Trick or Treat for Healthy Halloween Treats

Submitted by Active Member Powers Strickland

It's hard to believe Halloween is this Thursday! As many people prepare for trick or treaters with bags of candy, we thought we would bring you some healthy Halloween treats for your ghosts and goblins. Did you know that 20 pieces of candy corn equals 33 grams of sugar? That's a whole lot of sugar! What better way to steer clear of all the sugar than with some fun, tasty treats you can make with your kids?

Here are a few quick and easy treats I tackled in my kitchen! 
(Disclaimer: Yours will be a lot cuter than mine!)

Mummy Dogs

Package of hotdogs or cocktail sausages
Refrigerated crescent roll dough
Yellow mustard

Wrap the hotdogs or sausages in thin strips of the crescent roll dough, creating a "mummy" effect. Bake in oven as directed on the crescent roll dough container. Once golden brown, remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. Squeeze two dots of yellow mustard for the mummy dog eyes. Serve with mustard or ketchup and enjoy!


Banana Ghosts

One banana
Peanut butter
Chocolate Chips

Cut the banana in half. Attach two chocolate chip eyes and a mouth to the top of the banana using peanut butter. Enjoy!

For those with peanut allergies, I think a frozen whipped cream or some sort of icing would work just as well.



Spider Crackers

Round crackers (I chose whole wheat for an added healthy kick!)
Peanut butter (or icing or frozen whipped cream, for those with peanut allergies)
Thin stick pretzels
Chocolate chips

Put a table spoon of peanut butter on one side of a cracker. Place eight pretzels in the peanut butter sticking out of the sides for the spider's legs. Place a second cracker on top. Attach the chocolate chips using peanut butter as the spider's eyes. Enjoy!

JLC Launches a Book Club

Submitted by Elizabeth Crouch, Transfer Member and JLC Book Club Chair

“In the future, there will no be female leaders.  There will just be leaders.”
– Sheryl Sandberg, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.

The JLC has also already given me a chance to “lean in” and “sit at the table.” As a transfer to the Columbia league, I wanted to immediately get involved with the league and my community.  My enthusiasm has only been encouraged, never dampened. After proposing the idea of a JLC book club to league members, I was immediately supported and encouraged.  The fact that the idea of a JLC book club came from a transfer member that took root with other members encouraging and supporting is truly phenomenal to me. The JLC embodies “women supporting women”!

Thus, it is fitting that the focus of the first-ever JLC book club was leadership.  More than 25 JLC members gathered to discuss the club’s first selection, Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead. While her book does contain advice about how to handle work/life balance, the JLC Book Club focused on how to be a leader in the community regardless of whether you work inside or outside of the home.  The book club divided into groups of five or more individuals in order to allow for small group discussion guided by a list of suggested discussion questions.

As a “leader” of the book club, along with Monnie Murray and Mary Frances Jowers, I traversed from group to group to hear what was being discussed. The conversations were riveting and would have continued if we had not stopped the discussion due to time.  Everyone had their own story of what a leader meant to them and what challenges they had overcome in becoming a leader themselves. 

  

The book club ended by asking: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”  This was a question Sheryl Sandberg asked all readers to consider at the end of the book. If there were no societal or personal constraints put on women, what we would we want to do? Some of the women at book club shared their personal dreams such as that they would run for office, open a business, go skydiving, not wear make-up to work….The list is endless!!  The exercise was so invigorating that we left a stack of forms at JLC headquarters for any member to stop by and fill out. 

Since the first ever JLC Book Club was such a hit, I encourage you to join us for the next book club on February 4^th. Book club attendees were presented with a short list of possible selections for our next pick, and then ranked their preference. The final book selection will be announced through E-blast in the coming weeks so stay tuned. We encourage even those who don’t have time to read the book to come and join the conversation.  I am looking forward to another engaging discussion!

Mark Your Calendars for the 17th Annual Clean Sweep Sale

Submitted by Active Sara Beth Rush

Saturday, February 1, 2014

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(Clean Sweep will be closed from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. to prepare for the Bag Sale.)

The women of the Junior League of Columbia are hard at work making sure this year’s Clean Sweep Sale is the best yet! If you love hunting for a bargain, mark your calendars for the Clean Sweep Sale on February 1, 2014.

If you’ve never been to Clean Sweep, you’re in for a treat. The JLC is hosting a massive one-day rummage sale; this is better than your average garage sale. You can find all sorts of incredibly affordable items - from appliances to maternity clothing, housewares to sporting goods. There’s always a great selection of unique furniture, children’s toys, holiday décor, linens and books just waiting for you to peruse.

The Clean Sweep Sale is a wonderful community event open to all. Bring your family and friends for a memorable morning. Please join us at the SC State Fairgrounds the first Saturday of February. Check out some of the great items that will be available!

