The Conservatory doors of the U.S. Botanic Gardens will
open for our private event at 6 p.m., allowing you and your guests the opportunity to view the splendor
of the Orchards, learn the importance of the Medicinal Plants, see the
strangeness of the World Deserts, notices the changes at the Oasis,
explore the Gardens Primeval, look within the depth of the Jungle, or
contemplate the Meditation Gardens.
As tentatively set, the Peerage, and all, will assemble in the East Gallery about 6:30 p.m. The
ceremonial procession will commence at 6:45 p.m.
After the traditional ceremony, in which prospective Knights and Ladies
are required to demonstrate their skills in wine – much to the delight
of members who underwent the same ordeal – the
Champagne Reception will cheer all.
About 8:15 p.m. members and guests will gather in the Garden Court to begin an elegant dinner in honor of our new members. The
Enthronement Dinner
will feature a variety of appropriate, but challenging, wines. For
many, this will be the most demanding part of the evening:
experiencing the sensual tastes and aromas of the foods and wines that
confront and please the palate; seeing the beauty of the gardens
surrounding all; viewing the enchanting Jungle beside; but most of all
enjoying the conversation with others experiencing the same.
All too soon, the evening will conclude about 10:30 p.m. when all will
be transported from a few sublime hours to their ordinary world but the
memories you take are forever.
A subsequent newsletter will give additional details. Formal
invitations will be sent next week, but if you wish to reserve early
please send your
check to Master Exchequer Joe Alt at 8201 Tis Well Drive, Alexandria, VA 22306.
Since 1997, when I became the Master Commander, we have held the price
of the Assemblage to $150 per person. Since an event at the
Botanic Gardens includes significant set up charges, we now must raise
it to
$175 per person per member and first guest and $200 per person for additional guests. Still, I believe you will find the event to be a stunning value.
EDUCATIONAL WINE TASTING
Master Knight George Foote
Ristorante
Portofino • Arlington, VA
May 28th •
7:30
p.m.
Heeeeee’s Back! Master Knight George Foote will
give the Nation’s Capital Chapter another masterful educational wine
tasting on Saturday, May 28th. Many who have attended numerous
wines tastings given by other groups comment that the presentations by
Master Knight Foote to our Chapter are the most informative and
educational wine tastings they have ever attended.
Master Knight Foote now represents the Chateau Ste. Michelle group and we will taste eight to ten wines
from that group. As such, I am anxious to try the dry whites,
such as the Reserve Riesling, and several of the reds from the famed
Pacific Northwest. No doubt, for the old hats, George will have a
few tricks up his sleeve (or, in his shoe – did I write that?).
Our friends at the Portofino Restaurant have proposed a luscious two-course selection
of delightful tastes to accompany the wines. The final details
are not yet worked out so we cannot post the evening’s delights at this
time and the final pricing is not yet established. Tentatively, the cost will be $45 per person for each member and first guest and $50 per person for additional guests.
Since the seating is strictly limited to 25, and since this event has
been sold out a number of times, you may reserve your places by
submitting a check for the appropriate amount to check to Master Exchequer Joe Alt at 8201 Tis Well Drive, Alexandria, VA 22306.
The prices will not increase by more than $10 per person, and if we are
required to increase the price you will have the option of having your
check returned.
OTHER NEWS
National News. On April 23rd, Supreme Knight Gordon
Murchie, Master Lady Anita Murchie, and I (at our personal expense) are
representing the Chapter at the annual National Delegate’s Meeting in
Monterey, CA. If you have any issues you wish us to raise, please
contact one of us as soon as possible.
