VPW Member News

Announcing Bryce David Mannix

2012-01-15T15:11:00.000-05:00

If you are Facebook friends with Teresa Mannix, you already know her new son was born Jan. 9. She reported, "He was 6 lbs 14 oz and is doing well." For lots of cute pictures, make friends with Teresa.

2011-10-26T10:08:00.001-04:00

2011-10-22T07:52:00.002-04:00

Julie Campbell's book, The Horse in Virginia won the honor for the People's Choice Award for Nonfiction during the 2011 Literary Awards at the Library of Virginia. Congratulations Julie! (photo by Cynthia Price)

Ruth Doumlele publishes on Smashwords

2011-10-11T14:31:00.001-04:00

Ruth's book The Randolph Women & Their Men is now available for immediate sampling and sale in multiple e-book formats. The book was formatted long-distance by a free-lancer and published on Smashwords. Check it out: www.smashwords.com/books/view/93969.

VPW on Nebraska Pre-Tour

2011-09-19T07:25:00.000-04:00

Picasa album with captions

In Memoriam Barbara Crookshanks

2011-09-06T12:17:00.000-04:00

Virginia Johnson sent a note to let us all know that her mother and our long-time member, Barbara Malone Crookshanks, died on Saturday, Sept 3, at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg. She was 82 and passed away following a brief illness.

Preliminary arrangements have been made with Mullins and Thompson Funeral Home. The service will be held at the Fredericksburg Chapel at 10:30 on Friday morning. "She enjoyed her career in journalism and appreciated being a member of the Virginia Press Women," Virginia wrote.

Mrs. Crookshanks was VPW's 2010 Communicator of Achievement, which honored her long journalism career including work at the Ladies Home Journal, the Free Lance-Star, the Fredericksburg/Tideland Times, and Virginia Horse Racing: Triumphs of the Turf, the latter a book published in 2008 by the History Press, which she co-authored with her daughter.

"I used to write stories for the Fredericksburg Times in high school with the understanding that she would show me/explain to me edits. After a while I didn't need very many," Virginia wrote. "She also wrote stories exclusively for the Central Rappahannock Regional Library's history page as well as the FLS's Town and County in very recent years. We were contemplating a book on coaching (stage coaches, etc.) in the 18th and 19th centuries at the time of her passing."

Communicator of Achievement Nomination

Ellen Brown stays in limelight

2011-06-06T15:53:00.000-04:00

Here she is on CBS Morning News Saturday. Visit her book's Facebook page to keep up with the buzz about Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind: A Bestseller's Odyssey. Ellen will be keynote speaker at VPW's Fall Conference Oct. 1 at the University of Richmond, according to an announcement from the conference chair, Linda Evans.

Members in the News: Jackie Richards

2011-05-18T10:40:00.000-04:00

Jackie Richards [Free Lance-Star photo]

Jackie Richards, whose latest novel won a first place in the 2011 VPW contest, was featured in the Free Lance-Star May 6 in an article by Edie Gross. Jackie's book editor, Vera Pastore, was quoted in the piece. All three women are VPW members — naturally! Read all about it. Then check out The Pinnacle Seven: A Political Mystery at Amazon or your favorite book store.

The Horse in Virginia is a finalist for LOV award

2011-04-07T09:13:00.000-04:00

Julie Campbell's The Horse in Virginia is one of five finalists for the Library of Virginia's People's Choice Award for Nonfiction. Voting will be open May 16–June 30. The awards are presented in October at the library's annual gala.

For more information on voting, visit www.lva.virginia.gov/public/litawards/vote.asp.

Richmond Arbor Day April 16

2011-04-06T09:27:00.001-04:00

When you can't find Louise Seals, it's usually because she's out pruning public trees, pulling ivy off the trunks at Byrd Park or otherwise helping Richmond "Stay Cool with Trees."

She also is chief organizer of Richmond's annual Arbor Day for the second year in a row. She and her fellow Richmond Tree Stewards have a multitude of activities planned for the Carillon area at Byrd Park: Music, tree climbing, free trees, a tree tour, yoga classes, vendors, exhibitors and fun for everyone.

Celebrity appearances scheduled include gardening expert Richard Nunnally and Clifford the Big Red Dog. The hours on April 16 are 10 a.m.– 2 p.m. rain or shine. Learn more: richmondtreestewards.wordpress.com/arbor-day-2/.

