February 2023 Newsletter

A Message From Carmen Skurdal

Our President

Dear Members,

A Happy New Year to you all! The start of a new year is like a blank canvas. As we experience life we add a brush stroke to that canvas and before we know it by the end of the year we have completed a year of memories. Somehow those days seem to come faster and faster and I remind myself to savor life one day at a time. I hope this year brings you good health, much happiness and all that is important to you.

I wish I could have seen you for the January luncheon but it was not meant to be. But we have an exciting February- from our famous speaker, cookbook author and chef extraordinaire, to the Queen of Hearts gala that promises to be a very fun event with great music, dancing and a great time to visit with other members and their significant other. And if you would like to put on your dancing shoes and give a surprise gift to that special someone we are going to do a mob flash dance. To be great fun the more the merrier and what a surprise it will be! I PROMISE it will be so easy and so much fun! Please join in the fun and dance! Speaking of dance the band would like a list of song requests so that they may play our favorite songs. Please be sure to pass those requests on to Mary Beth Cristinziano at mbcristinziano@gmail.com.

I know one of the reasons that we come together at the luncheons is to sit with our friends and catch up on each other’s lives. As a courtesy after 11:40 if that person(s) has not shown please give those that cannot find a seat a place to sit at your table. You may find that you have made a new friend and given that person an opportunity to get to know the wonderful you!

Now is the time we start to recruit our new officers for the Executive and General Board for 2023-2024. If you are willing to serve in any of the positions or would like to nominate someone please let me know at carmen.skurdal@gmail.com . We are still looking for one member for our Nominating Committee as well. It is a great way to start getting involved.

Please remember to look at the activities part of this newsletter as our group activities are expanding. If you would like to start another group contact Tamara Porter, head of Activities. It appears that some groups are already to full capacity so if you would like to add another group to an existing activity it is always welcome. Remember, small groups are the best way to meet people in a more intimate setting.

I look forward to seeing you at the February luncheon and teaching you the mob flash dance!

“ If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.”

- Fred Rogers

February 8

Luncheon Invitation

from Gabriella Pietrafitta, 1st VP

I am thrilled to announce our February speaker!!! We waited an entire year for her return after Wakefield Plantation January 12th, 2022 flood.

Nathalie Dupree is an author, chef and cooking show host whose work has focused on American Southern cuisine. She was the first woman since Julia Child to host more than 100 cooking episodes on public television. This includes PBS, The Food Network and The Learning Channel. Her first show, New Southern Cooking with Nathalie Dupree was followed by eight more shows.

Nathalie is the author of 14 cookbooks and the host of more than 300 national and international cooking shows. She has won wide recognition for her work, including four James Beard Awards. She is best known for starting the New Southern Cooking movement now found in many restaurants. For ten years she directed the Rich’s Cooking School in Atlanta, with more that 10,000 students. Many of them have gone on to careers in restaurants, cooking publishing and food media.

Suzanne from Page 158 will have books available for sale at the luncheon. She will take cash, checks, credit cards, Venmo and PayPal.

Books available will be:

Nathalie Dupree’s Favorite Stories & Recipes-$30.00

Southern Biscuits-$24.99

Nathalie Dupree’s Shrimp and Grits- $22.99

Nathalie Dupree’s Southern Memories- $25.95

New Southern Cooking- $25.95

Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking (Limited Edition)- $60.00

So let’s get our cooking hats on and learn a little something.

Luncheon Registration

Reservations Information

Welcome to the 2022-2023 WWC year!

Reservations can be contacted at wwclub.reservations@gmail.com

Luncheon cost is $38pp for members and $43pp for guests.

PLEASE NOTE:

Payments made by CREDIT CARD will be charged a

$3 convenience fee.

More Details on Your Luncheon Reservations

Leah Flach, 2nd VP

Please JOIN US for:

The Queen of Hearts Gala

February 10, 2023 6:30-10:00 PM

Tickets are now available.

Drop off your check and/or mail to the WWC Box at the UPS Store in Wakefield with the reservation form using the button below. If paying by credit card, a $3 convenience fee will be charged.

After January 20, ticket sales will be open to guests of WWC members.

Tickets will be $65 per person until January 20th.

After January 20th the price of tickets will be $75 per person

If you have already purchased your ticket, please fill out the reservation form using the button below.

Dress will be semi formal.

"Down the Hall" will be our featured band.

More information can be found on the website

Queen of Hearts Gala Registration

Mary Beth Cristinziano & Karen Toth

Community Update

Thank you to everyone who donated to Toys for Tots in December. We collected over 100 toys! We also donated $386 to the Tri-Area Ministry Food bank in December! Thank you!

