VIRGINIA TECH WOMEN S CLUB NEWS October 2018 PO Box 10252, Blacksburg, VA

Friendship Education Scholarship Service VIRGINIA TECH WOMEN S CLUB NEWS October 2018 PO Box 10252, Blacksburg, VA 24062 VTWC65@gmail.com FROM THE PRESIDENT: TERRY ARTHUR Dear Friends, What a great time of year to live in the beautiful New River Valley with the spectacular fall foliage and all the excitement that comes with living in this vibrant college town. VTWC offers several opportunities to experience the glories of this season, including our fall luncheon on October 23, at Preston s at the River Course, walks, hikes, kayaking, canoeing, and, of course, adventures with Travels and Tours. Since this is the last scheduled newsletter before the new year, I want to highlight a couple of upcoming club activities that you do not want to miss. 1. Be sure to read the thank you letter from one of our VTWC scholarship winners included in this newsletter. We hope you will be inspired to be generous in your contributions to our scholarship fund so we can continue to support these young women. 2. Please note that the deadline for our October luncheon is Friday, October 12. The venue and our speaker, Dr. Sylvester Johnson, will be exceptional, and you do not want to miss it. 3. Interest groups are highlighted in this newsletter so you find the right opportunity for you to get out and experience our wonderful world. There is something for you! 4. Our first Friday Forum is October 5, at 10:00 AM at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church. George Bailey from the Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre will tell us about his journey in show business. Details about all of the above are included in this newsletter. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions. This is your club, and with your inspiration, we will continue our tradition of Enriching Lives Together. Sincerely, Terry Arthur 1

OUR MOST SINCERE THANKS TO DR. LAURA SANDS One hundred and eleven women gathered on September 19, at The Grove on the Virginia Tech campus as Dr. Laura Sands hosted the Welcome Reception celebrating the beginning of the 54 th fiscal year of the Virginia Tech Women s Club. Dr. Sands used words such as impressive to commend the group for its service to VT and the community and for its scholarship awards. When we speak about Dr. Sands, we use words such as impressive, too and beloved and gracious. She continues to challenge us and cheer us on. We are so grateful for her endless support. Thank you seems inadequate, but it is truly heartfelt. We send special thanks also to Dr. Sands assistants, Cheryl Peterson and Melissa Elliott, to David Venne, the general manager of The Grove, and to Chef Michael Arrington. What a fantastic group! They were behind the scenes making it all happen and were supportive in every way. Last, but not least, the directors wish to thank President Terry Arthur, Past President Deb Call, and all board members for their assistance, especially Phyllis Eschenmann, VP of Interest Groups, who made the interest group displays possible. Showcasing each interest group has become very popular among attendees of the Welcome Reception. Submitted by Janet Rakes, Executive Director at Large, and Patti Connors, Terri Lynn Howard, and Ellen Miele, Directors at Large. JOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Visit our social media sites for extensive collections of photos from the Welcome Reception and from other club activities. Virginia Tech Women's Club Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/virginiatechwomensclub/ Virginia Tech Women's Club Website: http://www.vtwomensclub.org/ VTWC Shutterfly Share Site: https://vtwc.shutterfly.com/ Other Communication Resources: Email VTWC65@gmail.com the dates and a brief description of your event, and your story will be forwarded to the right outlet. Submitted by Jennifer Kiwus, VP for Communications 2

