VILLAGE VOICE - Mount Vernon At Home
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V ILLAGE V OICE FEBRUARY 2021 MESSAGE FROM PAULA LETTICE, President I’m “penning” eligible to vote, but I wanted to government. And, except for Presi- this column participate in the amazing demon- dent Carter who could not travel, shortly after stration of our democratic process three former Presidents who share President Biden at work. a bond of service, dedication, and and Vice Presi- friendship were present. Also in That formal rite of passage and dent Harris attendance were the Biden and transfer of power occurred again were sworn into Harris families. today. It was on the West Front office on January 20, 2021. with very limited attendance due It was a day to feel hope for the I attended my first inauguration as to the coronavirus and extremely President’s message of unity and a college student when my senior heightened security resulting from to be proud of our country with Senator from Rhode Island John recent events. Of course, the cere- our ability to push forward. The Pastore’s office offered me a ticket mony included the oaths of office young Poet Laureate Amanda Gor- to attend the ceremony in the for President Biden and Vice Presi- man said it so well, “And, yes, we crowd on the East Front of the dent Harris. It also included pray- are far from polished, far from Capitol (the ceremony was later er, music, poetry, and a speech. In pristine, but that doesn’t mean we moved to the West Front where it attendance were Chief Justice are striving to form a union that is remains). I was thrilled. I dressed John Roberts, Justice Sonya So- perfect. We are striving to forge up and took the DC Transit bus tomayor, who swore in the Vice our union with purpose. To com- down North Capitol Street and President, and several other Justic- pose a country committed to all walked to the plaza … I was there es, members of the House and cultures, colors, characters, and with thousands of others. The Senate, the Chairman of the Joint conditions of man.” voting age was still 21 so I wasn’t Chiefs -- the three branches of our Cheers! ~ Paula DIRECTOR’S CORNER Jan Buchanan, Executive Director A Brand New Day While we’re waiting…waiting on the phone for our vaccine appointments, waiting in line to receive our first doses, waiting for the world to open up, waiting, waiting, waiting. It would be very easy to leave our present moment, and miss the moments in each day. Getting hung up on the future takes us away from what is happening right now and the appreciation that each moment is precious. So, while you are waiting, check in and observe the details of your surroundings today. There’s a flock of geese flying overhead. Oh, there’s a cardinal pair in the back yard. Those clouds overhead have an interesting shape. And the colors. Even on these steely, grey February days, some of our sunsets have been spectacular. Paying attention to the smaller things in life that you might overlook could not only make you feel more connected to your environment but it might also help you develop a greater awareness of the beauty that exists in everything in this world. Breathe deeply and look around you. Slowing down and seeing your world in this way could give you a greater appreciation of the intricacies of your life and the bounty that exists in each and every thing. Don’t miss all this while you wait! ~ Jan www.mountvernonathome.org 703-303-4060 P.O. Box 7493, Alexandria, VA 22307
Vaccine Reporting by Dave Prescott Dave Prescott, our fearless Office Manager volunteer, has initiated a series of To reach us almost daily updates to our membership, via email and by calling those Phone: 703-303-4060 members with no electronic access. Because of his updates, many of you Office hours: M-F, 10:00 am–4:00 pm info@mountvernonathome.org have been able to make your appointments and get your first doses of the https://www.mountvernonathome.org COVID-19 vaccine. Jan Buchanan is on the Fairfax County Health Department Task Force which meets regularly to disseminate the latest information on Mailing address Mount Vernon At Home vaccines and more. She can also get direct questions answered with her con- P.O. Box 7493 nections to the health department liaison staff. Do reach out to us if you Alexandria, VA 22307 need any help with getting your vaccine scheduled or transportation to and Office address from your appointment. Your feedback and success stories are important to Sherwood Regional Library us! 