January Membership Meeting - January 12

The January new members meeting and general membership meeting will be held January 12 at The Campagna Center.

6:30 p.m. New members meeting
7:00 p.m. Social half hour
7:30 p.m. General membership meeting

Immediately following will be a continued social hour, at The Campagna Center. Our bartender will remain after the meeting in hopes that more members can socialize rather than moving to another location.

If you have any questions about membership, please contact Brandi Graham Pensoneau at bgraham@nrahq.org

Happy New Year to all our members, old and new! Looking forward to an amazing 2010!

Scottish Christmas Walk Photos

Here are some photos from the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend!

Thursday December 17 - Shop Old Town, Volunteer to Wrap, and Support The Campagna Center!

Finish your holiday shopping this Thursday night! The Old Town Boutique District (www.oldtownboutiquedistrict.com) will stay open until 8:00 p.m. Please shop local and support the shop owners who give thousands of dollars in donated items to the Junior Friends every year--even when times are tough, they still donate! And when you are in their stores, mention that you are a Junior Friend of the Campagna Center and THANK them for their continued support.

From 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Junior Friends volunteers will be at the following stores to wrap your purchases:

Red Barn Mercantile
Mystique
Bloomers
Bellacara
The Hour
The Christmas Attic
Mint Condition
Diva
Shoe Hive
Gossypia
Monday's Child
Pink and Brown

No charge for the wrapping, but we are asking customers for a donation to the Campagna Center. Money raised from Thursday night will be used to buy grocery gift cards for at-risk families the Center has identified as needing meals.

It’s not too late to sign up to volunteer to wrap presents. Let me know if you would like to help.

Whether you shop or wrap or just want some holiday cheer, meet us at Jackson 20 after 8:00 p.m.

If you can't come Thursday but would still like to help, please consider picking up Giant or Shoppers Food Warehouse grocery store gift cards in $10 denominations. You can put them in Adrienne Fox Luscombe's mail slot at TCC or mail them to 7310 Park Terrace Drive, Alexandria, 22307. You may also bring them to the Sunday brunch at Belle Haven Country Club.

Thanks for your generosity this holiday season!

Save the Date! Brunch on December 20

Please join the Junior Friends on December 20 from 12:15 to 2:40 p.m. for a magnificent champagne brunch at Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria, Virginia. This will be an excellent opportunity to toast one another and acknowledge all of our hard work this Fall - culminating in one of the most successful Scottish Walks in The Campagna Center's history.

Enjoy Champagne and Mimosas in the gorgeous formal living room followed by a private Belle Haven Champagne Brunch. Featuring shrimp cocktail, sushi, omelets, waffles & Much-Much More - will be quite the delicious feast! Champagne & Mimosas are included along with coffee, tea, and assorted juices. The cost is $35.00 per person - please bring cash or a check to pay your share.

Seafood/Salad Station
Shrimp Cocktail with Cocktail Sauce and Lemon
Mussels and Littleneck Clams
Oysters on the Half Shell
Crab Claws
Mix Greens with Toppings and 2 Dressings
Caesar Salad
Tomato Mozzarella and Fresh Basil Display
Grilled Vegetable Antipasto Platter
Smoke Salmon Platter
Cheese Platter
Sliced Fruit Platter

Hot Food
Crab and Corn Chowder
Chicken Picatta, Marsala Wine sauce
Petite Filet of Atlantic Salmon, Crab and Caper sauce
White and Wild Rice Pilaf
Sautéed Fall Vegetables
Eggs Benedict on Toasted English Muffin
Grits
Oatmeal
BHCC Breakfast Potatoes

Stations
Omelet Station Waffle Station

Carving Station:
Carved Pepper Crusted Sirloin with Accompaniments
Carved Lamb Rack with Mint Jelly & Assorted Accompaniments

Desert:
Assorted Cakes
Apple Pie
Pecan Pie
Cookies, Brownies, Blondies, Lemon Bars

Thank You Junior Friends!

Thank you to our awesome membership of amazing women who are giving their time and effort for this 39th year of a fantastic tradition!

Everyone has so much going on this year, and for each of you giving up your time with family, work, daily events and much needed rest, a big THANK YOU goes out to each and every one of our members!

Don't forget your coat, your gloves, and maybe an umbrella. This weekend is going to be great!

Thank you ladies! Happy holidays and see you at the membership meeting in January!

Get Your Tickets Today for Taste of Scotland!

