Greetings to all members of the Virginia State Society,

VIRGINIA CHERRY BLOSSOM PRINCESS BECOMES U.S. CHERRY BLOSSOM QUEEN’S 1ST RUNNER UP

As many of you know, our daughter, Ann Dustin, was this year’s Virginia Cherry Blossom Princess.  Ann and her fellow state and territory Princesses had an action packed and exciting week, starting with the traditional Japanese Stone Lantern Lighting Ceremony at the Tidal Basin.  They enjoyed a luncheon and women’s panel discussion at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and tea and dessert at the Embassy of Lithuania.  All the Princesses enjoyed the sushi reception at the Embassy of Japan, which included a visit to their on-site Japanese Tea House and a formal tea ceremony  demonstration.

Other activities included a Fashion Show luncheon, and a tour of the White House. They also participated in community services projects, including packaging “care boxes” for our servicemen and women overseas.

However, the Cherry Blossom Grand Ball was spectacular!! Gail and I, along with Dave and Wendy Pinhey, Jimmy and Joyce Clippard, Bern Zeavin and daughter, and former U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen, Jill (Zeavin) Payne, were all surprised and excited when the Japanese Ambassador called Ann’s  name as 1st Runner-Up for the U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen. Ann was even more excited to learn she would ride on the float at the Cherry Blossom Festival.
 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS MEETING/SOCIAL

The Society of Virginia’s Biennial Election of Officers Meeting/Social is scheduled for Sunday, June 6, 2010  at 11:00 a.m. at Fort Belvoir.  For those of you who were disappointed about the cancellation of the annual Valentine’s Champagne Brunch, be sad no more!  Sunday’s brunch is a champagne brunch. 

Many of you have already expressed an interest in being a candidate on ballot for the 2010-2012 term.  Please make sure you contact David Pinhey to request your name on the ballot. Contact David at 8460 Toll House Road, Annandale, VA 22003;(703) 978-3663. In particular, if you are interested in becoming the next President of the Society, please do not hesitate to contact David.  Nominations from the floor will also be taken. The future of our Society depends on the willingness of its members to serve. 

Come join us June 6 for brunch, champagne, socializing and a little bit of business.  Fill out and return the attached invitation.

I look forward to seeing you there.

YOUNG VIRGINIANS CAMPAIGN   
 
Their way of communicating is foreign to many of us -- Facebook, Twitter, texting, and networking -- and yet, they are our future.  We have a few already with us longing to meet and greet other 20s, 30s, & 40s “young” Virginians.  Hide no more — contact Troy Gravitt for info on special events for the “younger” generation and spread the word. Troy recently organized a cocktail social for prospective members at the City Tavern Club in Washington, D.C.  If you are a 20s, 30s or 40s member of the Society of Virginia and wish to receive invitations to future Young Virginians events, all you have to do is notify Troy via e-mail. Your friends and prospective members are welcome. To sign-up, just send an e-mail to Troy Gravitt at troygravitt@hotmail.com.
 

A LETTER FROM PRESIDENT BOB SULLIVAN

Dear Society Members,

I have truly enjoyed my two years as President of the Society of Virginia. To a very special group of people, a very special “thank you.” Both Gail and I have been proud to be part of this very unique organization.  Our most recent event, the Holiday Party at the Country Club of Fairfax reflected a very certain sense of style. We have brought in lots of new members, maintained a healthy balance in the treasury, and had a lot of fun. Once again, to all of you many thanks.
Our Virginia society has been in existence since 1923; and, it is our duty as proud Virginians to continue its legacy.  That is why I have asked one of our “younger” members, Troy Gravitt, to head-up the “Young Virginians Campaign” to seek out our future leaders.
I look forward to seeing you at the Champagne Brunch on June 6.  My very best wishes to next term’s President and officers.

Bob

THE SOCIETY OF VIRGINIA WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
Lynn Allison
Margaret Chadbourn
Andrew Forbes
Geraldine Gassam
Col & Mrs. Clark Metz
Naomi Sokol Zeavin

Know someone who might want to join?
FOR Membership applications CLICK ON THE CONTACT US TAB.
 

IN MEMORIUM:

We express our condolences to the families of the following long time Society Members who have recently passed away:

George Gableman
Laina Garver
Glenn Mayer

Additional Items

Roster Update: Times are changing and we are trying very hard to get an accurate and up-to-date e-mail address for everyone.  It’s like the story “How many Virginians does it take to change a light bulb?”  And, of course, the answer is “It takes four – one to change the light bulb, and three to talk about how nice the old one was.” As the Age of Technology is now upon us, we really need your help in updating our e-mail list.  If you have heard from me via e-mail no further action needs to be taken. However, if we have not contacted you via e-mail and you have an e-mail address, please send an e-mail to me at rhsullivan@verizon.net. 

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP: We are still looking for corporate sponsorship.  That means someone has to canvas business establishments throughout the Commonwealth and promote the Society of Virginia. We have a considerable number of businesses but it takes time to canvass them.  Are there any takers out there? As a Society we can offer advertising and there is nothing better than word-of-mouth.  One way to do it is to have businesses donate door prizes. That way, their product becomes known and word gets around.  Some State Societies do this and distribute their brochures at meetings.  With the internet, a lot of sales are made.  Seems like people want instant ability to order.  You know, that instant gratification! Another way is to make contact with publishers in the Commonwealth.  They are often looking for ways to get their books out to the public. The books make wonderful door prizes and provide reading so that a book review can be done for this Newsletter.

Society of Virginia Board Members

President            Robert Sullivan   rhsullivan@verizon.net
Vice President   Madge Artley     madge.artley@fcps.edu
Vice President   Meg McLane     mmclane8@verizon.net
Vice President   Troy D. Gravitt    troygravitt@hotmail.com
Treasurer            Joan Lawrence   jklawrence45@gmail.com