Greetings from Pat

Dear AAUW Branch Members:

I received a card in October from a friend I once worked with.  She is still teaching and she mentioned how I wouldn’t recognize the faculty anymore as there are so many new teachers.  It’s been seven Septembers since I last entered George Washington Elementary School.  Being a teacher was a big part of my life and I truly enjoyed introducing reading to first graders.  Sometimes, I look at all the jobs in the world and wonder if everyone could possibly be happy doing what they do.  I feel fortunate in that I enjoyed mine.  I also feel fortunate that I’ve adapted to retirement.

AAUW has become a big part of my life in retirement.  It’s helping to keep me busy in the community.  I like the idea that there might be some aspect all of us can enjoy and become involved in.  It’s truly a wonderful organization and we should all try to promote it in some way.  AAUW National has a program Shape the Future and you’ll be hearing more about it through the year.  It’s a subtle way to get new members.  One part of it is to invite prospective members to a non-meeting event, such as our book sale and approach them to become part of our organization, on the spot.  Another is Give a Grad a Gift.  Newly graduated women are given a tremendous discount in becoming a member.  I like this one a lot, as there are young women who want to be involved in the community and are uncertain as to how to begin.

At our October meeting, Jesse Reibson spoke to us of his program, Mentoring Across Ages.  This is a program some of us are becoming involved in and perhaps will make a difference in a child’s life.  Anyone who would like to know more can reach Jesse at 748-7577.

I’m looking forward to November’s meeting at the Palmer Museum and lunch at Masala Indian Restaurant.  I would truly love to see members that have a difficult time attending evening meetings.  It should be fun!

Sincerely,

Pat

The group attending the meeting is gathering on Saturday, November 12, near the ATM in the former Ames’ parking lot (across from Sheetz) just off Hogan Boulevard so that we can carpool to State College.  Please be there no later than at 9:00 a.m.

Maps of the locations of both the Palmer Museum and the Masala restaurant can be downloaded and printed from the on-line version of the Lockletter.  A link to the menu appears as well.  If you are unable to access this information, please contact either Nell (726.7071) or Bobbie (748.4905).

Palmer Museum map.  Masala map.

Link for the menu:  http://www.statecollege.com/menus/MASALA.pdf

American Association of University Women, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania  Branch

Minutes of the Branch Meeting
of October 6, 2005

The American Association of University Women, Lock Haven Branch, met on October 6, 2005 at Great Island Presbyterian Church with 16 members and 2 guests in attendance.  Officers in attendance were Jayne Arnone, Andie Bennett, Amy Carroll, and Carol Hildebrand.  Andie Bennett called the meeting to order and welcomed the members and guests.

Reports of Officers

Secretary:  There were no additions or corrections to the September minutes as published in the September Lockletter.

Treasurer:  Amy Carroll reported a balance of $4060.48 as of October 6, 2005.  Dues have been paid to National for 51 members.  The treasurer’s report was accepted as reported.

Program Chair:  Andie Bennett reported that the November meeting will consist of a trip to the Palmer Art Museum in State College followed by lunch at Masala Indian Restaurant in State College. Directions and a map will be published in the November Lockletter. The Telephone Committee will call all members for reservations for Masala and will determine how many members wish to carpool from the former Ames' store parking lot.  Please Note: the November meeting is scheduled for November 12, 2005 at 10:15 at the Palmer Art Museum.

Membership:  No report.

Reports of Committees

Care and Concern:  No report.

Education Foundation/Legal Advocacy Fund:  No report.  Betty Nelson stated that $17.00 was collected in the Legal Advocacy Fund envelope at this meeting.

Diversity:  No report.  Jo Ann Marcinkevage stated that her daughter Jessica would like to attend the January meeting to say a few words about her educational goals. The membership felt that this would be a welcome addition to our meeting.

Public Policy:  Laura Long stated that there will be no Candidates’ Night for reasons stated in the Lockletter.

Publicity:  Jo Anne Hoberman stated that she will send an article to the newspaper every month publicizing our meeting and program for the month.

Parliamentary Advisor:  No report.

Write-Read-Write:  Betty Nelson, who has agreed to be chair of this program, explained the program to new members.  This year we will be working with Mrs. Bechdel’s fifth grade class at the Woodward School.  Betty passed around a sign-up sheet for members who wished to take part in the program.

Unfinished Business

Books for Babies:  An envelope was passed around to collect for the Books for Babies project.  Members have until November 12, 2005, to contribute as a part of AAUW’s support of the program.

New Member Invitation:  Andie Bennett stated that Pat Burd would like to use advertisements in order to attract new members to our branch of AAUW.  The members felt that for now we should have Jo Anne Hoberman include the membership requirements in each of her publicity releases.