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, 2nd Floor Alexandria, VA 22306 Here’s some important information to note: the County vaccine information and reservation phone number is 703-324-7404. For online vaccine registra- To become a member, go to www.mountvernonathome.org and tion go to: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus/ click on “Membership”. vaccine/registration. Dues can be paid online via PayPal or call our office at 703-303-4060. To become a volunteer, go to www.mountvernonathome.org and Meet Our Newest Volunteers! click on “Get Involved” or call our office at 703-303-4060. Abigail Catron is 17 years old and a junior at West Po- To support our Village, go to tomac High School. She lives at home with her parents www.mountvernonathome.org and and two siblings, along with a dog, two cats, and foster click on “Donate.” Mount Vernon At Abigail Catron kittens! Abigail works at Kilwins ice cream shop in Old Home is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your tax-deductible Town. She is very interested in doing a college year on gifts are welcome! the seas - she plans to study 9 months out of the year Mount Vernon At Home Leaders on an actual boat while traveling the world! Abigail is Abigail Catron thrilled to be supporting Mount Vernon At Home mem- Jan Buchanan, Executive Director, director@mountvernonathome.org bers: “I am so excited to be part of this program and can’t wait to meet new Dave Prescott, Office Manager, people!” info@mountvernonathome.org Betsy Clagett, Bookkeeper/ Newsletter In Jay Waters’ words, “I’ve been a happy-go-lucky resi- dent of the Stratford Landing neighborhood since 2008.” Board of Directors Paula Lettice, Board President Jay is retired from the Army and enjoys chess, Italian Priscilla Bornmann, Vice President cooking, and speaking Italian on any opportunity. He Barbara Brennan, Treasurer also loves recording oral histories. Jay is also a long- Sarah Drexler Bob Kuletz distance hiker and adventurer very much enjoying “the Jim Lindsay great outdoors.” This photo of Jay was taken during Deborah Matthews a solo hike from Mexico to Utah in 2019. Jay Waters Susan Reardon, Secretary Hugh Schwartz Elaine Serlin Barbara Sullivan Lee Wampler February 2021 - page 2
Here’s the List! Mount Vernon At Home wants to thank our 2020 individual donors for their in- credible support through a tumultuous year. Your support continues our im- portant programming, connecting and supporting our members to live vibrantly, securely and happily in the place they love. Thank you! Anonymous (8) Morrie and Holly Hoven John and Kathy Allen Dr. John T. Houk Virginia Bade Susan Irvings David and Nancy Barbour Jim and Suzanne Jacoby Priscilla Bornmann Marilyn Keel Judy Branting Annette Kilian John and Elizabeth Brigden Barbara Knight Jan Buchanan Paul Krizek and Tracy Navataril Peggy Chaison Bob and Maureen Kuletz Nancy Cihak Paula Lettice Joanne Clark Helen Lewis Coleman Conroy Logistics Essential Assistance First! (LEAF! LLC) Norma Cook Greg Lukens Thomas and Judith Crooker Janet Martin Stephen and Juanita Csontos Virginia Martin Joyce Deighton Leo and Diane Milanowski Eric and Danae Delman Geraldine Murphy Sarah Drexler Don and Anna Peterson Thomas Earley Rick and Susan Reardon Arnold and Margaret Edelman Charles and Franki Roberts Betty Fees Judy Rosen Thomas and Rita Foss Marge Rusnak William Frank Mary Sabulsky David and Diann Frantz Hugh and Maria Rosa Schwartz Catherine Freshley Elaine Serlin Yolande Frommer Ralph Slawson Myrna Garza Bette Spencer Al and Jean Glazier Barry and Barbara Sullivan Mel and Arlyne Goodweather Sarah Tatum Sherry Griffin Cheryl Terry Kathleen Hanrahan Mary Tracy Robin Herron Kae Wells Virginia Hodgkinson February 2021 - page 3
Local Nonprofit Connects Seniors with Kids ing with local nonprofit human service organizations to provide online educational assistance to identified fami- One local all-volunteer organization has made a success- lies. GrandInvolve recruits and provides the volunteers, ful switch from in-person volunteering to virtual volun- and the partners connect those volunteers to children teering. GrandInvolve creates who need help to achieve grade-level lasting and meaningful relation- skills. ships between generations and cul- tures and allows people to share There are many benefits to virtual their talents and resources in activi- volunteering. Volunteers can remain ties which benefit both the individ- at home – safe and socially dis- ual and the community. The non- tanced. “Fairfax County is very large profit organization has provided and with virtual volunteering, it volunteer assistance to