Thanks to all who came out for our scholarship andofficer installation luncheon! It means a lot to the recipients to have you there. Theresa Peck gave the Thought for the Day about strong women.
Liz Coughlin introduced our scholarship recipients: Battlefield HS Natalie Rivera (present) Luca Devito (not present) Northern Virginia Community College Tereza Akhbar (present) Sherfatu Yunusa (not present)
Nataie and Tereza thanked the RWC and spoke about their plans for the future.
Kelly Persons (NVCC Representative) read a letter from Sherfatu Yunusa who could not attend having just delivered a brand new baby girl.
Liz Anderson (President) and Elaine Hughes (VP Fundraising) presented a $6000 check to Ahryel Tinker, Manassas ARTFactory, our spring charity.
Linda Kostrzebski (Battlefield High School Counselor) read a letter from Luca Devito who could not attend.
Liz Coughlin installed the 2025-2026 RWC Board. President - Liz Anderson Executive VP - Sarah Rudy VP Community Service - Hattie Thurman, Jane Brown VP Programs - Nancy Converse VP Fund Raising - Elaine Hughes Treasurer - Cynthia Guidici Recording Secretaries - Florence Byrne and Anne Pedersen Corresponding Secretary - Joan Hughes
Congratulations to our Dodi Myers Scholarship winners: Mary Jo Rigby, Linda Preston, Maria Albano, and Nancy Converse! Your ticket purchases support The Dodi Myers Scholarship Fund. Thanks to Donna Maynard, Mary Ginty, and the Flower Gallery for donating their items to raffle.
RWC Luncheon 💐May 1, 2025💐
RWC members and friends celebrated the first of May with a fun-filled fashion show and Mother's Day themed brunch.
Members responded to our request for Personal Pack Supplies for the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry (HRFP). The donations filled the cars with 163 pounds of supplies and $115 in cash that were happily received by HRFP!
Sandi McNickle gave the Thought for the Day She shared inspiration written by Pope Francis when he was hospitalized earlier this year. He reflected on the way a hospital puts people in a level place where human needs are met without filters of societal bias. “Worlds intersect according to a divine design.” He went on to encourage all to make the most of this life with some practical do’s and don’ts.
Liz Coughlin conducted the election of officers for our 2025-2026 RWC Board. The following board was elected by acclamation: President - Liz Anderson Executive VP - Sarah Rudy VP Community Service - Hattie Thurman, Jane Brown VP Programs - Nancy Converse VP Fund Raising - Elaine Hughes Treasurer - Cynthia Guidici Recording Secretaries - Florence Byrne and Anne Pedersen Corresponding Secretary - Joan Hughes We welcomed Jessie Campos and Indy Bhaggan from our local Chico's store who presented a wonderful fashion show with our very own RWC members as models! Our models were: Sandy Matukaitis Kathie Hodum Priscilla Priestman Barbara Plumhoff Elaine Hughes
Congratulations to our Dodi Myers Scholarship winners: Anne Pedersen, Mary Pat Ubelhart, Louise Worley, Peggy Grady, Cathy Campbell, and Arlene Giacomo! Your ticket purchases support The Dodi Myers Scholarship Fund. Thanks to Donna Maynard, Mary Ginty, and the Flower Gallery for donating their items to raffle.
Thank you to all of you who volunteered to help with Bingo at the Gainesville Rehab Center. You make a big difference to the residents there.
Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos Made for a Lively Fundraiser! Thanks to all of you who participated in this entertaining fundraiser benefiting the ARTfactory of Manassas Children's programs. Our lucky raffle winners were: Jerry Worley - Blue Ridge Seafood Liz Anderson - COSTCO and Valentino's Donna Maynard, Details Mary Howell, Firebirds Nancy Converse, Gainesville Diner Elaine Hughes and Joan Hughes, Gainesville Garage John Summers, Giant Peggy Curley, Great American Restaurants Paulette Nedrow, Hand and Stone, and the Beauty Effect Hilda Taschek, Home Depot Sarah Rudy, Olde Dominion Tavern Sandy Matukaitis, Starbucks Barbara Gilchrist, Tacos & Tequila Gayle Wasilewski, Uber Eats Connie Mayhugh, VA ABC Ralph Darne, Valentino's Debra Sparkman, Velocity Wings Dave Scheicher, Velocity Wings
Thank you to our sponsors: M&M Roofing and Exteriors LLC, Keller Williams-Dianne Lemansky, Lifetime Smiles, Balance Physical Therapy, and Calverton Self Storage Enjoy the slide show!
