Omicron House Renderings Unveiled

A Walk Through the Omicron Chapter House
By: Lauren Zaller ('03), Omicron Chapter Architecture and Building Subcommittee Leader

The exterior of the house is a departure from the traditional Greek columns for a timeless, elegant and "home away from home" feel. The large windows on the right of the house will illuminate our staircase beautifully. As you enter the house, the grand staircase will be to your right and a sitting area to your left as you look down a wide hallway. The hallway takes you down a row of integrated display cases in the wall for JWH cups and historic chapter memorabilia, a real show of Omicron heritage and history of friendship.

To the left of the stairs is the formal parlor, a space that can be used for alumnae baby and wedding showers and mother’s teas. Off of the parlor is a great outdoor living space. To the left of the hallway is our new – finally large enough for meetings – chapter room. The room has the ability to be opened into the dining area and parlor/grand hallway, allowing for flow within the house for major events.

We will now be able to have Founder’s Day and Parents Weekend in our own facility (minimizing costs for those events). The chapter room reveals the "Emily Mahan Foust Stage" for recruitment skits, and use during chapter meetings, an extremely functional element! When you go upstairs you will find space for 48 women to call home. The upstairs is filled with double and quad rooms and also provides residents a small kitchen and living room. The quad rooms have great closet space and a dressing area for members.

We hope that you are as excited as we are with the design that has culminated after three years of work with architect Cockrill Design and Planning. The Architecture and Building Subcommittee wishes you a safe and happy holiday season. We look forward to passing the torch to the Interior Design Subcommittee in our next phases of design development.

For more information, please visit http://www.omicronhouse.com/. To view all house renderings, visit http://www.omicronhouse.com/renderings.html.

Seasons Greetings!

Whatever is meaningful.

Whatever is beautiful.

Whatever brings you happiness.

May all of these be yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year.

Know a sister that deserves some recognition?

Then nominate her for the Outstanding Alumnae of the Year Award! Since there's no formal application process, it's as easy as 1-2-3. Simply email knoxalumaoii@gmail.com with the name of a sister you think should be honored, along with a brief description of why she deserves this award. Deadline to nominate a sister is Jan. 17, 2009.

Save the Date - Founder's Day 2009

January 25, 2009

3:30 p.m.

Cherokee Country Club

5138 Lyons View Pike

RSVP by Jan. 21 with a $15 check mailed to:

Kandyce Harber
858 Weatherly Hills Blvd
Knoxville, TN 37934

This art has a special story. It is a watercolor painted by Founder, Stella Perry. It is in the Alpha Chapter Roll Book in the Archives Museum at International HQ.

Meet the latest AOII CARE TEAM members

Mary-Hannah Blaine, Kelley Eidenmuller, Tyra Haag, Erin Hutchinson, Ann Reego, Mary Jane Sharp and Jenna Street

Please email knoxalumaoii@gmail.com if you know of a sister in need or if you would like to serve on this team.

Announcements from HQ

For holiday shopping visit www.iGive.com and enter Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation as your Cause. Every time you shop at any of the 700+ online stores in the iGive network, a portion of the money you spend benefits Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation.

Foundation scholarship applications for undergraduates, graduate students or alumnae returning to school are available in the officer resource library, the Foundation web site or by calling the Foundation office. The deadline is a postmark of March 1, 2009. Please encourage chapters to announce available scholarships. Contact Sharon Blaze at sblaze@alphaomicronpi.org with any questions.

Alumnae Chapter to create an AOII CARE TEAM

James Taylor said it best in the beautiful Carole King song "You've got a friend."

In this case, "You've got a sister."

Several of our alums go through different circumstances in their lives when an AOII sister is just what the doctor ordered. The alumnae chapter is currently in the process of forming an AOII CARE TEAM. Sisters that choose to serve on this team would "let their light shine" in several capacities---visiting a sister in the hospital, writing a letter of encouragement, delivering a meal or simply picking up the phone to say "hello."

If you would like to be a part of this special team, email knoxalumaoii@gmail.com.

2009 BBQ chair needed

Way to go Ellie Wilson Whitesell and everyone who made the 2008 BBQ such a great success! Ellie's hard work was rewarded with a a gift card to Spa Visage...so go and pamper yourself Ellie!

The Alumnae Chapter is currently searching for someone to serve as the 2009 BBQ chair. Please email knoxalumaoii@gmail.com if you are interested. Thanks!

Jingle Bell Run is Dec. 13

2008 Jingle Bell Run/Walk
December 13, 2008

10AM Gay Street
8:15AM Registration
http://www.knoxjbr.kintera.org/

The Knoxville Jingle Bell Run/Walk is a fun and festive way to kick off your holidays by helping others! Wear a holiday themed costume. Tie jingle bells to your shoelaces. Run or walk a 5 kilometer route with your AOII sisters and celebrate the season by giving.

Erin Hutchinson has created an AOII Alumnae team -- "SO ICY" (nice name Erin!)

