Be Inspired to be Kind!

On March 1st, Alpha Chi Omegas celebrate Hera Day, a day of service to others. Many of us choose to make this a day of kindness. Be inspired by this video to make your day about kindness too!

Alpha Chi Omega (Work and) Fun at the Beach 2014

I spent Saturday and Sunday with the FSU Alpha Chi Omega for their 2014 Executive Board Retreat at St. George Island. The house this year, Aisle of Palms, was beautiful, and ideal for a conference or special event. Gorgeous, right?

It was clear and sunny on Saturday when we arrived. Here is the view from the deck: 

It was beautiful but chilly. We worked inside all morning and afternoon, setting goals, identifying strengths and opportunities, bonding, and planning

In the late afternoon, we went outside to take photos of each exec board member and of the group as a whole for the chapter's website, blog and instagram. (Thanks Jenn for the action shot!) 

It was really cold out on the beach! And windy!! In this one, you can really see how the wind was blowing everyone's hair around!

We did manage to get some really great pictures near the water:

We moved up to the pool deck and had great light and a little bit of shelter from the wind

In all, I took 180 photos on Saturday! 

We had a pretty sunset on Saturday (above) and awoke to a warmer morning Sunday that quickly turned into rain. I captured the double rainbow off our front deck (facing the street and the bay) right as the weather moved in.

The weather went out as quickly as it had come in, and luckily we ended up with a beautiful day - sunny and close to 60 degrees. More advisors arrived Sunday so we had our own mini-photo shoot: 

After a morning of small group meetings, some outdoor time was welcome. After lunch, I packed up and headed back home (with my travel companions, Tara and Meagan). What a wonderful time with good friends and an impressive group of chapter leaders. If this retreat is an indication, they can look forward to a great year!

Twitter Year in Review 2013

Twitter remains my favorite social network. I came across this fun service, Vizify, last week that created some visuals to recap 2013. The first is a little movie. Unfortunately, you can't embed it but you can view it by clicking on the tweet below or by clicking here.

Just made a movie of my #2013memories on Twitter: https://t.co/bTScQrP3PF What's yours look like? #Vizify
— Amy Z (@amy_z) January 6, 2014

The other fun creation is my top tweets from 2013. Again, this is a screenshot, so it's not interactive, but you can click here or below the image to visit the actual page on the web. There you can view the original tweets and also follow links included in them. I think they are all fairly self-explanatory except for the one from Nov 30 - that was my reaction to the Auburn touchdown at the end of the Iron Bowl. 

https://twitter.com/amy_z/timelines/420166366545465344

What were your favorite moments on twitter in 2013? 

RIP Friends

Lost two friends, both 41, way too young, both memorialized yesterday. The first, Ogg (everyone called him by this last name) we knew because he was friends with my youngest brother. They were in the same class at CWRU where Ogg was a member of my husband's fraternity (connection two). We saw him a lot at his job at Grum's sub shop on Coventry where he worked during undergrad. He always was happy to see you. Just an all-around great guy. Second friend lost, Diane, was a friend of mine through Alpha Chi Omega. She was active in her local alumnae chapter in Ocala, Lambda Omicron Lambda, and through that we got to know each other at State Days and Conventions. Her kids were interested in some of the same things as Thomas - in fact she and her family were at the same space shuttle launch that John took us to. Diane seemed only a little ill, with strep, but it became systemic and although it seemed like she was going to rally and overcome it, the infection won in the end. Truly tragic. Both of these fine people will be missed. We made a donation to the American Heart Association in honor of Ogg and have contributed with other AXO sisters to a fund that will memorialize Diane in a couple of meaningful ways. Sending condolences to their families and everyone who was closest to both of them. RIP friends.

Dr. Glenn Thomas Ogg, 41, of Freeport, New York, passed away of a massive heart attack Monday, December 9, 2013. He was born in Oberlin on December 13, 1971.

He graduated from Midview High School in 1990, Case Western Reserve University in 1994 and Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in 1999. His practice was in the Freeport, Long Island, New York area.

Glenn was an avid sports fan, especially football, which he played for 13 years as defensive tackle and nose guard for Midview, Case Western and Southern Michigan Timberwolves semi-pros. He loved coaching football for St. Paul’s Catholic High School in Norwalk. He was a member of Elyria Masonic Lodge #787, Marshall Chapter #47, Elyria Council #86, Elyria Commandery #60 and 32nd Degree Mason in the Valley of Cleveland. Glenn also belonged to numerous medical societies and Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity as President at Case.