Our focus in January will be The Hope Center at Pullen, which connects young people aging out of foster care in Wake County with the resources and support they need for a successful transition. We will collect any kind of new kitchen/cooking item: oven mitts, spatulas, pots and pans, cutting boards... The Hope Center sets these kids up in apartments and they need all of these supplies for their new living arrangements.

Directory News

from Deidri Ottesen

The Directories are printed and were distributed at the December Luncheon.The directories will be available at the February Luncheon. If you can't make it the luncheon please ask a friend to pick up a directory for you.

Thank you!

WWC Activities

Ladies, we are coming up on a New Year and new opportunities to get involved in small groups!!

Here are a few highlights:

Fun with Fitness group is open to all who want to get together for walking, or other fitness related activities with NO PRESSURE! Lots of fun to be had! Reach out to Karen Delgado to be added to the list.

We are looking to add a third Bunco group, but need a coordinator. Please let me know if you would like to coordinate hostess homes and send out monthly sign-ups to attend. It is such a fun easy game to play while chatting and eating/drinking beverage of choice.

*Bridge group is looking for members that already know how to play at some level. Contact Sue Lanka for details.

*Dinner Club will begin in January, be on lookout for more information from Sujata!

If you have suggestions for other groups, please let me know.

Tamara

You can contact me at: wwclub.activities@gmail.com

Read Descriptions of all Activities

Learning Something New

1.Technology Group- Coordinator: Cathy Werder

We meet on the last Tuesday of each month at the Club dining room at 11:00 am. RSVP Required. We work for an hour and then have lunch together.

January: Technology Clean Up and Calendar Organization

February: Ibooks & Libby Library App

March: PayPal, Zelle, Venmo

April: Wallat App & Apple Pay

May: Fun Apps, GIFS etc.

2.Once and Done Events-Coordinator: Marion King

This group will meet occasionally for one-time events, i.e. walking tours, art & museum exhibits, outdoor concerts and whatever else ladies are interested in on a one time basis. (this would be separate from our Fall or Spring bus trip out of town).

The Arts

3.Craft Group- Coordinator: Linda Veraldi

Contact Linda to make sure you receive the craft description and details of the next upcoming craft which meets on Wednesday at 2:00 every other month

4.Theater and the Performing Arts- Coordinator: Mary Beth Cristinziano*

This group will meet occasionally to attend the theater or other performing arts events as they come up during the year. The days and times will vary.

If you are interested in some fun ladies’ nights out, sign up with our group and you will receive the notices of upcoming events. A few exciting performances I know I would like to see are:

April-The musical Les Miserables

April-The opera Porgy and Bess

5.Movie Matinees: Mary Beth Cristinziano

This group will meet monthly to go to an afternoon movie at the Wakefield Marquee Theater. The days and times will vary.

Please be on the lookout for information about the Tom Hanks movie A Man Called Otto, playing in January. The Wakefield Cinema has not released dates and times for this, but as soon as they do, an eblast will go out! This is sure to be a great feel-good film!

6.Quilting/Sewing Group: Joan Addicks

This group is still new looking for quilters, and folks that love to sew! Meeting times will be decided later.

Epicurean Groups

7.WWC Dinner Club- Coordinator:Sujata Sin

8.International Lunch Bunch- Coordinator: Julie Bernatz & Kristie Jones

The International Lunch Bunch changes locations each month and an

e-Blast will be sent to all WWC members. They will need to make reservations so it's important to respond to the coordinators if you are interested in attending that month.

9.Sip and Share Wine- Coordinator: Carol Colburn

Sip and Share events are held periodically and it will be announced through the Newsletter or eblast.

Cards and Games

10.Mahjongg for Beginners- Coordinators:Janice Press & Susan Jackson

1st & 3rd Mondays 11am-3pm Heritage Country Club

11.Mahjongg for Beginners- Coordinators:Janice Press & Susan Jackson

2nd & 4th Thurs 11:30am - 3:30pm Wakefield CC

12.Bunco Babes- Coordinator: Darnell Securcher

1^st Tuesdays of the month 6:30 -9pm

13.Bunco Bratz- Coordinator:Carmen Skurdal,Pat Carroll & Deb Paragone

3^rd Thurs of the month 6:30 -9pm

14.Canasta Babes- Coordinator: Sandy Benedict

3^rd Thurs 11:00 - 3pm @ WCC & various locations

15.Couples Hand and Foot- Coordinator: Nancy Ross

2^nd Sat 6:30 - 11pm

16.Couples Hand and Foot-Coordinator: Carol Ganas

1^st Sat 6:30 - 10pm

17.Couples Panic - Coordinator- Elaine Buzitsky

3^rd Mon. 6:30 - 9pm

18.Samba- Coordinator: Cyndi Peterik

1^st Fri 11am-3:30pm @ Miltons-Wakefield

19.Hand and Foot Friday- Coordinator: Cyndi Peterik

3^rd Fri 11am-3:30pm @ Miltons-Wakefield

20.Hand and Foot Thursday- Coordinator: Elizabeth Hay

4th Thurs 11am-3:30pm location varies

21.Bridge-Coordinator:Sue Lanka

TBA

If you wish to contact a Coordinator for a specific group, you will find their information in the Member Directory. As always, if you have an idea for a new group we would love to hear from you.

