Introducing our 2023 Newsmaker of the Year: Kristen Green By Nicole van Esselstyn The New York Times best-selling author and former Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter published her latest book, “The Devil’s Half Acre: The Untold Story of How One Woman Liberated the South’s Most Notorious Slave Jail,” in April 2022. Since then, the story of Mary Lumpkin, a formerly...
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Kayaking, Cooking and Creating Copy – Introducing Nicole van Esselstyn By Terry Haycock, Secretary/Treasurer New member Nicole van Esselstyn grew up in a small farming community near Danville, Virginia. She graduated from Virginia’s James Madison University in Harrisonburg with a degree in mass communications, concentrating in print journalism. Nicole was the editor...
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Treasure, Travel and Tenacity … Meet Ann Oppenhimer, Richmond’s Delightful Folk Art Entrepreneur By Terry Haycock, Secretary/Treasurer From the outside it is a stately brick Virginia home rich in history and tradition. But step into the foyer and you enter a world of color, imagination, whimsy and eclectic vision. And you are just on the threshold of Ann...
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Interactive, Innovative, and Informative Photo above: VPC board member Terry Haycock put together a beautiful fall tablescape complete with refreshments. More than a dozen members attended VPC’s fall conference, which was held on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Libbie Mill Library in Richmond. Special thanks to members Cynthia Price and Terry...
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When life handed Jill Vaughan a challenge — her longtime position at the Virginia Lottery was eliminated following a leadership change — her next journey began. After a lot of soul-searching, yoga, and reflecting, she decided to launch her own business. Vaughan, who has more than 25 years of communications and leadership experience in consumer products, economic...
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Thinking Outside the Book(store): How to Find Readers in a Crowded Market Melissa Face’s first book debuted in September 2020 when the pandemic had forced bookstore closures and limited in-person events. Still, she found a way to reach readers, sell books, and find joy in the launch experience. Face, a VPC member and contest winner, is the author of the...
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