The STAR Volume 8 Issue 1

Publisher: Courtney Watson Managing Editor: Meredith Thompson

Contributors/Writers: Jessie Coffman Brittny McGraw Lindsay Phipps

Junior League of Roanoke Valley 541 Luck Avenue, Suite 319 Roanoke, VA 24016

Phone: 540.343.3663 Email: info@jlrv.org Website: jlrv.org

Board of Directors 2022-2023 Management Team 2022-2023

President: Jessica Beemer

President-Elect: Franny Apel

Executive Vice President: Lydia Higgs Secretary: Michelle Pendleton Treasurer: Lydia Merritt

Nominating Director: Lindsay Phipps* Sustaining Director: Angela Mills

Executive Vice President: Lydia Higgs

Executive VP-Elect: Hannah Hopkins Communications Vice President: Courtney Watson Community Vice President: Tina Dillow Finance Vice President: Ashley Mauceri Fund Development VP: Lindsay Tate Membership Experience VP: Briana Apgar Sustainer Liaison: Susan Stanley-Zahorchak*

*Denotes Past President

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OUR MISSION

The Junior League of Roanoke Valley, Virginia, Inc. is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging: The Junior League of Roanoke Valley, Virginia, Inc. welcomes all women who value our Mission. We are committed to inclusive environments of individuals, organizations and communities.

The STAR is published three times annually by the Junior League of Roanoke Valley. No reproductions in any form are allowed without written permission.

Designed by Evolve Creative, Inc. and published by Bison Printing ©2021

LET’S CONNECT!

NEW MISSION STATEMENT

The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI)—our parent or ganization—has adopted a revised Mission for all Junior Leagues. The Junior League of Roanoke Valley ad opted the new Mission at the Annual Celebration held on May 17, 2022. We are excited to join AJLI in fulfilling our new Mission!

The Junior League of Roanoke Val ley is excited to announce that we are launching a fresh and exciting awareness campaign, “It Starts with a Woman.” While we will always be #BetterTogether, our collective work at The Junior League starts when an individual woman decides to take action. Back in 1901, our founder, Mary Harriman, knew that wom en had more to offer to the world than what was then the “acceptable norm.” She brought women togeth er, helped them find their voices and talents, and paved the way for wom en to lead community action. As we unfold the story of this campaign, you will notice the change in the hashtag (#ItStartsWithAWoman) and a shift in the messaging and artwork we use on our channels. We’re thrilled to bring this campaign to each of you, our Members – you are the driving force of change in our community!

MEET THE BOARDFROM THE PRESIDENT

As a person who is known to welcome change, new beginnings bring me excitement. These “new begin nings” could be something as small as a new nail pol ish color…or they could be something as large as an unexpected life opportunity. My most recent “new beginning” just so happens to be serving as the Ju nior League of Roanoke Valley’s 96th President. Nine ty-five women have served our community before me and countless women leaders will continue to serve after me. JLRV has a rich history of women’s leader ship and successful community action - I am proud to be a member of the Junior League.

Throughout my tenure with the JLRV, our new League year also brings a new beginning with the presen tation of an annual theme. “Disrupt Convention,” “Better Together,” “Be Bold. Take Action.” are a few examples of past themes the JLRV has adopted. Our annual themes are meant to inspire and bring focus to the League Year. I have been lucky enough to see our members put JLRV themes to action not solely during their League activities, but also in their per sonal and professional lives.

This year’s AJLI-sponsored theme is “It Starts With a Woman.” This theme will generate a greater aware ness of the Junior League as a driving force of change in our community. Some women will welcome this change, while others will take some encouragement - both comfort levels are totally fine! We are lucky to have been given such great opportunities for leader ship development through the Junior League and can translate this into real community change.

