L e a g u e L i n e s 2012/2013 February 2013 Volume 3, Issue 5

The Junior League of Huntington

President’s Perspective

pg. 2

Inside this

issue:

Jenna Told Ya

pg. 11

Nominating and

Placement

pg. 6-7

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Executive Board President Amy Browning

President-Elect Katina Haught

Community Vice President Rebecca Crowder

Corresponding Secretary Missy McComas

Recording Secretary Ashley Corder

Treasurer Summer Haynes

Treasurer Elect Jessica Copeland

Committee Chairs Arrangements………………………..............Ashley Corder ……………………………………………….Natalie McCormick

Character Breakfast……………………....…Tiffany Clark

…………………………………………………………...Leslie Culp

Community Center……………………………………..Vacant

Cookbook…………………………………………..Maria Aiello

………………………………………………………..Ashley Kacey

Done in a Day ………………………………….Kristi Henson

Education……………………………………….Ginny Morgan

Kids in the Kitchen…………………………....Darci Barger

………………………………………………………Rachel Messer

League Lines……………………...Anna Lafferre (Editor)

…………………………...…...Anna von Allmen (Publisher)

Membership……………………………….........Erica Deligne

…………………………………………………….Denise Landers

Mistletoe Market……………………………..Amy Prestera

……………………………………………..……….Allison Subacz

Nominating/Placement……………….....Jamie Webster

Public Relations…………………………...Meagan Shelton

Rummage Sale…………………………………...Maria Aiello

……………………………………………………...Jamie Webster

Ways & Means………………………………....Darah Snyder

………………………………………………………Sarah Walling

JL of Huntington Meetings are held on the second Monday of

the month at 6 p.m.

617 9th Avenue

Huntington, WV 25701

304.523.4165

www.facebook.com/JLofHuntington

@JLofHuntington

Junior League Mission The Association of Junior Leagues

International, Inc. is an organization of

women committed to promoting

volunteerism, developing the potential of

women and improving communities

through the effective action and leadership

of trained volunteers. Its purpose is

exclusively education and charitable.

League Lines League Lines staff welcomes any

contributions from the members of Junior

League Huntington. Please contact

Editor-in-Chief Anna Lafferre at

anna.lafferre@yahoo.com. Submissions are

due by the second Friday of every month.

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The start of a new year always evokes a drive in me to get organized. I want to lose weight, I shred old paperwork, I buy a bunch of tubs and compulsively want to “fix” everything in my life that isn’t going in the direction I intended. By the time the fall rolls around my desk is piled with paperwork again. There was a time when I believed that if I wasn’t where my peers were then I had failed. For a soul that strives for perfection and control, the reality is we fail everyday. We make mistakes. Plans are interrupted and goals change. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t a success at other things. A friend of mine stood in front of me this past weekend with big tears rolling down her face because she took a chance on something, made herself vulnerable and was promptly defeated. This normally bubbly, energetic, fearless individual was heartbroken. And in an attempt to comfort her, I found myself echoing two thoughts that I have heard countless times before. The journey may be tough, but you end up exactly where you are meant to be and The failures you experience today will be your foundation for strength tomorrow. Oh, if we could take our own advice from time to time. If you haven’t heard Gabby Gifford’s testimony before the Senate on gun control then I encourage you to do so. Regardless of your political affiliation or your position on the debate, it’s compelling. Just reading the text doesn’t have the same impact as hearing her passion for action through labored speech. She said in part - “It will be hard, but the time is now. You must act. Be bold, be courageous, Americans are counting on you.” This woman who has endured more than most and struggled to “fix” herself is nothing less than inspirational. And as I listened to her words, my perspective has shifted. My struggles are as real as anyone else’s, but in comparison they are small. If we dwell on the things that trip us up or race to the end we miss the point. We must strive to live in the moment, to learn from our struggles and find passion and inspiration in every day we are given. Maybe I’ll lose five pounds or my desk won’t be so messy when November rolls around – it could happen. But if it doesn’t, then that‘s okay too. If you doubt me, then I do have proof that all the stresses are small in comparison. It came to me in form of my three-year-old niece. The other day she grabbed both sides of my face with her tiny hands and smooshed my checks together. She told me some animated tale that I could hardly follow and then she said “I love you” with a sweet yet mischievous grin. How can one possibly not find value or inspiration in that? As you go forth in the coming months I challenge you to be like Gabby. Remember you end up right where you are supposed to be and the struggles you have will make you stronger. Don’t let yourself be held captive by to do lists or plans. After all some one once said “life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans” and I’d sure hate to miss any of it.

