Love was in the air at several events this week. From photography celebrating the Big Easy and "peace, love and mud" to galas honoring volunteers who work tirelessly to improve Winston-Salem, amore was front and center on the social scene.
The Living Room
Susan MacIntosh, a Winston-Salem interior designer, and her group of volunteers at The Living Room, a recently established nonprofit, show their love for others by creating a soothing home environment for individuals with life-threatening and chronic illnesses. On Feb. 3, they gathered at Krankie's to raise money for their organization, and treated supporters and clients to an evening of food and music.
"I did my friend's house before she started chemo," MacIntosh said. "After that, I realized that we could help people through a difficult time by providing a one-room makeover. We help the patient develop a wish list for a room, then get donations or purchase what is needed to make it happen. It's amazing what it does for the patients."
Judith Shorter is enjoying an updated living room courtesy of MacIntosh and her team. Shorter recently completed chemotherapy and is currently undergoing radiation therapy for cancer.
"I didn't realize how depressed I was," Shorter said. "Susan and her group brought a burst of fresh air into my house.
"It's not just about moving furniture around," Shorter continued. "There is a lot of power behind what they do, and it gives you new energy. It restored my faith."
Email: TheLivingRoomNC@gmail.com
Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful Celebration
Cleaning up highways, planting trees and flowers and adopting streams are labors of love for hundreds of volunteers in Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful (KWSB). On Wednesday, George Stilphen, executive director for KWSB, recognized volunteers and sponsors with a celebration luncheon at The Piedmont Club.
"We're going to have more than 75 volunteers and sponsors here today," Stilphen said. "It's one of our biggest groups ever."
Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful administers more than a dozen community-beautification programs, including Community Roots Day, Great American Cleanup and Big Sweep Waterway Cleanup.
"What a difference the folks in this room make for Winston-Salem," Mayor Allen Joines said. "They help us demonstrate a higher quality of life that makes our city a better place."
Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful: (336) 771-5161
Big Love
The mood was relaxed at NOMA on Thursday when Helen Baldwin welcomed guests to an opening reception for her photography show. Organized by Lee Mecum, owner of North Carolina Working Artist, the "Big Love" exhibition showcases two of Baldwin's favorite themes.
The exhibit is a combination of Baldwin's previous shows.
"The first show was 'Big Easy or Bust' and it celebrated life in New Orleans," Baldwin said. "The second show was 'Peace, Love and Mud' and it embraced the idea that you can travel anywhere, go anywhere. It's about living life and the freedom of love."
A Presidential Celebration
Forsyth Technical Community College has changed the lives of thousands of people. The Foundation of Forsyth Tech is a vital component of the organization's success, and hundreds of supporters gathered at Embassy Suites on Thursday to recognize the work of the foundation's past presidents.
"It's been 15 years since we reactivated the foundation," said Shari Covitz of FTCC. "Through the foundation, we made a lot of things happen in this community."
Past presidents of The Foundation of Forsyth Tech include: Katy Boles, Mike Wells, Steve Strawsburg, Lida Hayes-Calvert, Dr. Doug Maynard, Scott Bauer, Bob Vaughn, Christoph Nostitz, Nancy Dunn, Tom Ingram, Murray Greason, Penni Bradshaw and the late Charles Linville.
"Forsyth Technical Community College is such a jewel in this community," Boles said. "Over the years, I have seen firsthand what it has meant to people downsized. It's a quality organization and gets people started again," and Shari Covitz and Gary Green have provided wonderful leadership."
"Forsyth Tech is one of the best-kept secrets in North Carolina," Bradshaw said.
"The people being honored here tonight get the credit for the foundation's success," Wesley Covitz said. "All of the past presidents have been wonderful leaders, and they have helped to increase awareness of the professionalism of community colleges."
Rusty Davis of Caterpillar Inc. said FTCC has been an important part of the successful opening of the new Caterpillar plant.
"The can-do attitude of the organization shows in the people we've hired," Davis said. "We're proud of our partnership with Forsyth Tech and it really put Winston-Salem at the top of our list."
"Forsyth Technical Community College is recognized across the state and nationally as a model institution," Don deBethizy, the president of Targacept Inc., said. "The future of Winston-Salem is much brighter thanks to this organization."
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