Wednesday, April 29, 2009

31 Cent Scoop Night at Baskin-Robbins

WEDNESDAY APRIL 29th from 5 pm - 10 pm: "31 Cent Scoop Night" at Baskin-Robbins® and help honor America’s firefighters with a $100,000 donation to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)National Junior Firefighter Program.
Participating stores will reduce prices of small ice cream scoops to 31 cents*. At some locations, you may also have an opportunity to make a donation to local fire charities.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

SU 2009 Alumni Weekend

Alumni Days
Here are some highlights for this upcoming event... a great weekend for all... let us know if you plan to attend... and give us the scoop!

Friday June 5th
6:30 pm - Reunion Class Dinner - Reisner, Tuscarora Room
Reunion classes are those ending in 4 and 9...
8 pm - 12 am Pubs and Grubs Tour: Downtown tour to visit some of your old haunts... bus will run a continuous loop, each rider will receive a complimentary mug... participating establishments will offer "mug" specials.

Saturday June 6th
11 am - 5 pm: ArtSHIP Arts and Wine Festival - North Earl Street, Triangle near campus entrance...3 - 4:30 pm - Ice Cream Social: Cub Lower Level
8 pm - Bobby Vinton: Luhrs Performing Arts Center
8:30 pm - Hospitality Suite: Stone Ridge Commons (refreshments provided, must be 21)

Sunday June 7th
11 am - 7 pm: 21st Annual Golf Outing: Eagles Crossing, Carlisle PA

Monday, April 27, 2009

BOOK CLUB: The Broker


THE BROKER : John Grisham
In his final hours in the Oval Office, the outgoing President grants a controversial last-minute pardon to Joel Backman, a notorious Washington power broker who has spent the last six years hidden away in a federal prison. What no one knows is that the President issues the pardon only after receiving enormous pressure from the CIA. It seems Backman, in his power broker heyday, may have obtained secrets that compromise the world’s most sophisticated satellite surveillance.

Backman is quietly smuggled out of the country in a military cargo plane, given a new name, a new identity, and a new home in Italy. Eventually, after he has settled into his new life, the CIA will leak his whereabouts to the Israelis, the Russians, the Chinese, and the Saudis. Then the CIA will do what it does best: sit back and watch. The question is not whether Backman will survive—there is no chance of that. The question the CIA needs answered is, who will kill him?

Friday, April 24, 2009

earth

Here's how we celebrated Earth Day...
The first film in the Disneynature series, earth, tells the remarkable story of three animal families and their amazing journey across the planet we call home. Narrated by James Earl Jones,earth combines rare action, unimaginable scale and impossible locations by capturing the most intimate moments of our planet's wildest and most elusive creatures.

Disney will plant a tree for each ticket purchased opening week!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Ship Happenings - Alumni Association

Ship Alum Here are some fun upcoming events...

Charlotte, NC: Friday April 24 - Social Cocktail Buffet $20/person 6 - 8 pm: Rock Bottom Restaurant Cash bar available.
Raleigh, NC: Saturday April 25 - Southern BBQ @ home of Robin Kubinak Driskill '88- Picnic dinner and activities for the children.

Orlando, FL: Saturday April 25 - Dinner @Coronado SpringsMaya Grill w/Dr. Steve Holoviak, Dean of John L. Grove College of Business

Chambersburg, PA: Sunday May 3 - 2 pm - 4 pm: Social @ home of retired faculty member Richard Forsythe '59 (Near Wilson College)

Reading, PA: Saturday May 9th - Indoor Football Game $12.50 per person Game Night Reading Express Indoor Football - 7 pm Seating is mid-line level, includes: post game meet & greet with head coach Bernie Nowotarski, Express players and the Steam Team dancers on the field, access to the Harley Davidson Corner Pub 2 hours before kick-off.

