Happy Owloween!

Bri, Elizabeth and Diana celebrating Owloween at Frye Springs Station. The waiter was only weirded out a little when we asked him to take this...

Wine Tasting Pictures

We had a great time at Afton Mountain celebrating our charter!

Perfect weather + good food + great wine + the start of something good = a pretty darn good time!

Thanks to everybody who came!

Grapes Don't Grow in Ugly Places

Check out Afton Mountain Vineyard, where our Wine Tasting and Charter Party will be:

Hope to see you there on the 18th!

A little shopping

Check out these new items at Chi O Creations...

(as if we need an excuse to buy more owls)

Owl Cutting Board  $23.00

Carnation Earrings $36.00

Snappy Owl Notes $7

Laptop Case  $36.00

Happy shopping!

Fall Dates

After a relaxing summer hiatus, we are back in action for the fall!

Check out the list of Top Things to Love About Charlottesville in the Fall

Below are a few upcoming dates that are already on the calendar. Be on the look out for more events!

- August 20: Movie Night--Eat, Pray Love

- September 3: Happy Hour at Zocalo on the Downtown Mall at 6pm

- September 18: Wine Tasting and Lunch at Afton Mountain and Charter Party

- October 2: Tailgate for the FSU game

Meet Brianne

Name: Brianne (Carl) Lee; Nickname: Bri
How did I get this nickname? I have ALWAYS been Brianne to my family and friends up until I went to college, then in joining Chi Omega, my sisters started calling me Bri and it has stuck...my family and co-workers call me Brianne but all my friends, new and old, including my husband all call me Bri. Another fun fact about my name? I was named after an actress in the 70's TV Show, "Chips" named Brianne Leary, thus naming me Brianne Lacy.

Chapter and year of graduation: Xi Delta (University of Toledo) 2003

Hometown: Dayton, Ohio

Occupation: Legal Finance Manager at Capital One in Richmond, VA

Hobbies: running, reading, traveling

Most lasting Chi Omega memory: I don't know if I can pick just one! I lived in our house for 2.5 years and I think just the memories of living with 30 of my sisters and all the tears and laughter I shared with my roommates each of those years. I also credit the moments of being on Exec for 2 years (GTB & GNV)...and of course having 3 of my Chi Omega sisters stand up with me on my wedding day.

Favorite thing about Chi Omega: I love knowing there are Chi Omega's everywhere no matter where you live or travel to, you can find another Chi O! I also love all the traditions of our ritual...

Why I love Charlottesville: I love Charlottesville because it's such a great place to live. We have such great restaurants and wineries in this area, there's always something to do!

I'm looking forward to the the alumnae chapter because...: I am looking forward to connecting with other Chi Omega's in the area! We are getting out and enjoying the wonderful town we live in and meeting other Chi Omega's - what could be better than that?

- Just recently ran a half marathon in March and am going to attempt to run my first full marathon - the Marine Corps in DC this fall.
- Similar to Kate... I married a "Brian" so yes, we are "Brian and Brianne" or "Brian and Bri", it's funny when you say it out loud!
- I have a fat, English Bulldog named Chester

Summer Events

Just announced: below are our summer events coming up for May and June. Get out your calendars!

May 26: Lunch Bunch, 12 pm at Zazus on Ivy

May 28: Movie Night--Sex and the City 2, time TBD

June 10th: Tour of Grounds (led by a Chi O University Guide) and Arch's, 7pm

Week of June 14th: Book Club--The Help. Bri will send more details soon.

You will probably need some sweet summer accessories for these events too. Might we suggest these:

(from Chi O Creations)

Happy summer!

Meet Kate

Name: Kate (Turnbull) Rullman

Chapter and year of graduation: Epsilon Lambda (Furman), 2005

Hometown: Charlottesville, VA

 Occupation: Reunion Giving Officer at The University of Virginia

Hobbies: traveling, reading, cooking

Most lasting Chi Omega memory: Like Elizabeth, I was elected as Personnel Chair for my chapter while I was on study abroad…along with three of my best friends who were also on study abroad! We were all in different locations across the globe (England, Italy, South Africa, and the Biosphere), and all got slated for positions on the Executive Board while we were away. I don’t even think my friend, Katy, knew she was slated as G.H. until she got home in December! Needless to say, we were all glad to have each other as we transitioned back into our lives at Furman.

 Favorite thing about Chi Omega: My favorite thing about Chi Omega is what attracted me to the organization in the first place…owls! Growing up, my favorite stuffed animal that I took everywhere was an owl and each time my Gran went on a trip somewhere, she always brought me a little owl figurine. I bet I have over 100 owls from all over the world in a shoebox at my parent’s house!

Why I love Charlottesville: I love Charlottesville because it’s where I grew up and it just feels comfortable to live here. We have great restaurants (except we’re missing an Olive Garden), shopping, and plenty of things to do. Not to mention the fantastic views...I can’t imagine living anywhere else!

I'm looking forward to the alumnae chapter because...: once you are out of school and in the “real world”, it’s hard to make friends without joining a group like this. Unless, of course, you are fortunate enough to work with co-workers you really like (hi Elizabeth!).