New Business

Response to Letter from Superintendent of Keystone Central School District:  A letter was received from Dr. Wills, the new Superintendent of Keystone Central School District, stating that either he or his representative will be available to visit our branch meeting and give a presentation or hold a question and answer program. The membership recommended that we do not respond at this time but consider asking for a presentation or question and answer program for one of the meetings in 2006 – 2007.

Festival of Trees:  Lisa May reported that the tree decorating committee has decided on the theme “winter wonderland” and has started making ornaments appropriate to the theme.  The next ornament-making meeting will be October 24, 2005 at 6:30 at the home of Carol Hildebrand.  Members are invited to join this group.  Lisa explained that there will be a silent auction at the Ross Library for the trees as well as a People’s Choice award.  The winning bid on each tree will be given to the sponsoring organization of that tree.  Our expenses will include the cost of the tree, the tree stand, and the lights.

Book Sale:  Nell Carnein announced that there will be a price and sort at the garage on Tuesday, October 11, 2005, at 9:30 and one at the home of Lois Day on November 1, 2005, at 9:30.

Announcements:  The next meeting is November 12, 2005 at the Palmer Art Museum in State College followed by lunch at Masala Indian Restaurant.

As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Carol Hildebrand, Secretary

Member Care and Concerns

Three of our members are presently dealing with health issues.  Please keep them in your thoughts.

Jo Anne Hoberman

Sandy Hammann

Gerry Cierpilowsk

Congratulations to Judy and Stanley Donahay on the birth of their son Jordan Alexander Donahay on October 18.  Judy is the daughter of Beth and Donald Brobst.

Welcome to our new member
     Deborah Hamlin-Aggrey, MPH, CHES
     1101 Country Club Drive
     Williamsport, PA  17701
     Phone: (570) 323-1528

Adelante Books

The Lock Haven Branch has donated money to the Ross Library for the purchase of books from the Adelante reading list.  More information about the reading list is available at www.aauw.org in the Community Programs section.  Check out the great reading! 

Stone Heart: A Novel of Sacajawea
by Diane Glancy (2003)

The Barefoot Heart: Stories of a Migrant Child by Elva Trevino Hart (1999)

My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban—A Young Woman’s Story
by Latifa (pseudonym) (2002)

The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science that Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry
by Bryan Sykes (2001)

Aimee & Jaguar: A Love Story, Berlin 1943
by Erica Fischer (1998)

First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers
by Loung Ung (2001)

Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea: Poems and Not Quite Poems
by Nikki Giovanni (2000)

Speak Truth to Power:  Human Rights Defenders Who Are Changing Our World
by Kerry Kennedy Cuomo (2000)
 

Write-Read-Write

Our branch will be participating again this year in the literacy program, Write-Read-Write.  We'll be working with Robin Bechdel's fifth grade class at Woodward Elementary School.  The classes will be introduced to the program early in January.  The children's interest letter will be passed out to cooperating members at our Jan. meeting.  After that, we'll purchase books, and bring them wrapped to our Feb. meeting.  The books will be distributed and the children will read them and write a final letter sharing with us what they liked about the book.  We will receive our letters at our April meeting.  Thanks to all who participate in this meaningful program.  If you haven't yet signed up there is still time to do so at our Nov. meeting or contact Betty Nelson (748-8805) or bnelson@kcnet.org if you would like participate.

Books for Babies

Regina Krauss spoke to the Board about being a partner in the Friends of Ross Library's "Books for Babies" literacy project.  "Books for Babies" is a wonderful opportunity to influence the smallest members of society by teaching them to love reading.  These books are meant to be read from birth and to act as encouragement until the children are able to read for themselves.  Each packet is $6.00.  We agreed to collect money at our three fall meetings and AAUW members who are not able to attend the meetings can send donations to Ross Library, 232 W. Main St., Attn. Friends of Ross Library.  Checks should be made out to Friends of Ross Library and write Books for Babies/AAUW on the memo line.

Festival of Trees

The Christmas Tree Decorating Committee has met and decided on a theme for the Festival of Trees.  It will be Winter Wonderland--think of gently falling snowflakes, fast sleds, ice skates, jolly snowmen, warm mittens, colorful sweaters, glistening icicles, playful hats, warm boots, slick skis, and snowy crescent moons, and twinkling stars.  We will be making these and other items as decorations for the tree. 

The decoration making is underway--come join the fun!  The next meeting will be on November 16 at Carol Hildebrand 's house at 6:30.  This will be the last meeting of the Committee, so all decorations should be given to the committee before November 16.  No experience necessary--just a willing heart.  If you can't join us, but can make items at home please let Lisa May know. 

We are also looking for small white lights to trim the tree and a tree stand.  If you have either of these items and are willing to donate them (they will not be returned), please contact Lisa (769-2584) or lmay2@suscom.net