President’s Perspective Other Plans

by Amy Browning

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League News and Events Character Breakfast

Our Annual Character Breakfast is coming up on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in the Ballroom. There will be a 9 a.m. seating and 11 p.m. seating. The tickets are $15 each. If you know of anyone that would like to purchase tickets, please let us know. Feel free to give our information to whomever you think may be interested in buying tickets or helping sponsor this event.

This year we are doing another

"Candy Bar" and would like

members and sustainers to donate

bags of candy for the Candy

Bar. We would really appreciate

any help that we can get. We are

looking for candy that can be

poured into jars and the kids can

scoop out and put into a small

goodie bag.

We are having two character

breakfast meetings this month — one Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. and one Thursday, Feb.

28 at 6:30 pm. You can drop candy off at either of these meetings at the JL building. If you

would like to donate and cannot bring it to the JL building at these times, please let us know and

we can work something out.

Leslie Culp and Tiffany Clark

Character Breakfast Chairs

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League News and Events Rummage Sale

Simple Socials In an attempt to get some of us together outside of Junior League functions we are bringing back Simple Socials. Some of us were discussing getting together for some exercise classes. (Since it is the new year and I need to lose a few pounds!)

Holli Meyers spoke to her Yoga instructor, Katrina, and she is willing to do a class for us. Hot Yoga has been scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 17th at 2:30pm at Brown Dog Studio! If you have never participated, some suggestions are water, a towel and yoga mat if you have one. If not, you can rent one for a dollar. The cost is $15.00/person if we have less than 10 members and $12.00 for 10 and over. We are also planning to schedule a Zumba class.

Katina Haught

The LeAnn Litton Memorial Rummage Sale will take place again this year! Save-the-Date for

Saturday, April 6 from 8 a.m. — 12 p.m. We are trying a date a little earlier in the year so as to not

interfere with events like graduations and vacations. We will be handing out standing rules and pricing

guides at the February meeting. Each member will be required to bring $40 worth of rummage. It does

not have to be priced. This is a change from last year, as we will price everything as we are setting it out

for the sale. Hopefully, this will add a little consistency to our pricing. We will also be offering a snack

bar this year. We plan to offer a few breakfast items, hot dogs and drinks. Drop off times will be

announced at the February meeting.

Jamie Webster and Maria Aiello

Rummage Sale Co-Chairs

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N o m i n a t i n g a n d p l a c e m e n t

At the March meeting, we’ll be voting on members to hold positions of leadership for the 2013-2014

League year. These are the positions and the descriptions of each.

PRESIDENT-ELECT

The President Elect shall assist the President and assume the duties of the President in her

absence and shall be a member ex officio of all committees except the Nominating/Placement

and Membership Committees. The President Elect shall also serve as Parliamentarian at all

General Membership and Executive Board meetings. The President Elect shall succeed the

President the following year.

COMMUNITY VICE-PRESIDENT

The Community Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in her absence and the

absence of the President-Elect. She shall assist the President in representing the Junior League

in the community. She shall be the chairman of the Sustainer Advisory Board.

RECORDING SECRETARY

The Recording Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the League and the Executive

Board.

