December 2012 - Gfwcpennsylvania.org

PENNSYLVANIA
CLUBWOMAN
Official Publication of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Pennsylvania
Volume 95
Issue 2
December, 2012
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Fellow Clubwomen;
I’ve been blessed this fall to be able to travel our state and witness
your unbelievable support of our Federation and commitment of
each member to her community and our organization.
I have so many memories of the Fall District Tour, one of those
memories is meeting the incredible speaker at the Northeastern District—Eunice is a college freshman who
is taking advantage of her county’s independent living program. Eunice’s story is one that pulls on
everyone’s heart strings. Eunice refuses to be defined by her abuse but instead choices to be defined by her
accomplishments and her dreams for her future. I can honestly tell you there was not a dry eye in the room
when Eunice completed her story. With the support of the Independent Living Program and the love of her
friends and sister, Eunice will be a “Success Story.”
The Middle Atlantic Region Conference was a huge success and I want to thank each of you who played a
role in that success. The women of Pennsylvania were able to put together a conference that was
welcoming, informative, and fun.
During that weekend I took a short trip to State College, PA to speak to the County Directors of Children
and Youth Services to introduce the Pennsylvania State Project. The program was embraced by all of the
directors. They are waiting for your club’s call.
Report Season is right around the corner. Be prepared to get the information pulled together to complete
your club reports. It is very important to have this information submitted to GFWC and GFWC
Pennsylvania; as well as keeping the information in one place for the club. These statistics are important
when GFWC applies for grants. It is important to have the data pulled together for the IRS so your club (if
it has successfully obtained 501(c)3 status) can have its documentation in order. GFWC Pennsylvania
wants to share with each of you the accomplishments of your clubs.
As we prepare for the Holidays, I want to thank you for embracing the State President’s Project, “Our
Children Hold Our Future.” I hope each of you will keep these teens in your thoughts and prayers during
this time of Joy and Love. Happy Holidays to each and every one of you.
Gail Paserba
2012—2014 PA State President
“OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE”
Submitted by: Kristen Salina
The President’s Project for the next two years has a focus on youth leaving the foster care system and
transitioning into living independently as adults. We, as members of the GFWC of PA, can assist these
young people in several different ways. Examples of how you can assist include:

Contact your local Children and Youth or Juvenile Probation Office and offer to be a mentor.
There are three clearances that are needed for this. The required clearances include the
Child Abuse History, PA Criminal History and Federal Criminal History;

Donate durable goods to an independent living facility already established in your area;

Make a financial contribution to the project;

Volunteer to teach a class on: interviewing skills, manners, budgeting, building a resume,
preparing simple meals and the importance of monitoring what is placed on social networking
sites, just to name a few topics.
Remember, “Our Children Hold Our Future” and together we can offer our support to a population that are
in need of positive role models for a successful transition to adult living.
If you would like any additional information, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].
GFWC Mechanicsburg had a successful “Scrapbook Event” fundraiser in
September. A special feature was a lunchtime speech by author, Joanna Campbell
Slan, who has written mysteries involving scrapbooking as well as scrapbooking
instruction books. Pictured are club members with author Joanna Campbell Stan
(center) and Mechanicsburg Mystery Book Shop owner, Debbie Beamer, who
sponsored the author. For more pictures, visit
http://gfwcmech.tripod.com/.
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G
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CONSERVATION COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM
Submitted by: Heide Marie Cebrick
The information sheets from the Summer Leadership Conference were shared will all clubs in Berks
County — thanks to Sandy Reitz and the women of GFWC Berks County and GFWC Mohnton — Thank
you ladies. We give you two green thumbs up! Sandy also sent me some ideas for future hand outs and a
recipe for laundry detergent. Please feel free to send me any ideas and/or recipes for “home
-made
cleaners” for next summer’s conference.
To make a 5 gal. container of soap:
1 bar Fels-Naptha Soap
1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
1/2 cup borax cleaning powder
15 gallon bucket with a lid
Grate the Fels-Naptha soap with a manual grater. Boil water in two large pots, add the grated soap to one
pot, reduce heat to simmer and stir until all the soap is dissolved. Carefully pour the water from the other
pot into the bucket. Add the wasing soda and borax to the hot water in the bucket and mix thoroughly.
When the soap has completely dissolved, add the soap mixture to the 5 gal. bucket. Stir well, then fill the
bucket to the top with hot tap water. Stir again and cover the bucket with the lid, allow it to stand for 24
hours. The mixture will turn into a gel.
To use: fill a container (an old laundry container) halfway with the gel and add water to fill the bottle.
Shake well to combine the soap gel and water. Use this as you would your regular detergent, 5/8 c for top
loader, or 1/4 c to a front loader washer.