academical- doesn’t matter where you live or if ly struggling elementary students in you have physical or caregiving limi- the Title 1 schools of Fairfax County GrandInvolve Volunteer/Student tations,” said Keenan. Public Schools (FCPS) since 2014 Information sessions about GrandIn- and currently has a partnership with 25 of the 46 Title 1 volve are conducted monthly via Zoom. For more infor- schools. mation, visit www.GrandInvolve.org or email Founder When COVID-19 shutdowns hit this past spring, volun- and Executive Director Dot Keenan at teers could no longer interact in person with students in info@grandinvolve.org. their school classrooms. GrandInvolve leadership real- ized right away that both generations of the program would suffer with the pandemic closures. Buying Spring Seeds (condensed from an article by “We worried that our students would not do well with Adrian Higgins appearing in The Washington Post on distance learning and were concerned that many volun- January 13, 2021) teers would be socially isolated. And, many students do not have the resources required for online learning, leav- Times of economic and political turmoil have the pre- ing the school system and GrandInvolve volunteers with- dictable effect of turning people to the garden plot, out the means to reach or assist their students,” said Ex- principally to generate food but also to remain ground- ecutive Director Dot Keenan. ed in uncertain periods. This response was seen during both world wars, the Depression and in the immediate For this academic school year, however, FCPS has now aftermath of the Great Recession of the late 2000s. Dur- provided each student with a device and internet access ing World War II, as much as 40 percent of the na- -- and GrandInvolve has pivoted its efforts to provide vir- tion’s produce came from victory gardens. Now as a tual online volunteers to the FCPS students. Many of the way of coping, relaxing and growing some of our own elementary schools are welcoming GrandInvolve volun- foods, creating a spring garden might be just the ticket teers and have provided access to the school system's to beat the winter COVID blues and get ready for spring! Blackboard distance learning platform. The teachers pro- vide instruction materials, and GrandInvolve hosts Black- Veggie seeds fall into two basic types: those started in- board instructional meetings to provide online training doors ahead of the season, and those sown directly into for its volunteers. the garden. The first includes tomatoes, eggplants and peppers, the second such things as beets, carrots and Teachers send the GrandInvolve volunteer a link to corn. Some can be treated either way. You can really join their classroom, and volunteers are put in a grow veggies and herbs just about anywhere - in a pot breakout room with a few students. They can help in a sunny spot or in your plant beds. with reading, math, or other activities that the teacher provides. Here are two seed company websites you might find helpful: https://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/ and Realizing that some students who need assistance do not https://www.rareseeds.com/ attend Title 1 schools, GrandInvolve has begun partner- February 2021 - page 4
Profile on our Founders Executive Director Jan Buchanan portation. “I rode the 11Y Metro- massive budgeting process and recently interviewed Kathleen Gra- bus which traversed up and down deeply loved the work she did help- ham for our newsletter series, Pro- Fort Hunt Road and into Washing- ing to fund and defend worthy pro- file on Our Founders. ton, D.C. There I met Mary-Carroll grams. Potter, the first Board President of Kathleen’s email address has the Kathleen’s passion and vision for MVAH.” In 2007 the founders held word mandolin in it, so that’s the this Village have not waivered as a public meeting to recruit mem- first question I asked her, why? she continues to enjoy program- bers. “Many years ago, neighbors of ming and appreciates the commu- mine, Art and Eunice Blaser, moved Kathleen joined the MVAH trans- nications to members as one of her away and had a big estate sale. portation committee early main sources of knowledge. As for There was a beautiful mandolin on which created a portfolio of op- her mandolin playing? Kathleen they had and I bought it to see if I tions for seniors and transporta- practices on Zoom twice a week could find someone who would tion. Kathleen mentioned Anne and can’t wait to get back to public play it instead of stick it on a wall as Griffith, a charter member of performing. a