Current Program Calendar
SEPTEMBER 2024 through May 2025
Sally Hudson, First Vice President and Program Chair
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Meeting and Program Agenda - all dates are Tuesdays unless otherwise specified
Social time with a light repast 9:30 - 10:00 | General Meeting 10:00 - 10:45 | Program Presentation 11:00 – 12:00ish
*lead host or hostess
October 8, 2024 | 9:30 am – 2 pm
The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm | OFFSITE
Once again, we look forward to celebrating Virginia Wine Month. We will revisit the wonderful Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm. Nestled on Lake Manassas in Gainesville, the Farm is the only local winery with a breathtaking lakefront view.
The locally grown grapes and variety of wines offer something for every wine enthusiast. Their delicious craft beverages also include cider and beer. We’ll begin with our business meeting and then enjoy a short presentation on wine, beer, and growing hops. Savor a glass of wine, cider, or beer as you enjoy the beautiful setting and a light lunch provided by the hostess committee.
Fees for tasting and lunch: Club members are free, and guests are $20. We have a limit of 40 people total.
RSVP to Sally Hudson at sgh1150@gmail.com by October 1st, so we may RESERVE YOUR SPOT.
October Hostesses: Sally Hudson*, Norma Booth, Joyce Miller, Page Murray, Ginsy Shumate, Paula Wilson
Food Pantry: peanut butter and jelly or cash donation
November 12, 2024 | judy Tweel | bows for boughs
Our own Judy Tweel will guide us through the art of fancy bow design and construction. From choosing the ribbon, cutting and assembly, we will create festive bows for sale at our December Holiday Shop. Bring your own scissors, and wire cutters.
Put your name on the tools you bring.
You are welcome to bring embellishments but it is not necessary. Wire and ribbon will be supplied.
November Hostesses:
Lisa Fisher*, Bunny Barrett, Catherine Bridgers, Kathy Esslinger, Bev Krantz, Ellen Percy Miller
Food Pantry: potatoes, gravy, rice, stuffing, sweet potatoes, or cash donation
December 10, 2024 | Ruth Johnston | Wreath Workshop
Once again, Ruth Johnston will guide us while we make our own holiday wreaths. The club will provide the materials for making the wreaths (though extra greens from home will be appreciated). Included will be enough ribbon to make your own bows. Bring clippers and any decor you would like to use to adorn your wreath.
After we’ve made our wreaths, we will enjoy a Holiday Potluck Lunch provided by our Hostess Committee.
Don’t forget to wear your favorite Holiday Attire!
December Hostesses: Jane Huckins*, Kathy Beckwith, Elsie Davis, Pam Lindholm, Janet Molan, Anna Lee Ord
Food Pantry: potatoes, gravy, stuffing, sweet potatoes, spaghetti sauce, pasta, flour, sugar, salt, & pepper or cash
January 14, 2025 | Tim Ernst | Hydroponic Microgreens
We welcome back Tim Ernst from Living Springs Microgreens Hydroponic Farm to share how to grow, use, and love microgreens. After working in the medical field, farmer Tim decided to begin preventing disease instead of fighting to cure the disease. Tim will delight you with his enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of this tender and nutrient-packed super-food. His food is grown purely in your own community, and is alive and uncut when you receive it. Tim plants and cultivates every seed by hand.
Chefs use microgreens to serve as an extension of your dish, building wonderful layers of flavor, and appealing textures.
Microgreens actually provide more nutrition than mature leaves! You are in for a treat.
January Host Team:
Bonnie Snyder*, Barbara Boryschuk, John Boryschuk, Jenny Richardson, Virginia Vaglia
Food Pantry: peanut butter, jelly, diapers or cash donation
February 11, 2025 | Caitlin Akkechuis | Container Gardening
Container gardening is a great alternative for those who may not be able to have a traditional in-ground garden. It provides for a flexible planting site, freedom from poor soil, and the ability to move plants around with the seasons.
Caitlin Akkechuis with Merrifield Garden Center, Gallows Road, will instruct us on the best containers for certain plants, watering, soil, fertilizer and other tips for visual and/or edible success.
Caitlin is shown above left in an interview, with Shannon from WUSA Channel 9.
February Hostesses: Judy Tweel*, Vernelle Boykin, Linda Catir, Kristin Knodt, Emily Kyriazi
Food Pantry: flour, sugar, salt, pepper, masa flour, or cash donation
March 11, 2025 | Linda Ely | Ikebana
Ikebana translates literally as “flowers kept alive.” This Japanese flower arranging tradition is as much about the process as the finished product. Flower symbolism takes on another life in ikebana: it’s not just about the plants, but also everything else, including the container and even space not occupied by flowers.
Linda recalls, “I lived in Japan during my high school years and developed an appreciation for the culture, country and people, and my studies of Sogetsu Ikebana began fifteen years ago.”
We look forward to learning more about this elegant floral arranging tradition.
March Hostesses: Susan Brown*, Norma Booth, Joyce Miller, Ginsy Shumate, Judy Tweel, Paula Wilson
Food Pantry: flour, sugar, salt, pepper, masa flour, or cash donation
April 8, 2025 | Sharon Snow | chair yoga for all
After a 40 year career in business and finance, Sharon is focusing on longevity and quality of life for seniors. She enjoys sharing her love and passion for fitness. Her programs are customized for the level of the students she teaches.
Everybody can practice chair yoga. Using a chair to perform traditional yoga poses can support your body, and protect against falls and injury while you get stronger.
April Hostesses: Amy Hamilton*, Judy Becelia, Ruth Johnston, Cathy Pasanello, Betty Reichert, Christine Sunda
Food Pantry: tuna, ravioli, spaghetti, or cash donation
May 13, 2025 | Tuesday | Check-in 11:00 - 11:30 am
garden party | OFFSITE
Dominion Valley Country Club
15200 Arnold Palmer Drive, Haymarket, VA 20169 | MAP
Country Club phone: 571-222-6900
GARDEN PARTY
THE LUNCHEON IS OPEN TO MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS
Our year-end luncheons are always a fun way to relax and celebrate another year. We acknowledge those that have made special contributions to our club. We get in the swing of things with themed attire or simply an outstanding hat.
May Hostesses: Bev Krantz*, Vernelle Boykin, Kathy Esslinger, Rachel Fenner, Sally Hudson, Page Murray
Food Pantry: cash donation
Completed Programs | September 2024 through May 2025
September 10, 2024 | Haymarket Regional Food Pantry |
Eileen F. Smith, Executive Director & Governing Board Member
Ms. Smith has volunteered with the Food Pantry since 2007 assisting with food distribution, collection, marketing and assumed the Executive Director position in 2015. In her role she collaborates with volunteers, donors, clients, community groups and food providers. Ms. Smith is a long-time Gainesville resident, and mother of three. In addition to her efforts at the Pantry, she is Senior Director of Global Competitive Strategy at Oracle.
The Haymarket Regional Food Pantry is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (C) (3) organization. Eileen will explain how the Pantry works, it’s successes and the many ways it benefits our area families.
The Pantry’s address is: 7669 Limestone Drive, #105, Gainesville, VA 20155
September Host Team: Lisa Osborne*, Matt Burrows, Alexandra Elswick, Sheila Niemela, Jane Razeghi, Jennifer Taylor
Food Pantry: flour, sugar, salt, pepper, masa flour, and cash donations
See the gallery here