Zonta Club of the Pikes Peak Area
October 2004 Newsletter
Volume IV, Issue 10
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Zonta Club of the Pikes Peak Area |
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Peak View Betty's Bits Member Information Member Profile District Conference News Kudos Kolumn Information: Link Dates to Remember |
PEAK VIEW!from Helen Smithwick |
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Teri has asked each of the Board members to take a turn writing the "Peak View" and this is my turn! It's my moment in the sun - so, do I take advantage of this unique opportunity to share my words of wisdom? Yes, here I am....umm...wait a minute....well...maybe not. My mind is blank, I have no words at all, let alone any of wisdom and, like those poor people who are put on the spot in the latest Hallmark ads, all I can come up with is, "Thank you!" But maybe that is it - this is my chance to thank all of you, the dynamic women of Pikes Peak Area Zonta for adding such a wonderful new dimension to my life and so, with all my heart, "Thank you!"
September 24-26th was the District Conference in Lamar, we had six members attending, including our newest member, Janet! We will be eager to hear their stories at our next meeting - how was the conference and, perhaps more importantly, how was the Cow Palace? I did hear that Renee came back with lots of money - which makes my treasurer's heart glad - but how did she do that in Lamar? Come to the international pot-luck on October 18th, bearing a dish with an exotic flavor, and we will all find out.
The board is meeting on Monday October 4th at Mollica's at 5:15 p.m. As always, everyone is welcome so do come.
Get ready for some good exercise, put on your work gloves and join us for the High-way Clean-up on Saturday October 16th. We will meet at Pat Kosley's house at 9:00 a.m. and carpool from there. (This may be worth a sticker!)
Finally this is the month to start going "nuts". We optimistically predicted we could make a profit of $4,000 on our nut sales this year - up $500 from last year. It's going to be a challenge - but we can do it - can't we? Let's get started!
-Helen
Mark your calendars - October 16th 9:00 am - Meet at Pat Kosley's home. See you there! |
NPR Funding
How lucky we are to have Susie Nulty as our webmaster. Once again, she has kept another 'hoax' from being distributed through our email list. Many of us received the appeal to help keep NPR from becoming un-funded.
"On NPR's Morning Edition last week, Nina Tottenberg said that if the
Supreme Court supports Congress, it is in effect the end of the
National Public Radio (NPR), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) &
the Public Broadcasting System (PBS). PBS, NPR and the arts are facing
major cutbacks in funding."
"Betty and Teri,
This is a hoax. See
http://www.npr.org/about/urbanmyth.html
and
http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/hoaxes/hoax5.asp?HName=PBS+and+NPR+Petition+Hoax
and
http://www.unco.edu/petition.html
Susie"
It is hard to imagine how much time and effort is wasted on these spurious appeals. Thanks to Susie we can keep them at a minimum in our club. Thanks, Susie!
Breast Cancer Stamps - 45 cents each
Many of you have probably heard of this opportunity to support breast cancer research, but just in case you haven't, here are a few notes.
The Breast Cancer Research semipostal was issued on July 29, 1998, at a first day ceremony held in the White House. It was the first semipostal in U.S. history.
To date, the stamp has raised more than $37 million for breast cancer research. By law, 70 percent of the net amount raised is given to the National Institutes of Health and 30 percent is given to the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense.
Designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD, the stamp features the phrases, "Fund the Fight" and "Find a Cure" and an illustration of a mythical "goddess of the hunt" by Whitney Sherman of Baltimore.
It is important that we take a stand against this disease that affects so many of our Mothers, Sisters and Friends. Visit the USPS and select "Buy Stamps and Shop," Stamps by Subject, Social Awareness. 20 stamps for $9.00.
Just as important as the money is our support. What a statement it would make if the stamp outsold the lottery this week. What a statement it would make that we care. Many of us know women and their families whose lives are turned upside-down by breast cancer. It takes so little to do so much in this. Please help & pass it on.
Member News
Many of us had Kate Brewster in our prayers as she traveled to be with her family upon the passing of her father. It's always a sad time and we wish her and her family our support during this time.
Those of you who were unable to attend the District Conference last weekend in Lamar missed seeing some of Pikes Peak's finest in action. Sharon Roggy, our Area Director, was impressive on the Advocacy panel; Kate Brewster, our past Area Director, transported a car full of PPA's members including the absolutely newest member (6 days), Janet Reedy; Teri Hermans, PPA president, was outstanding as she helped with the opening session, and Renee Troppe, our fund-raiser extraordinaire, was at the ready to sell tickets for all our items. Good job, Ladies, I was proud to be in 'our' club!
- Betty Edwards
"Every effort must be made in childhood to teach the young to use their own minds. For one thing is sure: If they don't make up their own minds, someone will do it for them." - humanitarian Eleanor Roosevelt. |
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| 2004 Zontian of the Year
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When the Pikes Peak Area Club voted for Zontian of the year, there was no question who that talented professional Zontian was!
Renee Troppe personifies the meaning of Zonta. She has been the most involved, reliable, and supportive Zontian the Pikes Peak area club has had this last year. She has been willing to take on responsibilities and has followed through on them, and through her efforts, she has made our club stronger and more cohesive.
Renee supports all women however and whenever she can. Her enthusiasm and involvement with our Pikes Peak area club in all areas especially fund raising and programs, her involvement in the international convention in NYC and her dedicated teaching of the Talk English class at Penrose Library is a testimonial to her dedication to women.
As President of the Pikes Peak Area club I have especially appreciated Renee's unending support in all areas, her creativeness and enthusiasm.
Thanks Renee for being the Spark to our club this year!
-Teri Hermans
 | Renee has provided many more photos from the 57th International Convention that have been added to our web site scrapbook. Don't miss these great shots - including one of Karen Pauley, our out-of-state Zonta Member. Thank you, Renee! |  |
October Birthdays
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My parents met at Lamar Union High School. My very southern mother had moved north with
her family where they were involved in various business pursuits My father's family was
involved in agriculture. It made for an interesting childhood to be raised by a mother from
the south and a father from the north.
I have continually lived in Colorado except for a few months in Ohio.
I had four children. I have delightful grandchildren. Most all live in the South with the
exception of one who with his wife lives in Colorado.
We had an exciting summer moving my youngest daughter, Deborah, her husband, and their
family from the Atlanta area back to Fayetteville, AR. This is only a fourteen hour drive
now. I will be able to go and help Deb and family when they need me.
I am a Colorado Native. I was born in Lamar, Colorado and raised on a farm near Lamar.
I have been involved in many business pursuits during the course of my adult life. The first one was teaching piano to beginning students. We gave our recitals in senior centers and nursing homes. I have been involved in the insurance industry as a part agency owner, office manager, claims manager, and claims adjuster. I owned a nutritional supplement business. After my father's death the family agricultural holdings passed to my sister and me. I was, for a number of years, general managing partner over financial investments, several farms, ranch property, and our minority trucking company interests. I have had a lot of experience cooking over the years and have done some catering. At this writing I am involved in private and family business investing. I am active in local investing groups.
My introduction to Zonta came through Zonta Member Beverly Augustine while I was living in Lamar, CO. I was a very active member serving on several committees and as president. I believe in Zonta International and its approach to helping women. I believe that when you help women and children you help the entire family. Literacy is a passion for me. I was happy to be literacy chair in the Lamar club.
I have a number of special interests. They include my family, church, various charitable organizations, health and fitness, literacy, and women and heart disease.
I have a number of hobbies. Some, of course, relate to my farm and ranch upbringing. Among them are reading, cooking, sewing, gardening, woodworking, and traveling.
I am interested in things that keep me mentally and physically active and learning. I
have recently spent several weeks reorganizing and destroying old business records. My many
months at Curves got me in shape for lifting and replacing a multitude of heavy boxes filled
with documents and records. In October I will participate, as a tutor, in the Rise and
Shine Literacy Program at my church. I am taking quilting classes. We have been finishing
orphan quilts, through the church, for the homeless. I am working on several quilting
projects on my own. I expect to, Lord willing, take additional quilting, cake decorating,
and wood working classes as time and opportunity permit.
Zonta District Conference |
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Highlights - ZONTA 53rd District Meeting 12 - Lamar - 9/24-9/26by Teri HermansAs your delegate to the District Meeting, I wanted to provide a brief summary. From the 6 of us who attended from Pikes Peak Area - Betty Edwards, Renee Troppe, Sharon Roggy, Kate Brewster, our newest member Janet Reedy, and I.... We wished you all could have been there to enjoy the fun! There were approximately 80 Zontians at the District meeting in LaMar at the Cow Palace.