Are you looking for a shabby chic headboard? We've got it!

Keep your New Year's Resolution going with this NordicTrack!

This ping pong table is the perfect addition to the man cave or playroom in your house! 

Parking is $2 per car and the gates open at 7am (enter through Gate 6).  Admission to the sale is $3 per person, although children 12 and under are free. Doors to the Capital City’s best rummage sale open at 8 a.m. sharp.  Remember it’s a rummage sale—cash sales only. The sale will close at noon for a half hour for the grand finale: the Bag Sale. Savvy shoppers can fill a bag for just $5 from 12:30 p.m. to 1p.m.

Proceeds from the sale cycle right back into our local economy through the Junior League’s partnership with charitable organizations throughout the Midlands. Clean Sweep 2013 raised over $30,000, and the goal for 2014 is $35,000 It’s a great day of treasure hunting with the goal of ultimately improving our community!

Playing With Your Food

Submitted by Active Member Lisa Hockenberry

Do you remember the scene in Mermaids where Cher’s character would make the craziest concoctions for her family to eat? She adorned foods with marshmallows and sprinkles in hopes of being a “good mom”.

Recently my girlfriend informed me that she made Puppy Chow for her upcoming Tennis Holiday Party. “What is that?” I inquired. She said her mom made it growing up! I may be the only person out there that has not heard of puppy chow, but I have a sneaking suspicion it is not for puppies…

However, it got me thinking about all the fun food ideas my mom would whip up for me so that I would eat my food. I don’t think I was a picky eater, but it is a lot less hassle for kids to eat healthy when they think it actually a fun snack! I am not talking laborious make your own baby food, just easy, creative kid-friendly snacks.

Banana Hot Dog Sandwich

1 hot dog bun

2 tablespoons peanut butter

1/2 banana

1. Toast the bun.

2. Take the peanut butter and spread onto bread.

3. Top with banana.

Bugs on a Log

1 stalk celery

2 tablespoons peanut butter

Raisins or chocolate chips

1. Cut the celery into thirds.

2. Fill with peanut butter.

3. Top with raisins or chips to resemble bugs

Dirt Cups

1 package Instant Pudding Mix

2 cups milk

16 oz Oreos

3 1/3 cup Cool Whip

8 gummy worms

1. Pour milk and pudding mix into a mixing bowl. Whisk for about 2 minutes. Let set about 5 minutes.

2. Crush the Oreos. Mix the cool whip and about 1/2 the Oreos into the pudding.

3. To make the cup: Place a spoonful of Oreos into a small clear plastic cup. Top with pudding mixture until about 2/3 full. Top with remaining Oreos to create the top “dirt” layer. Push a Worm into each cup.

English Muffin Pizza

6 oz tomato sauce, I like to buy the small can just for this…no waste

6 English Muffins split, I like the whole wheat kind

Garlic powder, oregano, basil

Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Turkey Pepperoni

Black olives, diced green peppers, etc., if your kids like them

1. Toast the English Muffins to get a firm base.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the sauce and a few spices to your liking.

3. Spread a thin layer of sauce on each 1/2 of muffin. Top with a layer of cheese. Add whatever toppings to your liking.

4. Put back into toaster oven and toast one final time to melt the cheese.

Bunny Salad

1 chilled pear, half

1 lettuce leaf

2 raisins

1 red cinnamon candy

2 blanched almonds

cottage cheese ball

1. Place the lettuce leaf on a plate. Place the pear upside down on top of it.

2. Use the top of the pear for the bunny’s face. Take the raisins for eyes, the candy for the nose and the almonds for the ears.

3. A small scoop of cottage cheese makes the tail.

A Provisional's View

Submitted by Christy Snow, a Provisional Member, as a part of her series documenting her Provisional Year in the Junior League of Columbia

We are one month into the Provisional year with little time wasted. This month, I attended my first JLC meetings. The General Membership Meeting came first. Taking some wise advice from a member of our provisional committee, I decided not to enter my first meeting alone and opted to meet some girls for happy hour at Gervais and Vine beforehand. I met two other girls who I wouldn’t have known if JLC had not been in my life. As a side note, I knew the League would provide plenty of opportunities for community service and planned socials, but this little impromptu happy hour was an unexpected perk and I hope there will be many more to come!

Image courtesy of www.leanin.org

After a quick caravan over to Seawell’s, it was meeting time. As a professional meeting and event planner, I get overly excited about a well run meeting, and I could tell from the get-go that this was not JLC’s first rodeo. The food, drink tickets and strategically-placed volunteers made what could have been a very overwhelming meeting enjoyable. I was also overly excited about the opportunity for impulse purchases at the meeting, and now I am the proud owner of one discounted Holiday Market Preview Party ticket and one hardback copy of Sheryl Sandberg’s bestseller, Lean In, which is the first selection of JLC’s new Book Club that will meet later this month. I I enjoyed seeing an overview of everything that the League is focused on at this point and I am relieved that the meeting agenda is strictly followed at the meetings!