Purcellville, VA: Saturday May 16 - 4 pm: Wine Tasting $25/person at Breaux Vineyards -Join alums for a private VIP wine tasting and full production facility tour follwed by private gathering and souvenir wine glass.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

The THREE "R"'s


REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE:
Really makes you stop and think!
Each year Americans alone throw away 18 billion disposable diapers. In perspective, this is enough to extend from the earth to the moon and back 7 times.

In 2 weeks, Americans throw enough glass bottles out to fill the New York Trade Center’s twin towers. Americans go through on average 2.5 million plastic bottles per hour.

58% of U.S. newspapers are recycled. 500,000 trees could be saved from being cut down if every family in the United States recycled their newspaper. Producing products made from recycled paper causes 74% less air pollution, 35% less water pollution, and creates 5 times the number of jobs than producing virgin paper from trees. It also saves old-growth trees, forest ecosystems, native habitat and biodiversity.

Americans normally use about 70 gallons of water each day. Dishwashers use about 11 gallons of water. Hand washed dishes use up approximately 16 gallons. Taking a bath, half full of water, uses around 20 gallons of water. However, an average length shower only uses about 13 gallons.

The typical disposable plastic fork or spoon is made from petroleum and estimates are that it can take somewhere between 10 and 100 years to decompose. And of course when it is decomposing it's releasing toxic substances into the soil and groundwater.

Traditional garbage bags are made from plastic and can take 10 to 50+ years to decompose in a typical landfill.

Celebrate EARTH DAY... Find out if you are really doing your part: Are you living Green Quiz?

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

What's In A Name?

Okay, let's get those creative juices flowing...we are gathering some details for our 25th Anniversary celebration to be held next spring... but first, we need to come up with a NAME. What are we going to call the event...more importantly,WHAT ARE WE GOING TO PUT ON OUR T-SHIRTS??!? Come on, girls... start thinking!!

NAturally
SOme
LeTTers
JUST STAND OUT!

Please submit your suggestions by May 1st, use this comment section. We will then gather all your ideas and allow everyone to vote. Voting will take place May 2nd thru June 1st, so be sure to check back!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

2nd year a Success!

Thanks for making our 2nd ANNUAL ALUM WEEKEND great!!! Friday was fun, we met for happy hour-s at Knutes and visited Craig at Maxi's... Saturday's ceremony in Old Main Chapel was nice and we had an impromptu 'lesson' about ritual... there were great deals at the bookstore... the luncheon was lots of fun, it was great to catch up with everyone and visit with the girls... we shared some great ideas for next year (a "not to miss" event!)... we freshened up and met back at Black Horse for cocktails... then we hit the town for the evening... and of course, the night is never complete until dancing at Wib's!... Thanks again Heather for Sunday's Brunch! Looking forward to next year... stay posted for details...

What was YOUR favorite part of the weekend?? What stories can you share??? and remember to send us your pictures: taulambdaalum@gmail.com.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

See you this weekend!

Quick reminders:
Knutes is located at 15 West King Street (diagonal from Family Select... almost where Brown's Ice Cream used to be!)
The ceremony will begin at 11 am at Old Main Chapel, dress is "badge attire" ANY colors :) (you do not need to wear white!)
The AOII House is 19 North Earl Street (old AST house) lunch at 12:30
Our Meeting for the 25th Anniversary will be held at 3 pm at Shippen Place
6 pm Happy Hour will be held at the Black Horse Tavern (which is the bar at Shippen Place Hotel)... we will be in the "garden room" or outside!!

For a full list of events refer to our Weekend Info post.

Wishing everyone a safe trip...

Saturday, April 11, 2009

It's A Brand New Year!

Yes, I'm doing it again - I signed up for the 2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day! I had such an incredible experience doing the 3-Day last year that I'm going back for more. I'm so excited about this event, even though this year I really know what I've gotten myself into.

Just in case you missed my account of last year's walk, follow the link below to visit my personal page, where I tell my story. This event isn't easy, but I promise you, I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't believe 100% that it was worth every muscle ache, weary night and training walk!

I need your help. I am planning on surpassing the amount that you - my friends and family - gave so generously last time around to help fight breast cancer. Just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising page and make a donation.

