JANUARY 2021

 

Happy New Year to all the members of Lockport College Women’s Club! I hope this letter finds you well and happy. I wanted to reach out to you in the new year to keep you informed of our thinking and plans under the current challenges which continue into this year.

At this point, I believe we will plan on beginning our meetings once again in October 2021. As the process of vaccinating is just now being rolled out, my hope is that by fall of this year it will be safe for us to have a meeting. Let’s cross our fingers! Information about meetings will come in future Megaphones.

We will once again be unable to hold our annual scholarship fundraiser. This will be the second year in a row but it is unavoidable. There are a number of bright spots though. Due to the success of our past fundraisers and the continued generosity of our members, our Scholarship Treasury is in a good place. Also, half of our dues goes to the Scholarship Treasury, so that is an asset too. I am also very happy to announce that the Grigg Lewis Foundation Inc., with a special request from Joan Aul, has given Lockport College Women’s Club a grant in the amount of $1,000.00. This is wonderful news in any year but especially now when we have not had a fundraiser for two years. Joan Aul is the daughter of longtime College Club member Rae Greco. Thank you for remembering us Joan!

Now that the fundraiser is postponed again, we would like to return the gift cards and baskets to our members who so graciously donated them before our April 2020 fundraiser! If you brought your basket to Susan Odle’s home, please contact her and let her know if you plan on picking it up from her house or if you want her to donate the contents. Her address is 5645 Young Road in Lockport or phone (716)213−8957. If your basket or gift card was brought to a meeting or dropped at The Lockport Town and Country Club, please call me (Patty Russell− 433−9342) and we can make arrangements to get your basket or gift card back to you. Please call Susan or me by February 1st.

Thank you.

 

Our Scholarship Committee Chairman this year is Megan Menges. Committee members are Margo Covell, Val Hamluk, Kim Meal, and Danielle Priest.                                                                                   College Club plans to award at least one $4,000.00 scholarship this year. Even in these challenging times, we will continue to provide scholarships for deserving young women in our community. We are proud of this accomplishment and the legacy of College Club carried on in our scholarship winners.

College Club’s dues are $40.00 annually. Half of the dues goes directly to our scholarship fund. The other half covers various expenses such as postage, printing and mailing costs, purchasing pins for our 25− year members, and the speakers we look forward to in the future. The Board would like to suggest once again that members who have not paid their dues consider doing so in light of these expenses and unusual circumstances. Dues may be mailed to our Treasurer Anna Beth Kinyon at 117 Windermere Road, Lockport, New York 14094.

We look forward to honoring our 25−year members Nancy Coons and Karen Robison and our 50−year members Naomi Dice, Mary Carol Marotta, and Shirley Wagner this fall.

Though the recognition of these members may be belated, we wish to celebrate their milestone achievement in support of College Club. Our Membership Chairman Gail Marshall has delivered the College Club pins to our 25−year members and some flowers to our 50− year members until we can be together to celebrate them. Thank you, Gail!

As we plan ahead, our Program Co−Chairmen Marian Hannigan and Nancy Fischer are looking for suggestions for interesting speakers and programs. If you have any ideas, please give Nancy or Marian a call.

If anyone in our membership has an interest in developing our social media presence, please contact Judy Johnson−Paonessa (716)481−9129. College Club’s 100^th anniversary is in 2022 and it would be great to share our history with the community through social media.

I miss our meetings, learning from our speakers, and seeing all of you. Wishing everyone peace and good health in this New Year. Stay safe.

Warmest regards,

Patty Russell

College Club President

 

Fall 2020

To say that 2020 has been an unusual year is an understatement. By now, I am guessing that some of you have been wondering what may be going on with Lockport College Women's Club and perhaps even have been wondering whether the Club can survive.  Of course, it is going to survive and thrive, even under these current challenges!!

While our Scholarship Fundraiser had to be cancelled, we are still hopeful of being able to have it again in the Spring. The Lockport Town and Country Club is still holding baskets that had been dropped off in the Spring. We are waiting to see what guidelines the LTCC may have for future meetings - what may stay the same, and what may have to change. Once those guidelines are established, the Board of Directors will meet to establish our meeting protocols.

