English-Speaking Union - Cincinnati
Branch Branch Notes-
August 2004
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your President for the 2004-2005 year. It is a continued honor and privilege to represent the membership and to serve with the new Board. Our goals for the next year continue to be:
- increase awareness of ESU programs and projects
- continue communications with our members
- increase membership through contacts with your personal friends
We hosted our second Prospective New Members Reception in August. Thanks to you, our members, for bringing your many friends as guests. Several guests have responded from this event with their applications for membership!
September 20th is the first dinner meeting of the year. Dr. Nancy Zimpher, President of the University of Cincinnati, is our special speaker.
Our October speaker will be Colonel Robert Spencer, cousin of Princess Diana. There will be a special reception in his honor for our patron members.
We are hosting a first time Shakespeare Workshop for high school English and Drama teachers in late October, presented by an ESU National Headquarter staff member. This is a new special event/program. If you are interested in helping, please let me know.
As you can see, we are "off and running" with the new fiscal year! The enthusiasm is catching, I hope you "catch it" too and attend the dinner meetings when you are in town. The Board and I welcome your input, please contact me with your thoughts and suggestions (745-9848) - "together we make a difference."
Eileen, President
Note: I will be attending the World Member Conference in New York City, October 6-10, 2004. Please put these dates on your calendar, it will be a special time to meet ESU members from other countries. Our Shakespeare National Winner from Walnut Hills, Joe Sofranko, has been invited to participate in this world meeting. Join us in New York City, we are putting Cincinnati on the map!
MEMBERSHIP
The Prospective New Members' reception held on Sunday, August 22 was the
latest in a series of successful events sponsored by the Cincinnati ESU. This
event, encouraging members to bring guests who might be interested in joining
ESU, was held again this year at the lovely home of Jane Anderson. Linda Rhoads,
Membership Chair, organized the event and also provided a selection of her
famous desserts. Thirty-two members and twenty-seven guests attended. The
ESU officers and chairs of our programs gave brief presentations.
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Hostesses
Eileen Knollman, Linda Rhoads, Jane Anderson and Jayne Floering
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Wilma Schroeder, guests (Dottie McKowen and Gretchen McCormick) and Jodelle Crosset | Gina Cerimele-Mechley, Bill Rhoads, Joe Sofranko (Shakespeare Competition National Winner) and Margaret Whiting |
New Board Members Elected at the Annual Business Meeting on June 27, 2004
OFFICERS:
President: Ms. Eileen K. Knollman
1st Vice President: Mrs. David Floering (Jayne)
2nd Vice President: Mrs. John B. Kohls (Dolly)
Membership Secretary: Ms. Martha DeMar
Secretary: Mrs. Susan C. Hansel
Treasurer: Mr. Frank R. Meeks
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Dr. Charles E. Kiely, Jr.
Mrs. Norbert Nadel (Linnea)
Mr. James L. Osterhus
Mrs. James L. Osterhus (Caryl)
Miss Nancy Peters
Mrs. Margaret Whiting
The Nominating Committee for 2004-2005:
Sylvia Benjamin, Barbara Eveland, Eileen McCarthy, Lucy Rooney and Cedric
W. Vogel, Chairman
Calendar for the year 2004-2005
The Board's objectives for the next year: Exciting programs.... new and different events.... gourmet meals...and elegant social settings.
September 20 - Monday
The first meeting of our new season will be at the Queen City Club with Dr.
Nancy Zimpher, President of the University of Cincinnati, as our speaker.
She is the first woman president of the University and was recently named
as a YWCA Career Woman of Achievement for 2004.
October 6- 10
ESU World Member Conference, New York City, open to all members nationally
and internationally.
October 18 - Monday
Col. Robert Spencer, a cousin to Princess Diana, will speak about the "50
Years of Reign - Queen Elizabeth II".
November 16 - Tuesday
Shakespeare National Competition winner from Walnut Hills High School, Joe
Sofranko, will discuss the competition in New York City, his month's study
in London and his audition for Julliard.
December 6 - Monday
Boars Head Festival director, Bob Beiring, will speak about this Cincinnati
tradition. The photo at the right of Robert Beiring was taken at the ESU Queen's
Jubilee held in June 2003.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2005 January 12, - Wednesday
John Dolibois, who was one of the favorite speakers last year, returns to
discuss his experiences as the US Ambassador to Luxembourg.
April 15 - 17
The Region VI Conference in St. Louis, Mo.
We are sorry to announce the death of Ruth Schafstall on July 4, 2004 at her home in Vermont. Our condolances to her family.