While September marks the official end to Summer and the kickoff to our League Year, the current Gover nance Board and Management Team of the JLRV has been hard at work for the past 6 months developing a plan for the upcoming League Year. The Stocked Market Committee began soon after last year’s event concluded - and it’s because of this dedication that we know the 2022 Stocked Market will be a success ful holiday market. Membership Experience - a new ly-merged council - has become a cohesive group and is planning events with the member in mind. Com munity has hit it out of the park with their numerous volunteer opportunities.

I am so proud to embark on this League Year with our active members, new members, sustaining members, and League supporters. Let’s enjoy the new begin nings, seek deeper connections with those around us, and be proud of all we are able to do to make a difference in our community. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.

Remember: It Starts With A Woman.

JESSICA BEEMER

JLRV PRESIDENT, 2022-2023

JRLV HOLIDAY PARTY November 11

MEET THE BOARDFROM THE EDITOR

Dearest STAR Magazine Readers,

The Junior League of Roanoke Valley has offered me a safe and supportive space to expand my leadership skills for nearly a decade. Since joining in 2013-2014, I’ve held a variety of positions that have allowed me to learn more about our community, connect with amazing women, and push myself to grow as a lead er and an individual. This year, I assume, will be no different. As the STAR magazine managing editor, I am looking forward to sharing who we are and the incredible accomplishments that we, as volunteers, are able to churn out each year.

During our end of year celebration in May 2022, the JLRV formally adopted a new mission statement. Af ter serving under a different mission for years, I am excited about this new statement and what it says about us. A shortened version says we “advance women’s leadership for meaningful community im pact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.” In each of this year’s three issues, we will feature how we advance our members’ leadership with our first focusing on volunteer action.

Volunteer action within our community has always been an important aspect of the JLRV experience. Over our 95 years in serving the Roanoke Valley, JLRV members have volunteered our time and tal ents to community organizations to start important programs, assist with fundraisers, and even get our hands dirty. This issue features volunteer service ac tivities planned for the upcoming year. We are excited to continue our partnerships with community organi zations including serving warm meals to families at the Ronald McDonald House each month.

In this issue, we also share with you the highlights of what JLRV does best, including an inside look at our beloved Stocked Market annual fundraiser. STAR contributor, Brittny McGraw, provides an exciting glimpse into the work that’s been underway and what we can expect to see at our signature holiday shopping event. This fundraiser allows the JLRV to serve our members and the community. Please also enjoy updates on our annual grants process, nom inating leadership applications, and highlights from our New and General Membership Meetings.

Our organization is volunteer based yet we continue to accomplish amazing things. I look forward to fu ture issues focused on collaboration and training. A special thank you to all of the members who helped make this issue happen. It’s been an exciting learning experience, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the STAR Magazine this year!

“When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.”Queen Elizabeth II

MEREDITH THOMPSON

STAR EDITOR, 2022-2023

NEW FUN IN STORE FOR STOCKED MARKET 2022

BY BRITTNY MCGRAW

Visits from Santa (and the Grinch)… Junior League of Ro anoke Valley members adorned with a festive “Party on your head” headpiece… and the buzz of holiday excitement all signal the return of Stocked Market, JL RV’s annual shopping extravagan za and signature fundraiser. This year’s event takes place Friday, November 11 through Sunday, November 13 at the Berglund Center in Roanoke and promises to have new experiences for firsttime shoppers as well as returning customers.

“We knew as a team we needed to refuel our well-oiled machine of an event that we are proud to say has been a huge success

over the past 33 years,” said Brit tany Mitchell, Stocked Market co-chair. “We have made it our mission to add new vendors, ask sponsors who have never spon sored the event before and add new events that have never been on our Stocked Market stage!”

That mission has also included a focus on accessibility for shop pers at the 2022 Stocked Market.

It is a passion for Mitchell, who is an occupational therapist. She said seeing the challenges some shoppers faced while navigating previous Stocked Market events motivated her to look for ways to enhance the shopping experience for people of all abilities.

