|
|
|
Westport Woman's Club
|
NOVEMBER 2018
|
|
|
Board of Directors 2018-2019
President Christina McVaney;
1st VP Special Interests
Kim Reichert;
2nd VP Finance
Maria Fraile;
3rd VP Ways & Means
Karen Kleine &
Donna Pellittieri;
Secretary
Cheryl Bliss;
Treasurer
Barbara Szefc;
Communications Gloria Smithson;
Community Services Susan Hricik;
Curio Cottage Deb Fratino
; Grounds Cornelia Olsen
; House Sarah Menchaca;
Membership Robin Clark;
Parliamentary Advisor Sharon Jones;
Programs Leah Scherzer & Josephine Calcagni;
Rentals Ana Hitri &
Trish Leavitt;
YDF
TBD;
Past President
Dorothy M. Packer
|
|
| |
|
|
|
PRESIDENT'S LETTER
Dear Ladies,
By the time you're reading this, the Clothing Tag Sale would have been behind us, and what a Clothing Sale it was shaping up to be! Judging by the amount of clothes we were getting, it is sure to be one of our most successful! Thank you to Susan Loselle & Mary Lee Clayton, again, for leading this money maker and all of their committee members and volunteers who helped out. Special thanks to Elizabeth, our Office Manager, for sorting the clothing for months!
Thank you to Audrey Rabinowitz for once again organizing a group to walk in the Making Strides for Breast Cancer event in Sherwood Island Park. We had a nice group of ladies attend and Gloria Smithson, our Communications Chair extraordinaire, submitted the picture to WestportNow and got us published!
It's not too late to purchase your Sip & Savor tickets, our 2
nd annual wine tasting & Hors D'oeuvres evening. Invite friends and family even if you're not going. Put in your order and stock up on wines for the holidays!
Thank you to Pattie Takita who is organizing our
Annual Holiday Toy Drive for children who are neglected, abused and undergoing difficult times. Please consider bringing in a new unwrapped toy, gift cards, cash or check made out to "The Children's Connection".
In the spirit of giving, don't forget our Food Closet this month and next when families need it the most; children are home for the holidays and don't receive the free breakfasts and lunches that they would otherwise while school is in session. Consider bringing in a bag or two of groceries and help out Wendy McKeon & Kim Reichert deliver the food to Town Hall.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am thankful for being a part of such a wonderful, caring and giving WWC community!
With thanks and best wishes to all,
|
|
Thanks to Lorraine Feliciano, our Sunshine Girl for October.
Our Sunshine Girl for the month of November is Zita Casey, 203-227-3752
|
Condolences
Our sincere condolences goes out to our long time member, Emily Duvoisin. She will be greatly missed by all.
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (
Lunch)
Office Manager,
Elizabeth Greenawalt
203-227-4240
Resident House Manager,
Lilibet Rojas
|
|
|
|
November 2018
| Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
|
|
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
|
CLUB DAY
|
CANASTA
|
MAH JONGG
1:00 - 4:00 pm
|
BRIDGE
9:30 am
|
|
|
11
|
12 |
13 |
14 |
15
|
16 |
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
BYOB
4:00pm
|
|
| 18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23
|
24 |
|
|
|
1:00 - 4:00 pm
GOURMET
11:30am
BUNCO
7:00opm
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
|
|
|
|
CANASTA
1:00 - 4:00 pm
COMMUNITY
SVCS
10:00am
GARDEN
10:00am
|
GARDEN
10:00am
|
GARDEN
10:00am
|
GARDEN
10:00am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk - 2018
On a beautiful October fall day, ten Woman's Club members (and one friend) participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Sherwood Island State Park. Our team (Lorraine Feliciano, Diane Gelbwaks, Susan Hricik, Barbara Levy, Audrey Rabinowitz, Barbara Raffel, Vivian Rosenberg, Leah Scherzer, Gloria Smithson, Lisa Stretton) and other members contributed approximately $1000 to the American Cancer Society to be used for breast cancer research. A job well done by our ladies!
