February 2025 CWC Newsletter

Notes from the February monthly meeting (Please note that these are not official minutes.)...

Committee Reports

*Civic Engagement

Bloodmobile – Molly our last blood drive in December was a success, we had 15 units donated. We have committed to 2 blood drives this year (2025). First one is on May 3rd and December again for “Holiday Heroes”. We are also looking for volunteers to cover both event dates. Please get in touch with Molly to coordinate.

Lap Blanket – Linda Wellner-This is a state project from GFWC. We are aiming to have 40 lap blankets donated. You can make them yourself or purchase them. Blankets are requested to be 36X48 inches. (See more about this project below.)

Library Project – Anne (Anne was not present) However, we have been asked to display the history of the Carrizozo Woman’s Club at the library. Molly and Sue Stearns will be heading the project.

Jennie June - Anne (Anne was not present) We are looking for a woman to be nominated for this, please let us know if you have a woman to nominate. 

*Valentines Day Bake Sale – Prices for cakes and pies $12 or higher? $8 a pound. Flyers are posted. Flyer is in the newsletter. Set up after the meeting. Place street signs.

The members agreed on the prices of the sale and set a goal of $2,000 for our scholarship fund.

Social Media Report-Yolla Our page disappeared from Facebook for about 7 hours but has been reactivated. We have 220 followers and we will be starting our series of “Member of the Month” where we spotlight one of our wonderful members. March’s Member spotlight is our very own president, Janet Petty. (Facebook page link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089445761131)

* Membership – If you need pages for a book or Roster let Molly know. We are at 35 members and growing!

*Chat and Crafts – Peggy, Peggy has been traveling and a little under the weather but she is holding classes again. All are welcome at her space at the old Magistrate building.

*Blast from the Past – Sharon-Sharon was not in attendance however Sue Stearns gave a brief history of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. (GFWC)...how it was founded and all

that it has done during the past 150 years. Ms Sue gave a great talk reminding us, and informing those who are new to know what we are a part of.

Other Business:

Carrizozo Empty Bowls Event has been postponed. Date has been set for April 11th.

Please do not bring items to the WC for storage. If you have donations for an event, please wait for items to be requested. Steps to the basement are very steep and difficult to navigate.

Thank you to our February hostesses are Eileen B, Rosemary, Margo, and Linda A. 

Our March hostess are Nordis, Katie, Margo, Liz and Rosemary 

We had a special guest from Carrizozo Works Inc. Ms Lisa Maue spoke about all the wonderful community efforts they are doing for Carrizozo, and we’re excited about collaborating with them in 2025! Recently, two of our officers had a preliminary meeting with Lisa and the CWI Board to discuss a joint project - a non-profit summit, brining together officers from the area's non-profit organization to discuss what each is currently doing or has planned and how we can collaborate to meet community needs. She also talked about the history and foundation for Carrizozo Works along with different projects that they are involved in doing for the town of Carrizozo - including a guidebook and a trifold that have been printed in English and Spanish. They are also working on a business recruitment package for the town along with a disc Golf tournament to be held in May. She also introduced community classes for the community to learn a new skill. The classes would have a minimal fee and CWI will handle the marketing costs for 10%.

CARRIZOZO WOMAN’S CLUB VALENTINE BAKE SALE FEBRUARY 14, 2025

Goal: to raise money for local student scholarships In-kind donations: $1,662.00

Volunteer hours: 628
Volunteer miles: 1895

Money raised: $1,802.00

We sold 22 baskets- $15 to $60.
14 Rose flower arraignments, and 9 Carnation arrangements. Homemade cards - $5 each.

Advertised by flyer in White Oaks, Capitan and Carrizozo. Also, the local online Community Newsletter and Facebook.

Linda Wellner, Nordis Estrem, JoAnn Davy, Susan Farris, Eileen Bartlett, Dauna Mruskovic, Linda Remus, Juaquina Bravo, Patty Brozovich, Carrie Scott, and Janet Petty. So many delicious items, fudge, cookies and brownies were sold for $8 a pound. Cakes, pies and breads were $20 to $35 each. Several ladies from the town baked and donated items.