decoration. Well, that person MVAH, who also rode the bus on turned out to be me!” Kathleen, her commute to work for both the who played the piano, took to the Bush First Ladies. (Anne passed mandolin with abandon. Fast for- away in September and we includ- ward several years, and Kathleen ed a profile of her in the January has not only mastered the instru- newsletter.) ment, but also belongs to a mando- A native of Mount Vernon, Kath- lin orchestra - the Takoma Mando- leen earned undergrad and gradu- leers - and The Potomac Mandolin ate degrees in biology from Ensemble. She has even played The Potomac Mandolin Georgetown University, and spent at two Mount Vernon At Home Ensemble playing at The the bulk of her career working with events! Virginian in 2018. Kathleen the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is second from left. The story of Kathleen’s interest in and the Department of Agriculture. this Village came from public trans- She became very interested in the In Memorium Richard Hart passed away on December 31, 2020. Richard and his wife, Nancy Greer, were dedicated Mount Vernon At Home members. Richard served on the Board of Directors and also served three terms as our Board President. Richard was a brilliant astrophysicist. He spoke to our Chatters group several times about the vastness and wonders of the universe. He loved to play bridge and no doubt played at a level far beyond others in the MVAH bridge group. Richard was a member of the Mount Vernon Country Club and graciously sponsored many MVAH events there. He will be greatly missed by our MVAH com- munity. John Wright, Associate Member since 2018, passed away on January 17, 2021. More details will follow in next month’s newsletter. We extend our deep sympathy to John’s wife, Willie. February 2021 - page 5
Virtual BookClub What’s Cooking? Our BookClub is unique in that we don’t focus on one book, but allow Evolving Taco Casserole members to share a current read or Original recipe by Jan Buchanan favorite book they recommend. Re- Serves 4-6 member to go to our website under Eating lower on the food chain (less meat, more plant pro- the Newsletter tab to find a full de- tein), not only helps the environment, it helps you in myri- scription of each book! Bring your lat- ad ways. Lowering overall body inflammation, cholesterol est read and hear what others are levels, balancing blood sugar and high blood pressure, to name a few. Here’s a meatless taco casserole that you can reading during this month’s BookClub really improvise on! It’s super easy and adaptable to any on February 11 at 3:00 pm. veggie combination you want. You can also add black or pinto beans. Last Month’s Book Picks! Ingredients 1. Sarah Tatum - The Color of Lighten- 1 packet of corn or flour tortillas (you’ll need 6-8 depending ing by Paulette Jiles. 2009. 386 pages. on the size) (Author also wrote News of the World.) 1 ½ to 2 cups taco sauce, salsa or canned diced tomatoes The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrick 1 each of red and green peppers 2020. 397 pages. And Braiding Sweet 1 onion Grass by Robin Wall Kimmere. 2013. 2 cloves garlic (optional) 409 pages. 2 tsp. dried oregano 1 lb. plant-based ground “beef” (Impossible Burger ground 2. Betsy Stephens - 1619 Jamestown & beef is great) Forging of American Democracy by 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese James Horn. 2018. 267 pages. Cilantro Serve with sour cream and/or guacamole 3. Cher Terry - The Alfred Hitchcock Album by Michael Haley. 1981. And Preheat oven to 350°. The Style of the 20th Century by Bevis In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add Hillier. 1998. 288 pages. the plant-based protein and sauté for about 5 minutes. Remove from the skillet. Add minced garlic, chopped onion, 4. Carol Mattaino - The Warmth of peppers and oregano and sauté until tender but not too Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. (She soft. You can add a little water to the veggies so it doesn’t also wrote CASTE). 2010. 642 pages. get too dry. Add back the ground protein and mix. 5. Hugh Schwartz - Guns of August by Oil the bottom of a 13 x 9 casserole and layer with 4-6 small Barbara W Tuchman. 1962. 511 pages. or 2-3 large tortillas. Spoon the plant meat and veggie mix- ture on top of the tortillas and then add about ¾ cup of the 6. Norma Brodsky - American Dirt by sauce. Place another layer of tortillas, veggies and sauce. Jeanine Cummins. 2020. 387 pages. You can either top with another layer of tortillas, sauce and 7. Barbara Brennan - Eleanor Oliphant cheese or simply top the last layer with cheese. Place in the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with chopped is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. cilantro, sour cream and guacamole. 2017. 372 pages. February 2021 - page 6
