Audrey Rabinowitz Recognized as WWC's Most Active Member 2010-2011

The Board of the Westport Woman's Club has chosen Audrey Rabinowitz to receive the coveted Most Active Member award for the past year. The award is given annually to a member who has been recognized for service not only above and beyond the call of duty, but graciously and with a smile. The Most Active Member Scholarship was awarded to Nicole Brill, a Staples graduate, in honor of Ms. Rabinowitz. (more…)

The 2011 Yankee Doodle Fair has come to a close and on behalf of the Westport Woman’s Club we would like to thank all those from Westport and surrounding towns who came out to enjoy the fun. While we are still closing the books, it looks like this will have been a good year for our signature fundraiser. All proceeds from the fair will go to support the Westport Woman’s Club’s philanthropic programs. (more…)

Our club volunteers run the Curio Cottage which opened in 1999 and operates year-round. Due to the dedication and efforts of our members, Curio Cottage has raised over $500,000 in support of the philanthropic mission of the WWC. It’s a fun place to volunteer.

Donate

Curio Cottage offers a wide variety of quality items from glassware, kitchen equipment, jewelry, collectibles and much more. All of the merchandise is donated.

Shop

You never know what treasures you will find!

This committee is responsible for expressing sentiments of the WWC to members in matters of personal concerns. The Sunshine Girls, originally known as the Friendship Committee, was formed in 1999. In 2006, the Committee was formalized and renamed the Sunshine Girls. Volunteers send a fellow member a card, make a phone call or lend assistance to a friend in need. (Kim Reichert)

A minimum of four players are usually needed for this traditional Chinese tile game. We meet when enough players are available. It is not necessary to have your own Mah Jongg set or card. Experienced players are available to teach those who want to learn or refresh their skills. Lessons are given upon request. Contact current chair for day and time. (Audrey Rabinowitz)

Gourmet meets on the third Tuesday of the month in Bedford Hall at 11:30am and has been enjoyed by many members since the 1980s. The group explores a variety of cuisines and although some of our members are quite adventurous cooks, others join us for social reasons and take on less demanding recipes. Members commit to cook once a year in a small group which is responsible for choosing the menu and preparing a luncheon for that month's gourmet gathering. Our luncheons are noted for fine food and great conversation! We also have potluck events twice a year where members contribute a dish for everyone to enjoy, and an occasional restaurant outing.
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Our award winning Garden Room had its beginnings in 1910 when the then Women's Town Improvement Association sponsored a children's competition for The Best Flower. However, it was officially established in 1939 when it was inducted into the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc. Prize-winning projects of The Garden Room included the Greening of the Post Road and Canal Green Park. Our Garden Room was the winner of the Second National Award in an Environment Improvement Program sponsored by the National Council of State Garden Clubs Inc. and was a pioneer in ecology in the 1970's.
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The Arts, in one form or another, have been a part of the WWC since 1935. Today the chair of the Cultural Affairs Group arranges trips to a wide variety of cultural venues, including important gardens, historical homes, the ballet and museums as well as Broadway and regional theatres. The Group takes several trips between September and June of each year. (more…)

Bunco started in the year 2000. This ever- popular game is best described as: food, fun, laughter and a chance to win some money at a fast paced dice game. No experience necessary. No long- term commitment. Easy- to- learn. Sign- up is outside the office on the bulletin board on a month- to- month basis. Bunco averages 20- 25 players monthly. (more…)

Social Bridge has been part of the WWC for many years. Social Bridge was formed around 1985. It offers new members a more relaxed social setting as a way of getting acquainted with our regular members of the WWC. Three to four tables of bridge “foursomes” are set up to play independently of each other. (more…)

Book Review is an informal discussion group enjoyed by WWC members for a number of years. Books are chosen by the members and the discussions are usually led by the member who proposed the book. (more…)

It’s always exciting when Stewart Entertainment rolls the carnival rides for the annual The Yankee Doodle Fair into town! Colorful rides now sit waiting to be unpacked, tables are at the ready for diners from the International Food Court, and the Westport Woman’s Club has started setting up for one of Westport’s oldest and best loved family events June 16 – 19 at their club house at 44 Imperial Ave. (more…)

The Westport Woman’s Club hosts FULL COURT PEACE FOUNDER, MICHAEL EVANS

Michael Evans, founder of and Executive Director of Full Court Peace, addressed the Westport Woman’s Club at their June 6 luncheon. Full Court Peace is a non-profit devoted to the proposition that at-risk youths from diverse backgrounds who compete together can become positive agents of change in their communities.

