Meet the Legends Reception
Over 200 people gathered for the 8th Annual Meet the Legends reception on March 19 at the Patent & Trademark Office Madison Building. Guests included the 2015 Living Legends of Alexandria: Kathleen Baker, Kate Campbell Stevenson representing Marga Fripp who was out of the country, Alice P. Morgan, Fred Parker, Joyce Rawlings, Gayle Reuter and Nina Tisara. Though city council had a budget workshop scheduled that evening, Mayor Bill Euille was able to stop by to congratulate the Legends as were Councilwoman Del Pepper and Councilman John Chapman.
Past year’s Legends were well represented: Mike Anderson, Rosa Byrd, Lynnwood Campbell, Rodger Digilio,Tony Gee, Carolyn Griffin, Arlene Hewitt, Bud Hart, Bill Kehoe, David M. Martin, Melvin Miller, Pat Miller, Mike Oliver, Lillian Patterson, Fran and Gant Redmon, Lonnie Rich, Joe Shumard, David Speck, Jack Taylor, Patsy Ticer, Marian Van Landingham, Connie West, Donnie Wintermute and John Porter who served as Master of Ceremonies with just the right mix of efficiency and light-hearted humor.
Also in the audience were staff, teachers, students and parents from Commonwealth Academy (C/A). By way of background, last April, Nina Tisara saw a quilt produced by students at C/A for the Holocaust Memorial program at Market Square. She was so impressed with the student’s work that she contacted the school to ask about ways Living Legends might collaborate with them.
Commonwealth Academy on Leslie Avenue in Alexandria is a coeducational college preparatory day school for average to superior students who benefit from small classes and instruction designed to address various learning styles including those students who have organizational, attention or learning differences.
The outcome of those conversations was the production of digital portraits, ceramic clocks with working mechanisms, unique silkscreen designs—all gifts for the Legends—and the Tribute video you can view here. Living Legends is especially grateful to Head of School Dr. Susan Johnson, Marketing Director Cathy Feehan and teachers Ksenya Litvak and Ricardo Pontes, who was the teacher in charge of the video. Editing the video alone took 120 hours. Feehan later wrote “It was a pleasure to get to know this organization and the Legends. They are all inspirations for us…thanks for believing in us!” From all of us in Living Legends, we thank Commonwealth Academy!
The video, which received a standing ovation, “demonstrates the value of the Living Legends Project and the vision of founder Nina Tisara,” said Joseph Shumard, President of Living Legends of Alexandria. “It not only tells the stories of the legends but it inspires people…like the young people who made the video.” Living Legends continues to explore ways to be a resource to the community, and especially its young people.
Legendary Fare was generously provided by Chadwicks, Dishes of India, Hard Times Cafe, Red Rocks Pizza and Pork Barrel BBQ. Please dine at these restaurants often and while you’re there, ask for the manager and thank them for supporting Living Legends. Free parking was provided by Colonial Parking and complimentary Valet Parking was donated by David Speck of Speck–Caudron Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advisors.