Friday
Saturday - Meetings started at 0830...and we heard interesting committee reports with lots of ideas by the District Committee Chairs for International/UN, Membership, Status of Women, Public Relations. Interesting speeches by 2 talented young women Recipients of Zonta Scholarships (Jane Klausman Award for Prowers County-Melissa Zollars, and Amelia Earhart Recipient-Maria Rivas). Renee thought Maria might be a fun speaker to bring to one of our meetings....she is from Spain - a physicist working on her Ph.D. at CU - her project is GPS Systems to monitor the polar ice cap. And our own Betty E - now Foundation Ambassador for the District - gave a WOW presentation on the International Foundation. After lunch - a presentation about Japanese American Girl Scouts at the Heart Mountain WY Japanese Interment Camp, a great slide presentation re the International Conference, and information re Advocacy. Everyone was dressed elegantly for the BANQUET Sat night - many gorgeous Japanese and other costumes...beautiful table decorations by the Pikes Peak Club and presentation of ZONTIAN of the YEAR and other AWARDS....Wonderful. RENEE TROPPE was surprised to be named Zontian of the Year for our club!!! Winners of the many raffle baskets, and silent auctions were announced - thanks to Renee and Kris - our club did well! And entertainment by a beautiful skirt twirling local dancer from Chihuahua Mexico....and her skirt weighed 25 pounds! Sunday - Memorial Services followed by a short meeting, recognition awards and Brunch....and we were off to Colorado Springs.....but not without several stops at the local fruit and vegetable stands....there is NOTHING like a fresh Rocky Ford Cantaloupe...and ask Renee about those mild roasted chilies! - Teri |
Fund Raising at District 12 Conference
in Lamar, CO |
September Guest Speaker - Zontians Speak! |
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| This is the kind of program that makes me anxious and excited to attend meetings--Corrie had spent two years in Togo, West Africa, as a part of her Peace Corps experience. Her projects paralleled in many ways the international efforts that Zonta also supports--funding women in villages as a way of supporting economic progress, digging wells for safe and nearby water supplies, etc. The difference is that Corrie brings it all to life--sort of the difference between looking at a picture of a rose and having a real one right under your nose. She brought an album of pictures to share and answered question after question about the experience. She is a person who has personally impacted the lives and status of women and it was both enlightening and entertaining to hear from her. - Sharon Roggy |
| I thought Carrie was so much fun to listen to. With all of the stories that she had about her stay in Africa, she could have kept us enthralled all night. I especially enjoyed her story about the well digging as it reminded me of the Zonta project that helped do exactly the same thing. I also really liked hearing about the business project with the women of the village. If they loaned the money to the women, then it benefited the entire family, whereas if they loaned it to the men, it was wasted on drink. It reminded me of the project that we learned about in Afghanistan where the women were given enough money to buy a few chickens. It is good to learn about the ways that other organizations are working in the same direction as Zonta to improve the status of women throughout the world. - Shannon Rowan |
| Corrie's experiences in the Peace Corps make me so proud to be a Zontian. Building wells and small business loans to women are just two worldwide ideas that Zonta International has done for years. More and more, I realize that Zonta is cutting edge in its status of women service projects. We can do more if we make more money. Sell those nuts!! - Kris Wells |
October General Meeting - Guest SpeakerBetty Edwards has invited an exceptional woman who is negotiating for a new assignment soon in another foreign country working with women to improve their condition. She is a member of the Zonta Jefferson County Club and has had employment in Afghanistan and Iraq among other countries. In addition to our speaker, we will also be entertained with middle eastern belly dancing from a special local Zontian. Our October International Pot Luck will precede our speaker and entertainment. We look forward to the ethnic variety of food and drink we will enjoy from all of our Pikes Peak Area Club members. Please share recipes of your dish, if possible. |
Fund Raising Project
Presales - Order your nuts from Pat Kosley by October 10th!
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Here you have the opportunity to thank and/or praise your
fellow Zontians for something above and beyond. Send all contributions to
the newsletter editor -
nulty@csdco.com.
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The Sacramento Bee - Diana Griego Erwin: Iraqi women try to help Americans see the country through their eyes. |
| October 4 | 5:15 pm Board Meeting - Mollica's |
| October 10 | Nut Presale Order Deadline - Call Pat today! |
| October 16 | Highway Cleanup-meet at Pat Kosley's at 9:00am |
| October 18 | General Meeting - International Potluck |
| November 8 | Nut Bagging at Pat Kosley's |
| November 8 | Zonta International Day |
| November 25 | International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women |
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Thank you ladies! |
Please send comments and suggested information for the newsletter to nulty@csdco.com.
www.zontadistrict12.org/pikespeak.html www.zontadistrict12.org www.zonta.org |
