January 2017
Dear Members,
What can I say? Here I am your president after the category 5 hurricane in October. This event changed some of my plans for the club, but I am looking forward to picking up the pieces and expect us to have a successful golf tournament that will enable us to again give back to the children of Grand Bahama.
I am so proud of all our members and the Canadian Women’s club members who have been working so hard to help with the relief efforts. We must continue these efforts and not let the passing of time make us think the job is done. The needs will continue into the foreseeable future.
I am grateful for email and even Facebook for allowing us to communicate at times when it seemed impossible. I am also grateful for cell phones; I never thought I would say that, but they were a godsend here on the island in the early weeks after the storm.
Looking forward, I am expecting all our members to volunteer their time and talents as they always have to make this a fun-filled and successful club year.
Sincerely
Christine Gardner
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I’m going to try to give you little tips and ideas to help make our life easier.
Stay tuned for some of my practical solutions for everyday problems that you might see here (or maybe not), starting in October!
— Christine Gardner, President
May 20,2016
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March/April 2016 Woven Thoughts:
It has been a hectic several weeks/months. The Golf Classic was a smashing success. Thank you so much for all of you who organized, helped, played, and donated.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration was also a smashing success. 77 members and guests attended. We ate, we drank, we talked, we danced. It was fun. Elaine Ko-Talmadge, the GFWC International Affiliates Chair from New York, her partner, Tony Jarosz, and Mary Kaye, the Assistant to Int’l. Affiliates Chair and Don Ernst from Wisconsin attended .
The Philanthropic Committee gave their report, and what a super report. This year we are able to donate in excess of $30,000 to scholarships, summer camps, reef ball, prostate awareness, and HOBY.
Next seasons officers have been elected. Yes, we are moving right along.
I know that many of you will be leaving this island for the summer, but May is such an exciting and invigorating dinner with all of our scholarship recipients, families, and friends attending. Note on your calendars that the meeting is May 2 (the 1st Monday in May).
See all of you on the 11th. Warm weather is here: sun screen and hats. — Jo Morasco
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February 2016 Woven Thoughts: Notes from the President:
I believe that the January 2016 General Meeting/Luncheon was much about sharing and caring. Pat Keay gave a very inspirational and informative program about Heifer International. It is a true case of “paying it forward”. It would be hard to imagine giving away the second calf, goat, or chicken that came into being, from your own hard work and discipline.
At the luncheon, I saw members giving their raffle prizes to their friends who needed an item, or to Wesley, who was really wanting the wind chimes. I saw new members volunteering to be on the nominating committee, and older (as in length of time in the club) members willing to jump in and help. Ladies were signing up to bring appetizers to share at the social, desserts for the golf tournament, and agreeing to work at pre, during, and post-golf tournament jobs.
Betty Jean Kolterman from Seward, Nebraska, quoted Mrs. William Hasebroock, International GFWC President as saying, “It is time to pat yourself on the back, but do not break your arm doing it.” We have a lot of work to do in the next couple months, so let those back pats be light for just a bit longer.
And just remember, “Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.”
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January 2016
Happy New Year. I hope many of you have returned to your island homes from your holiday travels. This is going to be a very busy spring season: the golf tournament is quickly approaching (Feb. 20), and we will need everyone’s assistance. Our 50th Anniversary Celebration (March 9) is being planned, so be ready for a lovely evening of dining, music, and dancing.
Joy Larsen has interesting programs planned, so I hope to see all of you at our monthly luncheon meetings and special events. I do believe that getting together monthly is the best way to remain viable and very present on the island. Don’t forget to purchase the New GBAWC 50th Anniversary Logo bags and shirts. W.A.N.D.S. (hearing and vision testing in local schools) volunteers are working hard, and the Philanthropic Committee has been formed under Joyce Harrison’s incredibly organized leadership. Also, the Nominating Committee will be looking for members to jump up, and offer their services for the coming year. Ladies, it is very rewarding and fun: BE AN OFFICER!
See everyone soon, and remember, “You’re never too old to learn something stupid.”
— Jo Morasco, President
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DECEMBER 2015
Amanda and Rebecca, who presented the Nov. meeting, blending chocolates and wine were fabulous. We thank them so very much for a lot of information and samples.
December 7 Holiday Luncheon: Garden of the Groves; Should be a lot of fun with the jewelry exchange, good food, large raffle, and possibly some music.
Remember, the January meeting is the third (3rd) Monday of the month due to the national holiday: Majority Rule Day.
I wish you and yours a very happy and joyful holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you. Be Safe.
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Dear GBAWC Members,
This is just a short note to let you know our club’s schedule for the 2015-2016 season. Due to Bahamian holidays, and members leaving the island for holidays or going home for the summer, several of our dates have been changed from our usual second Monday of each month. Our schedule is as follows:
GENERAL MEETINGS
October 19, 2015
November 9, 2015
December 7, 2015
January 18, 2016
February 8, 2016
March 14, 2016
April 11, 2016
May 2, 2016
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS for 2015/2016
October 15, 2015 at Jo Morasco’s
October 26, 2015 at Joy Larsen’s
November 16, 2015 at Joyce Harrison’s
December 14, 2015 at Katybel Taylor’s
January 25, 2016 at Sylvia Clift’s
February 15, 2016 at Paula Fingland’s
March 21, 2016 at Ann Bain’s
April 18, 2016
May 9, 2016
Also note, a tentative date has been suggested for a 50th Anniversary Celebration on March 9, 2016. This will be discussed at our October and November meetings.
Wishing you a good and safe summer,
Jo Morasco, President
——————— APRIL 2015 NOTES
If you missed our last meeting, I am sorry. The film presented by Paul Mockler, “Every Child Counts” was truly memorable. Mr. Mockler has promised to visit us again next year with another
of his fabulous films.
