Our Hostess!

Ardee "Dee" hosts "The Kitchen House" at Luca's on historic Amelia Island, FL. on February 4th 2017 The eclectic, contemporary decor has inspired us to "blend" into the scenery with mannequin poses. "THIS IS HOW WE DO IT!!"

Bonnie

Jackie

Valerie

Jennie "JayBee"

Celestial

Celeste

Dianne

Katherin Garland, author of "The Unhappy Wife" joins our meeting to promote her book

Pat

Karen

Victoria

Rosalyn "Roz"

U.S. G.I.R.L.S. and Guests in full literary effect!!

Thank you, Dee for an aspiring meeting on the Island of Amelia!

Eugene Butler Middle Girl's Crest

On February 17th; The toiletry items collected by members, guests, support groups and Teachers were handed out to the girls of Eugene Butler Middle School. "Thank YOU to everyone for your support and participation!!

7th Graders

Sharron and Roz hand out the toiletry bags to more than 250 students. The girls could hardly contain their excitement!!

6th Grade Honor Roll!!

Special bags are awarded to some of the Honor Roll students

7th Grade Honor Roll!!

Still On The Roll!!

One of Ms. Amaro's Honor Roll Students from last year was soooo excited to let Roz know she was still on the ROLL!! Roz told her how proud she was of her for continuing to excel!!

Simply Serenade

Several students prepared songs and sang for Roz and their teacher, Ms. Amaro!!

YOU Are YOUnique

JayBee presented a motivation talk to the girls entitled "You are YOUnique where each girl was encouraged to be themselves. They ended by chanting: YOUnique, YOUnique, YOUnique!! Teacher, Meghan Amaro thank U.S. G.I.R.L.S. and supporters

JayBee attends Savannah Book Festival on Saturday, February 18th

2017 AUTHOR LINE UP!!

Colson Whitehead - Keynote Speaker

This year, NY Times award winning author, Colson Whitehead was the featured author, lecturing Friday evening during the opening ceremonies of the 3-day festival.

Yaa Gyasi

Award winning author, Yaa Gyasi gave insight into immigrating from Guyana at the age of 2 with her parents, starting her book 7 years ago at the age of 20 and how she attained literary success at such a young age. Plans for a 2nd book are underway and she may change her genre from historical fiction to modern day. One of her favorite books is Toni Morrison's "Song of Solomon"

Robert Hicks

NY Best Selling author spoke about his newest historical fiction novel Orphan Mother which centers around Mariah Reddick, former slave to Carrie McGavock and her quest to find the person who murdered her ambitious, politically minded grown son, Theopolis

Anticipation!!

The audience grows in preparation of author, Kathleen Grissom's lecture

Glory Over Everything

Kathleen shares the stories of the voices of her characters telling their story; her shared connection with Alice Walker, The irony of the title "Glory Over Everything" as well as many other topics during her lecture. She asked if any of her books clubs were presented to ask a question. When JayBee took the mic, she was so excited to see U.S. G.I.R.L.S. represented and mentioned how forward thinking we are. The audience was surprised to learn that she phones into book club meetings!

Authograph Tent

After the lecture, JayBee and Kim head over to the autograph tent "It is always GREAT when I can meet "my" book club members," she exclaimed! She asked that JayBee relay her appreciation to Dee for selecting her book and U.S. G.I.R.L..S.. for reading it! *Surprise Dee...As meeting hostess, I got an autograph copy for you too!!"

Southern Hospitality!

So wonderful meeting you, Kathleen Grissom!! Hopefully, this your 1st time to Savannah will not be your last. JayBee invited her to come to Jacksonville anytime and U.S. G.I.R.L.S. will treat her to a slice of Florida Key Lime Pie (she liked that idea!!) She is currently working on her 3rd book in "The Kitchen House" series...WHO KNEW?!