“We expanded the concept fur ther to include widening the

aisles and spreading out congest ed areas in order to increase sho pability,” Mitchell said. “Expect to see more seating areas and signage to identify locations of bathrooms, Preview Coffee, and elevators.” Mitchell said she is looking forward to seeing these spacing ideas come to life at this year’s Stocked Market.

In addition to better accessibility, Brittany Bostic, Stocked Market co-chair, is also excited for the new events shoppers will enjoy. “We have some really fun things happening and I think we have something that will appeal to any type of shopper.” One of the new events shoppers can look forward to is a floor routine from Prestige Gymnastics, located in Troutville, VA, but yearly favorites including visits from Santa, The Grinch, and performances by the Southwest Virginia Ballet will return. “I al ways love a preview of The Nut cracker put on by the Southwest

NEW FUN IN STORE

Virginia Ballet,” Mitchell said. “Something about The Nutcrack er music and the ballet get me so excited for the holiday season!”

The annual event gives people across Southwest Virginia and beyond an opportunity to shoptil-they-drop for unique holiday gifts from local merchants as well as businesses from outside of Virginia. Stocked Market 2022 will feature over 100 merchants, with more than 30 of them mak ing their first appearance at the event. Mitchell said not only can shoppers look forward to check ing out new merchants, but they can also look forward to seeing new products from returning merchants. “You will see some wonderful loyal merchants com ing back to our event with tons of new merchandise,” Mitchell said. “You will also see some new

NEW FUN IN STORE

vendors such as Bite Me Confec tions selling gourmet marshmal lows and CM Bars, LLC offering fudge and chocolates.” More than half of the vendors featured in this year’s “Homegrown Mar ket” are participating in Stocked Market for the first time. Home grown Market gives local artisans who create homemade items an opportunity to showcase and sell their goods.

Stocked Market serves as JLRV’s largest fundraiser and has raised more than $3.2 million since it be gan. Stocked Market 2021 raised more than $85,000 as it made a rousing comeback with a return to in-person shopping after tak ing a year off due to the ongoing

COVID-19 pandemic. The money supports local initiatives that align with JLRV’s mission of uplifting and empowering the community.

Shoppers looking to get a head start on all the Stocked Market fun can buy tickets for Preview Coffee starting at 8am on Friday, November 11. It gives shoppers early access to the event and in cludes light breakfast items to enjoy. Preview Coffee tickets are $20 and must be purchased on line in advance. Preview Coffee tickets also provide shoppers with the opportunity to enjoy an addi tional day of Stocked Market.

General admission tickets for Stocked Market are $10 in advance

and $12 at the door. These tickets are valid for one day of shopping.

General admission hours for Stocked Market 2022 are 11am to 6pm on Friday, November 11, 9am to 6pm on Saturday, Novem ber 12, and 10am to 5pm on Sun day, November 13.

Bostic said the planning and work for the holiday shopping extrava ganza have truly been a team ef fort. “We couldn’t do it without every single member,” she said. “It really takes a village and I think that this year’s team is truly amazing.”

Stay up to date with the latest Stocked Market information at www.stockedmarket.org.

BONUS RECIPE

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Want to keep the Stocked Market spirit going? It’s never too early for holiday baking! Enjoy this bonus recipe from the JLRV’s very own Oh My Stars cookbook.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 to 5 cups flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar

• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

• 21/4 cups sugar

• 3 medium eggs, beaten

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

Mix the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, nutmeg and salt to gether. Cream the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, lemon juice and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix to form a dough. Place in a sealable plastic bag and chill for several hours or up to a week. Roll a small amount of the dough at a time 1/4 inch thick on a floured surface. Cut with a cookie cutter and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or just until the cookies begin to brown. Cool on the cookie sheet for several minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate or frost as desired. Makes five dozen.

