National Conference of State Societies

Big XII Softball Tournament is Saturday, July 21st

The Nebraska Society of Washington, DC will host the 6th Annual States of the Big XII Softball Tournament at Bolling Air Force Base on Saturday, July 21, 2007.  The format is double elimination for coed teams.  CLICK HERE for official ASA Rules.

Nebraska Society President Cory Colhouer reports that the Tournament will start at 10 am sharp. Teams will forfeit the first game if they are late so please plan to be early and to allow for possible time delays for security clearance getting on the base.

The team registraton fee is $150. There is also a fee of $15 per person to cover the price of lunch and beverages.  While only Big XII teams are currently being allowed to compete in the tournament, anyone may attend to watch the games. Everyone wanting to attend must submit required security information in advance to get on the base. More details, as well as online payment options, will soon be available on the Nebraska Society web site.  Please CLICK HERE to visit the site.

If you are interested in registering a Big XII team to compete on July 21, please send an email to Joe Britton at jbritton@gmail.com.

The team registraton fee is $150. There is also a fee of $15 per person to cover the price of lunch and beverages.  While only Big XII teams are currently being allowed to compete in the tournament, anyone may attend to watch the games. Everyone wanting to attend must submit required security information in advance to get on the base. More details, as well as online payment options, will soon be available on the Nebraska Society web site.  Please CLICK HERE to visit the site.

If you are interested in registering a Big XII team to compete on July 21, please send an email to Joe Britton at jbritton@gmail.com.

The National Book Festival is Sept. 29 on the Mall

Circle the date of Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 AM to 5 PM on the Mall for the 2007 National Book Festival hosted by the Library of Congress and First Lady Laura Bush. About seventy authors will be present to speak and sign books in many categories. Please CLICK HERE for more information on the National Book Festival from the Libary of Congress web site. Tens of thousands of guests and librarians are expected to attend from all over the region and the country.

There will be a large States Pavilion tent where librarians from each state will sponsor information tables. For the last several years, the New Jersey, Illinois, Guam, and other state societies have contributed volunteers at the state tables and have also passed out information to DC area residents about their state societies.  It is a great way for state society officers to meet hundreds of people from your state who stop by.  If you are interested in volunteering to help at your state table, please send an email to Mark.Rhoads@statesocieties.com.

Wisconsin State Society Tailgate Party is July 7

The Wisconsin State Society will host our traditional tailgate party before the Milwaukee Brewers vs. Washington Nationals Game on Saturday, July 7 at RFK Stadium.  The tailgate party starts at 5 PM in Parking Lot 8 under trees along the river. We have genuine Wisconsin Beer and Brats and both 100% beef and meatless hotdogs with all the fixings.  The game starts at 7:05PM and we have a block of tickets at a cost of $20 per person for paid up members.

To reserve tickets, please call society President Bill Wagner.  Please CLICK HERE to get Bill's phone numbers and for more information.  Or send an email to OnWisconsin@wisconsinstatesociety.com.

One Hundred and Forty-Four Birthday Candles

                                                         

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEST VIRGINIA!

Theresa Bowman, President of the West Virginia State Society of Washington, DC, reports that WVSS held a reception on June 20th to celebrate the 144th Birthday of the state of West Virginia.

The party took place in the House Natural Resources Committee room in the Longworth House Office Building which Congressman Nick Rahall chairs. Over forty people turned out to honor the state. The attendees really enjoyed the Committee atmosphere and several people commented on the generosity of Chairman Rahall for allowing us to use the Committee room. Please see the pictures below, from the evening.

The West Virginia State Society of Washington, DC is an organization that promotes goodwill, fellowship, and amicable relations among West Virginians in the National Capital Region. The Society was formed to preserve and perpetuate the history and traditions of West Virginia. These ideals are promoted through various social, educational, and charitable functions each year. The West Virginia State Society seeks new members to serve on the board of directors. Board members serve for a one year term from July 1 through June 30. The board meets on a monthly basis to discuss upcoming events and to encourage the growth of the WVSS.