$9,026 October 2018 RAISE THE TEMPERATURE ON OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM The mercury is rising on our 2018 2019 Scholarship Thermometer thanks to many generous contributions to the VTWC SCHOLARSHIP FUND this year. To date, we have $9,026 in donations. Let s make this a cause every member supports. With your contributions, we can help more women students at Virginia Tech. The Ways and Means Committee recognizes five levels of giving based on historical firsts associated with women at Virginia Tech: The 1925 Graduates Society $200+ The 1921 Society $150 to $199 The Turkey Hen Society $100 to $149 The Tin Horn Society $50 to$99 The Hillcrest Society Up to $49 Gifts to the VTWC Scholarship and Endowment Fund are tax deductible. Make checks payable to Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV) and please put VTWC Scholarship in the memo line. Mail the check to: Virginia Tech Women s Club Post Office Box 10252 Blacksburg, VA 24062-0252 Gifts may also be made online at www.cfnrv.org. At the website, find the Donate Now button, and follow the links. A direct link to the club s donation page can be found on our website: http://www.vtwomensclub.org. Submitted by Diane Hoover and June Stubbs CELEBRATING LEADERS BY CULTIVATING LEADERS VTWC is stronger and more focused than ever because of leaders who willingly accepted the challenge to steer our organization toward becoming an exemplary service club. Many past presidents continue to fill positions on the board. Their expertise is critical to the continuation of traditional activities, as well as to the development of innovative programs. Current President Terry Arthur is joined by past presidents. Left row: Gretchen Flynn, Deb Call, Karen Finch, Nancy Warren, Nancy Dowling. Middle row: Terry Arthur, Patsy McAlister, Darla Donald, Anne Robinson, Winnie Myers. Right: Rochelle Johnson. Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. Warren Buffett 3

FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT REFLECTS THE VALUES OF VTWC To the Generous Donors of the Community Foundation Scholarship, Allison Trittschuh An architecture major from Dayton, Ohio, Allison Trittschuh is the current president of the Studio Collective School of Architecture and Design at Virginia Tech. She is also a member of the VA Tech Honors College. Allison worked as an architectural intern at mossarchitects in Pittsburgh during the summer of 2018, and as an intern at Earl Reeder Associates in Dayton during the summer of 2017. Thank you for your extremely generous donation and support. My time at Virginia Tech has been fulfilling, and I look forward to seeing how I can grow. It was humbling and touching to be recognized by your organization as worthy of this assistance to continue my education to its fullest. Your support will help me continue to learn and explore the field of architecture and how it can be used to serve the public. This year will be vigorous, but with your contribution, I will be able to focus on my studies and on being the best student I can be. The support and encouragement you have shown me means a great deal, and I look forward to keeping you updated with my progress this year. Thank you, Allison Trittschuh Member Donations Fundraising Activities Scholarship recipients Amber Bradley, Aleia Warren, and Liana Sinnot enjoy time with VTWC Scholarship co-chairs Gretchen Flynn and Nancy Warren at The Grove on September 19. $20,000 for Scholarships 4

GET TO KNOW OUR MEMBERS October 2018 Delores Hendricks reports that joining the VT Faculty Women s Club (as it was then known) was the best thing that ever happened to her as a newcomer to Blacksburg. Upon her arrival, she was greeted by members of the Club who immediately invited her to join several interest groups including Book Club, Gourmet Cooking, Antiques, Dine Around, and Hiking. Since those early days in 1986, when she, her husband Bob and their two children first arrived in Blacksburg from Oakridge, Tennessee, Delores has served the VTWC for more than 30 years. Her first responsibility on the Board of Directors was newsletter editor. Delores may be best known for teaming with Dee Baker to chair Special Features activities for 22 years (1992-2014). Delores and Dee planned and carried out numerous trips and events for club members. But that s not all. In 1998, she was elected president, a position she never would have believed she would achieve when she first joined the group. Delores grew up in the state of Washington, and her husband, Bob, is from British Columbia, Canada. They met and married in the northwest before moving to Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, where Delores worked as a nurse, and Bob earned his bachelor s and Ph.D. Now that Bob has retired from his position as professor of materials science and engineering in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, they are moving to the Boston area. They want to be closer to their daughter, Karen, her husband, and three grandsons, but they also plan to make frequent visits to Boulder, CO where their son, wife, and three grandchildren reside. VTWC members are grateful for her service to the club and wish her well in her new home. Submitted by Pat Ceperley, Club Historian FALL SEMESTER FRIDAY FORUMS Friday Forum events will be held in the Fellowship Hall at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 600 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg. All events begin with coffee and conversation at 10:00 AM on the designated Friday of selected months. Events, times, and dates are subject to change. Special announcements will be distributed via social media and/or email. October 5, 2018 George Bailey, Artistic Director, Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre, Wytheville, VA Topic: No Business Like Show Business! George Bailey will discuss his early career as an actor, his decisions that helped him be where he is today, and how his work at the Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre has helped him change people s lives. November 2, 2018 Dr. Robert Denton, Professor and Department Head, Department of Communications. Pamplin College of Business, Virginia Tech Topic: The Battle for Congress in the 2020 Mid-Term Elections Dr. Denton will provide an overview and context of the national and statewide races of the November mid-term elections, the results of which will have major implications for the Trump presidency. December 7, 2018 Rachel Doyle, Chef & Owner, HazelBea Catering, Radford, VA Topic: A Taste of Tapas! Chef Doyle will demonstrate a tapas-style holiday menu for everyone to enjoy. Participants will leave with all the tools they need to recreate the dishes at home. 5