2022 STOCKED MARKET MERCHANTS

ART

Brook Lundy Art*

Jennifer Huffman Art* Phillip Barrett Shattered Glassworks^ The Artist Jay

CLOTHING

310 Rosemont

Consolidated Shoe Company Indo-Chic Initial Inspiration KEVA Style, LLC Le Fashion Cottage Lou and Company

Luci’s Salon, Spa & Unique Boutique Moda Trove Ruby Ribbon She’s International The Gift Niche Unique Designs

JEWELRY/ ACCESSORIES

Anne Vaughan Designs Aria Made

Be Like Missy Blue Mountain Gems^ Butler’s Jewels Carolina Strung^ Deco Jewelry

Drakkoda Jewelry^

Four Corners Jewelry* Grateful Gypsy Hannalei*^

Laurel Lynn Designs^ Meadowview Bleu Handcrafted Jewlery* Meanwhile Back on the Farm

Nature’s Artistry

Rumplestillskins* The Leather Outlet

The Sparrows Nest Stargazers Jewelry Wendy’s Jewels and Boutique

CHILDREN

Amzie Grace Bowtique^ Discovery Toys Growing Up Stanley Jade and Reese Children’s Boutique

Mill Mountain Zoo Yaymama

FOOD AND DRINK

A Spice Above Bite Me Confections

Blazing Bella Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oils Chris’s Coffee & Custard*

City Pepper Country Salt CM Bars, LLC^ Hillbilly Goodies, LLC JT Copper Nectar of the Vine PM Cakes and Creations* Rfenterprises Snookie Snookerwitz Spice Titan*^ Wine Gourmet

HOME DECOR AND GIFTS

Black Lab Craft Co.^ Blessedx2 Creations*^ Creations CrochetOne LLC*^ CUTCO Gourmet Gifts

Greg’s Antiques & Garden Iron Heirloom Home Hunt + Chase^ Island Knots*^ Legacy Woodworks Key City Craftworks^ Missy’s Gifts

Monday Morning Press Onice

Pampered Chef Rudolph and Me Rylor & Co Designs S and W Home Place Crafts^ SCENTSY

Scruggswood^ Smith Mountain Promotional Designs

The Ruffled Feather Candle Co. Tupperware

The Flawed Log The Farm Shoppe LLC^ WareClay^

BEAUTY AND WELLNESS

For the Love of Lavender*

Hawaiian Moon LipSense Mary Kay^ Mystic River Lavender

The Body Shop at Home

The Gifted Sisters*^ Varsity Spa* Young Living Essential Oils

PETS

KaJo Pets^

Off Leash K-9 Training New River and Roanoke Valleys LLC Sticky Roller, LLC Whisker Biscuits

OTHER Green Home Solutions^ Dick & Dave

Greyledge Events^ Purple Products Roanoker Magazine^ Youth Connect^ ^Indicates a NEW Merchant for this year *Indicates a HomeGrown Market Merchant

Please note: This is the 2022 Stocked Market Merchant Listing as of 9/28/2022.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Welcome, everyone, to the 2022-2023 League year! I am always proud of the work that the Junior League of Roanoke Valley does in our community, but I am especially proud this year of each one of our mem bers. We have all weathered the craziness of the last few years in individual ways, but you all have arrived this year with enthusiasm and commitment to doing good in our community in a way that is completely contagious! Thank you for all that you are doing.

The JLRV Management Team has been hard at work planning and implementing several new projects and a few of our annual favorites! First, you’ll have seen our new Membership Experience council dive in over the summer to recruitment and member socials. They gave membership a chance to reconnect and success fully brought in 23 New Members. Be on the look out for other planned events! Fund Development is in full swing planning and preparing for the annual Stocked Market where you will see more than 100 vendors including more than 25 new vendors and a host of new on-site events. They have also identified an Ad Hoc committee to explore potential opportu nities for a spring fundraising event – stay tuned for information about what they have uncovered! In collaboration with the Governance Board, a more flexible requirements system was developed and pro posed to membership. We cannot wait to see the ways members will personalize their experience with this new opportunity!