Audrey Rabinowitz
|
|
SIP & SAVOR FUNDRAISER
Thanks in advance to all our volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make our 2nd annual Sip & Savor happen and thanks to our member support who have purchased tickets and ads in our booklet.
We have a few more days to accept ticket purchases. Please go to our website or send in your checks to the office. $60/ticket buys you unlimited tastings, hors d'oeuvers and entertainment.
|
|
CLUB DAY
Date: Monday, November 5th
Time: 11:30 am - Refreshments
12:00 pm - Lunch
Please join us
Monday, November 5th for Club Day
, hosted by our Bridge group headed up by Barbara Stemmer and by the women in BYOB Fridays led by Dorothy Curran. Please be sure to
make your reservation with Elizabeth by 1PM Wednesday, October 31.
For our November luncheon, Aux Delices will be serving Roasted Salmon over Quinoa Fall Vegetable Pilaf. An alternate option for those of you who are not fish lovers is All Natural Chicken Breast over Quinoa Fall Vegetable Pilaf. And the vegetarian option is Pasta Primavera with Fall Vegetables. Dessert will be Carrot Cake. I think it sounds like a wonderful meal!
If you have a serious food allergy or you wish to have the chicken or the vegetarian option, you must let me know. If you need to cancel a reservation, please do so by contacting Elizabeth by Wednesday, October 31 to avoid being charged.
See you on November 5th!
NOTE: Our new permanent reservation lunch list has begin in October. It is so much easier to be on the permanent list instead of trying to remember every month to reserve your lunch spot. Keep in mind that any member on that list who does not show/cancel will receive a gentle reminder to guarantee that she contributes the $20.00 for missing lunch.
|
|
PROGRAM -
DIANE LOWMAN, AUTHOR
NOTHING BUT BLUE, A MEMOIR
About the Author - Diane's essays have appeared in many publications, including O, The Oprah Magazine, Brain, Child, Brevity Blog, and When Women Waken.
She writes a weekly column called "My Life on the Post Road" for Books, Ink(books.hamlethub.com) In addition to her memoir and essays she teaches yoga, provides nutritional counseling, and tutors Spanish. She also earned an MA in Shakespeare Studies at the University of Birmingham's Shakespeare Institute.
About - NOTHING BUT BLUE, A MEMOIR
In the summer of 1979, the author, a nineteen-year-old Middlebury College student, embarked on a ten-week working trip aboard a German container ship with a mostly male crew. The journey would take her from New York to Australia and New Zealand and back, through the lush Panama Canal, to a Koala sanctuary and a Maori Museum.
She swabbed decks and mended linens, navigated not only the Panama Canal, but perhaps more harrowingly the awkward and sometimes threatening mostly male shipboard society and its politics. The voyage would forever change her perspective on the world and her place in it. She left New York a subservient, malleable girl and returned as a more confident, independent, resilient young woman who'd learned to stand on her own two feet even in the roughest of waters.
|
|
BOOK REVIEW
Date: Thursday, November 15th
Time: 1:00 pm
Place: Living Room
"The Tuscan Child" by Rhys Bowen
In 1944 British bomber pilot, Hugo Langley, parachutes from his stricken plane into German occupied Tuscany where he finds refuge in a ruined monastery and in the arms of Sophia Bartoli. But their love was shaken by an irreversible betrayal. Nearly thirty years later, Hugo's estranged daughter travels to Italy to heal her own wounds and to uncover her father's past. While uncovering secrets in the village, she finds herself a suspect in a crime and realizes her life may be in danger.
In this book we are taken on an enjoyable trip to the Tuscan countryside we will be reluctant to leave.
Please join us as we discuss this haunting novel.
Books are available for pick up at the Library.
|
|
BUNCO
Date: Tuesday, November 20th
Time: 7:00 pm - Chat and Chew, 7:30 pm - Game Begins
Place: Kitchen/Bedford Hall
Cost: $5.00
Come one, come all, and join us for "Bunco"! No experience necessary! All you have to do is roll the dice... You can do it...and a good time is guaranteed.
