2022 News & Notes!
to "plant" the seeds of change. April is Prevent Child Abuse month. GFWC-IL is a supporter of PCA and provides funds as well as promotes awareness of this issue. In order to showcase and bring attention to the month, our club "grows" a pinwheel garden each April at the City Hall and the Library. Blue to is the color for these pinwheels. Let's stop child abuse in its tracks! Prevent Child Abuse is the oldest and largest organization working to make children safe and secure.
2021 News & Notes!
The April Earth Day Canal clean up was a huge success with four miles of the canal cleaned up by 17 people on April 12, 13 and 22nd. A total of 35.75 hours of time were donated with many, many bags of garbage collected. The value of the work performed for the in-kind match totaled $1000.29! Thank you to all that helped. Not only did we clean up the trail and parts of the canal, we got several new members join from this project!
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2020 Was Cancelled
2019 News & Notes
Nettle Creek Lavender Farm Shares the Lavender Experience
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At the March general meeting, Maggie Smith from the Nettle Creek Lavender Farm on Pioneer Road discussed lavender, such as its historical use, its medicinal and other uses, its varieties and how the oils are used.
Ms. Smith has a farm stand by her farm and provided the group a synopsis of how she got started growing it and what gardeners can do to grow a successful lavender plant.
There will be a lavender wreath making workshop in April for those interested.
Ms. Smith has a farm stand by her farm and provided the group a synopsis of how she got started growing it and what gardeners can do to grow a successful lavender plant.
There will be a lavender wreath making workshop in April for those interested.
2018 News & Notes
Grief Counselor and Registered Nurse, Kathy Cherven, Helps Make Sense of Grief
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The speaker for December was Kathy Cherven, a Registered Nurse and Grief Counselor. Ms. Cherven explained how she had gotten into the field of grief after working in the hospital for many years. Her journey was both personal and professional, and she explained the pathway.
Then Ms. Chervin explained the complexities of grief and the multi-dimensionality of it as well. She provided an analogy about how life is like a coin sitting on the top of your hand. It feels normal and then one day, the coin flips in a way that is beyond a person's control. Life is forever altered by the flip. The coin can never be flipped back the other way. And nothing is ever the same. She discussed how grief is different for ever person and sometimes people need someone to listen to them because that grieving person may not feel like they are being heard. That person may feel pressured to start "acting normal" and "getting over it" and "moving on with their life." Ms. Chervin explained that because that person's life has forever been altered, their life will never be the same and, therefore, the best way to help people going through grief is to accept and listen. And don't be afraid to mention the change. Grief can be the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, the loss of a relationship, the loss of purpose, the loss of an identity. People in grief are coping with changes from the flip of the coin. She also advocated seeking out assistance as one moves through the pathway of grief. Finding a person that will listen, whether that person is a professional or not may help a person during the grieving process. |
Morris Cheerleaders Help for Make A Difference Day
Third annual MADD Collection of Every Day Essentials at Jewel is a Success with MCHS Cheer Assistance
New Beginnings Women's Center Thrilled With Items for Their Pantry
We raised over $2800 in four hours! Thank you to the nine MWC volunteers and the six MCHS volunteers.
New Beginnings Women's Center Thrilled With Items for Their Pantry
We raised over $2800 in four hours! Thank you to the nine MWC volunteers and the six MCHS volunteers.
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Troop 469 Sorts Bottle Caps for Recycled Plastic Benches
Troop 469 is working with the Club on this Conservation and Education community service project by sorting caps for the ABC Promise Recycling Program with GreenTree Plastics. This part of the program is an educational endeavor with youth to teach them about recycling plastics. MWC has been collecting caps from the public for about two years and are now in a position to purchase benches from GreenTree. After the Scouts sort and weigh all the caps, they are then transported to the Indiana facility with four benches returning. MWC is working on finding ideal locations to install the four benches with adjacent Little Free Libraries. The Club wants to thank the John Martin Steele VFW Post #6049 for their generous donation, which is making this project possible!
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Congratulate Lynn Shearin on 25 Years with Our Club!
Lynn has been a great example in both Juniors and Woman's Club on how to serve and SERVE well!
2017 State Awards Are In
We won 9 Firsts at state.