Click Here to Read Descriptions of the Cards & Games

Hospitality Reminder

from Diane Ellis and Laurel Davis

Please check in at the Hospitality Table prior to entering the luncheon to have your name checked off our attendance list and to pick up your name tag. Checking in will enable WWC to secure an accurate headcount. Please remember to return your nametags to Diane Ellis at the end of each luncheon. Thank you for your cooperation. We look forward to seeing all of you at our next Luncheon.

wwclub.hospitality@gmail.com

Membership News from

Lisa Sampair

Please join us in welcoming the following new members:

Linda Abbott, Hildegard Campbell, Babo Edwards, Kelly Huffstetler, Amy Germann, Terrie Qadura, Tessa McKinley, DeEtta Prose,

If you are a new member, there will be activities planned exclusively for you. Be sure to check your email and to keep a look out for information in the Newsletter. As a reminder, to ensure eligibility to participate in any future WWC activities/functions your MEMBERSHIP MUST BE PAID. Please be aware that prospective new members may attend a total of two club functions/activities, after which membership dues must be paid in order to attend future functions/activities. If your membership profile information needs updating (email, address, phone numbers and/or mailing address), kindly let me know by emailing wwclubmembership@gmail.com This will ensure you receive all WWC correspondence. Do not hesitate to contact me with any additional questions you may have.

Stay warm and enjoy this Winter weather.

WWC Membership Renewal Form

Treasurer's Report

from

Billie Jean Condit

For WWC's detailed financial information, please email Billie Jean Condit WWC treasurer at wwclub.treasurer@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE: Payments for WWC events made by CREDIT CARD will be charged a $3 Convenience fee.

As always, WWC will continue to accept cash and check payments for WWC events from our members who do not want to pay by credit card.

Below is a link for the Wakefield Women’s Club Approved Budget for 2022-2023 Fiscal Year. This Budget has been approved by your elected Executive and General Board. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have concerning our Budget. I can be reached at wwclub.treasurer@gmail.com

WWC Approved Budget 2022/2023

Sunshine

from

Carol Wakely

If you are aware of a member having a difficult time due to a death in the family, an illness or an injury, please

contact Carol Wakely at this time. She will be happy to reach out and let our member know we care.

New Member Socials

Co-Chairs Kathy McKeown & Pam Verdonik

Hello New Members! The New Member Social Committee wants to once again welcome you to Wakefield Women’s Club and encourage you to sign up for activities and events that interest you.

Be Social!

Click the picture to be redirected to our Facebook Page.

Tech Update

Cathy Werder

Be sure to have wwccommunications@gmail.com in your email contact list (gmail, yahoo, iCloud, etc.) to ensure delivery of all notices from WWC. If you need assistance, join Cathy at Tech Group meetings! Meeting times and topics are in the Newsletters.

Visit our website for MORE INFORMATION!

You can make reservations, see what activities are coming up, submit a new headshot for the directory, and so much more!

WWCLUB.ORG

Visit our Website

YOUR WWC 2022-2023 BOARD

Executive Board

President- Carmen Skurdal

1st Vice President- Gabriella Pietrafitta

2nd Vice President- Leah Flach

Secretary- Mary Beth Cristinziano

Treasurer- Billie Jean Condit

Membership- Lisa Sampair

Advisor- Rebecca Vossler

General Board

Activities- Tamara Porter

Community- Mary Beth Cristinziano/Karen Toth

Website Admin/Social Media- -Cathy Werder

Hospitality- Diane Ellis/Laurel Davis

Newsletter- Debbie Paragone

Reservations- Regina Fioto/Darnell Securcher

___________________________________________________________________

Non-Board Positions & Committees

Directory - Deidri Ottesen

Fashion Show - Sherry Patti/Mary Beth Cristinziano

Table Decor-Open (currently rotating on a monthly basis)

Sunshine- Carol Wakely

New Member Socials- Kathy McKeown/Pam Verdonik

UPS Drop Box Location:

14460 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite 149-222 Raleigh NC 27614