Westport Woman's Club Bulletin
Westport Woman's Club
MARCH 2019
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 YDF   TBD;   Past President   Dorothy M. Packer
PRESIDENT'S LETTER


Dear Ladies,
 
Happy Spring! Are we there yet? Our days are certainly getting longer and our nights shorter. Although we haven't seen much snow this year I hope March will go out like a Lamb, as the proverb says.
 
After a bit of a fundraising lull, our Ways & Means Committee is hard at work planning a slew of Spring/Summer fundraisers beginning on March 23 rd with a much anticipated Spring Fashion Show featuring volunteer models from our own membership and their families including men and children! Please come out and support Ana Hitri and her committee by purchasing a ticket and bringing friends and family to the Spring Fashion Show. A silent auction featuring two Tauck River Cruises will be available to bid on at a great starting price point!

In April is our ever popular WWC Art Show curated by Miggs Burroughs. Start getting your friends together and plan on attending the opening soiree on April 27 th. I hear Miggs has some new artists picked out this year!

The month of May brings with it what is fast becoming a favorite fundraiser in the community: Antique Appraisal Day. I will speak more about this in bulletins to come and let's not forget Yankee Doodle Fair in June (13-16 th this year). After that, we can relax and have a lovely summer!

In other news, Dorothy Curran and her committee are looking for a few leaders in our midst who will join the board this coming year. Please contact her to make a difference in our club.

And....Susan Hricik and her committee are getting close to announcing this year's grant recipients. Stay tuned!

All My Best,
Christina McVaney, cmcvaney@yahoo.com , 203-293-5190
  In this Issue

Sunshine Girls
Thanks to Leah Scherzer, our Sunshine Girl for February.

Our Sunshine Girl for the month of March is 
Carol Goetz, carolgoetz@optonline.net,
203-502-2663
 
Kim Reichert, 1st VP, kim.reichert@gmail.com
203-362-8256

Condolences



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

March 2019

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday





1 2
 





 
3 4 5 6 7 8 9

CLUB DAY
11:30 am
CANASTA
1:00 - 4:00 pm

BUNCO
7:00 pm
YDF 
10:00 am

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


10 11 12 13 14
15 16



 GARDEN
10:00 am

CANASTA
1:00 - 4:00 pm


MAH JONGG
1:00 - 4:00 pm

BRIDGE
9:30 am



BYOB
4:00 - 5:30pm


17 18 19 20 21 22 23

BOARD MEETING

 COMMUNITY 
SERVICES
10:00 am

GOURMET
11:30 am  
 
 
CANASTA
1:00 - 4:00 pm
 
MAH JONGG
1:00 - 4:00 pm
BRIDGE
9:30 am

BOOK REVIEW
1:00 PM

Fashion Show
12:00 pm

24 25 26 27 28 29 30


COMMUNITY
SERVICES
10:00 am

CANASTA
1:00 - 4:00 pm

LADIES WHO LUNCH
12:30 PM
WAYS &
 
 
MEANS
10:30 am

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


31














CLUB DAY
 
Date:      Monday, March 4 
Time:     11:30 am
Where:   Bedford Hall

Please join us Monday, March 4, for Club Day, hosted by our Garden Club group headed up by Vivian Rosenberg and Leah Scherzer. 

Keep your fingers crossed for clear weather that day.  If, by any chance, there is a storm, Christina McVaney will send out an email blast the night before or that morning to let you know that the luncheon is being cancelled.  If you do not hear from us, know that March Club Day is on and the WWC parking lot is plowed! 

Please be sure to make your reservation with Elizabeth by 1:00 pm on Wednesday, February 27.

For our March luncheon, Aux Delices will be serving Salmon Cakes accompanied by a Spinach and Farro Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette; bread and butter will be available. The vegetarian option is Vegetable Skewers. Dessert is a Flourless Chocolate Torte. Doesn't this sound like a delicious meal?

If you prefer to have the vegetarian option, please email me before Wednesday, February 27. If you need to cancel a reservation, please do so by contacting Elizabeth by Wednesday, February 27 to avoid being charged.

Hope to see you on March 4th!

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

PROGRAM
DAVID POGUE, Guest Speaker

We are pleased to welcome guest speaker, David Pogue, at our March Club Day, at which time David will discuss his new book "Pogue's Basics: Money," which will actually help us save money!  

