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PrintMay’s Annual General Meeting
News
Many thanks to Barbee Tucker-Pigot Susan Wilson, and Loveday Conquest for their efforts in chairing May's Annual General Meeting. The food was great, the rain held off and a fine time was had by everyone.
News And Events
News And Events
The Chapeau of the Year Contest
Announcement
ESU Seattle Branch Members and Guests, get ready to put your "hats on" for the ESU Summer Garden Party's annual "Chapeau of the Year" competition! The Garden Party and this year's hat contest will be Saturday afternoon, July 30th.
This year, men and women will compete together in four contest categories of hats: Most Elegant, Funniest, Most Original and Traditional/Historic. You may bring more than one hat and enter more than one category; but, amongst the entrants within each category, with men and women competing together, there will be just one winner. The winners of the four categories will then compete for "Chapeau of the Year," and win the handsome perpetual trophy.
So, start making/buying/designing/ borrowing the hat or hats you want to wear for the fun-in—the—sun annual ESU Summer Hat Contest. July 30th will be here before you know it!
—Dick McGrath and Peter Phillips
Board Resolutions Regarding Monthly Receptions
Announcement
Our Branch Treasurer, Bob Milnor, has noted in several monthly reports to the board that for some time income from the monthly receptions has fallen, in large part due to the number of individuals who attend but don't pay. To at least make a start in correcting this, the board has passed two resolutions regarding attendance at receptions. These resolutions will be in effect beginning July 1, 2017.
Members 90 Years of Age and Older
Those who have reached their 90th birthday (congratulations!) will now be charged half price ($10) to attend monthly receptions. This does not apply to spouses, partners, guests (unless they are also at least 90) or to other events, such as the Summer Garden Party or Speaker Dinners.
First Time Guests
The purpose of allowing a guest to attend a monthly reception for free is solely to recruit new Branch members. Members are allowed to bring a guest who may reasonably be expected to become a member one time only for free. Previous guests, children, out-of-town relatives, or anyone who is not being actively recruited as a potential Seattle ESU Branch member must pay $20. If you have a question on whether a potential guest qualifies for free admittance, please contact me, or any other Board Member.
--Bill Maschmeier, President; ESU Seattle Branch
National ESU-US Conference
Welcome Message
The ESU-US held their Annual National Conference this year on November 1-4, in Washington D.C. at the Cosmos Club in Embassy Row. The club founded in 1878 has occupied the former Townsend mansion since 1952, and boasts numerous Pulitzer winners and Nobel laureates among its members. Region VIII was well represented by LA, Honolulu, Portland, Denver and Seattle. Seattle member representation included Clarke O'Reilly, and Anthony and Jenny Cowan, in addition to Bill and Patricia.
On October 31, 2019, all ESU members in the area were invited to join the proceedings of the International Churchill Society, which was just ending their conference at the nearby Georgetown Marriott. Both the talks on Churchill and the lunch provided were delightful, and served as an excellent example of the cross-pollination possible between organizations having common interests.
SEATTLE TEEN COMPETES IN 34th ANNUAL ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION NATIONAL SHAKESPEARE COMPETITON IN NEW YORK CITY
News
With a performance of a sonnet and monologue from Shakespeare, Tara Davenport from Sammamish, WA, a student of Jaclyn Hannah Fry at Skyline High School in Sammamish, placed as a semi-finalist in the 34th annual English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition in New York City. The Competition took place on May 1, 2017 on the stage of the Mitzi Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center with 54 semi-finalists from as many ESU Branch competitions nationwide. Tara previously won the ESU Seattle Branch competition.
The winner of the 34th English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition, Ogechi Egonu, representing the San Francisco Branch, received a full scholarship to attend the American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp in Staunton, VA, this summer. Second place winner, Brandon Burk, from the Kentucky Branch, won a cash prize of $1,000 from The English-Speaking Union, while the third place winner, Trevon Wainwright, representing the Kansas City Branch of the ESU, received an award of $500 provided by The Shakespeare Society.
The Last Word
Announcement
Many, many thanks to Fred Kleinschmidt and the Boeing Giving Program for the Generous $1,009 they contributed to our general branch fund, that makes it possible to continue with all our educational work. Fred does so much for our branch. Wherever we have a need, Fred steps in to offer help.
Thanks to another person who keeps on GIVING. Alison Ellison coordinates our monthly receptions. But when we went to her home in March, not only had she offered her home but also many wonderful buffet dishes including a huge trifle for dessert. Alison was helped by Barbee Tucker-Pigott, Marlene Holbrook, Sarah Atwood, Fred Kleinschmidt, Alan Waggoner, Norma Jean Kritsonis and Judy King. When Alison asks for your help in bringing food, volunteer with a smile! Her job is a difficult one!
Reception site co-chairs need sites
Announcement
Reception Site Co-chairs Peter Phillips and Susan Wilson need venues for June, July and beyond! If you would be willing to lend your home for a Saturday evening, please contact Susan at (206) 292-9756 or email her at wilcorgrounding@aol.com. Our receptions are great places to keep up with friends, old and new, but we need your help.
Welcome to the New Monthly Reception Coordinators!
Announcement
Susan Wilson and Peter Phillips have volunteered to tackle the job of finding venues for our ESU Monthly Receptions. If you would like to volunteer your home for the second Saturday of any future month, please give Susan a call at (206) 292-9756 or email her at wilcorgrounding@aol.com. Our monthly receptions are very important for our members and fun places to catch up on the news of our friends. We are deeply indebted to our hardworking bar guys, Joe and Steve, as well as Alison and her reliable hostesses. Add to this our new members of the team—Susan and Peter. Many thanks to all who help our branch!
Nominations for Board and Officers Welcomed
Announcement
It is that time of the year when the Nominating Committee meets to fill Seattle Board and Officer slots. If you would like to be considered, please drop a note to Pat Wilson this year's Nominating Chairperson by email at wilcorgrounding@aol.com or mail her at Wilcor Grounding Systems, 4045 Seventh Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98108. Please indicate your interest in working with one of our programs or how you might contribute to the branch. I'll copy and pass your request to our other committee members.
English-In-Action News
Announcement
We are so lucky that Marlene Holbrook stepped in to revive our branch English-in-Action program! She, along with Lisa and Sara, is doing an outstanding job. You'll be pleased to hear of the program status:
English-in-Action of the Seattle Branch of the English Speaking Union has just completed the first segment of this year's program. Our group has grown from 3 persons to 9. The additional number are visiting scholars from Korea and Japan, a lovely group that are truly enjoyable. A big thank you to Lisa McHogan and Sara Hemphill my stalwart associates who contribute so much. If anyone is interested in joining this very interesting gathering, please contact me for further information.
—Marlene Holbrook, English-in-Action Chair, (425) 218-6230
