ATSYOURERVICE
Board of Directors 2011-2012
Liza Chapman President
Gerran Syfan President -Elect
Misty Dickerson Recording Secretary
Jill Hegwood Corresponding Secretary
Tiffany Whitmire Treasurer
Janna Mallis Placement Chair
Eliza Baker
Membership Development Chair
Emily Gaddy CRPD
Kay Parks Fund Development Chair
Callie Flack Communications Chair
Lindsay Smithson Leadership Development & Training
Emily Reed
Member Representative
Bethany Magnus Immediate Past-President
Julie Nicholson Strengthening Families Chair
Lisa Geyer Sustainer Advisor
Fundraising Chairs
Suzie Hawkins
Charity Ball
Sally Pittman
Charity Ball
Melanie Fuller Hill Thrift Sale
Meredith McEver Thrift Sale
A NOTEFROMTHE PRESIDENT
Friday, Sept. 23, was the official first day of Fall, but it never seems like Fall is here until the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County occupies the Georgia Mountains Center to prepare for the Annual Harvest Thrift Sale. The League’s active and new members worked for the five days prior to the Oct. 1st Sale Day to get things ready, but a group of six amazing women have worked for an entire year preparing for the big day.
I want to personally thank and congratulate Melanie Hill, Meredith McEver, Leslie Miller, Tiffany Gillespie, Katie Highsmith and Magill Flemming for all of their hard work and dedication to making this year’s sale a huge success. Ladies, all of your efforts have certainly paid off. Not only did we generate great sales this year to assist the local agencies that our League supports, but many families now have new clothes, home goods and furniture that they would not otherwise have been able to afford. My thanks also goes out to all of the active, new and sustaining members who contributed to this year’s sale. We couldn’t have had the successful sale without all of us working together as a team.
As I review the pictures that I made on Sale Day, I am reminded why we continue with the Thrift Sale fundraiser. Yes, we have seen a decline in the amount of sales we raise each year, but when I see the faces of those in our community who we serve, I know why we put in all of the hours of hard work collecting goods that you or I may not find to be of use anymore. These items may allow a young teenage girl to find a formal dress to wear to an upcoming dance or a mother in need to purchase a new, safe car seat for her child.
Many stories and memories were created during the week of Thrift Sale, and we are all reminded why we have made the commitment to serve as members of the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County. I want to share one such story with you that really touched my heart. Melanie Couch, this year’s Hospitality Chair, was assigned to the Preview Party committee, and she was assisting with decorations and set-up for the event at Wild Wing Café. One of the servers approached Melanie and expressed to her, “I think it’s great what y’all are doing. It is a really important cause.”
The server went on to say that in her past, she was an unwed young mother who also suffered physical domestic abuse. Just maybe we have been able to help this young lady in one way or another by all of the work that we do in the Gainesville and Hall County community. I was extremely touched when Melanie shared this story with me because this lady took her time to say “Thank You” for the service of our very important cause. I am also reminded why I made the decision to join the League and participate fully.
As the server at Wild Wing thanked Melanie, I want to thank all of you for your support and service to our League and community. We couldn’t do what we do each day as a League if we didn’t all come together working as one League with one heart toward one mission.
Vision Statement
The Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County is committed to making Northeast Georgia a better place for children and families.Acting as a catalyst for positive change,we seek new opportunities to impact our community.
Liza Chapman President
Thrift Sale Wrap-Up
We had a tremendous 46th Harvest Thrift Sale! We are happy to have provided low-cost donated items to more than 1,600 individuals. It would not have been successful without the help of the entire Junior League membership. We appreciate everyone’s hard work over the summer, the week of Thrift Sale and on Sale Day. We are thankful to our sustaining members for all of your generous donations. Thrift Sale would not be a success without all of the members’involvement!
Abig thank you to our Thrift Sale Committee Chairs: Leslie Miller, Tiffany Gillespie, Katie Highsmith and Magill Fleming for all of their hard work this year! We would also like to thank Lynn Carter and Sue Gross for being our Sustainer Advisors, and Tiffany Whitmire and Erin Price for making sure the behind the scenes work went smoothly. We also appreciate Diana Cardenas for being our translator throughout Sale Day. We could not have done it without the help of the past Thrift Sale Chairs as well – thank you for all of your help and support!