Members in the News: Ellen F. Brown

2011-04-03T09:54:00.002-04:00

Four original manuscript chapters of Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind were found last year in the course of Ellen Brown's research for the recently published Margaret Mitchell’s ‘Gone With the Wind’: A Bestseller’s Odyssey From Atlanta to Hollywood.

Fast forward: The find — and Ellen's book — were featured recently in the New York Times and ABC News. Then Saturday Ellen was honored guest at the Pequod (CT) Library opening of an exhibit of the valuable pages and a celebration of the 75th anniversary of Mitchell's publishing.

Learn much more about the book by Brown and co-author John Wiley Jr. on the book's Facebook page and Website.

Members in the News: Sarah Honenberger

2011-03-30T07:30:00.000-04:00

Sarah's NPR interview on her third novel, Catcher, Caught, aired March 29 as the lead on a WVTF Evening Edition segment, "Writers Write." Listen at WVTF.

Members in the News: Ginger Levit

2011-03-30T07:23:00.000-04:00

Ginger is on WRVA Radio with a series of 25 "Picasso Minutes," educating listeners about the life, ideas and works by the inventor of modern art. Ginger and her series were featured March 23 in Style Weekly.

We've 'lost a giant'

2011-03-16T09:40:00.002-04:00

George Crutchfield, our long-time member, passed away March 15 after a long illness. Here is a link to the RTD article. Members, please add your memories of George and condolences to Frances and Lisa in the comments section of this post. We also welcome links to other published memorials.

Richmond Times-Dispatch Obituary

George Crutchfield obituary

2011-03-15T21:36:00.001-04:00

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/lifestyles/2011/mar/15/george-t-crutchfield-former-director-of-vcus-schoo-ar-908131/

Here is the link to The Times-Dispatch obituary for George Crutchfield, one of the first men to join Virginia Press Women and our Communicator of Achievement in 1992.

Travel to the Galapagos Islands: Louisa Preston

2011-03-10T09:22:00.003-05:00

Sea lion

A dream came true when in October I received a call from Mary Crowley, director of Ocean Voyages. “Would you like to join me in the Galapagos Islands as a photographer and writer?” Ten days later I flew out of RIC.

The Galapagos Archipelago is a volcanic group of islands in the East Pacific Ocean. About 97 percent of the islands comprise the Galapagos National Park, which is surrounded by a Marine Reserve. The "Hot Season," December–May, is a period of calm seas, short showers and warm humid days with temperatures ranging from 79 to 85 degrees F. and water temperatures around 79 degrees F.

Nazca booby

Charles Darwin developed the Theory of Natural Selection in 1835 after his voyage to Galapagos. He observed new species including Darwin’s finches, the Galapagos mockingbirds, giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, and the Galapagos penguins and theorized that isolation (the Galapagos are 612 miles from the South America continent), adaptations, and mutations created species found nowhere else in the world.

Protection of the Galapagos environment is strongly emphasized. Rules prohibit walking off-trail, disturbing wildlife, removing plants and rocks, feeding animals, and smoking on boats as well as ashore. Tourists do not buy souvenirs made from native Galapagos species (except wood). Residents and tourists alike recycle plastics, glass, metal and cardboard.

After four days of viewing some 20 different cruise boats, Mary and I joined other guests aboard the motor yacht Grace for an eight-day tour of the islands — hiking and snorkeling. One morning we hiked from Tagus Cove on Isabela Island to the rim of the volcanic crater that forms Darwin’s Lake. The view offers a perfect place for a group photo.

Louisa on the far right

— Louisa Preston

Travel to South Africa: Martha Steger

2011-03-02T16:29:00.003-05:00

Feeding time at Shambala Game Reserve near Pretoria

Just back from South Africa, Martha Steger sent a favorite memory (above) and these notes on her trip:

The distance between my first experience with Africa — via a hand-me-down copy of National Geographic on the farm where I grew up — and the real-life experience of this January is incalculable; but I saw my expectations exceeded by at least as many miles — even in a tiny, seven-day sampling of that huge continent (seven-hour flight Dulles to Dakar, Senegal, at the northern tip of the continent — refueling stop — and the continuing, nine-hour flight to Johannesburg, South Africa). Within a two-hour drive of the bustling, inner city of "Johburg," my husband, Tom, and I enjoyed a private game reserve that's recently become open to public safaris (www.shambalagamereserve.com), as well as visits to a Johburg orphanage supported by some Richmonders, and to Soweto —South Africa's largest township, undergoing massive transition from its apartheid days when blacks were forbidden to live anywhere except townships.