Fast forward two weeks and it was time for our first Provisional meeting. After a long workday, the Provisional Committee planned my all-time favorite meal – pizza and wine!, At the meeting, we learned a little more in detail of what was in store for this next year. The first is Holiday Market’s Preview Party. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited about my boyfriend dressed up in a tux walking around Christmas shopping with me all while sipping cocktails and listening to a fabulous band.

The second is our Provisional Project. This year, there are eight different projects that our group could be placed in:

·         Tree Decorating for Palmetto Children’s Hospital Festival of Trees and Junior League of Columbia’s Holiday Market

·         Sustainers Wrapping Project at Holiday Market

·         Sistercare: Valentine’s Day Party for Mothers and their Children

·         JLC’s Healthy Kids Fun Fair

·         Touch-A-Truck Project

·         Epworth Children’s Home Project

·         Salvation Army’s Christmas at the Fairgrounds

For all Sustainers reading this, I’m a skilled gift wrapper and bow tier so if I’m placed in the Sustainer gift wrapping project, you are in good hands!

The third is upcoming social events. The Provisional committee has really made it a focus to have our class of 117 women meet each other as much as possible all while serving the community in true JLC style. In fact, there is a social committee made up of Provisionals that is being organized to offer more casual opportunities to meet outside of League events. Shout out to Susan Wheeler who is heading  up this effort!

Meetings are a big time commitment your first year as I was told this time and time again before joining. While meetings are a time commitment, the information shared, friendships made and fun conversation had are so worthwhile.month, This fall is shaping up to be busy one personally and professionally, and  I’m thankful for my decision to join the League!

Healthy Start Kicks Off a New Year

Submitted by Active member Emma Davidson

The Healthy Start Committee kicked off the new school year at Caughman Road and South Kilbourne Elementary schools.

Committee members held two events (one at each school) that celebrate the school, make learning fun and encourage parents to find a way to get involved in the health of their kids. The event is free to all students and their families at their host school. This year, the Healthy Start Committee served nearly 500 kids and their families!

Each event involves some warm-up time while the kids arrive. This time is filled with jump ropes, hopscotch, hula hoops and silly races. This year we welcomed two very special guests to our warm-up: Cocky and Crossfit Kids! Cocky took part in the organized work out, including stretching, lunges and running in place. Crossfit Kids led the children through a series of easy moves that they can do at home to keep their bodies active.

After the warm-up, the kids were divided into their age groups and then moved between a series of health stations. These included Healthy Teeth (where they learned about the importance of brushing and flossing), Healthy Minds (where they learned about the parts of speech and reading), Healthy Bodies (where they learned about washing their hands and preventing germs) and Healthy Eating (where they learned about eating fruits and veggies). At each station, each child received a hygienic present and a school supply, including body wash, deodorant, floss, books, notebook paper and erasers.

Meanwhile, the kids’ parents were in the cafeteria, talking about the importance of healthy shopping and being active with their kids. The children joined their parents for a Moe’s dinner and received another surprise: new backpacks courtesy of the Hootie and the Blowfish Foundation and The Cooperative Ministries.

These were two great events, made possible by the Junior League Healthy Start Committee members: Caison Boozer (Co-Chair), Kelly Hall (Co-Chair), Aston Daniels, Emma Davidson, Rachel Flynn, Rebecca Goings, Meredith Gvozdas, Virginia Henderson, Frances Clark, Alle Kaneft, Andrea Lance, Tara Martin, Megan McConville, Catherine Rawl, Kolby Redd, Tori Tibshrany and Alana Williams.

About Healthy Start

Healthy Start kicks off the school year with excitement! The event takes place at a school, so that we celebrate the school, making learning fun and encourage parents to find a way to get involved. Healthy Start is free to all students and their families at their host school. The event addresses the new focus of healthy children in efforts to improve the mind, body and spirit by promoting literacy and reading, providing health and safety information and helping parents get involved in the schools and in their children's lives.

Remarkable Woman Spotlight: Sustainer Pamela Pope

Each month, we are highlighting a "Remarkable Woman" in the Junior League of Columbia. We kick off this series with one of our Sustainers, Pamela Pope. Pamela is the current Sustainer Representative for the Board, and a past President of the Junior League of Columbia. Originally from Columbia, she is married to Joe Pope and has two children, Pamela Ann (9) and Joseph (11). Pamela teaches Latin in the middle school at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, where she has been for 20 years.

