THE BLUEVIEW

President:  Laura Conway

 

A Letter from the President

 

Dear Friends,

 

I hope this letter finds you well rested after a busy holiday season.  December seemed like a whirlwind with so many events.   Home Life's food drive for the Milton Food Pantry came to a close on December 10th.  Congratulations for their vision to not only reach out to our friends and neighbors but to include our children in this effort. On the same day, a group of women and their children helped prepare food bags for Milton residents in need.  Thanks to Brett Dickens and Liz Papile for organizing and assisting in this event and to Meg Kaster, Max Papile, Tammy, Austin and Ryan Vyas, Jean Lang and my own children, Mariah and Kevin for participating.

 

Also on December 10th, we hosted the holiday movie The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus.  Many thanks to Martina Connelly, Kristen Cain, Audrey Gavin, Trisha Heelen, and Jenn Fitzmaurice for organizing this event.  And a very special thanks to Charlie Cain who served as our Santa, he was terrific and the children loved him!  Additionally, thanks to Sharon Donelan for helping us pull things together that day and to Bridget Mastandrea for dropping off the donuts to Father's Bill Place.  While we wished for a greater turnout, a good time was had by all who came to support us! 

 

On December 13th, the Woman's Clubhouse was the place to be with both our club and the PM Club hosting their holiday parties!   With the reintroduction of the Yankee Swap, the night was filled with many laughs and opportunities to get to know everyone a little better.  And it should be noted that it pays to either teach people how to decorate wreaths or to bring the correct beverage.  Just ask Susanna Ryan or Anne Ward; no one wanted to steal from them!  But on a serious note, thanks to all those who made donations to the Milton Resident's Fund, your generosity is greatly appreciated! 

 

December came to a close with Christmas Caroling at Winter Valley, a senior residence complex on Canton Avenue.  Thanks to Meg Kaster and Mary Keally for organizing this event and to Erin, Caitlin, Jake & Michael Donahoe, Grace Callahan, Meg, Liz, Joanie & Jack Kaster, Liz, Max, Sam & Lydia Papile, Mary, Chris, Adam, John & Colin Keally for coming along to sing.  You brought great joy to this community that day!

 

Our annual meeting was held on Tuesday, Jan. 3rd, despite the cancellation of school.  We discussed the many different ways members can become involved, how we can better connect our new members to others, and in addition, discussed upcoming events and future fund raising efforts.  A special thanks to Diane Ferrari, a social worker who serves as the coordinator of the Milton Resident's Fund.  She discussed how our donations will help those families in need this winter with rising fuel and utility costs.  To further inquire about the fund, you can contact her.

 

Applications are currently being accepted for our community grants.  We expect to donate a minimum of $8000 to charities that benefit Milton residents, thanks to the success of last year's Road Race!  If you know of a charitable organization that benefits Milton residents, please either direct them to www.miltonjuniorwomansclubcom for an application or contact Sheila Varela or Eileen Walsh.  The deadline for applications is January 15th.  We will discuss the applications at the February business meeting.  A final vote will be taken at the March meeting.  Please feel free to attend either meeting!  You do not need to sit on a committee to attend.

 

This month, there are more opportunities to get involved!  On January 12th, the Road Race Committee will be holding a meeting at Darcy's Pub.  If you have not yet signed up for a volunteer activity for the road race, please contact Patti Elliott or Susan Cantillon to find out what you can do.  This is your only obligation to the club for the year!

 

On January 10th, the Book Club will be meeting to discuss The Great Gatsby.  The Knitting Club will be meeting on January 18th.  The Program Committee has invited Dr. Stephanie Perry to discuss healthy living for women and children on January 26th.   Looking ahead, on February 4th, the Food and Wine Committee will be hosting a Wine Tasting and Appetizer Derby and Home Life, coordinating with the Milton Museum of Art, will help us to create Valentine's Day Cards for patients at Children's Hospital (a children's event)! 

 

Finally, we are looking for volunteers to assist us with a few fundraisers.  We are considering a possible movie during February vacation week, a magic show or folk singer or children's dance in March or April, and possibly the sponsorship of heirloom quality silhouette profiles of children prior to Mother's Day.  If you have any interest, experience, ideas or feedback, please either call me or email me.

 

I wish you a very Happy New Year and hope to see more of you at each event!

 

Laura

 

 

 

Business Meeting

 

Please join us for our next business meeting on February 7th at 7:30 pm.  Our meeting will be graciously hosted by Brett Dicken's.  We will be discussing the community grant applications at this meeting.  If you have any interest, please attend.  Please RSVP to Brett.

 

Blueview Newsletter

Frances Barrett

Jane Busconi

 

We are encouraging members to receive the Blueview Newsletter via email instead of regular mail. It saves us time and postage! If you are not currently receiving your newsletter via email or if your email address has changed please send a note to Frances to sign up.

 

Book Club

Jennifer Fitzmaurice

 

Tuesday, January 10th at 7:30 PM.  

We will be meeting at Lisa Broderick's home to discuss The Great Gatsby.  Please RSVP to Jen FitzMaurice.

 

Upcoming Dates:

February 15th:  The Mermaid Chair (Rachel Schewe to host)

March 8th:  Million Little Pieces (Martina Connelly to host)

April 11th:  The Good Earth (Theresa Jolley to host)

 

Food & Wine Club

Erin Donahue

Reni Doulos-Cadigan

Barbara Meehan

 

We hope all of you have had a wonderful holiday season and have saved your Wine Tasting and appetizer sampling for the New Year!  We are hoping for a fun, festive and fabulous night for couples! 

 

Please join us on Saturday, February 4th at Wendy and Bob Kelley’s home at 7PM.

