National Conference of State Societies

Coming Next Saturday! NCSS Souvenir Programs!

The Special 60th Anniversary Edition of the 2008 NCSS Cherry Blossom Princess Souvenir Program Book will be a collector's item that many state society members will want to keep as reference for years to come. This colorful and unique souvenir includes pictures of all the 2008 state cherry blossom princesses and never-before published historical photos on state society events from 1948 to the present. There is also an article on the history of NCSS and state societies from 1854 to 2008. This is a must-have feature for your state society party for a cherry blossom princess.  They will be off the press next Friday, April 4.  Use this book as a marketing tool for your state society and it will help to tell your story to potential donors and sponsors.  State societies that have advertised with NCSS or made special donations in the last six months will receive copies as needed.  Other societies may order extra copies at $3 each from NCSS with a minimum order of twenty copies by sending an email to the program chair at Mark.Rhoads@statesocieties.com.

South Carolina Oyster Roast is Saturday Night!

The South Carolina State Society of Washington, DC will host the 7th Annual Oyster Roast Saturday, March 29th at the American Legion Post 139, 3445 Washington Boulevard in Arlington.  Come stuff yourself with great oysters and hear Music performed by the Wil Gravatt Band.  Please save the date.  To learn more about how to join the South Carolina State Society and see a listing of upcoming events, please CLICK HERE for details on the South Carolina State Society Oyster Roast tomorrow afternoon and night, Saturday, March 29!

Channel 7 Meteorologist Joe Witte will MC Lantern Ceremony

WJLA-TV Channel 7 professional meterologist and broadcast journalist Joe Witte will be master of ceremonies and host for the 2008 Cherry Blossom Festival Japanese Stone Lantern Lighting Ceremony and Concert at the Tidal Basin on Sunday, April 6.  The ceremony starts at 2:30 pm with prelude music from the Toho Koto Society of Washington and the Cardinal Choir.  At 3 pm, the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard will present the colors as the national anthems of Japan and the United States are sung.  The event has been sponsored jointly by the National Park Service and the National Conference of State Societies since 1954.  The event is free and open to the public.  Five hundred chairs are available at 2:30 pm on a first come, first serve basis.  Take Metro to the Smithsonian stop.  The stage is set up at the west end of Kutz Bridge opposite the paddle boat docks and due south of the World War II Memorial at 17th Street and Independence Avenues, SW.  Speakers will include American diplomats and Ambassador Ryozo Kato of Japan.

Society of Virginia names Nichole Lewis as Princess

The Society of Virginia will sponsor Nichole Beatrice Lewis of Norfolk to be the 2008 Virginia Cherry Blossom Princess.  "Nichi" is a junior majoring in Theater Arts at George Mason University.  She is part of a Navy family and has lived all over the world including three years in Italy. She graduated from Indian River High School in Nofolk in 2005 and also studied classical music and opera at the Governor's School for the Arts in Norfolk.

Nebraska State Society Princess Reception is April 7

The Nebraska Society of Washington, DC will host a reception in honor of the 2008 Nebraska Cherry Blossom Princess Abby Helman at the Union Pub at 201 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, near the Union Station Metro on Monday evening, April 7th, 2008.  The time is 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.  Appetizers and non-alcoholic beferages will be provided and alcoholic beverages may be ordered from the bar and paid for on individual checks.

There is no charge for current Nebraska society members, but donations are always gladly accepted.  If you are not currently a member of the society, you may join online at www.nebraskasociety.org.  Membership application forms will also be available at the reception.  Please RSVP to vp@nebraskasociety.org so we know how many guests to expect.

Abby Helman is Nebraska's Cherry Blossom Princess for the 2008 National Cherry Blossom Festival.  This marks the 60th Anniverary year of the National Conference of State Societies princess program started in 1948.  Miss Helman, the daughter of  Gary and Donna Helman of Lincoln, Nebraska, is a junior Communications Major at Nebraska Wesleyan University.  Miss Helman accepted a highly-competitive internship at CNN's Political Ticker for the Spring of 2008.

Oklahoma State Society Happy Hour is April 4

Friday, April 4, 2008, 6-8pm - Happy Hour at Top of the Hill (319 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington DC). We welcome all members of the Oklahoma State Society and non-members to come together for an evening of fun and conversation. Directions can be found at www.pourhouse-dc.com. CLICK HERE to see more information on OKSS upcoming events.

Illinois, Indiana, and DC Party is also April 10

Members of the Illinois State Society of Washington, DC will gather in the Rayburn House Office Building on Thursday, April 10 from 6 pm to 8 pm to honor Colleen Praxmarer of Palatine, Illinois who is the 2008 Illinois Cherry Blossom Princess and a Navy ROTC midshipman at The George Washington University.  Mari Yamaguchi, the Indiana Cherry Blossom Princess and Jennifer Corey, the DC Princess, will also be special guests of Illinois.  Please see details at the new Illinois State Society web site.  CLICK HERE. 

Texas State Society Joins other states April 10

The Texas State Society of Washington, DC will join with other state societies to honor their cherry blossom princesses on Thursday, April 10 in Room 902 of the Hart Senate Office Building from 6 pm to 8 pm.  The Texans will honor Sarah Worsham, the 2008 Texas Princess.  Admission is free for TSS members.  On the same night from 5:30 pm to 6 pm, the annual election of officers for TSS will be held in Room 385 of the Russell Building.  To RSVP, please call the TSS office at 301-809-8989 or send an email to hotline@texasstatesociety.org.  To learn how to join the Texas State Society, please CLICK HERE.

Mississippi Spring Fling is This Thursday, March 27

Please save these dates for two upcoming events for members of the Mississippi State Society of Washington, DC.

"A Spring Fling”
Thursday, March 27, 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Clyde’s, Gallery Place, Piedmont Room
707 7th Street, NW, Washington
Free for members, $10 for non-members
Complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres until 8:00pm

Reception in honor of the Mississippi Congressional Delegation (invitation)
With special guest Betsey Sawyer, 2008 Mississippi Cherry Blossom Princess
Thursday, April 10, 6:00pm
U.S. Capitol Mansfield Room, S-207
RSVP to mississippisociety@yahoo.com
*This invitation is only for current members of the Mississippi Society

For more information on how to join the Mississippi State Society of Washington, DC, please CLICK HERE to visit our web site.

California Cherry Blossom Princess Party is April 7

Please save the date of Monday, April 7 for the CSS Reception in honor of the 2008 California Cherry Blossom Princess, Monica Carmean, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building. Please CLICK HERE for more information about upcoming CSS events.