Branch Garden Party at Fox Run – 7 June 2026

By all accounts, the 2026 Charlottesville Branch ESU Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Garden Party was yet another roaring success. What fun everyone was having. The ingredients for the success were there in spades. The venue, beginning with the drive into “Fox Run,” owned by our hosts and new Branch members, Molly and Joe Switzer, who turned their farm, garden, and home into a pastoral painting reminiscent of a shimmering Monet. Three words are sufficient to characterize the Switzer’s, gracious, charming, welcoming. And setting the mood for the afternoon’s enjoyment, President Phil was there to greet arriving members with, as he likes to say, the best Pimm’s Cup No. I west of the Thames.

From the parking area, guests were chauffeured to the front door in appropriate farm vehicles. And how elegantly all were attired as befits an English Garden Party. In keeping with America’s quincentennial celebrations, Red, White, and Blue (the Colors of both the American flag and the Union Jack) attire was encouraged.  Members did not disappoint. Splendidly accoutered, smartly hatted, and brightly colored, all made for a merry scene.

Following the introduction of the hosts, guests were introduced, and in particular, Richmond Branch President and her husband, Ellen and Pettus LeCompte, together with a few others from her Branch. This gave President Williams the opening to advise the Cville members that sadly, after more than seventy years, the Richmond Branch would be closing. The offset to that news was the President’s hearty and genuine invitation for any Richmonders to join the Cville ranks. The AGM was then called to order and Nominations Chair, Staci Littleton Brown, read off the proposed slate of Officers and Directors. Following the motion that the entire slate be accepted by voice acclamation, seconded, and hearing no other nominations from the floor, the motion carried unanimously. Phil was heard to quip to some standing near him, that it was good that the meeting was brought to order early on, what with the rate at which the Pimms and Prosecco were flowing, there might later have been some nominations from the floor.

With the meeting adjourned, Phil led the traditional toasts to the King, His Britannic Majesty, Charles III, and a toast to the hugely admired and missed late Queen, Elizabeth II. All then broke into a hearty singing of the refrain from Rule Britannia. Phil offered some solemn words about the courage of the Founders and the launching of the Great Experiment of these United States of America as ignited by the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago. With hands on heart, all joined in the singing of the National Anthem.

The floor was then turned over to Shakespeare Competition Chair, Fay Cunnigham, who spoke of the pleasure she and TLAB Chair, Debbie Pruett had in attending the National competition at Lincoln Center back in April, with Branch competition-winning young actors who were sent from forty-eight Branches from Hawaii to Boston, Cleveland to Central Florida to compete in NYC.

In Debbie’s absence, Fay introduced our Teachers Learning Abroad (TLAB) candidates for study at Oxford and the Globe Theater.  Lynn Define from Western Albemarle HS will travel to study at Oxford. Robert Kristel, from Orange County HS, will experience the Globe.  They were presented with handsome certificates. They introduced themselves and waxed about the educational opportunity that the ESU was providing them.

Fay then went on to introduce the Cville Branch winner, Olivia Ramirez-Weaver (Charlottesville HS) and her parents. Olivia then took the stage and delivered her monologue (Queen Margaret from Henry VI, Part 3, Act 1, Scene 4) and sonnet (29) to great acclaim. Watching her parents rightly bursting with pride was priceless. Preparing to compete at National, and having done so successfully, showed in the confidence and nuance of her performance – already a notable jump up from her victory at the Blackfriars Theater in Staunton back in February.

Then the party recommenced and the fabulous catered buffet was enjoyed by all. Some gathered in different rooms, some were off to the garden and poolside. Wherever one looked, members and guests were smiling, visiting with old friends and meeting new ones.

As I said, all the right ingredients were there in spades. A beautiful home, gracious hosts, festive dress, libations, and great people. One word remains to be said. Huzzah!

President Williams