Glenn is survived by his wife, Alanda T. Ogg (nee Thomas) of Freeport, New York; parents, William L. and Marilyn E. Ogg (nee Tester) of Grafton; brother, William K. (Jennifer) Ogg of Hebron, Ohio; nephew, Will and niece, Olivia; grandfather, Clyde L. Tester of Norwalk; and step son, Michael McClelland of Freeport, New York.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, William H. and Mary Ogg; and maternal grandmother, Helen Tester.

Dr. Glenn, our big Teddy Bear, will be deeply missed for his big smile, good humor and great bedside manner.

The family will receive friends and family Thursday, December 19, 2013 from 7 to 9 P.M. at Busch Funeral Home, 114 Second St., Elyria, with Masonic Services at 7:30 P.M. A visitation will also be held Friday, December 20, 2013 from 11 A.M. to 12 Noon at the funeral home. Funeral Service will begin at 12 Noon with Rev. Delaine K. McGhee officiating. Interment will be at Resthaven Memory Gardens, Avon. A fellowship luncheon will be held following the interment at the Elyria Masonic Center, 251 6th St., Elyria (across from Elyria High School).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 1 Union St., Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691 or at donate.heart.org

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.buschcares.com source
DIANE KATHLEEN LONG, 41, of Ocala, Florida, was called home to be with her Lord on December 14, 2013. She was born on February 20, 1972, in Orlando, Florida, the middle daughter of David Franklin Long and Marcia Moritz Long. She was a member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Orlando. Surviving are her daughter, Lauren Elizabeth Nguyen, and son, Logan David Nguyen; parents, David and Marci Long; sisters, Dena Long and Denise Long Gallagher (Bill); nieces & nephews, Jordan Shapiro, Thea Gallagher and Eli Gallagher; and paternal grandmother, Mary Etta Long Mayo. Diane’s formal education went from Bunny’s Montessori School, Goss Methodist, Park Maitland, Lake Highland, Boone High School, to Stetson University, where she graduated with her MBA. She was a CPA, but found that her calling was working with animals. She attended the Florida International Teaching Zoo (FITZ), until her time of passing, and had dreams of one day attending school to become a veterinarian. Diane was involved with and in charge of many groups and activities, including: Alpha Chi Omega, South Ocala Elementary School PTO, Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS), Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, Pampered Chef, Hunter’s Ridge Homeowner’s Association, Home Schooling (CHIA & HEART), Imagine Home animal transport, Big Brothers and Sisters, Grace Covenant Church craft bazaar, and play groups for her children. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM, on Friday December 20, 2013, at the Shores. source

Our Field Trip to the Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Shop

photo credit: Britain

Friday night a big group of us drove up to the Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Shop in downtown Thomasville. We started the evening by gathering at our house so we could carpool/caravan for the half hour drive. From the SGD website:

Our goal is source the highest quality products and take care to showcase the finest Southern producers whenever and wherever we can. We believe that every product has a story and by offering a limited selection, we are better able to share those unique elements with you. We present a never static menu with a variety of options to suit all of your needs. A small sampling of our menu includes cheese and charcuterie boards, hand crafted sandwiches, salads, small plates, and desserts.

As usual I will start with the food photos and then share pics of some of the friends who were with us.

The Traveler Platter

"Featuring some of our favorite meats and cheeses from near and far!

Psychadillic, Georgia Gouda with pecans, Smokey Blue with American Spoon Strawberry preserves, and Salame Nostrano" with whole grain mustard. Love the slate platter, too.

photo credit: Britain

Devilish Eggs

House made pimento cheese deviled eggs

"Kinda spicy and fun" reports Britain.

photo credit: Jessica

Top:  The Big Cheese Sandwich
Thomasville Tomme, Georgia Gouda, and Beechers Cheddar on a grilled ciabatta
Bottom: Taste of Thomasville Platter
"Featuring Sweet Grass Dairy! Lil Moo with Strawberry Fig preserves, Thomasville Tomme, Asher Blue, local pecans and SGD wildflower honey. [I love that Asher Blue!]

Adrea toasting the cows! What dairy would be complete without cows? 

photo credit: Britain
B and Tara! (and the cows again!)

The Cheese Shop was a great place to go with a large group because the servers seemed completely unfazed by us all mingling and moving around... which we did a lot! The food was great as were the wine and beer selections. Many of us came home with snacks for later - honey, pecans, and of course, cheese. 

Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Shop

106 N. Broad Street

Thomasville, GA 31792

http://sweetgrassdairy.com/cheeseshop

Bridal Shower Fun!

Saturday we celebrated Britain's bridal shower with a brunch at Jenn's house, hosted by the bridesmaids. Here are a few photos of the fun!