April 3, 2025 Luncheon
RWC members and friends gathered on a warm April day to celebrate spring and learn about decluttering!
Sarah Rudy gave the Thought for the Day with quotes from the book Grit and Grace by Pauline Weger. "Being optimistic is like a muscle that gets stronger with use.. You have to change the way you think in order to change the way you feel." Robin Roberts, TV Anchor
"Forget conventionalisms; forget what the world will say, whether you are in your place of out of your place; think your best thoughts, speak for best words, do your best works." Susan B. Anthony, Suffragist
"The true measure of all our actions is how long the good in them lasts" Queen Elizabeth II, Monarch
Paulette Nedrow announced the slate of candidates for our 2025-2026 RWC Board: President - Liz Anderson Executive VP - Sarah Rudy VP Community Service - Hattie Thurman, Jane Brown VP Programs - Nancy Converse VP Fund Raising - Elaine Hughes Treasurer - Cynthia Guidici Recording Secretaries - Florence Byrne and Anne Pederson Corresponding Secretary - Joan Hughes We welcomed Caroline Dockery of Categorically Caroline who spoke with us about the process of decluttering.
Congratulations to our Dodi Myers Scholarship winners: Stacey Massey, Liz Anderson, Glenna Toppen, Kathie Hodum, Jean Jones, Wanda Kellum, and Mary Moran! Your ticket purchases support The Dodi Myers Scholarship Fund. Thanks to Donna Maynard, Mary Ginty, and the Flower Gallery for donating their items to raffle.
After the luncheon, members delivered a check for $21,280 dollars to the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry from our community-wide monetary drive conducted on April 1, 2025.
Photos by Lee Lipscomb and Debbie Gentry
March 6, 2025 Luncheon
After having to cancel our February luncheon, we were all so glad to be back!
Our generous members and friends brought lots of new sneakers for our drive for Boxes of Basics.
Leslie Mitchell gave the Thought for the Day about A Gift of Time, encouraging us to appreciate each day and the opportunities they bring.
We enjoyed Chef Brian's Irish themed lunch topped off with Bailey's cheesecake!
We welcomed Brenda Solomon and Pam Swinford of the Copper Cricket who shared tips for and the benefits of thrifting. You can save money and update your decor by reusing and recycling and saving the landfills at the same time.
Liz Coughlin announced the Nominating Committee is open to accepting nominations for the 2025-2026 RWC Board. The deadline is March 25, 2025.
Joan Hughes, Community Service, announced the annual Monetary Drive for the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry will take place on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
Elaine Hughes, Fundraising, announced the upcoming spring fundraiser featuring Felix and Fingers on April 4, 2025. Details Here
Congratulations to our Dodi Myers Scholarship winners: Sandy Darne, Florence Byrne, Eleanor Hammond, Priscilla Priestman, Barbara Orban, Liz Anderson, Marcia Hahn, and Pat Valle! Your ticket purchases support The Dodi Myers Scholarship Fund. Many thanks to Donna Maynard for making the beautiful gift basket, to Mary Ginty for her delicious jams, and to the Flower Gallery for their wreath and center pieces. You may view the slideshow below:
January 2, 2025 Luncheon Happy New Year!
RWC members and friends gathered for the first luncheon of the new year and enjoyed a delicious Italian buffet, complete with scrumptious Tiramisu! Gina Missett gave the Thought for the Day telling us about her recent involvement in RWC and how much we do for the community at large and how RWC lives up to is motto: "Enriched by friendship, dedicated to service." She encouraged others to join RWC Committees.
Liz Coughlin announced and the membership accepted the candidates for the Nominating Committee responsible for finding candidates for the 2025-2026 RWC season They are: Paulette Nedrow Anne Pedersen Priscilla Priestman Florence Byrne Joan Hughes We encourage you to contact any of these individuals if you are interested in running for one of the offices, or it you know someone who would be a good candidate.
