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WILLow LeaVes has big plans for celebrating their 10th Anniversary on Friday, August 15. They are hoping you can come throughout the day to help them celebrate. Reservations can be made by calling 812-341-7251 but are optional. Tim McNamee will be the MC for the day and always holds the interest of an audience. Cage Elliott will be providing musical entertainment in the evening.

Tim said, “It is my honor and privilege to MC this monumental moment. These amazing ladies, their families, and their staff were among the first to embrace and support the ministry of Blue Tassel Farm. We are so honored to know and be a part of this jewel located in the small town of Hope, Indiana. They are so deserving of many congratulations!

I spent a few minutes chatting with Cage Elliott and know from that conversation that we very much will enjoy his performance of Elvis songs. Cage is a senior at Columbus North High School. Besides being a musician and actor, he is a goat farmer in Shelby County. It is quite obvious Cage is a very personable and talented young man. He really likes Hope and is thankful for the opportunity.

Food will be available for breakfast/lunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The regular breakfast and lunch menu will be available and will include a small gift of appreciation. Dinner will feature their fabulous chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, roll, drink, and dessert with a free will offering supporting local nonprofit organizations close to their hearts. Door prizes will be presented during dinner. As always, there will be a variety of wonderful merchandise available to browse and possibly purchase.

My journey with WILLow LeaVes started while talking with Vickie at Reflections during a hair appointment. I suggested her family inquire about the possibilities of opening a new business, previously Strawberry Fields. It wasn't long before I was asked to be part of a Wasson family dedication of WILLow LeaVes with John and Shirley Robertson being keys to that special day, and it is certain I will be there for their 10th Anniversary.

Vickie, Lisa, and Laura would like to express thanks for the following: the support of John & Shirley Robertson, their parents Ike and Lavon Wasson, their dedicated employees, the community with special recognition to people during COVID continuing to order and pick up food twice a week, food donations (for giving to others and for using), the opportunity to cater many events and celebrations, the 110 shows and other with 22,000 people attending from all over -- not only locally but from other states and even countries, the opportunity to host many nonprofit celebrations including The Cross through the Ministerial Association, being a gathering place for clubs, card playing, socializing, and book studies.

They stressed with emotion how it is more a story about God, faith, family, friends, community, and their love of interacting with others. I am impressed how the three sisters integrate their talents and how they have stayed together through all the ups and downs of running such a business.

Undoubtedly, with much determination, time, devotion, and willingness to make changes, WILLow LeaVes is a very thriving business while looking ahead to the next ten years. Ben Miller, who always has a helpful hand, appropriately selected these ending words for an information sheet about WILLow LeaVes: “It is said that if you open your mind and reveal your inner visions and dreams beneath the welcoming canopy of the willow tree, the pathway to realizing these wishes of the heart will become clear.”