The 2011 Member Prize Girl is Leanne Bryan! Thank you so much for your outstanding quota donation. We appreciate your hard work in collecting your quota this year. We also would like to recognize Ellen Toms, whose generous donation won her Sustaining Member Prize Girl! Thank you to the Little Ladybug for donating the John Wind bracelets for this year’s Prize Girls! Leanne and Ellen, we hope you enjoy wearing your bracelets!
Melanie Hill and Meredith McEver
2011 Harvest Thrift Sale Co-Chairs
Melanie Hill
Spotlight on Thrift Sale Co-Chairs Melanie Hill Meredith McEver
Melanie Hill is active in the Gainesville community within and out of the League. For the 2011 League year, she served as Co-Chair of Thrift Sale along with Meredith McEver. Previously, Melanie has served as Preview Party Chair, Advanced Donations Chair and also completed an external placement with Gateway House.Outside of the League, she serves as Past President for Young Leaders Society with United Way.
Melanie Hill
Melanie was fortunate during her year as President to sit on the Board of United Way of Hall County. Melanie also has been an Associate Director with the Hall County Chamber Board.She was a member of the 2010 Leadership Hall County class, where she met many great friends.
The League has been influential in Melanie’s life. Every year that she is in the League, she continues to grow and better understand the community impact we have as a whole. As a provisional, Melanie can remember explaining in very limited detail how we gave financially to a lot of our nonprofits in the community.She has grown to be much more elaborative on our financial impact as well as our volunteering impact in this community Thrift Sale has been a rewarding event for Melanie.Being able to see the local community wait in line to get the first opportunity to find great items at affordable prices means a lot to her.It also reminds her that she and her family are blessed to have the opportunities they have been given, knowing that when she drops off her quota, it will more than likely be purchased by someone who truly needs it!
There are many ladies within theLeague who have inspired Melanie.In her provisional year, she remembers thinking how positive Dixie Truelove presented everything, whether good or bad. She had such confidence and portrayed great leadership characteristics.Over the years, as friendships have grown, there are a number of ladies she also has grown to admire: Meredith McEver, PyperMacloskie, Liza Chapman, Gerran Syfan, Emily Pursley, Tiffany Whitmire, Tiffany Gillespie and Leslie Miller. Each lady has special characteristics, but they all have had an impactin her life.
Melanie and her husband, Zac have been married for six years and both grew up in North Hall.They have two children, Mason, 3 1/2, and MacyMichael, 1.They enjoy fun family outings like the beach and the zoo.Mason especially enjoys being outside, which means that they stay out as much as they can when the weather allows!
Favorite Quote: “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” ~ Mother Teresa
Meredith McEver
Meredith McEver
Meredith McEver is an active member in the League as well as in the Gainesville community. For the 2011 Junior League year she co-chaired the Thrift Sale with Melanie Hill. She previously chaired Properties and Pick Up & Storage. Meredith is a member of the Northeast Georgia Medical Center Auxiliary where she volunteers monthly in the Window Shop, as well as serves as the Finance Chairperson for Marketplace. She is a graduate of Leadership Hall County and continues to be involved by serving on the Program Advisory Committee for LHC. Also, she is a member of United Way’s Young Leaders Society, a founding member of WomenSource and a recent Board Member for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Inc.
Meredith has thoroughly enjoyed her time in the League! It has given her an opportunity to see and understand the many good things we as a whole League do to help those in need in our community, and has provided her with an opportunity to meet other ladies and make new friends. Thrift Sale is a great example of seeing first-hand those who are less fortunate and who, without Thrift Sale and the low priced items we provide, would otherwise most likely do without. It really makes her stop and think how grateful she is for what she has and to be appreciative – every day!
