January 2026 Volume 10, Issue 1

New Year, New Beginnings (and a few Fun Facts!)

The New Year has a way of making us pause, reflect, and—let’s be honest—set a few hopeful intentions. Whether you’re welcoming January with sparkling cider, fireworks, or a cozy evening at home, the New Year is celebrated around the world with traditions that are as fascinating as they are festive.

Did you know the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions dates back over 4,000 years to ancient Babylon? While today’s resolutions might focus on wellness, kindness, or volunteering more, the idea remains the same: starting fresh with purpose.

Different cultures ring in the New Year in unique ways. In Spain, people eat 12 grapes at midnight—one for each month of good luck. In Greece, a special cake called Vasilopita is baked with a hidden coin inside, bringing good fortune to whoever finds it. And here in the U.S., we often associate New Year’s Day with parades, football, and the hope that the year ahead will be better than the last.

Of course, a new year is also a reminder of opportunity—especially when it comes to giving back. It’s a perfect time to set intentions not just for ourselves, but for how we can support one another and our community. Small acts of kindness, shared laughter, and continued service can make the biggest impact.



As we step into the New Year together, may it be filled with health, happiness, friendship, and meaningful moments. Here’s to fresh starts, shared goals, and another year of making a difference—together.

For officer and chair contact information, click here.

Join Us for an Elegant Fundraising Luncheon in Support of Our Mission

Plans are well underway for our upcoming February 28th Fundraising Luncheon at Palm Valley Country Club, and we are excited to share what promises to be a beautiful, engaging, and meaningful afternoon.

This year’s luncheon will feature an elegant black, white, and red theme, a thoughtfully curated menu, a lively silent auction and raffle, and a fashion presentation highlighting both community members and local peace officers. Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed with a complimentary signature cocktail or mocktail, setting the tone for a relaxed and celebratory afternoon. A red carpet entrance and our nine elegant ushers will be on hand to assist and ensure a polished, welcoming experience throughout the event.  

How You Can Support the Luncheon

Attend the Luncheon

Your attendance is one of the most important ways to support this fundraiser. Ticket sales directly benefit our mission, and a strong turnout brings energy and momentum to the event.

Donate to the Silent Auction or Raffle

We are currently collecting donations to build high-quality auction and raffle offerings. (bring to our January 7th meeting).

• Minimum donation value: $25 or more
• New items are preferred, though high-quality, gently used items are welcome
• Popular ideas include spa or self-care items, gourmet food or wine, chocolate or dessert themes, home décor, and unique experiences

Attractive and well-curated baskets make a significant difference in fundraising success.

Volunteer and Lend a Hand

With décor, logistics, donations, and day-of support, we will need help from many hands. Our ushers are ready, and we appreciate everyone’s willingness to contribute time, creativity, or resources.

A Collective Effort

This luncheon is truly a group effort, and its success depends on participation from our entire community. Whether you attend, donate, volunteer, or help spread the word, your support makes a meaningful impact.

Ticket details, RSVP information, and donation deadlines are available online. Thank you for your continued generosity and commitment—we look forward to gathering together for a wonderful afternoon.

Help Us Build Show-Stoping "Themed Baskets" for our WCI Fundraiser

Submitted by Karen Acker

Silent auction & raffle are just part of the fun—our themed baskets are always a crowd‑favorite, and we’re starting to prepare now for our February WCI fundraiser.

What’s a “themed basket”?

A themed basket is a collection of items that go together, such as:

• Wellness Basket: massage certificate, spa visit, lotions/creams, aromatherapy
• Chef Basket: bakeware, mixing bowls, utensils, specialty ingredients, gift cards
• Coffee & Tea Lovers – premium beans, tea tins, mugs, French press
• Family Game Night – board games, snacks, cozy blanket
• Garden & Grow – tools, seeds, gloves, planter
• Movie Night – streaming gift card, popcorn kit, gourmet candy
• Movie Night Out – movie theater and dinner gift card
• Self‑Care Sunday – candles, bath salts, skincare, journal
• Art & Create – sketchbook, pens, paints, craft store gift card

How you can help

We’re asking all members to help make this our best fundraiser yet by contributing high‑quality items we can assemble into themed baskets. If it’s challenging to source new or high‑quality items, a monetary contribution is just as impactful—our committee will use funds to purchase items and build exciting baskets that attract higher bids.

• Have gently used baskets in good condition? Those are very helpful, too!
• Prefer to give funds? Every dollar helps us curate standout baskets.