Please join us for the Taste of Scotland on Friday, December 4th, part of the 39th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend in Old Town Alexandria! It's the perfect way to kick-off the holiday season!

Experience a tasting featuring 37 different varietals of scotch, including hard-to-find scotches from Scotland distilleries in the impressive surroundings of the George Washington Masonic Memorial. Beer and wine will also be served, along with heavy hors d'oeuvres from a number of local restaurants.

We will have bagpipers and carolers in addition to fabulous raffle items. Even more, there will be a Christmas Marketplace and Heather & Greens sale that is only available to Taste of Scotland guests. So, you can drink scotch and prepare for the holidays at the same time!

Tickets and more information is available at www.scottishchristmaswalk.com or by calling (703) 549-0111 x107.

All proceeds from the event benefit the Campagna Center, which helps more than 1,500 children and their families in Alexandria by providing programs to ensure academic success at each grade level. The good faith estimate of the fair market value is $50 per ticket. The excess amount may be a tax-deductible charitable contribution allowed by law.

Please Fulfill Your Day of Duty Requirements - message from Laura Fortsch

The 39th annual Scottish Christmas Walk is almost here! Many thanks to all of you for the work that you have done to date to bring this event to fruition. It is going to be a wonderful success.

Please note that we still have openings in the Day of Duty grid. If you have not yet signed up to work a shift, please do so ASAP! If you have already signed up for a shift, please sign up for another! And feel free to bring a friend or spouse or colleague to volunteer with you!

More volunteers are needed for the following:
Decorations on Thursday and Saturday
Taste of Scotland food assistance, raffle sales and clean up on Friday
Heather and Greens sales on Friday and Saturday
Home Tours ticket sales at the homes on Saturday

If you can't work an entire shift but could give an hour or two, please let us know at jfdayofduty@yahoo.com. We really need your help.

Wishing all of you a happy Thanksgiving!
Laura Fortsch

PS The deadline for ordering the special reduced rate JF tickets for the Taste of Scotland is Friday, November 27. Call Thasia at (703) 549-0111 ext. 107 to order.

Buy Your Tickets for the Upcoming Events for Scottish Christmas Walk!

Taste of Scotland: Be a part of the 39th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend in Old Town Alexandria December 4th and 5th. Experience a tasting featuring hard-to-find, rare scotches direct from Scotland distilleries in the impressive surroundings of the George Washington Masonic Memorial Friday evening, December 4th. The proceeds benefit the Campagna Center which helps more than 1,500 children and their families in Alexandria arrive at school ready to learn be successful at each grade level.

Designer Tour of Homes: Be a part of the 39th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend in Old Town Alexandria December 4th and 5th. Saturday, December 5th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. tour the inside of some of Old Town Alexandria's most exquisite properties in time for the holidays. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Campagna Center which helps more than 1,500 children and their families in Alexandria arrive at school ready to learn be successful at each grade level.

Tickets and more information available for both events at www.scottishchristmaswalk.com

Heather and Greens Pre-Sale Extended to November 16!

Please reserve your heather and greens today -- pre-sale pricing extended to November 16.

Click here to view the order form and make your purchase:
http://www.scottishchristmaswalk.com/docs/heatherandgreensorderform.pdf

After you fill out the form, fax it to (703) 549-2047

Don't forget you have until November 16 and the prices will increase thereafter.

Get started on your holiday decor today!

Junior Friends Make Cute Junior Babies!

Congratulations to two Junior Friends this week - both welcomed new little babies into our wonderful world!

Kelly Mitchell Batt and husband, Aaron, welcomed Leah Rose on November 6. Leah weighed 7 lbs, 6ozs. Big sister, Brooke, is going to be an awesome big sister!

Meredith Skochin Holland and hubby, Tim, welcomed Spencer James on November 9 at 1:35 p.m. Big sister, Grace, is happy to have a baby brother.

Congratulations to both the Batt and Holland families!

Join the Junior Friends this Wednesday night for Drag Queen Bingo in Crystal City

Drag Queen Bingo is this Wednesday in Crystal City! Please join us November 11 from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at Freddie's Beach Bar and Restaurant, 555 23rd St South Arlington.

Grab your boa, a prospective junior friend, a daring husband or even a boyfriend, and join your fellow Junior Friends for a SUPER fun night out at Freddie's Beach Bar and Restaurant.

We will be treated to wild and wacky Drag Queen Bingo - which is free to play - $6 burger dinners, drink specials - and for those who want to stay after 10:00 p.m. - KARAOKE!

