Meet the the 2018 Honorable Order of the Blue Goose International’s Grand Nest officers. These individuals were elected and installed at the 112th annual Blue Goose convention held in July in Edmonton Canada (L-R): Most Loyal Grand Gander Kim Bilbrey of the Dayton Pond; Grand Supervisor of the Flock Dan Rich of the Hartford Pond; Grand Custodian of the Goslings Michael Smith of the Florida Pond; Grand Guardian of the Nest Wendy Knizek of the BC (British Columbia) Pond. We look forward to great things in the coming year!
Charity and Membership Emphasized at the 112th Grand Nest Convention
It was pointed out at the 112th Grand Nest Convention that promoting our cardinal precept of charity is one of the best ways to attract new members to Blue Goose. We are proud to report that during the 2017/18 fiscal year, the Blue Goose International cumulatively contributed over $223,000 in financial contributions; 2000 volunteer hours; over $68,000 in collected goods; and over $10,000 in scholarships. And some of the ponds’ charity reports are still coming in! A final total will be included in the Grand Nest’s annual bulletin.
It is always inspiring and energizing to mingle with ganders across the US and Canada at the annual convention and to learn about other ponds’ charitable and social activities. Dana Cullen and Mary Kay Marchetti had the honor of representing the Virginia Pond in Edmonton this July. We look forward to sharing more information from the convention at an upcoming Pond meeting.
Thanks to the Edmonton Pond for hosting this year and for organizing such fun activities for ganders, spouses and kids! Next year’s convention will be held July 16-19 in Indianapolis, IN. Mark your calendars and watch for details!
A Note of Appreciation for our June 7 Golfers and Sponsors!
We had beautiful weather for the Pond’s 17th annual charity golf tournament on June 7th, as you can tell in the photos. Unfortunately, we had a smaller number of teams due to conflicts with the Contractor’s Connection convention and RCA’s rescheduled golf date, but those who were with us thoroughly enjoyed it! Mark your calendars – next year’s tournament is scheduled for Thursday June 6 (the week before Contractor’s Connection ;-).
We appreciate all the golfers who came out for the Pond’s tournament and especially thank the following sponsors who made the event both possible and successful:
- Sedgwick (Food and Beverage)
- SERVPRO of New Kent/ Williamsburg
- HF Bulifant & Sons, Inc.
- US Financial Group, LLC
- ERS of Central VA & Tidewater
- Belfor USA Group
- Piedmont Claims Services LLC
- Property Adjustments LLC
- Bay Restoration
- Wilton Construction
- Midkiff, Muncie & Ross, PC
- Beacon Forensic, P.C.
- Robson PC
- ART Recovery Technologies
- Doug Zahniser (Door Prize)
Registration is open for the Pond’s annual Charity Golf Tournament on June 7
The Virginia Pond will host its 17th Annual Charity Golf Tournament on June 7th. Proceeds will benefit local charities like those listed on the Pond’s charity page. Here are the details:
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- DATE: Thursday, June 7, 2018
- TIME: 1pm Shotgun Start
- PLACE: Brookwoods Golf Course in Quinton, VA
- DATE: Thursday, June 7, 2018
Use the below form to register online, or click the following link for a printable version to register by mail. 2018 Tournament Entry Form
Registrations are due by Monday, June 4. No late registrations will be accepted!
Contact one of the following individuals for more information:
- Keith Srohecker, Tournament Chair ([email protected]/804-330-7730)
- Mary Kay Marchetti ([email protected])
Virginia Pond Dues – Pay Early and Save!
Virginia Pond annual dues will go up to $50 effective 7/1/2018. This is the first dues increase since 2012, when dues were increased at the Grand Nest level.
Ganders who pay dues for the 2018/19 Pond year prior to the 7/1 increase may do so at the old rate of $45. Dues may be paid online via PayPal, or by check made payable to Blue Goose and mailed to: PO Box 74995, Richmond, VA 23236.
A large portion of ganders’ annual dues ($27) is passed through to the Grand Nest for operational expenses and reimbursement of travel for convention delegates. A small portion of dues goes to the Southern Region’s convention fund. The remainder is used for the local chapter’s operational expenses and welfare.
