Newsletter

General Meeting - February 11, 2010
Please welcome our speaker Mark McGrath whose topic today is Technology for Seniors.

Message from the President Sharon Oudemool
I recently saw a sign in a shop window stating, "48 days until spring", but we all know that spring is a fleeting concept on Cape Cod. Still it is nice to think about warmer weather and green outside our windows. In the meantime we will have to make our own warmth by enjoying our friendships and trying to help those in need. We have a new social to look forward to; Abigail Doherty and Robin Zibrat are giving a tapas and sangria party on Sunday, February 28th. They can accommodate 20+ guests so please consider joining them at Abigail's house on Old Harbor Road. I thank-you in advance for the many clothing and personal items you brought in today for the veterans at the Brockton VA Hospital where there is a great need for winter coats. We also support our local veterans through a Hyannis VA office by paying for taxi vouchers to doctor appointments. As always, the Board thanks you for your continuing generosity.
Best wishes, Sharon

Ways and Means New Socials Lisa Mahieu
Please join us on February 28th at 5:30 for Tapas, Sangria and More at a newly scheduled social at Abigail Doherty's home. Sign up early…spaces fill up fast!

Lisa Mahieu would like to plan more socials and is looking for willing members to host several more cocktail parties this spring. If you are interested in volunteering your time and your home for a social, please give Lisa a call at 508-237-1601.

Hospitality Abigail Doherty
Thanks to the hospitality food committee for today's great luncheon - Hostess: Pam Patton; Centerpiece: Beth Holden; Committee: Barbara Lynyak, Barbara Keith, Nancy DeNise, Jo Ann Sprague, Edee Crowell, Clara Slockbower, Roseanne Stephens.

January Correspondence Fran Monroe
A sympathy card was sent on behalf of the CWC to Marcia Burns and Judi and Richard Clifford. Get well cards were sent to Pat Borzilleri who is recovering from a knee replacement and Marilyn Hagerty from a broken pelvis. Barbara Keith was sent a Thinking of You card.

Strategic Planning Joanna Schurmann
The Strategic Planning Committee has presented the following three strategic goals to the board:
1. Chatham Woman's Club will preserve its special heritage by keeping the best of the past and innovatively moving into the future as it serves the community's current needs.
2. Chatham Woman's Club will provide learning opportunities and leadership education within our organization.
3. Chatham Woman's Club will be the leading advocate and resource for promoting community involvement through volunteerism and financial support.

Associated with each of these goals are a number of action steps. Teams from the board have been working hard to put together plans and timelines to address these steps. The plans will provide the guidance for the next five years of the club's focus. Soon members will receive correspondence and emails describing in detail these goals and plans. Everyone in the club will have an opportunity to participate and we hope you will not be the least bit shy about indicating an area that interests you.

Community Service Robin Zibrat
On behalf of the Brockton Veterans Hospital, I'd like to thank you for your donations today. Gently-used clothing in men's and women's sizes M-XL, especially coats and jackets are in great need this season. Gift cards and monetary donations are welcome. We are also collecting cosmetics, nail files, clippers, feminine hygiene products, lotions (all new) to put into cosmetic bags for the women. Thank you for your generosity!

Community Outreach by Suzanne Burley
During 2009-10, a dozen CWC volunteers meet monthly with residents at the Congregate House. The volunteers help them recall memories from their youths, turn those memories into journal writings and incorporate them into scrapbook pages. By next summer, these senior citizens will have bound books to share with their children and grandchildren. The Congregate House in Chatham offers a shared living arrangement to elders and disabled adults. It's an alternative to premature nursing home or rest home placement. Congregate Housing offers affordable housing, together with the supportive social and health services needed to assist individuals in continuing to live independently.

February Events
Feb. 15, Arts Department The Feb. meeting of the Arts Committee of the Women's Club will be a program by our local writer Lynn Van Dine, author of The Search for Peter Hunt. The meeting will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the CCC Club Room

Feb. 19, Literature Department Please note day and time change: The Literature Dept. will meet Friday, February 19 at the Community Center Club Room at 1:00 to have a Round Robin of Favorite Books. Also the March and April books are going to be switched: Shanghai Girls will be discussed in March and The Elegance of the Hedgehog will be discussed in April. All are welcome!

Feb. 22, Conservation Department The February speaker will be Don Lewis, Founding Partner, Cape Cod Consultants. His topic will be Turtles of Cape Cod: a Metaphor for Conservation of Our Coastal Habitat. The meeting will be held at the home of Marcia Burns, 23 Geranium Drive, Chatham at 1:00pm. All are welcome. Please call Marcia at 945-1646 if you are coming.

Feb., American Heritage Department American Heritage members will assist Suzanne Burley with the Woman's Club archives at the Atwood House on Tuesday mornings at 10:00AM during the month of February. Contact Edee Crowell at 945-8883 or ecrowell1@comcast.net.

March 11, CWC General Meeting The meeting will be held at the CCC, commencing with tea at noon. The speaker will be Larry Thayer, Director of Cape Abilities.

Mar. 16, Legislative Department The next meeting of the Legislative department will be in March at the home of Lois Ortendahl, 31 Squanto Drive, West Chatham. The speaker will be Judy Thomas, president of the Cape area League of Women Voters. She will bring us up to date on what we may not know about the League.

SAVE THE DATE! Our annual Friendship Luncheon will be held on Friday, May 14th at Eastward Ho!