We took flight again after four days for Cape Town — two-hours' flying time from Johburg (which included a full, hot meal and two beverage services!) to that provincial capital of the Western Cape, photographically represented by the iconic image of Table Mountain. The two-day mix there of lush gardens, multiple dialects, remnants of the British Empire (on menus as well as in architecture, accents) and the dramatic views of the Atlantic and Indian oceans' meeting point was the perfect South African ending before we returned to Johburg for the flight home. We brought back a liter of Amarula cream, the South African liqueur made from one of the country's exotic fruits, to remind us of our taste of the cradle of civilization.

Community cell-phone chat room in Soweto sponsored by the Sowetan News

Agrienette Ntwane (left) with her son's girlfriend (Gloria), standing beside their new concrete home in Soweto, with the shanty in which they lived for six years behind it. "Agrienette was using her regular fuel, paraffin, to cook on the portable stove in her old shanty when I was there," Martha emailed.

Travel to Arizona: Louise Seals

2011-03-02T15:05:00.000-05:00

Desert in Bloom

Every visit to Arizona proves a voyage of discovery. In May 2010, we explored east of Phoenix, from the 5,000-foot-elevation get-away town of Payson at the foot of the Mogollon Rim to Dutchman’s Hideout at Apache Junction in the Superstition Mountains.

Summer heat arrived late so we were treated to the desert in bloom, a surprising feast for the senses. The hillside view is at the Tonto National Monument along the Apache Trail. As we left the safety of the visitor center to climb to the cliff dwelling, the last thing we saw was instructions on how to escape if attacked by Africanized bees: Run like hell! (Fortunately, an exterminator had neutralized the four nests before we arrived!)

We also discovered the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix this trip, which is well worth a half-day visit or however long you have to wander, photograph, read and marvel. As at some other outdoor attractions in the Valley of the Sun, summer hours start at 7 a.m.

Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix

Travel to Morocco: Mary Ann H. Johnson

2011-03-02T14:39:00.006-05:00

When I hear Humphrey Bogart say “Here’s looking at you, kid,” I can feel all giddy.

So it was easy to convince myself that I needed to see Casablanca, the city where the patrons of Rick’s Café Américain showed the human side of all the elements of World War II.

I traveled to Morocco and found myself looking to see if I could understand a culture that is Muslim, an element in which today’s political turmoil is involved. The guidebook noted that 99 percent of the people of Morocco practice Islam and are mostly Sunni.

One of my stereotypes of Islam is that the role of women is limited and I looked to see if that was obvious to a tourist. On this trip, the tour group was able to interact with very few women during the ten days of travel but at the tourist sites we visited, women were visible. In the major cities, women were shopping in the medinas, working in the restaurants and stores at which the group dined and shopped. Seldom did I see any women dining at the restaurants and cafes that we passed.

The most obvious separation of the genders was a wedding celebration that our guide told us we did find accidently. Stopping at this celebration gave the group a great view of a normal event, not one staged for tourists. We watched a Fantasia, an entertainment of horseback riding. The women guests at the wedding seemed to be on one side of the road, the men on the other side.

Fantasia, an entertainment, at a wedding

Understanding the role of the religion, and I am sure it differs in each nation, is important to understand the culture and society of this North African nation. We toured a mosque for its architectural significance. But traveling by bus through Morocco provided a bit of a chance to at least look out the windows and see that it is different.

— Mary Ann H. Johnson

See more of Mary Ann's photos on Picasa.

Travel to Lithuania: Nancy Wright Beasley

2011-03-02T14:13:00.003-05:00

A Lithuanian honor guard carrying wreaths to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust buried at Paneriu, near Vilnius the capital of Lithuania, where Vilna Ghetto was established.

In September 2011 I visited Lithuania for the second time in less than a year. My guides from the 2010 trip gave a copy of Izzy’s Fire (which is set in Lithuania and centers around Kovo Ghetto) to Anne Derse, the U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania. When the ambassador learned that I would be in the country again, she asked me to give presentations to several groups. My last trip coincided with the week set aside each year in Lithuania to commemorate losses and to honor Holocaust survivors.