PRESIDENT

The President shall be the executive officer of the League; shall preside at meetings of the

League, the Executive Board, and shall be a member ex officio of all committees, except the

Nominating/Placement and Membership Committees. The President shall, with the approval of

the Executive Board, appoint committee chairmen not otherwise provided for and shall assign

their duties. The President shall, with the Treasurer, sign all contracts and obligations

authorized by the Executive Board. It shall be the President’s duty to see that all orders and

resolutions passed by the Executive Board are carried out. The President shall also act as the

League’s voting delegate on AJLI matters.

Preparing for the 2013-2014 slate

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N o m i n a t i n g a n d p l a c e m e n t

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct the general correspondence of the League. She shall

keep a correct, classified list of the names and contact information of all members, a record of

membership status and changes thereto, and shall maintain a file of essential records which

shall be transferred to her successor at the close of her term of office.

TREASURER

The Treasurer shall serve as Finance Council Director and shall be the custodian of the funds of

the League, shall collect all dues and assessments, and receive all monies. The Treasurer shall

make payments in accordance with the budget. Expenses not provided for in the budget shall be

incurred and paid only upon order of the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall keep full and

accurate accounts and shall present financial statements at the regular meetings of the League

and the Board. The Treasurer shall train the Treasurer Elect to take over the duties of the

Treasurer the following year. The Treasurer shall turn over to her successor all books and

financial records.

TREASURER-ELECT

The Treasurer Elect shall assist the Treasurer in all of her duties and shall assume the duties of

the Treasurer in her absence.

SUSTAINER REPRESENTATIVE

The Sustainer Representative shall be the liaison between the Active and Sustaining members of

the Junior League. She shall be the Sustainer advisor to the Executive Board.

Preparing for the 2013-2014 slate

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Spotlight On…

Rachel Messer

Rachel-at-a-Glance

Education: Undergrad at

Appalachian State with a B.S.

in Criminal Justice. Juris

Doctorate from Thomas M.

Cooley Law School,

concentrating in international

law and business transactions.

Pop Culture: She just saw

“Django Unchained” and

thought it was amazing. She

also rarely misses and episode

of Wheel of Fortune and

Jeopardy.

Favorite Food: Loves fried

okra and garden tomatoes.

Passion: The next KITK event

is Feb. 20, 2013 at Spring Hill

Elementary from 4-6 p.m.

Junior League’s Kids in the Kitchen Chair

League Lines: Why did you want to join the Junior League?

Rachel Messer: I had just moved to Huntington with the love of my life, Chris Cummings, from Miami, FL, and I did not have a job or a clue what to do with myself here. I met Christie Kinsey through an attorney in town and she suggested that I join JL to meet new people and volunteer in the community.

LL: What is your favorite part of being in the League?

RM: I love KITK. I think it is really great that it is free and that we are not only teaching children about the importance of good eating habits and exercise, we also get to give away bikes and other cool prizes.

LL: What is your job and what do you do there?

RM: I work at the Giatras Law Firm in Charleston, WVa. I am an attorney. At this firm, I do a lot of personal injury litigation and criminal law.

LL: What is your dream job?

RM: I would like to be an extremely well paid and popular international traveler-author. More realistically, I would love it if Chris and I ran our own very successful law firm.

LL: Tell us about your family?

RM: My mom and older brother live in western North Carolina and they are very holistic, spiritual and creative people. My younger sister, her husband and their three children live in western Virginia and they are all very much like watching an episode of Roseanne — in the late 80s/early 90s period. My dad is a retiree living in Miami, Fla., with my stepmother, and they are full of life and really fun to party with.

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Hall of Fame This section is intended to recognize outstanding accomplishments or exciting news of Junior League

members. If you have news to share about yourself or a fellow member, please email

League Lines Editor Anna Lafferre at anna.lafferre@yahoo.com.

Left: Jessica Kelley

and her husband

are expecting their

first child!

Right: Jessica

Copeland got her

first haircut since

the birth of her

sweet baby boy,

Everett. And if you

have kids or have

been around kids,

you know that’s an

event worth

celebrating! She

looks great!

