THE BLUEVIEW

President:  Eve Nightingale

A Letter from the President

Dear Friends,

 

I hope this letter finds you healthy and rested after a busy holiday season.  The Annual Meeting was held Tuesday January 2, at the Women’s Club House.  The timing allowed for barely a breath after the holidays.  I appreciate all of you for making the effort to attend.   

 

I would also like to commend all of you for getting your dues in.  I know it does not sound like a big deal, but your dues are used to pay our insurance and go towards our many grants.   I appreciate all of your efforts in paying in a timely manner.    

 

I am excited to announce that we are fortunate to welcome 33 new members this year!  This is nearly a 30% increase.   I thank all of our members for this knowing that it is because of everyone's hard work to make the MJWC what it is and the power of word of mouth that leads to the interest of new members.  On the same note I think it is important to mention that it is because of the many ways that MJWC gives back to our community, whether it be through grants and scholarships or community service, that we receive consistent recognition.  By reputation we are known for what we give back and I believe that this is also a major factor in our membership increase.   With this increase in membership, I ask all of you to make a concerted effort at each gathering to ensure that all members, new and old, feel welcome.   We are also planning a new member gathering in March.

 

The next Business Meeting will take place at Elaine Davis’s house on February 6th.  This will be an active meeting.  In addition to the standard business, we will be discussing the community grant applications and David Watersfrom Community Servings, will be our guest speaker.  Community Servings offers free, well-planned, nutritionally appropriate meals delivered directly to the homes of men, women, and children living with an acute life-threatening illness.  All together 635 individuals and families rely on their services.   For more information visit www.servings.org/mission.

 

The generosity of our members was highlighted in December by the final tally of our Community Service Committee gift drive for teens.    Our members aided all 40 teens with the Milton Residents' Fund with gifts.  In addition we also donated $500 in gift cards. These gift cards were used by the Milton Residents’ Fund to fill in any gaps.   A special thank you to Kimberly Zieselman for all of her hard work in this endeavor.    The CSC also gathered members at the Milton Food Pantry on December 8th to organized bags for the Christmas holiday.  I hope that you all got a chance to see the photo of our participating members and their children in the Milton Times. 

 

Thanks to the Programs Committee and the generosity of Thayer Nursery on December 7th as members created impressive, topiaries, wreaths and centerpieces to display holiday cheer this season.  I know that I could not have done it without their assistance.  Thank you Amy Chrisom, and those who helped her, for your time spent coordinating this event.   

 

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.miltonjuniorwomen.com 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 still more opportunities to get involved!  Below is a list of all the activities for the month of January.  I would like to make note that on January 25th, the Road Race Committee will be holding a meeting, 7:30 PM Starbucks.  If you have not yet signed up for a volunteer activity for the road race, please contact Susan Cantillon to find out what you can doThis is your only obligation to the club for the year!

 

Finally, we are looking for volunteers to assist us with a few fundraisers.  The Toe Jam Players will be coming to the Women’s Club House at 90 Reedsdale Rd on February 23rd at 10 AM.  This will be a fun filled fundraiser for the MJWC.  We will need volunteers to work in various capacities.  There will be something to fit any time constraints.  We will need people to work the door, bring items for the concession table and people to clean up.  Anyone working the door is asked to arrive by 9:30 and anyone aiding with clean up will be done by noon.  Any member is encouraged to bring water, juice boxes, or single serving snack items to be sold at the snack table.  Please contact Elaine Davis or contact myself to offer assistance. 

 

Another volunteer opportunity will be the Spring Fashion Show to be held with the Milton Women’s Club.  There will be a joint meeting with the Women’s Club shortly.  Anyone interested in helping should let me know as soon as possible, so that I can forward the meeting information on as soon as it is confirmed.   