Nancy Wright Beasley, author of Izzy’s Fire, Anne Derse, U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania, and Sam Bak, an internationally known artist and author who survived Vilna Ghetto.

Many of my days were arranged by the ambassador’s staff and included speaking engagements at the Embassy library and at several schools and universities. One of the events was a dinner given in my honor at the ambassador’s residence. It was attended by about 20 individuals, including Holocaust survivors and members of Parliament. I was humbled to read from my book at that time and also sign copies for those attending. Sam Bak, an internationally known Jewish artist and survivor of Vilna Ghetto, brought me a gift — his book, Return to Vilna. Also in attendance was Irena Veisaite, who gave me a coat to wear home the next day, as it snowed and turned bitterly cold. Irena was one of the few Jews to survive Kovno Ghetto.

— Nancy Beasley

Beasley and Irena Veisaite one of few Jews to survive Kovno Ghetto

Mary Ann Johnson: What I Did the First Day after Christmas

2011-02-02T10:57:00.005-05:00

Ever wonder what equipment is needed to create holograms? It's called a "laser," and Mary Ann Johnson's son Tom wanted a second one for his hobby, she explained. Thus, the adventure, which she relates here:

The objective: new (used) laser

The crews that take care of Interstate highways have a difficult job and I got to appreciate that they were doing it when I spent the day after Christmas driving 600 miles of highway and seeing how many other drivers were out there, too.

The reason for my drive was family. My son wanted to pick up a used laser. The man from whom he was buying it was going to Florida after Christmas. If the laser were not picked up by the day after the holiday, he would not be there to hand it over until spring.

My son came home for Christmas. His plan was to celebrate the holiday and the next day, Dec. 26, pick up the laser. He would return to his own home eager to begin refurbishing the used laser.

But the best-laid-plans don’t always work out. The weather was poor for such a drive. A major storm had slowed down or halted travel across the entire eastern coast. We were at the edge of the storm so it was “iffy” to make the drive. There was not a lot of snow but there was snow and freezing temperatures on the whole route.

But what do you do. You share the driving; keep talking so that you don’t think about “what a dumb thing it is to do,” and be thankful for the crews that were keeping the roads clear.

— Mary Ann H. Johnson (jnayram@vt.edu)

More of Mary Ann's pictures of the laser and her good-looking son:
picasaweb.google.com/maryannh.johnson/Laser#

Want to know more about holograms? After hearing about the adventure, I did, so I went googling:
www.bobdbob.com/~tjohnson/multiplex/

— Norma Pierce

Adriana's family featured in T-D

2011-01-26T16:11:00.003-05:00

In case you didn't see the Metro section of today's T-D [Jan 23, 2011], Adriani Trigiani's sister Pia was sworn in yesterday as the president of the Virginia Bar Association. Most of her family came to the event, including Adri (an honorary member of VPW) and there's a great photo and story.

— Sent by Pam Stallsmith

New Position for Natalie Wills

2011-01-18T18:00:00.001-05:00

Natalie Wills is director of Tourism and Marketing for Shenandoah County as of Jan. 10. In addition to promoting the existing tourism program and marketing the county's Economic Development Department, she will be developing a new agri-tourism program. "Shenandoah County is my home county, and I’m honored and thrilled to promote an area that is so special to me," Natalie said. She and her husband live in Winchester; her new office is in Woodstock. Her new email address is nwills@shenandoahcountyva.us.

Bonnie Atwood Helps Mom Make News

2011-01-15T10:48:00.000-05:00

Bonnie Atwood tries to make each birthday special for her mother, Dee Atwood. After all, Dee just turned 101. An avid newspaper reader, Dee celebrated at a front-page news meeting at the Richmond Times-Dispatch. See the news story and photo at http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2011/jan/15/happy-101st-birthday-dee-ar-776213/

Vote today in book trailer contest

2011-01-09T12:26:00.000-05:00

Mary Montague Sikes's trailer for her new book Night Watch is one of five finalists at Spunk on a Stick. The voting deadline is today, but there's no limit on how long we can watch it — and think about video book trailers. Who knew?