A Westport resident,  David is an American technology writer and TV science presenter.  He is a personal technology columnist for Yahoo Tech, a technology correspondent for CBS News Sunday Morning, a columnist for Scientific American and a technology columnist for The New York Times. 

David is also the host of "NOVA Science Now" on PBS and was host of the NOVA specials.  He has written or co-written seven books in the "For Dummies" series, and launched his own series of humorous computer books  called the "Missing Manual" series, which now includes 120 titles.  His accomplishments, too long to list here, include Broadway musicals, 
Emmy awards and more. 

We hope you will join us for what will be a most entertaining and informative presentation by David Pogue.  

 Leah Scherzer, Leahsart41@gmail.com, 203-856-6189
 Josephine Calcagni, calcagnijm@gmail.com, 203-222-0073

BOOK REVIEW

Date:      Thursday, March 21
Time:     1:00 pm
Where:   Living Room
Book:       "Conclave" by Robert Harris
 
The Pope is dead!  Behind locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, 118 Cardinals from all over the world will meet to cast their votes for the next Pope.  Over the next 72 hours, one will become the most powerful spiritual figure on earth.  But who will he be?
 
Join us as we discuss this gripping, page-turning, cannot-put-down thriller with a surprising twist at the end. 
 
Stop by the Library to pick up a copy of the book.
 

Heike Martin, heikem@optonline.net,  (203) 227-2448
Pat Vezendy,  pvezendy@gmail.com, (203) 226-9869

BUNCO

Date:  Tuesday, March 5 (Please note date change)
Time:  7:00 pm - Chat & Chew,  7:30 pm - Game begins
Place:  Kitchen/Bedford Hall
Cost:   $5.00
Okay ladies...It is almost spring!
Come out for an evening of fun and the chance to win $$$ !!!
Always a good time...

Hope to see you there!

Notice - Date Change - Tuesday, March 5


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

BYOB FRIDAY

Date: Friday,  March 15 (the 3rd Friday of March)
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!"

March right in like a Lioness to BYOB Friday on March 15, in the WWC Kitchen and expect to leave laughing, like a Lamb.  Longer days and shorter nights are conducive to summer plans. Let's melt some ice together as we sample hors d'oeuvres and hear what's happening with the March Fashion Show and April Art Show! 

Plan to Bring Yourself Over Briefly, to say hello (or linger longer), anytime 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, share your recent dining adventures, compare airlines, hotels or cruises, hear what Alexa has to say about Siri, or simply kick off the weekend. 

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

Next Meetings 
Date:  Tuesday, February 26
           Tuesday, March 19 or 26, depending on Committee's discretion
Time:  10:00 -11:30 am
Place:  Living Room
 
Care/Necessity Bags
 A big "Thank You" to our WWC members for their support in our outreach efforts to the Domestic Violence Crisis Center.   The Necessity bags were assembled mid-February and have been delivered to the DVCC's office. 
 
Grants
Our Committee is continuing to review the many community grant proposals we have received. We are looking to serve the community and neighboring towns with support and assistance in issues regarding: better health, education, food, shelter, arts education, medical difficulties and their financial impact.  Our goal is to present our final choices to the Board in late March and to notify the recipients in early April.  In total, we will have reviewed fifty-seven grant applications.
 
Ruegg Grant
Notices for sending applications for our annual Ruegg Grant have been placed in various media outlets.   Proposals are due by March 8, 2019, and will be reviewed during March and April, while notifying the recipient by mid-April.

Again, thank you to our membership and especially to our Committee for supporting our WWC Community Services goals. 
 
Susan Hricik susanswhim@yahoo.com , 203-226-1372

CURIO COTTAGE  
 
Whether you are starting your annual "spring cleaning," or doing a full "Marie Kondo" clean-out,  please remember the Curio Cottage is happy to receive donations of items you no longer want. 

Items can be donated any Monday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, when our Committee is there to assist you, or any other day the shop is open.  Thank you.


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

GARDEN DEPARTMENT
 
Date:  Tuesday, March 12
Time:  10:00 - 11:30 am
Place:  Savannah Bee Company
             43 Church Lane, Westport, CT
 
On Tuesday, March 12, from 10:00 - 11:30 am, we will be stepping out to the Savannah Bee Company in downtown Westport.  This is a lovely shop located at 43 Church Lane. 

