Lincoln’s Cottage Makes Memorial Day Special at Soldiers’ Home

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Memorial Day

Lincoln’s Cottage will again offer a fascinating slate of activities on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, at the Armed Forces Retirement Home.

Events include a 10 a.m. wreath-laying ceremony and free tours of the historic national cemetery, “the first Arlington,” north of the Home grounds at 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. There is also free picnicking on the Cottage grounds. Lincoln’s Cottage itself will be open for paid tours as normal.

Friends of the Soldiers Home has been a proud partner of Lincoln’s Cottage since our group was formed in November 2011. The Cottage, where President Lincoln lived for 25% of his presidency, helps make the campus a special, historic place. Some of us from Friends of the Soldiers Home attended last year’s Memorial Day activities, and we can tell you, this event is well worth the visit.

How lucky we are to have veterans in our community whom we will honor on Memorial Day, and the Cottage to help us pay tribute to President Lincoln and our nation’s history. Friends of the Soldiers Home is grateful to our veterans and the Cottage for contributing so much to our community.

The full announcement from Lincoln’s Cottage follows here:

Washington, D.C. – President Lincoln’s Cottage will host an array of activities on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27^th, to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. military.

Family-friendly activities include guided tours of the first National Cemetery, commemorative ceremonies honoring veterans at multiple locations, picnicking opportunities on the grounds of the Soldiers Home, and tours of President Lincoln’s Cottage, the seasonal residence of the Lincoln family during the Civil War.

President Lincoln’s Cottage is presenting these programs in partnership with the Armed Forces Retirement Home, the National Park Service and the Illinois State Society. Registrations requested; visit www.LincolnCottage.org/MemorialDay2013 to register and learn more information.

Sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln will be present at a wreath-laying ceremony at the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home (USSAH) National Cemetery at 10 a.m. Visitors will then have the rare opportunity to take guided historical tours of the USSAH National Cemetery, predecessor of Arlington National Cemetery, at 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Visitors are encouraged to pack a picnic and enjoy lunch on the south lawn of the Cottage and at the picnic tables behind the Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center.

Tours of the Cottage will be offered on the hour between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and entrance to the Cottage is by admission only ($15 for adults, $5 for children, military and other discounts available).

A ceremony honoring John A. Logan, a Civil War general and a leader in the movement to make Memorial Day a national holiday, will take place further downtown at Logan Circle at 2 p.m. The wreath-laying ceremony, cemetery tours, access to picnic grounds, and Logan ceremony are free of charge.

Friends Gets Great Response to Golf Membership Offer

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AFRH, golf

Thanks everyone to the great response to our announcement last week that, through Friends of the Soldiers Home, community residents may become associate members of the Armed Forces Retirement Home golf course.

We received many questions, and thanks to Craig Isakow, the coordinator of this program on behalf of Friends of the Soldiers Home, we have supplied some answers below:

What is the membership fee and how for long does the fee cover membership:  The annual membership fee covers membership from Oct 1 to September 30th.  The annual fee is $550.  Starting June 1 each year new members can pay a prorated fee of $45 per month for the remainder of the year (e.g. if you join June 1st the fee will be $180 through September 30th.)

What are the guest fees: During the week, fees are $12 for nine holes, $18 for 18 holes (play the same nine holes twice). On the weekend and holidays, the fees are $15 for nine holes and $25 for 18 holes.

How much for a cart: Riding carts are $12 for nine holes, $20 for 18 holes.  Pull carts are $3.When is the course open: 364 days a year (closed on Dec. 25)

How much to hit balls on the driving range: Full service range and three sizes of buckets of balls available $3, $5, $7

Are there any fees per round: Your membership includes unlimited rounds walking. Carts are extra.

Can my wife/son/husband/cousin/roommate be included in my membership: The membership allows two members per household, meaning living at the same address.  If there are additional members of the household who would also like to play, they can play for the guest fee.

Are there clubs available to rent: Yes, $5.

Can I get lessons: Yes, the golf pro on site provides lessons.

Are there other amenities/restaurants on site: No, at this time there is only a small starter house with vending machines.

Are there tournaments: Yes there are monthly tournaments that are followed by cookouts on site.

What is the condition of the course: The course recently hired a news groundskeeper. The current condition is comparable to local D.C. public courses.