Hope to see many new faces at our November get-together! Please join us.
|
BYOB FRIDAY
Date: Friday, November 16th (the 3rd Friday of November)
Time: 4:00 - 5:30 pm
"Bring something to sip and nibbles to share;
It won't be the same if you're not there!"
This November has FIVE Fridays, but BYOB Friday is sticking with the 3rd, on Nov. 16. After all, "three's the charm!" The WWC Kitchen will be a temporary football-free and turkey-free zone, but it's OK to share what you're planning for Thanksgiving!
Just Bring Yourself Over Briefly, to say hello (or linger longer), anytime between 4:00 to 5:30 pm, and be sure to Bring Your Own Beverage of choice and nibbles to share. Whether you are new to the WWC or a Member since "forever," this is an easy and entertaining way to meet fellow members, compare favorite wines and hors d'oeuvres from Sip & Savor, or find out who else is buying tickets to our next FUNdraiser, the Sounds for a Starry Night concert and reception on Dec. 7th.
As always, we operate picnic/tailgate style, bringing our own simple set-ups and serving implements, then disappearing without footprints or fingerprints
|
|
CANASTA
Date: Tuesdays
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Place: Living Room
 We play on Tuesdays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm - if there is a minimum of four players. Emails are sent out at the beginning of each week to Members who are interested in playing. If you want to be included in these weekly emails, please contact me to put your name on that list.
All players are welcome, regardless of skill level and experience. You do not need to have your own Canasta cards and tray but, if you do, please bring them.
Lessons are given, also on Tuesdays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, to Members who would like to learn to play the game or haven't played in years but want to brush up on their skills. Please contact me if you are interested.
|
|
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Date: Tuesday, November 27th
Time: 10:00 am
Place: Living Room
We are now beginning the process of reviewing the grant applications and assessing the best way in which WWC can monetarily address the various applicants' needs. WWC members are invited to stop by and join in our reviews and discussions. Knowledge leads one to care and share better. Our next meeting is Tuesday,10 am on November 27th.
Besides the above concerns we especially encourage all members to participate during the holiday season in supporting our Food Closet requests and the below mentioned Holiday Toy Drive . We have supported The Children's Connection Toy Drive, a part of Norwalk's Human Services, for several years.Their clients' needs remain the same. You can bring a bit of JOY to many children through this drive. Please note our Pattie Takita will be in charge of this drive.
HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE
As the Woman's Club has done for many years, we are having our traditional Annual Holiday Toy Drive for children who are neglected, abused and undergoing difficult times. Members are being asked to bring NEW UNWRAPPED gifts, as well as gift cards, cash and checks, through November until Club Day luncheon on December 3rd. There is a drop off box outside the office.
While gifts are welcome for all ages, there is a particular need for newborns and teens. Favorite requests are: infant toys and clothing, Fisher-Price, Playskool and similar sturdy toys, dolls (all sizes), Disney items, balls, trucks, remote control cars and batteries, sports equipment, hand-held video games and batteries. Suggestions for older children are: gift certificates to Kohl's, Target, Bobs, Old Navy, Barnes and Noble; sweatshirts, sweaters, hats, cosmetics, manicure kits.
Checks, made out to The Children's Connection, can be dropped off at the office or given to me at the November or December Club Day luncheons. Your check should contain your name, address and a reference to the Westport Woman's Club in the memo area. We also accept rolls or packages of gift wrap along with ribbons and/or bows. The Holiday Toy Drive is held well in advance of Christmas in order for the participating agencies to have time to distribute the gifts to approximately 3,000 children in surrounding communities.
Thank you for your generosity.
Pattie Takita
Holiday Toy Drive Chair
|
|
CURIO COTTAGE
As the busy holiday season approaches, remember that the Curio Cottage can fill many of your shopping needs. If you're looking for great merchandise to help with entertaining such as extra dishes, glasses, serving pieces, candleholders or decorations stop by and take a look.
Also consider volunteering one day a month for just 2 1/2 hours. There are openings on the first and third Wednesday from 12:30-3:00.
|
GARDEN DEPARTMENT
Date: Tuesday, November 27th
Time: 10:00 am- 2:00 pm
Place: Westport Woman's Club
There will not be a general Garden meeting for November.
