Category Archives: Past

Virginia Pond Wins 2021 BG Charity Award

Each year at the annual business meeting held during its annual convention, the Honorable Order of the Blue Goose International recognizes ponds with exceptional contributions in the area of charity. The awards were started not for the purposes of competition, but for inspiration. This year, the Virginia Pond received the charity award for its financial donations during the 2020-2021 fund year.

The Virginia Pond was able to maintain its commitment to support local charities in spite of the COVID climate this past year. Contributions were more impactful to these charities because of the COVID climate and its interference with organizations’ normal fund raising activities. A full list of charities that received funds from the pond is below.

On behalf of these charities, we would like to take the opportunity to thank the generous sponsors and loyal participants who consistently support the pond’s charity fundraisers. This award belongs to you. Well done!

2020-2021 Charities Supported by the Virginia Pond

  • Comfort Zone Camp (CZC)
  • ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation
  • Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN)
  • Latisha’s House Foundation
  • Boys and Girls Club
  • USO of Central Virginia
  • YWCA
  • The Virginia Home
  • VA Supportive Housing
  • McLeoud Health Foundation

2021 Charity Golf Success!

The Virginia Pond enjoyed a wonderful day for its 21st Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Thursday, June 10th, 2021. 18 full teams participated, which is the largest turnout in years.  Spirits were high.  Weather was very comfortable.  There were two beverage carts on the course, as well as several ‘watering spots’ provided by sponsors on the course.    And unlike last year, the rain held off until all teams were finished.  Photos of the event may be viewed here.

Many thanks to the sponsors who, along with our golfers, made this year’s tournament a great success!  The proceeds will be used to support local charities through the coming year, like those listed on our charities page.

Register is Open for the Pond’s annual Charity Golf Tournament on June 10

The Virginia Pond will host its 21st Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Thursday, June 10th.  Proceeds will benefit local charities like those listed on the Pond’s charity page.  Here are the details:

      • DATE:    Thursday, June 10, 2021
      • TIME:     1pm Shotgun Start
    • PLACE:  Brookwoods Golf Club in Quinton, VA

Use the below form to register online, or click the following link for a printable version to register by mail. 2021 Tournament Entry Form

Registrations are due by Monday, June 7.  No late registrations will be accepted!

Contact one of the following individuals for more information:

VA Pond 2021 NCAA Pool

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT POOL

Fund Raiser Supporting the Virginia Pond

Total Squares = 64

$10 per Square

Payment required by the time the squares are drawn

Names and Regional Teams drawn at March 17th meeting

Payouts will be as follows:
Reach the Sweet 16                 $   5
Reach the Elite 8                      $ 10
Reach the Final Four               $ 15
Reach the Semi Finals             $ 20
Win National Championship    $ 50
                          Total Payout = $310
Payouts by Team Accumulates until Team Loses (Except National Championship)
Reach the Sweet 16      $     5
Reach the Elite 8      $   15
Reach the Final Four     $   30
Reach the Semi Finals     $   50
Win National Championship    $ 100
All participants will receive email of bracket and notification of winners.
Game Coordinator
Keith Strohecker 804-334-2045
US Financial Group, LLC
9327 Midlothian Turnpike, Suite 1D
North Chesterfield, VA 23225-4965
[email protected]

Download PDF Version

August 19 Social at Midnight Brewery

Join the Virginia Pond on August 21 for it’s annual summer social, this year at Midnight Brewery in Rockville, VA. Family members and industry guests are invited to this event!

Midnight Brewery is located at 2410 Granite Ridge Road in the Rockville Commerce Industrial Center off Ashland Rd. – just minutes from Short Pump. The large indoor and outdoor spaces will allow for fellowship at a comfortable social distance.

The social officially starts at 5:30. The cost is $30/pp when paid in advance or $35/pp at the door. Included are 2 craft beverages of choice and an entree courtesy of Braise N Smoke food truck. A vegan option is available with advance notice (by 8/12).

Please reserve early and no later than August 17.

EVENT SPONSORS:

VA Pond 20th annual Charity Golf Recap

We would like to thank the dedicated golfers and sponsors who came out for the Pond’s annual charity golf tournament on Thursday, June 25th. It was a great day, in spite of late afternoon thunder storms that cut some teams’ games short by a hole or two.

Proceeds from this event will be distributed to local charities like those listed on the Pond’s charity page.   

Congratulations to our tournament winners:

  • Team: Rainbow International
    • Steve Roane
    • Kevin Ayscue
    • Tyson Clary
    • Aaron Fisher
  • Closest to the Pin: Larry Glidwell and Mile Blitz
  • Longest Drive: Keith Strohecker

We would also like to recognize the generous sponsors who supported this event:

FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Sedgwick

Hole*
H. F. Bulifant & Sons, Inc.
Belfor Property Restoration
Rimkus Consulting Group
U.S. Financial Group, LLC
Midkiff, Muncie & Ross, PC
Robson P.C.
ERS of Central VA & Tidewater
Piedmont Claims Services LLC
Rainbow International
Peerless Restoration Services
Art Recovery Technologies
Forcon International

Door Prizes
Doug Zahniser
Envista
Burton Claims
*All Hole Sponsors listed above

We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

New dates for the 114th Grand Nest Convention

The 114th Grand Nest Convention in Hartford, originally scheduled for July 2020, is now scheduled to take place July 23, 2021 through July 28, 2021.