Left:

Congratulations to

Rebecca Stanley

Crowder on the

birth of her

daughter Cora!

Right: We are so

proud of Tiffany

Clark and Leslie

Culp’s outstanding

work on Character

Breakfast. We are

certain this will be

the best year yet!

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World view This section is dedicated to learning about what other Leagues around the country and world are doing.

Maybe That’s Why They Call It “Seed Money”

National Nutrition Month may be over for this year, but let’s talk about our Kids in the Kitchen program, which is the recipient of a $75,000 award from Kashi as part ofThe Kashi REAL Project™, an initiative designed to raise awareness of the Real Food Deficit and amplify the work of nonprofit organizations like The Junior League that are working to keep “real food” in the minds and hands of communities throughout the country.

But the great thing about the Kashi award is how it will be used – to make the KITK program even better than it is already!

While Leagues are currently applying for shares in the award, in grants of $2,500 or $5,000, and the announcement of the winners won’t take place until Annual Conference in April, let’s take a random peek at how individual Leagues would use the money if they win.

One Southern League would use the money to provide 39 more area schools with a curriculum and a literature-based resource kit to assist teachers in promoting healthy lifestyles. The kits cost $125 each.

A Canadian League would use the money to partner with a local Boys and Girls Club to create an urban garden. The Boys and Girls Club, which operates in the basement of a local church and receives no government funding, serves needy children, most from families that can’t pay the modest $20 per week fee that is associated with the club’s programming.

A Midwestern League would use part of the money on professional development of its community partners and membership in order to increase its understanding of childhood obesity and, in turn, help the League with the ongoing development and effectiveness of its multipronged anti-obesity strategy. The rest of the money would provide educational programming to schoolchildren for next year’s KITK activities.

A Gulf Coast League would use the money to assist in the costs of equipment and supplies for dieticians, physical therapists and social workers used in the KITK program, as well as the food for cooking with the children and their families. The money would also be used for education materials and other resources needed in the League’s ongoing health education program.

A Mid-Atlantic League runs its KITK program in partnership with a therapeutic residential treatment

facility for girls ages 12-18, most of whom are pregnant and or recent mothers. The money would be

used to move beyond simply educating the girls on how to prepare healthy meals and snacks for

themselves to actually purchasing the food and supplies needed to expand the program and focusing

on teaching the girls how to cook for and feed their babies and toddlers in a healthy, yet affordable

way.

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Jenna Told Ya Thoughts on life from JL Huntington’s funniest gal! Read her blog at www.lawyerihardlyknowher.blogspot.com

Doggy Buttons This weekend I asked Scott if I could take Penny, our pug, to get her ears pierced (back off, PETA, it was a joke). That way, people would stop referring to her with gender mistaken nicknames. We had a plumber come to the house to fix our sink and he kept referring to Penny as "little guy." I know that if someone kept calling me "little guy," I would find it quite offensive. It can't be good for Penny's self-image, especially since her chest hair has been growing in even thicker recently. Anyway, back to the ear piercing remark... Scott responded to my comment with "why stop with her ears? Let's get her belly button pierced, too." Silence. "She has a belly button?" "Duh," said Scott. I mean it makes sense. I understand the biological need for umbilical cords, and I know puppies are born with them. However, what exactly does a dog's belly button look like? I immediately researched the issue, both in person and on Google. I set Penny on her back and stared at her belly. I squinted as if trying to find the hidden picture in a furry Magic Eye book, but all I saw were patches of fur and a couple of nipples. Google informed me that it's likely I can only find my dog's belly button by feel, because it is scar tissue under the skin and isn't visible to the naked eye. Doggie belly buttons are the Braille of navels. How cool is that? Admit it. You're intrigued.

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Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Huntington, WV

Permit No. 90

Return service requested

The Junior League of Huntington

617 9th Avenue

Huntington, WV 25701

February 20, 2013

“Ready, Set, Go for Spring!”

by Doug Horne, Southern States

Location: The Woodlands

Hostess: Pat Agee