As the year progresses, I hope that you will take the opportunity to grow your skills and lean into new friendships. Take time to identify the opportunities in the community that you most want to support. Ex plore ways that your JLRV membership can help you to develop new skills and grow opportunities in other areas of your life. And, as always, reach out to others if support is needed. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue learning from each of you this year and look forward to collaborating with each committee and council as we enjoy the 2022-2023 year.

Cheers to a wonderful year!

LYDIA HIGGS

JLRV EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT 2022-2023

NEW MEMBER KICKOFF HIGHLIGHTS

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

BY MEREDITH THOMPSON

The Junior League of Roanoke Valley welcomed 23 new members at a Kick-Off Celebration held on Sun day, September 18, 2022 at the Jefferson Center. Our newest class of outstanding women to join JLRV was welcomed by President Jessica Beemer, Executive Vice President Lydia Higgs, and President-Elect Franny Apel. At the Kick-Off, New Member Co-Chairs, Cyan Belluc cia and Jessica Fintel, provided information on the or ganization structure, history of JLRV and our impact in the community. Members were provided with a tour of the Jefferson Center facility, which hosts the JLRV Office and monthly membership meetings.

Jessica said, “We are so excited for this year’s new mem ber class and how they will find their stride within the Junior League of Roanoke Valley. There is an increased focus on the membership experience this year and that extends into the new member experience.” Cyan added “We want this year’s class to feel engaged and connect ed with the League from the start! Each of our New Members has something special to contribute to JLRV, and we can’t wait to support them!”

“Each of our New Members has some thing special to contribute to JLRV, and we can’t wait to support them!”

VOLUNTEER ACTION

A JLRV TRADITION

BY MEREDITH THOMPSON

The foundation of the Junior League of Roanoke Valley began with women volunteering to better serve their community. In its 96th year, JLRV is excited to collabo rate with community partners, reconnect with service organizations, and find new avenues of service in the valley. With a dedicated Community Service commit tee, the JLRV continues to grow our relationships and seek opportunities to lend a helping hand in service.

Since its very beginning in 1984, the JLRV has sup ported the Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Virginia. The JLRV is proud to have helped bring the vision to life within our community, and we contin

ue our tradition of volunteering with the organiza tion. The Ronald McDonald House provides families a home-away-from-home when a family has a sick child in need of hospital services. In recent years, mem bers have helped by serving meals to visiting families, stocking the pantry for guests, and even decorating for the holidays. JLRV Community Service Chair, Sarah Arrington, is pleased to announce that this long stand ing tradition of volunteer action will continue this year with monthly volunteer opportunities to serve meals to visiting meals. New, active, and sustaining members are encouraged to help us feed the families for one evening each month.

NOMINATING FUTURE LEADERSVOLUNTEER ACTION

Members can also look forward to traditional volunteer favorites like gift wrapping for foster children with Roanoke County’s Department of Social Services and the Annual Holiday Toy Drive. Over the past year, JLRV members rolled up their sleeves and helped with build days on two dedicat ed homes with Habitat for Humanity. Of course, more volunteer opportunities will be added as the Community Service committee continues to seek partnerships this year. Members can find opportu nities in the STAR member newsletter.

Are you a non-profit organization in the Roanoke Valley and are in need of volunteers? Please con tact info@jlrv.org for more information.

FIRST GMM OF 2022-2023

The Junior League of Roanoke Valley held its first General Membership Meeting of the 2022-2023 year on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. Members gathered together to learn details regarding progress on our beloved Stocked Market fundraiser, membership updates, and community volunteer events. Smiles and embraces were shared among members.

CYCLE OF COMMUNITY IMPACT

BY JESSIE COFFMAN

To honor its commitment to meaningful impact, the Junior League of Roanoke Valley annually awards grants to area non-profit organizations that share its community focus. In 2018, after round table discussions held with local lead ers and experts on transportation, poverty, health care, and food, League membership voted on its top priorities for coming years. Since the reopening of its grant process in 2019, the JLRV has gifted almost $155,000.00 to the Roanoke Valley. During its 2021-2022 League year, the JLRV fully funded requests from six organizations.