MEMBERSHIP/CONSERVATION
Submitted by: Nancy D’Amico
A group from GFWC West-Side, including two new members and
one prospective member, met for a walk along the Susquehanna
River in Kingston, PA. It was an opportunity for the women to
learn about our efforts to support the GFWC Conservation
Community Service Program. The women “laced up their shoes”
for the walk to tie in the theme, MembershipThe Sole of Federation. After a recent
informational membership night 7 women are
considering joining our club.
Shown before the walk are: row 1; Melissa Parry, new
member; Shelley Russin, Club President. Row 2; Bonnie
MacDonald, Vice Cavalari, new President and
membership chairman; Kim member. Row 3; Doris
Greiner, prospective member; Jackie Corbett, Luzerne
County President.
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MEMBER RECOGNITION
At a recent meeting, GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Butler recognized Sue
Shewalter Brown as their 2012 Junior Woman of the Year.
Sue has been a long time member of Club, most recently serving as 20102011 Club President. She is well respected and loved by all that know her.
The Junior Woman of the Year Award is presented to the member who has
displayed outstanding service to Club and the community during the current
Club year. Each member of Club is encouraged to nominate a fellow Club
member for the award. We congratulate Sue on her award.
At this meeting, the 2012-2013 Officers were also installed by GFWC PA State President, Gail Paserba.
The slate of officers are as follows: Tanya Ambrose, President; Stacy Panei, 1st Vice President; Christi
Hilliard, 2nd Vice President; Amy Zielinski, Corresponding Secretary; Carolyn House, Recording
Secretary; Suzanne Fleeger, Treasurer; and Rebecca Lozzi, Assistant Treasurer.
Seated left to right: Shannon Francis, GFWC Jr. Club
Member; Donna Redder, GFWC PA State 2nd Vice
President; Gail Paserba, GFWC PA State President; Cyndy
Sweeney, GFWC Southwestern District Director; and
Nicole Robinson, PA State
International Outreach
Community Service Chairman.
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FALL MEETING IN BUCKS COUNTY
Submitted by: Lenore Souder
Bucks County Meeting on October 24, 1012. Left to Right—Pat
Schuck, President of Perkasie Club; Muriel Stanley, President of Warrington Club; Carol Harper, GFWC SED; Vicky Ann Trimmer, GFWC
PA State 1st Vice President; Lenore Souder, GFWC Bucks County
President; and Sandra Shelly, President of Quakertown.
The fall meeting of “The General Federation of
Bucks County Woman’s Club” was held on
October 17, 2012, at Pine Run Community Center,
Doylestown. The guest speaker was Vicky Ann
Trimmer, GFWC Vice President of Pennsylvania.
Also, honored guest, Carol Harper, Southeastern
District Director was in attendance. Ms. Trimmer
spoke on the GFWC State President’s project,
which focuses on Independent Living for teens
exiting the foster care system. This is a two year
project and a portion of the clubs fundraising
monies will aid the Taber House in Doylestown.
A silent auction was held to benefit UICEF Tap project, to promote clean water in Africa. The Bucks
County Clubs goal is to have two wells at $500 each. With pledges from the clubs and the silent auction
one is definitely a possibility in the future.
HOME LIFE COMMUNITY SERVICE
Submitted by: Ruth Ainis
The 2012-2014 GFWC administration has partnered with 4 organizations:
Canine Companions, the oldest and largest assistance dog program has been a GFWC
partner for many years.
Easter Seals, provides services to all persons with disabilities to ensure they have equal opportunities to
live, learn, work and play. There are 4 Easter Seals affiliates in Pennsylvania: Eastern (610-289-0114),
Southeastern (215-879-1000), Central (717-591-7027) and Western (412-281-7244). Each has volunteer
opportunities for club women.
Inside Knowledge, Get the Facts about Gynecologic Cancer is a new GFWC partner. This campaign is
aimed at providing women and health care providers information about the 5 most common types of
gynecologic cancers: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar.
The 4th partner is the National Osteoporosis Foundation dedicated to the prevention of osteoporosis and
broken bones. Contact information and program ideas for each of the GFWC partners is found in the
GFWC manual.
The Community Service project GFWC Pennsylvania will focus on for this administration
is support of Food banks and Food pantries. Many families in Pennsylvania continue to
struggle with the high cost of food, especially this year when so many areas are affected
by the drought and food prices are predicted to increase. Clubs are encouraged to
continue donating food, money, and volunteer hours to their local food pantries. When
you are working with your food bank inquire to see if they are participating in the “Back
Pack Program.” This is a program that provides food to children on weekends when they
are not receiving a nutritious school and breakfast. If your local food pantry is not participating this may be
a project your club would like to be involved with. For more information about the Back Pack Program and
to locate a food bank in your go to www.feedingamerica.org.
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CELEBRATIONS!
The New Century Club of Chester recently
celebrated its 119th Anniversary with congratulations
to all our members, as it is the oldest women’s club in
Delaware County. The Board Members in the photo
are: Anne Purcell, Vicki Bell, Helen Wilson, Theresa
Sgavicchio, President, Rose Fennel, Betty Semeraro
and Joyce Phillips.
Members of the GFWC Grove City Woman’s Club
choose how to
celebrate their birthdays each quarter. This group of five chose to
celebrate their September birthdays with a luncheon at the Rose Haven
Bed and Breakfast in Butler. Pictured from left to right: Lynne Doolan,
Carol Pritchard, Anita Filer, Helen Sankey, and Ruth Ella Jaskol. Not
pictured: Nannie Jean Hay, who recently had a building named for her at
George Junior Republic (a home for delinquent boys). She has been on
the Board for 33 years.
The Federated Woman’s Club of Hershey celebrated
their 50th Anniversary with a community
acknowledgment event by hosting over 40 members of
the various organizations that they’ve supported over
the years. Guests expressed their gratitude for support
and explained their services. PA State Representative,
John Payne, presented the club with a congratulatory
proclamation form the House of Representatives.
Pictured are Charter members cutting the cake with
Founder, Kemmy Himmelberger, were: Grace Fisher,
Trudy Weaver, Kemmy, Virginia Frank, and Harriet
Seavers.
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75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Submitted by: Sharon Stephens
The GFWC Dillsburg Woman’s Club celebrated their 75th
Anniversary at their meeting on September 11, 2012.
The Club was established in 1936 and federated in 1937.
Attorney Jane Alexander served as speaker for the evening.
She was the daughter of one of the founding members,
Marietta Lehmer and is also herself a longtime club member.
She spoke of her memories and the impact of the club on the
community.
A display of pictures, scrapbooks and a slide presentation
brought all of these memories to life.
Long standing member, Clea Hoffman was recognized for her
61 years of membership and service to the Club.
Among the many dignitaries and special guests present at the
event was GFWC PA President, Gail Paserba.
Back Row Left to Right: President, Shelvy Moorhead,
Anniversary Committee Chairman, Faye Myers, Long
Standing Member, Clea Hofman. Seated: Speaker, Jane
Alexander
GFWC Meadville Woman’s Club recently
held an “All Star Magic Show.” Proceeds
will provide $1,500 for Practical Nursing
Scholarships at Crawford County Career &
Technical Center and also benefit other local
charitable organizations.
Pictured left to right: Janet Koller, Past
President; Carole Hoffman, Project
Chairman and 1st Vice President; Clive
Allen, Magician and Illusionist; Patty Lynn,
2nd Vice President; Tracey Allen; and
Norma McClay, Club President.
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Faye Myers, Membership Chairman, also had the honor of
inducting four new members into the club. The inductees
were: Sonia Park, Stephanie Portman, Lea Strouse and Dana
Thomas.
“ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN”
Submitted by: Mary Braun
In conjunction with the GFWC President’s Project (“Our Children Are Our Future), the Federated Woman’s Club of
Hershey volunteered their talents by assisting Hershey
Public Library with Trick or Treat Story Time to help
support “Advocacy for Children” the last week of
October.
President, Carol Foley, Mary Braun, Donna Czuday,
Cathy Griffith, Nan Resnick and Alice Ziemba read to
approximately thirty preschool and kindergarten children.
Assisted by FWCH members, the 2 to 5 years old
received trick or treat bags to decorate, listened to stories
read by our volunteers and paraded around the library for
treats. All of the children said they enjoyed the stories
and had a fun time. The volunteers all agreed that by
showing our love for reading and sharing it with others,
we are encouraging the children to have a love for books.
Our volunteering shows them that we care for our youth.
FWCH President, Carol Foley, greets costumed children for “Trick or
Treat Story Time” at the Hershey Public Library on October 31st.
Central PA HOBY Seminar
Submitted by: Carol Foley
Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) - Central PA
Carol Foley, 21 Wagner Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036
717-566-0637 [email protected]
NEW PLACE - The seminar will be held at Shippensburg University this year. The dates are May 16-19,
2013.
It is time to contact your local high school and ask them to begin the selection process for the HOBY Leadership
Seminar. Please be sure your school personnel know the new location. The information should be on the
website.
Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership—Western PA
Carol Foley, 21 Wagner Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036
717-566-0637 [email protected]
The seminar will be held June 7-9, 2013 at Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, PA. The seminar
chairman is Kristina Burch and you may contact her at [email protected].
Please contact your high school and ask them to begin the selection process. All of the information is on the
HOBY website. Let’s try to increase the number of schools that the women’s clubs sponsor!!
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December Clubwoman
Newsletter Article
Deadline is
February 15, 2013.