DISCOVER NEW INTERESTS AND MAKE FRIENDS Hiking: Beth Thomas Informal hikes are led every Thursday morning during the academic year, enabling participants to enjoy the scenic beauty of this area in the company of friends, old and new. The pace is not rough, but the terrain sometimes is. The group meets at 9 AM to form carpools and usually returns about noon. Please contact Beth if you are interested in joining; she will provide all necessary information including where the group meets for carpooling. OUTDOOR CRAFTS Canoeing/Whitewater: Valerie Dymond The canoe group meets each Wednesday at 9 AM and spends the day on the river, starting the first Wednesday in April and running through the last Wednesday in October. This group canoes during most weather, and last minute cancellations are looked upon very unfavorably as it complicates logistics for boat assignments and drivers. Whitewater experience is preferred. Canoes and equipment are not required as there is enough to at least get a new member started. A nominal fee is collected each week to defray the cost of gas for the drivers. In February, the group goes south for a five-day trip on the beautiful rivers of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Note: This group continues to have more interest than can be accommodated, so enrollment is limited.if someone is very interested and has canoe experience, please contact Val, and she will work you into the group as she can. Walking for FUN: This group currently does not have a chair or co-chair. If you are interested in serving as a chair or co-chair for this interest group, please contact Phyllis Eschenmann, VP of Interest Groups. She chaired this group last year and will be happy to provide details about all walks and areas used last year. We must have leadership in order to retain this interest group. Introductory Kayaking: Phyllis Eschenmann Explore this water sport in easy river waters with a few exciting beginner quick-water runs. This group is scheduled once a month, April through October, from 9 AM-5 PM. This group is limited to 12 participants each trip. We are instructed and escorted by the Blacksburg Rec Department s Outdoor Activities Director Travis Coad. All equipment, transportation, and instruction is provided for $30 per trip. Payment is required one week before the trip, and last minute cancellations are looked upon very unfavorably as it complicates logistics for the trip. Pack your lunch and plan a day on various rivers around the area. Note: Two trips are scheduled for the remainder of the 2018 year: SEPTEMBER 20 th (alternate date September 27 th due to river conditions), and OCTOBER 18 th to see the fall foliage. Needlework: Layel Zelazny This group meets monthly on the 2 nd Wednesday of the month from 10 AM-Noon in Layel Zelazny s home at 301 Murphy Street, Blacksburg. Members sign up to provide refreshments for each meeting. Each participant brings her own needlework. Informal instruction in all kinds of needlework is provided. The group atmosphere is very informal and very social. This group begins in the fall following the Welcome Reception and meets throughout the school year with a luncheon in May. Quilting: Lauraine Broadwater This group meets the 3 rd Thursday of each month from 10 AM-12 Noon in members homes. All levels of ability, including novice, are invited to join. 6

