Jack High: Brewing friendship and community at Greenberrys

By Bobbi Bowman, The McLean Ear

A birthday toast to Jack High

MCLEAN, VA – Long-time McLean resident Jack High would leave one of his energy-draining cancer treatments and not go home to rest. Leaning on his wife Martha and a cane, he would will himself into the Greenberrys coffee shop in downtown McLean.

Jack High

“The Office”-a group of fellow retirees-would greet him. “You laughed at his jokes. You helped him up when he fell. You made him feel needed. You boosted his spirits – you were friends like no other,” Martha High wrote in a note to the group  that gathers daily at Greenberrys.  Last week they celebrated Jack’s birthday.

This is a story about community. We McLean residents know we live in a small  fragmented fractured community. We have few common touchstones, meeting places, little common history. Our community organizations largely serve niches not the community as a whole.

This Week in McLean

Monday, May 3, 7:30 pm. –  Finance Committee of the McLean Community Center  Board,  McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave.

Tuesday May 4, 7:30 – 8:30 am. –  Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce, Benefit breakfast for Homestretch Inc., which works with the homeless of Fairfax County.  Gannett Building, 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean.

Noon, Former First Lady Laura Bush signs her new memoir, Books-A-Million store, 1451 Chain Bridge Road in downtown McLean.  You must have a numbered wristband and a copy of the book to participate in the book signing. Store closed for book signing until 3 p.m.

Noon, Rotary Club of McLean, Blood Donation as a Lifestyle, Paul Witt,  INOVA Blood Donor Services.  Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1545 Chain Bridge Rd.