Laura Newberry and Mindy West are former employees of the FDIC, and are active in the Association of FDIC Alumni. They primarily work in educating on financial literacy through the “Money Smart for Older Adults” program. They entitled their program “Avoiding Scams (as best as we can)”. The slide presentation assisted as they shared facts, details, and tips on avoiding scams. When they opened the floor for questions, there were plenty of scams we all wanted to talk about. It was an informative presentation and the RWC members were actively engaged in the topic. As a bonus, they gave each one who attended the luncheon a handout: Money Smart for Older Adults Resource Guide (circa June 2021) and a pen.
Congratulations to our Dodi Myers Scholarship winners: Sarah Rudy, Mary Ginty, Sue Flynn, Dale Walden, Carol Hobday, and Mary Lynn Applegate! Thanks to Donna Maynard, Mary Ginty, and the Flower Gallery! Your ticket purchases support The Dodi Myers Scholarship Fund.
December 5, 2024 Luncheon It may have been cold outside, but we were warm inside the beautifully decorated clubhouse as we anticipated Doug Burroughs' annual holiday arrangement demonstration.
Amy Steen's Thought for the Day was Welcome December! May the month ahead sprinkle your spirit with the joyous of blessings. May Mother Nature’s purity, blanket and warm your heart with an abundance of peace, hope, love, good health, prosperity and happiness. May you embrace the spirit of giving with kindness, compassion, inspiration and encouragement. May you be full of hope and promise of the wondrous blessings yet to come.
Congratulations to our Raffle Winners! In addition to the beautiful arrangements Doug made, others won table centerpieces, a White House ornament, and Mary Ginty's Jams The winners are: Florence Byrne, Sheryl Solow, Sue Benjamin, Mary Brandt, Barbara Plumhoff, Joan Hughes, Mary Lynn Applegate, Nancy Converse, Donna Maynard, and Theresa Peck
Your ticket purchases support The Dodi Myers Scholarship Fund.
November 7, 2024 Luncheon
We gathered on a perfect autumn day to share memories and celebrate friendship.
Maryann Whann is no stranger to the Regency community, making her home here for a decade and a half. She recited a poem she wrote herself entitled "Seasons". It is a lovely rhyme describing the passing of spring, summer, fall, and winter seasons with the beautiful sentiment that our friendships remain and grow as we spend time together. Spring has passed, Summer has gone. Autumn breezes cool, Winter winds blow strong.
Spring days lengthen To Summer night songs. Autumn days shorten To Winter nights long.
Spring brings green, Summer brings color. Fall colors change, Winter grays hover.
Spring buds unfold To Summer’s bright sun. Autumn leaves fall, And Winter snows come.
Season come, And seasons go But friends remain, And friendships grow.
No matter the reason, No matter the rhyme, We cherish the friendships We build over time.
Our friends are dear, Our friends are here. So, take the hand Of someone near.
And in this moment, know the reason, We are thankful for each season.
This year, this month, this week, this day, Whatever the time, whatever the weather, Let’s give thanks as we now say That we are blessed to be together.
Our program welcomed Ron DeFore, author and son of actor Don DeFore. He entertained us as he walked us through his childhood memories growing up in Disneyland.
Congratulations to our Raffle Winners! Elaine Hughes invited our guest, Ron DeFore, to draw the lucky tickets. Sandy Darne (Double winner!), Lee Lipscomb (Double winner!), Faye Graul, Kate Connelly, Geri Varachi, and Heather Cohen.
We couldn't do the raffles without Donna Maynard's beautiful baskets, Flower Gallery's arrangements, and Mary Ginty's jams and jellies! Your ticket purchases support The Dodi Myers Scholarship Fund.
Hallowe'en Treat Bags for Haymarket Regional Food Pantry
On Monday, October 14, 2024, the RWC Community Service Committee gathered to fill Hallowe'en Treat Bags for the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry to distribute to families in need. We had a lot of fun bagging, tying, and sometimes sampling all the treats contributed by our members. The Haymarket Regional Food Pantry was thrilled to receive the 450 bags filled with assorted goodies!