 Fun facts:

 - My name rhymes with my husband’s name: Nate (Kate and Nate. Go ahead. Say it. You know you want to!)
-  We just got married here in Charlottesville this past fall and are both enjoying being back where we grew up
- I love to read books on my Kindle
-  We have a basset hound, named Foster and a tuxedo kitty named Figaro. They live with their grandparents.
- I hate corn and shredded lettuce

Cinco de Chi O

Happy Cinco de Chi O!

We're celebrating tonight at Mono Loco at 6pm. Come join us for a margarita and some great mexican food!

Eleusinia Details

Cville Chi Omega Alumnae Chapter Eleusinia: May 16th at 12pm for a picnic and wine tasting at Afton Mountain Vineyard.
 
- the event is FREE for all dues paying members. Please take a look at the attached document to make sure you have paid your dues! If you have not, please complete the attached membership form.

- Eleusinia will be $5 for all other Chi Omegas--please bring any Chi O friends who might be interested in joining.This is the perfect opportunity for them to meet members of the group and see what it's all about!

- Just in case the word picnic didn't catch your eye, we will provide lunch. So come hungry and ready to enjoy some great food! All wine tasting fees will also be covered, so come thirsty if you'd like.

- Click here to see directions for Afton Mountain Vineyard. It's 25-30 minutes away, about 10 minutes past Veritas. Also please take a look at the attached membership roster to see if there is anybody you might want to carpool with who lives near you.

- This is important: please r.s.v.p. by Friday, May 7th. This includes any friends you might be bringing. We need to know specific numbers ahead of time so that we can make sure we are prepared. I'll send a reminder, but the sooner, the better.



This is going to be our "signature" event for the spring, so I hope you will plan to attend if you are in town. Afton Mountain has gotten rave reviews and straight from the Afton website "grapes don't grow in ugly places." It's going to be a wonderful afternoon!

April Lunch Bunch

Just a reminder that April Lunch Bunch is tomorrow, April 20th at 1pm at the Arch's on 29.

Check out their lunch menu here. Order a salad and receive a free 5 oz. yogurt with a topping. What's not to love?


All are welcome to join!

Fore!

Last weekend a few alumnae chapter members played in Lambda Gamma's annual philanthropy Golf on Grounds to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We had a great time!

Golf on Grounds is played with clubs and tennis balls all across U.Va.'s grounds and each team is caddied by an active Lambda Gamma sister. Have you ever tried to play golf with a tennis ball? It's harder than it looks!

We had some Chi Omega friends play with us--Brian, Bri's husband, shows us how it's done at the first hole at the Amphitheater.

Bri didn't quite pick up all the pointers, as evidenced by her ball below...

The entire Stancil family participated--one even got to use her own special golf cart.

We played all across Grounds, even through some of the Gardens.

Chi Omega definitely left it's mark on Grounds that day.

Even Homer got into it.

Holly Stancil: personnel advisor or the next Masters champion?

I think it was decided that we should probably just stick to being great Chi Omegas instead of pursuing careers on the green. 

All of the Chi Omegas, including our wonderful caddy Courtney.

The chapter raised over $10,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and we were happy to part of such a great day! 

Meet Elizabeth

Name: Elizabeth Steel

Chapter and year of graduation: Lambda Gamma (UVA), 2007

Hometown: McLean, VA

Occupation: Assistant Director of Reunions and Class Activities at the UVA Alumni Association

Hobbies: traveling, pilates, Habitat for Humanity, does being the president of this group count?

Most lasting Chi Omega memory:I will never forget when I was slated as G.H. of my chapter while studying abroad. Because of the time difference in Italy, it was about 1am when I found out. I spent hours pacing back and forth alone in my room and then finally called my best friend at the time that we had designated right after slatings. It was one long and very expensive phone call!

{cardinal and straw day at Convention 2008}

Favorite thing about Chi Omega: Besides that my favorite color is red, I really love all of the history behind our organization. It's amazing to think that we have been doing the same thing for over one hundred years. I am also a Ritual nut and could talk about it for hours.

Why I love Charlottesville: It's the perfect mix of a city and small town. We have it all and then some. The best restaurants, great shops and wonderful people.

I'm looking forward to the the alumnae chapter because...: It it really great to meet Chi Omegas from other chapters and share your experiences together. Even though we may have come from very different places, there is always something in common.


After graduating from UVA I traveled for two year as a National Consultant for Chi Omega. It was a wonderful experience to visit so many different chapters. I'm glad to be back in Charlottesville now and am really looking forward to establishing and growing this group. Meeting so many involved alumnae on the road made me realize that some of your best experiences in Chi Omega may come after you graduate!

Welcome!

This blog is for all members of the Charlottesville Chi Omega Alumnae Chapter. Look here for updates, pictures, member profiles and much more!



If you are visiting this blog, are a Chi O, live in Charlottesville and aren't a member of the chapter yet, e-mail cvillechio@gmail.com for membership information. We'd love to have you join us!