There are several ladies in the League who inspire Meredith by their ongoing dedication and positive attitude – no matter what! Pyper Macloskie, Christina Jones, Ashley Mixon, Gerran Syfan, Tiffany Gillespie, Liza Chapman, Bethany Magnus and Julie Nicholson to name a few. There are many others as well – these ladies she has had an opportunity to work more closely with – and their commitment and positive attitudes are admirable!
Meredith is a Hall County native and currently lives in Gainesville. She enjoys reading, shopping, seeing movies, spending time with family and friends visiting the beach and traveling.
Favorite quote: “Winners never quit and quitters never win.”
Spot a Shining Star?
It’s that time again!
We will be accepting nominations for League leadership positions at the November General Membership meeting. Please consider nominating yourself or someone else for next year. Questions? Contact your nominating chairs, HeatherMcGee or JenniferMartin, for more information.
Do you know a League member who goes above and beyond the call of duty? Why not recognize her as a Shining Star? Please take a moment to nominate yourself or another member for her personal achievements. Every accomplishment is significant, and there’s nothing too small to celebrate. Log on to www.gainesvillehalljuniorleague.org and nominate under “Reminders.” All nominations will remain anonymous.
Charity Ball2011
Charity Ball is fast approaching, and we are so excited to celebrate the event’s 60th year in Gainesville.
Supporting us this year are seven wonderful Belle candidates and their clubs. They are already hard at work raising money for our community on behalf of the Junior League. It is such an honor to have these wonderful girls representing us, and we are thankful for every hour and dollar that they commit to our organization.
The funds raised at Charity Ball allow the League to fulfill grants and support the League’s own initiatives, such as Feeding Our Future & Kids in the Kitchen. All donations to Charity Ball are used to support women and children in our own community.
Working together with our assistant co-chairs, Katie Dubnik, Elizabeth Latta, Emily Bishop and Cindy Barrett, we have been putting forth every effort to make this 60th anniversary a wonderful event.
We are happy to say that the Silent Auction was a great addition to the ball last year, and with Emily Bishop’s leadership, we will continue that tradition another year. Please be sure to get your auction number when you check
Logan Brown
in the night of the ball – and remember, any amount you spend can go toward any Belle’s box.
This year we are pleased to say that you can now make online donations to any Belle candidate on the Junior League website. Your ticket purchase can be credited to a Belle’s box as well. Please let your friends, relatives and neighbors know about the ball – the prices remain unchanged, $75/single and $125/couple.
We hope to see you at our masquerade-themed Charity Ball on December 10, 2011, from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Chattahoochee Country Club!
— Suzie Hawkins and Sally Pittman
Calling all Sustainers and Past Charity Ball Belles
If you are a sustaining member of the League or a past Charity Ball Belle, we want your picture! We will take a group sustainer picture and a group past Belle picture.
kI am a senior at Gainesville High School and am the Student Body President, captain of the Varsity Football cheerleading squad and an active member of Key Club. I am very honored to represent the Gainesville Rotary Club as their Belle candidate for the 2011 Charity Ball. I look forward to helping the Junior League support the women and children of this great community that means so much to me.
Emmy
Emmy Carswell
Iam thrilled to have the opportunity to impact families in our community by raising funds and representing the Lanierland Civitan Club as their Belle candidate. The work done on behalf of the Junior League has been important to my family for literally, generations! I am a senior at Lakeview Academy. I have been involved in theatre, cheerleading and soccer. I volunteer weekly at Browns Bridge Community Church as a small group leader. With my love for fashion, I have plans to attend either Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, N.C., or FIDM in Los Angeles.
Caroline Franklin
am a senior at Gainesville High School where I am involved in journalism, the Environmental Club, Young Life and Varsity cheerleading. I have been active in the children’s mission ministries of Free Chapel for many years. Being able to represent the Optimist Club at this year’s Charity Ball is truly an honor. As I reflect upon my senior year, I am reminded of what this community has meant to me and how privileged I am to be involved with fundraising on behalf of so many worthwhile benevolent organizations.
