Mt. Vernon Picnic & Politics 2008

(Mt. Vernon-South County District Democratic Committee)

Submitted by:  Janet Myhre, Chair

Yes – I bet a lot of you thought that the picnic was cancelled yesterday – but it was held on time – just cut a little short.  What are the odds that a major storm that pushed its way through the Washington DC metro area started @ 2:00 pm and ended at 5:00pm in Fairfax County.  Really?  The exact time of our picnic?  I don’t know – made me kind of think about some higher power getting involved in politics……no it was just the miracle of the earth and what our planet and mother nature is capable of – the power to cleanse and refresh our surroundings in a flash of a moment.

That being said we started the picnic off with a view of the sky and thinking we were going to miss the worst of the front that came roaring through the Washington DC metro area.  At 2:00 all was fine, @ 2:45 still fine @3:00 the skies open up their tears and we had torrents of rain flowing through our shelters – the great volunteers and attendees stayed focus on the candidates that had made it to our event prior to the deluge.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            11^th Congressional candidates, Lori Alexander and Doug Denneny gave us a brief overview of their campaign positions and then were gracious and took questions from the group while hiking up their pant legs.  We were in constant contact with Leslie Byrne and Gerry Connolly campaigns as the weather worsened and relayed that we were there but that it was up to them to weight the conditions in their area.  We new that Leslie was not going to make it because of traffic and felt that after one last call that it was best if Gerry did not continue to try and reach us.  But all of sudden we received a call and learn that Gerry Connolly was just around the corner and poof their he was.   Gerry had an opportunity to speak to our smaller crowd (some had forged out to the elements to get home) and also had an opportunity to take questions directly from some of his 11^th constituency.

I want to extend a gracious thank you to everyone that attended (even under a tornado watch) I would assess the total group to be around 50 people with many new faces and many great committee members and volunteers.  Also in attendance were a few of our districts elected officials, VA Senator George Barker, VA Senator Toddy Puller and Delegate Kris Amundson.  I hope the wetness did not dampen the excitement and the ability to continue to be involved in Mt. Vernon and Democratic events.

I want to thank our team of volunteers who are always there helping and doing all the hard work to make events like this be great!: Dawn Drennen, Karen Stallings, Peggy Cousins, Sally Kiefer, Alan Salisbury, Cassie and Michael Arnold, Amy Bowman, Ralph Cooper, Robina Reed, Sherry Dana (and friend), Sean Dent, Satish Korpe, Ron England, Paul Siegel, Jack Hinman (and friend), Chris Ambrose, Mary Paden, Sarah Ruen and Ross Blanchard (if I left anyone out – sorry).

But absolutely none of this can be accomplished with out Laura Sonnenmark our Event Chair and her husband Les Sonnenmark.  Laura and Les pull up to the events with both cars full with everything you can image, from tents, chairs, coolers and lots and lots of Tupperware full of great eats.  Laura works tireless to organize and coordinate our events and we all need to make sure that you take the time and give her a big thanks!

I would also like to thank the organizations who donated wonderful food which made the event fare diverse and great.

Saratoga Pizzeria, Saratoga Shopping Center

Glory Days, Lorton Station

Costco, Springfield

Cactus Taverna, Saratoga Shopping Center

My Karma Indian Bistro, Lorton

Pane E Vino, Lorton

Corner Cuisine, Lorton

Vocelli’s Pizza, Lorton

Pollo Grill, Lorton

Fireside Grill, Lorton

Thank you to Cassie Arnold for our event photos

  Check out the photo album on this site Photo Gallery

For more photos of the event coming soon