The JLRV’s community focus is addressing poverty by con necting the community to existing resources and remov ing barriers to healthcare and food. The goal is to collab orate and build partnerships within the Roanoke Valley, connecting people to the resources they need. Annually,

CYCLE OF COMMUNITY IMPACT

the JLRV awards three grants to qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations: Care That Counts, Community Focus Grant, and the Apel Family Grant. Its Care That Counts grant provides funding to organi zational projects relating to childcare, those in need of assistance with sliding scale child care, providing schol arships to students who otherwise could not afford specific educational opportunities, and/or supporting after school care or other opportunities that enrich the lives of children.

Its Community Focus Grant provides funding for 501(c) (3) organizations for projects that align with the cur rent JLRV focus.

Its Apel Family Grant provides funding of up to $5,000.00 for unusual and capital expenditures for established 501(c)(3) organizations providing a ser vice in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas. This grant will fund requests that align with the cur rent JLRV focus.

Each year, the Junior League of Roanoke Valley’s grant cycle begins anew in August as it prepares its commu

nity open house. This public event is open to 501(c) (3) organizations headquartered and working in the League’s footprint with grant applications typically due in September. A committee comprised of its President, President-Elect, relevant council Vice Presidents, sus taining members, and general members then dutifully reviews each application. This grants committee then narrows the list of qualifying applicants for each of the three grants. Site visits are made to potential Commu nity Focus Grant recipients to aid in further review by the committee. A vote by League membership at the March General Member Meeting determines award re cipients and by April, public announcements are made.

Applications have been collected for the JLRV’s current grant cycle. The JLRV Grant Committee Co-Chairs are re viewing and look forward to the Spring check presenta tions. In the interim, League members will diligently do the hard work of raising the funds to be awarded through community events such as its Stocked Market. The JL RV’s dedication to its community can be seen in its careful orchestration of this shopping extravaganza through to its thoughtfully awarded monetary gifts. A great deal of work happens behind the scenes during a League year!

JLRV NOMINATING COMMITTEE NEWS

JLRV members serve in a variety of leadership roles in cluding positions on the Governance Board, Management Team, and Nominating Committee. League members also lead committees for planning fundraisers, community service, and supporting our membership. Each year, the Nominating Committee facilitates the application process to fill leadership positions for the upcoming year.

To help spread the word among members, the JLRV Nom inating Committee held a fall Open House on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Sweet Donkey Coffee Shop. This social event allowed members to learn about leadership opportunities within the organization for the upcoming League year. Additionally, Nominating Committee Chair, Lindsay Phipps, visited the October New Member meeting to encourage our newest leaders to apply.

Following submission of an application, members can ex pect an interview with the Nominating Committee. Inter views allow members to express their interests and share their skills and experiences. The Nominating Committee is looking forward to meeting with members in the coming weeks to build the 2023-2024 Leadership Team.

Lindsay Phipps, 2022-2023 Nominating Director

JLRV NOMINATING COMMITTEE NEWS

The Junior League of Roanoke Valley’s Nominating Committee is seeking Sustainer Members to serve in leadership and commit tee positions for the 2023-2024 year. The leadership and commit tee positions available to Sustain ers for the 2023-2024 League year are as follows:

SUSTAINING DIRECTOR

The Sustaining Director serves as a member of the JLRV Gov ernance Board and represents the Sustainer membership at all meetings of the Governance Board. Duties of the Sustaining Director include providing com munication updates to other Sus taining members through emails and articles in the STARExpress Newsletter and STAR Magazine A Sustainer placed in the Sus taining Director position serves as a contact for new Sustainer transfer members. The Sustain ing Director also works with the Sustainer Liaison to plan fall and spring events for Sustainers in cluding the fall Sustainer Coffee

and spring Sustainer Membership Meeting.