COOKING AND DINING STUDY Third Tuesday Informal Cooking: Patsy McAlister, Heather Nicholson This group meets at 11:30 AM on the 3 rd Tuesday of the month in members homes. Lunches are prepared by rotating committees of 4-5 members. In September, December, and April, the entire group meets together. In October, February, and March members meet in smaller groups. This year there is no meeting in November or January. Note: This group is limited to 30 members. Dine Around: Sue Bentley, Beverly (Bev) Fleming, and Alice Ferret Couples and singles visit local and area restaurants usually on the 1 st Saturday of each month at 6:00 PM, September through May. Monthly notices are sent by email. Participants are encouraged to join this friendly group. Lunch Around: Mary Jane Zody, Graciela Santopietro This group meets on the 4 th Thursday at 11:30 AM, September through April, for lunch in area restaurants. Antiques This group currently does not have a chair or co-chair. If you are interested in serving as a chair or co-chair for this interest group, please contact Phyllis Eschenmann, VP of Interest Groups. We must have leadership in order to retain this interest group. Bible Study: Beverly Kingston Meetings are held on Thursday mornings from 9:30-11:30 AM at Blacksburg Christian Fellowship, 2300 N. Main Street, Room 100, Blacksburg. The group will be studying the book of James which is accredited to Jesus brother and head of the Christian church in Jerusalem. Book Club: Marge Davis, Nancy Warren Meetings will be on the 4 th Tuesday of the month at 2 PM at various locations, beginning in September and ending in April. There is a combined November/December meeting the 2 nd Tuesday of December at 2PM. Note: In October, the book club will meet on the 5th Tuesday because the luncheon is on the 4th Tuesday. We will be discussing Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. Several print and electronic copies at the Blacksburg library. Genealogy: Therese Walters The group believes the question, Where did I come from? can be answered in many different ways. This group meets once monthly as a group and will occasionally have speakers and special outings. Locations will be both virtual and in person. The more you connect Friendship Education Scholarship Service the better VTWC becomes. 7

Thursday Morning Bridge: Pat Carnrite This bridge group meets at 9:30 AM, the 2 nd Thursday of each month throughout the year at the Blacksburg Community Center. Tuesday Afternoon Bridge: Edie Ebel, Terryee Chisholm This bridge group meets at 1 PM, the 3 rd Tuesday of each month throughout the year at the Blacksburg Community Center. GAMES Canasta: Winnie Myers, Marian Kelso Time to play canasta! This group meets from 10 AM-Noon, once a month on the 2 nd Thursday at the Village Center of Warm Hearth. If you are experienced, or you want to learn, you are invited. Put these game dates on your calendar: October 11, November 8, and December 13. Mah Jongg: Janet Sawyers This group meets from 1-3 PM every Wednesday throughout the year at the Blacksburg Community Center. If anyone new wants to join, please contact Janet about lessons. The group can accommodate as many members as are interested. Submitted by Phyllis Eschenmann, VP of Interest Groups Are you interested in joining a new group? EXPLORING ART AND ARTISTS We are investigating the level of interest in forming a new group, Exploring Art and Artists, that would be taught by Linda Olin, former Blacksburg Middle School art teacher. There could be a wide range of fun, artistic activities depending on members interests. Some ideas for class art projects include, but are not limited to: Painting with Acrylics create a painting on a canvas based on a group or individual theme which could be seasonal, a pet, abstract figures, or other subject Pencil Drawing learn to draw realistically using the 7 steps of drawing and applying those to complete a simple still life drawing using a pencil Pen and Ink Drawing learn how to draw using pen and ink techniques to create form and texture of an everyday object--a simple way of drawing that really wows the viewer Watercolor painting, weaving, macramé, calligraphy, plaster sculpture, papier-maché, art history, jewelry making Artist s Talk, visits to local galleries Your ideas All supplies would be provided. There would be a materials and instruction fee. Enrollment would be limited depending on the topic. Email Debra Leon via VTWC65@gmail.com if you are interested in participating or sharing your ideas. 8

FIND WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY Serving Our Community and VT Committee October Program You are invited to the October program of the Serving Our Community and VT Committee. We have invited Jon Low of the Interfaith Food Pantry and Kelli Scott of the Virginia Cooperative Extension to share with us what their organizations are doing within the community to address food insecurity. We then plan to have a Q&A and discuss as a group how we can help in their efforts. Please join us Wednesday, October 3, 10:00 AM Noon in the Blacksburg Library Community Room. Refreshments will be served. Please come early to mingle for a few minutes before our speakers begin. Submitted by Debra Leon and Lisa Lloyd, Serving Our Community and VT Committee Donation Drive for Manna Ministries The Serving Our Community and VT Committee is at work. We will be reaching out again this year to Manna Ministries, a donation-based, emergency, local food pantry that provides food, toiletries, and school supplies free to in need Virginia Tech students. We hope you will join us in this important effort by donating needed items that help ensure ALL students have adequate resources to provide for themselves. You may bring your donations to the Fall Luncheon on Tuesday, October 23, at Preston s at The River Course. Thank you in advance for supporting our students. If you have questions, please contact Debra Leon via VTWC65@gmail.com. Immediate Needs at the Pantry Food: any brands of pasta sauce, boxed pasta and/or rice, cereal, snacks (packs of crackers, small bags of pretzels, small boxes of raisins, granola bars) School Supplies: spiral notebooks and folders Toiletries: any brands of toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant Monetary Donations: Donations by check (made out to VTWC) or in cash will be used to purchase perishable food items, such as pints of milk, cheese sticks, yogurt, and fruit. VTWC Cares About Cybersecurity In keeping with the VTWC commitment to cybersecurity, we do not include emails or personal addresses in online posts. Please refer to the print copy of the Fall Newsletter or the Directory (which will be mailed in October) for individual contact information. If you send email to VTWC65@gmail.com, it will be forwarded to the designated recipient(s). We also discourage members from sending group emails that reveal the email addresses of others. Please use the Bcc (blind copy) option. 9

