February 2014

 
                   
  Living Legends of Alexandria  
 

February 2014

 
     
             
   
 
 

In This Issue:


 
     

 
 

Prints Available

You’ve seen them exhibited at City Hall.
Now you can have your own Portrait of a Legend
(or give one as a gift).

Custom Framed Prints

Signed by the Artist

16×16 – $325; 11×11 – $250

Smaller print sizes and Gift Certificates Available.

Call 703-625-8191 for details.

 
     

 
 

Holy Cow Donations!

Remember to support Living Legends when get your burgers at Holy Cow Burger Joint, 2312 Mt. Vernon Avenue.

In an innovative partnership with ACT for Alexandria, 2014 Living Legend Mike Anderson gives back to more than 75 local nonprofits by donating $.25 for every burger sold at Holy Cow, Del Ray’s Gourmet Burger Joint. Living Legends is #045 on the list. And yes, they serve veggie-burgers.

 
     

 
 

Calendar

March 1, 2014 – February 28, 2015

2014 Living Legends of Alexandria photos at Market Square lobby of City Hall

February – June 2014

Past Legends Exhibit, 3rd Floor, Alexandria City Hall

March 2014

Alexandria’s Women Living Legends, Prudential PenFed Realty

March 20, 2014 6:00pm

Meet the Legends Reception, PTO Madison Building

April 9, 2014

Spring2Action (Alexandria’s Giving Day)

 
     

 
 

2014 Gold and Silver Sponsors

Alexandria Commission for the Arts

Alexandria Toyota

Club Managers Association

Goodwin House, Inc.

Linda Hafer

Gregg & Monica Murphy on behalf of Senior Services of Alexandria

Nina Tisara

 
     

 
 

Board of Directors

Officers

President

Pam St. Clair

Vice President

Joseph Shumard

Secretary

Mary Anne Weber

Treasurer

Rodger Stephens

Members

Victoria Almquist

Pam Cressey

Audrey Davis

Linda Hafer

Bill Kehoe

A. Melvin Miller

Director Emeritus

Nina Tisara

 
     

 
 

Connect with us on Social Media

Follow us on Twitter @Alexlvnglegends

Find us on Facebook: Living Legends of Alexandria

 
     

 

 

   
     
 

Message from the President

Dear Friends,

How has so much fit into the shortest month? February 1st was a full day with Nina and I making a presentation to residents of Goodwin House and an opening of an exhibition of the African American Activists Legend portraits at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub. On the 15th, 16th, and 17th Nina took the 2014 Legends traveling exhibition photos to the Alexandria Symphony, the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association, and to the Friendship Veterans Firehouse Association breakfast which kicked off the celebration of George Washington’s Birthday. Several Legends participated in the parade.

Although the board retreat wasn’t in February, it did happen after the last newsletter was written. The board came out of the all-day session energized and ready to get to work. We’re looking for places and ways to tell the LLA story, display the portraits, encourage nominations, and increase awareness of all the good the Legends do and have done in Alexandria. We’re asking for your help. Make suggestions. Nominate people you see making Alexandria a good place to be. Support us through Spring2Action. Suggest other ways we can raise the funds needed to keep Living Legends of Alexandria going for a long time.

We look forward to seeing you at the Meet the Legends reception on March 20th. Register online at meet-the-legends.eventbrite.com or mail check by March 13 to LLA, 400 N. Washington Street, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Invite your friends and neighbors to come, too.

Pam St. Clair

President

 
     
 

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Meet the Legends Reception

The Board of Directors of Living Legends of Alexandria invites you to attend the “Meet the Legends” Reception, Thursday, March 20, 2014, 6:00pm, Patent & Trademark Office, 600 Dulany St., Alexandria, Madison Building Lower Atrium. We will begin the program promptly at 6:00 and hope everyone will stay to enjoy the food and drink afterward while talking to the Legends about what they have done…and probably learning more about what they plan to do next to keep Alexandria a good place.

Participating restaurants as of publication are Alexandria Cupcake, Alexandria Pastry Shop, Dishes of India, Bertucci’s, Hard Times Café, Sweet Fire Donna’s, RedRocks, and UnWined.

                 

The reception will honor the 2014 Living Legends of Alexandria: Mike Anderson, Char McCargo Bah, Rose Enevoldsen Berler, Lee Fifer, Charles “Tony” Gee, Richard “Rick” Allyn Glassco, Ramona K. Hatten; Gregory “Gregg” Murphy, Tricia Rodgers, Shirley N. Tyler, Converse “Connie” West, and Donnan “Donnie” Chancellor Wintermute.

