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

A New Role Model... and a New University Center

How can you not love a man at age 95 a. plans to outlive his long-lived relatives (100 and 107) and b. has given to the university every year since he graduated... in 1937. Thanks Tink Veale II for making the new university center at CWRU possible.

http://www.case.edu/universitycenter/

So Proud of CWRU

The first week in October, during Homecoming Weekend, CWRU dedicated the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center inside Thwing, the student center on campus. It was so great to hear CWRU President, Barbara Snyder, speak at the event (see video below), and reiterate the support she gave in her official statement:

Every single member of our community is important, and each of us should strive to ensure our actions convey that message. Tolerance and respect are essential to our mission. We value the contributions of every student, staff and faculty member, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, political persuasion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Our classrooms, laboratories, residence halls, and other settings should be free of discrimination, to be sure, but that is not enough. We must recognize that we are fortunate to study and work in an environment where it is understood that our differences add to the richness of our learning. It is only from a wide array of experiences and insights that we together can achieve deeper appreciation and awareness of some of the greatest societal challenges of our time.

Back in the late 80s, one of the successes I was most proud of as a member of undergraduate student government (USG) was convincing the university administration to expand the non-discrimination policy to include on the basis of sexual orientation. We held a post-card drive: USG printed cards and made them available all over campus. Anyone on campus could sign the card (requesting the change) and drop it in campus mail to be delivered to the university President, Ag Pytte. This ploy got his attention, and a group of us were invited to meet with him to discuss the pros and cons. To us, as undergrads, the financial risk (that is, the risk the university could be sued), seemed negligible compared to the importance of being inclusive. He eventually agreed, and the University Board of Trustees approved a new non-discrimination policy. It has changed and improved in the last 20 years (I'll post it below the video); it's amazing to see CWRU truly embracing diversity and inclusiveness.



Non-Discrimination Policy Statement

Case Western Reserve University does not discriminate in recruitment, employment, or policy administration on the basis of race, religion, age, sex, color, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, or status as a disabled veteran or other protected veteran under U.S. federal law. In addition, the university expects all employees, students, vendors, and associates to comply with the policy of non-discrimination. The university intends to maintain an environment free of sexual harassment and will not tolerate any form of harassment of its employees, faculty, or students. Retaliation against persons raising concerns about discrimination, sexual harassment or harassment of any kind is prohibited and will constitute separate grounds for disciplinary action up to and including discharge or expulsion from the university.

Happy Birthday Alpha Chi Omega at CWRU

Today, September 24th, marks the 27th anniversary of the installation of Zeta Upsilon chapter at Case Western Reserve University. Here is the lovely house ZY has called home since 1993.

Alpha Chi has given me many gifts over the years but the most irreplaceable ones are my chapter sisters, my forever friends, several of whom were in my new member class, pictured in the next 2 photos, and the women we recruited to ZY the during the following years. (I have much love for the women I advised at ZY too; I'll have to do another post on them and those years soon. And, of course, membership in Alpha Chi leads to friends from chapters all over the country, many of whom have touched my life and made me a better person, but today's ZY's birthday so we'll save them for another day too! xoxo)

Here we are at First Degree of Initiation in the Spartan Room in Thwing. 

And here we are at Second Degree of Initiation, the following January, at Dr. Kessler's house.

2 years later, at the Homecoming Football game.

At a quad event that same year. Yes, balloons make everything more fun!

In addition to Zeta Upsilon, our ZY alumnae chapter, also celebrates its birthday today too. Happy 6th to Mu Tau Mu. It was one of our best crazy ideas ever. Many thanks to the wonderful women pictured here (and those not) who have made MTM so much fun and such a success. Love you!

Perseid Meteor Shower

The CWRU Alumni Office shared this link on Twitter Wednesday and it was too good not to share with you.


Joshua Tree Under the Milky Way from Henry Jun Wah Lee on Vimeo.

