (most notably Roses, Goody's and J's) for supporting this cause and for not getting upset when we take over the mall for a few hours and to our many many donors who make this project possible by donating their gently used coats and other cold weather gear!

We gave out 618 + coats and many hats, sweats, socks, shoes, sweaters, etc. and we saw so many moms, dads, grandparents and children come through to pick out coats to keep them warm this winter. We saw a larger number of people than we have in years past - the line started in front of the Bookland building and wrapped all the way around to the front of Goody's! We heard touching stories and met some really great people. Unlike some of our more anonymous or larger service projects, we got to see the faces of the people that our service helped. No wonder this project is the favorite of so many of our members!

We also gave out books to all kids that came through. The books were collected through our JA Book Drive project in late summer/early fall.

Congrats to project chair Danielle Miller and co-chair Carly Bruce for pulling off a very successful project!

Coats for the Community 2010

It's that time of year again!

Junior Auxiliary's annual Coats for the Community giveaway is coming up next week. This is a service project meant to help the families and youth in Warren County who might not have access to cold weather gear. In addition to coats, we'll have (a limited amount of) sweaters, sweatshirts, hats, pants, accessories and other cold weather wear.

Here's the info:

WHEN: Saturday, November 6, 2010 - 11am until 1pm

WHERE: Three Star Mall (in the old Bookland building)

WHO: All sizes for girls, boys, men, women and babies

WHY: To provide cold weather wear to those without

Coats and other giveaway items will be given out on a first come, first served basis. Please call (931) 607-6599 or email jamcminnville@yahoo.com for more information.

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

Christmas Luminaries

Junior Auxiliary Christmas Luminaries are available now!

Make a $10 donation to JA of McMinnville in honor or in memory of a loved one and a luminary will be placed in their memory or honor at Christmas in the Park. This will be the third year for JA to do this project and we hope to make this year the best!

All proceeds from this finance project will go to support the many service projects that JA performs throughout the year.

Members: Christmas Luminaries packets were passed out at the September general meeting. If you haven't received yours yet, contact project chair Cole Black.

Start selling now because there's a prize for the member who sells the most! Each Luminary is $10 and you get one finance hour for every two luminaries sold!

Members of the Month - September

Each month during General Meeting, Sunshine Chair Anne Vance will choose several Junior Auxiliary active members to spotlight by sharing a few "fun facts" about them with the rest of the group. This is a great way for individual members to be recognized for the service they do for our community through JA and for all members to become better acquainted with one another. Contact Anne if you haven't filled out your member of the month survey yet.

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The members of the month for September are...

Jessica Johannsen, Ashley Moore and Kim Chisam

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-Jessica-

Your favorite food? Italian

Your favorite vacation spot? Somewhere far far away!

Least favorite chore? Ironing

What instrument can you play? None

Do you sing in the shower? What songs? No

Favorite TV show? Grey's Anatomy

Morning person or night owl? Morning person

The happiest moment of your life? When my baby girl was born

Favorite J.A. project? Coats for the Community

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-Ashley-

Your favorite food? Mexican

Your favorite vacation spot? Gulf Shores

Least favorite chore? Ironing

What instrument can you play? None

Do you sing in the shower? What songs? No

Favorite TV show? Modern Family

Morning person or night owl? Night Owl

The happiest moment of your life? Marrying my hubby!

Favorite J.A. project? Hopping into Health

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-Kim-

Your favorite food? Italian

Your favorite vacation spot? The beach

Least favorite chore? Dusting

What instrument can you play? A little bit of piano

Do you sing in the shower? What songs? No

Favorite TV show? Friends

Morning person or night owl? Night Owl

The happiest moment of your life? When my son was born.

Favorite J.A. project? Hopping into Health

Members of the Month Spotlight - August

Each month during General Meeting, Sunshine Chair Anne Vance will choose several Junior Auxiliary active members to spotlight by sharing a few "fun facts" about them with the rest of the group. This is a great way for individual members to be recognized for the service they do for our community through JA and for all members to become better acquainted with one another. Contact Anne if you haven't filled out your Member of the Month survey yet.

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The members of the month for August are...

Jessica Higgins What is your favorite food? Italian

Where is your favorite vacation spot? The Beach!

What is your least favorite chore? Folding Laundry

Can you play an instrument? Yes. The Bazooka.

FYI Fun Fact: The bazooka is a brasswind musical instrument which is several feet in length and incorporates telescopic tubing like the trombone. Often, bazookas are very simply constructed with scavenged materials like pipes and funnels (see photo above).

