Don't get me wrong.
I like summer. Love summer, actually, and don't want to wish it away by any means.
But I do miss the monthly luncheon and business meetings held by the women's clubs, which take a break from regular sessions come summer, before a new club year begins in September or October.
Article Photos
Officers installed were, from left, Barb Thermes, president;
Marjean Sizemore, first vice president; Natalie Doty, second vice president; CarolynLee Barrett, recording secretary; Linda Ciprianni, corresponding
secretary; and Joyce Palmer, treasurer.
It's always a pleasure to attend the club meetings, which are a time to enjoy the company of the members and appreciate the things that they do and the difference that they make.
This would include, of course, the GFWC/OH Wintersville Woman's Club, which ended its club year May 17 at St. Florian Hall, Wintersville, with the installation of officers; the announcement of a new scholarship; and its end-of-the-year special program I find myself looking forward to - the "Make it, Bake It, Take It" auction that generates funds for the club not to mention great take-home items for the successful bidders.
This includes everything from baked goods to flowers, the latter of which Pat Freeland accumulated enough to get her gardens off to a grand start.
Lil Ferguson conducted the auction that included the usual and the not-so-usual, namely a pair of "redneck wine glasses" donated by Donna Phillips.
President Judy Anastasia welcomed 48 members and four guests to the final meeting of the 2011-12 club year where Jackie Davis chaired the hostesses who also included Fran Sohovich, Joyce Palmer, Nancy Smith, Carole Coffman, CarolynLee Barrett and Linda Lenzi.
Among the guests were Jeannie Barker, Anita Jackson, Esther McCoy and Robbie Young.
Charlotte Shively gave the meditation and grace using a reading entitled "A Most Unusual Day" by William Arthur Ward. I offer it here in this space because I liked it so much and think you might, too.
"Today is a most unusual day, because we have never lived it before; we will never live it again; it is the only day we have.
"Today can be a healthy unusual day for you - and for others - if you take time to give someone a smileto express a word of kindnessto lend a helping hand to someone in need...to write a note of gratitude to give a word of encouragement to someone who is temporarily overcome with problemsto share a portion of your material possessions with others.
"Lose yourself in generous service and every day can be a most unusual day, a triumphant day, an abundantly rewarding day!"
Nancy Honse led the group in opening ceremonies as Anastasia concluded her last meeting as president for a two-year term. She expressed appreciation to her colleagues for their support and encouragement and in turn the club applauded her and Marjean Sizemore, who not only is a member of the club and now new officer but has served as the GFWC Ohio Southeast district president over 14 clubs as far north as Columbiana County and as far south as Proctorville.
Linda Nolf announced that the club is sponsoring the names of both Anastasia and Sizemore for inclusion in the Blue Book of Distinguished Women for their outstanding work and leadership in those capacities. The Blue Book of Distinguished Women was established in 1964, according to Nolf, the club's chair of public issues, to honor those women in Ohio who have made significant contributions to their clubs, communities and state.
Nolf also had the honors of installing officers for the next two-year term with Barb Thermes assuming the presidency. Joining her are: Marjean Sizemore, first vice president; Natalie Doty, second vice president; Joyce Palmer, treasurer; Linda Ciprianni, corresponding secretary; and CarolynLee Barrett, recording secretary.
Thermes presided during the business meeting, distributing signup sheets for members to consider committee choices and offer program ideas.
In recognizing guests in attendance, Anastasia introduced Anita Jackson of the Franciscan University of Steubenville which will now partner with the club in providing a $1,000 annual scholarship, each providing $500. The first award will come in May 2013 to a high school student who is a resident of Wintersville attending any school.
In other club news, Joan Martinez, chairman of international affairs, reported she had sent coupons valued at $6.652.60 to a military base in Vilseck, Germany. Martinez also has faithfully served as editor of the club's Chatterbox newsletter, a duty from which she is resigning so the club is scouting for someone to assume that role.
Natalie Doty reported that Starkdale Presbyterian Church, Steubenville, is the event host for the inaugural Abigail's Angels Charity Walk that will be held Sept. 22 at the Robert Kettlewell Memorial Stadium on the campus of Indian Creek High School, Wintersville. The event is a 3-mile walk to raise money and awareness in honor of a 7-year- old Abigail Kinney and her fight with a rare eye condition called Leber's Congenital Amaurosis.
The club agreed to donate a door prize basket of items for an 8-9-year-old boy or girl.
Club members were reminded about the Woman's Club of Steubenville chartering a bus Sept. 30 to the Gold Star Mother's Pilgrimage at the Shrine in Mohican State Forest.
So that's it for the Wintersville club until the 2012-13 season picks back up in the fall. Sort of.
The club will be sponsoring the reception for the General Equivalency Program graduation at Eastern Gateway Community College on June 29. They also have scheduled their annual picnic for July 19 at the Italian Village.
And they're already off and running on a project to lend a helping hand as members left the May meeting with baby bottles to fill with change over the summer. They'll bring them back in September with the proceeds to benefit the AIM Women's Center.