Bring donations to our next meeting

Please bring donation items or monetary contributions to our next meeting on January 7.

• Envelopes for checks/currency and donation forms will be available on site.

Questions?

Contact Karen Acker at 760‑834‑5884.

It's Dues Time! Let’s Get Ready for a Great Year

PAY ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 15, 2026

It is time to pay your annual dues ($100). Along with prioritizing your club involvement, get this year’s dues off of your “TO DO LIST”. Please renew on or before February 15, 2026.

Please use the link below to re-new your membership. This is the easiest, fastest and most convenient way to pay.

CLICK HERE TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

Also, we offer the ability to pay through Zelle, which many of you are doing for our monthly lunches. Payment by Zelle (if your bank supports this app) allows our club to collect the full $100 (PayPal charges a processing fee).

• PayPal ($103.50 Processing Fee Applies)
• Zelle ($100.00)
• Check ($100.00) Available at our January 7, 2026, luncheon or mail your check to:

WCI

P.O. Box 1503

Indio, CA 92202

• Cash ($100) Available at our January 7, 2026, luncheon

Note: If you are new member (joining October, November, December 2025) your dues are $23.

Thank you on behalf of the Financial Team!



Claire & Dona

Join Us For Our First Meeting of the New Year!

Registration Open for Our January 7th General Meeting at 5:00pm

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, Dec. 31st at Noon.

Meal selection:  Cobb salad- Regular or Vegetarian option

We are also pleased to share that the Palm Valley Chef can accommodate gluten-free and lactose-free versions of either of the two meal selections. Please note that meal selections cannot be switched on the day of the event, but both options can be prepared to meet these dietary needs. Please specify in the comments of your registration form that you need a gluten free or lactose-free meal.

If you have any questions, please contact me at amenities@womansclubofindio.org. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you there!

New Location -- our meetings are now held at:

Palm Valley Country Club in the clubhouse

39205 Palm Valley Drive, Palm Desert

(just off Country Club Drive, west of Washington)

Please reach out to any members who may need help getting to our new venue.

We do not want transportation to be an issue. - Let's make sure everyone can join us!

Thank you.

Volunteer Opportunity with Alzheimer's Coachella Valley

Alzheimer’s Coachella Valley (ACV) is seeking ongoing volunteers for several rewarding opportunities. I can personally attest—it’s a fun and meaningful experience!

Club Journey (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays)

• Club Journey is a lively social gathering for caregivers and their loved ones, featuring music, games, sing-alongs, art, exercise, Bingo, conversations, and lunch.
• Volunteer roles include:
• Helping set up activities
• Assisting with games and crafts
• Serving lunch
• Socializing with participants

Other Ongoing Roles

• Office Support
• Special Events
• Fundraising
• Support Groups

Special Events

Volunteer Fair at Trilogy in La Quinta

• Saturday, January 24, 9:00 AM–Noon
• Volunteers needed to greet attendees and share information about ACV programs.

Awards Event

• Thursday, March 26, 5:30–8:30 PM
• Details to follow.

Looking Ahead

I’m working with ACV to arrange an ongoing presence of WCI members at Club Journey one day each month. More information coming soon. Let me know if you have an interest.

Interested in Volunteering?

Call or text me at 916-871-4703, email travel.handler@outlook.com, or sign up at our January meeting.

For more details about ACV and their programs, visit their website:https://cvalzheimers.org/ or you can contact Priscilla Kubas at (760) 776-3100 for a volunteer application.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a difference!

Arlene Handler-Smith

Proud to Serve: My Years in the Danish Air Force

Submitted by Grethe Cox

The United States and Denmark are both members of the NATO alliance. That means, in times of war, we stand together as allies—fighting mutual enemies to protect freedom and peace.

I grew up in Denmark, a small kingdom of just over five million people. I was born on a farm, where I learned the value of hard work at an early age—helping in the fields at six years old and later, by twelve, driving tractors and machinery. Those early years taught me a strong work ethic and a sense of independence that has guided me ever since.

After four years at a private high school, I graduated at sixteen and began a three-year apprenticeship in retail while also attending business college. After about a year working in business, I started to feel restless and wanted something more challenging—something with purpose and adventure.

One day, a friend and I decided to visit a Danish Air Force recruiting office after seeing a poster about becoming an air traffic controller. Little did we know what was in store for us!

