Mac’s Creek Winery and Brewery was the spot for academic sponsorship Thursday night, Aug. 20, as Lexington community members came out to enjoy wings, wine, beer and brats in support of the Blanche Senior scholarship.
“The Blanche Senior scholarship was established to honor a long-time Lexington volunteer and champion for children in our community,” Heather Heinemann, executive director of the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce, said. “One of the unique aspects of this scholarship is that it recognizes the special ability it takes for a student to balance school, extra-curricular activities and a part-time job.”
Spencer Hansen performs during the Wine and Wings Blanche Senior scholarship event at Mac’s Creek on Thursday, August 20. Hansen provided live music for guests.
As of Friday morning, Heinemann said, “So far, we had almost $1,800 in sales. I have a few business education folks that had tickets to sell that I'm waiting to hear back from."
Blanche Senior was a longtime Lexington Chamber of Commerce member who rose from part-time secretary to director. The 1948 immigrant from England began her work with the chamber in 1960.
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Heinemann said the scholarship is spearheaded by the business education committee, which was formed as a way for chamber members to interact with and support local students.
“The mission remains the same for the committee now. We want our kids to know the business community cares. We want to show them all the career opportunities that are available right here in Lexington, so they can be the next generation of leaders,” Heinemann said.
The scholarship is awarded to graduating students who have shown the ability to balance work and education. The 2026 recipients were Gerardo Jimenez-Ambriz, Jeremy Rodriguez-Padron and Maylin Novoa.
Gerardo Jimenez-Ambriz, Jeremy Rodriguez-Padron and Maylin Novoa were the latest recipients of the Blanche Senior scholarship. They are pictured here with Amy Hill, a business education committee member.
Mac’s Creek has been involved with the scholarship since 2018, when the business education committee started Wine and Wings night.
Over the years, the event has helped provide $13,000 in scholarships. Each scholarship recipient can receive up to $1,000 to support their education at a school of their choosing.
“It used to be a tailgate at a home football game, serving hot dogs and hamburgers, prior to 2018,” Heinemann said. “The last two years, we’ve been able to award three $1,000 scholarships to the recipients.”
Due to sponsors, all proceeds from the event’s meal go to the scholarship fund. This year’s sponsors included Go Home Realty, JK Energy, Busy Bones Butcher, Mac’s Creek Winery and Brewery, Lexington Ambassadors, Cody and Tara Naprstek, Darin and Lisa Buescher and A+ Bakery.
Carol Boyle and her friend Cheryl Richardson, who both previously worked for the community college and are now retired, are longtime supporters of the Blanche Senior scholarship. Boyle’s son-in-law is the great-nephew of Blanche Senior, and Boyle’s children have benefited from local scholarships.
Cheryl Richardson and Carol Boyle enjoying a wings and brats dinner at Mac Creek Winery and Brewery in support of the Blanche Senior scholarship Thursday evening.
“I had students and children of my own who have gotten local scholarships and without the local scholarships they probably wouldn’t have had any scholarships, so local scholarships are just amazing and something we feel strong about,” Boyle said.
Boyle said Wine and Wings has become a tradition for her and Richardson, who use the event to support a cause they care about while also celebrating Richardson’s birthday.
Tickets for this year’s event were $15. Guests at Mac’s Creek were able to enjoy wings, wine, brats, beer and live music by Spencer Hansen while supporting a scholarship that invests directly in the future of Lexington students.
