Women, Wine and Jewels Comes Back January 22
Kathy Clayton
The Ashland Beacon
Helping women further their education at Ashland Community and Technical College is the purpose behind Women, Wine, Jewels and More on January 22.
Money raised from the event helps fund an endowment that currently has about $60,000 for scholarships, according to Norma Meek, one of the founders of the program, which is coming up on its fifth year. The goal is to reach $100,000 in five years.
“I’ve been in education nearly all of my life,” she said, “and I had an idea that we need to support women going back to school.” She noted that the scholarship is open to women of all ages pursuing higher education at ACTC. “I work closely with Brooke Seasor at ACTC in planning this.” Seasor is Director of Resource Development at ACTC.
“It’s a social event, people can mingle and catch up. I’ve heard people say they see people that they haven’t seen in years,” Meek declared. The event is open to women in the Tri-State area, and tickets are $50.
She explained that the event includes hors d’oeuvres and wine, and after the mingling portion, those attending can bid on auction items include jewelry, purses, and more. The committee is also planning entertainment this year.
“It’s open to women of all ages and endeavors,” Meek said, “but we wanted a way to include men, so in the second year, we started A Jewel of a Guy. They can support women’s education, they just can’t come to the party, or eat the food; they can donate $100 for the cause.”
In the third year, Meek explained that another option was added for businesses to the support the endowment, A Gem of a Business. “For a $250 donation, any small business can become A Gem of a Business, and we’ll recognize all of these donors this year.”
This year’s event will be held at The Mill on Winchester Avenue. “In the past, we held it at Corby’s (Corby Stull) the Jockey, but after it closed, we needed a new location. We’ve been told that the work in front of The Mill will be finished by then,” Meek continued. “If not, we are working on maybe setting up shuttle service from the parking garage or the lot next to the Paramount.”
“The committee really does a great job, and people really loved the auction,” she said. “Besides the jewelry and purses, we have cakes, and this year Travis Williams has created a piece for us.” Williams is a well-known local wood working artist.
Meek said the committee is working to increase ticket sales this year, adding that the event has drawn 150-200 in the past. “We have awarded six scholarships so far, and will give more. We really want this to be a long-lasting endeavor.”
She praised the committee for its dedication to the endowment. “I can’t say enough about Brooke Seasor. We really have formed a close kinship.”
Other committee members include Mayola Boykin, Holly Canfield, Amanda Clark, Brandy Clark, Terri Branham-Clark, Lori Cooksey, Cheri Daniel, Missy Fannin, Sheila Fraley, Donna Jones, Julie Klein, Ashley Layman, Jane Layman, Alice Martin, Kim McCann, Willie McCullough, Leslee McLeod, Ann Perkins, April Perry, Samantha Prince, Brooke Elswick-Robinson, Louise Shytle, Kerry Tague, Mae Deane Torgrimson, Heather Vanderen, and Robin Webb.
This year’s Women, Wine, Jewels and More will be held Monday, January 22, from 5:30-7:30, at The Mill. To get tickets, call or stop by ACTC off 13th Street, or check the Women, Wine, Jewels and More Facebook page.
“Come on out to eat, meet up and support women,” Meek encouraged.