Event registrations remains in place, and the price paid remains honored for next summer’s event.  The Hartford Marriott is also honoring the 2020 published room rates for July 2021.  Please know that we have added more rooms for this event as we expect a great turnout!  Convention updates will be posted here:  http://www.bluegoosehartfordpond.com/convention.html

We thank you all for your excitement to attend the Grand Nest Convention in Hartford, CT and we look forward to gathering again for fellowship and charity very soon! Stay safe until then!  

Fraternally yours,  

The Blue Goose Hartford Pond 202ONE Convention Committee!

Register for the Grooviest Grand Nest convention ever!

Registration is open for the 114th annual convention of the Honorable Order of the Blue Goose International, from July 18-21 in Hartford, CT.  There’ll be Plenty in 2020 – plenty of:

  • Blue Goose Tradition
  • Connections
  • Adventures
  • Laughs
  • Work to be Done
  • Amazing Meals
  • Friendly Faces
  • Giving Back
  • … and EVERYTHING!

Details and registration links may be found here.   Sign up by 4/15 and save!

CONVENTION AGENDA:

SATURDAY 7.18

  • Grand Nest Officer’s Meeting
  • Grand Nest Spouse Activity & Luncheon
  • Optional Private Dinner for 20 @ V’s Trattoria
  • Grand Nest Officers’ Reception & Dinner

SUNDAY 7.19

  • Golf Outing at Tunxis Country Club
  • Parents & Youth Meeting
  • Optional Brignole Winery Tour
  • Youth Welcome Party
  • First Timer Meeting
  • 1960’s Groovy Welcome Party

MONDAY 7.20

  • Opening Ceremony and Memorial Service
  • Model Initiation
  • Youth Tour @ USA Ninja Challenge & Nomad’s Adventure
  • Spouse/Guest Tour – Mark Twain’s Home & Capital Grille for lunch
  • All Industry Luncheon
  • Caribbean & Calypso Family Dinner Cruise
  • Hospitality

TUESDAY 7.21

  • Grand Nest Meeting & 2021 Convention Presentation
  • Youth Tour @ Connecticut Science Center
  • Spouse/Guest Ballroom Dancing & Mimosa Flights
  • Convention Luncheon
  • Youth Dinner Banquet (14 and under)
  • Grand Nest Banquet

WEDNESDAY 7.22

  • Grab & Go Muffin/Coffee & Departures
  • Grand Nest Officers Post Convention Meeting

VA Pond Annual NCAA Pool

2020 NCAA

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT POOL

Fund Raiser Supporting the Virginia Pond

Total Squares = 64

$10 per Square

Cash collected by the time the squares are drawn

Names and Regional Numbers picked at March 20th meeting

Payouts will be as follows:
Reach the Sweet 16                 $   5
Reach the Elite 8                      $ 10
Reach the Final Four               $ 15
Reach the Semi Finals             $ 20
Win National Championship    $ 50
                          Total Payout = $310
Payouts by Team Accumulates until Team Loses (Except National Championship)
Reach the Sweet 16      $     5
Reach the Elite 8      $   15
Reach the Final Four     $   30
Reach the Semi Finals     $   50
Win National Championship    $ 100
All participants will receive email of bracket and notification of winners.
Game Coordinator
Keith Strohecker 804-334-2045
US Financial Group, LLC
9327 Midlothian Turnpike, Suite 1D
North Chesterfield, VA 23225-4965
[email protected]

Download PDF Version

2019 Christmas Social on 12/18 – Reserve early!

Reservations are now being accepted for the Pond’s 2019 Christmas Social, which will be held on Wednesday, December 18 at the Virginia War Memorial.  Family members and guests are welcome!!!

The event cost is $45/pp when paid by the RSVP deadline and $50 thereafter, and includes food, beverages (wine, beer and soft drinks), access to all exhibits, plus great fellowship!  RSVP’s are requested by 12/13 in order to make sure we have enough food and beverages!

The venue will be closed to the public during the event.  An optional private group tour of the memorial and new renovations is being offered at 5:30 pm, just prior to the social.  For those who have not visited the memorial, it is a wonderful monument to the men and women who have defended our Country from WWII to the present. Its location offers a beautiful view of the James River and Richmond City skyline, which will be decorated for the holiday season.  

December Charity – As is our holiday tradition, attendees are encouraged to bring a donation for the USO center at the Richmond Int’l Airport.  The USO provides hospitality to thousands of troops and their families during the holiday season.  Needs include individual size snacks and beverages, travel size toiletries, and cash/gift cards.

Prize raffle tickets will also be sold at this event with all proceeds going to the USO.  Raffle prize donations are welcome!

We hope you and your guest(s) will join us!