What was your most favorite placement in the Junior League?  

During my active years, being Provisional Chair and Membership VP were probably my favorites.  Being President was hard work, but incredibly rewarding.

How many years of service do you have with the league? 

I think 21 years.

What’s your favorite childhood memory?  

One favorite memory would be adventurous car rides with my family to wherever my mom had planned.

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?  

I wanted to be a teacher.

What are your hobbies? 

I enjoy walking my dogs, reading, traveling with my  family to the beach and mountains.

What is something important life has taught you?  

It is important to always have a goal to work towards. When you work hard and persevere, the rewards and personal growth can be tremendous.

Whom do you most admire or has been a role model for you?  

My mother, Pam Reed, has been a remarkable role model to me. She has taught me the importance of family, of community, and of giving of your self and back to others on a daily basis.

How do you think the JLC has changed most since you joined as a member?  

The friendships that I have formed over the years through my placements have been wonderful. The leadership opportunities and training through the JLC have been incredible, and I have been able to apply my knowledge from these experiences in other community volunteerism, my teaching, and my personal life.

Sustainers Provide Foundation of Community Service

Sustainer Mothers and Daughters Share Memories of League Service

This was an original article featured in the August 2013 issue of the Major League News. 
Submitted by Mary Frances Jowers, Sustainer Outreach Chair

Community Service is an integral part of the Junior League and always has been. Sustainers provide and set a strong example of League service. There are several mother and daughter members of the League, and several of these families have shared their memories - memories that serve to remind us we are all part of this long history of service.

Sustainer Betsey Exum with her daughter, Sustainer Lisa
Courson, granddaughter Elizabeth Baker, and great
granddaughter Elly Baker (born September 2010)

Sustainer Betsey Exum volunteered with the Columbia Museum of Art and helped found the Speech & Hearing Center in the 1950's. At that time, children with speech and hearing needs were not offered services in the schools. Years later, Exum's daughter, Sustainer Lisa Courson, was the League Representative on the Board of the Speech & Hearing Center. As a result of the League's efforts, the need for this service had been identified, met and fulfilled by the schools. Exum's commitment to service was important to her daughter Courson, who explained, "I grew up seeing my mother set the example of being actively involved in the community, and I tried to follow her example and set the same example for my children."

Sustainer Louisa "Binkie" Tobias served the community through her Junior League volunteer work at the Columbia Museum of Art and the Speech & Hearing Center. Her daughter, Sustainer Louisa Campbell, has childhood memories of going to puppet shows at the art museum and going with her mother to the Speech & Hearing Center, where she served as a volunteer tester. Years later, when Campbell was President of the League, an emergency situation arose when the printer could not get the League Magazine mailed in time to publicize the upcoming membership meeting. It would require an employee at the print shop to stay up all night to keep the presses running. Just when prospects looked dim, an employee overheard the conversation and spoke up to volunteer his time. He said that years earlier, the Junior League ladies at the Speech & Hearing Center worked tirelessly to help his son. He overcame hearing loss and a speech impediment that kept him from going to school with his friends. "I saw him cry as he watched his friends climb on the school bus. But, those Junior League ladies never gave up on my boy. Today he speaks better than I do. I could never do enough to thank those Junior League ladies." The magazine was mailed out on time, and the membership and community guests crowded the auditorium to hear the acclaimed Nancy Austin, co-author of "In Search of Excellence." It was a great day after all.

Campbell explained that she was so grateful for the timely gift she received on behalf of a past generation of Junior League ladies. "Never underestimate the impact of your community service. It affects people in ways that you may never know, whose thanks you may never hear. But, rest assured that your volunteer service pays forward a very powerful gift."

Sustainer Mary Ruffin Weaver Childs, Active Jenny-Gray
Childs Tatum, May Weaver Tatum (Born January 2013)

Sustainer Mary Ruffin Childs explained, "One of the greatest privileges of being a member of the JLC has been the exposure our children had to the work we did in the community." Childs recalled that while she was the chair of the Second Look Thrift Store both of her daughters, Active Jenny-Gray Tatum and Halfie Childs spent many hours helping to accept and unload donated items from generous JLC members. During this time they learned first-hand the joy of selling those items to members of the community through greatly discounted prices.

Regarding the family connection, Childs stated, "Our family tradition for 25 years has been to go to the Holiday Market; it is the highlight of the holiday season for my daughters and me, and they have always understood the money is returned to community projects." Childs explained that while she was serving on the JLC board, including President, her daughters were immersed among the multitude of servant leaders who blazed the trail for them today. Tatum added, "My mom worked very hard as a leader in the League and I knew early on that I wanted to be a part of something that was fun and gave back to the community. Today, my mom and I love catching up about what is happening in the League and discussing the exciting opportunities for JLC in the future."

