<bt>The A-plus mothers at MacArthur School rolled up their sleeves and put on a luscious spread to honor Debbie Thompson, recipient of The Washington Post’s Distinguished Educational Leadership Award; their children picked up their pencils and wrote hundreds of tributes, which adorned the walls at the party.
I was particularly charmed by the one that said, “Mrs. Thompson is special because she teaches us the rules in the cafeteria,” and the numerous references to character and reliability, qualities apparently taken very seriously at Douglas MacArthur School.
Vice Mayor Del Pepper, shown above with Thompson, was there to pay tribute, because her son Murphy went through third grade at MacArthur under Thompson’s tutelage.
Kelly Signs, PTA president, wrote in her letter of support to The Post, “What we love about Mrs. Thompson is that she nurtures our children with her keen sense of what children need from her; a lesson in appropriate behavior, a reassuring hug, or a little time spent thinking about making good choices.”
Mayor William D. Euille added to the praise with a proclamation, which declares, “I do hereby recognize and proclaim Debbie Thompson a shining example for principals everywhere.”
Ladies Drink Sherry
Once more the ladies of Alexandria who labor in civic affairs gathered at the home of Beverly Beidler and Beverly Steele to drink sherry and other things and eat holiday food.
One man tried to join the party but was convinced that he had not been invited, finally.
Since this custom started back in the dim mists of the past — well, all right, 1969 — at Marion Galland’s home, the gathering has been strictly feminine.
Harlene Clayton, one of the hostesses, dispensed hospitality, as did Linda Beidler Moncure. Marge Beatley left early to attend an Ohio State Alumni gathering.
Sen. Patsy Ticer was there, just back from Austin at a meeting of the Commission on Accreditation of Law-Enforcement Agencies, of which she is a member. Patsy finds this particular stint very exciting, as it takes her all over the country.
Marian Sengel reports that husband William is very happy being chaplain of their Park Ridge Association.
Ann Martone is just back from Rome, where James is studying; John is in Macedonia, Belinda still in North Carolina. Christa Watters and Mary Anne Weber, Kelly Weissenborn, and Audrey Fleming were present.
Mary LaMois and daughter Anne Downs, whose company has been doing work for the Homeland Security Agency, discussed the proposed realignment of intelligence agencies. Anne feels that a deep cultural change will be necessary in each agency.
Peggy Papp, Karen Moran, Del Pepper and Joyce Woodson were guests. Claire Eberwein, Judy Noritake, Claudia Waller, Shirley Tyler and Molly Danforth were there.
Katherine Morrison was full of good news about the Christmas Walk. Vola Lawson and Donna Bergheim were among those saying, “I never see you except at this party!”