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!