Where We Were OverachieversDomestic Violence
Arts Conservation Education Home Life International Outreach Communication & PR Fund Raising Membership |
We Worked HardNo seconds this year
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We Will Expand in 2019Advocates for Children
Public Issues Leadership |
2017 News & Notes
2017-18 Unity Project Revamps Nursing Care Facility Garden
MWC GFWC-IL, Morris Lion's Club, Morris Area Garden Club, First Presbyterian Church,
Prairie State Woman's Club, and Delta Phi Art Club.
The Lions donated $500 for planting beds, some of which will be planted in the spring.
Prairie State Woman's Club, and Delta Phi Art Club.
The Lions donated $500 for planting beds, some of which will be planted in the spring.
The ART
MCHS Art Club Provide the Mural |
The BEDS
The Front Circle Drive
More Gardens
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The RESULTS
Every Bee Has It's Day
The Back Patio
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Make A Difference Day 2017 Is A Bright Beginning
Saturday, November 4 from 10-3 pm was the Second Annual Make A Difference Day (MADD) event held by MWC. The design and results were the same, but a different organization benefited from the largess—New Beginnings a center for women in crisis. This year members and students stood outside the local Jewel and provided shoppers a slip of paper highlighting a few Everyday Essentials that would help women in crisis. Despite the rain, the Morris community’s generosity wasn’t dampened.
One MWC member also is heavily involved with New Beginnings as a mentor. She volunteered for several hours and found the day helpful also as a networking opportunity. She met several people needing services and made connections with organizations and businesses to help the program. “It was a unique opportunity for me to reach out and connect with people,” she stated. “I love my work with women. It’s a dream job, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to make a difference.” And make a difference the Morris community did by refilling the everyday essentials pantry of this center.
Thank you to the nine members and three students who helped out!
One MWC member also is heavily involved with New Beginnings as a mentor. She volunteered for several hours and found the day helpful also as a networking opportunity. She met several people needing services and made connections with organizations and businesses to help the program. “It was a unique opportunity for me to reach out and connect with people,” she stated. “I love my work with women. It’s a dream job, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to make a difference.” And make a difference the Morris community did by refilling the everyday essentials pantry of this center.
Thank you to the nine members and three students who helped out!
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Paint the Town Pink!
400+ ribbons, 12 MWC members, multiple enlistment of their friends, Painting the Town Pink in 2017? Priceless.
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Come join us on Saturday, October 7 (or whenever you can hang ribbons) to "Paint the Town Pink" with bows to raise awareness about Breast Cancer. We are meeting at 10 am at Chapin Park, dividing the town up and swathing it in pink bows. If you would like to join us, please feel free. If you can't meet up with us but would still like to put ribbons up, please contact Julie Erickson at 815-685-6816.
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The Town Has Been Swathed in Pink for 2017 & 2018.
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Our Winners!
The smiles say it all.....
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Roll the Dice for Breast Cancer 2017
The Yahtzee tournament was a success. Thirty-two people ages 14-75 showed up to roll some dice, eat some good food, and socialize--all while helping the Avon Breast Cancer Walk team of "For Tits and Giggles." Participants paid $20 and rolled five games. Trophies were given out for Most Yahtzees, First Yahtzee, Last Yahtzee, and Highest Average Score. The winner of Most Yahtzees hadn't even ever played the game before!
Thank you to Julie Erickson and her crafty ways for modifying these trophies for the event. Also a big thank you to the seven new and more established MWC members who came out to support Cailey in her efforts to raise awareness about breast cancer as well as raise funds to help research for this disease that takes no prisoners.
Thank you to Julie Erickson and her crafty ways for modifying these trophies for the event. Also a big thank you to the seven new and more established MWC members who came out to support Cailey in her efforts to raise awareness about breast cancer as well as raise funds to help research for this disease that takes no prisoners.
We Must Be on the Right "Track"
The Superhero FunD Run and Half-Marathon was recently featured in the GFWC International July/August 2017 "Clubwoman Magazine" (vol. 95, Issue 4) "Bits and Bites" section. Congratulations to the committee for your hard work. We always knew you were fantastic, but now everyone else does too!
Breast Cancer Can Be Beat! September's event was a Breast Cancer Awareness program that had a two-fold design: supporting one of our members in her fight against breast cancer as well as providing the latest in information about breast cancer options. A big thank you to Terri Jacob, the Breast Nurse Navigator from Morris Community Hospital for providing information EVERY female from puberty to death needs to know!
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Celebrate Your Mammo-Graham
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To find out more about the latest ins and outs of breast cancer, click on the power point provide.
