Open Avenues celebrated its 40th birthday alongside a couple hundred of its closest friends Oct. 15 with a Birthday Bash at the nonprofit organization in Rogers.
Open Avenues began as the Adult Development Center in 1975 with 11 clients.
At a Glance
Birthday Bash
Who: Open Avenues
What: The nonprofit group celebrated its 40th birthday and honored long-time employees.
When: Oct. 15
Where: Open Avenues in Rogers
Next: 19th annual Spring Fling, May 20-21, 2016
Information: (479) 636-5082 or openavenues.org
The Sunny Side of Leadership
Who: Havenwood
What: Panelists David Roth, Work Matters president; Jody Pinson, Walmart vice-president of merchandising-beauty; and Tai Togami, Walmart senior director of organizational effectiveness, discussed “Influencing and Inspiring Others into Action” at the corporate breakfast.
When: Oct. 16
Where: DoubleTree Suites in Bentonville
Next: Angel Gala, Feb. 20; The Sunny Side of Leadership, May 20, 2016
Information: nwahavenwood.org
Dinner, Fireworks and Jazz
Who: Symphony of Northwest Arkansas
What: The group celebrated the beginning of the 2015-16 season.
When: Oct. 16
Where: East Fayetteville home of Ellen and Malcolm Hayward
Next: Season opening concert, “Masterworks I: Looking Back, Looking Forward,” Nov. 7
Information: (479) 521-4166 or sonamusic.org
An Evening of Jazz with Jonathan and Kara Story
Who: Habitat for Humanity of Washington County
What: The musical couple lent their talents to benefit the nonprofit organization.
When: Oct. 16
Where: Fayetteville Town Center
Next: Father-Daughter Winter Ball, Dec. 11 (seeking volunteers)
Information: (479) 575-9696 or habitatwashingtonco…
The group provides pre-vocational, vocational and independent living skills training, along with productive employment for 125 adults with disabilities at the work center.
Rep. Steve Womack was on hand to offer congratulations to the group and to help honor longtime employees for their years of service. Staff members marking milestones included Brenda Neal, executive director, 25 years; Eddie Duncan, 30 years; Elizabeth Duncan, 25 years; Allison McElroy, 20 years; and Becky Robinson and Beverly Runions, five years.
Oct. 17 offered an event tripleheader that began with the Sunny Side of Leadership benefit corporate breakfast and panel discussion for Havenwood at DoubleTree Suites in Bentonville. Members of the panel, David Roth, Work Matters president; Jody Pinson, Walmart vice president of merchandising-beauty; and Tai Togami, Walmart senior director of organizational effectiveness, discussed "Influencing and Inspiring Others into Action."
Since opening in 1994, Havenwood has helped more than 300 single-parent families with safe, transitional living. During the two-year program, residents are required to work or attend school full time. Residents must also participate in the group's life skills development program to help them break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.
Those learning about motivational leadership over breakfast included Mike Mark, Alisa Kirby, Amanda Willoughby, Debbie Martin, Shelley Hart, Beverly Engle, Diane Byram, Rene Guin-Salazar, Crystal Butler, Stacy Reagan, Crystal Vickmark, Tara Lentz and Meredith Love.
That evening, the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas celebrated the beginning of the 2015-16 season with "Dinner, Fireworks and Jazz" at the east Fayetteville home of Ellen and Malcolm Hayward.
The season will kick off Nov. 7 with Masterworks I: Looking Back, Looking Forward. The performance will include works by composers Johannes Braums, Gabriel Faure and Antonin Dvorak.
Matthew Herren, SoNA executive director, told guests that Paul Haas has renewed his contract with the group and will remain music director through 2018.
Members of the celebration host committee were Mary and George Benjamin, Julianne Brown, Shirley and Pete Esch, Janet and Jimm Hendren, Diane and Dan Houston, Drew Hutchinson, Cindy and Dewitt Smith, Laura and Bruce Wilkins and the Haywards.
Continuing with jazz, the next event was An Evening of Jazz with Jonathan and Kara Story, a benefit concert for Habitat for Humanity of Washington County at the Fayetteville Town Center. Along with the concert, the evening included a reception, silent auction and dinner.
Those out for the evening to help habitat included Denise and Pepe Estrada, Stacey and Jan Sturner, Ann and Morriss Henry, Gaye Wilcox, Martha and Hugh Brewer and Jennifer and Geoff Edwards.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 10/25/2015