Do you sing in the shower? NO!

What is your favorite TV Show? Desperate Housewives

Are you a morning person or a night owl? Neither

What has been the happiest moment of your life? The birth of my three sons.

Which JA project is your favorite? Coats for the Community and Hopping into Health

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Marcy Bolding

What is your favorite food? Pasta

Where is your favorite vacation spot? Destin, FL (but really, anywhere on the beach)

FYI Fun Fact: Destin was voted 'Best Beach in the South' and 'Top Family Destination' for nine years running by Southern Living Magazine readers. Also picked as the 'Best Beach in America' by USA Today readers.

What is your least favorite chore? Mopping

Can you play an instrument? No

Do you sing in the shower? No

What is your favorite TV Show? Real Housewives of Orange County

Are you a morning person or a night owl? Night Owl

What has been the happiest moment of your life? The birth of my two children

Which JA project is your favorite? Christmas in the Park

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Courtney Oleksik

What is your favorite food? Steak

Where is your favorite vacation spot? On the beach

What is your least favorite chore? Cleaning bathrooms

FYI Fun Fact: The sink has 100,000 germs per square inch, where the toilet seat only has 100 germs per square inch.

Can you play an instrument? No
Do you sing in the shower? Nope

What is your favorite TV Show? Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives

Are you a morning person or a night owl? Morning person

What has been the happiest moment of your life? Getting married and having my little girl and next, having my baby boy!

Which JA project is your favorite? Christmas in the Park

Happy Memorial Weekend

Advertise during our Junior Auxiliary Princess and Junior Miss Pageant!

There are two options for advertising this year:

Advertise in the pageant program. The printed program is sold to attendees during the pageant and becomes a keepsake for many to remember the event.
1/3 page (approximately business card sized) = $25, 1/2 page = $50, full page = $100.

Advertise with a PowerPoint ad that will be played during all breaks/intermissions during both pageants. Everyone in attendance will see your PowerPoint ad over the pageant stage! PowerPoint ads are $30 each.

Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville is a non-profit organization, so this donation to the pageant gets you advertising and a tax-deduction! Deadline to advertise is May 10th.

Please call or email Ashley with questions or to reserve your ad space: (931)607-6599 or jamcminnville@yahoo.com.

Happy Easter from Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville!

Hopping into Health - This Weekend!

Come out to Hopping into Health - the Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville FREE Easter egg hunt - this Saturday, March 27th behind Hickory Creek Elementary at 1pm!

Thousands of eggs!

Prizes!

Snacks!

The Easter Bunny will be there too! So parents be sure to bring your cameras and/or camera phones for free picture opportunities!

Pageant Applications are available!

Applications are available for two Junior Auxiliary pageants to be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010. They can be picked up at Ashley's Attic, Kathy's of McMinnville, Memories Bridal Boutique , Merle Norman Facial Spa and Tan 4 U.

We will soon have a downloadable version of the application available right here on the blog and, of course, you can call 931-607-6599 or email jamcminnville@yahoo.com to get one.

The pageants are open to girls in Warren County, Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb, Grundy, Sequatchie, Van Buren and White Counties. Contact pageant chair Ashley Wright at the above number or email for more information.

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Junior Miss is open to girls who will be 14, 15 or 16 years old on May 22, 2010.

Junior Auxiliary Princess is open to girls who will be 11, 12 or 13 years old on May 22, 2010.

2009 Junior Miss - Caroline Carter

2009 Junior Auxiliary Princess - Leslie Moulton

All proceeds from these pageants go to support Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville's service projects.

Easy Beef Stew Recipes

Several members have been asked to make beef stew for the upcoming Wings Ministry Family Fun Event. Having never made beef stew, I immediately started looking for easy, yummy recipes for the dish. I found a couple that sounded really good and I thought I'd share.

Amazing Beef Stew

From the cookbook: Daymaker Countertop Inspirations - Simple Slow Cooker Meals

You will need:

• 2 cups chopped carrots
• 3 cups chopped raw potatoes
• 2 small apples, chopped
• 2 pounds beef stew beef, cut into pieces
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1 to 2 tablespoons flour

Directions:

1. Place vegetables and apples in slow cooker.
2. Add meat and sprinkle with salt, thyme and onion.
3. Add cider.
4. Cook on low heat 10 to 12 hours.
5. Thicken with flour during last hour of cooking.

(Remember, a slow cooker works best when it is two-thirds full. More food may lead to an undercooked meal and less food may lead to an overcooked meal.)