Also honored by their nominations are: J. Glenn Eugster, Gila Harris, Wayne Hulehan; Susan B. Kellom, Kim Allen Kluge, Gwendolyn Hubbard Lewis, Lorraine Lloyd, Gary Oelze, Fred Parker, Nora Partlow, James S. “Jim” Roberts, James B. “Jim” Singerling, Jodie Smolik, and William Willis.

Reservations made by March 19 are $45; payment at the door is $55. Children under 12 are free. Register online at meet-the-legends.eventbrite.com or mail check by March 13 to LLA, 400 N. Washington Street, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Info: [email protected].

 
     
 
     
 

Char McCargo Bah Puts the Spotlight on Alexandria’s African American History

By Christa Watters

Char Bah would like to be remembered for helping people who did not know their history find it, giving them their past, and making their future brighter.

Char McCargo Bah has a passion for Alexandria’s African American history and genealogy. Through her research, speaking, and writing on this topic, she has made a lasting contribution to our city.

Bah has researched and reported on the background of Alexandria’s African American Community for more than thirty years. She had a pivotal role in the publication of African Americans of Alexandria Virginia — Beacons of Light in the Twentieth Century (History Press, 2013), which she co-authored with four other volunteers. Believing the research and writing done in conjunction with a project for the Charles Houston Recreation Center to honor Alexandria African Americans could become a book, she found a publisher. She shepherded the group through writing the book proposal and marketing plan, which was accepted. Bah served as primary genealogical researcher for the book, which features the narratives of 63 African Americans who made a difference in the City during the years 1920 to 1965. It is the first substantial book of African American history of its kind published about Alexandria. It was Bah’s idea that all author royalties and all profits from the sale of the book within the City’s museum shops should go to the Office of Historic Alexandria to fund future African American History projects through the Alexandria Black History Museum.

Read More: www.alexandrianews.org

 
     
     
     
     
 

Getting Around

Goodwin House — Introducing Living Legends of Alexandria to the Residents

Pam and Nina were welcomed by an enthusiastic group of residents, including 2014 Legend Shirley Tyler and 2008 Legend Dr. George Pera. Some in the audience had never heard of Living Legends so it was an opportunity to tell them about the beginnings of our photo-documentary art project that has become such an important way for Alexandria to recognize and thank people who make a difference in our town. A slide show of the photos of the 2014 Legends was shown during Pam’s talk. Nina was asked to tell the audience a little bit about the work these Legends had done. Pam asked the audience to think of people who had made a difference and nominate them for 2015.

St. Elmo’s Exhibit Opening — Owner Nora Partlow invited Living Legends of Alexandria to display the exhibition of “African American Activists: 2007-2012” at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mt. Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. The photos will be on view through February to celebrate Black History Month.

St. Elmo owner Nora Partlow and LLA board members took the opportunity to talk with customers about Living Legends. Pictured are: front row seated: Nora Partlow, back row (l-r: LLA treasurer Rodger Stephens, LLA board member and 2008 Living Legend Melvin Miller, LLA president Pam St. Clair, and director emeritus Nina Tisara. Photo by Steven Halperson

2013 Living Legend Rosa Byrd stopped by.

 
     
     
     
 

Have Photos/Will Travel

The Living Legends Traveling Exhibition was shown at concerts of the Alexandria Symphony at the Schlesinger Center and the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association at TC Williams High School.

The Traveling Exhibition at the ASO concert.

The Traveling Exhibition Displayed at TC Williams High School.

Photos by Nina Tisara

 
     
     
     
 

Legends Introduced at George Washington Birthday Breakfast

Several 2014 Legends joined members and guests of the Friendship Veterans Firehouse Association for breakfast and to see Gen. George Washington (portrayed by Don DeHaven) make his first appearance at the celebration of his 282nd birthday. Wilson “Bill” Livingood gave an inspirational talk which linked his experience as a member of the U.S. Secret Service from the day of the assassination of President Kennedy through his 17 years as Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives, including September 11, 2001. He hailed the devotion, courage, and positive attitude of first responders in difficult times as guiding examples for all to follow.

2014 Legends (l-r) Connie West, Rick Glassco, Rose Berler, Gregg Murphy, Char Bah, Shirley Tyler, and Donnie Wintermute after receiving certificates of honorary membership in the Friendship Veterans Firehouse Association. Photo by Nina Tisara

Another highlight of this annual breakfast was the presentation of the Rev. Ben Lynt Distinguished Service Award to 2011 Legends Fran and Gant Redmond.

