A best friend

Shep is in the house!

Published On: May 12, 2010

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You just can’t help but love the affable, good-natured spirit that is Anne Shepherd. That infectious laugh and smile, sparkling eyes and beautiful aura that surrounds her—she just screams friend.

And friend she is to Cheekwood and numerous other cultural treasures in Nashville. Be it the Nashville Opera, the Nashville Ballet, Belmont University, or the Salvation Army—Anne has served them all. The list is long, but not nearly as long as the line of friends streaming into the Mansion at Cheekwood to honor Anne with the 2010 Guilford and Jane Dudley Award for Excellence in Philanthropy. We’re pretty sure Queen Anne has received almost every award Cheekwood has to offer from the Catherine van Eys Friend of Cheekwood Award to an ICON Award for her work with the Museum.

Anne happily greeted guests as she nimbly scooted up the Mansion stairs (especially considering she had just had knee surgery). A somewhat sheepish Shep seemed embarrassed by all the attention—after all, she’s accustomed to touting the assets of our nonprofits—not being touted herself!

Paul Sternberg and Bill Andrews were on hand to present Anne with a handmade rectangular Gallery Tray, featuring two decoupage pineapples which symbolize hospitality and were a favorite of the Cheek family. Guests enjoyed a sumptuous buffet as well as the glorious weather and the magnificent views and gardens. There really is no lovelier place in Nashville when the weather is right and the flowers are blooming. That’s one of the reasons Anne offers such support to Cheekwood. It’s Nashville’s home, here for everyone to enjoy through the seasons.

All together it was a perfect spring evening honoring a perfectly wonderful Nashville treasure. We’ll log off here just as Anne does when she sends emails reminding folks of upcoming events at her favorite nonprofits. It’s always with a :) . EN

—photographs by Eric England