If you have any questions or want to hear more about what I'm doing, I love talking about the event. Thanks for all of your support. I'm incredibly lucky to have people like you in my life!

Peace
Carla
Click here to visit my personal page.

Friday, April 10, 2009

PINK CUPCAKES

"Pink Cupcakes" is the name of OUR philanthropy for Tau Lambda Alumnae. We don't support ONE cause, we support many. The purpose is to reach out to sisters and let them know we're thinking of them... we may send a 'pick me up' to a sister who is overcoming a troubled time and try to do something nice when it's most needed. This idea is more or less a "virtual treat", but sometime we may actually hold a baked good sale!

We will be asking for donations at the house this weekend, hoping for about $5 from each willing sister. Our first purchase: gift bags for the 6 newly initiated sisters and 10 graduating seniors which we will present them at the luncheon.

Red + White = PINK... and after all,
who doesn't smile when they think of a pink cupcake???

Thursday, April 9, 2009

SISTER PROFILE: Jody Lennon Mackowiak

Now, THIS is a name you all know... Jody has been instrumental in getting so many of us together with all her 'behind the scenes' work connecting us thru Facebook! Well, you've heard her name - but let's take some time to hear more about our Sister of the Week...

FOCUS ON: JODY LENNON MACKOWIAK

Please share a little about yourself (hometown, hobbies, career, family, etc.)? First and foremost, I am SOOO happy to have reconnected with so many people. I am just thrilled to see you and have some time to catch up with you.

Well, I don't have a hometown per se but have lived in Annapolis, MD for the past 25 years. My family moved about a bit when I was a child, so I am happy to be raising my children in one place. My husband and I met just shortly out of college and we were married in 1992. I got a job teaching elementary school a year after graduating and taught 6th grade in several locations in PG County

My husband and I tried unsucessfully to have children, but after a few years of infertility procedures, we had boy/girl twins. I stopped teaching when the twins were born, as my teaching salary would have been eaten up for daycare for two infants. Parenting twins the first two years was more difficult than I thought. Really! I could manage 38 sixth graders, how hard could two babies be? I don't think any of us are ever preparred to be parents, nor do we appreciate our own parents until we have children. I worked part-time supervising student teachers during their senior year at UMD, for seven years and it worked well with my staying at home with the kids. The twins, Haden and Kirsten (Kiki), will be 10 in May and are in 4th grade. Life was put on fast-forward once the kids hit school.

I am an avid crafty person, which started out with scrapbooking (it felt so good to accomplish something when the kids were infants and one scrapbook page gave me the feeling I wasn't running in circles.) Scrapbooking led to card making, which led to jewelry making, which led to upholstering a sofa, which led to refinishing a table....and it goes on...

Family Tree? Marlin Manderbach, Karen Topping, Kristi Smith Cooper, Me, Nicole Powell Estep...I don't know what happened to my tree after that...

What is your favorite AOII memory? Oh, geez...I remember not getting a bid the first time around, then getting a bid the second semester and just being thrilled to have Kristi as my big. Then there was my very "un-unified" pledge class....and those darn puzzle pieces...and the first de-pledge...Well, there was also the Theta Chi exchange...pledge sisters were in tubs...I won't mention any names.., I fractured my wrist at the Theta Chi house dancing .....Mostly, I just loved being part of an awesome group of girls who loved being together.

What is your most meaningful AOII moment? It was a thrill to get my letters, considering we may have been the first pledge class not to get them. Boy did we deserve a kick in the pants! I was also happy to have Anna Stupi Gosden stand in for Kirsti at initiation.

What do you remember most about your SHIP days? Hangin' in the CUB, Chapter meetings and "discussions" over date party themes, Greek week, cafeteria food, messing around in Naugle Hall, Maxi's and G-man...free popcorn at happy hour...popcorn and beer can substitute for a meal, and the joy of having freedom of making my own choices.

