Candle Signing

Last week, First Lady Dianne Bentley sat in the Governor's Mansion Gift Shop to sign candles from the new Mansion candle line. The First Lady is happy to promote the candles because they are poured and produced in Alabama. There are five scents offered and they can all be purchased in the shop located on 30 Finley Avenue. The First Lady, The Mansion, Chef Jim's Gingerbread House, The State Flower, and The State Fruit are on display, everyone is welcome to stop by and pick their favorite.

Governor and Mrs. Bentley like to support Alabama products and people however they can. As the holidays get closer and people are buying gifts, they encourage people to support their state and buy local. The Governor's Mansion Gift Shop and the Goat Hill Gift Shop in Montgomery both offer a great selection of Alabama products.

Christmas Candlelight Tours

Last night was the first of three Christmas Candlelight Tours at the Alabama Governor's Mansion. A special thanks to Joel Gregory and the Montgomery Youth Chorale for helping us celebrate through carols in the Hill House. The voices of children are so precious and every tour guest was in awe of their talent.

This year designers from around the state were asked to come in and decorate for a traditional Christmas. Each person captured a different sense of tradition and every room is breathtaking. Scot Wedgeworth, who will be starring in an upcoming reality TV show on the Food Network called Bama Glama, was responsible for the Garden Room. He captured the spirit of Alabama and used all Alabama products. He used bales of cotton, apples, live garland, a live tree, and red ornaments to design his space. He said he wanted to show every visitor how "fabulous" Alabama is. He is from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Jerry Thrash from Rosemont Gardens in Montgomery, Alabama, designed the Music Room. He wanted to showcase the natural history of the room and placed the live tree in between the infinity mirrors that are original to the Mansion. He used various shades of gold and silver in his space which enhance the natural beauty of the room. The tree is from Wadsworth Christmas Tree Farms in Wetumpka and is a twelve foot Murray Cyprus.

Vesta Taylor of Vesta Taylor Interiors in Greenville, Alabama, decorated the First Lady's Parlor. Her goal was to give her room a more feminine and light feel. She chose the colors blue, silver, and white. Her room also includes a nativity scene to remind guests of the true meaning of Christmas.

The dining room was done by the designers at Belle Bouquet Florist and Gifts in Saraland, Alabama. They decorated with the reds, greens, and gold of the Christmas season. They highlighted the mantels and buffet with poinsettias and decorated every chair with a wreath. It was important to leave the dining room functional as well as beautiful for all events at the Mansion during the season.

Every room has a different sense of style and every person that came into the Mansion has their own favorite space. The Governor and First Lady hope that many more people will come through during the next two weeks to see the Mansion and pick out their own favorite room.

Tickets are complimentary and can be picked up at the Mansion Gift Shop on 30 Finley Avenue in Montgomery. Tours are for the Hill House and for the Governor's Mansion and will be on December 12th and 19th from 5:30PM- 7:30PM.

Goat Hill Museum

A secret treasure in Montgomery that deserves recognition is the Goat Hill Gift Shop located in the bottom of the Captiol on the Union Street side. This shop houses work produced by Alabama artists, books about Alabama, and many other fascinating objects. The First Lady enjoys spending time browsing the shelves because each trip brings a new discovery. Right now, the Goat Hill Gift Shop is decorated for Christmas and can help anyone find that unique gift for the person who has everything. It is a hidden jewel that anyone in Montgomery should stop by to see.

John Blue Hill House Dedication

Wednesday, First Lady Dianne Bentley gathered with members of Friends of the Mansion, the Governor's Mansion Authority, and other friends in the community to recognize and honor the Smith Lanier family for their contribution to the state of Alabama. Scott Moreland, President of Friends of the Governor's Mansion spoke first and shared the history of the home and its impact on the community. Mrs. Bentley also contributed by thanking the Lanier family on behalf of the state of Alabama. A formal introduction of the family was given by Ms. Rennie Vainstein which can be read in the following lines:

It has now been some years since I first met Betty & Smith Lanier.  We worked together in a very different capacity from their public life.  I grew to know them as some of the warmest, genuinely thoughtful and gracious people I had ever met.    They exemplify dedication to the practice of generosity in every aspect of their lives from personal to professional, civic, social and spiritual.   They make every effort leave the people they meet and the places they’ve been better off.
Smith is Chairman Emeritus of J. Smith Lanier & Co.  He returned from active duty in the Korean War to purchase his family’s insurance business in West Point.  With Betty at his side, he has led J. Smith Lanier & Co. to be the 6^th largest privately owned insurance brokerage firms in the country.  Just this year it was named the “No. 1 Best Place to Work in Insurance.”
Smith has been a founding director of 5 publicly traded companies and in 1998, he was named National Small Business Person of the Year.   Smith is now retired with his nephew, Gaines Lanier at the helm of the family business.
Over the years, the Laniers have been strong advocates for far too many wonderful causes to list, from healthcare and business leadership to civic interests such as this magnificent home we are standing in. They have generously supported education in Alabama at all levels from the founding Springwood School in Lanett, AL to serving Auburn University with extensive time, their talents and gifts.  They are both life members of Auburn Alumni Association and the new Auburn Christian Fellowship building is named for Betty.  In 2000, the University honored Smith with an International Quality of Life Award at the United Nations.
Smith & Betty have 3 married daughters and 8 grandchildren aged 10 to 22 years.
The Lanier family’s generosity of spirit is a blessing to all of us, especially to the Friends of the Governor’s Mansion as well as the people of Alabama. It is with great pleasure that I introduce Smith Lanier and his wife Betty.

The Laniers added their gracious and humble words to the ceremony and spoke of how blessed they feel to be a part of a project like this. They dedicated the home to their grandchildren.

At the conclusion, guests were invited to join a reception in honor of the occassion in the John Blue Hill House.

Turkey Pardoning 2011

To continue with tradition, Governor Robert Bentley pardoned Clyde the turkey for the 2011 Thanksgiving season. The ceremony was hosted at the Alabama Governor's Mansion in the foyer. Johnny Adams, President of the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association spoke, as well as Mr. Bill Bates, Governor Bentley, and First Lady Dianne Bentley.
Following the pardon, Mrs. Bentley discussed her Blankets with a Blessing project and was presented more blankets by the Poultry and Egg Association. Then Riverchase United Methodist Day School kindergarten students presented their own quilt made of squares that each student drew. They also sang several songs to Clyde who happily walked around the foyer to greet all of the guests.
The Bentley's both stated their thoughts on the importance of the Thanksgiving season and the need for everyone to find at least one thing to be thankful for. They hope to continue this tradition as the administration continues.

Blankets with a Blessing

First Lady Dianne Bentley Continues “Blankets with a Blessing” Tradition

MONTGOMERY—First Lady Dianne Bentley will continue the initiative “Blankets with a Blessing” that provides new quilts and blankets to homeless and displaced families during the holiday season. “Blankets with a Blessing” has provided thousands of blankets since the initiative began in 2004.  Beginning November 3 through November 15, new quilts and blankets will be collected from businesses and citizens across the state and distributed during the winter months to homeless families and those temporarily displaced by the April tornadoes.

An avid quilter herself, Mrs. Bentley will donate a handmade blanket to the cause.

“As we approach the cold winter months, it is important that we remember those who have lost their homes, or have no permanent place to call home. In the days after the tornado outbreak in April, we saw Alabamians unite to help neighbors in need," said First Lady Dianne Bentley. "As we approach the holiday season let us continue to help each other with warm blankets during the cold months.”

Donated new blankets or quilts can be mailed or dropped off at the Alabama’s Governor Mansion Gift Shop in care of Heather Hannah, 30 Finley Avenue, Montgomery, AL 35104. 

First Annual Tacky Tea

Yesterday, First Lady Dianne Bentley went to the First Annual Tacky Tea sponsored by Goodwill Industries Volunteer Services. This tea helped raise money for Goodwill and the causes it supports. The celebrity emcee was Twinkle Cavanaugh, Public Service Commissioner, who joined the effort by wearing a hat purchased from Goodwill. Participants had been asked to wear their tackiest outfit and whoever was the most tacky was awarded a prize. Three ladies placed for tackiest but first place won a gift certificate for a makeover at a local salon.
During the event, ladies enjoyed tea and refreshments, but the highlight was the Vintage Show "A Day and Night on the Titanic." This show featured fashions from that era and gave history about life on the ship. The GIVS volunteers added comedy to the routine which made the day memorable for all participants. At the conclusion, door prizes were given away, thanks to local businesses making donations.
The First Lady was honored to be in attendance and hopes to attend in the future. She is always happy to support efforts which improve the lives of Alabamians.