The Board of Directors met in September and have a number of things to relay to members. First and foremost, the COVID 19 pandemic has created a number of challenges.  While we may not be meeting regularly this fall, we are hopeful that meetings can begin after the first of the year. A discussion was had regarding the payment of dues for the 2020-21 year. The club's dues are $40.00 annually. Half of the dues goes directly to scholarships. The other half covers various expenses that the Club incurs such as postage for mailings to those who do not have emails, the costs of printing and other routine expenses. If possible, the Board would like to suggest that dues be paid for this year in light of these expenses. Dues can be mailed to Anna Beth Kinyon at 117 Windermere Road, Lockport, New York                                                                                                   14094.

Our Scholarship Committee really worked hard during the initial quarantine imposed because of the pandemic. They managed to meet through Zoom and interviewed the applicants. We had wonderful young women receive scholarships this year because of these dedicated Committee persons - Katherine Miner who is attending MIT to major in math and Sara McIntyre who is attending the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam!!

New directories were due to be printed this year for the Club. In order to save the expense of having to mail directories to all members, the Board decided to postpone this until next year. We have had new members, most recently Susan Odle (5645 Young Road, Lockport, NY 14094; 716-213- 8957) and Michelle Roman (30 Cherry Street, Lockport, NY 14094; 716-359- 3666). Please make a note to add these to your current directory. Remember to contact the Telephone Committee if there are changes to your listing.

The Program Committee is always looking for suggestions for interesting speakers and programs! If you have any ideas, be sure to pass them along to Nancy Fischer or any other member of the Board.

Lastly, I have a call out for a volunteer or two....at one time, there was both Facebook page and a blog for the Lockport College Women's Club - two places where interesting information can be shared for both our members and members of the community. If there is anyone who is "savvy" with computers or has an interest in developing our social media presence, please contact Judy Johnson-Paonessa (716) 481-9129. The Club will be having its Hundred Year birthday in the near future and it would be really great to be able to share the Club's history with the community through social media.

 

 

Stay safe, stay healthy!! Our Club’s mission is as relevant today as it was in the beginning.

 

 February 2020

LOCKPORT COLLEGE WOMEN’S CLUB

MEGAPHONE – SPECIAL EDITION

 

In light of COVID-19 and the Governor’s restrictions on gatherings, the Lockport Town and Country Club is closed for the time being.

The Spring Scholarship Fundraiser is being postponed.  Please hang on to your baskets if you have not delivered them to anyone. 

As soon as we have more information, it will be provided to members. 

Stay safe, stay home if sick, stay socially distant and help your neighbors if able.

March 2020

Please join us on March 5, 2020, at 7:00 at the Lockport Town and Country Club to hear Katherine I. Johnson, Ph.D speak about re-purposing old buildings to revitalize neighborhoods. Dr.Johnson is a Sociology Professor at NCCC. She is a part of the revitalization that has occurred at the NACC Building in Niagara Falls (The old NF High School building) and is currently on sabbatical studying the effects of revitalizing neighborhoods by re-purposing older buildings. Reservations must be made by Sunday, March 1, 2020 at 7:00 PM to the Telephone Committee. Hostesses will be Michele Gilbert and Kim Meal. You can also call Gail Marshall, Mary Beth Wilson will be out of town, so please don't call her. Please make sure to indicate whether you are bringing a guest. We will be having dessert, coffee and tea. The cost is $14.00. 

The Telephone Committee strongly urges members to review what number is listed in the current Directory. Some members have dropped their land lines in favor of cellphones and the Directory may not list that number. Remember, the Directory is the main means for contact if needed. And, speaking of the Directory, the Club is in need of a person to take over the Board position and responsibility for the Directory. Next year a new Directory will be printed and we are in need of a volunteer. It is truly not a hard job!! Please let Patty Russell or any Board member  know of your interest. 