Freddie's is located near Pentagon City mall and is decorated with pink flamingos, hundreds of Barbies, metallic fringe, and so much more! Hosted by the fabulous Ms. Regina Jozet Adams with prizes galore! You have to see Freddie's to believe it - so PLEASE - don't miss out on this fabulous night out. Hope to see you there and get ready for some BINGO!

Building Better Futures Common Application Workshop

On November 11th (Veteran's Day) from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Building Better Futures is hosting a workshop to help the students work on the common applications. Approximately 20 students have signed up as of today. We are looking for volunteers to help review essays.

The location of this event has not been confirmed yet. However, it will likely be at TC Williams or The Campagna Center. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Emily Passmore, and she will give you more information about volunteering.

Contact Emily at emily.passmore@gmail.com and sign up today!

Day of Duty Requirements

Get out your tartan! We are busy painting the town plaid for the 39th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, which will take place Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5. We need everyone's help in carrying out yet another fabulous Walk Weekend!

An e-mail has been sent out regarding available volunteer shifts for the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend. For this weekend to be successful, we need ALL Junior Friends and then some. One fall Day of Duty assignment is required to fulfill your membership obligation. Also, please encourage friends and loved ones to help out during this weekend. And if you can give your time this year for two or more time slots, all the better!

All assignments are given on a first-come, first served basis. Junior Friends get first choice from now until Monday, November 9. After that, it will be distributed to other volunteer groups to fill in the holes. To ensure you get the shift that works best with your schedule, please respond as soon as possible.

Please e-mail your top three Day of Duty preferences to JFdayofduty@yahoo.com after viewing the document in the e-mail.

If you didn't receive the message, please contact Holley Lupu at JFdayofduty@yahoo.com

Thanks in advance to our wonderful members for your commitment and your time!

Congrats to Junior Friend Jill Meadows!

New Member Jill Meadows & Rob Hoppin were married on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Virginia. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Upcoming Events

November 7 - 11:30 a.m. New Member Brunch at Katherine Murphy’s house

November 11 - Freddy’s for Drag Queen Bingo

November 18 - 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Shop Campagna Kids Card event at Kiskadee

November 27 - Deadline to buy discounted Scottish Christmas Walk weekendtickets

Shop Campagna Kids Card Continues!

Come Shop Campagna Kids Card!
Monday's Child - Clothing for Children
218 N. Lee Street in Old Town Alexandria
This Thursday, October 22, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

We hope you can join us for another great Sip 'n' Save event next Thursday at Monday's Child. This is a great opportunity to shop there 2009 Holiday selections. They will have casual to fancy, and matching outfits to choose from. Your Shop Card gets you in and saves you 20% that night on your purchases. If you don't have a card... no problem, you can buy one that night for a reduced price of $25.00.
See you Thursday!

Mark your Calender for the next months Sip 'n' Save event at Kiskadee on November 18th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Volunteer Opportunity

There are two exciting volunteer opportunities related to the Building Better Futures Program. This program supports TC Williams students as they prepare for college. Many of these students will be the first in their families to attend college. If you have any questions about the program, or would like to volunteer for the program, please e-mail Emily Passmore, Programs Chair, at emily.passmore@gmail.com.

LEEP Mentor is a minimum of a year-long commitment being paired with one student, likely a sophomore or a junior. It involves meeting with the student once or twice a month and communicating with her over e-mail or by phone during the interim periods. The role of the mentor is to discuss and provide guidance on future plans, goals, college, majors, etc. Mostly, it’s to provide positive female role models and influences. There will be an information session for mentors on October 20th at 7:00 p.m. at the Campagna Center.


If the mentor is too much of a time commitment, we are starting a program to proofread resumes and essays for students. We will be setting up an e-mail list to distribute the essays and resumes. We will coordinate with the Building Better Futures staff to ensure that the essays are provided early enough to review. You will be able to either e-mail feedback to the student or if your schedule permits, you can meet with the student in person to discuss their feedback. Many of these students do not have parents at home that are able to provide support preparing applications. Since applications for college are due in early January, this will only be a small time commitment for the next few months. If you are signing up to be a proofreader, please let Emily know if you will be available to provide feedback in person or over e-mail.

Both of these are great opportunities to help young women who are eager to learn about college, universities and the world post college.