Sustainer Patti Trotter and her
daughter, Active Jessica Trotter Shand

Sustainer Patti Trotter began her placement as a new Junior League member volunteering for the Richland Memorial Hospital Center for Cancer Treatment & Research (CCTR). Three years later, the JLC asked her to serve on the CCTR's Board as a League community representative. For nine years, this placement became an integral part of not only Trotter's life, it became a passion for some members of her family. Her oldest daughter, Jessica Trotter Shand, lost no time in becoming a constant companion of her mother's for many years as she carried out all facets of Board responsibilities. Shand is now an active member of the JLC herself, and she has many fond memories of working with her mother and other League members to put together hundreds of food baskets for the CCTR patients and their families during the Christmas holidays. Every year, the CCTR hosted a weekend retreat for the cancer patients and their families; Shand attended this event with her mother for many years and together they grew tremendously from watching how little it took to make a difference in someone's life.

Trotter summed up her memories by stating, "What an honor for a mother to get to share years of memories with a special daughter." Shand added, "It is very special to now enjoy JLC events together. I join her for a few Sustainer events each year, and we always enjoy Holiday Market together."

League service is a family tradition for Sustainer Beau Mitchell. She has three daughters who are Sustainers: Susan Mitchell Callahan, Ellen Mitchell Siron, and Marie Mitchell Strohecker. Her granddaughter (and Siron's daughter) is Active Katie Siron. Ellen Siron fondly noted, "The greatest gift a mother can give her children is the ability to love, serve, and connect with others. For three generations, the League has provided my family with lasting friendships, service opportunities, training, and a commitment of philanthropy within the community. The values found within this unique organization of women are strong, steadfast, and ones I am proud to support and pass on to future generations. Being a part of the League was a gift given by my mother and one I had always hoped to pass to my daughters."

Sustainer Cece Zimmerman noted that helping others who are less fortunate is something we should all do. Her three daughters, Katie Atkinson, Natalie Zimmerman, and Julia Bowers are all active in the League. Sustainer Zimmerman explained that her favorite placement was chairing the Toy Sale that the League did for the underprivileged before Christmas as well as her Holiday Market placements. Her daughters have all taken on significant placements, mostly related to Holiday Market. Zimmerman stated, "I guess my volunteerism wore off on my girls! I am so proud that they all feel the need to help raise money to go back into our community to help others."

Other mother and daughter League members include:

• Sustainer Jean Bruton and her daughter Active Margaret Bruton
• Sustainer Margaret Clarkson and her daughter Sustainer Gene Clarkson Brabham
• Sustainer Mahalie Davies and her daughter Active Mahalie Davies Moore
• Sustainers Cornelia (Nela) Gibbons Edgar and her daughter Caroline Gibbons Williams
• Sustainers Elaine Folline and her daughter Emily Folline Mikell
• Sustainers Vesta Haselden and her daughter Anne Haselden Foster
• Sustainer Sue Hodges and her daughter Active Mary Hodges
• Sustainers Lou King and daughter Louise (Gil) King Cavanagh
• Sustainers Caroline (Caro) Marchant and her daughter Caroline Marchant Borucki
• Sustainers Sandra Ravenel and her daughter Janie Ravenel Godbold
• Sustainers Pamela Milliken Reed and her daughter Pamela Reed Pope
• Sustainer Beth Wilson and her daughters Actives Margaret Asay and Bebe deTreville.

Apologies are extended to mothers and daughters who are not included. If you and your mother or daughter are both JLC members, please let Maria know so we can update our records!

Forget the Fryer - Healthy Kids Go Oven-Baked

Recently, President Obama proclaimed September 2013 as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, “encouraging Americans to get involved in promoting healthy eating and physical activity for our kids nationwide.” You can check out the announcement on the Let’s Move! website.

The vision of the Junior League of Columbia is to strengthen the health and well-being of children and families in the Midlands. Because of this vision, we focus on healthy children through events such as Kids in the Kitchen, the Healthy Kids Fun Fair, Healthy Kids with Special Needs and more. We are excited to bring healthy recipes, tips and news on a monthly basis to JLC’s blog.

Today, we bring you a healthy recipe that the kids can even get involved in making. We found this Almond-Crusted Chicken Fingers recipe on the Eating Well website, which has some great healthy kid-friendly recipes. The great thing about these chicken fingers is that they are baked in the oven, and not fried! You can serve them with some great vegetables and sides for an easy and healthy meal for the whole family.