Since the February meeting was cancelled, the Scholarship Committee will be presenting their recommendation for this year's scholarship awards. Please attend the meeting as a vote will be needed to approve the recommendation, 

The Spring Scholarship Fundraiser is fast approaching on April 5, 2020 at the Lockport Town and Country Club. The March meeting will be our last meeting before the Fundraiser. Please consider bringing your completed baskets to this meeting. You can also drop them off at the home of Susan Odle, but please call first to make sure she is home. Completed baskets can also be dropped off at the Country Club during business hours. If you have a question about that, please call Ida Quade about that (433-3698 or 998-0419). Small baskets or picture frames to put gift certificates and gift cards from the area are always helpful as well. These items can also be brought to the March meeting. 

Please keep an eye out for your Spring Fundraiser tickets in the mail. Our Fundraiser is always a lovely afternoon. This year we will be having Julie Muscato showing her new line of women's clothing and jewelry just as they used to do in Paris in the '20's. 

The next Board of Directors meeting will be held on March 12, 2020 at the home of Anna Beth Kinyon, 117 Windermere Drive, Lockport at 7:00 PM. Please contact Anna Beth if you are unable to attend.

 

JANUARY 2020

Please join us on February 6, 2020, at 7:00 at the Lockport Town and Country Club for our next meeting. Our speaker is Stacey Austin from Stacey Austin Acupuncture. Ms. Austin is a graduate of the Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She will be speaking about acupuncture and its use for a number of health issues, including the treatment of acute and chronic pain, headaches, TMJ and jaw pain and stress. She is a local practitioner with offices on Green Street here in Lockport. It should be an interesting program on alternative medical treatments.                                                                                         Reservations must be made by Sunday, February 2, 2020 by 7:00 PM. You can call anyone on the telephone committee or Gail Marshall. Please do not call MaryBeth Wilson as she is out of town for the months of February and March. Hostesses will be Nancy Coons and Karen Robinson. We will be having desserts, coffee and tea. The cost is $14.00. The cost covers food, gratuity and the facility.

The Scholarship Committee will be presenting its recommendation for this year’s Scholarship Award. We need a good attendance for the vote on their recommendation. Please try and attend this meeting for this important work!

Please remember to call in your reservation by the Sunday before the meeting at 7:00 PM. If you are bringing a guest, please be sure to let us know. We want to make sure that the Country Club is prepared for the number of people who will be attending. It can be difficult to make sure that there are plenty of goodies with walk-in’s. Please remember that if you need to cancel, the Club is still charged for your reservation and we will ask you to honor your reservation.

Every meeting is a guest meeting, so be sure and invite a friend! We are always ready to welcome friends and potential new members! New inserts for the directories are available, so be sure to pick yours up at the meeting.

We have a Secretary!!! Please welcome Susan Odle, a new member, and thank you for volunteering so quickly to be of service to the Club!!

Please welcome Michelle Roman, a new member! We are always ready to welcome new members, so ask your friends and family to join us. Membership only requires the payment of annual dues, attendance at two meetings and support of our fundraiser.

Dues for the 2019-20 season are now due in the amount of $50.00. They can be paid at the February Meeting or mailed to Treasurer, Anna Beth Kinyon, Lockport College Womens’ Club, 117 Windermere Road, Lockport, New York 14094.

The Spring Scholarship Fundraiser has been scheduled for April 5, 2020. Watch for more information. Ida Quade and Madeline Angelo are our co-chairs once again!

Danielle Priest and Shirley Frombgen will be handling the tickets. Completed baskets, gift cards or gift certificates and now be brought to each meeting. We are in need of volunteers who are willing to accept baskets during the month. Susan Odle has agreed to be one of the “drop spots" for basket delivery. Her address is 5645 Young Road, Lockport. Please call first to make sure she is home (213-8957). Please try and keep the value of your basket creations around $25.00. Please consider either creating a basket or soliciting a contribution from an area business.

We are saddened by the loss of Dee Morotchie, a long time and very active member of the Club. A book will be donated to the Library in her memory. The Club can now accept memorial donations as we are now an IRS 501(3)( c) charity and can accept tax-free donations from the community as memorials and as a contribution to our Scholarship Fund. We are happy to provide verification of such donations as needed for tax filing purposes.

