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Peterson is Woman of the Year
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By DENISE CRAVENS
Staff Writer
Penny Peterson listened intently as Linda Lane read the many attributes of the 2008 Business and Professional Women (BPW) Woman of the Year Award. It wasn’t until Lane said the recipient grew up on a family farm on the Illinois/Indiana state line that Peterson even suspected she was the honoree.
Peterson is currently an office holder and regional board member of Home and Community Education and is also the secretary of the Paris Rotary Club. She has served as chairperson for the Relay for Life for several years and has also served on the Paris Chamber Board of Directors. She is an FFA alumni member and has served as a 4-H leader of the North Arm Hustlers for many years.
She was elected president of Paris BPW in 2004 and again in 2007. She served as the first director for the new BPW region and is currently serving as chairwoman of public relations at the state level.
Peterson is the owner of Dewitt Advertising in Paris. She is the mother of two children, Randy and Kristian, and has three grandchildren, Kymberley, Kaylee and Jay.
In her spare time, she likes to work in the yard and flower gardens, camp, help on the family farm and spend time with her children and grandchildren.
Peterson’s eyes welled up with tears as Lane read statements from her son an daughter-in-law. Her son and grandson also surprised her by attending the awards presentation.
“I am so lucky to have Penny as my mother-in-law,” wrote Hilary Peterson. “She has treated me like her own daughter since the day I met her. She is my friend, confidant, and second mother. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Hilary went on to say her mother-in-law inspired her to join BPW.
“...hopefully I too can network more with other business women, be a community leader and role model,” she said.
Before the award presentation, Lane also asked Peterson’s son, Randy, to make a statement.
“It is easy to think of all the organizations and projects Mom has worked with in just the past year,” wrote Randy. “What is hard is putting into words how devoted she is at doing the tasks at hand and how her willingness to be active and involved in the community helps inspire others around her to do the same...Mom’s list of activities is not necessarily a long list, but when she signs up to help, you get 110 percent of her and not a bit less!”
Randy finished by saying, “it is hard to put into words what make her Women of the Year when I think she is Woman of the Century.”
The award was presented as part of the annual BPW seminar held Monday at Lake Ridge Christian Church.
The evening began at 5:30 p.m. with fellowship and networking. Several area businesses set up booths providing information.
Following the meal, prepared by Jeneanne McDaniel’s catering service, Katie Neibarger provided musical entertainment, while the guest speaker prepared her presentation.
Patricia Winn, creator of the Creative Classroom, did not just talk about her business, she gave a full demonstration, dressing up as Noah’s Wife.
Each audience member selected a toy animal to care for during the presentation. “Noah’s Wife” started out during feeding time, making sure each animal received some food, including flies for the frogs and fish for the bears. She then told the story of how her husband was asked by God to build an arc.
Everyone has heard the story of Noah’s Arc, however, Winn was able to bring the character to life. The audience provided sound effects (a series of hand motions) as the rain began to fall on the arc. Winn’s enthusiasm kept the audience of adults enthralled for the entire performance.
Winn began as a school teacher, but quickly realized God had another calling for her. A self-proclaimed dramatist and storyteller, Winn found her ministry with The Creative Classroom. Through this venture, Winn brings several historical figures to life to show that everyone can make a difference in this world. She spends hours researching each character to be able to take on the many different roles.
The Paris BPW meets the third Monday of every month at Joe’s Pizza. All area career-minded women are encouraged to join. For more information, contact Peterson at 465-8000.
Peterson is currently an office holder and regional board member of Home and Community Education and is also the secretary of the Paris Rotary Club. She has served as chairperson for the Relay for Life for several years and has also served on the Paris Chamber Board of Directors. She is an FFA alumni member and has served as a 4-H leader of the North Arm Hustlers for many years.
She was elected president of Paris BPW in 2004 and again in 2007. She served as the first director for the new BPW region and is currently serving as chairwoman of public relations at the state level.
Peterson is the owner of Dewitt Advertising in Paris. She is the mother of two children, Randy and Kristian, and has three grandchildren, Kymberley, Kaylee and Jay.
In her spare time, she likes to work in the yard and flower gardens, camp, help on the family farm and spend time with her children and grandchildren.
Peterson’s eyes welled up with tears as Lane read statements from her son an daughter-in-law. Her son and grandson also surprised her by attending the awards presentation.
“I am so lucky to have Penny as my mother-in-law,” wrote Hilary Peterson. “She has treated me like her own daughter since the day I met her. She is my friend, confidant, and second mother. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Hilary went on to say her mother-in-law inspired her to join BPW.
“...hopefully I too can network more with other business women, be a community leader and role model,” she said.
Before the award presentation, Lane also asked Peterson’s son, Randy, to make a statement.
“It is easy to think of all the organizations and projects Mom has worked with in just the past year,” wrote Randy. “What is hard is putting into words how devoted she is at doing the tasks at hand and how her willingness to be active and involved in the community helps inspire others around her to do the same...Mom’s list of activities is not necessarily a long list, but when she signs up to help, you get 110 percent of her and not a bit less!”
Randy finished by saying, “it is hard to put into words what make her Women of the Year when I think she is Woman of the Century.”
The award was presented as part of the annual BPW seminar held Monday at Lake Ridge Christian Church.
The evening began at 5:30 p.m. with fellowship and networking. Several area businesses set up booths providing information.
Following the meal, prepared by Jeneanne McDaniel’s catering service, Katie Neibarger provided musical entertainment, while the guest speaker prepared her presentation.
Patricia Winn, creator of the Creative Classroom, did not just talk about her business, she gave a full demonstration, dressing up as Noah’s Wife.
Each audience member selected a toy animal to care for during the presentation. “Noah’s Wife” started out during feeding time, making sure each animal received some food, including flies for the frogs and fish for the bears. She then told the story of how her husband was asked by God to build an arc.
Everyone has heard the story of Noah’s Arc, however, Winn was able to bring the character to life. The audience provided sound effects (a series of hand motions) as the rain began to fall on the arc. Winn’s enthusiasm kept the audience of adults enthralled for the entire performance.
Winn began as a school teacher, but quickly realized God had another calling for her. A self-proclaimed dramatist and storyteller, Winn found her ministry with The Creative Classroom. Through this venture, Winn brings several historical figures to life to show that everyone can make a difference in this world. She spends hours researching each character to be able to take on the many different roles.
The Paris BPW meets the third Monday of every month at Joe’s Pizza. All area career-minded women are encouraged to join. For more information, contact Peterson at 465-8000.
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| The straight facts |
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