To sign up:
*go to http://www.knoxjbr.kintera.org/
*click SIGN UP
*choose the option "join a team"

The Arthritis Foundation (AF) is the leading health organization addressing the needs of some 46 million Americans living with arthritis, one of the nation's leading causes of disability. The AF is the largest private, not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding more than $380 million in research grants since 1948. Together, volunteers and staff have helped individuals take control of arthritis by: providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis.

Just look at how cute Erin looked at last year's JBR with Miss Mary and her friend Stacy.

Well Wishes, Good Luck & Congratulations!

We are pleased to find out that Jean Clarke has been released from the hospital after her unexpected one week stay. She is still tired and trying to get back into the routine of things, but wanted to thank everyone for their prayers and flowers. Please remember Jean as she continues to recover!

Good luck to Katie Kinzer ('01) and Marcy Stringfield ('01) who are running in the Komen Race for the Cure on Sat. Oct. 11!

BIRTHS
Brittany Miller Spence ('98), a son, Austin on 9/26!
Christy Powell Overton, a son, Will on 9/23!
Mary Catherine Moon Sexton ('00), a daughter, Caroline on 8/7!

MARRIAGES
Anna Clare Snyder ('00) to Derek Bland in July!

Email more announcements to knoxalumaoii@gmail.com.

A sister honors the memory of her son with the Forrest Spence Fund

Brittany Miller Spence (Omicron '98) and her husband David have created the Forrest Spence Fund in memory of their son Forrest, who passed away on November 4, 2007.

Goals of the Forrest Spence Fund

The Fund supplies a convenience basket for families with babies in the PICU who are facing an extended stay. Comfort items in the baskets include the following: a handmade blanket, roll of quarters for vending machines, magazines, lotion, hand sanitizer, stuffed animal, children's books, journal, the book "Praying the Scriptures for Your Child," chapstick, baby socks, baby hat, notecards, card to decorate for the baby's bed, snacks and water.

The Fund also provides for stocking the PICU wish list with items such as: Crib mobiles, CD players, CDs, Books, Blankets, Socks, Hats, Teethers, Crib mirrors, Sound machines, Night lights, Bubbles, Stuffed animals, Goodies, and treats for the PICU staff.

Last year, more than 1600 children and their families were cared for in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center. With each child, there came a story. It is these stories - stories of courage, love, fear, uncertainty, healing, joy and sadness - that explain the impact that Le Bonheur and its staff can have on a child, a family, even a community and a kingdom.

'08 Light the Night Alum Team

A message from Stephanie Allen (Omicron '99): "I've been meaning to reunite the AOTTs still living in Knoxville, and I can't think of a better way to get that started than to participate in Light the Night together again. Light the Night is on Oct. 2nd this year at Volunteer Landing. I have created a team called "AOTT Alums and Friends." Here is the link where you can register: http://teams.lightthenight.org/AOIIAlumnsandFriends. Select the yellow button that says "Join" on the bottom right side of the page.

I listed that we are walking in Memory of Marla Angotti. If you still have your "AOPi ♥ s Marla" shirt and can find it, please wear it. If you have any friends that would like to walk with us, please invite them. The more the merrier! In case you have to work and can't be there by 5:30, note that walk doesn't start until 7:00. I think 6:30-6:45 will be enough time to find us. If you need me to pick-up a balloon for you, just let me know. Please spread the word. Thanks!"

Make plans to attend the 2008 AOII BBQ on Oct. 25!

This year marks the 48th Annual AOII Barbecue to be held in Circle Park on Sat., October 25, 2008 two hours before the Alabama game. Circle Park is located between the Torchbearer and the Communications Building off of Volunteer Boulevard. The game time is currently undetermined due to television coverage and may not be set until 10 days prior to kickoff.

Proceeds from our barbecue benefit Arthritis Research both locally and nationally as well as funding two Harriet C. Greve Scholarships. Your support is vital for our continued success in hosting just one major fundraiser per year.

The Barbecue is a wonderful opportunity to get together and socialize with friends. See you there! GO VOLS! BEAT BAMA!

Bid Day Babies

Noah Haag and Ella Blaire Bibee recently made their Bid Day debut at the breathtaking home of Ali Blakely after a wonderful 2008 Recruitment. Way to go Omicron Chapter on your 52 beautiful new members! Bid Day is a special reminder that AOII truly is for a lifetime. Regardless of when you pledged, it's important to show our local support of these newest members. Please mark your calendar to attend the 2009 Bid Day celebration next August! [Details TBA].

Local alums and new members gather for Fall Fiesta!

On Sept. 22, members of the Knoxville Area Alumnae Chapter hosted a dinner in honor of Omicron Chapter's newest members. Homemade Mexican food and cookies from Ham 'n Goody's pleased everyone's tastebuds! The fiesta was held at Mary Atkins' beautiful home in Kensington Subdivision. If you would like to receive announcements about upcoming alumnae events, please email knoxalumaoii@gmail.com.

AOII Knoxville Alumnae Chapter now has a blog!

Please mark this page as a "favorite" and help spread the word! This blog will be used as an information source for meetings, announcements, events, parties, babies, weddings, engagements and so much more! If you have any announcements, please email knoxalumaoii@gmail.com.