 

If interested, please RSVP to Erin Donahoe beginning the week of January 9th.  We hope to see you all in 2006.

 

Also, please don’t forget your favorite appetizer, as prizes will be awarded!  The fee for the event will be $40 per couple.

 

Homelife

Meg Kaster

Brett Dickens

Mary Keally

Liz Papile

Beth Callahan

Kimberly Zieselman

 

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! to all who contributed to the Milton Resident's Fund. Diane Ferrari, administrator of the fund, gave a great presentation about the beneficiaries and the cash distributions of the fund.  Our collection thus far is close to what would be given to a needy family for a month's worth of heating. With a little more, we could meet that amount!!! If you have not already done so, you can still make a donation by mailing your check payable to MJWC to P.O. Box 344. We will be collecting until the end of January.

 

Roses are red. Violets are blue. Patients of Children's Hospital will feel better because of you! We are teaming up with the Milton Art Museum to make valentines on Saturday, February 4 from 1:00-2:30. Cards will be delivered on Valentine's Day to kids undergoing tests at Children's Hospital.  Our Valentine's Party will include an instructor from the Milton Art Museum who will lead the project and refreshments and fun. This is a drop-off event at the museum located at the First Congregational Church on Canton Ave. Suggested age for children is four and up. Please RSVP to Beth Callahan or Meg Kaster. Spaces are limited.

 

We will be starting our drive for Cradles to Crayons on January 15th.  As you recoup from the holidays and get organized pleased consider making a donation. Here is the Cradles to Crayons Wishlist; Cribs, pack 'n plays, portable cribs, and bassinets,Infant & Toddler Car Seats manufactured in the last 5 years, pants for boys & girls sizes 4T to 16- either new or gently-used (jeans are especially appreciated),children's books, and pajamas. Items maybe dropped off with Mary Keally or Meg Kaster.  Our volunteer day with Cradles to Crayons will be Saturday, March 11. We hope to have you join us. Come alone or bring your kids!

 

Kimberly Zieselman will be coordinating meals for those who have given birth or who have experienced an illness or crisis in their family.  Please contact Kimberly if you are interested in receiving or cooking meals. 

 

Knitting Club

Eve Nightingale

 

Eve Nightingale will be hosting the Knitting Club meeting on January 18th at 7:30. 

All skill levels are welcome at all knitting meetings.  RSVP and questions can come to Eve.

The popularity of the Knitting Club is growing. In addition to the monthly meetings, the club meets on Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 11 at Starbucks. Come join us for a cup-a or just stop by to get help on any problems you might be having with your knitting project.

 

Membership Committee

Christine Kelly 

Lisa Broderick 

Ellen Mann

Rachel Schewe

 

The Membership Committee is planning the second New and Prospective Members’ Event for March or April.  We are looking for a volunteer to host the event.  New or prospective members should feel free to contact any member of the Membership Committee for more information concerning the MJWC.

 

Mother’s Playgroup

 

If anyone is interested in taking over the playgroup, please contact Laura Conway.

 

Pre-School Story Hour

Elaine Davis 

Tammy Vyas

 

Fall Pre-School Story Hour finished on November 15th.  Our next session will begin in the spring.  We are looking for some volunteers to help out with the spring session and take over for the fall.  Please contact Elaine or Tammy with questions or if you would like to help out.

 

Programs

Susan Collins 

Ariane Foster 

 

Living Healthy for Women and Family

Start the new year off right! Join us on January 26 at 7:30 for a night of food, drinks and discussion. Our guest speaker will be Dr. Stephanie Perry from the Weymouth Club's Health and Wellness Center.  Dr. Perry will be talking about healthy living for women and family. Among the topics to be discussed will be nutrition, children's eating habits, stress reduction techniques, chiropractic care as well as other services the Center offers such as physical therapy,

nonsurgical cosmetic services and dermatology to name a few.

We will be meeting at Ariane Foster's home at 7:30 on 1/26.  Please RSVP to Ariane.

 

Road Race

Patty Elliott — Co-Chair

Susan Cantillon— Co-Chair

Eileen Heller

Kristin Cain

Ami Joiner

Kristen O’Hara

Susannah Quirion

Amy Delaney

Maggie Pellegri

 

The 29th Annual Milton 5K/10K Road Race is scheduled for Tuesday, June 13th at 6:30pm. The Kid’s Fun Run will start at 5:30pm. Please mark your calendars! Everyone’s help is needed.  We will begin calling members in early March to ask you to volunteer in some capacity.  We welcome our new members Amy Delaney, Maggie Pellegri, Susannah Quirion, Ami Joiner, Kristin Cain and Kristen O’Hara and look forward to working with them on another successful Road Race.  Our next meeting will be Thursday, January 12th at 7pm at Darcy’s Village Pub located next to The Common Market at 93 Willard Street in Quincy.  Those interested are welcome.

 

Website

Eileen Cakouros

 

Please check out our new website at www.miltonjuniorwomansclub.com.

If you have any changes to the site please send them to Eileen.

 

Milton Shuffle

 

The Milton Shuffle is a great way to communicate to other club members about anything going on outside the club.  If you know of other volunteering opportunities, fun kid activities, fairs, yard sales, or even if you need a babysitter or want to sell your bike – we can put a note in the Milton Shuffle!  Just send an email to Jane Busconi.

 

Calendar of Events

January 10…………………………Book Club

January 12…………………………Road Race Meeting

January 18…………………………Knitting Club

January 26…………………………Program Women’s Health

February 4…………………….…..Wine Tasting

February 4…………………………Making Valentine’s Day Cards

February 7………………………….Book Club

June 13……………….…………….Road Race