Training and Early Service

We were sent to a city called Rødvig, home to a large Air Force training facility. Classes began immediately—bright and early each morning. We were introduced to radar operations, where we learned to read radar screens and track aircraft. Each plane detected on radar was assigned a number, identified as friendly or hostile, given an altitude, and tracked through its flight path.

At the radar stations, one person read the radar data aloud while another wrote the information on a large transparent plotting board so that officers on the opposite side could view it. It took a lot of practice, precision, and teamwork to get it right. Every detail was also reported to headquarters in real time.

Besides radar training, we learned several unrelated but fascinating skills—everything from self-defense to marksmanship. I even earned a bronze medal for my shooting accuracy with a 9mm revolver and machine gun, which I was quite proud of!

Once a week, we completed an “orientation run” in which we calculated our own route, ran several miles to the destination, then recalculated and ran again. It was exhausting but fun—unless you miscalculated your coordinates!

Radar Headquarters and Duty Life

The smaller radar stations could be lonely outposts, so my friend and I requested a transfer to headquarters, where all radar data from across the country was compiled and analyzed. It was an intense, fast-paced environment.

Each controller could manage information for twelve to fourteen planes at once, but because of the concentration required, we worked one-hour shifts followed by one hour of rest. All aircraft were plotted on a gigantic wall-sized map of Denmark, two stories high, with officers constantly watching. Mistakes were not tolerated—you had to be precise or you’d be replaced.

We didn’t communicate directly with pilots; our job was to provide precise radar tracking so officers could safely direct both commercial and military flights. If something unusual appeared on radar—an unidentified object or erratic signal—fighter planes were sent to investigate. Sometimes, the “foreign object” turned out to be nothing more than a flock of birds!

When radar contact with a plane was lost, we’d hear the report on the radio later. It was never a good sign and reminded us how serious our work was.

The headquarters was housed in a massive underground bunker built by the Germans during their occupation of Denmark in the 1940s. It felt both historic and secure, like working in a piece of living history.

Life in Service

The Air Force gave me discipline, friendship, and confidence. Women were treated as equals to men—something I appreciated deeply. There were quite a few women in our division, and many became lifelong friends.

Life wasn’t all seriousness, though. We had fun, too. I remember one special dinner at the station where the tables were beautifully set with white tablecloths and place cards. My friend and I peeked into the banquet hall beforehand, joking nervously about who we might be seated next to. “I just hope it’s not the station commander!” I said. Of course, when the seating was announced, I found myself right next to him. He was both respected and intimidating—but it turned out to be a delightful evening after all.

Looking Back

I served from approximately 1961 to 1964 as an Air Force radar operator and traffic controller. Looking back, I am proud of those years and grateful for the experience. It taught me to plan my days carefully, to get up early, and to take pride in doing a job flawlessly.

Each month, we share photos from Woman’s Club of Indio events and activities, grouped by occasion so you can enjoy the moments as they unfolded. December brings a wonderful mix of service, celebration, and seasonal cheer—and we’re excited to highlight it all.

If you have photos from events, small group gatherings, or behind-the-scenes moments you’d like to include in our photo gallery, please send them to editor@womansclubofindio.org. Thank you.



GFWC HOPE's support of Coachella Valley foster kids continues with a successful holiday toy collection drive. Thank you to everyone who helped make this season brighter for Coachella Valley children!

Editor's Note

A New Year, Moving Forward Together

A new year brings fresh energy and new opportunities to grow, serve, and strengthen our community. As we turn the page on the calendar, we do so together — carrying forward the voices, ideas, and connections that make our club so meaningful.

Our newsletter remains more than a source of information; it’s a reflection of our shared purpose and the many ways our members show up for one another and for those we serve. Each story, update, and photo helps capture the impact we make — both big and small.

In the months ahead, we invite you to continue sharing your experiences, insights, and ideas. Whether it’s a committee update, a service highlight, or a moment that inspired you, your contributions help shape a newsletter that truly represents who we are.

Thank you for your continued involvement, generosity, and commitment. Here’s to a year of purposeful action, community connection, and meaningful service — together.

Yours in Service,

Lorelei Ceja

editor@womansclubofindio.org

CFWC AND GFWC

The California Federation of Women’s Clubs is a statewide non-profit service organization, and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs is a non-profit international organization. Both are dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.

Please send articles, questions, and corrections to Editor Lorelei Ceja at editor@womansclubofindio.org.

STAY CONNECTED