Send your club or organization's announcement to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before publication. Photos/artwork encouraged. Questions? Call Michael O'Connell at 703-917-6449.
The Eastern Loudoun Civil War Roundtable has changed its venue from Borders Books in Cascades to the Sterling Annex in Sterling. Meetings are the third Tuesday of every month beginning at 7:30. 2002 speakers include: Oct. 15, Carroll Gibbs - Black Alexandria and Black Washington During the War and Nov. 19, Charles Poland - The Reconstruction of Loudoun County After the War. Non-members are welcome. Call Steve Meserve at 703-404-0542 or Rebecca Fitzgerald 703-430-4367 for further information.
La Leche League meetings emphasize the joys of breastfeeding while informing and encouraging mothers who wish to nurse their babies. Meeting discussions include the latest medical research as well as mothers' personal experiences. LLL of Sterling meets on the third Thursday of each month at 10:15 a.m. The next meeting will be Thursday, Sept. 19. Mothers with their nursing babies and mothers-to-be are welcome. For directions to the meetings, or for more information call Elizabeth 703-689-0811.
BSA Troop 761 Scouts and coed 761 Venturers of Sterling will be jointly hosting an Autumn fund-raiser selling premium top quality shredded hardwood mulch to area residents and businesses. The mulch is priced at $4 per three cubic foot bag with a five bag minimum order. Scouts are now accepting orders. Mulch will be delivered to homes or businesses on the weekend of Oct. 19. Mulch can be ordered by sending a note with name, address, and telephone number along with the quantity desired and a check to Troop 761, c/o George Mendez, 21074 Gladstone Drive, Sterling, VA, 20164. For more information, call 703-450-4157, or e-mail mendezg@ors.od.nih.gov.
Beginning Sept. 23, the Birth Mother's Support Group will meet weekly in Northern Virginia. It is for any woman who has ever placed a child in adoption and would like to meet with others who have done the same. The group will be led by a licensed clinical social worker and a national certified counselor. For more information, call Pat Cunningham or Stephanie Hayden at Catholic Charities at 703-425-0100. There will be a modest fee based upon income.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is seeking volunteers who are looking to change a child's life. Agency programs aim to positively and profoundly affect a child's self-esteem, self confidence, academic performance and relationship-building skills, while instilling new hope for the future. For more information, call Michelle St. John at 703-444-0671.
The Loudoun Literacy Council will train new volunteer tutors on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in their offices at 71 Lawson Road, S.E., Leesburg. Tutors are needed for English as a second language adult students, as well as for native speakers who wish to improve their reading and writing skills. No special experience is required. All volunteers are welcome. Reservations are necessary. For more information or to make a reservation, call 703-777-2205 or e-mail info@loudounliteracy.org.
Cub Scout packs throughout Loudoun County's Goose Creek District of the Boy Scouts of America will be hosting a series of "Join Scouting Nights" during the month of September where boys can learn about and join Cub Scouting. Various packs are inviting first through fifth grade boys and their parents to become a part of one of America's leading values-driven organizations. Informational flyers are available at Loudoun elementary schools about specific Join Scouting Night functions, or for more information, call Goose Creek District JSN Chair Anne Geiger at 703-437-9413, or District Executive
Kevin Bradley at 703-304-3296.
The annual Champion’s Club fund-raiser sponsored by the Loudoun County SBDC has ended with strong support from local business. The funds go towards the Loudoun County Small Business Development Center and allow it to offer a variety of free services such as workshops and counseling. For more information on Champion’s Club call 703-430-7222.
The MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club, an international support group for at-home mothers, is starting a new chapter in the Ashburn/Sterling area this month. This group provides monthly meetings with interesting speakers and topics for discussion, park play days, holiday activities and service projects benefiting children/families in the community. In addition, the group will sponsor special "activity groups" that will allow members to share similar interests. Typical activity groups are playgroups based on a child's age, a monthly MOMS night out, walking club, lunch outings, cooking club and many more. The second meeting of the MOMS Club of Ashburn/Sterling will take place in the Eastern Loudoun Library Conference Room at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 20. There is an annual fee of $25 to become a member of the club. Anyone interested in more information may contact Laurie Scott at 703-948-0065 or Leanne Drake at 703-724-0480.
Depression and Manic Depression Support Group. The Sterling/Reston Chapter of DRADA meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 7-9 p.m. For location, contact Traci 703-433-1448; or Jan 703-669-5177. DRADA stands for Depressive and Related Affective Disorders Association, a non-profit self-help group sponsored by Johns Hopkins that has been in existence for over 20 years.
Registration has begun for membership in the Great Falls Women's Club for the 2002-03 club year. New members who live in Fairfax or Loudoun counties are welcome. The club's many fun activities include cultural tours, Bridge groups, a garden group, a book discussion group, a knitting group that makes blankets for hurt and abused children, and dinner groups that dine together in restaurants or in each others' homes. Tennis and golf groups are available to start. The club awards scholarships to college students and is actively involved in improving the Great Falls Firehouse. Yearly dues are $30; after June 30, dues for renewing members will be $35. Send checks for dues to Karen Magley, membership chairman. For more information call 703-430-8488.
Birthday Blessing, Inc., a new nonprofit organization, has been created to deliver gifts to needy children who might not receive a gift on their birthday. Birthday Blessing finds these children through social services, homeless shelters, youth shelters and prison ministries. The organization is looking for sponsors, new toys for children 3-16 years old, new books, wrapping paper, birthday cards and shipping boxes. Monetary donations can be made to sponsor children or can be made in the honor of a friend or relative. For more information, contact Sharon Hough at 703-481-8180, or visit www.BirthdayBlessing.org.
The Loudoun County Chapter of CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) has changed the day of its monthly meeting. All meetings will now be on the fourth Wednesday of every month, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Lower Level Conference Room of the Town of Leesburg Town Hall at 25 Market St.
Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Groups. Facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. Support groups allow families to meet other caregivers and to share experiences and care-giving tips while developing coping skills. Caregivers and family members are invited to visit. Group meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Neighborhood Resource Center, 1086 Elden St., Herndon. Call the Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area before attending for verification of times and locations. Toll-free phone number: 866-259-0042.
The Loudoun Family Child Care Coalition (LFCCC) meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The LFCCC's goal is to provide support for child care providers by raising awareness of the unique experience of quality home-based family child care through advocacy, training and education. In cooperation with Child Nutrition, Inc. and Loudoun County Social Services, LFCCC covers the Leesburg, Sterling, Ashburn and neighboring communities to provide on-going advocacy. For additional information on future meeting locations, call 703-715-6656.
Amputee Support Group Of Northern Virginia, a support group for amputees, their families and friends, meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7:30-9 p.m., at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Department of Rehabilitation Gym Area, Women & Children's Center, First Floor, 3300 Gallows Road in Falls Church. The cost is free and parking is provided in the garage for all cars displaying handicapped placards or license plates. For more information, contact Irvin Axelrod at 703-222-7120 or e-mail asgnva@earthlink.net.
Knitting and Crochet Group. For women who are 55 years of age and older. Meet at the Loudoun County Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace each Friday at 10 a.m. to make afghans, lap robes, baby hats and sweaters. The group has donated over 300 items to the Loudoun County Homeless Shelter, the Northern Virginia Ronald McDonald House, the Loudoun Hospital Center and the Long Term Care Unit at Loudoun Hospital. The yarn is donated to the Senior Center from individuals in the community and from the Good Shepherd Alliance Inc. The group is accepting donations of yarn and needles and donations to purchase yarn, that will help continue with the special projects. Drop donations at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. For more information, call Kim at 703-430-2397.