Feel free to contact an Executive Committee officer if there are any questions or about dues.
VA Pond Annual NCAA Tournament
2018 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 15th 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 7400
Beaufont Springs Drive Suite 420
North Chesterfield, VA 23225
[email protected]
12/20 Christmas Social Recap
The Virginia Pond’s annual Christmas Social on December 20 was a great success! By popular request, the event was held at the Virginia War Memorial for the second consecutive year. In addition to great fellowship and holiday cheer, guests enjoyed a catered Italian style buffet with anti-pasta appetizers and a pasta bar complete with three types of sauces, proteins, vegetables, and various toppings. Thanks to Maribelle’s for the delicious fare!
As is our holiday tradition, charity was incorporated into the evening by way of a collection and raffle for the USO of Central Virginia. The USO provides hospitality to thousands of troops and their families who travel through the Richmond Int’l Airport during the holiday season. Over $700 in cash was raised, on top of the snacks and personal items collected at the event.
Many thanks to all who supported and attended this event, as well as all the Virginia Pond activities in 2017. We look forward to more good charity and fellowship in 2018!
2017 Christmas Social on 12/20 at the Virginia War Memorial
By popular request, the Virginia Pond will be returning to the Virginia War Memorial for this year’s annual Christmas Social on Wednesday, December 20. Family and guests are welcome!
As last year, the venue will be closed to the public during the event. For those who have not visited the memorial before, it is a wonderful monument to the men and women who have defended our country from World War II 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.
The event cost is $40/pp when paid by the RSVP deadline and $45 thereafter, and includes food, beverages (wine, beer and soft drinks), access to all exhibits, plus great fellowship! RSVP’s are needed by 12/15 in order to make sure we have enough food and beverages!
As is our tradition, the feature charity at this event is the USO of Central Virginia. The USO center at the Richmond Int’l Airport provides hospitality to thousands of troops and their families who are traveling during the holiday season. Guests are invited to bring to this event donations of needed items, such as individual size snacks and beverages, travel size toiletries, and cash/gift cards. We will also be selling tickets for raffle prizes with all proceeds going to the USO. Raffle prize donations are welcome!
RSVP online now, download a printable flyer to share (below), or check out photos from last year’s event here.
A Shuckin’ Good Time Was Had by All
The Virginia Pond’s 7th annual Shuckin’ & Jivin’ event on Wednesday, October 18 was another great success! The weather was perfect. The music provided by Susan Greenbaum was awesome! The oysters and other items were plentiful and tasty. And we had wonderful attendance, including some future goslings which made it a true family affair. View photos here.
We want to take another opportunity to thank our generous sponsors, who made this event our most successful fundraiser yet for Comfort Zone Camp (CZC). Below is the full list. Click the logo to visit a sponsor’s website.
Whether you were able to join us our not, we look forward to seeing you for our 8th annual event on Wednesday, October 17, 2018!
**BIG DAWGS**
*Toe Tappers*
Precepts Put Into Practice at the 2017 Convention
Hats off to the Southern Region for hosting an outstanding convention in Savannah, GA July 11-14.
Without the help of each Southern Region Pond/Puddle we would not have been able to assemble a convention of great Blue Goose memories.
Our convention, while having some great fun, focused on our three precepts of Character, Charity & Fellowship.
The convention was filled with many firsts for Blue Goose. We were the first to have a convention app to highlight our agenda and attendees, along with sponsors. We were the first to have a charity activity start our convention and go through out the convention. We were the first to have a “First Timers” program.
Speaking of first timers….the South had over 24 “First Timers” in attendance. This is awesome and really demonstrated how the Southern Region is coming alive with enthusiasm for this great organization.
Here is an article summarizing Charity at the 111th Grand Nest Convention.
We hope more ganders will join us next year in Edmonton, Canada for the 112th convention.
Linda Meik
Past Most Loyal Grand Gander
Honorable Order of the Blue Goose International
Past Most Loyal Grand Gander
Honorable Order of the Blue Goose International