While in eight grade, Michael played on a traveling basketball team that integrated youth from the more affluent Fairfield County communities with students from less privileged towns. Learning first hand how difficult life was for others had a lasting impact on him. After graduating from Hamilton College in 2005, where he played for and captained the Men’s Varsity Basketball Team, Michael moved to Northern Ireland. There he pursued a semi-professional basketball dream, coupled with community work in Belfast, the nation’s capitol and the world’s most segregated city. Michael shared the story of how he formed the “Belfast Blazers,” the first ever high school basketball team comprised of an equal number of Catholic and Protestant members. These youth were from extremely segregated backgrounds and neighborhoods and were tied directly to the city’s terrorist groups. The team went on to lose just one game in their controversial season together and built lasting bonds that bridged the segregation and hostility inherent in their communities. Several film companies are now considering the story of the “Belfast Blazers” for feature film production.

Michael has since gone on to explore the role of basketball in other troubled societies, founding Full Court Peace and developing programs in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, the world’s deadliest city, and Havana, Cuba.

Michael is now planning to bring his brand of bridge building and team building closer to home. Fairfield County has one of the widest achievement gaps in the country. Youth from neighboring towns and cities have drastically different public education and athletic experiences – creating diversity and boundaries that mirror the challenges that Michael has seen abroad. Full Court Peace is planning on launching a new program, based on their successful international program, in Stamford, CT. To learn more about Full Court Peace and to support their work, you can visit www.fullcourtpeace.org.

Michael was selected by CNN’s segment “Young People Who Rock” in 2009. He has been selected to be a blogger for the Huffington Post, where he writes about the politics of sports in Mexico, Northern Ireland and the rest of the world. Michael is a 2005 graduate from Hamilton College, a recent graduate from Harvard’s Kennedy School and the Graduate School of Education and was a Graduate Assistant of the Men’s Basketball Team. The Harvard Crimson won its first Ivy League title in school history.

The Westport Woman's Club Scholarship Committee awarded scholarships to Staples High School seniors at their June 3rd Scholarship Awards Ceremony.

The WWC scholarship awards, which totaled $20,000 this year, are based on academic achievement (no lower than 3.0 academic GPA), community service, extracurricular activities and financial need. (more…)

Come in and shop The Curio Cottage Thrift Shop, a fundraising arm of the Westport Woman’s Club when you come for Yankee Doodle Fair fun! The shop will be open, and we will have an extra sale section in the auditorium. Special fair hours are Thursday, June 16, 5pm – 10pm; Friday, June 17, 5pm – 10pm; Saturday, June 18, 12 pm – 10 pm; and Sunday, June 19, 12pm – 5pm. Come browse our wide selection of artwork, mirrors, vintage collectibles, housewares, home accessories, hostess gifts, jewelry, small appliances, toys and games. (more…)

Members of the WWC Community Service Committee having lunch at The Blue Lemon Restaurant in Westport, in celebration of completing another successful year of work in the community. $30,000 worth of grants were awarded to worthy area agencies/organizations who provide service/assistance to those in need.

The Westport Woman’s Club invites you to be spirited into summer with an evening of live entertainment featuring performances by some of New York’s most promising rising stars. Come see WWC’s Waiting in the Wings Cabaret: Midsummer Night’s Dreamin’, a magical, merry evening of classic and original songs and comedy sketches that salute the summer season Midsummer Night's Dreamin' - Learn More on Saturday, June 25, at 5 pm and 8:30 pm. . Appetizers will be provided by MATSU SUSHI - Event Partner, and are included in the ticket price. Beverages will be available for purchase. (more…)

As the school calendar wanes and Summer Solstice daylight simmers deep into the evening, “kids of all ages” gather at the Westport Woman’s Club, 44 Imperial Avenue, to enjoy one of the town’s oldest and best loved family events, Yankee Doodle Fair. This year, accompanied by much end-of-school and summer’s eve excitement and anticipation, along with some wistfulness, Yankee Doodle Fair, Westport’s last remaining annual family Fair, opens Thursday, June 16, and continues through Sunday, June 19. YANKEE DOODLE FAIR DETAILS The decision of another great Westport tradition, Festival Italiano, to close, leaves the Yankee Doodle Fair, as Westport’s sole outdoor carnival/fundraiser (more…)

June 2011

The annual U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier’s Food Drive took place on Saturday, May 14. Beginning in the early afternoon, Postal trucks pulled up to their drop-off point at the Westport Woman’s Club to unload the bags of food collected from Westport residents as the Letter Carriers made their Saturday mail deliveries. Volunteers from the WWC were busy for hours, assisting in carrying in bags, sorting items and then transporting food to the lower level of the clubhouse to stock their Food Closet. (more…)