2018 October 17, Wednesday: Wolf Creek Indian Village Lunch at West Wind Farm Winery (included) 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM Fee: $45/55 Sign up with Joy at Blacksburg Rec Center at 540-433-1142, starting Sept. 19. December 6, Thursday: ELF, The Musical Barter Theater Lunch at The Martha Washington Inn (included) 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM Fee: $70/80 Sign up with Joy at Blacksburg Rec Center at 540-433-1142, starting Oct. 15. Submitted by Laura Hewitt and Suzi Austin, Travel and Tours October 2018 2019 February 13, Wednesday: TV WDBJ-7 Station in Roanoke Lunch at WildFlour Cafe (not included) Stop at Fresh Market for quick shopping 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM Fee: $10/20 Sign up with Joy at Blacksburg Rec Center 540-433-1142, starting Jan. 14 March 27, Wednesday: Natural Bridge Caverns and Park Lunch at Scotto s (not included) 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Fee: $27/37 Sign up with Joy at Blacksburg Rec Center 540-433-1142, starting on Feb. 25 April 17, Wednesday: A Day in Lexington Lunch at Sheraton Livery Restaurant (not included) Time and Fee: TBA May 3, Friday: VT English Field and Rector Field House (with VT vs BC game optional) Tour begins at 3:00 PM Lunch before tour and fee: TBA Transportation by car/car pool 10

VTWC FALL LUNCHEON AND RESERVATION The Venue October 23, 2018 at 11:30 AM Preston's at The River Course Fairlawn, VA The Program When Does Virtual Become Reality? The Future of Presence Dr. Sylvester A. Johnson, Asst. Vice Provost for the Humanities and Director of the Humanities Center at Virginia Tech The Menu Butternut Squash Soup House Salad Seared Chicken Breast with Spinach and Garlic Cream Sauce Pan seared Atlantic Salmon with Citrus Beurre Blanc Wild Rice Pilaf Green Bean & Carrots Dessert: Brownies & Lemon Bars Deadline Friday, October 12, 2018 Make checks payable to VTWC and mail along with this form to: Treasurer VTWC PO Box 10252 Blacksburg, VA 24062 0252 Name Phone or email Guest (s) Circle special dietary request: Vegetarian or Gluten Free Number attending @ $22 per person Total enclosed Name(s): *If paying by PayPal, the cost is $23 which includes a $1 transaction fee. You may pay membership AND luncheon fees as a single transaction. PayPal Account: VTWC65@gmail.com. FYI: Future Luncheons Tuesday, February 5, 2019: The Inn at Virginia Tech, 901 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg Tuesday, April 23, 2019: Blacksburg Country Club, 1604 Clubhouse Road, Blacksburg 11

VIRGINIA TECH WOMEN S CLUB PO Box 10252 Blacksburg, VA 24062-0252 Bulk Rate U.S. POSTAGE PAID Blacksburg, VA PERMIT NO. 29 REMINDER: Have you forgotten to renew your VTWC membership for 2018-19? Dues ($20) must be paid by October 15 for information to be included in the VTWC Annual Directory. Membership forms have been provided in the previous newsletter and can be downloaded at our website http://www.vtwomensclub.org. We invite you to renew your membership, and we invite new members to join our very active group of women. While you are at the club website, we hope you will take time to make a donation to the VTWC Scholarship. 12