The English-Speaking Union

Seattle Branch

Reception Recaps

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!

         February

February found us in Bothell at the wonderful home of Carlita and Michael Schneider. We owe a great debt of gratitude to all of you who volunteer your homes for our monthly receptions. A special thanks to Joe and Steve for all their efforts in providing bar equipment for our receptions. Most of us only see their cheerful service but realize they also purchase, store and deliver on site. A massive job!

Many thanks to Julie Albright, Hiromi Okumura, Betty Carter, Alison Ellison and Norma Jean Kritsonis for the varied and delicious buffet items. Alison and Norma Jean run a well-organized reception organization that is second to none!

           January

Blustery January found us warm and cozy at Eli Kirkpatrick's home. Alison Ellison did her usual superb job of filling the buffet table assisted by Steve Dorn, Anne Passantino, Barbee Tucker-Pigott, Alan Waggoner, Ingeborg Dunlap and Norma Jean Kritsonis who also manned the reception table. Many thanks to Joe and Steve who every month shop for the bar, cut up all those lemons and limes, and still smile at us while tending the bar... not to the mention the fact that they tote those heavy flags and even heavier bar supplies. You guys are the greatest!

          November

November found us at the home of Robert Milnor and Marina Tarlinskaya. We had a good group of members and were happy to see David Weatherford again. Many thanks to Jerry Rockhold who substituted for Joe and Steve at the bar. Jim Smith, Mary Mohler, Ingrid Philbrick, Patricia Ledbetter and Alison Ellison filled the buffet table nicely and thanks to Norma Jean Kritsonis for keeping our finances straight.

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.