SUSTAINER LIAISON

The Sustainer Liaison serves as a member of the Management Team within the Membership Ex perience Council. This leadership position seeks to engage Sus tainer members, keeping them informed and involved. The Sus tainer Liaison represents the Sus tainer membership at all meet ings of the Management Team. General duties of the Sustainer Liaison include coordinating so cial functions and handling all correspondence between JLRV Active and Sustainer members.

The Sustainer Liaison works with League leadership and the Sus tainer Director to plan the fall Sustainer Coffee and spring Sus tainer Membership Meeting.

SUSTAINER MEMBERS FOR GRANTS COMMITTEE

Two Sustainer members serve on the JLRV Grants Committee each year. Sustainer members

POSITIONS

of the Grants Committee attend all committee members meetings and the fall Grants Committee Open House. A Sustaining mem ber of the Grants Committee as sists the committee with organiz ing and reviewing League grant applications. Sustainer members of the Grants Committee assist the committee with tasks such as site visits for grants applicants and voting on grant’s finalists to present to the Governance Board and JLRV membership.

Both the Sustainer Director and the Sustainer Liaison are select ed in the fall of each year. These positions are part of the League’s Leadership Slate that is voted on by JLRV membership in Janu ary. The Sustainer members for Grants are selected by the Nomi nating Committee and are placed in the spring of each year. Any sustainer interested in these lead ership or committee positions should contact JLRV Nominating Director Lindsay Phipps at nomi nating@jlrv.org by Friday, Decem ber 2, 2022.

THE JLRV NOMINATING COMMITTEE SEEKS SUSTAINER MEMBERS TO SERVE IN LEAGUE LEADERSHIP AND GRANTS COMMITTEE

CORNER Warm Autumn

FLAVORS

BY MEREDITH THOMPSON

As the JLRV year kicks off, we head into the cooler months in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This has always been my favorite time of year with many holidays to celebrate and reasons to gather friends and family. The following recipes are traditional favorites with apple flavors to stand out at holiday gatherings or to serve your friends and family at home.

Pork Chops with Curried Apple and Onion Sauce

The cornerstone of an elegant autumn feast, found in the JLRV Oh My Stars Cookbook

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 (8-ounce 1-inch) pork chops

• 1/2 teaspoon thyme

• 1/2 teaspoon marjoram

• salt and pepper to taste

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, chopped

• 1/2 Vidalia onion, chopped

• 6 garlic cloves, minced

• 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

• 1/2 cup dry white wine

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• 2 tablespoons honey mustard

• 1 teaspoon curry powder

• 1/2 teaspoon thyme

• 1/2 teaspoon marjoram

DIRECTIONS:

Sprinkle the pork chops with 1/2 teaspoon thyme, 1/2 teaspoon marjoram, salt and pepper. Heat the olive in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and cook for 5 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Remove to a platter and tent with foil to keep warm; reserve the drippings. Add the apple, onion and garlic to the drippings in the skillet. Sauté over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth, wine, cream, mustard, curry powder, 1/2 teaspoon thyme and1/2 teaspoon marjoram. Cook for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Place the pork chops on serving plates and spoon the sauce over the top. Serve immediately. Serves four.

Lucille’s Apple Betty

This recipe is named for Lucille Anderson, who was a cook for the Governor’s Mansion, and was included in the 1971 JLRV Of Pots & Pipkins cookbook.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 large apples

• ½ c raisins

• 2 T sugar

• 2 T white Karo syrup

• Bread crumbs

• Cinnamon

• Butter

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In greased quart dish, place one layer of apples and one layer of bread crumbs. Cover with raisins and repeat layers. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on each layer of apples. On top layer (bread crumbs), add butter, sugar, cinnamon and Karo syrup. Bake approximately thirty-five to forty-five minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream.