THE TRUMPETER - November 2023

RWOP Newsletter Editor: Joan Lesko, RWOP VP Communications, [email protected]

November ushers in the Thanksgiving Holiday when we take time to be with our family and friends and count the many blessings God has bestowed upon us. On November 11th, RWOP will be participating in the Annual Prescott Veterans Day Parade. Please join us in marching in support of our veterans for this Annual event. It is also time for RWOP's Veteran's Luncheon, one of our most popular luncheons! Our Veterans are very near and dear to our hearts, and they will be our guests on Tuesday, November 14th! 

Also, Many of you have contacted me asking how to vote on the Propositions for the November 7th ballot. Your ballots need to be in by November 7th. Click here for the Cheat Sheet which explains the options. Below is a video of Charlie Arnold's explanation of the Propositions from our October 10th Luncheon.

In the photo below, the other two recipients on stage with me are Kit Whitehill from Texas and Diane Van Parys from Florida. Both Texas and Florida are two of the states that RWOP competes with yearly for our "Largest Club in the National Federation of Republican Women" Award. It was a pleasure to meet these women and share our thoughts on our competitive spirits for competing for that title!! 

RWOP also received the Diamond Award.

This award states: "The National Federation of Republican Women hereby recognizes the Republican Women of Prescott for your outstanding accomplishments from 2022-2023 demonstrating excellence, achievements, and accomplishments in membership development, campaign activities, programs, community relations, and state functions. This Diamond Award is hereby presented to the Republican Women of Prescott." This award is very prestigious and recognizes the hard work and accomplishments of your RWOP Board of Directors. It was an honor for me to accept both of these awards on your behalf!!

RWOP's Executive Board with the Diamond Award

October 19 - 21, 2023 was also the time for the Arizona Federation of Republican Women's (AzFRW) Convention in Tucson. RWOP received the AzFRW State Armed Services Award for our club's work with our Veterans; and the Website Award for our exceptional website information and design. RWOP was also recognized for being the Largest Federation Women's Club in the Nation.

Sherrie Hanna receives award for RWOP "The AzFRW State Armed Services Award". We also received an award for the Largest Federated Republican Women's Club in the Nation.

Joan Lesko, RWOP VP Communications, receives the Website Award for exceptional website information and design

(Click HERE for pictures from AzFRW Biennial Convention)

Thank you to all our delegates who attended the convention!

Early in October, the Armed Services Committee held a Christmas Card writing event for the "Adopt a Platoon" organization at the local US Vets facility. Leadership from US Vets, members from RWOP, local veterans, and guests gathered to write Christmas cards to our deployed military members who will not be home for the Holidays. Our RWOP Singers opened the event with several Christmas Carols and also stayed to help write Christmas cards.

If you would like to help with this project, bring two written Christmas cards to our November luncheon. They will be collected and all the cards written will be boxed up and mailed so that our Armed Service men and women will receive them in time for Christmas If you are not sure what to say on your Christmas cards, CLICK HERE for Christmas Message Suggestions for Servicemembers.

RWOP's Coat & Blanket Drive

Our RWOP Community Outreach team has been very busy collecting coats and blankets for those less fortunate in our community. Jody Allione, Community Outreach Chair, pictured here with her team members Linda Bray, Barbara Orloff, Linda Sweeney, Jean Hoover, Beth Buckingham, and Sandra Williamson as they sort through the many coats and blankets collected. Collection boxes were placed at Lazy G's, Founding Fathers, Nyla D's Salon, in several neighborhoods, and at our RWOP October luncheon. All items of coats and blankets collected will be distributed to the Aware Men's Shelter, US Vets, Disabled American Vets, PASS, the Yavapai Shelter, and St. Vincent de Paul. A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBERS FOR THEIR DONATIONS, AND TO THE OUTREACH TEAM WHO COLLECTED, SORTED THROUGH THE ITEMS, AND DELIVERED THEM TO THE ORGANIZATIONS LISTED!! ALSO TO LINDA BRAY FOR ALLOWING US TO STORE AND SORT THE ITEMS IN HER GARAGE!! (Click HERE for more pictures of coats and blankets collected)

On October 24th, Trinity Christian School hosted its Fall Giving Gala. Several members of RWOP attended the Gala. RWOP is proud to partner with Trinity and our school volunteers. Trinity is very appreciative of our support and the many volunteer hours our members donate to help Trinity in the office and classroom. THANK YOU RWOP VOLUNTEERS! 

David Goodwin was their guest speaker. Mr. Goodwin and Pete Hegseth authored the New York Times #1 Bestselling book "Battle for the American Mind" Please make it a point to read this book!!

October was a very busy month for RWOP! Please be sure to check out the Ways & Means Report on the fun time that was had by all at RWOP's Annual Chili Cook-Off! Also, check out our Education Section on RWOP's upcoming Forum: Protect Our Children Townhall. This will be a very informative event with our City, County Leaders, Law Enforcement, and Experts in their specific fields on how to protect our children. Also, please view the photos from RWOP & Embry-Riddle College Republicans event with Jeff DeWit, current chairman of AZGOP and former head of NASA appointed by President Donald J. Trump.

I look forward to seeing you at our November luncheon honoring our local Veterans. HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!

Regards,

Sherrie Hanna

2023 RWOP President

Please note this luncheon will be held on

TUESDAY, November 14, 2023!

NO SUBSTITUTIONS ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT

$35 per person

​

Click here to be put on the Wait List

Reservations are on a first-come-first-served basis!

A reservation made is a reservation paid...thank you!

To help speed up our check-in process:

• Prepaying for the luncheon is encouraged - online or by check mailed prior to luncheon
• Arrive early and allow time for parking
• No large bills accepted
• Have your payment ready – CASH or CHECK (made payable to RWOP for $35 - already filled out

Tuesday, November 14th RWOP Luncheon

FEATURED SPEAKER:

Major General Michael McGuire (Ret.)

In his role as Adjutant General, McGuire supervised the training for approximately 8,300 National Guard personnel, certifying the readiness of all deployments of Arizona soldiers and airmen into combat zones. In addition, he managed the annual training budget of $750 million and maintained over $6 billion in equipment and real property assets.

General McGuire is an F-16 Fighter Weapons School Graduate and a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours, including 250 combat and combat-support flying hours.

The McGuire family has deep roots in Arizona, dating back to the 1930s when his great-grandfather settled in the state. General McGuire upheld this legacy, having lived in Arizona for much of his adult life. He and his wife Debbie have been married for 33 years. They have three beautiful daughters and two precious grandchildren.

GUEST SPEAKER:

Gold Star Mom - Laura Stephens

Caring for America - Nancy Grigas

Charity of the Month

🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘



Please visit the mall area meet the candidates and sign petitions.

When you sign a petition it enables the candidate to be placed on the ballot. By signing you are not committing to vote for that candidate.

Elections have consequences.

Any questions please contact:

Anita Zytkowski [email protected]

Cloudy Days

If anyone knows of a RWOP member or family member that is ill, passed away or just needs a note of encouragement please contact me with their address so a personal card can be mailed.  

Marla Bassler, 480-330-8150 or drop her an email at [email protected]

2023 Veterans Day Parade

RESERVE THE DATE!

Veterans Day Parade

Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 – 9 am

We invite you to come and WALK around the Yavapai County Courthouse with us. This is a short parade to honor our veterans and members of the Armed Forces.

RSVP to Elsie Tyree 928-778-0235 or

[email protected]

The Unheard 22

Jamie Oltersdorf is a member of RWOP and a veteran who spoke at last year’s November luncheon about the Unhead 22 who commit suicide each day. Several RWOP members attended her ceremony after the Veteran’s Day Parade where they placed the boots at Yavapai College. She needs to raise $10K to make the display permanent. Please click on the button below to read more and to donate if you desire!

Christmas Cards for Deployed Military at U.S. VETS – Prescott Was a Huge Success!

RWOP teamed up with U.S. VETS – Prescott for a Christmas card-writing event that was well received! RWOP members, U.S. VET staff, and Veterans who reside at Liberty Pointe joined in the fun. The RWOP singers kicked off the event with some wonderful Christmas songs; Angela Smith, an RWOP member, provided craft supplies at a table where they had a good time making original cards. Every table was filled as the 35 volunteers diligently wrote 272 cards, which got us ever closer to our goal of sending 1,000 cards to our deployed troops this year! With more and more U.S. military being deployed, the need to reach our service members and let them know they aren’t forgotten is even greater.  Over 100,000 of our service members are serving in Europe in support of Ukraine’s defense against Russia. Thousands are serving In Taiwan in response to China’s threat of an invasion and the use of nuclear weapons, and South Korea in response to North Korea’s threats. In addition, hundreds more are serving In East Africa due to escalating conflicts in Sudan. And now, due to the surprise attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7th, 2,000 more U.S. Troops have been ordered to prepare to deploy to the Middle East in case they are needed to respond to the conflict between Israel and the terrorist Islamic group Hamas. If you weren’t able to join us, you still have an opportunity to write cards from home!

Christmas Cards for Deployed Military from Home!

Let’s support our deployed service members by writing Christmas Cards to send with holiday stockings through AdoptaPlatoon! All members, please write at least 2 to 5 cards and bring them to the November 14 luncheon where we honor our Veterans. Deb Robbins will have a box to collect them and get them mailed overseas. You don’t need to address the outer envelope. There is a link in the Armed Services Corner for October that has helpful hints for writing cards if you need it. Last year just a few people wrote over 300 cards; the goal this year is 1,000! Thanks in advance for anything you can do.

Veteran's Quarterly Business Mixer

November 6, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

This event is specifically tailored towards Veteran-Owned Businesses and the Veteran Community, however EVERYONE is welcome to attend. These mixers provide a unique opportunity to connect with Veteran business owners, learn about Chamber initiatives for Veterans and discover how Veterans in Prescott help local businesses. There will be a short announcement to welcome all attendees and the hosting location will discuss their business. Attendees are welcome to a tour of the location afterwards.

This event is being hosted by US Vets and sponsored by Team RWB

U.S.Vets – Prescott, 1040 Whipple St #400, Prescott, AZ 86305, USA

For Assistance with Registration please contact Crystal Christ

[email protected] or (928) 445-2000 ext 117

The Republican Women of Prescott's Fourth Annual Chili Cook-Off on October 24^th at Lazy G's proved once again why this is such a favored event by its members. We were blessed with perfect weather, great music, and nine fabulous entries of chili to taste.

Congratulations to Karen Barreira for receiving the most votes from those in attendance.



To view all the pictures from this year's chili cook-off,

click here. Chili Cook Off.mp4

Do you have a signature baked item or scrumptious treat you would like to donate to our annual Christmas Bake Sale?

As of the printing of this newsletter for the new 2024 membership year that started October 1, 2023 we have:

Total Members: 174

Active:  131

Associate: 41

Student: 2

New Active Members in October:

Joni Broderson

Christine Corcoran

Jeanette Marie Courtemanche

Susan Crampton

Sheri Cranmer

Nancy Cummins

Nicki Irene Daly

Brenda Day

Janet DeFrancesco

Barbara Dios

Joan DiPietro

Mary Greene

Alice Marjorie Hardin

Sue LeGate

Louise Madasz

Audrey Osendorf

Cynthia Patterson

Sheryl Read

Julie Strand

Sandra Williamson

New Associate Members in October:

Edward Bish

John Corcoran

Bradley Cummins

Edward Kapner

Paul Lande

Tim LeBrun

Steven Read

Scott Stewart

Gina Swoboda

Steven George Woods

At the November meeting we will be announcing the six lucky winners of the $10 Membership Rebate Drawing. Anyone signing up as a new member or renewing their membership in November will be entered into a drawing for four lucky winners of a $10 rebate to be announced in December.

The Membership Committee is looking for three members that are excellent proofreaders. If you are interested and want more information, please contact Heather Densmore 949-293-8149.

Please keep encouraging your friends and family to join RWOP as we are the largest Federated Club in Arizona and the Nation.

The RWOP Singers

We are so fortunate to have these ladies representing our club. These talented women sang each day at the 2023 AzFRW State Conference in Tucson on October 19-21, 2023.

Seated: Shirley Slattery

Standing Left to Right: Peggy Ricker, Bea Jensen, Judi Kay Williams, NFRW President Eileen Sobjack, Reva Fredericksen, Jeanne Zimmerman

Their motto is: We sing for God, Country, Community, and each other.

They currently have twelve members. Ten have sung together for many years in another larger chorus. In the past four years, they have added two singers who found them at the RWOP monthly luncheons. They sing in acapella-style four-part harmony. The four parts are Lead, Tenor, Baritone, and Bass.

Rehearsals are scheduled weekly for 1-1/2 hours.

Each session begins with prayer and ends with the singing of The Lord's Prayer.

Potential members must be an Active or Associate Member with RWOP. Potential members will be voice-tested to determine what part they could sing. Dues are $6.00 per month. Costumes are worn at performances.

Current members are:

Lead: Stacy Dann, Bea Jensen, Nancy Lawson, Peggy Ricker, Carol Standley

and Jeanne Zimmerman

Tenor: Helen Barko and Shirley Slattery

Baritone: Kathy Stephens and Judi Kay Williams

Bass: Reva Fredericksen and Kathie Hutter

For information, please contact the Performance Coordinator,

Peggy Ricker, (602) 315-8295 / [email protected] or

the Team Coordinator, Judi Kay Williams, (310) 486-6995 [email protected]

Select HERE for the 2023 RWOP Luncheon Schedule!!