 

 

We are always looking for suggestions for future meetings. Please be sure to give your suggestions to Nancy Fisher, Marion Hannigan or any other Board member.

The next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for February 13, 2020, 7:00 PM at the home of Patty Russell, 201 Continental Drive, Lockport, New York.

 

December 2019

Please join us on December 5, 2019, at 7:00 at the Lockport Town and Country Club for our holiday meeting. Kevin Clark will be joining us to provide an enjoyable evening of song and fellowship as we get ready for the holiday season. Reservations must be made by Sunday December 1 by 7:00 PM. You can call anyone on the telephone committee or Marybeth Wilson. Hostesses will be Marybeth Wilson and Gail Marshall. We will be having hors d’oeuvres, cookies, coffee and tea. The cost is

$16.00. A cash bar will also be available. The cost covers food, gratuity and the facility.

Please remember to call in your reservation by the Sunday before the meeting at 7:00 PM. If you are bringing a guest, please be sure to let us know. We want to make sure that the Country Club is prepared for the number of people who will be attending. It can be difficult to make sure that there are plenty of goodies with walk-in’s. Please remember that if you need to cancel, the Club is still charged for your reservation and we will ask you to honor your reservation.

Thank you so much for all of the donations for Journey's End that were given at the last meeting. Our club members ROCK!!!!

Every meeting is a guest meeting, so be sure and invite a friend! We are always ready to welcome friends and potential new members! New inserts for the directories are available, so be sure to pick yours up at the meeting.

We have a Secretary!!! Please welcome Susan Odle, a new member, and thank you for volunteering so quickly to be of service to the Club!!

Dues for the 2019-20 season are now due in the amount of $40.00. They can be paid at the December Meeting or mailed to Treasurer, Anna Beth Kinyon, Lockport College Womens’ Club, 117 Windermere Road, Lockport, New York 14094. Just a reminder that dues will increase to $50.00 in January.

The Spring Scholarship Fundraiser has been scheduled for April 5, 2020. Watch for more information. Ida Quade and Madeline Angelo are our co-chairs once again! Danielle Priest and Shirley Frombgen will be handling the tickets. This year the Basket Committee will only be accepting completed baskets, gift cards or gift certificates. Please consider either creating a basket or soliciting a contribution from an area business.

We are saddened by the loss of Donna Bergman who was a 25 year member. A book has been donated to the Library in her memory and the Club has received a Memorial Donation in her memory. Remember we are now an IRS 501(3)( c) charity and can accept tax-free donations from the community as memorials and as a contribution to our Scholarship Fund. We are happy to provide verification of such donations as needed for tax filing purposes.

The next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for January 9, 2020, 7:00 PM at the home of Gail Marshall, 4502 Sharon Drive, Lockport, New York.

Have a safe and happy holiday season and see you on December 5^h for an evening of holiday spirit.

November 2019 

Please join us on November 7, 2019, at 7:00 at the Lockport Town and Country Club for our regular meeting. Our program will be presented by Andy Cammarata, the Outreach Manager for Journey's End Refugee Services. Journey's End provides numerous supportive services to refugees who are on their journey to self-sufficiency here in Buffalo and Western New York - services include English language instruction, resettlement assistance, employment and entrepreneurship training and support, and legal services. If you would like to donate gently used coats or other warm clothing, please bring them to the meeting in November. Donations of diapers for older babies and children are also appreciated. Journey's End is providing us with an opportunity to share our blessings. Reservations must be made by Sunday, November 3, 2019 by 7:00 PM, Last minute changes can be made by calling MaryBeth Wilson. We will be having dessert, coffee and tea. The cost is $14.00. This includes the 

facility use and gratuity. Hostesses are Lorraine Sparks and Marian Hannigan. 

Please consider bringing a friend to this exciting program. We need everyone to be involved to keep the Lockport College Women's Club the vibrant community organization that it has been for nearly 98 years!!! 

If you have any suggestions for possible future programming, be sure and share those ideas with Nancy Fischer, Marian Hannigan or any other Board member. 

Let's give a big shout-out to all of our members who have stepped up to help College Club continue to have a positive impact on the Lockport community through our legacy of promoting scholarship for our young women. This is the beginning of our 98th year!!! 

