Happy Holidays To You And Yours

During no other season of the year, do all walks of life come together to make life better and more beautiful for one another.  For the past few months while hosting book signings and sharing my books with families and communities, I have listened and learned from people of all ages-their stories touched my heart immensely.   

Reading Is Fundamental At John Adams Elementary School

John Adams Elementary School, Alexandria City Schools orchestrated their annual Reading Is Fundamental book distribution December 17-19 in their media center.  This year's theme was "A Winter Wonderland."   

Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Armed Forces Retirement Home

"Life, it seems, will always slow...for dreams of Christmas long ago." - Joe Geis, Resident of AFRH

Many Visitors And Great Conversations

My book signing at Joint Base Myer and Henderson Hall on November 30 and December 1 was a delightful two days!  The Marine Corps Exchange located on Henderson Hall is both an engaging and beautiful place to be during the holiday season. 

Sharing My Books, Sharing Memories…

While sharing my books with our wonderful military families, I am so often reminded of their devotion and love for one another.  Listening to their exciting and sometimes challenging stories about changes in their lives due to new assignments, brings back vivid and fond memories for me about my very own family. 

A Home Away From Home

For the past twelve years, The U.S. Marine Base Quantico, Quantico, Virginia has welcomed me to share my books and to engage in wonderful conversations with their families, their friends, and the international visitors that come to work and to learn from our grand nation.

Old Friends And New One's… My Book Signing At Fort George G. Meade, United States Army Base

I feel so fortunate to have had the families of the Fort George G. Meade, United States Army Base, welcome me upon my return to their community.  Recently, I was invited to return to Fort Meade to host a book signing, and these wonderful folks continued to purchase my books for gift giving and for their very own families.

A New Home For My Books... Brugh's Mill Country Store

For years, my family and I have been making it a point to stop at one of our favorite places while traveling south on Highway 81-Brugh's Mill Country Store located in Fincastle, Virginia.  We discovered this warm and welcoming restaurant and gift store by chance some eight years ago, and it has become my "go to place."

Celebrating National Literacy Month With Glenna's Book Club

September is National Literacy Month, a time to encourage people of all ages to select a good book, and explore new worlds.  Having been an educator myself for many years, I have always exclaimed to parents, children, and colleagues, to promote literacy and life-long learning through the love of reading-this will always remain a keen passion for me.  By getting books in the hands of people of all ages, communities of learners can understand the world beyond and how we are all connected.

Devon's Library Book Donations to RIF of NOVA

I hosted a Reading Is Fundamental of Northern Virginia meeting at my home on Tuesday, September 4.  During our meeting, we paid tribute to Devon and to both of his parents.  Devon's parents honored their unborn son by creating a beautiful library of 602 books to share with children in their community.

Our Family Celebrates!

For the past eleven years, our family has been spending a week in a lovely home in Kitty Hawk,  North Carolina.  Our friends Ann and Larry Sharp, the owners of this perfect getaway place, have been most kind and gracious to our family. 

Summer Reading At Its Best… Lively Discussions With My Storytelling Friends At The Armed Forces Home

Family reunions to attend, vacations with friends and loved ones, and sightseeing in our very own nation’s capital can definitely make for a busy and fun filled summer.  When "Glenna's Book Club" at The Armed Forces Retirement Home, Washington, D.C. decided to take some pauses and enjoy travels and vacations during the months of June, July, and August, we all decided that we would continue to read and then share our thoughts about the books that we had selected for our summer reading list.

An Evening Of Beautiful Music And Friendship

On Tuesday evening, July 24, at Immaculate Heart Of Mary Catholic Church, Hayesville, North Carolina a musical event featuring performances of inspirational, sacred, and Broadway compositions was held to benefit the Madelyn Lea Memorial Scholarship Fund.  Annually, a deserving Hayesville High School student is the recipient of this lovely award - this year's scholarship winner is Bethany Anderson.  Bethany sang "In My Dreams" from the musical, Anastasia, and "Someone Like You" by Adele.  Her performances were both captivating and endearing.  Bethany will be attending Saint Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa and it is there that she will continue to pursue her musical dreams.

A Remarkable Adventure

Recently, Hunter McIntosh, a friend to my late daughter, Erinn Kristen Orr, invited my daughter's son Charlie, myself, and my husband Bob Orr to make a journey on his boat, THE LISERON. 

"Books + Friendship = Book Club" *

Wednesday afternoons at The Armed Forces Retirement Home located in Washington, DC, just outside the doors of the main library in a lovely reading room, the book club that has routinely met beginning September of 2017 continues to read, discuss, and critique great books. Being a member of "Glenna's Book Club," is such a fulfilling and all inspiring privilege-especially that I am sitting alongside America's Finest.

Meet Mila! She Found Us...

For more years than I can recall, our family has been surrounded by some of the most unique and irresistible four-legged creatures. More often than not, our family pets have found their way to us. Just recently while working with a national pet adoption service, we met and became the caregivers for one delightful six month old named Mila. Mila has won the hearts of our family...including our six year old rough and tough BOLT!

Hail And Farewell!

As our Book Club at The Armed Forces Retirement Home, Washington, D.C. bids farewell to one of our avid readers Stan Stewart, we were all excited to "welcome" several new members to our group!

A School Based Community Outreach-A Dedicated Promotion Of Literacy

Patrick Henry Elementary School, Alexandria City School System, wrapped their arms around their school-based community during the evening hours of March 1...all for the love of reading.  The administration and the staff members alike, provided for their "Community of Learners" a Reading Is Fundamental Book Distribution that welcomed the students of Patrick Henry Elementary School and their family members.  Laughter, conversations, and good will could be seen from one end of the school cafeteria to the other.

It's A Wrap

February 14th at The Armed Forces Retirement Home, Washington, D.C. for my Book Club was a celebration on multiple accounts. We enjoyed special and delicious treats in honor of Valentine's Day, and we completed our discussion (for the time being) of our "designated read," 1776, written by David McCullough. Our discussions for the past month while reading 1776, were much like our previous book talks...lively, most informative, and very thought provoking.

For The Love of Reading

The school library at John Adams Elementary School, Alexandria, Virginia, was "glowing" during their February 14 & 15 Reading Is Fundamental Book Distribution.  The theme, "For The Love of Reading" for this bigger than life literacy initiative, was evident throughout the entire Media Center at John Adams Elementary.