Molly Gay
Caroline
Molly
School and I am involved in student council, DECA, FBLAand Interact. I’m an active member at First Presbyterian Church and I serve as a mentor at Mount Vernon Elementary. I am looking forward to raising money for the League to donate on the behalf of helping others in our community.
Madeline Maney
I am a senior at Lakeview Academy and honored and excited to represent the Gainesville Jaycees at the 2011 Charity Ball! I play both varsity volleyball and basketball, serve as President of my Senior Class, am a member of Senior Beta and Spanish Honors Society and have been a representative on Honor Council for 4 years. I’m an active member of FCA, Spirit Club and Young Life. Last year, I was selected to participate in the Youth Leadership Hall County Program. I am a member of Gainesville First United Methodist Church. I look forward to this opportunity to help give back to such a wonderful community.
Caroline Hodge
Caroline
I feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to represent the South Hall Rotary Club in the 2011 Charity Ball. I am a senior at North Hall High
I am a junior at Gainesville High School where I am a member of Student Council, Key Club, Beta Club, National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. I am a member of the First Baptist Church handbell choir, high school ensemble and secretary/treasurer of the youth choir. I am also a member of the Gainesville Ballet Company. It is such an honor to represent the Kiwanis Club in the 60th Annual Charity Ball, as we work to support worthwhile charities in our community.
Holly Puckett
I am a senior at North Hall High School, where I am honored to be a four year varsity football cheerleader. I am representing the Elks Lodge as their Belle candidate. I am looking forward to this important work and giving back to my community. We are fortunate to live in a wonderful community and I feel we have a duty to help those less fortunate than ourselves.
For more information about Charity Ball, contact Suzie Hawkins at 404-275-3295, or Sally Pittman at 770-3654053.
Holly
Madeline
YOU can help brighten smiles!
Kids in the Kitchen is getting ready to hit the schools with our message to promote health and wellness and fight childhood obesity. Included in our program is the importance of overall health maintenance, and more specifically oral hygiene. We are looking for donations of toothbrushes and/or toothpaste to be distributed at the programs.
The toothbrushes and toothpaste will reach hundreds of students in need. If you are a dentist or know a dentist who would like to donate, or if you would like to make a contribution yourself, please contact Shelley Davis at shelleysegall@yahoo.com or the League office. We will be happy to accept donations at the office or will arrange for pickup.
“HEALTHY HABITS”: A Child & Family Wellness Expo
Strengthening Families is excited to introduce the first annual “HEALTHYHABITS”: AChild & Family Wellness Expo.
The Junior League of Gainesville Hall County, United Way of Hall County and the Interactive Neighborhood for Kids (INK) will be working together to make this an event you won’t want to miss. It will be held on Sunday, March 25, at INK from 1-5 p.m.
SAVETHEDATE
What: Healthy Habits: A Child & Family Wellness Expo
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2012
Where: Interactive Neighborhood for Kids Contact: Mandy Bangs, stephensmandy@bellsouth.net
The expo will provide many resources and opportunities for children and their families to join in the fight against childhood obesity. Families who attend the expo will gain perspective on how to incorporate physical activity and healthy nutritional habits into everyday routines, as well as the importance of preventive healthcare.
We are looking for our very own local and a few nationally known celebrities to educate our families at this one-of-a-kind event. Professionals from the fields of healthcare, nutrition, exercise physiology and sports, mental health and many more will be invited to participate as exhibitors as well as educators.
If you would like to participate in this exciting event, please mark your calendars for March 25, 2012, and contact Mandy Bangs, stephensmandy@bellsouth.net, at your earliest convenience.
Healthy Recipes
By Shanna Addison, New Member
TACO SOUP (Serves at least 4)
1 lb ground turkey
1 medium onion
1 can black beans
1 can sweet kernel corn, drained
1 can stewed or diced tomatoes, Mexican style
1 package less sodium taco seasoning
1 package ranch mix
2 cups water
Brown ground turkey and onions.Drain fat.Add rest of ingredients in crock pot or Dutch oven.Simmer for at least one hour.Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese and tortilla chips.
