Westport Woman's Club Bulletin
Westport Woman's Club
SEPTEMBER 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,
Welcome back to a great new season at the Westport Woman's Club!   I'm honored to have been chosen to lead this historically significant woman's organization.
I want to thank the Nominating Committee, Jo Luscombe, Dorothy Curran, Mary Lee  Clayton, Susan Fox and Susan Hricik, for their commitment to gathering a group of women who will be leading the organization to great heights this coming year.  I am truly thankful to be working with such a strong and committed Board.
On that note, we have one position left to fill.  Although Kim Reichert and I have had a blast putting the Yankee Doodle Fair together for the last three years, it is time to pass the baton and let others do the job.  Please keep a look out for current members, new members or potential new members who would enjoy putting together our fun YDF.  We all need to help fill this important position.
Speaking of YDF, thank you all for making it our best fair to date!  Of course, having all four days rain free helped ,but so did the acceptance of credit cards for ride tickets.  For the first time ever, Stewart Amusements gave us a 35% split since our gross ticket sales exceeded $100,000.
We'll be starting the new season with our September Club Day, which will be on Tuesday, September 4, this year due to Monday holidays.
Kim Reichert is going to be working with a brand new caterer,  Aux Delices.  Their menu looks delicious and refreshing. I hope you will enjoy it.
Things to remember for September and October:
  • Sign up for our first fundraiser, "An Evening with Gilbert & Sullivan," September 22, 7:00-10:00 pm
  • Everybody bring a friend to our annual Prospective Member Wine & Cheese Social, on September 26
  • Help us collect clothing for our Clothing Tag Sale, October 19 - 20, by telling your friends and posting on social media
  • And, Save the Date for our 2nd Annual Sip & Savor, Saturday, October 26
With thanks and best wishes to all,

 
Christina McVaney, cmcvaney@yahoo.com , 203-292-8138
  In this Issue

Sunshine Girls
Thanks to our Sunshine Girls for June, July and August: Pat Vezendy, Wendy McKeon and Jeannette Tewey.

Our Sunshine Girl for the month of September is Bobbie Herman, 
203- 255-1577, sangazure1@aol.com

Kim Reichert, 1st VP, kim.reichert@gmail.com
203-362-8256

Condolences

Our sincere sympathy is extended to the families of Inge van Gelder, Shirley Reynolds, and Carol Mata, long-time members who recently passed away.  

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

September 2018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday






1
 
 





 



 
2 3 4 5 6 7 8


CLUB DAY
MAH JONGG
1:00 - 4:00 pm

BRIDGE
9:30 am


9 10 11 12 13 14 15


CANASTA
1:00 - 4:00 pm

MAH JONGG
1:00 - 4:00 pm
BRIDGE
9:30 am


16 17 18 19 20 21
22
 
BOARD MEETING

GOURMET 
11:30 am

CANASTA
1:00 - 4:00 pm

BUNCO
7:00 pm



MAH JONGG
1:00 - 4:00 pm
 
 
 
 


BRIDGE
9:30 am
BYOB FRIDAY
4:00 - 5:30 pm

AN EVENING WITH GILBERT & SULLIVAN
FUNDRAISER

7:00-10:00 pm
23 24 25 26 27 28 29






COMMUNITY
SERVICES
10:30 am

LADIES WHO LUNCH

12:30 pm

CANASTA
1:00 - 4:00 pm

MAH JONGG
1:00 - 4:00 pm
  
  
  
 
NEW MEMBER WINE & CHEESE 
5:30 - 7:30 pm

BRIDGE
9:30 am


30







 




  MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE AUGUST 31, 2018

Ladies, Just a reminder that your membership renewals are due by August 31, in order for you to be included in our 2018-2019 Membership Directory.  Please submit payment to our Office Manager, Elizabeth, along with your completed membership form at your earliest convenience.  Thank you.


CLUB DAY
 
Date:   Tuesday, September 4*  
Time:  11:30 am - Refreshments
            12:00 pm - Lunch
 
 
Join us on Tuesday, September 4*, for Club Day, hosted by our Bunco group, chaired by Wendy McKeon.
  
*Please note that because of Labor Day, our September luncheon is being held the next day.
  
We are proud to announce that we have a new caterer, Aux Delices, for this year!  In case you have not sampled their food, you are in for a treat.  They will be serving Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Summer Corn Succotash.  The vegetarian option is Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Summer Corn Succotash.  Dessert will be Open Faced Strawberry Shortcake.
  
