The Signal Mountain Community Guild’s annual Dogwood Luncheon was held on Wednesday, April 24, at the Signal Mountain Golf & Country Club. This year’s keynote speaker was Hamilton County’s first female district attorney, Coty Wamp. Vendor offerings, silent auction baskets, and the announcement of the 2024 Woman of the Year were equally anticipated features of the fundraising event.
The 2024 Woman of the Year recipient is Ms. Lara Lee Buchheit. According to Diane Gallagher, the 2023 Woman of the Year, Ms. Buchheit is “…a ‘yes person,’ who is always eager to jump in and help. Her sense of commitment to the community and to the organizations on which she serves is paramount.”
Ms. Buchheit currently serves on the Board of Signal Mountain Social Services, helps furnish homes for asylum seekers through Bridge Refugee Services, and is coordinator for the Chattanooga chapter of JustServe, a free online service linking nonprofit organizations with volunteers. In her introduction, Woman of the Year chair Corina Lopes stated that those who know Ms. Buchheit personally will agree that, “Her warmth and kindness radiate and her compassion for others is unmatched. She always has a listening ear and, better still, is the world’s best cheerleader.” All those present congratulated Lara Lee Buchheit with a standing ovation as the Signal Mountain Community Guild presented Ms. Buchheit with a bouquet of flowers and a plaque.
Prior to the Woman of the Year Award presentation, Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp addressed the room of over 100 women. In addition to sharing a few personal anecdotes, Ms. Wamp spoke about some of the areas within the criminal justice system that her office is targeting to ensure safety and peace within the community - particularly for women and children. Ms. Wamp is an accomplished speaker, and her appreciative audience listened intently.
As for the luncheon itself, the Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club served a delicious meal that included a salad, grilled chicken, potatoes and broccolini, as well as a choice of lemon or chocolate cake. However, the refreshments were only part of the festivities. Participants arrived early in order to have plenty of time to visit each vendor and bid on their favorite auction baskets before lunch began. Attendees enjoyed browsing each of the 22 vendor tables and sampling the merchandise and services offered by local venders. Offerings included clothing, jewelry, baked goods, home décor, skincare, as well as health, wellness, and insurance services.
Sprinkled throughout the vendor tables were the auction baskets, with a total of 30 baskets filled with additional local wares - including everything from an overnight getaway to a sampling of wines and international foods - and gift certificates donated by area businesses. In addition to the vendor participation, other area businesses supported this SMCG fundraiser through sponsorships. Some organizations chose to decorate one of the 14 luncheon tables. Each table had a unique theme that was reflected in the centerpiece and in each individual place setting. To view a complete list of all businesses that sponsored the 54th Annual Dogwood Luncheon and browse additional event photos, please visit the Guild website at www.SMCGuild.org.
Many in attendance opted to visit the bar on the patio to purchase a beverage to sip as they shopped. In addition to the usual selection of wine and other libations, a signature cocktail was specially created for the event. The Blackberry Blossom, which consisted of a lemonade/blackberry puree, vodka and prosecco, was a big hit, and many determined that one Blossom led to another! SMGCC donated a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the special drink to the guild fundraiser.
Dogwood Luncheon chair and SMCG vice president Amanda England worked tirelessly to make this year’s luncheon a success. She and her committee spent countless hours coordinating the details of the event, which included contacting local businesses for sponsorships, assembling baskets, selecting the menu, monitoring ticket sales, arranging vendor placements and luncheon seating charts, as well as managing all the other many details that go into event planning. Ms. England acknowledged that “This luncheon would never have been a success without the collaborative efforts of all involved. The goal of the Dogwood Luncheon is to raise money to help organizations here on the mountain. However, I also want to introduce SMCG to those who might not be familiar with our group and our purpose. This is a way to possibly grow our membership and increase SMCG’s impact within our community.”
Guild president Kristy McPherson agreed with Ms. England’s observation and added, “It takes a great team to pull all this together. I enjoyed seeing people in our community come together for a common cause.” The annual Dogwood Luncheon embodies the Signal Mountain Community Guild motto, “Committed to Service, Committed to Signal.” Many thanks go to all who contributed to and participated in this year’s luncheon to make this a successful event!
The Dogwood Luncheon event serves as a major fundraiser for the Guild. Raised funds support various Signal Mountain social and civic welfare organizations such as the Lone Oak Clinic, SMSS, Bachman Community Center, Walden’s Ridge Emergency Services, and the Mountain Education Foundation. In addition, SMCG awards a $1,000 scholarship annually to a Signal Mountain student looking to further their educational goals. Anyone planning to attend college or get an advanced degree is eligible for this scholarship. The scholarship recipient must live on the mountain, but graduating high school seniors may attend a public or private school located in the greater-Chattanooga region.
If you are interested in learning more about the Signal Mountain Community Guild or are interested in becoming a member, please visit our website, www.SMCGuild.org. All ladies living within the 37377 zip code are invited to join.