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2016 State Awards Are In
100 Books Read and CountingMary Lee Howard is participating in the GFWC honorary education society of Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO), which promotes further self-enrichment AND higher learning. Congratulations, Mary Lee, for earning your Century Award certificate for reading 100 books!
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First Place in EducationCongratulations to everyone who participated in Education on your first place award. The following were programs we covered last year: Freezer Meal Workshop, Scholarships, Journal Workshop, Redskins Helping Hands, Premier Graduation, Liberty Streets Art Festival Creative Village, Mental Health Over the Holidays, Book Club, etc.
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Third Place in MembershipMWC is committed to providing social opportunities and growth for members, and 2016 was no exception: Pot Luck and Game Night, Sip and Paint with the EXibit, promotion of Morris Theater Guild, a summer Picnic in the Park, added a membership rally and Ovarian Awareness event in September, secret sister pal program, and a fun ornament and cookie exchange in December as well as membership themes.
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Spring Banquet Induction
The spring banquet was held on Monday, May 1 at Maria's. Twenty nine members and three guests attended. The entertainment for the evening was presented by members of the Morris Community High School state qualifying speech team. After watching the performances of these young people, it was easy to see why they qualified for state! This is an up and coming program at MCHS. It was nice to see why this team is getting all the buzz.
The banquet was an opportunity to recognize members both new and established in their time spent in GFWC. New members that were inducted: Michele Coleman, Kaileen Cummings, Maria Pogliano, Cailey Walker, and Dot Wolverton. MWC also took the time to hand out 25 year pins to several established members: Dee DeLoro, Jo Dergo, Marion Gore, Valerie Hoffman-Hatcher, and Nilsa Sochan. Congratulations to all!
Several individuals also won special awards for initiatives. Kaileen Cummings and Michelle Mitchell both received a "Digging Up a New Project" Award for creating two new projects this year (Work Out to Knock Out Domestic Abuse and Weighted Comfort). Rose Grossi received a "Growing the Garden" Award for bringing in a new member this year. Thank you to all three for their efforts!
The banquet was an opportunity to recognize members both new and established in their time spent in GFWC. New members that were inducted: Michele Coleman, Kaileen Cummings, Maria Pogliano, Cailey Walker, and Dot Wolverton. MWC also took the time to hand out 25 year pins to several established members: Dee DeLoro, Jo Dergo, Marion Gore, Valerie Hoffman-Hatcher, and Nilsa Sochan. Congratulations to all!
Several individuals also won special awards for initiatives. Kaileen Cummings and Michelle Mitchell both received a "Digging Up a New Project" Award for creating two new projects this year (Work Out to Knock Out Domestic Abuse and Weighted Comfort). Rose Grossi received a "Growing the Garden" Award for bringing in a new member this year. Thank you to all three for their efforts!
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Art@Narvick House September Scaring up Good Fun
Started two years ago as a way to enrich the creative experience of the developmentally disabled adult residents and guests of the Narvick House here in Morris, the program has provided on a monthly basis many fun Wednesday night seasonal crafts. During these difficult economic times for social service agencies in Illinois, programs enhancing creativity are the first to go. That is why MWC stepped in to provide this unique and much appreciated service.
From this year's MWC coordinator (Cailey Walker): "We had another fun night at the Narvick House crafting with residents in September. The residents made popsicle stick scarecrows, and we talked about the upcoming Corn Festival and their weekend bowling tournament. After the craft, snacks were served. It was a great night and all had lots of fun. Special thanks to Ann, Lynn, Donna and Nilsa for their help!" |
September Scarecrows
Members socializing at the banquet. |
Fall Banquet Hits New High With Number of New Members Who Join!October 7, 2016 General Meeting NotesThe first official meeting of the year, started with a bang at Maria's Restaurant as the group celebrated the beginning of a fun year at the annual fall banquet.
Four new guests joined last night, with one more considering for the future. That increases our membership from 38 to 41. We have added 11 new members in the last 12 months, which is a 35% membership increase! Kudos to all the members who brought their friends into the club. A big hand to Julie Erickson, Vice President and membership chair, for her promotional efforts. Julie started the meeting off with some fun ice breaker games, including one to see how much members knew about their club. It was interesting to find out that 70-80% of all American libraries were started by Woman's Club chapters. The business meeting opened up with pledge, collect, and conservation pledge. New Business was the locating of our silver sets from the Methodist Church, our new website, and the January date change for the meeting from the 2nd to the 9th. Each Area of Interest chairperson gave a quick synopsis of upcoming events. |