The gorgeous and amazing praline cake was from Au Peche Mignon, our local French Bakery. Thins layers of very light yellow cake brushed with rum then sandwiched with praline mousse - divine! The edges were coated in crushed pecans and the top in slivered toasted almonds and powdered sugar. Each bite melted in your mouth!

The flowers are in the wedding colors and similar to the arrangements Britain and Chris will have at the wedding. See close up photos of the cake and the flowers below. 

Our brunch offerings included mini-quiches (ham, red bell pepper and shallot as well as mushroom and leek, both in fillo dough cups), a yogurt parfait bar, mini-muffins, caprese on a stick and a wonderful citrus salad with feta cheese. 

the buffet

On the left, caprese salad on a stick - grape tomatoes, basil and mozzarella (some with pepperoni, some without) with a wonderful vinaigrette dressing for dipping; on the right, citrus salad with feta and mint. 

At top left: peanut butter chocolate chip muffins; top right: carrot cake muffins;
bottom: berry muffins with blueberries

The yogurt parfait bar included three kinds of yogurt (plain, light blueberry, and Cabot Creamery vanilla bean Greek yogurt, which is amazing by the way) as well as homemade granola and a variety of nuts and dried fruits. 

Our shower game - guess the age of the bride in each of the photos. It was really fun - Jenn won, she got 6 of 10 correct! (For the record, I only guessed 3 correctly!)

This photo of the bride and me was taken by the Matron of Honor, Joy - as were the next three.

Another view of the yogurt parfait bar - sharing it because you can see the cake table in the dining room, through the arched doorway on the right. On the table are the favors, pink lemonade cupcakes, baked by Jenn, in cute little pink and navy boxes. Also, hanging from the pot rack are the great crepe paper rose balls Joy made for decorating. They were really neat.

From left to right: bridesmaid Michelle, Britain, Chris's cousin, Alexa, Chris's Aunt Fabiana and Chris's Mom, Donna.

Flower girl Lottie, daughter of the Matron of Honor, with her Aunt Stephanie. 

A gift from the bride - strawberries from Plant City! We ate them all in less than 24 hours!!

Close up of the cake

Close up of the flowers

Fish en Papillote

Translated: fish in paper. Sounds complicated but the hardest part is folding the paper. The prep itself is simple. Adapted from this recipe from Melissa D'Arabian

Ingredients
1/2 red onion, shredded
1 zucchini, shredded
1 large carrot, shredded
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 (4-ounce) sole fillets, hake, flounder or other white fish (we used flouder)
1 lemon, thinly sliced, seeds removed
8 sprigs fresh thyme
4 pats butter (1 teaspoon each)
1/4 cup water (original called for white wine)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a bowl, mix together the onion, zucchini, carrot and garlic. Add the oil, season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Put each fish fillet in a large square of parchment paper and season with salt and pepper. Arrange the vegetables on top, dividing evenly. Top the vegetables with 2 lemon slices, 2 sprigs thyme, a teaspoon of butter and 1 tablespoon water, layering in order. Fold the parchment paper around the edges tightly in 1/4-inch folds to create a half moon shape. Make sure you press as you crimp and fold to seal the packets well, otherwise the steam will escape. Arrange the packets on a baking sheet. Bake until the fish is cooked through, about 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. To serve, cut open the packets and serve directly in the parchment on a plate or remove the fish to the plate using a spatula, being sure you don't leave the juices behind. Makes 4 small servings - we were each tempted to have a second one!

We served this with basmati rice. Delicious and easy. 

Inspired by Alpha Chi Omega Convention: Consultant Love

Welcome to the ninth post in the "Inspired by Alpha Chi Omega Convention" series!

One of the best parts of my national service to Alpha Chi Omega over the last year has been getting to spend time with the amazing young women who serve Alpha Chi Omega as Chapter and Resident Consultants. In May 2011, Anne, Jennifer and Laura (at left) and I spent a weekend together assisting with Recruitment Training in Atlanta. Even though they had just been hired and had not had any training prior to arriving, each of them had valuable insights during the one-on-one meetings we had with chapter Recruitment teams and advisors. We spent so much time together that weekend that I teased them that we were attached at the hip!

In August, they went off on their travels: Jennifer to prepare for the new colony at High Point University; Anne to visit all of our Texas chapters and Laura to travel to the rest of Southeast. We were lucky to have Laura come see us three times at FSU, and I enjoyed every minute I spent at Texas Exec Board training in February with Anne. During our time together in Arlington, we held one-on-one meetings with all thirteen chapters and led a Recruitment Workshop. It was great to be attached at the hip again! I was really excited when I learned that all three of "my" region's Consultants would return for a second year.

