Fundraiser and D.C. Trip Updates

Okay guys. First of all, here's the deal for the fundraiser:

Date: Saturday, May 28

Where: Smithfield Farmer's Market

                 The menu that we decided on last meeting:

Beef hot dogs @ $2.00

Assorted chip bags @ $0.50

Bottled water @ $1.00

16 oz. Iced Coffee @ $2.50

16 oz. Iced Tea (green and black) @ $2.00

Combo of hot dog, chip, and water @$3.00  (substitute iced coffee for water - $4.50)

You all got the emails about the stuff required to pull this off, that Grace sent out a while back. 

We do still have a few things that no one has signed up for yet:

A grill for the hot dogs (the Tates have one, but if someone else has a better one)

A double-sided blackboard easel for the menu

Pretty table-top drink dispensers (the Tates have a few, but more are needed)

If your family could supply any of this, please get in contact with the TACT officers. :)

Now for the D.C. Trip!!!!!!! =) (I don't know about you guys, but I'm really excited about this!) Here's a word from Grace:

The date has been set for our D.C. Trip - June 1! 

Please RSVP at your earliest convenience, letting us know how many in your family would like to attend. Also, feel free to invite friends along - this is an incredible educational opportunity!

We will set the carpool plans by May 28, at our Fundraiser, when we know how many will be attending. 

Thanks!
Grace, TACT Secretary

So there you have it. :) I hope that the majority of you will be able to make it! I know it'll be a blast! 

-Sarah (TACT Media Director)

The Shad Planking: An Interview with our President

Hello Everyone! :) So, I came up with some questions for our President about the annual Shad Planking, that some of our club's members attended. Thanks for answering these, Caleb. :) Enjoy!

What is the Shad Planking? The Shad Planking was started as a celebration of the James River running of Shad. It is an oily, bony, fish smoked on wood planks over an open flame. For the past 63 years, the Wakefield Ruritan Club has hosted the event and given the proceeds to local youth clubs in the Wakefield Area.

Which governing authorities attended the 63rd annual Shad Planking?
I saw prominent member of our state government including: Former Senator and Governor George Allen, Senator Mark Warner, Former Lieutenant Governor John Hager, Congressman Bobby Scott, Delegate Roslyn Tyler, Delegate Bill Barlow, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Chairman of the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors Tom Wright, Governor Bob McDonnell, and many candidates for state and local offices.

What is your favorite thing about this event in general? The Shad Planking brings people from all across the political spectrum together to fellowship and talk politics. Whether you are Democrat or Republican, Conservative or Liberal, you always leave the Shad Planking ready for next year's event.

What is the neatest thing about this year's Shad Planking?
The most interesting part of this year's event was that there were many different political organizations that had booths, but not many individual candidates did.

Do you actually like Shad?
I don't like seafood in general and Shad is no exception. I go for the politics!

Do you feel this sort of event is beneficial to the candidates?
Yes. This is probably the best place for candidates to speak to both parties about the issues because most campaign events only revolve around people in their own party.

And if you ever run for an office, will you feel the need to attend the Shad-planking? They say that if you ever aspire to run for office in Virginia and win, you better have attended the Shad Planking.

What was the highlight of this year's event for you?
The biggest highlight was attending the Shad Planking with my girlfriend, Allison. :)

Which political figures have you been able to meet by attending the Shad Planking over the years?
I have been to 3 Shad Plankings and have met Former Governor Jim Gilmore, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Governer Bob McDonnell, Senator Mark Warner, and others.

Is this a family friendly event?
I think small children would get bored but teens would enjoy it.

The Shad Planking is the biggest annual political event in Virginia and I would encourage everyone to attend. Hope to see you all at our club meetings.

Caleb Kitchen
President of TACT GenJ Club

Some updates for this month's meeting

Hello everyone-
Just wanted to mention that May's meeting is this Tuesday, May 3rd. (Normal place/time)

Also, the officers have decided that this meeting's topic for discussion will be about Monarchy rule vs. the Republic form of government, and all about how they work. (It's kind of appropriate, considering all the hype over the Royal Wedding this past week, don't you think? :)
With that being said, please prepare your thoughts about this subject, so that (to quote the already quoted Secretary) "EVERY. ONE. GETS. IN. VOLVED" ;)

One other thing: We need to discuss our ideas for the trip to D.C. - Do we want to plan an overnight thing, or keep it to a day trip? Do we want to sight-see, and if so, what? What are you able to commit to?
Grace will have more info regarding lodging options at the meeting, if we do decide to do a stay-the-night plan, but it all depends on what our combined schedules can do. Please email either Caleb, Grace, or Ryan with your thoughts on this, because we really need to get a plan together. :)

Well, "That's all for now, folks!" ;) Oh! And please stay tuned for our next post: An Interview with the President on this year's Shad-Planking!!! :)
-Sarah H.
TACT Media Director