Ellen Brown: 'Bestseller's Odyssey' ready for release

2010-12-10T12:45:00.001-05:00

"How in the hell did she do it?" Margaret Mitchell's husband and others have wondered about the writing, editing and selling of the legendary Gone with the Wind. Ellen Brown and co-author John Wiley Jr. answer that and more in A Bestseller's Odyssey, scheduled for release in February 2011 (Taylor Trade Publishing) and now available for pre-order from your favorite bookseller. Read more on Ellen's website.

Past president dies in Fredericksburg

2010-12-01T15:25:00.001-05:00

Sydney Van Lear Upshaw, 87, of Fredericksburg died Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010.

Born in Roanoke, she was a former journalist and editor with the Roanoke Times, Richmond Times-Dispatch and the Alexandria Gazette. She was a past president of VPW, according to her obituary on Fredericksburg.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to El Hogar Ministries, 70 Church St., Winchester, Mass. 01890. Sign register book online at storkefuneralhome.com
.

Julie Campbell's book in holiday gift guide

2010-11-22T09:20:00.001-05:00

RTD Holiday Books includes The Horse in Virginia: An Illustrated History and states that our past president tells the 400-year saga "with panache."

Portrait of Our Christmas Parents

2010-11-15T09:25:00.001-05:00

Frances and George Crutchfield appeared in yesterday's RTD along with a feature on their roles as Powhatan's 2010 Christmas Mother and Father. The whole story.

Snead and Seals in Richmond Marathon

2010-11-15T09:10:00.001-05:00

Sande Snead and Louise Seals both triumphed in the Richmond Marathon Saturday, running the half at 2:01:58 and 3:31:18, respectively. Sande is a veteran runner; for Louise it was a first try. They were among 16,000 entered and 11,922 who finished. RTD searchable results.

Adriana's New Nonfiction

2010-11-04T09:06:00.002-04:00

Publishers Weekly: Fans of novelist Trigiani will be delighted with this guided tour through the author's family history via her grandmothers, Lucia and Viola. She lovingly details the women's lives and recounts the lessons she's learned while offering a fascinating look at U.S. history from the perspective of her Italian-American forebears.

By the way, Adriana's official website is a lot of fun to read, too. Enter to win a trip for two to Italy.... Order Don't Sing at the Table before Nov. 9 and get a free recipe....

New Mystery by Jackie Richards

2010-10-29T11:51:00.001-04:00

The Pinnacle Seven: A Political Mystery is available in hardcover and paperback and for Kindle on Amazon. Published Oct 1 via iUniverse.com, this is Jackie's third book. Read more about the Fredericksburg writer and long-time VPW member and her five-star rated novel on her Amazon page.

Connections to Our Past

2010-10-28T09:46:00.003-04:00

Sergei Troubetzkoy sent a note today about being reminded of VPW history when reading about the new film Secretariat:

[Photo source]
VPW honored Helen Chenery Tweedy in 1973 as the "Newsmaker of the Year." Makes me feel old since I remember when she received this honor....

1973 Newsmaker of the Year: Helen Chenery Tweedy, owner of Secretariat, Triple Crown Winner, and Riva Ridge, winner of the 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, from her Meadow Farm at Doswell.

[Website reference]

Condolences to Gail Kent on the Death of Her Mother

2010-10-27T11:09:00.001-04:00

From Gail Oct 22, 2010:

Many of you have been kind to express your concern and care for me and my family over the past two weeks after my mom fell and then deteriorated from complications of Parkinson's disease. I wanted to let you know that she died today at 3:20 p.m. with me, my brother, sister-in-law, nephews and her minister gathered around. We sang and prayed her into heaven, where she is now in the arms of my father for the first time in 34 years. Thank you all for your support and friendship.

Gail shared her eulogy on facebook.

Frances Crutchfield is Christmas Mother

2010-10-13T14:30:00.000-04:00

She's chosen the theme "The Spirit of Giving." She and Father Christmas George Crutchfield are set to take part in Powhatan's holiday parade Dec 11 and do a huge amount of work identifying those in need and raising funds for the annual tradition. Read all about it in Powhatan Today.

Book Talk Oct 27

2010-10-08T10:59:00.002-04:00

Cynthia Price reports that VPW member Julie Campbell will discuss and sign her book "The Horse in Virginia: An Illustrated History" 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 27, at Twin Hickory Library near Richmond. The talk is part of the library's Writer Wednesday series. The address is 5001 Twin Hickory Road, Glen Allen. For more information, call 804-290-9200.