November 30, 2023

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Yavapai College-Community Room

Join us at the "Protect Our Children" Townhall, where you will be able to speak directly to City Leaders, Experts, and Law Enforcement to learn about their specific leadership responsibilities and plans of action. The goal of this event is to educate the public and to create common sense solutions.  

If you have questions for the panel, please list them in the reservation form above. We will use them to get the conversation started.

The Embry Riddle Club

Is off to a great start!!

JEFF DEWIT, Chairman of AZGOP

This event was especially meaningful because RWOP has been working for the past two years behind the scenes to help re-establish the club at Embry Riddle. Currently, RWOP has donated supplies, banners, t-shirts, and more to the student leadership.

Anna McLaughlin, President, and her board are a dynamic group of young Republican leaders who will keep the energy going through 2024 and beyond!

A big thank you to Dr. Mark Sensmeier for being

their faculty sponsor.

The event attendees were students from around the world and they asked very insightful questions. There were 7 RWOP members in attendance including 3 Executive Board members.

For more pictures and information on the event,

click here.

News from the Scholarship Desk

As we feel Fall in the air, we are reminded of the joy of students returning to the classroom or homeschooling. With a renewed interest in our students’ academics, the interest in our Scholarship Program is taking off with great excitement.

Like last year, our scholarships are available to high school seniors in Yavapai County and Embry-Riddle Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors. Both applications are available NOW on our website –rwop.info/scholarships.html. Requirements for submission are listed on the applications.   



The new Scholarship Committee is ready and waiting for the applications. We welcome three new members - Elaine Janks, Dian Tucker, and Karen Varela. They will be joining the committee of seasoned screeners Sherry Ragsdale and myself. The Scholarship Program was started in 2015 and to date, we have helped 96 recipients for a total of $124,275.

Funding for our Scholarship Program comes from the hard work of RWOP’s year-long fundraising efforts as well as donations from our members.

RWOP’s Mission Statement is to “inform and educate”, therefore these awards lend themselves to accomplishing our organization’s goals.

If you would like to contribute to the 2023 - 2024 Scholarship Program, please call me at 858 229-4034 or email me at [email protected]. 

ORDINANCE NO. 2023-1843

The city council wishes to replace chapters 5-7 (sexually Oriented Businesses) 

This section of the ordinance has not been updated since 1998. At the Oct. 24^th City Council meeting, there was much discussion that ended with the council deciding to table it until they modified the draft. It will be introduced to the public at that time.

There were many questions and discussions between the council members. Should they be allowed outside of Industrial zones? The draft removes licensing requirements for part-time employees & clarifies zoning requirements. It also reinstates the threshold for qualifying as an adult novelty store.

The council expressed concern that they do not want to narrow the ordinance to a point where they are treading on personal rights. Also, what is considered explicit?

Select HERE for the current ordinance for your reference.

The bottom line is the modifications they finally agree upon will not be approved without public input.

November 2023 Americanism Commentary

Indeed, it is tragic what happened in Maine a few weeks ago and even more tragic (and maddening) that every week in Chicago, there are double-digit homicides by firearms. Yet, the left is not making the connection that it is the person, not the gun, that needs to be checked.

Our Founders knew America owed its independence to gun-owning citizens who fought in the Continental Army and won the Revolutionary War. By owning and using guns, these free citizens defeated King George III and his military and created a new nation.

For almost 200 years, this was considered common sense; but under Bill Clinton, the position that the Second Amendment is really about organizing militias gained ground. Finally, in 2008, the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling in the District of Columbia vs. Heller. The Second Amendment, according to the court, “protects an individual right to keep and bear arms” and one’s “enjoyment of the right” is not “contingent upon his or her continued or intermittent enrollment in the militia.” However, with these rights come responsibilities, and it is incumbent on each of us to act as good citizens. Those who don’t, need a hospital or a jail.

Why this logic fails leftist judges and Democrat lawmakers remains a mystery.

Sponsor Business Card Ads are $100 for 12 months of inclusion in the monthly newsletters. Your ad will also be highlighted on RWOP website. If you are interested in highlighting your business, please contact Joan Lesko [email protected]

SELECT BUSINESS CARD BELOW TO GO DIRECTLY TO THEIR BUSINESS WEBSITE OR FACEBOOK PAGE

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