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Canadian Women’s Club of Chicago Newsletter
PRESIDENTS LETTER
On November 7th a large group of volunteers helped continue the CWC tradition of decorating the Canadian Christmas Tree at The Museum of Science and Industry. Thank you to all the members who brought back so many wonderful ornaments from their visits to Canada this past year. This year our tree has a very desirable display location. Please plan to visit “The Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light” exhibit. A special thank you to Elsa Bruining, for all her work and planning for this special event.
There was a great turnout for our November Meeting. Our speaker and author, K. Raphael Kinney, gave a very interesting and informative presentation. We learned about the work and time involved in planning, writing and getting a book published. (Name withheld) gave us a review of the Swinging 60’s, including styles and prices. She looked elegant in her red hat with veil, long red gloves and black dress with pearls. She also brought a collection of books and magazines from that decade. Another delicious lunch, including lasagna, Caesar salad, garlic bread and yummy apple crisp, was prepared by our caterer, Rachael. Thanks to our host and hostess, Richard and Lucie for their wonderful hospitality.
Please remember we are still collecting items for the Raffle and the deadline is November 30th, as tickets need to be printed for distribution at the December meeting. The money raised will help with our Spring Grand Finale - 50 Wonderful Years.
Please remember to bring White Elephant gifts for our exchange at the December 16th meeting at the home of (name withheld). We will be collecting clothes for our "Dress for Success" project. I hope that you and your family will have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a joyful and blessed Christmas. - Bev Paonessa
Newsletter Deadline
The deadline for submitting articles to be included in the January newsletter is December 30th, 2009. All articles should be submitted to Jan Dengis. Please put CWC on the subject line. Any questions, please call Jan.
MEMBER NEWS
Birthday wishes for December go to Jan Dengis on December 19th and Karen Prieur on December 20th.
A note from Janet Walker, Past Membership Chair
Just thought I'd drop a few of you a line to say
that we survived our move back to Canada. It was great getting to know you all
and I remember you fondly. I often think about you and wonder how everyone is
and what the club is up to. - Janet
Membership Report
All of the directories have been either handed personally to members or mailed. All new members received not only the directory but the by-laws. I do have some extras. If you haven't received your directory, please email or call me. - Sheila Chin
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
If you are interested in any of these events, more details can be found at the following websites: www.cwcchicago.com and www.canadianclubofchicago.org
CLUB NEWS
Book Club The next book selection is the novel, “THE BOOK OF NEGROES” by Canadian author Lawrence Hill. This book is also found under the alternate title of “SOMEONE KNOWS MY NAME.” The next book discussion will be in March 2010 at the home of Jan Dengis.
Canadian Tree Trimmers at The Museum of Science and Industry Our annual tree trimming at the Museum was a huge success this year due to many CWC volunteers. Those in attendance were Barb and Jack Wayne, Bev Paonessa, Jackie and Howard Brennan, Sheila Chin, (name withheld), Lesley Green, Helen Hughes who came with her daughter and two grandchildren, Paula and Tom , Kathy Skagerberg, Elsa and Fred Bruining, and our two new members, Gail Neuman, Marianne Kohl Herman and her son, Peter.
A special mention to (name withheld), who presented the club with Canadian antique pieces. These ornament pieces came from her private collection and other family members in Canada. An Ojibwa birch bark canoe is displayed proudly on the tree along with a very old moose call (that still works). Thank you, (name withheld), for your priceless donation.
This year was the year of adding Canadian Birds to the tree. Lucie and Bev searched high and low while in Canada and found the following birds: a loon, puffin, blue jay, a black-capped chickadee, and a snowy owl. These birds are nestled very comfortably in their new home, the Canada Christmas Tree. Also new is the Anne of Green Gables ornament – limited to our club only. The Anne of Green Gables book is now in its 100th year publication and this ornament will make a good stocking stuffer, a hostess gift, a gift to an avid reader, or hanging on your tree. This ornament can be purchased at the December meeting.
Monday, January 4th at 10:00am is the date for dismantling the tree at The Museum of Science and Industry. If you are planning on attending, please email or call Elsa Bruining. - Elsa Bruining, Christmas Tree Chair
Other Canadian Trimmed Trees in the City If you happen to be in the Loop, on Thursday, December 3rd, plan to drop by the Cook County Building at 118 N. Clark Street, Suite 112. Maria Pappas, the Cook County Treasurer, extends an invitation to all to view over 90 Holiday Trees from around the World. The reception is from 4:00pm to 7:00pm., RSVP to 312-603-3724. CWC member, Krys Lewis decorated the Canadian Christmas Tree.
Krys will also be decorating the Canadian Christmas Tree at Navy Pier on Tuesday, December 1st, for the Winter WonderFest. If you would like to help, please call or email her.
Looking Ahead On January 20th there will be a potluck luncheon at the home of Robin Allison. We will celebrate “Tales from the 80’s – big hair and shoulder pads!”
On February 13th the meeting will be at Bev Paonessa’s party room. The programme will be “Self Defense for Women” presented by CWC member, Anne Sullivan Scatchell.
(Name withheld), 50th Anniversary Chair asks everyone to keep their calendars open for the 50th Anniversary Party, sometime in late April-early May. The date should be set by the time the January newsletter is sent.
Book Review I would like to share a book title with you, a book I have just finished reading FOR THE SECOND TIME, entitled, “ROUGHING IT IN THE BUSH” by Susanna Moodie, the New Canadian Library edition. It sounds like the stories of how my Grandpa and his family must have lived when they immigrated to the bush country of Northern Ontario many years ago.
When “ROUGHING IT IN THE BUSH” was published in 1852, it created an international sensation, not only for Susanna Moodie's "glowing narrative of personal incident" but also for her firm determination to puncture the illusions European land agents were circulating about life in Canada. This frank and fascinating chronicle details her harsh---and humourous---experiences in homesteading with her family in the woods of Upper Canada.
Part documentary, part psychological parable, “ROUGHING IT IN THE BUSH” is, above all, an honest account of how one woman coped not only in a new world, but, more importantly, with herself.
Dress for Success In our effort to support women in our communities, for the December meeting, please look through your closets to donate clothing; suits, separates and accessories which can be worn to attend a job interview. CWC has decided that this will be a twice yearly outreach project for the Club.
“The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Dress for Success serves clients by referral only, and women must have an interview scheduled before receiving clothing. Our clients come to us from a continually expanding and diverse group of non-profit and government agencies including homeless shelters, immigration services, job training programs, educational institutions and domestic violence shelters, among many other organizations. More than 3,000 organizations throughout the world send women to Dress for Success for professional apparel and career development services.
On her initial visit a woman receives a suit appropriate for the industry in which she is interviewing and, if available, accessories. After a woman finds a job she returns to Dress for Success for additional clothing that can be mixed and matched to make several outfits, providing her with the foundation for a professional wardrobe.
While we may be best known for providing suits to women, it is our employment retention programs that are the cornerstone of the organization. Soon after Dress for Success was founded we came to recognize that finding work is only one step in a woman's journey towards economic independence; remaining employed and building a rewarding career are essential if a woman is to become self-sufficient.”
For more information visit the website at www.dressforsuccess.org. This article was taken in part from that website. |
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Copyright 2010 - Canadian Women's Club of Chicago Email: mail@cwcchicago.com |
Upon
arrival at our “tree-trimming spot” we had one minor obstacle! We always
request the Museum to hang the lights horizontally…well the lights were hung
horizontally, but for the most part were hung around the trunk and inner part of
the tree!! We overcame this obstacle and nibbled on a variety of cookies,
candies and doughnut holes.