PLEASE NOTE: our LDE-DC general email address has changed. You will receive our emails from info@lesdamesdc.org going forward. Also, you will note that all officers' and committee chair addresses have changed; so, please address any LDE questions you have to the appropriate email addresses.   Click here for the list of emails.  

DC Dames Tour of Bethesda Central Farm Market - Dames Only
Want to know more about who grew the microgreens, gathered the eggs or crafted that chocolate bar? Get a locavore tour of the Bethesda Central Farm Market with co-owner and Dame Debbie Moser, and learn about the history of the market and back stories of the vendors as you nibble on some of the market’s offerings. Stops will include visits to Dames Sophia Maroon (Dress It Up Dressing), Sandra Miller (Painted Hand Farm) and Susan James (Stonyman Gourmet Farmer). Each attendee will receive a $10 gift certificate to use at any market stand.
DATE: Sunday, October 6
TIME: 9:30 to 11 a.m.
PLACE: Bethesda Central Farm Market, in the parking lot of Bethesda Elementary School, 7600 Arlington Road, Bethesda. 
PRICE: $10 fee, collected at the market, that will go to Les Dames. Moser will generously distribute $10 gift certificates to each attendee to use at the market.
PARKING: Limited parking at Bethesda Elementary School parking lot; free parking at Montgomery County Garage #40 at 4935 Cordell Avenue, Garage #49 at 4805 Edgemoor Lane, and at the Connie Morella (Bethesda) Library, 7400 Arlington Road.   
METRO: Bethesda
RSVP: Carole Sugarman, director3@lesdamesdc.org. Maximum attendance is 15. 

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We're switching things up, from Happy Hour to Coffee Hour, so please join us for conversation and croissants at the new Clove & Cedar Coffeebar. This will be a great break from the dog days of summer, and an opportunity to socialize informally with members. We'll also meet owner Janet Forlini, and learn about her journey from a legal career to owning an independent coffee shop.
 
DATE: Sunday, August 11
TIME: 10 to 11:30 a.m.
PLACE: Clove & Cedar Coffeebar, 4918 St. Elmo Avenue, Bethesda (Ground level of the Bainbridge Bethesda apartment building). Co-hosted by Aviva Goldfarb
PRICE: $10, includes coffee/tea drink of your choice, plus family-style pastries, muffins and more
PARKING: Free street parking on weekends; free Montgomery County parking garage across the street at 4935 St. Elmo Ave. (Garage 40)
METRO: Bethesda
RSVP: Carole Sugarman, director3@lesdamesdc.org
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DAMES WHO READ - DAMES ONLY BOOK CLUB
Our Dames-only book club is open to all members. We meet every six weeks on a Monday evening. The host chooses the book, usually available in the library and in paperback, and provides refreshments. It is a convivial group. If you wish to join, contact Eileen Dykes at eileendykes@gmail.com or any of the upcoming hosts (see below). If you are interested in hosting, please let Eileen know. If you have a book you would like to read and discuss, also let Eileen know. Otherwise, we are sure other members can offer some ideas!
DATE: Monday, September 23
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: The home of Kari Barrett,  5508 Waterway Terrace, Rockville, MD 20853
RSVP:  Kari Barrett,kpbrrtt@gmail.com 
BOOK SELECTION:  TBA
PRICE: Free. The host provides refreshments.
 
Upcoming Meetings: 
Monday, Nov. 18 - Susan Callahan, chefsusan@verizon.net

DAMES ONLY SUMMER HAPPY HOUR
We will meet at The Alex Craft Cocktail Cellar & Speakeasy whose name is drawn from Alexander Graham Bell and pays homage to the life and times of the scientist, inventor and innovator. (ed. note: Interestingly, the Dames Who Read book club just finished The Food Explorer by Daniel Stone about botanist David Fairchild who married Bell's youngest daughter, Marian)
DATE: Monday, July 15
TIME: 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: The Alex Craft Cocktail Cellar & Speakeasy at The Graham Hotel, 1075 Thomas Jefferson Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
Co-hosted by Linda Roth
Happy hour specials include $5 beer; $3 off wine; and $7 appetizers.  (This event is Dutch treat.)
RSVP:  Lori Gardner,  lorigardner6@verizon.net