Leah Scherzer, First Vice President of the Westport Woman’s Club, announced the names of the 2011 Grant Award Recipients at a breakfast today. “It is both a pleasure and hard work to select the grant recipients, especially in these difficult economic times when the need is so great,” said Ms. Scherzer. (more…)

Natalie Ryshna Maynard, Concert Pianist, Addresses the Westport Woman’s Club

Natalie Ryshna Maynard, concert pianist and educator, was the guest speaker at the Westport Woman’s Club May Club Day luncheon. Ms. Maynard spoke about the life of Olga Samaroff Stokowski, the “Eleanor Roosevelt of classical music in America,” sharing some of her personal memories of Ms. Stokowski and the musical era she influenced.

Ms. Maynard’s relationship with Stokowski began when she attended the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music, and won a seven-year Fellowship at the Juilliard Graduate School of Music to study piano with Sascha Gorodnitzki and Olga Samaroff Stokowski. Ms. Stokowski summered in Westport in the 1940’s and prepared her Juilliard students in a rehearsal barn on North Avenue. She became the most famous woman concert artist of her time. She actively promoted the career of her husband, conductor Leopold Stokowski, and was largely responsible for catapulting his conducting career to international acclaim.

Ms. Maynard, who now teaches music to students in Westport, contributed to and performs in the recently released DVD “American Virtuoso” about Olga Samaroff Stokowski.

The Garden Department of the Westport Woman’s Club, held May 2 on the grounds of the historic Sidney Watts Club House, gave club members and Westport residents the chance to add splashes of color to their spring and summer gardens while helping to raise funds to support the many philanthropic efforts of the WWC. (more…)

The U.S. Postal Letter Carrier’s Food Drive, held annually on Mother’s Day Weekend, is scheduled for Saturday, May 14th. Westport residents are invited to place donations of non-perishable food items near their mailboxes for pickup. The donations will help stock the Westport Woman’s Club Food Closet. (more…)

The Westport Woman’s Club (WWC) partnered with Necessities, Inc. in April shortly before the Mother's Day celebration to provide 95 Necessities Bags ™ filled with information and supplies for women facing the challenges of mastectomy and reconstruction. (more…)

May 2011

The Westport Woman’s Club hosted their Spring into Summer luncheon / fashion show with Spring and Summer Fashions by Brooks Brothers of Westport on Wednesday, April 13. A full auditorium enjoyed a luncheon provided by Chris Negrin of “In Good Taste,” door prizes and favors before being treated to a fashion show featuring the newest spring and summer outfits and accessories being offered by Brooks Brothers. (more…)

There is no more wonderful way to celebrate spring than to dress your home for the season with flowering plants, herbs and garden ornaments. Stop by the Westport Woman’s Club on May 2nd from 10 am – 3 pm and take advantage of the beautiful finds and great values at the WWC Garden Department’s Flower Sale. The sale will feature unusual and beautiful flowering annuals, garden planters and window boxes. Pick up a lovely wrought (more…)

Author Jane Green Addresses the Westport Woman’s Club

Jane Green, the bestselling author of 12 novels, addressed the Westport Woman’s Club at their April Club Day luncheon. Ms. Green, a Westport resident, shared some anecdotes about her life as a writer, and gave insight into the inspiration for her latest novel, “Promises to Keep.”

Ms. Greens’ novels draw on themes from the experiences and people who decorate her life without being biographical. “Promises to Keep” is built from her real life experience with a friend who was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer and the journey of friendship and personal growth she took with her during her illness. Ms. Green put aside much of her daily life to be there for her friend, doing everything from going to doctor appointments to cooking almost daily meals for her family. It was an experience that brought her to understand that love is a verb. “Loving requires acts of love. Love is about showing and doing,“ said Ms. Green. From this experience, she has crafted a novel that celebrates life. The story is punctuated with recipes from her personal collection that she prepared for her friends’ family.

20% of all royalties from “Promises to Keep” are being donated to City of Hope, a clinical research hospital whose mission is to bring the newest, most promising therapies to cancer treatments without delay. “They are responsible for developing many of the most effective drugs and treatments available for cancer today,” shared Ms. Green.