Those that worked the event: Margo Lindsey, Yolla Alsabagh (our roving FB reporter) Melody Gaines (flower coordinator), JoAnn Davy (card maker extraordinaire) Donna Harkey (basket engineer), Patty Brozovich (flyer designer), Molly Sheahan, and Janet Petty.We all had a great time and there was nothing left but the crumbs.

Chairperson: Janet Petty 

A note from Janet...

Thank you to all who donated items for our gift baskets ($950), all who baked ($662), Melody for the beautiful flower arraignments, JoAnn and Rebecca for the handmade cards, and everyone who came out and bought goodies and all who volunteered their time to help set up, sell, and clean up after. 

These are just a few of those that baked, worked, put up signs and did so much more….

Sue Stearns, Linda Wellner, Anne Exterkamp, Nordis Estrem, Sharon Hefner, 

Juaquina Bravo, Rebecca Johnson, Paula Wilson, Eileen Bartlett, Susan Farris, Dauna Mruskovic, Yolla Alsabagh, Melody Gaines, Donna Harkey, Patty Brozovich, Molly Sheahan, Rosemary Shafer, and Margo Lindsey.

I know there are so many more that should be on this list. So many people contributed to a successful event. If I have forgotten you, I do apologize.

Our goal for this event was to have enough donations to give two $500 dollar scholarships. 

We surpassed that goal. The event brought in $1,802!!! A roaring success. 

We had fun, laughed and chatted with folks we had not seen for a while. We even got two new members!

Thank you again for all who participated in helping. We have the best club members!

Janet Petty 

Valentine Bake Sale 

Chairperson

Note: Things were a little crazy that day, and Janet forgot to put out the sign in sheet for you all to log your hours, distance driven, and in-kind donations. Could you please send Janet that info so she can complete the report. You can text, email, or call her.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Library Display

Sue Stearns, Sharon Hefker and Molly Sheahan are setting up a CWC display in the library. The space has a temporary display, and as soon as our display is up, we will make sure to get word out to everyone.

Blood Mobile - May 3rd

We will need volunteers to be at the building during the event. Contact Molly if you can help.

Woman's Club Beyond Carrizozo...

Photography Contest

Janet recently received this information via e-mail:

Hi Everyone!

I'm this year's GFWC Photography Contest Chair for the State of New Mexico and it's time to start spreading the word about this year's contest.    

Attached is the 2024-2026 GFWC Club Manual with specific information and rules about the contest, the Photography Contest Label which must be affixed to the back of each photograph, and the Creative Arts Waiver.  Please share this information with all members in your local chapter.   For more details, login to the Member Portal on GFWC.org.  The Contest pages are included in the Club Manual.  

Following is more information about the contest and a brief summary of the rules.  

New Mexico has its annual contest at the State Convention which will be held in Truth or Consequence on April 25 & 26. While we encourage all members to attend the Convention, it is not necessary in order for them to enter the contest.  Members entering the contest may bring their photo and signed waiver form to the Convention, send them with another member, or send them to me electronically at sallykohl54@gmail.com.

Photos must be taken during the 2024 calendar year and can be in color or in black and white.   Printed photos must be 8X10 inches, mounted on a sturdy backing, no more than 1/4 inch (overall thickness may not exceed 3/8 inch).  The categories remain the same as the previous administration:  Our World Up Close; Natural Wonders; Reflections, and Living the Volunteer Spirit.  

The following information is required on the back of each photo (an appropriate label can be found in the attachment):

Contest Name (Category)

Photographer's: 

   Name

   Email Address

   Mailing Address

   Phone No.

Name of Sponsoring State & Club

Photo Title

Photo Caption (including location, date & other pertinent info about the photo)

Emailed Photos must have the same information as above.  Submitting electronically will save you the cost of printing and mounting, but either form is acceptable.  

All entries must include the signed Waiver form (found in the attachment).  

Entries will be accepted at the April Convention on Friday, April 25 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, and on Saturday, April 26 from 8:00 - 9:00 am when the registration desk is open.  Judging will be on Saturday after all photographs have been received.  The judge will be a non-member of the GFWC who is qualified to judge photography.   The First Place Winner in each of the four categories will be awarded a blue ribbon and their photo and paperwork will be submitted to the GFWC Headquarters for national judging.  National Contest winners will be awarded a monetary prize.  Please note:  photos entered in the National Contest will not be returned.  