Julie was quoted yesterday in a Roanoke Times front-page article about Secretariat and the new movie about one of Virginia's favorite sons.

Conference Keynote Speaker on Morning Joe

2010-09-27T10:13:00.002-04:00

Here's a taste of what's to come in Hampton Saturday: Doris Buffett on Morning Joe, MSNBC, Sept 23. To see many more links to media coverage (and get an idea why she is indeed a newsmaker), go to thedorisbuffettstory.com.

Chicago Memories

2010-09-15T11:28:00.000-04:00

Bob Sexton accepted Emyl Jenkins's posthumous first-place at the awards banquet in Chicago Aug. 28. Presiding were Cynthia Price, NFPW president, left, and Pam Stallsmith, contest chair.

TD notes Richmond NFPW contest winners

2010-09-15T11:22:00.001-04:00

Pam Stallsmith spotted the article first in the Metro Business section of the Sunday Richmond Times-Dispatch, Sept. 13. Read the article online (fourth item down).

Frances Crutchfield appointed to commission

2010-03-09T16:02:00.000-05:00

Frances (aka Francine) Crutchfield is working to contact representatives of Virginia Indian tribes and gather opinions as part of her responsibilities on the Governor's Commemorative Commission to Honor the American Indians of Virginia. Francine is an American Indian, but because records were lost or destroyed, it is not clear to which tribe her family belongs.

Julie Campbell book signing in Richmond

2010-03-05T12:19:00.000-05:00

Julie Campbell will be signing her new book, "The Horse in Virginia," from 2-3 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary St., Richmond.

Frances Crutchfield, Central District director, invites all Central District members to join her to support Julie.

Ginger Levit's Opening Reception Friday

2010-03-05T12:15:00.000-05:00

Ginger Levit is hosting an opening reception tonight for "Backstage at the Paris Opera: The Etchings from Degas' Monotypes for La Famille Cardinal."
It will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Contract Associates, 1519 W. Main St., Richmond.
View the etchings at http://www.gingerlevit.com/

2 Pioneers and VPW Leaders Die

2010-02-18T10:11:00.003-05:00

VPW has lost two former members whose grit and willingness to forge ahead in a man's world made the way easier for those of us who followed. They did it with hard work, style and sharp wit and wits.

Here is the URL of the Roanoke Times' wonderful obituary of Margie Fisher, a political reporter who stirred things up at the capital and was a VPW stalwart. She served as president and was great friends with the late Myrtle Barnes, managing editor of the Newport News daily newspapers, and June Nicholson, now associate director of the VCU School of Mass Communications.

And here is the URL of the Richmond Times-Dispatch obituary of Pat Perkinson, a former VPW president, Woman of Distinction and twice Press Woman of the Year. She was active in politics and public relations as well as newspaper work.

Both obituaries are well done, capturing both the woman and her times.

Update: 2010 VPW Contest

2009-10-28T16:39:00.000-04:00

The updated "Rules and Instructions" are available on the VPW website along with the mandatory new entry form. Teresa Mannix and Diane Vogel, co-chairs for the VPW 2010 Communications Contest, have been busy lining up judges and reminding everyone that the deadline is earlier this year.

To be eligible to enter, VPW members must have paid 2009 NFPW dues. Dues for new members may be paid until the contest deadline date of Jan. 6, 2010. The entries package must be postmarked no later than Jan. 6, 2010, and no late entries will be accepted.

For the updated list of categories, please visit the NFPW website.

Newsmaker Inspires Standing Ovation

2009-09-26T12:25:00.005-04:00

Following acceptance of VPW's 2009 Newsmaker award Sept 25, Lucinda Roy presented remarks on her experience of and her research on campus violence. "It will happen again," she said of the 2007 Tragedy at Virginia Tech. Sales of her non-fiction work, No Right to Remain Silent, were brisk enough that the book table ran out. Roy and her husband, Larry Jackson, also attended the Thursday evening reception at the Byrd Theatre and dined with members at Mom's Siam in Carytown.

Price Speaks to NFPW

2009-09-21T12:02:00.002-04:00

Her inaugural address was captured for YouTube:

It's Official: San Antonio Reports

2009-09-21T11:38:00.005-04:00

Cynthia Price is now NFPW president. Here's the installation (below). Visit NFPW.org to view many other moments from the conference in Texas last week.

