CFWC QuickBytes

December 13, 2021

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

So many things come to mind as we wind down the year 2021! As I sit at my desk and work on closing out the 2021 journals and readying the 2022 journals, I can plainly see that I have changed remarkably. I embrace that change. For I am learning to slow down a bit and not move full steam ahead. It is nice to take things more at a place that does not stress out anyone with me. For I can see plainly now that perhaps my pace made others feel further behind and that is never a good way to make any one person feel.

Some of the other things my journals a telling me as I review them is that I have spent more family time and kitchen time. I have become cozy at home and comfortable not wearing make-up other than lipstick. I have become more like that teenager who was a cheerleader, spending time for myself, my family and having a lot of fun! And, although I do have the worries of an adult, how different is it really than the rest of us getting up and putting one foot in front of another to take steps towards our day?

It has of course been a challenging year, but I settled in with more selfcare and meditation, online courses that pique my fancy. I am reading more and watching less television, spending fewer time on both the computer and the phone is another boon. Now don’t get me wrong, there has been plenty of online activity for club, district, and State activities, even Region and International responsibilities have been on the computer with all aspects of Federation. But I do not search endlessly for things I do not need on eBay any longer, nor just browse through the msn homepage. My focus has been honed and I am enjoying the new me that emerged in 2021 and cannot wait to see what is brought to my personality in 2022.

Look at your 2021 and see how you have changed. It is an excellent way to review the actions taken that worked and did not and it really brings into the forefront what my visions for my 2022 are. We can never be frightened of enlightenment, we cannot shay away from emergence into our true authentic selves. I am unique and that is the true lesson of looking back at 2021, how about you?

Luv, Pam

SUNSHINE AND SHADOWS

It is with heavy heart that we let you know that Charlie Lerma, husband to Barbara Lerma passed away sometime over Thanksgiving weekend. Doubly sad is that Barbara’s niece, of whom she was also taking care of died over the Thanksgiving weekend as well, her name was Jennifer. Please hold space in your hearts for Barbara; you may send her cards to:

Barbara Lerma

12877Carriage Rd, Poway 92064

DON’T FORGET

Open Houses for CFWC Members are back in full swing and the next one is right around the corner! This week, Patsy Wilson, CFWC Area B Vice President. If you don’t have the code call or email Lynne Youngstrom. See you there!

REMINDER FROM YOUR FINANCIAL SECRETARY

December 15th is the last day to send in dues.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all our members and their friends and families.

Jill Drescher, 1001 Poplar Avenue, Wasco, CA 93280

ENVIRONMENT - Jane Thomey, Chair

Recycle for the Holidays

During the holidays more than the usual number of items will be headed to our trash bins. GFWC Environment Chair, Karen Martinek, has provided some suggestions to help reduce the extra trash that is generated to keep it out of the landfills and help the environment as well.

· There will be many online orders this year. Recycle as much packaging materials as possible. Check your metropolitan sanitation department for acceptable items to place in recycle bins.

· Bubble wrap, Styrofoam wrap and plastic peanuts may be recyclable. Again, check your local sanitation department.

· Wrap gifts sustainably, purchasing only wrapping paper and gift bags made with recycled materials. No foil, glitter or glossy paper.

· Recycle rinsed out food cans and bottles, dishwashing isn’t necessary.

· Plant or compost your live Christmas tree.

· Put out recycling bins during parties so guests can dispose of glass bottles and aluminum cans.

· Dispose of unwanted Christmas tree lights at a local hazardous waste collection center. Or contact Earth 911 or 800CLEAN UP (253-2678) for a location near you.

· There are advantages of replacing incandescent lights with LED’s. They are . . .

· Cooler, reducing risk of combustion

· Sturdier, made with epoxy lenses, not glass

· Longer lasting, the same LED string could be used 40 holiday seasons from now

· Easier to install. Up to 25 strings of LED’s can be connected end-to-end without overloading a wall socket

· Economical. If the incandescents and the LED’s were each lit 5 hours a day for 30 days, the LED would cost $.16 compared to $5.93 for incandescents used for the same time period.

Military & Veterans Yolanda Petroski, Chair

Our nation’s longest veterans’ parade – Wreaths Across America’s annual trek to Arlington National Cemetery – kicks off on Saturday, December 11. Co-Grand Marshalls this year are Jo Ann Maitland, National President of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. and Nancy Menagh, President Emeritus of Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. Traveling down the East Coast, the caravan will stop at schools, memorials and other locations, spreading the word of its mission to REMEMBER, HONOR and TEACH. With scheduled stops in Maine, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland the parade will arrive in Washington, DC on National Wreaths Across America Day, December 18 – laying the final wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at noon. You can follow their itinerary at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. Many of our California clubs participate in this event in their local communities. Keep up the good work, ladies!

The link to the December 2021 HOT TOPIC on Women's History has been moved to QuickDocs.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We have only one more issue of QuickBytes for December 2021, it will be published 12/20/21. If you have items that need to go out before 2022, please send them NOW.

In other words, there will be no issue on December 27th!

Did you read it in GFWC News & Notes?

Registration Now Open for Remote GFWC Holiday Open House

You still have an opportunity to celebrate the giving season and experience a bit of holiday magic at GFWC Headquarters in Washington, DC. Registration is now open to receive a link to a remote Holiday Open House experience that will launch at 5:00 p.m. ET on December 15. You can register through the GFWC Member Portal to view this remote event until 12:00 noon ET on December 31.

The theme of the 2021 GFWC Holiday Open House is Good Tidings of Comfort and Joy – a wonderful reminder of the happiness we receive from encouraging and supporting our friends, family, and neighbors.

Support the Success for Survivors Scholarship Fund

Give the gift of hope by purchasing one of Starfish Project’s 15 new gift box sets. The inspiring women at Starfish Project have paired their best-selling styles together to make gift sets that will make an impact this holiday season. Through a fundraising agreement for the 2020–2022 Administration, purchasing any Starfish Project products at this dedicated link will supply 25% of the sales price to the GFWC Success for Survivors Scholarship Fund! Your support has allowed GFWC to award an additional scholarship in 2021.

Starfish Project supports women escaping human trafficking and exploitation. The organization is currently working with more than 150 survivors to provide a fresh start in life by arranging safe housing, healthcare, education, and training, and by employing them to make jewelry and garments to support its mission. Order your next piece of jewelry today and help a survivor of human trafficking succeed!