TO ALL NEW MEXICO PHOTOGRAPHERS:  Let's have a great showing at this year's State and National Conventions!

If you have any questions, please call (608-442-9548) or email (sallykohl54@gmail.com) me.

Sally

YELLOW TULIP PROJECT

(GFWC Cosmopolitan Woman’s Club of Albuquerque )

The GFWC Cosmopolitan Woman’s Club of Albuquerque is planning a Yellow Tulip Garden with the help of the Yellow Tulip Project. (GFWC.org; theyellowtulipproject.org).

The goal of the YTP and the garden is to SMASH THE STIGMA of mental illness and spread hope and joy to young people struggling with this.

Our garden is planned for Constitution Ave, across from the Mark Twain elementary school. Besides yellow tulips, there will be signs of encouragement and resources for those who can use support.   

We know that spring is not the best time to plant tulips, but we are moving ahead, and we realize we may not see results this year, but, hopefully, next year. We are having a planting event on Wednesday March 19 and possibly another in the fall. 

Hopefully folks in the community will turn out to help us with the planting. We are looking for volunteers from ages 10 to adult who would like to support young people with their mental health issues. 

We hope anyone interested in community service will come: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, National Honor Society, and community members. Please call Laurie at 774-253-4432 and let us know whom to expect. The club will provide water, bulb planters, nutrition for plants, and simple snacks. Please be sure to wear a hat and sun screen.  If it rains, we will possibly change the day.

Also, help is needed on Tuesday March 18 to clear the site.

Donations to cover the cost of bulbs, tools, plant food, refreshments, signage etc. are very welcome and needed. Please make donations to GFWC Cosmopolitan Woman’s Club and mail to Laurie LaBrecque, 1801 Georgia St NE 87110.

Thanks for your interest and support

Laurie LaBrecque

President, GFWC Cosmopolitan Woman’s Club

NOTE: CWC will not be sending a donation. Members who would like to help with the event should call Laurie (above in bold).

State-Wide Art & Service Project

(a.k.a. Lap Blanket Project)

We received a request from Minel Schlaefli, GFWC NM Art Chairmen: “I am requesting a state wide art/service project this year.  My goal is for us to donate lap blankets for women undergoing cancer treatment.  I would like all our clubs to work on this.  We can crochet, knit, quilt, or tie fleece, 200 lap blankets.  Please reach out to your community for help.  I will contact our local quilting, crocheting, or knitting groups.  These lap blankets will be added to our state service project at our GFWC NM state convention in April. The blankets need to be 36 X48 inches, so they can fit into the care bags we plan to fill for our ladies going thru their cancer journey.”

o As there are 5 clubs, it is hoped that each club will donate 40 blankets.

o Susan Scott volunteered herself and her sister, Linda W., to head up this project.

At this point we have heard from several individuals who are working on blankets crochet and tied-fleece blankets. We have also heard from people who want to help but do not consider themselves crafty or do not have a lot of time. Here are some other ways you can help:

• Purchase fleece lap blankets at Walmart and get them to me (Susan Scott) or Molly so we can do the preparation work. These are relatively inexpensive. It is recommended that you purchase a pattern as well as a solid one, which will be tied together.
• Pass funding along to Molly or me so we can purchase blankets when we are out and about.

• 
  Request a "ready to tie" blanket that you will finish up by tying simple overhand knots. Several of the strips on each side have already been knotted. So, it is easy to follow what has been done. These will be available at the next Woman's Club meeting, as well.
  
• 
  

Volunteer Opportunity

The Carrizozo Library Needs Your Help!

The Carrizozo Library is looking for volunteers who can help operate the library. Volunteers work in conjunction with the Library Director and are not left to run things by themselves.

As a volunteer, you will receive training so you will be comfortable:

• Assisting guests

• Checking materials in and out

• Shelving books and DVDs

• Helping keep the library clean and orderly

• And more!

Our greatest needs are Tuesday 10-3; Wednesday 4-6; Thursday 4-6

For additional information or to sign up to help, contact the library at (575) 648-2595, send an email to carrizozolibrary@yahoo.com, or drop by the library at 406 Central Avenue.

Library Hours

Tues: 10am - 3pm

Wed: 1pm - 6pm

Thurs: 1pm - 6pm

Fri: 10am - 3pm

Sat: 10am - 3pm