New on Web: NFPW Member Profiles

2009-07-31T10:14:00.003-04:00

Louise Seals is among the 10 members profiled on the debut of the nfpw.org feature "Up Close and Personal." The new web page is a project of another of our members, Cynthia Price. To nominate a member to be profiled, email Cynthia.

LOV notes VPW archive donation

2009-07-25T14:08:00.004-04:00

The July e-newsletter of the Library of Virginia includes an item about VPW's recent donation of our archives — "a rich collection of materials" — as well as funds to help with the cost of processing.

Another item in the same issue announces the launch party at the library for member Emyl Jenkins's new mystery, The Big Steal.

Read the LOV e-news.

New on the Web

2009-07-24T12:58:00.003-04:00

Freelance writer Joan Tupponce's new website just went live at www.joantupponce.com. The site was designed by fellow VPW member Norma Pierce of Page One Design.

Loehr promotes "StormStruck" in Florida

2009-07-19T09:04:00.000-04:00

Kim Loehr, of Loehr Lightning Protection Co. and the marketing communications consultant for the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI), helped kick off Lightning Safety Awareness Week in June at "StormStruck: A Tale of Two Homes" at Innoventions at Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

LPI is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening homes and safeguarding families from lightning. StormStruck is an interactive weather exhibit that enables guests to experience the power of weather while learning how to prepare for floods, hail, high winds, lightning and more.

At the kick-off event, Loehr signed a partnership agreement with another nonprofit, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH).

Price to speak at UR social media conference

2009-06-24T09:24:00.000-04:00

Cynthia Price is a featured speaker for a conference for community leaders, "Strategic Leadership and Social Media for Social Good," to be held Friday, July 24, at the University of Richmond.

Price, a past VPW president and candidate for president of NFPW this year, is communications director for the former Christian Children's Fund, which has launched a new brand and a communications structure that relies heavily on new media.

Sue Robinson Sain, a former VPW member who is director of community relations and alumni relations for the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at UR, said the conference was designed by communications professionals and experts in nonprofits and leadership.

Learn more.

Byers to Publish on Chinese Journalism

2009-06-09T12:11:00.000-04:00

Corey Byers is back from a two-week trip to China that she took as part of her multimedia journalism master's program at Virginia Commonwealth University. After co-planning the spring VPW conference in Fredericksburg, she spent a week in Beijing and a week in Shanghai learning about journalism and public relations in China. Byers plans on writing news pieces on the experience, including an overview of how the press operates in China and the lasting impact of Communist leader Mao Tse-Tung. She is also contributing to a group multimedia project on the Great Wall. Look for links to the publications in an upcoming edition of Galley Pruf.

New Maven on the Web

2009-06-09T09:15:00.000-04:00

What with post-retirement travel, Sweet Adelines, golf, freelance writing and a bunch of other stuff, you might think Mary Ann Johnson has enough to do. Not. She wants to build websites, so she took a course in web development and has her first project online: www.itinwriting.com, which is about golf. Her photo is from her freelance web page, which her son designed last year: www.bobdbob.com/putitinwriting.

Conference video on Gail Kent's blog

2009-04-28T13:30:00.000-04:00

Gail Kent video-taped the blogging presentations at the VPW conference April 25 and has made the talks by Emily Battle and Kristen King available on her own blog, Beelines.

Joan Tupponce takes sweepstakes

2009-04-27T08:54:00.000-04:00

With six first-place awards and half a dozen more, Joan Tupponce is the sweepstakes winner in the 2009 VPW Communications Competition. Tupponce is a free-lance writer based in Richmond. Her honors were among 196 awards for the work of 47 VPW members announced at the annual spring conference April 25 in Fredericksburg. Read more about the contest, Tupponce's awards, and the conference.

Martha Steger, Auctioneer

2009-04-27T07:33:00.000-04:00

Should she ever need another career, the inimitable Martha Steger certainly could hire herself out as an auctioneer. Her live auction April 25 of seven fabulous donations was accomplished in a mere 15 minutes and raised a large part of almost $1,300 for the VPW Foundation's college scholarship fund. Martha was among the founders of the Foundation and remains on its board. Louise Seals, who served as the auction "spotter," is president of the Foundation. The fund raising was only part of a day of communication activities -- presentations, awards and networking -- at VPW's spring conference held this year at the University of Mary Washington's Graduate School campus, near Fredericksburg.

