Ken Cook Lives On

Published 10:00 pm Thursday, July 23, 2015

Overmountain Vineyards hosted a very special fundraiser for Hospice of the Carolina Foothills as a Remembrance Celebration for Ken Cook. The fundraiser, held on June 28, was to have been his 85th birthday.

 About 150 people came together that day. Many were family and close friends of Ken’s who came to eulogize him but many also showed up in support of our wonderful local Hospice group. Ticket sales and a silent auction of some of Ken’s personal items plus a large array of gifts donated from local businesses earned over $7,000 which was presented to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills last week by Ken’s daughter and fundraising organizer, Link Cook Cross.

 During the celebration, guests gathered on Overmountain Vineyard’s new patio to partake in a very special dove release by LJ Meyers. Eighty-five doves were released to signify the (almost) number of years Ken was alive. Video was taken by Erik Olsen and should be released shortly on YouTube.

 Following the dove release, guests were lulled by the music of Gigi Dover & the Big Love who began with One Heart . Shortly after music started, BBQ from Asheville’s own Doc Brown’s Food Truck was served and then the music continued. Birthday cake was served as we sang to Ken and many of the others who shared his June birthday. The evening ended with a spectacular sunset and Gigi singing Chasing Sunshine.

 Overmountain Vineyards and Link Cross wish to express deep thanks and gratitude to all who came out in support of Hospice and shared in the laughter and tears as we celebrated a life that was lived fully! Please visit www.facebook.com/overmountainvineyards to see more photo’s from the event.

 -Submitted Mindy Wiener