February 2014 Newsletter


February 2014 Faculty Club Events and Interest Group Information
Thanks to all for helping and participating at the Bowlegs 5K and 1 Mile Walk on January 18. The race was a huge success with around 180 participants, and the weather was gorgeous. Being our 30th anniversary, Gulf Winds Track Club granted us Grand Prix status, which always brings extra runners. We made $2,500 for our scholarship. The Leysieffer grandson Austin Foos created another nice shirt for the race, and we had extra mugs by Brian Bachman to give to the major sponsors. The race was followed by a congenial Brunch in Renegade Grill attended by 30 members. Go to our website http://facultyclub.fsu.edu/site to look at recent photos from the various January events. We thank Neil Charness for being such an excellent and diligent photographer/historian that documents our Club activities. We look forward to seeing you at these many February activities.
Annelise Leysieffer
Last Sunday, January 26, 50 members, including Lucy and John Ho, celebrated an early Chinese New Year, the Year of the Horse, at Azu. The meal was superb as was the company. With the meal specially prepared for us, if you would like to try another Chinese New Year’s dinner, Azu is celebrating the their New Year next Monday, February 3, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. This will be a buffet with traditional Chinese New Year’s dishes and the cost is $19.95 plus tax, tips and beverages. If you wish to attend, unless you plan to arrive early, it might be wise to call the restaurant in advance at 893-4112 to make reservations. This is not a Club event.
On February 2, Outdoors Explorers will meet at 1:00 p.m. to hike the southern terminus of the St. Marks trail and walk through the St. Marks Waterfront Park. The hike will be followed by a visit to Sweet Magnolia Inn to listen to live jazz music. Where there is a waiting list for the music, you can certainly join the group for the hike. Please let Barbara Elam know at blelam@embarqmail.com if you are planning to hike and also to find out if any spaces have opened up for the music part.
Globetrotters will be meeting on Saturday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Maguire Learning Center at Westminster Oaks. John Keller is preparing a fascinating presentation called Cuba West and East by John and Cecilia Keller. Below is John’s description: “It is becoming easier for Americans to travel legally to Cuba as part of a group or on their own. Last October, Dale and Diane Olsen talked about their experiences as part of a group tour, which included John and Barbara Elam. In this presentation, we will describe our experiences traveling on our own. We are including some of the same areas (Havana and the tobacco region of Pinar del Rio in the far west) but will not duplicate the previous content. By staying in Cases Particular, which are like bed and breakfast accommodations, and traveling with local English-speaking drivers, we had numerous unique experiences, as would any of you who travel on your own. This presentation will supplement the Olsen’s experiences in the west. We also traveled in several areas of eastern Cuba that will add a new dimension to this presentation. Eastern Cuba is a region of great historical significance, both politically and culturally. The presentation will include many photos and video clips that are filled with local color and music as well as items of cultural and historical importance.”
Please check with Diane Olsen for more information about Globetrotters at m.diane.olsen@gmail.com and to offer to bring refreshments.
On Tuesday, February 11, Club members will be celebrating an early Valentine’s Day by going to the American Legion Hall by Lake Ella to listen and dance to the Tallahassee Swing Band. The dance begins at 7:30 p.m. The entrance fee is $5.00 when you mention the Faculty & Friends Club. Please let Annelise Leysieffer know at aleysieffer@gmail.com if you are planning to attend, as the Club will supply some light refreshments. You can purchase beverages in the Hall.
PUC – The Faculty Luncheon Series on Tuesday, February 11, at 12:15 p.m. The speaker is Barbara Foreman. Her speech is titled, “Using the Science of Reading to Close the Achievement Gap.” Please call 222-6320 by the 6th to attend. Cost: $10.
La Table Française will be meeting on Saturday, February 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Regine & Tim Lynch. Please bring crêpes or some other French food for the potluck. Please let Annelise know at aleysieffer@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
The Book Discussion Group will be meeting on Monday, February 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Bonnie Armstrong to discuss Wild Flowers in the Median: A Restorative Journey into Healing, Justice & Joy by Agnes Furey and Leonard Scoven. Agnes Furey will attend the discussion. For more information about this group, please contact Kea Herron at kea.snuffy@gmail.com.
Restaurant Roulette will be meeting at Marie Livingston’s Steak House at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 20. If you are planning to attend, please let Jan Flake know at janiceflake@comcast.net by February 16.
Also on Thursday, February 20, at 7:00 p.m., Annelise & Fred Leysieffer are holding a board meeting at their house. If you are interested in serving on the board next year or have suggestions you would like brought to the board members’ attention, please e-mail Annelise at aleysieffer@gmail.com.
Sprechen Sie Deutsch? will be meeting on Friday, February 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Hilly Levitz. Being the month for Valentines, members are asked to recite their favorite poetry either in German or English. Please let Toni Fuss Kirkwood-Tucker know at tkirkwoodtucket@comcast.net if you plan to attend.
Gourmet Sampler will be meeting on Saturday, February 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the Westminster Oaks Pool Clubhouse hosted by Patsy Rapp, Marie Cowart and others. Please bring either delicious hors d’oeuvres or desserts to share as well as your own beverage and let Barbara Elam know at blelam@embarqmail.com if you are planning to attend.
Lunch Bunch will be meeting on Tuesday, February 25, at 11:45 a.m. at Coosh’s Bayou Rouge off Thomasville Road past Wal-Mart and Chili’s next to Growing Room Preschool. Please let Denise Ellingson know at mdeniseel15@yahoo.com by the day before if you are planning to attend.
La Mesa Española will be meeting Thursday, February 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Marion and Gerard Nimis. If you are planning to attend, please let Jo Stepp-Greany know at jstepp-greany@comcast.net
On Saturday, March 1, at 6:30 p.m. Linda & Bob Clickner will be hosting the always popular Mardi Gras at their home. Please look for more information in later e-mail messages but be sure to mark you calendars for this not-to-be missed evening.