Correction to the April 2024 article as submitted by SMCG: The name for Dogwood Luncheon sponsor, Ascension Living Live at Home, was incorrectly submitted. Please reference this name when researching this service.
by Kathy Peeples and Corina Lopes
The 2024 Woman of the Year recipient is Ms. Lara Lee Buchheit. According to Diane Gallagher, the 2023 Woman of the Year, Ms. Buchheit is “…a ‘yes person,’ who is always eager to jump in and help. Her sense of commitment to the community and to the organizations on which she serves is paramount.”
Ms. Buchheit currently serves on the Board of Signal Mountain Social Services, helps furnish homes for asylum seekers through Bridge Refugee Services, and is coordinator for the Chattanooga chapter of JustServe, a free online service linking nonprofit organizations with volunteers. In her introduction, Woman of the Year chair Corina Lopes stated that those who know Ms. Buchheit personally will agree that, “Her warmth and kindness radiate and her compassion for others is unmatched. She always has a listening ear and, better still, is the world’s best cheerleader.” All those present congratulated Lara Lee Buchheit with a standing ovation as the Signal Mountain Community Guild presented Ms. Buchheit with a bouquet of flowers and a plaque.
Prior to the Woman of the Year Award presentation, Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp addressed the room of over 100 women. In addition to sharing a few personal anecdotes, Ms. Wamp spoke about some of the areas within the criminal justice system that her office is targeting to ensure safety and peace within the community - particularly for women and children. Ms. Wamp is an accomplished speaker, and her appreciative audience listened intently.
As for the luncheon itself, the Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club served a delicious meal that included a salad, grilled chicken, potatoes and broccolini, as well as a choice of lemon or chocolate cake. However, the refreshments were only part of the festivities. Participants arrived early in order to have plenty of time to visit each vendor and bid on their favorite auction baskets before lunch began. Attendees enjoyed browsing each of the 22 vendor tables and sampling the merchandise and services offered by local venders. Offerings included clothing, jewelry, baked goods, home décor, skincare, as well as health, wellness, and insurance services.
Sprinkled throughout the vendor tables were the auction baskets, with a total of 30 baskets filled with additional local wares - including everything from an overnight getaway to a sampling of wines and international foods - and gift certificates donated by area businesses. In addition to the vendor participation, other area businesses supported this SMCG fundraiser through sponsorships. Some organizations chose to decorate one of the 14 luncheon tables. Each table had a unique theme that was reflected in the centerpiece and in each individual place setting. To view a complete list of all businesses that sponsored the 54th Annual Dogwood Luncheon and browse additional event photos, please visit the Guild website at www.SMCGuild.org.
Many in attendance opted to visit the bar on the patio to purchase a beverage to sip as they shopped. In addition to the usual selection of wine and other libations, a signature cocktail was specially created for the event. The Blackberry Blossom, which consisted of a lemonade/blackberry puree, vodka and prosecco, was a big hit, and many determined that one Blossom led to another! SMGCC donated a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the special drink to the guild fundraiser.
Dogwood Luncheon chair and SMCG vice president Amanda England worked tirelessly to make this year’s luncheon a success. She and her committee spent countless hours coordinating the details of the event, which included contacting local businesses for sponsorships, assembling baskets, selecting the menu, monitoring ticket sales, arranging vendor placements and luncheon seating charts, as well as managing all the other many details that go into event planning. Ms. England acknowledged that “This luncheon would never have been a success without the collaborative efforts of all involved. The goal of the Dogwood Luncheon is to raise money to help organizations here on the mountain. However, I also want to introduce SMCG to those who might not be familiar with our group and our purpose. This is a way to possibly grow our membership and increase SMCG’s impact within our community.”
Guild president Kristy McPherson agreed with Ms. England’s observation and added, “It takes a great team to pull all this together. I enjoyed seeing people in our community come together for a common cause.” The annual Dogwood Luncheon embodies the Signal Mountain Community Guild motto, “Committed to Service, Committed to Signal.” Many thanks go to all who contributed to and participated in this year’s luncheon to make this a successful event!
The Dogwood Luncheon event serves as a major fundraiser for the Guild. Raised funds support various Signal Mountain social and civic welfare organizations such as the Lone Oak Clinic, SMSS, Bachman Community Center, Walden’s Ridge Emergency Services, and the Mountain Education Foundation. In addition, SMCG awards a $1,000 scholarship annually to a Signal Mountain student looking to further their educational goals. Anyone planning to attend college or get an advanced degree is eligible for this scholarship. The scholarship recipient must live on the mountain, but graduating high school seniors may attend a public or private school located in the greater-Chattanooga region.
If you are interested in learning more about the Signal Mountain Community Guild or are interested in becoming a member, please visit our website, www.SMCGuild.org. All ladies living within the 37377 zip code are invited to join.
Correction to the April 2024 article as submitted by SMCG: The name for Dogwood Luncheon sponsor, Ascension Living Live at Home, was incorrectly submitted. Please reference this name when researching this service.
by Kathy Peeples and Corina Lopes
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