THIS IS THE JUNIOR LEAGUE
From the Editor “ Every moment is a fresh beginning .” — T . S . Eliot
Junior League of Montgomery ~ League Logs ~ Summer 2021
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My , how time flies ! As summer comes to a close and we prepare for the upcoming League year and children starting school , the word “ beginning ” keeps coming to mind . Over the past year , many of us were looking for an end — an end to a pandemic , an end to illness , an end to wearing masks , an end to being short-staffed , or an end to whatever challenge we faced . The thing about ends is they are often just an opportunity for a new beginning .
It seems like yesterday that I started my new beginning in the Junior League of Montgomery . When I moved back to Montgomery in 2015 , my now motherin-law , Charlene Holtsford , encouraged me to get involved with the Junior League , and I joined as a provisional in 2016 . Charlene joined the League in 1992 and served as president in 2002-2003 . While her years as an active member have come to an end , she continues to live out the mission of the Junior League each day . She is still active in the League as a sustainer and has probably lent a hand in recruiting many of our current members today as well .
I ’ m blessed to have such a hardworking and inspiring mother-in-law to look up to in the Junior League .
“ New Beginnings ” can be seen as a recurrent theme in this issue . In April , the Junior League of Montgomery unveiled its first ever Little Free Diverse Library that provides diverse books for our community at no cost . The library was decorated beautifully by JLM member , Amanda Miller , and a picture of it can be found on the issue ’ s cover . Our Education & Training Committee worked diligently to provide fun and interesting sessions despite having to work around the global pandemic . Members were even able to safely visit an Alabama winery !
In this issue , we also highlight the Women ’ s Leadership Summit and Rummage Sale . While these events were unable to go as planned , the committees worked tirelessly to create events that were safe and accessible , and both were a great success . This issue also features some of our community placements including Montgomery Area Council on Aging ( MACOA ), Human Trafficking , Strong Tower at Washington Park , Aid to Inmate Mothers , Service Dogs of Alabama , and Impact Alabama .
I am pleased to share recipes from the Junior League of Montgomery ’ s 1978 cookbook , Southern Keepsakes , for our “ Road to 100 ” content . With all new beginnings , it is important to reflect on where we start from . I know you will enjoy these recipes , and you may even recognize a name or two of the recipe authors .
I ’ m going to end this letter with a quotation from Dolly Parton , “ Storms make trees take deeper roots .” The storms we weather as a community deepen our roots and make our trees grow stronger . As we all face different “ ends ” this year , I encourage you all to find light in fresh , new beginnings whatever they may be , and remember the roots that ground you and brought you to where you are today .
Best , Rebecca Holtsford Editor of League Logs