What funny story can you share with us? Embarassingly enough, most of my funny stories I wouldn't want to repeat to my own children since they involved too much drinking and too much fun. These stories are better shared in person, rather than published on the web!! I plead the 5th on this one!

What is your most proud accomplishment since college? I am happy with the decisions I have made since graduating. So the accomplishment list would be: Staying married for 17 years, teaching for 10, my continued growth as a Christian woman, and the work I do as a wife and mother. I have no regrets.

What advice can you give our graduating sisters? Be happy with today, don't worry about tomorrow, love your family, keep in touch with your AOII sisters, listen to your parents...they are right more often than not, and savor every last drip drop of college life...the real world is tough!

What are you looking forward to most about our Reunion Weekend? Oh, would I just love to see some of the "Old guard", 80's girls, sit back have a few beers and spend some time together!

Thanks, Jody - for reaching out to so many sisters and helping to make it possible for us to reconnect!!!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

What is an Adviser?

Tau Lambda is in need of some key alumnae to serve on the chapter's Alumnae Advisory Committee. The time commitment depends on the office or area supervised. As an adviser, you will be asked to attend AAC meetings as well as a few chapter meetings a year. There are ample resources available to ease you into any position you choose. The following is a list of the AAC positions and their function. Tau Lambda is also seeking additional help for the Corporation Board. If you are willing or interested in either AAC or Corp Board positions, please email us at taulambdaalum@gmail.com. We will also provide questionaires asking for volunteers at the house during our alum weekend.

CORPORATION BOARD - Houses the Bank account for the Corporation Board. This money is from the chapter members. Each member is required to contribute to the fund, which supplies the Chapter with the funds for upkeep of the Chapter Room.
OFFICES INCLUDE: President, Vice President, Treasurer

FINANCIAL - Meet with the chapter trasurer to sign checks, review the chapter's expenses and monitor the account.

CHAPTER RELATIONS - This committee addresses issues such as negligent members, suspensions, and sisterhood events and functions.

RECRUITMENT - Supervises Recrutiment Chair and Continuous Open Recruitment. Helps plan the events for formal and infomal recruitment.

MEMBERSHIP EDUCATION - This member is responsible for educational programming for the chapter. She composes the chapter calendar quarterly once all officers have submitted their event dates to her.

RISK MANAGMENT - Responsible for distributing Event Approval Request Forms for social events. You would be responsible for approving or disapproving these events and ensure the chapter plan save and responsible events at insured and licensed establishments.

ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT - Work to improve the chapter's scholarship status.

PHILANTHROPY - Act as a resource providing ideas and feedback to upcoming events.

ALUMNAE RELATIONS - Act as a resource, providing ideas and feedback

PANHELLENIC DELAGATE - May want to attend several Panhel Advisor Assoc meetings. Discuss issues to be voted on at Panhel meetings.

ADMINISTRATIVE ADVISER - Supervise VP of Admin, Corresponding, and Recording Secretary. Assist these officers with proper procedure and correspondence with Headquarters.

ACTIVITIES - Provides the chapter with information about other campus or area organizations and encourages them to get involved.

Monday, April 6, 2009

let's move together

Join Philly AOII for the 2009 Arthritis Walk at Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA on Saturday April 25, 2009.

There is NO registration fee to participate in this walk, click here to register: Arthritis Walk.

Friday, April 3, 2009

GETTIN' READY FOR THE WEEKEND!

Here are the details:

FRIDAY APRIL 17th Meet at Knute's for Happy Hour... upon arrival... any time. 15 West King Street Hey, It's Five O'Clock SOMEWHERE!

SATURDAY APRIL 18th
7 am to 10 am - Complimentary Continental Breakfast - Shippen Place

11 am - Senior Induction into Alumnae Ceremony - Old Main Chapel This will NOT be Initiation, therefore there is no strict dress code. We suggest "badge attire" or business casual (no jeans or sneakers)... and remember your badge!! *The pink ribbons we will be wearing this year is to show our support for our sister Barb Loeper Eicheldinger. We will be sending her a "we CARE" Package with our group picture from the weekend... please bring anything else you would like to include (note of encouragement, etc.) that we can pass along!

