Planting Seeds

For 30 years, the WCP has held one enormous Twilight Gathering in one location: Milford.  On July 8, 2010, a new tradition began.  The gathering of friends to support WCP took place simultaneously in five locations across the state:  Detroit, Lansing, Battle Creek, Jackson and Traverse City.  Here are the observations from the Traverse City hostess, Sharon Workman. 

Our first Women's Twilight Gathering in Traverse City left co-hosts Gwen Stireman, Pam Stanley, and myself feeling inspired and very grateful for the opportunity to introduce the Women's Caring Program to our community.  We were also relieved to have pulled it off in such a short time!  The three of us began planning the event in June, combining our lists of relatives, friends, and neighbors for the invitations and asking people to help with the venue, food, and beverages. 

Gwen and I have known Carol Walters since those early networking parties 30 years ago and were pleased to do whatever we could to make this first outreach into our community successful.  Pam recently learned about the program from her nephew, Dave Gregory, and his wife, Kim, an event coordinator who has volunteered for WCP for many years. 

Thanks to Pam, Global Marine Insurance, donated the perfect setting for our event - a beautiful large room with a balcony overlooking Traverse City Bay.  Kim, brought lovely centerpieces and took care of every detail to be sure the setting was perfect.  Dave, the only man in the room (!), brought a variety of delicious wines donated from Leelanau Cellars, set up the bar, and handled his bartending role with grace and skill.  And, his employer, Kelle Cawthorne, contributed $500 to WCP for the privilege of having him bartend!  Deb Nicholson, Gwen's sister-in-law, and other friends and family members donated tasty hors d'oeuvres and desserts, creating a fabulous table of food for our guests to enjoy.  Gwen's long time friend, Sarah Pfeil, volunteered to help with administrative tasks, like registration and mailing lists.

Our one concern was timing.  July 8 is right in the middle of the annual National Cherry Festival, which draws thousands of tourists to the area with dawn to dusk activities.  The Cherry Festival parade was scheduled at the same time as our Twilight Gathering and we worried that this would affect attendance and make it difficult for people to come.

On July 8, we awoke to cloudy skies and threats of rain, and phone calls from Shelly Hendrick and Maureen Saxton, the PR volunteer, telling us that Ch 4-7 wanted to do a "promo" interview for the event.  We all said "not me"... but then met the reporter at the Global Marine event site that afternoon.  They couldn't do live coverage because of the Cherry Festival, but we did get our ten seconds of fame on the evening news, reaching a broader audience with information about Child Care Commitment.

By 5 pm, skies had cleared, the sun was shining, and it was a perfect evening for a twilight gathering.  We welcomed about 35 guests and were delighted with the sincere enthusiasm of the women who attended.  We all enjoyed the beautiful setting, conversation, delicious food and drink.  The video and Gwen's brief presentation about the history and mission of Women's Caring Program created much interest and drew many follow-up questions.  We intentionally didn't ask for contributions for this first gathering, seeing it instead as an opportunity to share information and build a foundation for the future.  But people asked us how they could contribute!  At the end of the evening, we sent in $960 in donations and a list of people who want to help with future efforts.  All three of us feel that we are off to an incredible start in building support for the Women's Caring Program in northwest Michigan!

 Sharon Workman

For 30 years, the WCP has held one enormous Twilight Gathering in one location: Milford.  On July 8, 2010, a new tradition began.  The gathering of friends to support WCP took place simultaneously in five locations across the state:  Detroit, Lansing, Battle Creek, Jackson and Traverse City.  Here are the observations from the Battle Creek hostess, Kathleen Mechem.  

We had an intimate gathering of close friends in Battle Creek, co-hosted with me by my good friend Laura Walters.    We had a wonderful evening of laughter, networking, mingling, eating and drinking.  Laura's company, Laura's Gourmet Catering, provided fabulous, easy to prepare hors d'oeuvres in a Movable Feast format, accompanied by wines I selected to go with Laura's menu. Lisa Hoffert of the Child Care Commitment staffed our gathering.  Our attendees included business and professional associates, co- workers, old friends (some going back to childhood), relatives, friends-of friends, and neighbors.  Although it rained in the afternoon- by the start of the party at 5 p.m. - it was clear and HOT!  (Fortunately- not as hot as the 99 degree temps the day before!)

Laura and I had planned this event over the course of several months.  We met to plan the menu, theme and format, and to taste wines and some of the menu items.   We have worked together on many parties and events, and always have a blast!  This event was really fun to plan because it was for such a great cause, and for a group with such a rich history.

Our program began with brief opening remarks from Carol Walters, Laura, and me.   Carol talked about the history and mission of the WCP, and thanked the attendees for their support.   I've been attending WCP events for nearly 30 years.  I talked about the power of friendship, and noted that a number of those who were unable to attend tonight still had provided support to WCP.   I noted the long term nature of many of the relationships in the room.  Carol and I have known each other for about 30 years; she and I worked together in the Michigan Commerce department many years ago ... one of my high school friends came from near Flint to attend our event in Battle Creek... my sister was there, from the Detroit area... Laura's family and the Mechems have been close for ages....clearly; we all support each other through many aspects of our lives, including support for social causes.

Laura then told about the food, wine, and sequence of events for the evening.  Finally, onto the food and wine!

Our first station, on my screened in porch overlooking the pond, included: blue cheese and chopped pecan-coated grapes, grilled asparagus, and Caprese salad bites accompanied by a 2008 Arancio chardonnay from Sicily.   We then moved to my (air conditioned) kitchen, where Laura prepared various grilled sausages and onions, accompanied by baguettes and different mustards, and chicken curry/cherry tomato bites.  These were accompanied by a Raza Malbec 2009 from Argentina. Lastly, we moved into the dining room, where Laura served a fruit and cheese platter and chocolate mousse, accompanied by Taylor Fladgate Vintage 2003 Port. 

It became a running joke through the evening that it was obvious Laura and I had a lot of fun planning the party- because we kept talking about all the wines we had tasted together!   I had prepared recipe booklets for each course, and Laura provided informative overviews of the recipes, food and wine pairings, and presentations.  We ended the festive evening with a viewing of the WCP video, and a raffle of a hand-strung freshwater pearl necklace generously donated to WCP by Karen Benson, my college roommate and sorority sister.  All proceeds of the Battle Creek Twilight Gathering were donated to WCP.

Although our gathering was relatively small by Twilight Gathering standards, it was a good first start in a new location, and people liked the intimacy.  We want to do it again next year, and grow it.  I know those who attended this year will bring their friends and associates, and just like the initial event grew - ours will also.   We were just glad and honored to be a part of WCP's history, and its new era of expansion throughout Michigan.  Thanks, WCP!