Lawyer's Weekly names Levit 'Influential Woman'

2009-04-20T11:37:00.000-04:00

Virginia Lawyer's Weekly has named VPW member Ginger Levit to its Influential Women of Virginia 2009 for the art gallery she runs at her home in Richmond (www.gingerlevit.com). This is the first year the magazine has produced a list from all industries, not just law. Former VPW President Sande Snead was among those recommending Levit for the honor, having first met her on assignment from Richmond magazine. The awards luncheon will take place on May 14 at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond.

Levit has donated the framed oil painting pictured here, "Roses dans une vase," to be auctioned April 25 in Fredericksburg to benefit the VPW Foundation's college scholarship fund.

Emyl Jenkins solves second mystery

2009-04-16T18:47:00.000-04:00

The Big Steal, Emyl Jenkins's second mystery novel featuring "intrepid appraiser and amateur sleuth Sterling Glass" and set in Richmond, is set to be launched at the Library of Virginia July 14. But someone will be reading it sooner. A signed ARC (Author's Review Copy) is among the offerings at the live auction April 25 to benefit the VPW Foundation's college scholarship fund. In addition to the review copy, Jenkins will deliver a bag of eight paperbacks suitable for book club distribution and a promise of an author's talk as soon as the book is released in July. More about The Big Steal from the publisher.

Mannix gets new post

2009-04-13T10:32:00.000-04:00

Teresa Mannix, this year's communications contest co-chair, has started work in her new position as Director of Media Relations at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business. Previously, she was director of News and Public Information at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. If you are updating your personal address book, Teresa's information is up-to-date in the VPW Membership Directory, virginiapresswomen.org/membersonly.

Price announces for NFPW presidency

2009-04-06T11:47:00.000-04:00

Except from Article by Cynthia Price in Galley Pruf, March 2009

....Both NFPW and VPW have played major roles in my life, and it's time for me to give back....

Of course, the yearly conferences are an incredible opportunity to explore a different part of the country, reconnect with friends, network and enhance my skills and experience. I haven't missed a conference since attending the one in North Dakota in 2002. In 2007 Pam Stallsmith and I co-chaired the one in Virginia with the help of so many of you. And what a conference it was!

Last year's conference in Idaho epitomized the value of these yearly events. I networked and attended sessions on social media. Today, I'm leading my organization's strategy to use social media to engage with our donors and sponsors.

For those who may not know, I left the Richmond Police Department last year after more than 10 years handling media relations, crisis communications and employee relations....

I went from the big city of Richmond to the world. As director of communications for Christian Children's Fund, I am responsible for overseeing the organization's global brand....

I share all this because I could not have done it without the great members of NFPW and the speakers who have shared their knowledge and experience. I've called on many members for guidance and support--that's what makes NFPW so great.

And it's why I would like to be its president. I believe that I can parlay my experiences and take NFPW to the next level. My campaign slogan is simple -- SNAP!

SNAP stands for sustainability, networking and professionalism, which will be the pillars of my presidency, if elected. A fourth pillar will focus on fiscal responsibility....

The election will be held in San Antonio, Texas, during the annual NFPW conference, Sept. 10-12.

Honenberger's third novel up for Breakthrough prize

2009-04-06T10:24:00.000-04:00

Sarah Collins Honenberger of Orange, one of our VPW-member authors, has been selected as one of 500 quarter-finalists out of more than 5,000 entries in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest.

Her third novel, Catcher, Caught, about a 16-year-old boy with leukemia who relies on Holden Caulfield, the fictional character in Catcher in the Rye as his confidant, is inspired by an Eastern Shore case in which a boy's parents were convicted of abuse and neglect for failing to allow their son to have chemotherapy and radiation because they believed in alternative treatments.

If you would like to help Sally, go to Amazon, download the free excerpt of the book, and leave your comments. Reader feedback is crucial in the judges' selection. The winner, who will be named on May 15, will receive a publishing contract with Penguin Putnam and a $25,000 advance.

Sally's second novel, Waltzing Cowboys, is available in book stores and online at www.readhonenberger.com. Her first novel, White Lies: A Tale of Babies, Vaccines and Deception, was nominated for the 2007 Library of Virginia Fiction Award.