Isn't it beautiful? "Time lapse video of the Perseid Meteor Shower and the galactic core of the Milky Way as seen from Joshua Tree National Park." Taken Aug 12-15, 2010. Music: Samskeyti by Sigur Ros.

Bottlemania: 2010 Common Reading at CWRU

Reprinted from Case News:

With a constant supply of fresh water at their fingertips via fountains and faucets, why are so many American consumers hooked on bottled water?

In Bottlemania: How Water Went on Sale and Why We Bought It, this year's selection for the Common Reading Program, environmental journalist Elizabeth Royte explores the staggering popularity of bottled water, the multi-billion-dollar industry that supports it and the building backlash against it.

In the book, one of Entertainment Weekly's 10 "Must Read" nonfiction titles of 2008, Royte travels to Fryeburg, Maine, home of Poland Spring water. In this small town and other like it across the country, she finds the people, machines, economies and cultural trends that have made bottled water a $60-billion-a-year phenomenon, even as it threatens local control of natural resources and dumps tons of plastic waste into the country's landfills.

Moving beyond the environmental consequences of making, filling, transporting and landfilling those billions of bottles, Royte examines the state of tap water today and the social impact of corporations sinking ever more pumps into rural towns.

Ultimately, Bottlemania makes a case for protecting public water supplies, for improving our water infrastructure and better allocating the precious drinkable water that remains.

Acclaimed author of Garbage Land: On the Secret Trail of Trash, Elizabeth Royte's writing on science and the environment has appeared in Harper's, The New Yorker, National Geographic, Outside, The New York Times Magazine and other national publications. A former Alicia Patterson Foundation fellow and recipient of Bard College's John Dewey Award for Distinguished Public Service, Royte is a frequent contributor to the New York Times Book Review, a contributing editor for OnEarth, and a correspondent for Outside magazine. Her work is included in The Best American Science Writing 2004, and her first book, The Tapir's Morning Bath: Solving the Mysteries of the Tropical Rain Forest, was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year for 2001.

The Common Reading Program was started in 2002 for first-year students, who are asked to read the selection before the start of the academic year. The assigned book then serves as a basis for programs and discussions beginning at orientation and throughout the year. As the featured author for the 2010 Common Reading selection, Royte will deliver the keynote address at Case Western Reserve University's fall convocation, which will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010.

Learn more about the Common Reading program.
Story written by Jackie Fitch.
For more information contact Susan Griffith, 216.368.1004.

Posted by: Kimyette Finley, February 11, 2010 12:47 PM | News Topics: Authors, Events

Case Western Reserve University is committed to the free exchange of ideas, reasoned debate and intellectual dialogue. Speakers and scholars with a diversity of opinions and perspectives are invited to the campus to provide the community with important points of view, some of which may be deemed controversial. The views and opinions of those invited to speak on the campus do not necessarily reflect the views of the university administration or any other segment of the university community.

Alpha Chi Omega Convention Day 3

Our Sunday starts off early with a North Florida Province meeting at 7:30am in Salon II.

At 9am, the final session of the National Chapter Meeting kicks off, followed by the National Housing Corporation Luncheon at 12:30pm.

At 2:30pm we'll celebrate Alpha Chi Omega's 125th Anniversary! Very exciting!! "During this special celebration, you’ll take a glimpse at 125 years of our amazing sisterhood. Travel back to 1885 and move to the present of ΑΧΩ. Also celebrate the milestones of our 50, 60 and 75-year members of Alpha Chi Omega. These special members will receive their anniversary pins from National President Marsha Grady."

At 5pm, Xi Omega Xi alumnae chapter (Beta Eta alumnae) will be installed, and around the same time, all the CWRU alumnae and collegians will head over to Nikki's house in Reston for a mini-reunion. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone and spending some time with old friends (and new!).

Katie Couric - Case Western Reserve University 2010 Commencement

I really enjoyed what Katie Couric said to the 2010 graduates at CWRU's Commencement Convocation.