We will be doing workshops and decorating the house for the holidays. Workshop days are as follows:
Hours each day start at 10:00 am
Tuesday, November 27th: Boxwood Trees
Wednesday, November 28th: Wreaths
Thursday, November 29th: Complete Projects and arrangements
Friday, November 30th Decorate house.
Please make sure you bring your own clippers and lunch for the workshops.
Please note that the order form for the trees and wreaths must be received by November 19th.
|
|
FOOD CLOSET
It's always very telling to note the "stats" of the Food Closet at the Westport Woman's Club. In the past few months we have helped over thirty people and distributed over one hundred bags of groceries along with Stop and Shop gift cards! Many of our members are not cognizant of the number of lives we touch in assisting families and individuals in Westport.
Our Food Closet is an ongoing operation that functions throughout the year. However, we are always especially busy during those times that school is not in session and kids are not receiving free or subsidized breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.
We have been very fortunate in the last month or so to be the recipient of food drives at two local schools: Staples High School and Coleytown Elementary School. Thanks to their generous donations, we now have fully stocked shelves and will be able to fulfill requests from Human Services at Town Hall during the fall and into the winter. We also want to recognize those WWC members who, on a regular basis, continue to support the Food Closet with donations of canned and packaged goods. Especially now as we near Thanksgiving, the adults and children whom we help are thankful for the many bags of food and the Stop and Shop gift cards they receive from our club.
If you would like to be "trained" and to volunteer in helping to prepare and deliver these food stuffs to Town Hall, please contact Wendy McKeon or Kim Reichert.
|
|
GOURMET
Date: Tuesday, November 20th
Time: 11:30 pm
Place: Bedford Hall
Gourmet Group will be meet on Tuesday November 20th at 11:30am in Bedford Hall.
Full details of the meeting will be sent by email. Gourmet Group members who wish to attend should RSVP by email to Lisa Allison.
|
LADIES WHO LUNCH
We will not be having our usual monthly luncheons in November and December, as the fourth Tuesdays come too close to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Instead, we will have a
Festive Holiday Luncheon on Tuesday, December 11.
Please see your December Bulletin for details.
|
|
MAH JONGG
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Date: Wednesdays
Place: Living Room
Mah Jongg is played on Wednesdays from 1-4pm.
Emails are sent out at the beginning of each week to members who are interested in playing. If you want to be included in these weekly emails, please contact me to put your name on that list.
All players are welcome, regardless of skill level and experience. You do not have to own a Mah Jongg set, but if you have one, please bring it.
You do not need to make a commitment to play each week; come whenever you are available.
In November, I would like to start a new series of group lessons for people who want to le
MAH JONGG CARDS
We received a check for $117.00 from the Mah Jongg League, which is their contribution from their charitable program, based on our group order sent earlier this year. This is the 11th consecutive year that the Club has participated in this program, bringing the total amount received to about $1,100.00 Orders for next year's cards are now being taken. Standard print is $8.00; large print is $9.00. Friends and family may also order cards - they don't have to be members of the Club. If paying by check, please make it payable to Audrey Rabinowitz. Card orders, accompanied by payment, need to be made by December 15th. Your new card(s) will be mailed directly to you at the beginning of April.
Not only do we get to enjoy playing this game, but we are also raising funds for the Club - a win-win situation.
Learn the game. Please contact me if you are interested. (There is no charge for these lessons).
Audrey Rabinowitz, [email protected]
,
203-227-6010
|
Thanks to those of you who helped with our two October fundraisers: the Clothing and Accessories Sale and Sip & Savor. Special thanks go to Susan Loselle, Mary Lee Clayton, Gloria Smithson and Christina McVaney for chairing those events.
Please join us for our next fundraiser, a concert and reception featuring Igor Pikayzen and Tatyana Pikayzen on December 7th at 7:30pm.
Our next Ways & Means meeting will be November 14 at 10:30am. We are in need of fundraising ideas for January-March.
|
|
|
| |
|