If enough interest is expressed we will hold elections in July. If not, those who express an interest in serving will be appointed. If you are interested in this important service to the state of West Virginia please contact Theresa Bowman at theresabowman@hotmail.com.

Officers

President - Theresa Bowman

Vice President – Chris Greaver

Congressional Liaison - position available

Treasurer - position available

Membership Chair - Miranda Kessler

Parliamentarian – Kent Keyser

Echo Chairman – Michael Bowman

Immediate Past President – Aubrey King

Delegate to National Convention of State Societies - position available

Idaho State Society Also Going to RFK

The Idaho State Society of Washington, DC has tentatively set Saturday, July 21st to see the Washington Nationals play the Colorado Rockies at RFK Stadium.  If you are interested in going to this game, please contact the Idaho State Society at their new email address which is IdahoStateSociety@gmail.com.

For more information on how to join the Idaho State Society, CLICK HERE to visit the society web site.

RFK moves to East Capitol Street and Waveland Avenue

Chicago Cubs' Alfonso Soriano, right, is greeted at home plate by teammate Mike Fontenot after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 24, 2007, in Chicago. The Cubs won, 3-0. (AP Photo/Jerry Lai)

The Illinois State Society of Washington, DC has a block of tickets at $45 per seat for the Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals game on Thursday evening, July 5th at RFK Stadium.  Call Illinois State Society hotline at 703-461-3610 or CLICK HERE for more information on the Illinois State Society web site.

New Officers for the Alabama State Society

In June 1999, the Alabama state legislature designated the Camellia japonica L., as the official state flower of Alabama.

New officers for the Alabama State Society of Washington, DC as of June 22, 2007 include the following members of the society:

President: Rachel Sullivan

Treasurer: Bradley Hayes

Secretary/Membership: Shea Snider

Fundraising Co-Chairs: Amelia Blackwood and Julie Busbee

Events Chair: Kelli Alread

To contact the society, send an email to: alabamastatesociety@gmail.com or CLICK HERE to visit the Alabama web site which should be updated by July 1, 2007.

Arizona Society Honors Wildcat Champion Teams

The State Society of Arizona invites all Arizonan Expatriates in the Washington, DC area to a reception in honor of the 2006 and 2007 NCAA Softball Champions from the University of Arizona.  UA alumni, former UA President Peter Likins, Coach Mike Candrea, and team members will be honored and members and staff of the Arizona congressional delegation are invited. CLICK HERE for directions.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at ESPN Zone, 555 12th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004.  Phone 202-783-3776.  Or, CLICK HERE to visit the State Society of Arizona web site.

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You!

Twenty years is a great milestone in the history of any volunteer club and it is worth celebrating.  That's the opinion shared by New Mexico State Society President Nicolle Gurule Sternberger and other officers of the society.  It is also the opinion of  Congressman Steve Pearce of New Mexico's Second District who is also Honorary Chairman of the New Mexico State Society of Washington, DC.  Congressman Pearce is inviting all current and former members of NMSS, residents and Washington area expatriates of the great state of New Mexico, and members and staff of the New Mexico Congressional delegation to attend the society's 20th Anniversary Celebration.

The party will be held on Wednesday, July 18, 2007.  The location is the Russell Caucus Room and the time is 6 PM to 8:30 PM. For more information about this event and the New Mexico State Society, please CLICK HERE to visit the NMSS web site.   

Janet Bouchard and Jennifer Elkins Trip to Japan

The 2007 United States Cherry Blossom Queen, sponsored by the Missouri State Society and NCSS, travelled to Japan in May. Jennifer Elkins and her NCSS chaperone Janet Bouchard of the Viriginia Society and the Maine State Society met with the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House, mayors, governors, and other dignitaries.  But their events were not all formal.  Here Janet at left and Jennifer wearing her crown in the middle join hundreds of local residents for a parade near a Shinto Shrine in Ise City. Too see dozens of other photos from Jennifer's tour of Japan, please CLICK HERE.