12:30 - Luncheon at AOII House - 19 North Earl Street Trays will be provided by Kathy's Deli, we will collecting money from alums at the house...we would appreciate "sweet treats" if anyone is willing to bake/buy!

We will have merchandise from AOII Emporium as well as order forms (with free shipping) if you are interested in purchasing items.

3 pm - 25th Anniversary Committee Meeting - Shippen Place Hotel We are in the midst of planning our event for next year and would appreciate some input! If you would like to be involved in the committee or just have some ideas to share, we'd love for you to join us.

6 pm - Meet at Black Horse Tavern for more Happy Hours! Light appetizers will be served as we exchange cell numbers and "plot our course for the evening" all over town! Ahoy, SHIPmates!

SUNDAY APRIL 19th
8ish or 8:30 am - Open House at the Swartz's 411 William Drive - Shippensburg (About 3 blocks off King Street, beside James Burd School.) Stop by on your way home for Brunch hosted by Heather Bigler Swartz. Bring your old college momentos, pictures, scrapbooks etc. and enjoy some great food and conversation.

University Bookstore open Friday until 4:30 pm and Saturday 9 am - 3 pm (yardsale 9a - 2p)

Rooms have been reserved at Shippen Place Hotel under "AOII". You may contact the hotel at (717) 532-4141.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

SISTER PROFILE: Heather Bigler Swartz

Hello, all ~ Happy Thursday! We would like to introduce you to our Sister of the Week, Heather. She is also the host of our Sunday brunch during Alum Weekend! Heather has been on board with Tau Lambda and served as past Chapter Adviser. She resides in Shippensburg with her husband and three boys and you may recall her from our picture last year of "Amazing Pi's", before the Broad Street Run - - one of her passions include running marathons! Let's hear more about her...

FOCUS ON: HEATHER BIGLER SWARTZ

Please share a little about yourself (hometown, career, family, etc.)? Born in Farmington Michigan, spent most of my childhood in Michigan. Moved to Pine Bluff Arkansas when my father took a job with an archery company there. Moved to Shippensburg to be near family when my parents divorced. Went to Shippensburg High School and then on to Shippensburg University to major in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations.

Founding Sister - family tree: Founding Sister:Karen Allen, Cathy Heist, Amanda Manthrope, Karen Hart, Heather Bigler, Rickie Malone, Eileen Grudkowski, Eden Evans, Jen Zawislak, Jen McConnelly...

What is your favorite AOII memory? 22 College Park Apartments, Apartment G, Spring Break in Daytona,

What is your most meaningful AOII moment? I LOVE Ritual. I was so proud to be initiated as an AOII. After receiving my badge I hugged Barb Horn the president. I felt like I was "home". Ritual is the one thing that tied individuals together as a whole. AOII is the family I chose.

What do you remember most about your SHIP days? The friends I made there. Grilled turkey and cheese on a bagel at the CUB. Rocks and Wings at the G-man. Raider Football games. Mini skirts and footless tights. Big Hair.

What funny story can you share with us? When my sons were little I would sing to them and rock them to sleep. After I ran out of the standard lullabies I would move into AOII rush songs and on those especially long nights I'd even bring on the drinking songs (the clean versions, of course). To this day I can still recite the Greek alphabet...

What is your most proud accomplishment since college? A strong marriage (17 years); 3 wonderful sons; I ran a full marathon and 2 1/2 marathons. A full happy life!

What advice can you give our graduating sisters? Get on Face Book so you can keep in touch!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

The Green Expectation: April

Plant Me A Rose:
Plants do more than beautify our surroundings; they also help to soak in carbon dioxide and reduce damage to the ozone. Take time to plant roses or any other flower for friends and family. Reach out to more to your community to find local schools or businesses that will allow you to plant a tree. Trees will make places prettier while also helping; trees release oxygen into the air, so every time you breathe the fresh air in, you can really appreciate the environment you live in!