Treasurer, Anna Beth Kinyon will be accepting payment of Dues at the meeting. Dues are $40.00. They can also be mailed to: Anna Beth Kinyon, 117 Windermere Road, Lockport, New York 14092. Remember, Dues will increase to $50.00 after December. 

Be sure to pick up your inserts for the Directory to keep up to date on membership. 

If your email address has changed, please be sure to advise Judy Johnson-Paonessa for updating the mailing list for the Megaphone. 

We are still in need of a chairperson or co-chairpersons for the Basket Committee for the Spring Scholarship Fundraiser. Baskets are an easy way for the Fundraiser to be successful. How about a challenge for each member to create a basket? Remember many hands make light work! 

Members of the Scholarship Committee for the 2019-20 year are: Danielle Priest, Chair; Kimberly Meal, Margo Covell, Megan Menges, Valerie Hamluk (new member) and Shirley Frombgen (new incoming treasurer of the Committee). Members serve a term of five years and have an important job in selecting our annual Scholarship winners. 

The next Board Meeting is scheduled for November 14, 2019 at 7:00 PM at the home of Mary Beth Wilson, 7 Berkley Drive, Lockport, New York. Please contact her if you are unable to attend.

 

May 2019

Please join us on June 6, 2019, at 7:00 at the Lockport Town and Country Club to hear Jessica Dittly, Program Director of Lockport Main Street, Inc. Ms. Dittly is responsible for the development and promotion of events in downtown Lockport. It should be an interesting program and fun to hear what she has planned.                       

Reservations must be made by Sunday, June 2, 2019 by 7:00 PM to the Telephone Committee. Hostesses will be Mary Finn and Anna Beth Kinyon. Last minute changes can be made by calling Gail Marshall. We will be having dessert, coffee and tea. The cost is $14.00.

Don’t forget to say “Thank you and job well done" to both Marian Hannigan and Monica Pullano for our wonderful programs! If you have any ideas for future programs and speakers, please let Marian or Monica know. We are looking for help in planning future programs.

We had a wonderful May Banquet where we met our two scholarship winners, Lauren Dmochowski and Madison Hedurn. We also celebrated our two 25 year members — Donna Bergman and Debra Joris.

Next year, new Directories will be available. If you have any address or telephone changes, please let Dee Morotchie know so that the changes can be made. Consideration is being given to the inclusion of a separate listing for email addresses. If you do not want your email address included, please let Judy Johnson-Paonessa know.

The Spring Scholarship Fundraiser was a smashing success! Total revenue was $6,567.00 and expenses were $2,579.98, leaving a net profit of $3,987.02! Both Ida Quade and Madeline Angelo have agreed to be our Chairpersons for next year’s fundraiser. We are looking for volunteers for the Basket Committee. This is an important function for the fundraiser, but can be a really rewarding opportunity for both service and to meet members of the Club. Please let Patty Russell or any other Board Member know of your interest.

We had a lot of donations and support from our local community. A big Thank You needs to go out to the following: Lockport Town & Country Club, Gi-Ro Cleaners, Bling!, Tattered Tulip, Accurate Computer Services, Inc., Dr. Phil Stokes and Dr. Holly Schreiber, The Hamburg Natural History Society, Pastry by Camille, Nauti Dogs Grooming, Natural Image Studio for Hair, Patricia and Shannon Kennedy with Hunt Real Estate ERA,  Julie Muscato, Panera Bread and, last but certainly not least, Honey Bunz. Please be supportive of the these local businesses as our way to thank them for supporting our Scholarship Fundraiser.

There are lots of leadership positions if anyone is interested in becoming more involved in the Club. It's a great way to get to know people. We are always on the look out for new members! So ask a friend or family member to a meeting! Club membership is really simple — 

pay dues, support the Scholarship fundraiser and attend two meetings per year! And hear lots of interesting programs.

The final Board of Directors meeting for this year will be held on June 13, 2019 at 7:00 PM at the home of Patty Russell, 102 Continental Drive, Lockport at 7:00 PM. Please contact Patty if you are unable to attend.