Congratulations to Junior Friend, Alison Griffin

Congratulations to Junior Friend Alison Griffin! Alison welcomed another baby boy into the world on September 30. Benjamin Neil Griffin was born at 12:44 p.m. in Arlington, Virginia and weighed 7lbs, 10oz and was 20 inches long.

Alison's husband, Paul, and two year-old son, Nicholas, are all home and are doing well.

Congratulations to the Griffins!

New Member Meeting at Las Tapas in Old Town

Please join The Junior Friends of the Campagna Center for a happy hour and/or dinner at one of the HOTTEST restaurants in Old Town - www.lastapas.us on Thursday, October 1 at 6:00 p.m.

We will meet at 6:00 p.m. for drinks. At 7:00 p.m. there will be a FLAMENCO show and we will stay for a tapas dinner. This will also be a new member session and new member chair Brandi Graham Pensoneau will be on hand to answer questions about membership in Junior Friends. Please feel free to bring prospective members.

When you respond to the Evite be sure to let us know if you will be joining us for dinner. Hope you can make it!

Las Tapas
710 King St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
Thursday, October 1, 6:00 p.m.
Questions? Call Allison Priebe Brooks at (703) 329-6768

General Membership meeting minutes

Please take a few minutes to read the minutes from last week's general membership meeting.

Junior Friends
General Membership Meeting Minutes
September 15, 2009

Adrienne Fox Luscombe, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:42 p.m.

Adrienne Fox Luscombe opened the meeting by going over the agenda and introducing the new Board. She directed attention to the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend (SCWW) discount form for Junior Friends only.

Brandi Graham Pensoneau, New Member Chair, asked the new members to stand. A New Member Makeup orientation will be held October 1^st at Las Tapas in Old Town.

Anna Kucera, SCWW Co-Chair, shared that the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend will take place during only two days, Friday, December 4^th and Saturday, December 5^th, with the majority of the events taking place at the Masonic Temple. She urged people to buy Children’s Tea tickets early because it sells out quickly. Nicole and Anna noted that the Marketplace will only take place on Friday, December 4^th from 9:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and will continue again during the Taste of Scotland that evening. Anna shared that we already have five homes secured for the Home Tours.

Holly Lupu, Day of Duty, discussed Day of Duty responsibilities. If any member knows they will be out of town for the event, please e-mail her to sign up for opportunities held before the weekend.

Kristen Gullot, Event Donations Co-Chair, discussed the Shop Campagna Kids Card and the ten-day discounts and monthly “Sip and Saves” that are benefits of the card. The cards are now $25.00 and fully benefit TCC. New discount dates are being added. There will be four events in 2010. The next “Sip and Saves” will be Monday, October 22nd from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Monday’s Child (Old Town) and November 18^th at Kiskadee (Del Ray). You will receive 20% off your entire purchase. There is more information on the stores and where to buy the discount card at shopcampganakidscard.blogspot.com.

Adrienne shared social information for Allison Brooks, Social Chair.

October 1^st – New Member make-up Happy Hour at Las Tapas. All are welcome.

October 25^th – Burke Lake Park

November – TBD

December 20^th – Holiday Brunch at Belle Haven Country Club

Emily Passmore, Programs Chair, thanked everyone who donated books and requested volunteers to read at the Alexandria Department of Health to children waiting for their appointments on Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. -2:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Emily discussed the Mentoring Program, which is a great new opportunity to support Latino girls in Math, Science and Technology. The girls are excited and many will be first generation college attendees. Junior Friends volunteers are needed for the program. Book donations are still needed, especially board books for infants and toddlers.

Rebecca Chatterjee, Newsletter/Blog, discussed the new blog, juniorfriendsoftcc.blogspot.com. She requested the membership take a look and provide her with any suggestions. The blog will provide updates on events, meetings, social events and personal announcements. Focus will shift to place all information on the blog. Please visit and sign-up to subscribe so you can see updates as they are made.

Anne-Ashley Crocker, Toast to Fashion (TTF) Co-Chair, shared that the event will take place on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at Belle Haven Country Club. More information will follow.

Anne Marie Chotvacs, Chair Ex-Officio, is looking for new leaders and is very impressed with the membership and Board this year.

Adrienne picked the raffle winners – new member, Jennifer Butler, and member, Meghan Metzbower. She reminded everyone to sign up for a committee prior to leaving.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.

Help us Make Junior Friends Even Stronger!

Know of a friend who would make a great Junior Friend?