JUNE 27, 2004....THE ANNUAL SUNDAY BRUNCH
The annual meeting was held at the Kenwood Country Club. The business meeting included the report from the Nominating Committee by Chair Rick Vogel for the 2004-2005 officers and board. It was also an opportunity to meet the Travel Study Grant Winner, Shaun Howard. Shaun is in the process of obtaining his masters degree in chemical engineering at UC. His current study involves the development of membranes for biological application. He gave an excellent power point presentation making a complex subject seem almost simple and understandable. He will use the grant to travel to Australia where he will continue his investigations at the Australian National University in Canberra.
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| Shaun is presented with a check for $2000 from the Travel Study Grant chairman, John LaFreniere. | 2004-2005 board members who were present at the brunch. L/R Margaret Whiting, Caryl Osterhus, John Osterhus, Susan Hansel, Jayne Floering, Eileen Knollman, Charles Kiely and Nancy Peters. |
APRIL 19....OUR AWARD RECIPIENTS
The dinner meeting on April 19 at the Queen City Club featured the 2003 Travel Study Grant winner, John McNay, discussing his studies in England. His field of study concerned Dean Acheson's effect on American foreign policy.
In addition, Joe Sofranko, finalist in the Cincinnati Shakespeare Competition was present. After being presented with the $1000 winner's check from the ESU, he presented his dialogue from Hamlet. Joe Sofranko, as you probably know, went on to win the National Shakespeare Competition in New York City, the first contestant from Cincinnati to ever win the National.
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| Terry Grundy, Barbara Eveland, Kathy Luttmer and John McNay. | Eileen Knollman, Joe Sofranko and Bob Amott, Cincinnati ESU Shakespeare program co-chair. |
APRIL 4....PATRONS' RECEPTION
It was a special day for the members of the Cincinnati Branch who have supported our organization at the patron level. The reception, held Sunday, April 4, was at the historic home of Joe and Barbara Eveland. Thirty-five of the patrons attended and enjoyed a wine and cheese buffet. Attending were L/R: John and Dolly Kohls, Joe and Barbara Eveland, Stephen Schweller, Susan Hansel, Linnea Nadel, Rick Vogel, Judi LaFreniere, Suzanne Schweller and Robert Amott. Our thanks to the Evelands for again hosting this delightful event.
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Creating Global Understanding Through English
Did you know that... As the receipient of the fist place prize in the national Shakespeare Competition, Joe Sofranko attended the four week "Midsummer in London Program" provided by the British American Drama Academy. This is the premier acting course tailored to high school students. The course covers all practical aspects of theatre from Shakespeare to Stoppard, including classes on voice, movement and improvisation.
There are workshops given by the British theatrical world. These include visits to the Globe, the National Theatre, guided trips around London and excursions to Stratford and Oxford College.
Did you know that... On Saturday, October 30, the ESU will sponsor a Shakespeare Workshop for local English teachers and drama coaches. This workshop is a National ESU project and will be led by Michael LoMonico, Associate Director of Education National ESU Staff. Tom Peters, drama teacher at Walnut Hills High School, and Gina Cerimele-Mechley, drama coach, helped organize the daylong program at Walnut Hills High School. Both were involved with Joe Sofranko's training that helped him win the National Shakespeare Competition in New York City.
Do you believe this... THE CHRISTMAS BOAR'S HEAD CUSTOM "At Queens
College, Oxford, the Boars-head feast is still celebrated with the accustomed
ceremonial. The mythical origin of the custom is the story of a student of
the college who was attacked by a wild boar while he was diligently studying
Aristotle during a walk near Shotover Hill some 500 years ago. His book was
his only means of defense, so he thrust the volume down the animal's throat
exclaiming, "Graecum est." The boar died on the spot and the head was brought
home in triumph by the student. Ever since that date, a boar's head has graced
the college table at Christmas."
- P.H. Ditchfield's "Old English Customs" 1896
Did you know that... The poem below was read at the June 26, 2003
Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey celebrating the 85th Anniversary
of the English Speaking Union. It was written and delivered by a young poet,
John Agard. Quote: "With great presence, John Agard read his inspirational
poem "Dialogue" on two separate occasions during the service. The poem, which
was written especially for this event, impacted greatly on the audience."
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Dialogue how reassemble sense from this gift of rich confusion? How resurrect a rainbow from a tower of ruins? How begin to begin the dance of utterance? So armed with my hybrid dictionary a not so concise Oxford I face the wilderness of the Word letting English be by bridge To a world harvest - a gathering from continents Retracing empire's footsteps seeking this time not global glory but dialogue in the distance |
(It seemed appropriate to print the poem at this time with the approaching World Members Conference 2004 in New York City on October 6 to 10, 2004.) There are several members from Cincinnati who are planning to attend. Are you one of them?
Every one is welcome. Contact Eileen Knollman for further information, 745-9848. Editor, Margaret Whiting - Phone (513-241-6070) - email: mpwhit @aol.com
Archives:
Special Photo Story - ESU 2002 Christmas Party