Join the Westport Home Energy Challenge! Complete a home energy assessment through New England Smart Energy and $25 will be donated to the Westport Woman’s Club! (more…)

April 2011

The winter snows have melted and are giving way to spring flowers just beginning to push their way up to dress the landscape with a fresh new look. What a great time to come and see the newest summer and spring fashions and see the outfits and accessories that you won’t be able to live without this season. The Westport Woman’s Club invites you to join them for their Spring into Summer luncheon/fashion show with Spring and Summer Fashions by Brooks Brothers of Westport. Grab a friend (or two) and come join the fun Wednesday, April 13, 11:30 am – 2 pm at the Westport Woman’s Club, 44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT. (more…)

The Antiques Group of the Westport Woman’s Club will host speaker Tracy Dwyer, proprietor of Parc Monceau, on Wednesday, March 23 at 10 a.m. A former resident of the Loire Valley, Ms. Dwyer brings her passion for all things French to the Westport-based retail and interior design store. She returns to France several times a year to purchase the antiques and other furnishings and accessories that are offered at Parc Monceau. She will be sharing her knowledge and insights on the unique characteristics of French furniture and accouterments. The public is welcome to attend the presentation at the Westport Woman’s Club, 44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT. Admission is free.

The Westport Woman’s Club (WWC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to volunteerism and the raising of funds in support of the charitable, educational, cultural and public health services in Westport and surrounding towns.

The Curio Cottage Thrift Shop, a fundraising arm of the Westport Woman’s Club thanks all supporters who turned out for the Annual Tag Sale on Friday and Saturday, March 11 – 12.

“This was a great sale”, said Karen Eickhoff, Curio Cottage Director, “We got many new shoppers and out standing comments from many people. We even had a few ladies who want to get more info about joining the club....a win-win for all! We’re hoping our new friends will continue to visit us on a regular basis.” (more…)

Announcing ... a new social group for members called Girls Night Out, or GNO!

What is it? A regularly scheduled week night evening social for members. This group is the result of a brainstorming session attended by 12 members on January 19, 2011.

The goal of GNO is to provide an opportunity at a convenient time for our members who work during the day, as well as any members who want to connect with others, to mingle socially while enjoying some food and wine.

When is it? Girls Night Out, or GNO, will be held on the first Wednesday of the month at the Clubhouse, starting at 6:30PM. Here are the dates for the next three months: (more…)

March 2011

February Luncheon - David Pogue

The Westport Woman's Club Learns What's New and What's Next From David Pogue

David Pogue, personal-technology columnist for the New York Times and award-winning tech correspondent for CBS News entertained a full house at the Westport Woman’s Club luncheon February 7.

David used his trademark comic approach to understanding new technology and its impact and influence on our society to deliver a thoughtful and entertaining presentation. His hilarious insights included how smart phones and Web 2.0 have changed our approach toward learning and personal interactions, and the profound effect they are having driving the on-demand, real time expectations of the next generation. He concluded with two of his song spoofs – take offs of popular songs with new lyrics based on the computer industry.

David’s writing, reporting and spoof song renditions can be enjoyed by anyone who visits his website, www.davidpogue.com. David can also be seen hosting the new PBS Nova mini-series “Making Stuff” where he explores the materials that will shape our future.

The Westport Woman's Club Kicks Off The Holiday Giving Season

The Sedgwick Family Singers helped the Westport Woman's Club kick off the holiday season performing at their December Club Day luncheon. The four Sedgwick women entertained a full house with all the holiday standards, including A Christmas Song and White Christmas before debuting their rendition of the new holiday classic, "All I Want for Christmas is You." This talented, playful group can be seen performing throughout Fairfield County.

In keeping with the spirit of the season, over $1200 was raised at the luncheon to benefit the WWC's Holiday Gift Card and Holiday Catered Meal programs. These programs, done in conjunction with the Town's Department of Human Services, will benefit over 490 Westporters this year. The WWC welcomes any contributions to support this important work.

Westport Woman's Club Hosts Sissy Biggers

Lifestyle expert and television host Sissy Biggers joined the Westport Woman's Club as their guest speaker at the November 1 Club Day. Ms. Biggers, a Fairfield County native, spoke with candor and humor about her career path to become one of today's sought-after personalities for numerous shows for ABC, CBS and NBC in addition to radio, print and internet media. She is a recognized expert in the hospitality industry, full of inspiring advice on a variety of topics ranging from family entertaining and home keeping solutions to dining on a budget.