Rocktoberfest Fun! Thanks to everyone who came out to eat, drink, play, dance, and raise funds for charity! Everyone was a winner on Friday, October 11. 2024, as we celebrated Oktoberfest Regency style.
Congratulations to the Stein Pong Winners - Donna Jerome and Dennis Byrne
Congratulations to Table 14 who won the Trivia contest - dessert of their choice at the Middleburg Grille.
Huge thanks to everyone who participated in the raffles! Raffle winners were: Connie Mayhugh - Black Sheep/Villagio Gift card Donna Maynard - Amazon, Giant, and ABC, Uber Eats gift cards Theresa Peck - Details Boutique Jerry Worley - Gainesville Garage Audrey Templeton - Gainesville Garage, Target Kathie Wilson - Giant Chris Ward - Hand & Stone Florence Byrne - Hand & Stone, Sheetz Joanne Burger - Jersey Mike's Cindy Ware - La Vie Nails, Valentino's Yvonne Cadwallader - Morton's Steak House Pat Giffey - Morton's Steak House John Scarcella - Olde Dominion Tavern and ABC gift card Debra Sparkman - Velocity Wings Donna Jerome - Visa gift card
Proceeds from the event will go to our Fall/Winter Charity Virginia Women and Family Support Center.
Photos by: Dominic Preston and Lee Lipscomb. Thank you for capturing it so well, Dominic!
October 3, 2024 Luncheon
Lots of autumnal vibes made for a festive luncheon!
Anne Pedersen's Thought for the Day had us pondering the difference between the "I have to" and "I get to" mindset. The "get to" outlook can help people feel more joy and accomplishment.
Our program welcomed Ellen Crosby, author. She told us how she became an author, her love of mystery and books. She had with her Miriam Meeks, Manager at Middleburg Books, and Kailey Renehan, Book seller at Middleburg Books https://www.middleburgbooks.com/ You can find out more about Ellen Crosby at https://ellencrosby.com/
Congratulations to our Raffle Winners! They are: Liz Anderson, Donna Maynard, Erna Grzejka, Jane Brown, Mary Jo Rigby, and Mary Pat Ubelhart
We couldn't do the raffles without Donna Maynard's beautiful baskets, Flower Gallery's arrangements, and Mary Ginty's jams and jellies! Your ticket purchases support The Dodi Myers Scholarship Fund.
September 5, 2024 Luncheon Our first luncheon of the new season greeted many new and returning friends and neighbors on a gorgeous day in September. Sandi McNickle's Thought for the Day entitled "September Thoughts" was a perfect start to the day. Excerpts included a quote from Walter Stegner: "Another fall, another turned page; there was something of Jubilee in that annual autumnal beginning, as if last year's mistakes had been erased by summer." She concluded with this thought: "New month, new chapter, new page and new wishes. May the month give you courage, strength, confidence, patience, self-love, and inner peace. May every day in September fill your days with hope, love, sunshine, and energy. Let there be joy, fun, and laughter"
Our program featured speakers from Virginia Women and Family Support Center. Frances Robin, Executive Director, and Alana Hilliard, VAWFSC Board member, gave us in depth information about VAWFSC and the kind of support provided to women and children in the area. They have plans for expansion and look forward to serving community with this vital program.
Congratulations to our Raffle Winners! They are: Elaine Hughes, Carol Bowen, Marcie Sponholtz, Donna Jerome, and Paulette Nedrow!
We couldn't do it without Donna Maynard's beautiful baskets, Flower Gallery's arrangements, and Mary Ginty's jams and jellies! Your ticket purchases support The Dodi Myers Scholarship Fund.
Photos by Joanne Burger, Lee Lipscomb, and Sandy Darne
2023 Back2School Community Drive for NVFS Is in the Books!
"Phenomenal" Thank you for your overwhelming support and generosity of the 2024 Back2School Community Drive for Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS)! We collected 9,300.00 in school supplies and $1,927 in cash and checks!
Because of you, students in need will return to school well-equipped for a successful school year. We could not have done this without you! Thanks to everyone in our Regency community for their generous support of this important project