 

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

Fondly,

Eve

Calendar of Events

Click on an event to get to that section of the newsletter

 

January 9th …………..……………Book Club

January 11th ………………………Sewing Club

January 17th ……………………….Knitting Club

January 25th………………………..Road Race Meeting

Febuary 6th………………………….Business Meeting

Febuary 13th………………………..Couture, Cocktails and Cures

Febuary 23rd…………………………Winter Fundraiser

March 7th …………………………….Pre-School Story hour

June 12th……………………………Road Race

To View the Calendar on the website click below.

http://www.miltonjuniorwomansclub.com/calendar.html

Business Meeting

Tuesday, February 6th @ 7:30

Hosted by Elaine Davis

 

All club members are invited to attend the monthly meetings.  You do not need to sit on a committee to attend.  February’s Business Meeting will be particularly active.  In addition to standard business, we will be discussing the community grant applications and David Waters from Community Servings http://www.servings.org/ will be our guest speaker.  Community Servings offers free, well-planned, nutritionally appropriate meals delivered directly to the homes of men, women, and children living with an acute life-threatening illness.  All together 635 individuals and families rely on their services.  Please let Elaine Davis know if you are able to attend. 

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

Rachel Schewe

 

Book club is meeting on Tuesday, January 9th, at the home of Martina Connelly  to discuss Behind the Scenes at the Museum, by Kate Atkinson. 

 

On Wednesday, February 7th we will be discussing The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger. 

 

Community Service

Meg Kaster

Reni Cadigan

Mary Keally

Erin Donahoe

Beth Callahan

Kimberly Zieselman

Lori Humphreys

Meals Coordinator

Courtney Affanato

 

The Community Service Committee's goal is to assist the community through volunteerism and donations/drives.  We always welcome ideas and new participation!   

Please contact Kimberly with questions, or to get involved.  

______________________________________________________________________________

 

Thanks to everyone who helped make the Teen Gift Drive such a huge success!  MJWC members provided gifts or gift cards for more than 40 kids, plus provided an additional $500 worth of donated gift cards to help the Milton Residents Fund ensure all the children on their list received a gift! 

 

Once again, many members and their children volunteered last month at the Milton Food Pantry, by filling holiday food bags for families in need.  Everyone had a good time and felt great doing it!

 

The Community Service Committee is busy planning additional projects for the winter/spring months, including a fleece blanket making night in partnership with Project Linus.  Project Linus is a national organization with a local chapter here in Milton, whose mission is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer partners in the community. We hope many members will be interested in volunteering to help make blankets for this wonderful cause.  Stay tuned for more information!

 

 

Food & Wine Club

Venetia Corson

Julie O’Neill

Luisa Thomas

Lisa Rask Viola

 

Thank you to Elaine Davis for hosting our November event with Connie Spiros in her beautiful home.  Hopefully those who attended had a chance to try out the recipes during the holidays!

 

Our next event is Couture, Cocktails and Cures at the home of Julie O’Neill, on Tuesday, February 13, at 7:30pm.  Join us to be pampered, shop and socialize with friends.  Pampering will be either manicures or massages – we’re still working out the details on this!  Cocktails will include Cosmopolitans, Martinis and Blue Bikinis.  Three fabulous vendors will be sharing their spring lines with us:  Janice Fahy, Debbie Higgins and Nancy Anderson.  This event promises to be a fun way to get your wardrobe ready for the new season as the hot spring colors are guaranteed to chase away the blahs of winter.

 

Janice and Debbie are Milton residents!  Their unique, handcrafted jewelry collection is an assortment of semi-precious gemstones, sterling silver, and Swarovski crystals.  Some pieces are made with one of a kind lamp work beads, art glass and hand blown beads.   Beads come from several exotic sources:  hand-made beads from Africa, beads from the island of Bali and Venetian glass imported from Italy.  Their collection has small items such as bookmarks ($8), earrings (ranging from $8 to $30), bracelets (ranging from $20 to $70), neck wires ($18) and necklaces (from $18 to $100).  Custom pieces are available per request.   Their line offers something for all tastes and budgets, including items for children. 

