News And Events

All the World's a Stage for Teen from East Rockingham High School

Captivating audiences with a performance of a sonnet and monologue from Shakespeare, Tatiana Hodgins from Elkton, Virginia, a student of Erica Williams at East Rockingham High School in Elkton, placed as one of 10 finalists at the 31st annual English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition.  The Competition was held on May 5th at Lincoln Center Theater in New York City for 58 winners of ESU Branch competitions nationwide. Tatiana had previously won the ESU Lexington, VA Branch regional competition.

 

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Lexington Branch welcomes The Rev. Dr. John Hall, Dean of Westminster

Members who attend the ESU Annual Conference are urged to bring what they experience back to the leadership and members of their own Branches.  At the 2013 Seattle conference former Lexington Branch President and National Board Member Joy Harris went way beyond this admonition by inviting the conference's main Speaker, The Rev. Dr. John Hall, Dean of Westminster, to include Lexington in his next US visit to present his richly illustrated talk about Westminster Abbey's past and future to the Branch members.  Branch President Rose Gordon enthusiastically seconded the invitation and, working with Joy and Valerie Humphrey, the Director of the Westminster Abbey Foundation, they planned a March 18 program and reception at Moody Hall on the Campus of VMI.

 

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Night at the Museum

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"An evening both beautiful and educational" was the way in which one ESU member described our November 6th meeting at the George C. Marshall Museum. Dr. Havers, president of the Marshall Foundation, spoke on the relationship between Marshall and Churchill. He also spoke of future plans for the Foundation.

Following Dr. Havers remarks, members had a chance to explore the Museum and its many fascinating artifacts and memorabilia from General Marshall's time as Army Chief of Staff during World War II, President of the American Red Cross, and Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense. Among the items which members found particularly interesting were: a WWII Era Jeep;the Enigma machine;the illuminated map of World War II; and Marshall's desk.

There was much to see about The European Recovery Plan, better known as the Marshall Plan. Among the posters illuminating Marshall's later year is the Nobel Prize Medal for Peace, awarded to Marshall in 1953. 

 

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Annual Lexington Branch Christmas Party

'Twas two weeks before Christmas and under the mistletoe,
The Jones hung tinsel and bows, where did they all go?
Out came the nutcrackers and oyster plates,
Silver was polished to a shimmering glow.
Then their friends descended from the ESU
Al's Eggnog was finished and dishes were cleared,
When finally they left, full of good cheer,
Jolly,and happy and blessed for the coming New Year!

This year the party was held at Spring Farm, the lovely home of Margaret Fletcher.

 

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The English-Speaking Union

Lexington Branch

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