There are always lots of things to look forward to at Convention but this year I had the excitement of being reunited with this year's Consultants and meeting the new ones. We had our reunion Friday morning bright and early when Jen D and I, representing the NPC Team, trained the whole Consultant team on all things Panhellenic. Throughout Convention, we had chances to spend time together and bond.

In addition to being super smart and beautiful inside and out, the Consultants are fun!

Here they are making lyres and letters under the Arch.

Here they are in dresses Past National Presidents wore to previous Conventions for the Walk of Memory.

Team Region 2 at the Final Banquet 

Each time I spend time with these women, whether it's on the phone, by email, or in person, I come away impressed by their intelligence, ability to assess situations, and the way they apply their excellent people skills to help chapters and individual sisters reach their goals. I'm inspired by these young women because they devote themselves to Alpha Chi Omega - changing lives one visit and one sister at a time. I look forward to working with them this year. Safe travels, friends, and thank you!

Read more from the "Inspired" series here.

Genealogy Field Trip Report August 2012

Our genealogy field trip (previewed here and here) was a great success. We visited all three cemeteries, found everyone we were looking for, learned a few things and had a wonderful time together!

We started our adventure meeting our cousins at Lakewood Park Cemetery in Rocky River. It's on Detroit Road and really easy to find. The staff in the office were very helpful - both on the phone ahead of time and in person that morning. Equipped with our maps and instructions, we headed out in search of great uncle Alfred. He was not in the first place we tried (imagine, that, two Alfred W. Andersons in one cemetery!) but we did find him, buried with his wife's family and his daughter and son-in-law.

In terms of aesthetics, Lakewood Park is very austere. All the markers are flush to the ground, making the cemetery feel more like a park than a graveyard. While it doesn't have a lot of character, it is filled with many Cleveland area dignitaries, including Dick Jacobs, former owner of the Cleveland Indians, so Uncle Alfred is in good company.

Alfred's wife, Jane, is buried between her first husband, Alfred, and her second husband, Albert.

 In the small world department, Alfred's daughter, Betty (who was adopted by her step-father, Albert) was an Alpha Chi Omega at University of Michigan. She died earlier this year (read her obit here). I took her carnations, our Alpha Chi flower.

Betty is buried next to her mother's parents with her husband on her right.

They are all in the next row down from Alfred, Jane and Albert. 

Next we drove over to Riverside Cemetery in Brooklyn Centre. It's right in the city, at the intersection of I-71 and 176. A much more traditional cemetery, it has all sorts of interesting monuments, statues and markers along with beautiful old trees and a massive gate house (photo, right) that is on the National Register of Historical Buildings. 

I had spoken to a very nice woman in the office a few days before who had given me detailed instructions for finding great Uncle Victor, Alfred's younger brother, so we headed straight to that area. 

It didn't take us long to find him and his wife, Ella:

Finding Ella was a new discovery. We knew they lived in Birmingham, Alabama, when he died in 1939, and that she brought him home to be buried in Cleveland. I had recently found her in the 1940 census living in an apartment in Lakewood but that was where the trail ended. 

Victor and Ella are buried with Ella's family:

Ella's Mom

Ella's father and sister. Lizzie died at age 4. 

Detail from Ella's father's stone. Her sister, Minnie, and her first husband are buried in the next row as well. Having Gessners in the family is another small world moment, as one of my first cousins on my Dad's side of the family is a Gessner by marriage. We'll have to see if they are all related. 

The biggest surprise at Riverside was the wildlife. We saw a lot of deer, including this whole family. They really were less than 30 feet away from us! Cleveland definitely still is Forest City. 

Our last stop on the cemetery tour was Monroe Street in Ohio City. It is the oldest cemetery on the West side of Cleveland with burials dating back to 1818. The gate house, shown on left, is no longer in service (the records are all at another city cemetery (and online)) and is falling down so the main entrance is closed. (It is being repaired.) There is a pedestrian gate to the left, down near the corner of West 30th Street. 

Mom had been to visit Theodore, my great great grandfather, before, so we knew just where to look. He is buried in the far back corner from the pedestrian gate. 

That's his stone, third to the left of the tree, with the shiny top. 

His daughters (my great grandmother and great Aunt Thorence) purchased this marker (it is not the original from 1891, was there an original? We don't know). Grandma died in 1962 so it had to have been prior to that. Update 8/17: Mom says, "Great Grandpa never had stone. They wanted him recognized, so they bought the stone and put it there. I think it was in the 1950ies."

Over lunch at Great Lakes Brewing Company, we shared family stories and discussed all the mysteries we still have to solve. It was a lovely morning!