Please be sure to make your reservation by 1:00 pm on the Wednesday before Club Day.  If you have a serious food allergy or are a vegetarian, let me know.  If you need to cancel your reservation, please do so by calling the WWC office by 1:00 pm, on Wednesday, August 29, to avoid being charged for your luncheon.


PERMANENT LUNCH LIST NOTE:   If you were on last year's luncheon list, your reservation will be included for our first Club Day this fall (September 4), unless you call ahead of time to cancel. A sign-up sheet for the 2018-2019 permanent lunch reservation list will be available at the payment/name tag table on September Club Day. This way, our new permanent reservation lunch list will 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 be sent a gentle reminder to guarantee that she contributes the $20.00 for missing lunch.
  
I hope that you are pleased with the food that Aux Delices will be providing for us.  They were excited to be selected as the WWC Club Day caterer for 2018-2019.  Please be sure to visit their locations in Westport at 1035 Post Road East (located on the Post Road right beside Carvel) and at 44 Church Lane (downtown near The Spotted Horse), for some delicious eat-in or take-out breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices.
  
Hope to see you on Tuesday, September 4, at our Club Day luncheon!

Kim Reichert, kim.reichert@gmail.com, 203-227-4590

PROGRAM
SEPTEMBER CLUB DAY 

"ANTARCTICA PENINSULA & BEYOND" 
by Club Member Arlene Johnson
 
This Club Day we have the pleasure of being treated to an audio video program by club member Arlene Johnson.  Arlene will share the experience of her daily expeditions from her cruise ship to particular landing sites to view the animals and terrain that are indigenous to that remote region of the world.  She will also tell us about Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego which preceded the cruise.  A Question and Answer will follow her presentation.
 
Arlene brings a special appreciation for life in the Antarctica.  She taught Advanced Placement Biology for nine years at Staples High School from where she retired in 2008.  She is presently an adjunct Professor of Biology at Sacred Heart University.  
 
Arlene has been a member of the Westport Woman's Club for more than ten years. 
During this time she served on the Board for three years as VP of Finance. 
 
Leah Scherzer, Leahsart41@gmail.com, 203-856-6189
Josephine Calcagni, calcagnijm@gmail.com, 203-222-0073

 AN EVENING WITH GILBERT & SULLIVAN

Date: Saturday, September 22
Time: 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Location: Bedford Hall


On Saturday evening, September 22, from 7:00 - 10:00 pm, The Westport Woman's Club will present "An Evening With Gilbert & Sullivan."

Gilbert & Sullivan wrote a total of fourteen operas. Many people only know of the "big three," Mikado, Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore. Featured will be selections from all of these operas. The performers, all professional singers, have appeared in many local productions as well as those in New York City.

Tickets to this fundraising event are $30.00 if bought in advance, and $35.00 at the door. For tickets and/or information please go to our website, www.westportwomansclub.org, or call the Office at 203-227-4240.



Anyone wishing to volunteer for this fun event is invited to the next meeting of the Ways & Means Committee on August 21 at 10:30 am.

Bobbie Herman at sangazure1@aol.com, 203-255-1577
Karen Kleine,  kkleine3@gmail.com, 203-858-4010

BOOK REVIEW


There will be no Book Review meeting in September. 
Our first meeting of this new season will be held in October.   Please look for details and the title of our selection in the October "Bulletin."

We're looking forward to seeing everyone and also some new members as well.  All are welcome!

 
Pat Vezendy, pvezendy@gamail.com,  203-226-9869

BUNCO

Date:    Tuesday, September 18
Time:   7:00 pm - Chat and Chew,   7:30 pm - Game Begins
Cost:    $5.00

Hello Everyone!  Happy Fall!

Hope you all had a great summer.  Now it's time to come out and join us for "Bunco"!  No experience necessary! You just have to roll the dice...  You can do it...and a good time is guaranteed.

In July, we crowned our 2018 "Bunco Queen"
Sandy Atwood...Congratulations!  This is a "coveted title" ...LOL...complete with a plastic tiara.  Many ways to achieve this goal...all associated with LUCK...not SKILL.


Hope to see many new faces at our September get-together!  Please join us.

Wendy McKeon, XWAMX50@aol.com , 203-222-0038


BYOB FRIDAY

Date:   Friday, September 21 (the 3rd Friday of September)
Time:  4:00 - 5:30 pm
Place:  Club Kitchen

"Bring something to sip and nibbles to share;
It won't be the same if you're not there!"
 
Don't be shy! There's no better way to mark Summer, 2018's final Friday than to stop by at the FIRST BYOB Friday of the WWC's 2018-19 year.

