Monday, April 23, 2012

Festival was fantastic!



Thank you so much to our preschool families, church families, neighbors, and community members for attending the 2012 West End UMC Preschool Family Fellowship Festival. Our ticket sales were impressive, and we were able to provide fantastic entertainment for our families while also raising funds for our school and church.

While the Festival is the major fundraiser for West End UMC Preschool, the most important aspect goes far beyond the bottom line--it is our biggest opportunity for community-building within our school and for outreach to the greater population. This year's Festival had a number of new features, and by many accounts it was one of the most enjoyable events the school has hosted. This evening is a wonderful chance to create goodwill among our neighbors--families and local businesses, sponsors and vendors. A deep and heart-felt thank you to everyone who contributed.

To those in our community who were unable to take part this year, please consider participating next year! There are a myriad of opportunities to be involved. Whether you can volunteer to be on a Festival committee, cook for Gourmet Market, help during the Plant Sale, support the Photo Sale, or work a single volunteer shift during the day of the event--we think that you will find the effort to be very worthwhile. Having the chance to socialize and enjoy a shared family outing with your children's friends and teachers is a very special and joyous occasion!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Festival is tonight!


The Family Fellowship Festival is here--the big event is tonight! We hope to see many preschool families, church members, and visitors from the greater Nashville community. See you Down on the Farm--tonight at 5:30-8pm, at West End United Methodist Church!

Many thanks once again to our generous sponsors:

  • Tweed Baby Outfitters

  • Welcome Waggin' Petsitting and Dog Walking Services

  • Smart Sprouts

  • Nashville Holistic Pet

  • Studio BE

  • The Wife Works

  • Family Harmony

  • Radnor Wine & Spirits

  • Jim and Nancy Culver

  • Jean L. Byassee, Esq.

  • Wendell Smith's Corner


    The Family Fellowship Festival blog would also like to give special thanks to Catherine Young, Emily Bigelow, Eric Liu, Denise Johnson, Maggie Kleinheksel, Shelley Kuhlmeyer, Cate Connery Bury, and Susan Sandlin.
  • Thursday, April 19, 2012

    Wendell Smith's Corner

    Wendell Smith's Corner is sponsoring the festival! Wendell Smith's Corner has been a Nashville institution for decades. So much more than a meat-and-three restaurant, Wendell Smith's is where locals go for delicious, hearty Southern comfort food in an atmospheric setting.

    Wendell Smith's Corner
    65 years in business...same location!
    5300 Charlotte Avenue
    Nashville, Tennessee

    Look for the big yellow sign!

    Fresh Vegetables Daily!
    Your choice of:
    6 Meats
    15 Vegetables

    Phone number: 615.383.7114

    Wendell Smith's Corner is owned by Jakie Cook.

    Please support our sponsor! Many thanks to Wendell Smith's Corner for sponsoring West End UMC Preschool and the Family Fellowship Festival!

    Wednesday, April 18, 2012

    Blackbird Heritage Food Truck


    Blackbird Heritage truck will now be attending the festival! Blackbird Heritage is a farmed-owned food truck, putting the concept of farm-to-table on wheels. All meat is humanely raised on its farm in College Grove, Tennessee; dairy, cheese, and vegetables are sourced from neighboring farms.

    Here is Blackbird Heritage's menu for the festival:

    • Blackbird Burger--served with pickled red onion and yogurt-cumin sauce
    • Italian Sausage Sandwich--served with caramelized onion and apple-dijon mustard
    • Meatball Sub
    • Fresh strawberries in a balsamic syrup
    • Marinated asparagus salad topped with bacon
    • Kids' menu--grilled cheese sandwich or cheeseburger

    Welcome to Blackbird Heritage Food Truck!  Thank you for joining us at the Family Fellowship Festival!

    And last (but definitely not least)...


    The final item available in our mini-auction is a one-of-a-kind swing by Tweed Baby Outfitters! If you have had the pleasure of visiting Tweed Baby Outfitters, you may have seen the embellished swing in the back corner (next to the incredible handmade tree bookshelf, another of the store's original creations). Tweed Baby Outfitters has customized a swing just for West End UMC Preschool and the Family Fellowship Festival!

    In keeping with our Down on the Farm theme, the swing is decorated with adorable animals, a barn, and a weather vane. Aesthetes and design aficionados should not worry that a farm theme will not complement grown-up decor--this farm design is soft and sophisticated, taking its inspiration from Margaret Wise Brown's classic storybook 'The Big Red Barn.' This indoor swing is like a hammock for any room (but takes up less space), and would be wonderful in a nursery, playroom, or family room.



    These images show the swing in progress--come to the festival to see the finished product! Tweed's swings retail for a top-shelf $425, but this one is one-of-a-kind and cannot be purchased, except at our mini-auction! Thank you so much to Tweed Baby Outfitters for this amazing item!

    Tuesday, April 17, 2012

    Pets love presents, too!


    The next item available at our mini-auction will be a gift basket from Nashville Holistic Pet! This basket contains a gift certificate for a dog bath and nail clipping, along with an assortment of all-natural and delicious dog treats (retail value $70). This is the perfect gift for someone with a new puppy or rescue, or a wonderful way to treat your own canine family member. Thank you so much to Nashville Holistic Pet for your generous donation!

    Monday, April 16, 2012

    ***Food trucks update

    We have a special update on the food trucks for the festival. The Grilled Cheeserie will unfortunately not be able to attend due to a truck being in the shop this week--the repairs are not guaranteed to be completed in time for festival. The Grilled Cheeserie will do a special lunch for West End in the near future and donate the proceeds to the school.

    The Dinner Committee is confirming a wonderful replacement truck for the festival--details will be posted here as soon as they are available!