How many current associate golf members: Right now there are over 300 associate members, but the course hardly ever gets backed up.

Where can I get more information about supporting Friends of the Soldiers Home: Learn more about Friends of Soldier Home and donate here: http://friendsofsoldiers.org/  In order to continue to build this wonderful partnership between the community and the Home, Friends of the Soldiers Home requests a $25 donation from each person who purchases a golf membership. We also ask that you volunteer at some of our activities.

What is the next step to join: There is a membership form that can be picked up at the golf course that needs to be filled out (or click here to get the membership form electronically).  Once approved then you will receive a golf membership card and car decal that will allow you onto the AFRH grounds. You can also check with Craig at afrhgolfmembership(at)gmail.com to see if he can e-mail you a copy of the form to speed up the sign-up process.

Additional Questions: Submit your interest and questions through this form or email Craig at afrhgolfmembership(at)gmail.com

Like Softball? — Come Support the AFRH Diamondbacks at Their Season Opener!

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Softball

Calling all softball players and fans! The Soldiers’ Home softball team, the Diamondbacks, is having the season opener this Tuesday, May 21, and Friends of the Soldiers Home is invited to participate as players or cheerers.

Warm-up is at 5:45 pm, game time at 6:15, at Catholic University DuFour Center – Softball Field, 3606 John McCormack Drive NE, Washington, DC 20064. For detailed directions use this link:http://www.cuacardinals.com/information/visitors/index

The Diamondbacks include staff and a few Home residents. The team has a brand new beautiful softball field on campus next to the new Scott Building, but it’s not quite ready for use yet. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Jerry Carter at 443-510-0756.

Soldiers Home Golf Memberships Offered Through Friends Group

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golf

Golf Course at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Photo by Matt McClain of the Washington Post.

Friends of the Soldiers Home is pleased to announce that through our organization, members of the community have an opportunity to become associate members of the Armed Forces Retirement Home Golf Course.

This is an exciting opportunity to use a nine-hole golf course located on the Home’s campus in the heart of Washington, D.C.

Membership amenities include no tee times, easy access to the course, a driving range and putting/chipping green, and an ability to bring in three guests at a time (more with advanced notice). There are also monthly tournaments and an opportunity to connect with veterans and other members.

The annual membership dues are $550. Friends of the Soldiers Home requests a $25 donation and willingness to occasionally volunteer for our activities at the Home.

This opportunity is another step forward in a Friends-Home partnership that has spawned friendships and included more than 25 volunteer events, three community festivals and two annual community-veteran garden projects.

To sign up for golf memberships, go here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Dchtv5IoktOfhuZwfqnonVYAtJ6dFS1pIEmkSzUvCbo/viewform or contact Craig Isakow, who is administering this program on behalf of Friends of the Soldiers Home, at afrhgolfmembership(at)gmail.com

Net Zero Energy Open House Benefits Friends of the Soldiers Home

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Sustainability

The first gut-renovated home in Washington D.C. on track to achieve net-zero energy status will go on display Sunday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Petworth neighborhood, with an added benefit to Friends of the Soldiers Home.

Each visitor to the “green” open house at 4310 4th St. N.W., just a few blocks from the Armed Forces Retirement Home’s main entrance, will be asked to donate $1 to Friends of the Soldiers Home.

Friends of the Soldiers Home Board Member Tanya Topolewski founded the sustainable real estate development firm True Turtle, which is hosting the open house along with CAT Construction.

Net zero is a designation for a building that has zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions annually. The 4th Street home is only the second in Washington, D.C. to be net zero, with the other being the Empowerhouse, a solar decathlon house that was relocated to Deanwood.

For more information, see: www.netzeroinpetworth.com

Jingo at the Sheridan Building

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Jingo, Volunteering

by Lori Lincoln

Victoria and Mr. Clifton.

On Thursday, May 9th, Friends of the Soldiers Home volunteers took the monthly Jingo game to the Sheridan Building on campus instead of the usual site of Scott Commons.

It was difficult to locate Sheridan’s more mobile residents, but it all worked out! With one volunteer per resident, it was a close, cozy evening for all.

Mr. Clifton won the first four games in a row, and Amanda Jensema, the recreation therapist, jokingly threatened to ban him from further play. Other resident winners included Miss Katie, who won twice and “Brownie,” who won twice. The last pot was shared to include Mr. Coleman.