B ring  Yourself  Over  Briefly, to say hello (or linger longer), anytime between 4:00 to 5:30 pm. Yes,  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 festive way to meet fellow members, trade summer travel anecdotes and get the inside scoop on our Fall FUNdraisers. 
 
As always, we operate picnic/tailgate style, bringing our own simple set-ups and serving implements, then disappearing without footprints or fingerprints. 

Dorothy Curran, dorothyecurran@aol.com, 203-246-0543


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.

Donna Richardson, donnarichardson4@yahoo.com, 203-354-8743


COMMUNITY SERVICES

Date: Tuesday, September 25
Time: 10:30 am
Location: Living Room

Welcome WWC Ladies,

We look forward to your participation in the Community Service Committee this 2018-2019 year. Our meetings are open to all members. Please note that we are trying a new day and time this year in order to accommodate as many as possible.

Meetings - 4th Tuesday of each month - September - May (excluding December)
Starting at 10:30 am in the Club House living room.

Be mindful of participating in any of the Club's fundraisers and stopping by and joining our Community Service meetings. It is very rewarding in working together, learning about various other organizations and sharing the bounty of our fund raisers with people that need 'a hand up'. WWC's outreach is very welcomed in Westport and the surrounding communities.

Hope to see you in September.

Best regards,

Susan Hricik susanswhim@yahoo.com, 203-226-1372

CURIO COTTAGE

The Curio Cottage has had a very busy summer. A big thank you to all who shopped, donated and volunteered. However, WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS!

There are openings on Wednesdays for the 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm shift. Please consider signing up to work just one shift - 2-1/2 hours each month! Your time and efforts would be most appreciated.

Whether you have recently joined the Club or have been a member for many years, this is a fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity.
Thank you.

Carol Brezovec, richardbrezovec@gmail.com, 203-221-7688
Susan Loselle, seloselle@gmail.com, 203-454-4171

GARDEN DEPARTMENT
 
Greetings to all Garden Department members.  Just to let you know, due to the Jewish religious holidays, we will not be meeting in September.

But, we do have an exciting trip planned for October.  We will be going to the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, Connecticut, to explore the Wee Faire Village.  The theme this year is "Lettersburg Junction," an enchanting region where faeries live in alphabetically placed houses resembling all the letters of the alphabet, from A to Z.  We invite you to check out the FGM website, www.florencegriswoldmuseum.org, where you will find a wealth of information about this interesting museum and the exhibit.

More details on the Wee Faire Village trip will follow in the October Bulletin.

Rosenberg, Garden Chair, vivianrose1@gmail.com203-227-4419
Jerilyn Deveau, Co-Program Chair, jerilyndeveau@yahoo.com, 203-372-2920
Leah Scherzer, Co-Program Chair, Leahsart41@gmail.com, 203-856-6189


FOOD CLOSET

Although our shelves were bulging at the seams after the Postal Workers' Food Drive, we have had many requests during the summer. This is not unusual because children are home for vacation, so they do not receive free breakfasts, snacks, or lunches from the schools.  As a result, we are now low on the following items:
 
*Dinty Moore beef stew
*canned fruit
*canned mixed vegetables
*canned carrots
*Hamburger Helper
*Chicken Helper
*Sloppy Joe mix
  
If you could bring any of these items to Club Day on Tuesday, September 4, or to the office anytime during the summer, that would help us more completely fulfill requests from Human Services.
  
It is because of the generosity of WWC members that we can do our mission and provide for Westport individuals and families who are in need.  Thank you for your cooperation; we appreciate your contributions to the Food Closet.
  
Wendy McKeon, xwamx50@aol.com, 203-222-0038 
Kim Reichert, kim.reichert@gmail.com, 203-227-4590

GOURMET

Date:        Tuesday, September 18
Time:        11:30 pm
Location:  Bedford Hall

Gourmet Group's first meeting of the new season will be on Tuesday, September 18, at  11:30 am 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 by September 6. 

Dues will be $45.00 again this season and members should either bring a check to the meeting made out to our Treasurer Anne Hunt, or send it to Anne Hunt at her home address. Any other WWC member who would like to join the group should also contact Lisa Allison. 

The Group usually meets for lunch and conversation on the third Tuesday of every month except January.  Each member is expected to form part of a cooking, set-up and clean-up group once during the season which runs from September to May, and we also have a couple of pot lucks.  If you would like to try one meeting to see if Gourmet Group is for you, the guest fee is $20.00 which is refundable if you join the group and pay dues.