February Birthdays Happiest of Birthdays to our February Babies! 2/1 Virginia Bade 2/24 John McCall 2/5 Don Peterson 2/26 Carol Mattaino 2/8 Annette Kilian 2/27 Eleanor Fina 2/8 Louise Wiener 2/28 Janet Damron 2/13 Kae Wells 2/28 Sherry Griffin 2/20 Holly Hoven 2/28 Karen Justesen Do you Need a Member Directory? We are now regularly sending directories to all members upon renewal. If you need another copy, please let us know. We can send it to you on paper or electronically. Save the Date: Mount Vernon At Home Annual Meeting February 24 at 12:00 pm ALL members are invited to attend our annual meeting where we will announce and accept new and return- ing Board members. Ballots were mailed in mid-January to “full Members” (not Associates), so if you did not receive yours, please call or email our office! Please join us as we welcome a new class of Board members! We Want you! to Serve on our Committees Catch the civic spirit and help guide and inspire your community through service. Both Associate and full members are eligible to participate on the committee level where, with a minimum commitment of time, you can make a maximum impact on our Village! We’ll be sending Zoom invitations to all members for up- coming committee meetings and we encourage you to come and see what it’s all about! Our committees include: • Development & Fundraising – Find creative, engaging and fun ways to raise needed dollars for us. • Finance – Get deep in the numbers! Help ensure our financial floor and stability. • Member Caring – Connect to those who need us the most. Provide virtual hugs on the phone and keep tabs on members’ well-being. • Membership – Build benefits and value to attract, grow and retain our members. • Program – Create compelling events and programs to bring members together online. February 2021 - page 7
February Online Calendar of Events February MovieClub Picks. Watch these two films and join a lively discussion about them on February 16 at 3:00 pm on Zoom. Last month’s movie reviews are posted on our website under the Newsletter tab. Host Bar- bara Brennan can help you get connected too! Email Barbara at barbarabbrennan@gmail.com or call her, 703- 209-9651. - The Help (a 2011 movie currently on Netflix). Actresses Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer dominate Tate Tay- lor's adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's civil rights era novel about Southern maids and their testy relationships with white female employers. - The Life Ahead (a 2020 film starring Sophia Loren on Netflix). Based on Romain Gary's 1975 book The Life Before Us (already adapted once before, in 1977's Madame Rosa starring Simone Signoret), The Life Ahead is about an elderly Holocaust survivor and ex-prostitute, who takes in the children of local sex workers, either temporarily or permanently. She operates an unofficial juvenile way station, for children whose mothers have either abandoned them or can't take care of them. In a society that all too often lets people slip through the cracks, Madame Rosa is the glue of her particular neighborhood. As she nears the end of her life, one child un- der her care helps her through that difficult process. It is an unlikely friendship, to say the least. A note about Sophia Loren (from the movie review by Robert Ebert): Sofia Villani Scicolone first strolled into the movies via a 1950 beauty pageant. She was 15 years old. Re-named "Sophia Loren" by her husband Carlo Ponti, she got attention immediately, not only for her beauty, but also for her talent. She was a glamorous woman who played decidedly unglamorous roles, her onscreen personality being earthy, high-tempered, no- nonsense. She came from a very real place; she did not seem like she was manufactured in a Hollywood lab. Loren had to fight to get many of the roles she wanted, roles she knew was right for. She fought to play the mother in Vittorio De Sica's Two Women (1960), and her instincts were clearly correct. She was showered with awards for that performance, including the Best Actress Oscar. Ms. Loren’s career has spanned 70 years, putting her in very rarified company. Until her role in The Life Ahead, Loren hadn't appeared on film for over a decade. She remains such a huge star that her appearance in any- thing is always an event. So, too, with Netflix's The