(Image from Eating Well's website)

Almond-Crusted Chicken Fingers

Original Recipe Here (Eating Well®)

Makes 4 Servings

Active Time: 20 Minutes

Total Time: 40 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

Canola oil cooking spray

1/2 cup sliced almonds

1/4 cup whole-wheat flour

1 1/2 teaspoons paprika

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

4 large egg whites

1 pound chicken tenders, (see Ingredient Note)

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 475°F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Set a wire rack on the baking sheet and coat it with cooking spray.

Place almonds, flour, paprika, garlic powder, dry mustard, salt and pepper in a food processor; process until the almonds are finely chopped and the paprika is mixed throughout, about 1 minute. With the motor running, drizzle in oil; process until combined. Transfer the mixture to a shallow dish.

Whisk egg whites in a second shallow dish. Add chicken tenders and turn to coat. Transfer each tender to the almond mixture; turn to coat evenly. (Discard any remaining egg white and almond mixture.) Place the tenders on the prepared rack and coat with cooking spray; turn and spray the other side.

Bake the chicken fingers until golden brown, crispy and no longer pink in the center, 20 to 25 minutes.

TIPS & NOTES

Ingredient note: Chicken tenders, virtually fat-free, are a strip of rib meat typically found attached to the underside of the chicken breast, but they can also be purchased separately. Four 1-ounce tenders will yield a 3-ounce cooked portion. Tenders are perfect for quick stir-fries, chicken satay or kid-friendly breaded “chicken fingers.”

NUTRITION

Per serving: 174 calories; 4 g fat ( 1 g sat , 2 g mono ); 66 mg cholesterol; 4 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 27 g protein; 1 g fiber; 254 mg sodium; 76 mg potassium.

Why I Joined the Junior League of Columbia

Each month, we will feature a post by Christy Snow, a member of this year's Provisional class. This will allow our community to get a glimpse into the Provisional experience. For those of you not familiar with the League, a Provisional is a member who is in her first year; it is a time for her to learn about JLC's mission, programs and to get involved.

Submitted by Christy Snow, Provisional Member

My name is Christy Snow, and I’ve lived in Columbia full-time for about six years. I moved here from Greenville to go to school at the University of South Carolina, but I’ve always loved Columbia since I was a little girl. For me it’s got everything I need – reasonably priced shopping, options for an active lifestyle, an awesome job, great restaurants that I can go to in yoga pants and, of course, Gamecock football.

I will say that my only disappointment in Columbia happened when I graduated college in 2010. Nearly all of my friends moved away upon graduating, and I had to start from scratch again. For the first couple of years, I fortunately had the distractions of building a career, tackling that “freshman 15” that held on to my hips for dear life and learning adult things such as how to pay a water bill and change an air filter. However, once I was able to get my feet on the ground, I realized my social life and charitable giving of my time had a taken a serious backburner in my life.

Enter Junior League of Columbia. I’ve always been familiar with the League from co-workers, friends and the twenty JLC car stickers I see driving around on any given day in Columbia, so I figured it was worth looking into. The dues were affordable and I had no issues finding sponsors (A big thanks to Carol Caulk and Powers Strickland!). From the get go, I had a good feeling about joining and was ready to dive in.

 First Provisional Social

August 1^st was the date of our first provisional gathering at the Palmetto Club. For this one, we got to bring our fabulous sponsors along. I met some really great women at the social and since I was not blessed with the ability to remember names very well, I am super thankful for those beautiful JLC nametags! This event was a nice  way to meet not only other provisional members but to also mingle and chat with active members and sustainers. Overall, it was the perfect welcome to the League!

Orientation

I am not crazy about the word “orientation.” It typically means sitting for hours on end, listening to a bunch of talking heads loading you down with answers to questions that you don’t even have yet. JLC’s Provisional Committee surprised me. At most, it was only two hours of your typical orientation activities. Even in those two hours, I was engaged in the presentation the entire time (with the help of complimentary trail mix and Diet Coke that the League provided). There were multiple speakers that presented in order to break up the monotony. We heard perspectives from each of our Provisional Committee members, the JLC board and my favorite was hearing from a past JLC President, Kristy Ellenberg. She touched on the highlights of Junior League’s history and by the end of her speech, I was moved and motivated to get involved with the League and make some history of my own. By the end of orientation, I had successfully added all meeting dates for the next year into my phone and was ready for Happy Hour!

Happy Hour was a great way to end our first mandatory event with plenty of great food, drinks and laughs. I think everyone was excited for the year to come and I met plenty of other awesome women!

This next year is going to be a whirlwind, but I’m looking forward to the multiple opportunities ahead of giving back to the community and making new friends through the Junior League of Columbia!