Our visit will include a short talk about the company, including bees, pollinating, and a reasonable alternative to healthy gardens.  

Coffee, tea and refreshments will follow.  And, we'll have an opportunity to enjoy a Honey Tasting and other samplings.  

Savannah Bee Company is the perfect place to buy a special gift for yourself or another person in your life.  If you haven't visited this store yet, it will be a treat.  If you have, it will still be a treat!

Reservations are required.  Please RSVP by Tuesday, March 5, to either Vivian Rosenberg or Leah Scherzer.  
 
Vivian Rosenberg, Garden Chair, vivianrose1@gmail.com , 203-227-4419
Leah Scherzer, Co-Program Chair, Leahsart41@gmail.com203-856-6189

FOOD CLOSET

PLEASE HELP US KEEP OUR SHELVES FULL!

We are reaching out to any members who might like to contribute to the WWC Food Closet. The next time you are grocery shopping, perhaps you could include a few of the following canned and bottled items on your list:

-Dinty Moore Beef Stew
-Corned Beef Hash
-Chili
-Canned Chicken
-Chef Boyardee Pasta
-Vienna Sausages
-Canned Mixed Vegetables
-Canned Carrots
-Grape Jelly
-Strawberry Jam

We appreciate your helping us keep our shelves well stocked so that we can continue to include these tasty choices in our food runs.  Please bring your contributions on the next Club Day or drop them off anytime in the bin outside the office.

THANK YOU!

Wendy McKeon,  xwamx50@aol.com 203-222-0038 
Kim Reichert, kim.reichert@gmail.com, 203-227-4590

GOURMET

Date:  Tuesday, March 19
Time:  11:30 am
Place:  Club House

Gourmet Group will meet at 11:30 am on Tuesday, March 19,  in the Club House.  Cooks this month are Dorothy Packer, Arlene Johnson, Donna Sedgwick and Mitzi Lyman.  Further details will be sent to members by email. 

Please RSVP to Lisa Allison by March 12, if you plan to attend.


Lisa Allison ( Liallison@optonline.net )
Barbara Gladnick ( Bagladnick@optonline.net)

LADIES WHO LUNCH

Our next dining adventure takes us to a Westport Landmark -- that funky, tipsy, seaworthy "dive" -- THE BLACK DUCK!

DATE:           Tuesday, March 26
TIME:          12:30 PM
ADDRESS:   605 Riverside Avenue, Westport

Shortly after starting Ladies Who Lunch seven years ago, I announced at Club Day that we would be going to the Duck.  I was greeted with a burst of laughter.  However, we had one of the largest crowds ever!  So come join us for a selection of delicious comestibles including: appetizers and snacks, salads, soups, seafood, and a variety of burgers including, "the Best Stuffed Burger in the Land," and "Historic Westport Burgers." 


Please let me know by Friday, March 22, 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, sangazure1@aol.com, 203-255-1577 

MAH JONGG

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

Mah Jongg is played every Wednesday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. 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.

Do you want to learn a new skill?  Lessons for beginners, and for those who want to brush up on their skills, are given on Wednesdays, starting at 1:00 pm. Please contact me if you are interested or have questions.

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

WA YS & MEAN S


Date:   Wednesday, March 20 
Time:  10:30 am
 

We're planning for the Art Show in April, Paint with a Twist in May, and Antique Appraisals in June.  We're happy to have your suggestions and assistance with any of these fundraisers.  Please join us!

Karen Kleine, kkleine3@gmail.com , 203-858-4010
Donna Pellittieri, donnamaydolls@optonline.net, 203-216-0821


YANKEE DOODLE FAIR

Date:  Wednesday,  March 6th
Time:  10:00 am

So we have our Raffle Prizes this year:

Grand Prize: $1,000 cash
2nd Prize:     $500 cash
3rd Prize:      $400 3-course Chef's Dinner for 4 by Gruel Britannia

We are nailing down our sponsors but we need more members to attend our meetings especially since we're getting close to YDF now.   It's our biggest fundraiser and it's the one that funds our grants and scholarship coffers!  Please make an effort to come out and help us plan the weekend.  Beer & Wine Garden anyone??  Come and find out more!


Christina McVaney,  cmcvaney@yahoo.com , 203-293-5190
Kim Reichert, kim.reichert@gmail.com, 203-227-4590

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