Please forward articles
and photos to Tanya
Ambrose at
trambrose@iqcconsulti
ng.com or mail to:
106 Freeport Rd, Butler,
PA 16002.
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GFWC Clubwoman Magazine is a great
link between GFWC and the local club
woman!
Middle Atlantic Region Clubwoman
Chairman Dotti Zimmerman is hopeful
that 100% of our region’s clubwomen
will subscribe to this publication.
Please go to www.gfwc.org. Click
Member Center and the Forms. After
subscribing, send an email to
[email protected] to inform Dotti of
your subscription.
PROMOTING GFWC AWARENESS
Submitted by: Dotti Zimmerman
GFWC Pennsylvania North Central District had three clubs working
together to help sponsor the Milton-Watsontown Community Days at the
local ball field this summer. The clubs were GFWC Milton, GFWC
Milton Juniors and GFWC Warrior Run. The ball field was the
Crosscutters in Williamsport, which is a Phillies Short Season A Affiliate.
The three clubs are from those communities and the surrounding area,
therefore it was great to come together to split the cost of the sponsorship,
share information, have a display table highlighting GFWC programs and
projects, talk with the attendees, distribute information and see our names
flashed on the score board as well as our name being announced and
thanked as a sponsor.
Vicki Keister, GFWC Warrior Run member and
Melinda Overdorf, GFWC Milton Junior
volunteering “at the Ball Park” promoting
GFWC awareness in the community.
One thousand tickets with our name on them had been distributed by
members of the three clubs, as well as having them available at the local
library, YMCA, local beauty shops and specialty shops in the community.
The left over information sheets with contact names and lollipops attached
were used by the GFWC Milton Juniors at the Pet Parade, the GFWC Warrior Run members at their yard sale/benefit
and GFWC Milton members at their Harvest Festival Booth.
IN LOVING MEMORY...
Submitted by: Joyce Keffer
The GFWC Woman’s Club of Mohnton, on September 16, 2012, dedicated a bench with a plaque for a
member who recently passed away. Joyce Ruffner passed away in April 2012 after 36 years of service to
the Woman’s Club and her community. Joyce served in many capacities to her club, including President
and Recording Secretary. Three
weeks prior to her passing she had
accepted the position of Recording
Secretary, again. Joyce was also
Recording Secretary for Berks
County Federation of Women’s
Club at one time. It was great to
dedicate a bench in Joyce’s honor
for all of the work she had done for
our club.
She will be terribly
missed.
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VOLUNTEERISM!
Submitted by: Carolyn House
GFWC Jr. Woman’s Club of Butler
volunteers
helped to stuff totes on November 7th for Project
Hope at St. Peter’s in Zelienople.
Pictured from left to right: Tricia Zima Sheakley, Community
Service Chairman; Rebecca Lozzi, Assistant Treasurer, Alicia
Sheppick, Club Member; and Mandy Claypoole, Arts
Chairman.
Project Hope is a nonprofit organization that helps
families of hospitalized children by donating canvas
tote bags to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh that
have been filled with needed items. The items are
donated or purchased by using monetary donations,
volunteers fill the totes and the totes are then
delivered to the Volunteer Office at Children’s
Hospital of Pittsburgh. The totes are distributed by
hospital’s staff to help families in need, families that
have arrived with their child unexpectedly or that
have been at the hospital for an extended period of
time.
Fundraising and Development
Fundraising items are still available for purchase!!! We have Portfolios and Flash Drives! These items
are only $15.00 ea., tax included.
These items are available from your District Directors. Please make checks payable to GFWC PA and put
fundraisers in the memo.
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2012-2014 Clubwoman Staff
Tanya Ambrose, Editor
336 N Bluff St, Butler, PA 16001
724-991-4064 [email protected]
Edith Rathbun, Circulation
GFWC Pennsylvania Headquarters
4076 Market Street, Suite 211, Camp Hill, PA 17011-4200
717-591-0452
[email protected]
Pennsylvania Clubwoman (USPS #425-960) is published four
times a year: March, June, September, and December by the
General Federation of Women’s Clubs Pennsylvania. The
subscription price of $3.40 is included in the dues. Periodical
postage is paid at Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
Postmaster - send address changes to:
General Federation of Women’s Clubs Pennsylvania
4076 Market Street, Suite 211
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4200
GENERAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN’S CLUBS PENNSYLVANIA
State Headquarters, 4076 Market Street, Suite 211, Camp Hill, PA 17011-4200
“The New Century Club of Chester recently held it’s installation of
officers for the 2012-2014 Club year at the Concordville Inn on May
8, 2012. Pictured left to right are: Helen Wilson, Secretary; Anna
Purcell, Vice President; Vicki Bell, Director; Betty Semeraro,
Treasurer; Rose Fennell, Director; Joyce Phillips, Director; Theresa
Sgavicchio, President; Dot Novak (not shown), Director.
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