Her start in the entertainment field was on the other side of the camera. After a brief stint in Hollywood, Ms. Biggers returned to the east coast to manage and troubleshoot two live shows known for their direct takes on daily news and cultural trends – David Letterman and Saturday Night Live. After ten years she was let go without notice, but responded with her signature upbeat take on life. "I wasn't fired, but pushed from the nest." Ms. Biggers took the opportunity to do a career assessment and transitioned to her role as television host. Comfortable with a microphone, she knew enough about cooking to be able to build a dialogue with celebrity chefs on Ready, Set, Cook, one of the first cook-off competitions featured on the then fledgling Food Channel. Her career path has taken her to many venues and opportunities, each one leveraged to propel her forward. Of the odd and unexpected in her career, she grins broadly and simply says, "I accept the challenge."

Ms. Biggers takes that approach in her personal life as well. She and her husband, Kelsey Biggers, recently took on a labor of love patiently restoring the vintage Harris Hardware Store in Southport to become Southport Galleries, where artwork from old masters to contemporary artists is showcased. The goal of the gallery is to ma

The Curio Cottage Thrift Shop at the Westport Woman’s Club, 44 Imperial Ave., will hold their “Annual Tag Sale” on Friday and Saturday, March 11 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Rain or Shine. All proceeds go to Fairfield County charities. The Curio Cottage Thrift Shop will use the WWC clubhouse auditorium for this sale of expanded merchandise including furniture, vintage collectibles, china, glassware, housewares, home accessories, hostess gifts, small appliances, linens, artwork, toys and games. Donations of saleable items (in good condition, no clothing please) are tax-deductible and may be delivered to the clubhouse on Tuesday – Thursday, March 8-10, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. To make arrangements to drop off furniture, or to obtain additional information, please call the Westport Woman’s Club Office – 203-227-4240.

Curio Cottage

The Westport Woman’s Club Curio Cottage Thrift Shop, Westport, CT has raised over a quarter of a million dollars over the last ten years. The proceeds generated by the Curio Cottage help to support direct grants and services to non-profit organizations and charities throughout Fairfield County. (more…)

Love’s Funny: An Evening of Sweet and Silly Love Songs

The Westport Woman’s Club invites you to celebrate Valentine’s Day with an evening of live entertainment. WWC’s Waiting in the Wings Cabaret is a celebration of emerging New York talent, showcasing young performers ranging from aspiring comedians and musicians to Broadway hopefuls in an intimate cabaret setting.

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Social Bridge meets regularly on Thursday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the living and dining rooms.

Please call me if you are interested in signing up to"SUB".
Tommie Ross

Thanks again to everyone who helped decorate the Club for Christmas; it looked beautiful !
BOARD MEETING:
Tuesday, February, 1, 1:30pm
GENERAL MEETING:
Tuesday, February 8, 1:30pm
COMPOSTING, VEGETABLE GARDENING, ANSWERS TO YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS
Speaker: Joe Gloria

Joe’s family owned Gloria’s in Milford for decades. He is very knowledgeable about the many aspects of gardening including water gardening. Please try to join us for this meeting!
Our meetings are open to Club members who might be interested in joining our group or just interested in Gardening. Please call to make a reservation if you are not a Garden Department member.

Mary Lee Clayton

In 2008, this traditional tile game from China was introduced at the WWC. Experienced players are always ready to teach new players the game. It is not necessary to have your own Mah Jongg card or set but players who do are encouraged to bring them.

Hi All!
Wed. FEB. 9th, 10 am
2nd Floor Conference Room
See you there!

Mary Lee Clayton
Dorothy E Curran
Yankee Doodle Fair Co-Chairs

As of this writing the Play Reading Group has yet to meet on Tuesday, January 25th at 10:30 a.m. Should that meeting prove successful, we will meet again in February on the 22nd at 10:30 a.m. Finding enough copies of a suitable play has become a challenge--so come join this work in progress. I have selected a comedy for our first reading and it has been fun reading lots of funny plays.
Marilyn Killough

Social Bridge meets regularly on Thursday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the living and dining rooms.

Please call me if you are interested in signing up to"SUB".
Tommie Ross

Mary Lee Clayton

Tournament Bridge is a competitive bridge game. You and your partner play 6 games against each of 5 other teams each week (30 games each day). We meet every Monday (except on Club Days), from 10:30am to 2:00pm. We play 5-week sessions, from September through May, with prizes handed out at the end of each session.
We always need substitutes. If you are interested in joining us and/or being on the substitute list, please call Mary-Jane Cross

Please call me if you are interested in signing up to"SUB".
Tommie Ross

February 2011

Welcome back. Our next Club Day is February 7th hosted by Mary-Jane Cross and and Barbara Culp who co-chair Tournament Bridge.
Please check your new directory and handbook for all the important information regarding lunch and Club Day.

Thank you,

Leah Scherzer, 1st Vice President