A committee is being formed to plan a celebration of our
upcoming 50th anniversary in the spring of 2016. I will keep you posted about plans.
I was invited to a delightful luncheon given by the WANDS Leaders to thank the ladies who so willingly gave their time and dedication to testing the school children. Thank you so much, Joyce, Ingrid and Hazel.
Do note on your calendar that the May meeting is changed to the first Monday (the 4th), and it is an evening meeting. This is the event that the scholarship recipients are introduced and acknowledged, along with children’s related organizations.
My silly thought: Spring has sprung, the grass has riz, I wonder where the birdies is?
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March 2015:
THE GOLF TOURNAMENT IS OVER, AND IT WAS A SUCCESS. She said in a quiet tone.
Yes, it was a success, and it was fun. The winners came in 10 strokes below par. That is a record for this tournament.
The after tournament dinner at Ocean Blue was also a success, and very good. Some players and guests, if they stayed on long enough, walked away with one of the nine cases of donated beer. That was a good surprise. Terrific photos of the tournament were shown after dinner.
Volunteers were many, and many were needed to make this event a success. Whether you worked the week before the tournament, sold raffle tickets, made dessert (wow, they were good), registered players, put up signs, or any other job, all I can say is:
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
Thought: “Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.”
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February 2015:
I don’t think my thoughts are thoroughly woven this week.
Thank you all that helped with the change of schedule of our luncheon meeting due to the national holiday: Majority Rule Day. I believe that it will affect our schedule next year, but who says we are not versatile? Dr. Malan, with the new Okyanos Heart Institute on island will be able to speak at our April meeting.
We have several members who have had surgery or who have been ill. Please keep them in your thoughts.
I received a notice from Susan Le, who works with the primary school children at High Rock. The principal, Mrs. Lewis, has 18 students who could use extra help. The materials are ready for a tutor to use in phonics, reading or math. This would not be a long term commitment, but during the lunch period (12-1) or after school (3-4) for a couple weeks. She needs help Feb. 2-13. Ms. Le’s contact information is: 646-4342 or 353-4404. If you have time and can assist, Ms. Lee and Mrs. Lewis would be grateful.
It seems as if January through April are very busy times on the island: GOLF TOURNAMENT, a couple art exhibits, a play, and hopefully a bit warmer weather.
Thought: Just remember, if your thighs rub together, you are just that much closer to becoming a mermaid.
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DECEMBER MESSAGE FROM JO MORASCO, PRESIDENT
At the November luncheon, we heard a wonderfully informative program about the Worldwide Reef Ball Project, which is taking place at Paradise Cove: the best snorkeling on the island. Seeing the reef balls all lined up is a pretty amazing sight.
NOVEMBER MESSAGE FROM JO MORASCO, PRESIDENT
“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” – Betty Friedan, 1921-2006
As we begin another year, I hope many of you are taking advantage of the wonderful friendships that are formed through the GBAWC. I hope that you make every effort to attend our monthly luncheon meetings and hear and/or participate in interesting and informative programs.
Our October meeting featured a fascinating presentation by Ann Keister, who made gorgeous clothing from vintage kimono fabrics. These tunics, caftans, jackets, and dresses were enhanced by metal, cloisonné, and beaded necklaces, modeled by our members. It was a very enjoyable treat. There were 44 members and guests present.
The November program will prove to be very informative and interesting. We will learn about the world wide ‘Reef Ball Project’ being instituted at Paradise Cove.
If you have an item that is in good shape, and you no longer need/want/or use it, please donate it to our monthly raffle. Last months raffle brought in $178.00. Good job, Marilyn and her helpers.
Thought: “We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.”
OCTOBER MESSAGE
We returned to the island on Oct. 9, and have been fixing everything that has stopped working. You would think that phones, batteries, computers, etc. could live without us for four months. I am sure that many of you are facing the same challenges.
I went to the GFW Convention in Chandler, Arizona, in June. It was an interesting experience. I participated in two workshops, all general meetings, dinners, luncheons, and even gave a two minute talk. There were two other women representing foreign countries besides myself (China and Taiwan).
It was a busy summer living in a new community, new people, and making appointments with new docs, vets, beauty shop and many others. Also, we entertained many friends and visitors from out of town.
I hope this new season finds you well, happy, healthy, and ready to visit with old friends, and welcome new members as new friends. REMEMBER: “We never really grow up—we only learn how to act in public.”
I hope to see you at the October meeting on the 20th.
Jo Morasco, President
The Grand Bahama American Women’s Club
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June 2014
I have been pondering a catchy heading for the monthly notes from the Club President. Past President, Bev Hall, had Musings. I generally don’t muse. Being a fiber artist, I have thought of woven thoughts, knitted notes, and of course, warped ideas. I like warped ideas, but that isn’t very dignified, so I will simply have monthly jottings: threads & thoughts.
I will be going to the GFWC convention in Arizona in June, and have offered to be a volunteer. I thought volunteering would be an excellent way to meet others, and in a limited way contribute to the convention.
Please note that the first meeting for GBAWC will be October 20, (the third Monday, due to Bahamian National Hero’s Day).
While many of you are away for the summer, please remember our monthly raffle and the holiday jewelry exchange. Pick up some fun items for both. Also, one of our programs may possibly be an “Antique Road Show” format, so bring your item (small) or a photo of an item that you would want the expert to evaluate.
Have a lovely summer, and safe travels wherever you are headed. If you are remaining on our beautiful island basking in the ocean and the breezes, remember to put on your sunscreen.
— Jo Morasco, President
