The MDWC social gathering offers an excellent selection of wines and delectable appetizers and desserts. Come ready to satisfy your tastebuds, as well as be inspired by our wonderful speaker.🍷

Please join us Wednesday,
January 15th at 7:30pm
Location:
3009 Hanover Avenue

~ THIS MONTH’S GUEST SPEAKER ~

VICKI HANEBERG
with Virago Spirits

Vicki will be speaking to us about her career and how she became the owner of the Virago Distillery. She'll also be discussing the making of their products and will have some for us to sample!

About the company:
Virago Spirits is all about character. Inspired by the Virago, a heroic woman of great strength, courage, determination, and vision, they work to infuse those very characteristics – the spirit of Virago – into everything they do and all that they make. Whether to pursue the impossible or celebrate life’s victories, Virago Spirits promotes strength of character and honors those who personify the Spirit of Virago. As people, they promote character. As a company, they produce Character, Distilled.

About Vicki:

Richmond’s adoration for food and beverage drives Vicki to bring that same passion and hospitality to Virago Spirits. Following college and graduate school, Vicki has worked for both a non-profit and a Fortune 500. Through her career in human resources and as an active mom of three teenagers, she knows how to get things done. Vicki rallies the team and manages Virago’s tasting room, events, and community outreach.
To learn more about Virago Spirits, please visit their website @ viragospirits.com
 

🍷DECEMBER’S HOLIDAY SOCIAL🍷

We’d like to thank Polly Brooks for hosting our December Holiday Social. She and her husband, Sean, have been Innkeepers at The One Bed and Breakfast for 8 years. We greatly appreciate them opening their beautiful home for us to meet in! 

We’d also like to thank our members in attendance for bringing such delicious dishes to share. What a fun evening!

President, Beth Shumaker, speaking
to members about this year’s charity, Safe Harbor.

Donations are still being accepted!

To learn more about Safe Harbor’s mission, please visit their website at safeharborshelter.com

~ WINES SERVED ~

STAY TUNED...more info will be included in next month’s newsletter!

We are looking for hosts and cooks; We need a large home to host appetizers and another to host desserts (must have standing room for 50 people). We also need dinner hosts and salad hosts. In order to host, you must be able to seat at least eight attendees (10-12 is better!), including yourself and your guest. If you love to cook/bake but do not want to host we welcome a cook for appetizers or desserts also. Hosting or cooking a course comes with a free ticket; If you host and cook a course, you get two FREE tickets. If you are interested in hosting or cooking, please let Paige (alcornpn@gmail.com) know. 

 

January 15th
Vicki Haneberg with Virago Spirits
3009 Hanover Avenue

The always fun MDA House Tour Committee is seeking volunteers to assist existing team members—and ultimately assume lead roles—in areas including:

Acquisitions/Homeowner Liaison: 
email Anne or text 804-357-0899
Hospitality: 
email Katherine or text 804-314-5858
Logistics: 
email Jennifer and ask her what that means!
Print Materials: email Beth or text 404-234-7706
Public Relations/Social Media: 
email Paige
Sponsorship: 
email Larry or text 804-393-0698
Tickets/EventBrite:
 email Karen
Volunteers: 
email Melinda or text 804-393-0690
General Inquiries: 
email MA
 

******************* LAST WEEK FOR DOMINION ENERGY GARDENFEST OF LIGHTS Open nightly through Sunday, January 12, 5:00–10:00 p.m. A holiday tradition featuring one million twinkling lights, handcrafted botanical decorations, model trains, holiday dinners, a firepit with s’mores and hot chocolate (for purchase); nightly family activities, and more. This year's theme, “Magic in the Air,” is inspired by things that fly. Fireflies and flying pigs, spaceships and unicorns take flight across the Garden, suspended on radiant wings of light. In this year commemorating the first manned mission to land on the Moon, there’s even an astronaut made of lights. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond VA 23228.  MERRY CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN! EXHIBITION CONTINUES Open daily through Sunday, January 12, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. This exhibition at the  Virginia Museum of History and Culture of History includes Peanuts comic strips from the 1950s through the 1990s, an animation cel of the onstage dancing scene from A Charlie Brown Christmas, a documentary video on the making of the program, and Make Your Own Comic Strip stations.

FREE ADMISSION DAYS AT LEWIS GINTER January 7–January 19, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.  All visitors enjoy free admission to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.  Please note that the Garden Café and Robins Tea House will be closed during this time.

💫⭐️ Featured Board Member ⭐️💫

 Hospitality Co-Chair, 
Cathy Harbert

Where have you lived besides Richmond?
I am a Richmond girl through and through. I was born here and have lived here all of my life. 

How did you come to call the Museum District home?
I grew up in the house that my grandparents built in the 1920s. After inheriting it, we began a 4 1/2 year historical renovation, bringing it back from incredible disrepair. Now, I am again calling the Museum District home. 

Tell us a little about your career path.
I’ve always had a passion for clothing design. After receiving my BFA in fashion design from VCU, I began working as an assistant designer for an athletic sportswear company, then for 8 years, as a designer for a national clothing company. I started my own business designing custom swimwear, which I have had for 30 years. It has been rewarding to create a product that can contribute confidence, comfort, and in some circumstances satisfy a serious need.
 

I love being part of a neighborhood that has such a feeling of community. We have neighbors that we can count on at a moments notice. I also enjoy meeting new friends when walking my dogs. 

What is your favorite thing to do in Richmond?
I'm a homebody, but you wouldn't have to ask me twice to have a bite at a restaurant nearby. 

Tell us about your hobbies and interests.
I love to fix things and I will try anything first, just to see if I can do it. I enjoy going to the gym, gardening, hosting small get-togethers, the beach, and trading stocks.  I like nothing better in the evenings to just chill in front of the TV with my family.