News: Tennessee

Vol State Winnies
State Club
By Linda Baucom

DENISE PICTURE:

"Bringing in the May" was the theme for Vol State Winnies' Spring 2010 meeting, April 29 - May 2. Thursday and Friday were gorgeous days, then Saturday ushered in almost 10" of rain. If the old saying holds true that April showers bring May flowers, Tennessee is sure to have a bloomful month!

And "blooming" is certainly how the VSW ladies transformed the Education Building of the meeting site at Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, TN. Complete with May Pole, the month of May was brought into full glory with brightly colored paper flowers, ribbons, streamers and all the friendly 'critters' of Spring - butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, dragonflies, and very personable frogs. Aggie King from Tennessee's newest chapter, Tri-City Winnies, made and brought so many lovely flowers that hubby, Dan, could not nap until they reached the meeting site and were able to unload the flowers from the bed.

Working to prepare supper shouldn't follow working hard at decorating. So we caravanned to a local restaurant for pizza. Surprise! The pizzeria was closed for business. Plan B? Ryan's provided more food than we needed. State meetings provide opportunities to reconnect with members of all Tennessee's chapters and after dinner, we took pleasure in card, table games, and conversation with each other.

Music City Winnies from central Tennessee's Nashville area, prepared and hosted Friday's breakfast and Tri-City Winnies prepared and served supper. Dare we ask how it is our meetings seem to evolve around food?

April was National School Library Month. VSW members took this opportunity to thank Lebanon, TN for years of hospitality. Project "Books 'R' Us" brought loads of books for donation from members to the library at Carroll Oakland Elementary School. The books were delivered by representatives of VSW and each of the four chapters. Everyone shared with the school officials the pleasure they receive from belonging to WIT and participating in WIT events.

Rocky Top Travelers prepared and served Saturday's breakfast. Our breakfast guests were Bob Pedigo and Tina Englen. As we finished eating, Tina and Bob shared with us the Operation Homefront Program, especially the Kentucky/Tennessee chapter.

What a heart-warming and yet heart-breaking organization! Operation Homefront is a support organization for our service members' families. A particular need is assistance to those who were wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan. If their injuries force them to leave the military, they are likely to have 90+ days without a paycheck! It is hard to comprehend our country asks so much of its soldiers and provides them so little in return. Vol State Winnies decided to celebrate being Tennessee volunteers and support Tennessee's Operation Homefront chapter. WIT News readers are invited to learn more about Operation Homefront at www.operationhomefront.net.

After VSW's meeting, the Tennessee's Local Chapters held their meetings. Business taken care of, members joined up again for games and conversation. Or naps. By this time, the rain had reached monsoon levels and the weather forecasts were threatening and gloomy – fortunately, no bad effects in the Lebanon area. Friday evening brought yet another opportunity to overeat – members' special dishes to accompany the fried chicken provided by the Club.

Bringing in the May was judged a huge success by the good attendance of 23 coaches and two drive-ins. The weekend was crammed full: catching up with friends and meeting new friends, some appreciation to the host community, learning how we can support needs of our military families, very good food, and well organized games!

We said our "see ya' soon" farewells Sunday morning with thanks to the West Tennessee Travelers for serving a yummy continental breakfast.

It is wonderful so many VSW members have GNR in their summer plans! We will be looking for you all to stop by the Tennessee Row's famed Cornbread Alley!

Donnie Burkeen 615-449-2439 Bucks3modelt@bellsouth.net

Winnebago-Itasca Travelers