Community Research & Project Development Open House

Submitted by Holli Armstrong, Done in a Day Chair

Looking for more ways to give back to the community, the Junior League of Columbia hosted an open house earlier this month for local nonprofits to learn more about how they can get involved with the League. There were new faces and old friends representing in attendance for an energizing and engaging event hosted by JLC’s Community Research and Project Development (CRPD).

The highlight of the open house was the unveiling of the Community Enrichment Grant Program Request For Proposal (RFP). As a reminder, this new RFP program is made possible due to excess funds that the League has available to invest back into the community funding projects that align with the League’s mission. For our community partners, the sky really is the limit with this grant program. Attendees were encouraged to think big, really BIG, and to imagine what they never thought possible. Because of your support and the League’s sound fiscal management, we are going to make dreams come true and life better for children living in the Midlands when these grants are awarded. The application deadline is September 15, and more information can be found online.

During the open house, we also brainstormed NEW…BOLD…FRESH community projects for the Done in a Day (DIAD) committee to tackle this year. A record 28 DIAD applications for potential projects were submitted. For our members, this means more diverse and creative volunteer opportunities. If you know of a community partner that DIAD could help, please let them know the application deadline is mid-August. An updated application will be posted on our website later this month.

By the way, did you know the League can step in and help out an organization in a pinch? Our community assistance funds provide immediate funding assistance to address  urgent needs. If you hear of an organization that needs our help and has a mission that aligns with JLC, please encourage them to submit an application online.

Epworth Children's Home Provisional Project

Submitted by Active Ambra McGuinn (Member of the 2012-2013 Provisional Class)

Joining the Junior League of Columbia has been such a blessing to me in many ways. This year was my provisional year and as part of the process, I was placed  on a team to do a provisional project. Each provisional was asked to list our top three project choices, and I knew from the start that the Epworth Children’s Home project would be a great fit for me since I have a passion for helping and working with children. About three years ago, my family and I started volunteering with Epworth Children’s Home on Sundays and we absolutely fell in love with the children. Seeing kids that had so much joy and laughter even though they had been put through so much just brought joy to my heart! 

When I was told I would be working on the Epworth project, I was excited and immediately began thinking of all the ways I could help to make this project the best it had ever been. Luckily our provisional group was amazing and all had the same goal in mind - - making this a day for the children to always remember.

The purpose of the Provisional Project was to spread education to the children about healthy living through a day filled with excitement. During the day, we promoted healthy living by feeding everyone a meal with sandwiches, fruit and bottled water. We also created an educational piece for  the children to learn about the different types of foods that are good and bad for your body. Last, we presented fun physical activities to show the children that working out can be extremely enjoyable!

Our team spent a lot of time meeting and planning for the big day. We divided our big group up into three groups to get more accomplished. My small group  worked on the food and nutritional piece; another small  group worked on the activities for the day; and one group worked on the decorations, t-shirts and goody bags for the children, including  toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, healthy snacks and much more.

The day of the provisional project, we  paired the girls up in to four different groups giving them different colored shirts. Then we had a healthy lunch together and really got to know the girls. After lunch, we went to the gym to learn about nutrition and how it is so important to eat the right kinds of foods. Everyone then joined in for a fun Zumba workout. The girls had a ball and did not want to stop! Once we all cooled down from the Zumba workout we headed right over to the obstacle course. After a long, exciting day, the girls all huddled up for lots of hugs!  

I have to say that my provisional project was probably one of the best experiences that I’ve had during my time with JLC. Looking back on that day, I knew I wanted to continue to volunteer with Epworth Children’s Home. I hope that I can continue to bring excitement and love to these children for a very long time. Thank you Junior League of Columbia for allowing me to be a part of such an amazing experience!

Check out the pictures from the event!

 

The JLC Goes to Washington

Submitted by Carla Moore, President of JLC

Last Wednesday, I had the enormous honor of representing the JLC on Capitol Hill for the Association of Junior League’s “Hill Day” in conjunction with its 2013 Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. Immediate Past President Mary Kay Owens and I left Columbia in the early hours of May 15 to travel to DC to call on members our Congressional Delegation. I am proud to say that the JLC was one of about 24 Leagues (there are 293 internationally) participating in this important event.

Mary Kay and I were fortunate to meet with a senior staff member in the office of Congressman James Clyburn when the Congressman was called home to SC for an emergency. The staff member said she had asked to take the meeting with us because she knew and respected the League. We did our best to recruit her for the Washington, DC League!

Next, we had an exceptional meeting with Congressman Joe Wilson. Congressman Wilson and his staff spent a great deal of time with Mary Kay and me talking about the impact of the JLC and how we might be a resource to his office. We were delighted to learn that Congressman Wilson’s mother was a past member of the JLC.

Our final appointment for the day was with Senator Tim Scott’s health care staff member. Ironically, her mother was a former member of the JLC. We had a great conversation about healthy children and opportunities for collaboration with the Senator’s office.