DAMES WHO READ - DAMES ONLY BOOK CLUB
Our Dames-only book club is open to all members. We meet every six weeks on a Monday evening. The host chooses the book, usually available in the library and in paperback, and provides refreshments. It is a convivial group. If you wish to join, contact Eileen Dykes at eileendykes@gmail.com or any of the upcoming hosts (see below). If you are interested in hosting, please let Eileen know. If you have a book you would like to read and discuss, also let Eileen know. Otherwise, we are sure other members can offer some ideas!
DATE: Monday, June 24
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: The home of  Drew Faulkner, 7407 Honeywell Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814
RSVP:  Drewcooks@mac.com
BOOK SELECTION:  The Food Explorer: The True Adventures of the Globe-Trotting Botanist Who Transformed What America Eats by Daniel Stone
PRICE: Free. The host provides refreshments.
 
Upcoming Meetings: 
Monday, Sept. 23 -  Kari Barrett, kpbrrtt@gmail.com
Monday, Nov. 18 - Susan Callahan, chefsusan@verizon.net

​Taking office on July 1st, at the beginning of our new fiscal year, are our new board officers listed below.  Thank you to our outgoing board for serving and to our new board for agreeing to take these important roles in our chapter. Appreciation goes to all the members who took the time to vote.

Stacey Adams, President. Owner of Tastings Gourmet Market.  I am moving into the president's role after serving as 1st VP Membership and, for many years, in various board capacities.  During that time, I set up our Web site and have handled our Web operations, among other activities.  I  bring to this job the experience of running a vibrant and  successful food business for over fourteen years.
Lori Gardner, 1st VP Membership. Founder of restaurant and food blog "Been There, Eaten That." I am assuming this office after a successful term as alternate director and committee chair of member engagement this past year.
Annie Boutin King, 2nd VP Development. Director of social catering for The Ritz Carlton. I am a founding member of LDE-LA and served on that board and our own LDE-DC board for many terms. I can contribute in the areas of development and sponsorships.
Edee Hogan, 2nd VP Education and Community Outreach - Registered dietician, culinary and food expert (RD, LD).  I am committed to the mission of Les Dames d'Escoffier and the success of our local chapter, and bring many years of experience planning and executing events in the metro DC area
Drew Faulkner, Finance Officer. Culinary educator.  I served two years as LDE-DC president working with the treasurer. I also have managed the finances of my own small business over the years as a caterer, private chef and cooking teacher.
Julia Rutland, Recording Secretary.  Freelance writer, recipe developer and tester, food stylist. I am a founding member of the Birmingham chapter of LDE. I look forward to serving a second term on the board as recording secretary.
Jill Collins, Communications Officer.  Owner of Jill Collins Public Relations Group Inc for 26 years. My client base is restaurant and hospitality industry and special events. My relationships with local media are what will most qualify me for this position.
Directors:
Karen Lippold - Caterer, recipe developer and tester, culinary educator. I look forward to continuing to serve in second year as a director and committee chair of Dames Who Dine.
Olga Boikess - Food writer, retired attorney. I have been an active member of the LDE-DC for many years, serving on the program committee, helping with our fundraisers, as well as taking an active role in the LDEI Conference our chapter hosted.
Diane Neas - Restaurant consultant. I will bring the principles of 501 (c) 3 best practices, proper governance and board procedure to our chapter's board and committees. These standards will assist in making our chapter more successful and compelling and benefit our membership in attaining our mission and goals.
Karen Vartan ─ Trainer & Educator, Corporate Wellness and Family Nutrition. I have worked in for- profit and non-profit organizations, government agencies, and own my own business. I am adept at organizing and managing projects and leading committees. I would love to contribute to Les Dames DC Chapter.
Carole Sugarman (alternate) - Freelance writer, reporter for The Washington Post for 20 years. Over the course of my career and participation in membership organizations and other activities, I have always strived to work collaboratively, be well organized, show attention to detail, and find common- sense solutions.
Janet Yu ─ Immediate Past President. Owner of Hollywood East Café.  i also serve on the executive boards of the Committee for Montgomery and One Montgomery Green.