Chesapeake/Virginia Beach (VA) Silhouettes

The Chesapeake/Virginia Beach (VA) Alumni Chapter of Silhouettes was chartered on Saturday, October 9, 1993, at the Central Public Library on Virginia Beach Boulevard. This is reflected as the“10/9/93” located below the Silhouette logo on the scroll banner as the “8/47” above it reflects the month and year the National Silhouettes were founded. Likewise, the “19 66’’ on either side of the diamonds denotes the year the Eastern Province Silhouettes were founded. This head-ing is used on chapter correspondence – primarily by e-mail, since 2009.

The National President of the Silhouettes, Mrs. Joyce B. Fontaine, (Walter B. Sr.) of the Richmond (VA) Alumni Chapter) performed the ritualistic ceremony. This was followed by a dinner at the Captain John Seafood Restaurant on Virginia Beach Boulevard. Charter officers included Silhouettes: Johnetta S. “Johne” Ewell (Cleve W. III)–President, Teresa Oliver (Richard F. Sr.)– Vice-President, Jenise Bond (Michael J.)—Secretary, and Clara Graves (Michael W. Sr.)— Treasurer. Other early active members included: Shirley Campbell (Gilbert), Marilyn Mangum (Donnie), Venetia “Nita” Quiero (Arcino), Lori Smith (Linwood), and Tina Smith (Bradford).

The chartering preceded the chapters’ hosting of the Eastern Province Council which was held at the Norfolk Airport Hilton in late March 1994.

The Silhouettes banquet and various activities held during the council were well received and a topic of discussion for a number of years thereafter. Since that time, the Silhouettes and their spouses continued to gather annually in January for dinner at the Roger Brown’s Restaurant & Sports Bar for a number of years as Brother Cleve W. Ewell, III, Silhouettes Liaison organized the events. Brother Clarence E. Tucker, Jr. brought the idea of having token gifts such as a part of the gatherings and now this has become a staple of tradition Silhouettes pins, candies, flowers, compact mirrors, and tape dispensers have been some of the items given. Summer dinner parties have been added since 2007 and have been held at other venues in the Hampton Roads area including Trilogy, Mansion-Brutti’s, The Carriage House, Benzi, Cyprus Grille, and Tucanos Brazilian Grill.

The Silhouettes continue to participate in the chapters’ annual Christmas parties which commenced in 2007 and were initially held at clubhouse venues. Recently they have rotated at the homes of Silhouette Toni Tucker (Clarence) and Silhouette Monique Crabb (Hudson). They are able to win up to four $25 gift prizes during the games held at the party to various establishments of female interest i.e. Victoria’s Secret, Chico’s, Bath & Body Works, etc.
Silhouette Johne Ewell has assumed a primary role as an active participant on the Provincial and Grand Chapter levels having served as the chapter president since the inception and has been the voting delegate on an ongoing basis. She also has introduced the belles (female escorts of the beaus) at our annual Beautillion Militaire the majority of the years since it was established in 2002. The Silhouettes are also recognized during the program and are presented flowers by their spouses.