On Friday, along with President-Elect Ginny Hairston, we joined our friends with the JL of Greenville and Anderson for a brief meeting and photo with Senator Lindsey Graham. As you might imagine, the Senator had a lot going on so we felt very lucky to have a few moments of his time.

The collective voice of the Junior Leagues was definitely heard last week on Capitol Hill. I am so proud that Columbia took part.

Healthy Kids in Transition Had Fun in the Sun!

Yesterday afternoon, some Junior League of Columbia members and I had a wonderful time lending a hand at the Family Shelter on Two Notch for a Healthy Kids in Transition Activity, organized by Kim Toogood. The children enjoyed two different bounce house obstacle courses, a balloon artist and an interactive Mother's Day craft station.

The JLC donated a new basketball hoop, new basketballs, two high chairs, a baby carrier and gave each child a gift bag complete with the Junior League's book on the ABCs of Healthy Eating, a toothbrush and healthy treats.  Following the activities, we served the children a healthy dinner.

The families were very appreciative! Thank you to Kim Toogood and the Healthy Kids in Transition Committee!

Post by: Sarah G Wood

2012-2013 Junior League of Columbia Award Recipients

On Thursday, May 2, the Junior League of Columbia celebrated the 2012-2013 year at The Palmetto Club. This annual event is a time where JLC honors and recognizes the League members and friends who have dedicated themselves to our mission and vision. We are honored to recognize the following League members and friends of the League! Congratulations!

President's Award

This award recognizes an Active member in good standing who continues the tradition and vision of making the JLC a better organization through outstanding "in-League" service to the JLC.

Ginny Stout Hairston

Katharine Heath Manning Perry Award

This award recognizes an Active member in good standing who has excelled in community voluntarism and activism, through her Junior League placement and through extensions of her JLC work and training.

Pamela Adams

Nancy Mayer Dunbar Leadership Award

This award recognizes an Active member in good standing who has exemplified successful leadership qualities.

Mary Frances Jowers

Friends of the League Award

This award recognizes community organizations or individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the JLC and its stated purpose.

Franklin Jones and Amanda Payne

Kinsey Black Jones Memorial

This award recognizes an outstanding recent Active member (a first, second, or third-year Active) who has advanced the volunteer ideals of the JLC by epitomizing superlative service in her placement.

Kim Jamieson

Provisional of the Year Award

This award recognizes a Provisional member(s) who has exemplified successful leadership qualities and demonstrated commitment to the JLC.

Kathleen McDavid

Tara Felder

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award recognizes one Sustaining member who exemplifies the purpose of the JLC - that of voluntarism - who has translated her volunteer training into outstanding community commitment and involvement and who continues to demonstrate an interest in the JLC.

Caroline Finlay Meyer

A Provisional's Experience

Submitted by Elisabeth Bischofberger, Provisional Member

Since moving to Columbia after college, I knew that I wanted to be associated with an organization of women who performed meaningful activities together to give back to our community. It took a few years, but I finally joined the Junior League of Columbia. My provisional year has been a great experience on several levels -- meeting new women with diverse careers and life aspirations, learning about the organization as a whole and bonding as a provisional group.

What I like most about Junior League is that there is such a diverse group of women. Anyone who says "all Junior Leaguers are a like" could not be more wrong -- except that they all want to make a difference in our community. Why that attracted me as a provisional was because I liked knowing that I could make friends in my provisional group who were not just in the corporate world. That would be so boring! I could learn from new mothers, gain perspective from newly married women and talk about the business side of nonprofits with women who chose that type of career path. The perspective provided by these women different from me is very interesting and gives me a new way of thinking about how we will work together for one common goal. I really enjoyed working community and fundraising shifts where we got the opportunity to do a task with women we had never met before, all with the bigger picture in mind to raise money or provide services to our partners in the community.

I love a well-run meeting. I define "well run" as a) organized; b) timely (less than an hour); and c) interesting and insightful. The general membership meetings were great as a provisional because I learned more about different committees and what responsibilities they served in the League. Not only did I learn more about our internal structure of the JLC, but also how much our work impacts those we give money and services to in the Columbia area. Hearing from Sherry and her guide dog, Roberta, at a General Membership Meeting made me want to serve on the committee that grants the money to give to different organizations. How heartfelt!

Most importantly, you can't retain members if there is no "stickiness" that holds them together. I was fortunate enough to meet a handful of women in my provisional class and become much closer friends with them over the course of our year together. Whether it is working JLC shifts, exercising or even attending community benefits together, it's great to have new friends who share similar passions. Several of us are looking forward to making decisions on our placements for years to come. One year down, many more ahead!