Fran and Gant Redmon with award. Photo by Nina Tisara

The award is named in Rev. Lynt’s honor to remember a man who was known for his generosity, spirit of community, and his service as a chaplain. A citizen of Alexandria for over 40 years and a member of the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association for over 30, Rev. Lynt was an extraordinary member of the community and one whose life’s work served as an example to us all. Just like Fran and Gant!

 
     
     
     
 

Legends March in the GW Parade

It was a beautiful day for a parade and several Living Legends came out to celebrate the 282nd birthday of our local boy who became the 1st President of the United States of America. Several people brought family members with them to walk the parade route or to ride on the trolley generously provided by DASH. Mike Oliver reported that at the American Legion Hall after the parade, Joe Shumard announced the parade winners in different categories. “Living Legends” won 1st place in the “senior group.”

An enthusiastic band of Legends march in front of the trolley carrying the Living Legends banner.

Legends wrap up the parade

Photos by Steven Tisara/Tisara Photography

 
     
     
     
 

2014 Legends Portraits Installed at City Hall

The 2014 Legends portraits are now on view in the Market Square Lobby of City Hall where they will remain throughout the year. We hope you will stop by to see them and let us know what you think.

 
     
     
     
 

Women Legends of Alexandria Exhibition at Prudential PenFed Realty

In honor of Women’s History Month, Prudential PenFed Realty will host an exhibition of women portraits from the Living Legends of Alexandria project with selected works from the Del Ray Artisans. Exhibition dates are from March 3 through June 27, 2014. There will be an opening reception on Monday, March 10, 2014 from 6:00-8:00pm. To reserve space, contact Maxine McLeod Miller at 703-836-1464 or [email protected].

The exhibition “Women Legends of Alexandria: 2007-2013” features portraits of Mollie Abraham, Donna Bergheim with Mel Bergheim, Rosalind Bovey, Kathryn Brown with Marlin Lord, Rosa Byrd, Elizabeth Chimento with Poul Hertel, Lillie Finklea and Louise Massoud, Carolyn Griffin, Arlene Hewitt, Wendy McGann John, Vola Lawson, Alice Merrill and Linda Odell, Eula Miller, Joann E. Miller, Pat Miller, Lillian Stanton Patterson, Fran Redmon with Gant Redmon, Joan Renner with John Renner, Jane Ring, Debra Roepke, Gladys Seisler, Charlene Schiff, Patsy Ticer, Dorothy Turner and Gwen Menefee Smith, Marian Van Landingham, Lois Walker, and Betty Wright.

Prudential PenFed Realty, wholly owned by Pentagon Federal Credit Union, is a full-service real estate company serving PenFed members as well as the general public. Recognized as a leading real estate company in its service area, it is ranked among the top Prudential affiliates nationwide. Over 1,700 sales professionals work out of Prudential PenFed Realty’s 49 offices to provide complete real estate services nationwide.

The friendly staff at Prudential PenFed Realty looks forward to welcoming visitors to view the exhibit Mondays through Fridays, 9:00am – 5:00pm at their office at 300 N. Washington Street, Suite 100 in Old Town.

 
     
     
     
 

Legends in the News

Sadly, we have learned that 2007 Legend Gladys Seisler died on January 28, 2014 after six years battling breast cancer.

Allen Lomax, 2012 Legend and Chair of the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria received one of the prestigious Lewis Hine Awards for Service to Children and Youth. It was presented by The National Child Labor Committee in New York City on February 18, 2014. Details can be found at www.alexandrianews.org

 
     
     
     
 

National Civil War Project Event

2011 Legend Lynnwood Campbell has told us about a National Civil War Project event which features the Alexandria Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial Park dedication. 2007 Legends Lillie Finklea and Louise Massoud were recognized for their efforts to save this cemetery.

In collaboration with the Alexandria Conventions and Visitors Association and Historic Alexandria, Arena Stage will host a performance and facilitate a Community Conversation for this special occasion. Historian C.R. Gibbs and the All Souls Choir will perform a piece that explores the history of Alexandria and the evocative music of the period which will be immediately followed by a talk-back with the participants. This event is FREE and open to the public.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 7:00pm

Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center

1108 Jefferson Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

This event is presented as part of the National Civil War Project. Call 202-488-3300 to reserve. SEATING IS LIMITED. Reservations are recommended.

Phone Hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 12:00pm – 8:00pm

 
     
     
   
           
  Living Legends of Alexandria |
400 North Washington Street | Suite 300 |
Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone: 703.683.4035 |
www.AlexandriaLegends.com