Author: Maggie Ross

Remembering Pat Blalock: Past President and Sustainer Emeritus

Remembering Past President and Sustainer Emeritus Patricia Cosby Blalock… On September 16, 2022, members of the Junior League heard the sad news of the death of Past President and Sustainer Emeritus Patricia Cosby Blalock (83).  Born in Kentucky on May 10, 1939, Pat grew up in Danville and graduated from high school there where she cheered […]

A Letter From Our President: Maggie Briggs

This year, the League has much to look forward to. Continuing to move the needle on important community and League initiatives. Pouring into the women within our organization and growing them in all the roles they serve. Celebrating 90 years of serving our community.  As I think of the what the 2022-23 year has to […]

2021-2022 Junior League of Greater Lakeland Annual Meeting

The Junior League of Greater Lakeland held its annual Spring Banquet at the Lakeland Club on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. Over 100 provisional, active and sustaining members were in attendance for the event celebrating all the Junior League of Greater Lakeland accomplished this year. Highlights included: The Junior League of Greater Lakeland thanks outgoing President, […]

Junior League Announces Naming of Carol Jenkins Barnett Sustainer of the Year Award

The Junior League of Greater Lakeland announced the naming of the Carol Jenkins Barnett Sustainer of the Year award during its annual meeting at the Lakeland Country Club on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. More than 100 members were in attendance for the event. Junior League Sustaining Vice President Alice O’Reilly recognized the late Carol Jenkins […]

Sustainer Spotlight: Sara Roberts McCarley

by Sheila Lotterhos, Sustainer Historian The fact that Sara Roberts McCarley was a Mass Communications major with an emphasis in Public Relations at Florida Southern College is hardly surprising once you meet this friendly, dynamic mover-and-shaker.  But Sara is so much more than that.  Her depth and caring for the youth of Florida stems from a deep-seated […]

Meet Past President Kimberly Elmhorst, Sustaining Advisor to the Community Council

There’s an expression that you sometimes hear about a person, that they are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside.  That expression certainly characterizes Kimberly (Kim) Elmhorst, and apparently it is a sentiment shared about her by many in Lakeland, especially her Jr. League colleagues.  Calm and kind and quick with a smile […]

Meet Sustainer Amy Royal, Our Sustainer Council’s Secretary

Meet Sustainer Amy Royal, Our Sustainer Council’s Secretary by Sheila Lotterhos, Sustainer Historian When it comes to dollars and cents or sense, as the case may be, one of the most competent and successful members of our League is Sustainer Amy Royal.  Amy has been an asset to the Junior League of Greater Lakeland for many […]

Reflections on 2021 from Lauren Albaum, President

This year, your Junior League of Greater Lakeland has been hard at work re-engaging with our members, our stakeholders, and our community. Here are but a sampling of those successes since June: Over 4,500 items of clothing, home goods, and toiletries were donated to 5 specifically selected, local non-profits during Closet Cleanout. The 40th Annual Lakeland Christmas Parade was back and better […]

Meet Alice O’Reilly, Our Sustaining Vice President and Sustainer Council Chair…

By Sheila Lotterhos, Sustainer Historian    The JLGL dictionary has a face next to the word “go-getter”, and that face belongs to Alice Culberson O’Reilly.  Alice possesses a reservoir of seemingly boundless energy, and thankfully for our League and our community, she dwells in a world of endless possibility.     A true professional, this Lakeland native, […]