 

Nancy Anderson’s business is nan gates designs, and offers the perfect size bag for every occasion.  From mini bags that hold your bare essentials to mid-size bags that are perfect for everyday use or that special occasion to totes that can also be used as diaper or book bags.  All handbags are fully interfaced so that they will stand on their own, are constructed of high quality materials, have two or three inside slip pockets and a snap for closure.  The interior fabric of each bag is done in a complimenting material to the outside fabric so you can be as fun or conservative as you like.  Each bag is scotch-guarded for protection.  Handbags may be custom designed with your choice of fabrics and handles.  Accessories include coordinating coin purses, checkbook covers, and cosmetic bags.  Nan gates designs also carries key fobs, ribbon and fabric belts, and reversible headbands.

 

The cost to attend is $10; if you would like a manicure or massage an additional amount will be collected.  Payment to the vendors is by cash or check.  RSVPs will be accepted starting January 15th via e-mail to Julie.  An e-mail will be sent to remind you to sign-up, and confirm the details about manicures or massages.

 

Knitting Club

Martina Connelly

 

How about trying something new this year!  Join us and learn how to knit.  You can begin knitting hats for babies in the NICU.  Our next meeting is Wednesday, January 17th at Linda Cooper’s house from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm.  Knitting needles and yarn will be provided.  Please RSVP to Linda if you plan on attending.  If you have any questions about the club please contact Martina. 

In addition to the monthly meetings, the club meets on Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 11 at Brueggers.  Come join us for a cup and get help on any problems you might be having with your knitting project.

 

Membership Committee

Eileen Cakouros 

Shelia Leddy 

Ellen Mann

Rachel Schewe

 

The membership directly will be out mid-January.  Keep your eyes open for the new member party details.  It will be held the 3rd or 4th week in March at the Women’s Club.  More information to follow next month.

 

Playgroups

 

MJWC playgroups are up and running.  If you are interested in joining one please let Rachel know.  Include your child’s name and age as well as days and times available. 

 

Pre-School Story Hour

Amy Delaney 

Patti Elliott

 

The spring session pre-school story hour will start on Tuesday, March 7, 2007.  The session will be a 7 week session, and take place every Tuesday at the Church of Our Saviour (11 Babcock Street) from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. The program is open to children ages 3-5 years (child must be 3 by October 1, 2006; no exceptions will be made).  The story hour is open to any Milton town resident.

 

Pre-registration is necessary to attend, and registration for the program will begin on February 19,2007 (no registration will be accepted before then).  To register your child, please call Amy Delaney.

 

Any volunteers to assist with the program is needed!  We are looking for assistance on the actual mornings that the program takes place, as well as one evening (date to be determined) for the actual preparations of materials for the entire 7 week session.  Please contact Amy to volunteer or with questions.

 

Road Race

Kristin Cain

Susan Cantillon

Sharon Donelan

Ami Joiner

Amy Delaney

Maggie Pellegri

Kristin O’Hara

 

The 30th Annual Milton Road Race will be held on Tuesday, June 12th, 2007. Save the date!  Everyone’s help is needed.  We will begin calling members soon to ask you to volunteer in some capacity.  With our new members on board, Bonnie Devore, Meg Grande, Molly Meade and Kerri Peloquin, we look forward to another successful road race in 2007.  Our next meeting will be Thursday, January 25th at 7:30pm at Starbucks.  Anyone interested is welcome.

 

Sewing Club

Venetia Corson

 

The next meeting of the Sewing Club will be Thursday, January 11th at 7:30 PM.  We will be working on hats and pants made of fleece.  No need to have your own machine.  There will be enough fleece to make a hat.  Please measure the head of the intended wearer, so that you will have an idea for size.  Anyone interested, please contact Venetia for the exact location as it was still being confirmed at time of print.

  

Website

Susannah Quirion

 

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

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

 

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.

 

Please Help Brownie Troop 4094 Support the Troops

 

Girl Scout cookies are now on sale and Brownie Troop 4094 would like to send boxes of cookies to units stationed in Iraq.  But they need your help.  Please consider purchasing a few boxes of cookies and donating them abroad.  Two Marine Units, each containing family members of our MJWC members, have been identified.  If you would like one of your family members and their unit recognized, please let us know.  The sale closes on January 29th.

To place your order, you may contact:

Laura Conway - 617 696-6329

Meg Kaster - 617 696-7987

Liz Nolan - 617 698-0352