Annual Founders' Day Gathering
We are establishing an annual Founders' Gathering around June 1st of each year for the women of our Belle Ame community and other friends. These annual gatherings will have a different flavor and purpose than other events we provide. They will be more intimate and the intent is to keep the purpose and vision alive of why we are building this campus as well as to honor the many gifts and contributions of our founding members. It's a day for building friendships and community. We are calling this year's event Simple Gifts: A Founders' Day Gathering.
This year, we will be paying tribute to Debbie Mayne who took a property covered with debris twenty years ago and transformed it, with her husband, Dave, into the beautiful property you see today. You see her care and love of this beautiful land everywhere. She also took a giant leap of faith in allowing a new non-profit to buy the property on contract, making it possible to move forward with building our Belle Ame Center for Artful Living.
Sadly, she was packing to fly west to see her grandchildren—the joy of her life—when she suddenly and unexpectedly passed away a few months ago. Just a week before her passing, she was showing Tim, our campus director, her favorite flower that she loved to plant everywhere. It's called the Live Forever plant and is the flower you will see on our invitation and registration page. Plans are for us to plant more Live Forever plants on the property as part of our gathering in her honor. What a perfect reminder of our Builders' Creed—that we, as mothers and grandmothers, believe in an eternal life, as did she. Her spirit and love will forever be woven into this special place.
Gifts to Campus
As part of our tradition, we will unveil special gifts to our campus. This year we are incredibly grateful for the generosity of Angela Johnson who is donating her first sculpture of Jesus Christ to our Belle Ame campus, which you see pictured here. He stands over 7 feet tall. Her story of faith and allowing the Spirit to work through her willing yet untrained hands is at the heart of our work.
We will share her story as we place it in its new home, in a special garden we will be creating down by the lake near where the sheep are grazing. As part of that garden, in time we will lay the bricks of the 399 founding families who took a leap of faith and signed up for BAAH when there was nothing there to even see, and stayed with us that whole first year. They largely generated the funds needed as a down payment to acquire the land. We want to honor them.
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As participants of this gathering, your registration fee will help fund these projects. We are creating a special keepsake album that will commemorate these events where you will sign your name as one of the participants. You will become part of our history.
WHEN and WHERE will it be Held?
The event will take place on Saturday, May 31st, 2025. Formal event will last from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.
It will be located at The Belle Ame Center for Artful Living Campus in Weatherby, Missouri.
3593 NE State Hwy D
Weatherby, MO 64497
WHAT Will Happen at the Event?
Of course, there will be artful living experiences where friendships can grow and memories can be made. You can look forward to:
Opening Ceremonies:
Tribute to Debbie Mayne and Statue Unveiling
Service Project:
Planting flowers
Lunch:
Provided by Belle Ame
Inspirational Presentations:
by Angela Scott and Dustynn Mulleneaux
Artful Living Experiences:
We'll join the granny squares being donated, continue the paint-by-number picture of Christ from last year, as well as other activities with nature, art, poetry, music, and stories.
FAQ
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I am already a member of Thanksgiving Point. Can I use my family pass for the evening event?No. In order to reserve the gardens for ourselves, we needed to agree to pay the extra charge of $12.00 per person.
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What if it rains?We will hold the event rain or shine. The gardens don’t close. Dress accordingly.
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What is your cancellation policy?There are no refunds once you register. But you may transfer your ticket to another person. Please have them check in under your name.
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Who can I contact if I have a question?For questions about tickets, please email admin@belleamecenter.org. Please put "Come to My Garden" in the subject line.
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What options are there for my children while I'm at the daytime conference?A mother may choose to buy all-inclusive tickets to the seven venues at Thanksgiving Point for her children while she attends the day event. To avoid lines, purchase tickets online. Make sure to select "ALL ACCESS PASS" under Admission if you want them to have access to all the following venues. ​ ***PLEASE NOTE*** Children must have someone with them who is 16 or older. The seven venues, which open at 9:00am, are: Jurassic Jungle Museum of Ancient Life Ashton Gardens Curiosity Farms Museum of Natural Curiosity The Carousel Butterfly Biosphere
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Can I add more people for the gardens after I register?Please try to purchase add-on tickets for the Family Night at the Gardens for your immediate family members when you buy your ticket. If you need to add someone later, please contact Jessica at admin@belleamecenter.org. Please put "Come to My Garden" in the subject line.
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What if I have a question or problem with my order?Please email admin@belleamecenter.org, putting "Come to My Garden" in the subject line.