The English-Speaking Union

Seattle Branch

Reception Recaps

August

The day was a bit overcast but the mood was sunny at Sahalee Country Club in August. The buffet was tasty and plentiful. It was great to see some new members and guests. I enjoyed catching up with old members Valerie and Anthony Armitage. Anthony took home a sparkling bottle for his always interesting British outfit and special glasses. All the ladies outfits were special and although a winner was chosen, I think the judges had to make a hard decision. They simply were all winners!
Sarah Atwood did a fine job of coordinating the party and handling all the LATE LATE reservations. Three cheers for the Sahalee Catering Manager who was probably whipping up potato salad just a couple of hours before we arrived!
Fred and Loveday handled the auction and its revenue will add to our Scholarship Fund. Thanks all!

February

We had an outstanding number of folks attending the February reception. Many thanks to Bill and Patricia for hosting our group. Welcome back Joe and Steve from your travels in time to carry all the bar supplies and still take care of the bar in your usual cheerful manner. You guys are the greatest! 

Alison Ellison assisted by Norma Jean did her fantastic job of setting the buffet table. Norma Jean not only takes our money at the reception table and records all who enter but also is most helpful to Alison—and she REALLY needs our help in putting on these monthly receptions! Many thanks to Sainsbury Strack, Robert Schramke, Sarah Atwood, Julie Albright, Fred Kleinschmidt as well as Alison and Norma Jean who provided super great food for the buffet table. 

January

Last month's afternoon reception at Eli Kirkpatrick's home was a great success. Next year during the dark months of February as well as January we might offer another daytime event, perhaps a speaker luncheon. Susan is already planning to bring us another January reception event for 2019! Many thanks to Susan Wilson for making this reception happen. She was helped by Alison Ellison, James Kemp—Slaughter, Ingeborg Dunlap, Alan Waggoner and Patricia Wilson. A special thanks to Alison who not only brought her special Trifle and some great dips but who as always brings those plates, napkins and assorted tools as well as her warm and wonderful decorations. And James, we know it takes endless time to whip up your yummy sandwiches but I appreciated the doggy bag you sent home to me when I couldn't manage to come in person! Many thanks to Fred Kleinschmidt who volunteered at the last minute for bat duty. As always, thanks to Norma Jean at the reception desk. But a huge THANK YOU to Eli who is so generous with her wonderful home. Come a winter event or a wonderful summer patio get-together, she is always ready to help us. —Pat Wilson, Editor

October

Many thanks to Marlene Holbrank, Patricia Ledbetter, Barbee Tucker-Pigott, Alan Waggoner, Sandra Boyd, Elizabeth Bagshaw, and Alison Ellison for providing all the good things on the buffet table at the October reception. A special thanks to the Fergusons for offering us their great home. The library is quite special! Thanks to those who brought guests and hopefully, new members to the event.

September 

Those of you who did not attend the reception last Saturday hosted by Ingrid Philbrick at Horizon House missed a singular feast, with cold poached salmon, hot meatballs in gravy, spring rolls, cheeses, and much more on the buffet, all provided by our hostesses. Thank you, Ingrid, for your generous hospitality. Special kudos are due to Henry Kuharic as Keeper of the Bar in the absence of our regular bartenders; we very much appreciate the sacrifice of his limited space. 

Among the guests were Richard Lancefield, President of the Portland Branch, and a friend of his from Tacoma. Richard, along with Susan Ferris and others, have worked diligently to keep Portland Branch alive and well under the traditional BMOA structure. We were delighted to see them both. Keep up the good Work! 

  April

Many thanks to all who made our April reception so great. First, let us thank Sainsbury and Helen Strack for letting us meet at their gorgeous home. That is always a special treat!

Alison decorated the buffet table with a troop of Easter bunnies and chicks, one of which laid an Easter egg.

She was helped by hosts and hostesses Ingeborg Dunlap, Marie Getaz and Harold Johnston, Anne Passantino, Sarah Rockhold, Norma Jean Kritsonis, and our hosts, Helen and Sainsbury. The food was superb. 

Many thanks to Joe and Steve who do so much behind the scene and greet us so cheerfully. They are treasures! 

Our receptions are one of the main events that hold our branch together. So—when Alison calls you and asks you to bring buffet offerings—say YES!

English-In-Action

Did you know that Seattle's English-in-Action program is advertised on a website in South Korea? Apparently, a Korean website, Washington Visiting Scholars, contains a blog with information about our English-in-Action program, including our location (University Lutheran. Church) and when we meet. This is how "Scarlett" (her American nickname) found us on Valentine's Day.  Our fearless leader, Marlene Holbrook, provided red roses and Valentine's Day treats, plus some spicy but very tasty Korean dishes. Part of our program that day was to go over interesting signs at a South African gas station that posts humorous or "food for thought" sayings every day. Some of these contain a pun or a joke, and the students gain insight into the workings of English. We had six students that day and four tutors: Marlene, Sarah Hemphill Lisa MacHogan and myself. In addition to helping our students get more comfortable with their English, we're also helping them get acquainted with "life in the Puget Sound area," like how to use Sound Transit's Light Rail System. Stop by at a session (Tuesdays at 11 am) and see for yourself?

Receptions future.

We need reception venues for October and November.  Any volunteers? Please call or email Susan Wilson.