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Old-Time Beef Stew

From Paula Deen via the Food Network web site

You will need:

2 pounds stew beef

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cups water

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 clove garlic, peeled

1 or 2 bay leaves

1 medium onion, sliced

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon paprika

Dash ground allspice or ground cloves

3 large carrots, sliced

3 ribs celery, chopped

2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions:

1. Brown meat in hot oil.
2. Add water, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, bay leaves, onion, salt, sugar, pepper, paprika, and allspice.
3. Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours.
4. Remove bay leaves and garlic clove.
5. Add carrots and celery.
6. Cover and cook 30 to 40 minutes longer.
7. To thicken gravy, remove 2 cups hot liquid.
8. Using a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup water and cornstarch until smooth.
9. Mix with a little hot liquid and return mixture to pot.
10. Stir and cook until bubbly.

Happy cooking everyone!

A few pics from the Crown Jewels Art Gala

The inaugural Crown Jewels Art Gala seemed to be a great success. The food was great, the band was entertaining, the kids' art work was inspiring and a good time was had by all.

Here are just a few pictures from the evening.

Crown Jewels Art Gala

The Crown Jewels Art Gala is this weekend!

Saturday, February 27th - 7pm - McMinnville Country Club

Attendees will enjoy...

heavy hors d'oeuvres,

live music from local band Bootleg,

a silent auction featuring a variety of gift baskets

and art work by Warren County children.

If you haven't bought your tickets yet, though, don't worry...we'll be selling them through Saturday night at the door!

Don't miss this event. All proceeds will go to support the many service projects of Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville.

Hopping Into Health

Saturday, March 27, 2010

1pm

Hickory Creek Elementary

Come one, come all to this free event that focuses on encouraging kids to have healthy habits!

FOR MEMBERS:

Every $5.00 spent on Easter egg fillers = 1 service hour

Water and healthy snacks (goldfish® crackers & Go-Gurt® are recommended) to serve the kids at the egg hunt are currently being collected. Please bring them to the February or March meeting.

1 snack or water = 1 service hour

On March 27th, JA members arrive at 11a.m. to help spread out the eggs and set up.

Contact chair Jessica Higgins for more information.

XOXOXO

Happy Valentine's Day

from Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville!

Passing the Torch - Snow Princess Pageants

One goal of Junior Auxiliary is to create projects for the community and then, when it becomes necessary, to turn the project over to other groups or individuals who can continue the good work that the project has done.
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Well,we decided (this year) to drop the Snow Princess Pageants as a Junior Auxiliary project in hopes that we could "pass the torch" for someone to raise money for another cause.

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Miss Susan Burks, a former JA president and current active associate member (and the creator of the Snow Princess Pageants), decided that she would take over the pageants to use as a fundraiser of her own for a charity that is very close to her heart.

HERE ARE (RIGHT TO LEFT) SUSAN, RANDI FUSTON JENNIFER SAIN AND LINCOLN SAIN DURING A SERVICE PROJECT WITH SCHOOL CHILDREN
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AND HERE IS SUSAN PASSING ON THE JA OF MCMINNVILLE PRESIDENCY TO NATALIE MILLER AT THE ANNUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE IN 2008.
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Her son Theo was born in March 2009 with a heart condition that could be fixed with surgery.
Over the past few months since his birth, Susan and her husband Matt have spent a great deal of time in Nashville while Theo was in the hospital. While they were there, they often stayed in the Ronald McDonald House. Susan says that the RMH provided her with a place to put her feet up and relax a little after giving birth to Theo. The RMH also gave her and Matt a place to recover when they needed a break from the stress at the hospital - a place to recharge.
Many Warren County families have benefited from the RMH's services, so even though it is located in Nashville, RMH is very much a local cause.
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Susan says after seeing firsthand the great things that the RMH has done for hers and so many other families, that they have her heart.
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So on February 20th, Susan will host the Snow Princess Pageants and all of the proceeds will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Nashville. Children are at the heart of Junior Auxiliary so we're very excited to support her endeavors!

Here's the info:

The Snow Princess Pageants

Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 5pm

Covenant Academy Gym

Little Miss Snow Princess - 5 to 7 years old

Young Miss Snow Princess - 8 to 10 years old

Miss Snow Princess - 11 to 13 years old

Applications are available at Ashley's Attic, Kathy's, Memories Bridal and at Mommy & Me.

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Deadline to enter: February 10th

(Late applications will only be accepted with prior approval and with a $10 late fee.)

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Check out the Snow Princess Blog for more details about the pageants.

Contact Susan with any questions at 931-273-4195 or susangburks@hotmail.com .