Lisa Allison, liallison@optonline.net , 203-227-9563
Barbara Gladnick, bagladnick@optonline.net , 203-854-0424

LADIES WHO LUNCH
 
Date:       Tuesday, September 25
Time:       12:30 pm
Address:   150 Main Street, Westport 

This month, we head to a long-time local favorite, TAVERN ON MAIN, right in the center of town, which we last visited in 2013.

Tavern on Main offers a varied selection of luncheon dishes, including appetizers, small plates, soups, sandwiches and cheese boards. If the weather permits, we'll dine on their lovely covered outdoor porch.  

You'll find their menu at:   http://www.tavernonmain.com/index.html#menus

Please let me know by Friday, September 21, if you'd like to join us. And, as always, I ask that you email or call me, as I may not remember if you tell me in person.

Bobbie Herman, s angazure1@aol.com, 203-255-1577 

MAH JONGG

Time:  1:00 - 4:00 pm
Date:   Wednesdays
Place:  Living Room

We play on Wednesdays from 1:00-4:00 pm - if there is a minimum of 3 or 4 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 Mah Jongg set, but if you have one, please bring it.

Lessons are given, also on Wednesdays 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.


Audrey Rabinowitz, bxiteb4@aol.com ,  203-227-6010

MEMBERSHIP

Date:   September 26
Time:  5:30-7:30
Place:  Bedford Hall

                                            
Come to our Annual Wine & Cheese New Member Mixer
and invite a prospective member to join you on Wednesday, September 26, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm, in Bedford Hall the Club House.

  

Robin Clark, rclark@westportnational.com , 203-231-2109

WAYS & MEANS

Next Ways & Means Committee Meeting
Date:   August 21
Time:  10:30 am


CLOTHING TAG SALE
Dates:        Friday, October 19 and  Saturday, October 20
Time:         10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location:   Bedford Hall

WE NEED YOUR HELP FOR:

SET-UP on:
Tuesday, October 16 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Wednesday, October 17 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Thursday, October 18 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Set-up will involve sorting, folding, and organizing clothes and accessories on tables and racks (no heavy lifting).

SALE DAYS on:
Friday, October 19 10:00 am to 12:30 pm & 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Saturday, October 20 10:00 am to 12:30 pm & 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm

We need Cashiers who will be responsible for taking payment (cash or check) and bagging the merchandise.

We also need Floaters whose responsibilities are to pitch in as necessary to help the customers and cashiers and keep the tables neat and organized.

Also Volunteers are needed to help bag the clothes at the end and for general clean up.

If you have helped with the Clothing Sales in the past, you know how much fun we have while raising much needed funds. If you are new to the Club, this is a great way to get involved.

Please respond to either Co-Chair Marylee Clayton or Susan Loselle and let us know where you would like to volunteer and your preferred time slot.

Thank you and don't forget to bring in your clothing and accessories donations.

Mary Lee Clayton, claytonmary@att.net, 203-878-1486
Susan Loselle, seloselle@gmail.com, 203-454-4171
Co-Chairs, Clothing Tag Sale


Suzan Murphy, murphy05@aol.com , 203-222-9117
Karen Kleine, kkleine3@gmail.com, 203-858-4010


YANKEE DOODLE FAIR

Although the final numbers are still not in, we can definitely say that Yankee Doodle Fair 2018 was the most financially successful event in our history!  We can tell from the preliminary reports that the ride ticket sales were quite a bit over $100,000, which was a first for us.  As a result, Stewart Amusements gave the club 35% of the profits instead of 30% as they have in the past.
  
We would like to give all the credit to the WWC members (and especially to the captains) who worked tirelessly during planning and prep and then volunteered for many, many shifts in the various areas during YDF 2018.  However, we would be remiss if we did not offer kudos to Mother Nature for doing her part!  Didn't we have beautiful weather for all four days?  How lucky we were; guess the NO rain dance that we performed worked its magic.
  
Sadly, we do know that our raffle tickets sales were down from last year.  We were informed that over forty women did not return their raffle ticket stubs and checks.  That represents more than a $2,000 loss for the club.  We need all members of the WWC to cooperate and actively participate in this fund raising event.
  
As the final results of the fair become available, we will keep you posted.  Remember that we still need a couple of volunteers to share the responsibility and fun of heading up Yankee Doodle Fair 2019.  Christina and Kim can give plenty of advice and guidance, so please consider it.  As we have co-chaired the YDF for the past several years, it is time for new hands to take over the reins in 2018-2019.
  
Christina McVaney, cmcvaney@yahoo.com, 203-292-8138
Kim Reichert, kim.reichert@gmail.com, 203-227-4590

The BULLETIN 
OF THE WESTPORT WOMAN'S CLUB 
44 Imperial Avenue 
Westport, CT 06880