But then again, “everybody wins!” is always the case when Veterans and Friends get together.

Saloon Night With Friends Kicks Off as Regular Event

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Saloon NIght with Friends

The inaugural Saloon Night with Friends was well attended.

On Tuesday, May 7th, Friends of the Soldiers Home had the distinct pleasure of hosting the first of what will be a regularly occurring event, Saloon Night With Friends.

Ten volunteers from the Friends of the Soldiers Home joined Armed Forces Retirement Home residents to mix and mingle while christening the new Defenders’ Inn on campus.  The Friends brought along local jazz artists, the Herb Spice Duo, to provide live entertainment for the evening.

Residents from the Home and members of the surrounding community created friendships and memories at the wonderful event. The purpose of Saloon Night With Friends is to create opportunities for residents and Friends to build meaningful relationships through fraternal activities.

The Friends will be hosting Saloon Night with Friends the first Tuesday of each month. Mark your calendars, the next one will be June 4! Additional photos from the event are below.

Spring Fling a Great Success

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Spring Fling

from John Hughes

Thank you to the more than 500 people who came out to Spring Fling on Saturday! They were joined by more than 50 veterans from the Home, and everyone had a great time listening to music, sampling food and enjoying one another’s company on a gorgeous day. Children enjoyed running around, playing carnival games and driving toy boats on the pond. We are grateful to the residents and staff of the Home for making this happen. Thanks also to the musicians and food vendors, and to Lincoln’s Cottage, Annie’s Hardware and board gamer John Goon for hosting tables. We thank Mary Pat Rowan and Philip Blair for leading the nature walk. Thank you to 30 Friends volunteers who each gave at least two hours of their time working at the event! Special thanks to chief Friends organizer Linda Lawson, and to the planning committee of Ellen Hughes, Nicole LaRosa, Claudia Marquez and Leslie Patykewich. Thank you to David Lasseter, Claire Andrews and Lynne Brehmer, who organized a fundraiser last month to help cover the costs for this event. If you had fun at Spring Fling, don’t forget, our July 4 celebration will be here before you know it!

AFRH Spring Fling Starts Tomorrow at 1 p.m.

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Spring Fling

FINAL Reminder — Spring Fling tomorrow, Saturday, May 4, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C.

A Free Family Festival featuring the music of Herb Spice & The Cinnamonstix and The Nicole Saphos Group

*Enjoy the beautiful, historic Soldiers’ Home campus lower grounds on a day forecast to be 70 degrees and sunny. Bike, hike. (Enter at gate at Randolph and Rock Creek Church Road)

*2 p.m. Nature Walk guided by landscape architect Mary Pat Rowan and her husband Philip Blair (Meet at gazebo next to Soldiers’ Home pond)

*Craft beer from DC Brau

Food trucks, like this one during last year’s July 4th event, will be at the Spring Fling.

*Local food vendors including Captain Cookie, Carnivore BBQ, The Big Cheese, The Orange Cow (Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt),*Carnival games and prizes for kids, toy remote control motor boat races on the Soldiers’ Home pond

*Lincoln’s Cottage will have a table for kids to make hats just like Abe’s

*Find your favorite board games at our special game tent

No dogs, walking distance from Georgia Ave./Petworth Metro stop, accessible by H8 Metro bus, $5 charge per car for those who drive in

Friends of the Soldiers Home is grateful to the residents and staff of the Armed Forces Retirement Home for the opportunity to hold this spring celebration.

Friends T-Shirts Arrive Just In Time For Spring Fling

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Spring Fling, T-shirts

Friends President John Hughes, left, and Friends T-Shirt Coordinator James O’Connell accept the first box of T-Shirts that arrived in time for Saturday’s Spring Fling.

Friends of the Soldiers Home will offer its first-ever t-shirt for sale at a bargain price Saturday at the Spring Fling! This is the first time Friends has had t-shirts produced since it began volunteer projects at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in December 2011. The shirt, in a limited-edition Blazing White color, displays the unique Friends logo designed by Petworth resident Maria Mandle through her Creativecouch Designs. The shirt is not only a wonderful way to support Friends, it is a great way to show you care about an organization that is breaking down the barrier that too long separated the Home from the broader community. For more details about Spring Fling, see earlier posts below.

The special Friends t-shirt displays the logo designed by Petworth resident Maria Mandle.