Remind her NOW about the upcoming happy hour on October 1 at La Tasca (time TBA)! It isn't too late to recruit a friend, neighbor or relative and encourage them to share their time with others. Junior Friends is a great way to meet new people, network and help our local community all at the same time!

Send any new member suggestions to New Members Chair Brandi Pensoneau at bgraham@nrahq.org

Best Wishes to Many Junior Friends!

Sending out congratulations and best wishes to several Junior Friends this week!

Jessica Bean Richardson and husband, John, welcomed a baby girl into the world on September 14 - Lillian and mommy are both doing great! Big sister Sophie is excited her little sister is finally here.

Amanda Parks-Bianco departs Alexandria and Junior Friends as she leaves for Oxford, England. We wish her the best of luck and thank her for all her service to The Campagna Center and The Junior Friends.

Cherilyn McCall welcomed a new little boy a few weeks ago. Connor James McCall was born August 18. He weighed in at 7 lbs, 4oz and is 19 inches long. Congrats to the McCall Family!

Courtney Haller Schlieter and husband, Kurt, welcomed Eloise Pearl Schlieter on Monday, July 20. She weighed in at a healthy 9lbs, 5oz and 21 1/2 inches long. She joins big sister, Audrey.

Mai Trihn Joubert and husband, Jacobus, is celebrating with her family the arrival of her second daughter, Estelle Aldyth. She was born July 6, weighing 8 lbs, 11 oz and 20 inches long. Estelle was born at Alexandria Hospital. Big sister Anais is excited for a new friend for life.

Congrats to all the milestones in your lives! If you have news to share, please speak up!

Reach Out and Read Program Needs Volunteers!

The Reach Out and Read program is looking for volunteers to read to children in the waiting room of the Well Child Clinic at the Alexandria Department Of Health (located at 4480 King Street).

Volunteers are needed on Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Well Child Clinic provides routine preventive health services for children birth to the age of five. This is a weekly commitment. However, we can coordinate to best fit a volunteer's busy schedule.

If you would like more information or would like to volunteer, please send your contact information to Emily.Passmore@gmail.com.

General Membership Meeting Tuesday, September 15

Thank you to everyone who attended tonight's new member and general membership meetings! A summary of tonight's discussions will be available soon.

If you aren't a "follower" of this blog, please be sure to sign up now.

Don't forget - the next social event will be Oct. 1 - a happy hour and new member makeup meeting at La Tasca in Old Town on King Street.

Shop Campagna Kids Card - This Week! Until August 16th

If you haven't bought your card yet and would still like to purchase one, contact Christine Stanton at stantongallery@gmail.com or at the Stanton Gallery located at 121 S. Royal Street, Second Floor, in Old Town Alexandria.

Cards are now discounted to $35 a piece. Go to http://www.shopcampagnakidscard.blogspot.com to see the list ofparticipating stores and deals available from August 7-16 only.

Remember, 100% of the card purchase goes to support The Campagna Center's programs and is 100% tax-deductible.

Ask your friends to support the center and shop this weekend to take advantage of some great discounts!

Shop Whole Foods on Wednesday July 29 in Alexandria and support the Campagna Center!

Shop Whole Foods Market in Alexandria on Wednesday, July 29--5% of the day's proceeds benefit The Campagna Center! Visit between 5:00 and 7:00 pm and enjoy FREE Kids' Night, featuring kid-friendly sample stations throughout the store.

Store hours are 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Store address is 1700 Duke Street in Alexandria, VA
Parking (free for customers) is below store in garage

Announcing the New Junior Friends Newsletter!

Welcome to the new Web site for the Junior Friends of The Campagna Center's Newsletter! Here you will find information on the center and fundraising, upcoming events, meetings, social events and photos.

This site is slightly under construction -- please feel free to make suggestions!

If you have anything to add or news to share, please e-mail Rebecca at JuniorFriendsNewsletter@gmail.com

Thanks for viewing! Please bookmark this site, and check back often for updates.

Toast to Fashion Revisted

Here are a few photos from the Toast to Fashion, held May 14 at Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria. What a successful and fun event! Thank you to everyone who helped to plan, organize and participate to make this day another great success. Special thanks go ut to our co-chairs Anne Ashley Croker and Jennifer Ashby.

Clockwise: Junior Friend Stacey Baraya models on the runway; The marketplace floor; Junior Friend Holly Lupu walks the catwalk; Junior Friend and Toast To Fashion Co-Chair Anne Ashley Croker finishes some last-minute details.