By Brittni Curtis, New Member
HIGH-PROTEIN CINNAMON PANCAKES
(I love these! Sometimes I half the recipe so there are only 2 servings, and sometimes I make them all and freeze them, then heat them up in the mornings)
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup protein powder (I use “Biggest Loser” vanilla)
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup Splenda Granular
1 tablespoon margarine or butter, melted
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1. In a medium bowl combine the dry ingredients.
2. In a small bowl whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter and eggs. Stir into the dry ingredients using a spoon or rubber spatula just until all of the flour is moistened. Do not over mix.
3. Place a griddle or skillet over medium heat. Spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Pour 1/4 cup batter and spread into 4-inch circle for each pancake. Cook pancake for 3-4 minutes on first side until underside browns. Flip pancake and cook on second side 2-3 minutes. Serve with syrup if desired.
4 servings - 2 pancakes per serving
Calories: 170 Fat: 5 grams
Carbs: 18 grams Fiber: 1 gram
Protein: 15 grams Sodium: 400 milligrams
(Apartnership between the Junior League and the Georgia Mountain Food Bank)
Distribution News:
Aspecial “Thank You” to the League Sustainers for their help with the October food distribution. The sustainers helped by packing the food boxes and distributing the food to the families. Your help is always greatly appreciated!
Food Pantry News:
Based on the most needed items in the Food Pantry, the following are the specific requests for the upcoming months:
“Noodle November” – Dried Pasta / Canned Spaghetti or Ravioli / Macaroni & Cheese
“Diced Tomatoes December” – Canned Tomatoes
Please bring your food donations to the General Membership Meetings or drop them off at the League Office.
If you have any questions regarding the Feeding Our Future program, please contact PyperMacloskie at pmacloskie@bellsouth.net, Julia Greene at jgreene@hallcounty.org or Julie Nicholson at julie.nicholson@cbtonline.com.
THANK YOUTO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS
PLATINUM
Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Inc.
Conditioned Air Systems,Inc. Gastroenterology Associates of G ainesville, PC
J. G eyer Advertising
The Kroger Company
The Longstreet Clinic, P.C.
Alexander,Almand & Bangs,LLC Carroll Daniel Construction Chattahoochee Bank of Georgia
Bennett Family Dentistry Community Bank & Trust J.Green Salon House Dressing
Nest Feathers Treadstone Construction
Bulletin Board
LittleLeaguers: MEMBERSHIP UPDATES BIRTHDAYS
Miller Evans Lathem
August 30, 2011
7 lbs. 4 oz. 21 in.
Born to Kelly and Evan Lathem
Stephen James West
September
Born to Meredith and Joey West and welcomed by big sister Anna Courtney
Our next General Membership Meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Elks Lodge. Please make plans to attend. And remember, it’s “Noodle November, ” so bring that pasta with you!
November
Debby Lane
Mary Helen Hosch
Marilyn McCarver
Jeannine Roberts
Hart Payne
Chris Cosper
Ann Hendrickson
LeTrell Simpson
Betty Norton
Vicki Holland
Scarlet Pendarvis
Pyper Macloskie
Lisa McMahan
Robyn Lynch
Joan Eckert
Ashley Collins
Kathy Tillman
Elizabeth Hawkins
Betty Goldberg
Julia Greene
Heather McGee K aye Branch
Carole Hudgins
Sharon Farkas Ann Palmour
Stewar t Lisa Ralston
Carswell
Kelly Lee
Carla Walker
Barbara Griffeth
Amy Roark
Janna Mallis
Lee Highsmith
Michelle Carter
Debbie Walls
Nikki Law
LeAnne Gilleland
Mar y Grimsley M isty Caudell
Teresa Syfan
Sarah Dunlap
Leslie Chapman
Betty Hampton
Elizabeth Reisman
Irene Baker
K aren Jackson
Patti Chambers
Carol Ferrell
Laura Sumner
Lucille Bagwell
Barbara Hicks
Vivian Street
Christina Jones Janet K aup
Diane Curington
Susan LeFevre
Jennifer Wilt
P.O. Box 1472
Gainesville, GA30503
www.jlghc.org