Life Ahead, directed by her son, Edoardo Ponti. The fear going into the film was that it would not be worthy of her. Thankfully, it is. Special Events and Program Highlights Conversations: Journalism in Today’s World: How to Make Sense of it All with Bill Plante, CBS News Journalist. Sunday, February 21 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm via Zoom. Mount Vernon At Home, Arlington Neighborhood Village and At Home in Alexandria are excit- ed to present an afternoon conversation with veteran CBS News journalist, correspondent and anchor, Bill Plante. Plante will provide his thoughts on how better to understand journalism, reporting and the cascade of information washing over us daily. He will also share a unique, “insiders” perspective on American life over the last 50 years! Bill Plante Plant’s tenure at CBS arched from the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War, through nu- merous presidencies. He served as the Senior White House Correspondent for CBS during the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan (beginning in 1981), Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Plante has been based in CBS News' Washington bureau since December 1976. He has covered every Presidential cam- paign since 1968. Plante served as a correspondent in the Chicago bureau (1966-76) after he joined CBS News in June 1964 as a New York-based reporter/assignment editor. During that time, he served two of his four tours of duty in Vietnam, reporting on the bombing strikes over North Vietnam, the Vietnamization and pacifi- cation programs in the south and the fall of the governments in Vietnam and Cambodia. Plante also covered (continued page 9) February 2021 - page 8
Conversations: Journalism in Today’s World: How to Make Sense of it All (continued) the civil rights movement in Mississippi and Alabama, including Dr. Martin Luther King's historic march from Selma to Montgomery. His reporting has earned him numerous awards and recognitions worldwide. Born in Chicago, Plante graduated from Loyola University in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in humanities. He studied political science at Columbia University (1963-64). He and his wife, Robin Smith, an award-winning independ- ent documentary producer, are members of Georgetown Village and live in Washington, D.C. They have six grown sons. February Calendar of Events Meditation: Monday, 2/1, 9:30 – 10:00 am. 2nd Cup: Saturday, 2/20, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. Dial in 301 715 8592, Meeting ID: 898 5120 1430 Dial in: 301 715 8592, Meeting ID: 874 4161 4625 2nd Cup: Saturday, 2/6, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. Conversations: Sunday, 2/21, 3:00 – 4:00 pm with Dial-in: 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 853 2705 8131 CBS Newsman Bill Plante Dial in: 301 715 8592, Meeting ID: 884 0121 0919 Meditation: Monday, 2/8, 9:30 – 10:00 am. Dial in 301 715 8592, Meeting ID: 898 5120 1430 Meditation: Monday 2/22, 9:30 – 10:00 am. Dial in 301 715 8592, Meeting ID: 898 5120 1430 Program Committee: Monday, 2/8, 2:00 – 3:00 pm. GameNight: Tuesday, 2/23, 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Dial-in: 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 857 2874 1622 Dial in 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 883 9418 9123 Passcode: 099372 Board of Directors Meeting: Tuesday, 2/9, 4:00 – 5:30 pm Mount Vernon At Home Annual Meeting: All Dial-in: 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 899 5692 9281 Members Welcome! Wednesday, 2/24, 12:00 – 1:30 pm. BookClub: Thursday, 2/11, 3:00 – 4:00 pm. Dial-in 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 871 8778 9325 Dial-in 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 833 7713 2452 Timely Topics: Saturday, 2/13, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. “Will more women and greater diversity in the new Biden cabinet make a difference in public policy?” Dial-in 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 858 4596 8441 Passcode: 910173 No Meditation on Monday 2/15 in observance of President’s Day MovieClub: Tuesday, 2/16, 3:00 – 4:00 pm. Happy Valentine’s Day!! Dial-in: 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 811 9885 9202 Cheers!: Thursday, 2/18, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Dial in 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 879 5222 7121 Passcode: 870148 www.mountvernonathome.org 703-303-4060 P.O. Box 7493, Alexandria, VA 22307 February 2021 - page 9
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