TABLE OF CONTENTS

Upcoming UWC Events

President’s Message

Lecture Luncheon #3 — A Story in Pictures

UWC Notes

• Membership Update
• Events You Won’t Want to Miss
  • UWC Elections for 2026-2027
  • May Lecture Luncheon
  • Scholarship Luncheon

Scholarships

• Message from the Chair
• Donations to the Scholarship Fund
• Grocery Shopping in Support of Scholarships

Call for Nominations

• Margaret Willard Award

Did You Know?

Member Acknowledgements

Interest Groups

• Information
• News

Executive Board

Calendar for 2026

Upcoming UWC Events 

President’s Message

Reflections on February and Our Journey Forward
As February unfolds, I find myself reflecting deeply on all that has happened both globally and within UWC. The beginning of my term was marked by significant losses that profoundly affected us all, reminding us of the ever-changing and sometimes bewildering world we live in. Despite these challenges, we have moved forward with determination, embracing new computer programs, adjusting our schedule of events, and making many other changes along the way. I am genuinely proud of the resilience and adaptability our Board has shown as we navigated these challenges together.

Growth, Engagement, and Impact
One of our most exciting achievements this year is reaching the highest membership in our history. This growth has brought fresh energy, sparked the creation of new interest groups, and fostered a dynamic and engaged community of women. Additionally, our increased revenue has enabled us to allocate more funds to our beloved scholarship committee. These resources will help support non-traditional students as they work to build better lives for themselves. In this issue, you can read about one of our former scholarship recipients who has gone on to become a State Senator—a milestone that fills us all with pride.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Looking ahead, I am thrilled to announce that our upcoming Opera Brunch will take place in an entirely new venue. With Spice of Life catering and a shift from opera to a musical performance, this event promises to be an exciting departure from tradition. I hope you will join us for this special occasion and truly enjoy the unique experience. For more details, please refer to the Upcoming UWC Events sections of this month’s MESSAGES or watch your inbox for further updates.

Celebrating Kindness
February 17 brings a lesser-known holiday: International Acts of Kindness Day. Every day, I am privileged to witness acts of kindness among our members. It is an honor to help lead such a powerful force for good—both within our organization and in the broader community. I encourage you all to visit our website or review this issue of MESSAGES for more information about available opportunities. On February 17, I invite each of you to add a small act of kindness to your day; I promise, the goodwill you share will return to you many times over.

Until next time,

Andie Kutinsky
2025-2026 President

Third Lecture Luncheon —
A Story in Pictures

UWC Notes

Welcome to the our New Members!

We’re delighted to have you with us and hope you’re already enjoying the activities, programs, and interest groups that make our club so special. Whether you’ve joined to learn something new, meet wonderful women, or simply have fun, we’re glad you’re here. Your presence enriches our club, and we look forward to sharing many meaningful moments together throughout the year.

UWC Events You Will Not Want to Miss!

The UWC Nominating Committee has presented the following slate of officers-elect for 2026-2027 to serve in their respective offices in 2027-2028.

The election will take place at the Lecture Luncheon on March 17, 2026. If members wish to offer nominations from the floor (with the consent of the candidate), please notify Frieda Holley, Chair of the Nominating Committee.

Candidates are as follows:

Berry Todd

President 2026-2027*

*The current President-elect position for 2025-26, held by the person slated to be President in 2026-27, has been vacated. The Nominating Committee proposes that Berry Todd, who has been nominated as President-elect for 2026-27, fill the vacated position and thus serve as President in 2026-27. The President-elect fulfills the duties of the President if the President cannot serve. Assuming this is approved, the President-elect position for 2026-27 will be open.

Berry Todd joined the UWC in 2014. By 2015, she had joined the Board, serving 4 years as Historian, then switching to the duties of Email Communications officer for 4 more years of Board service. She took a break from the Board last year in anticipation of knee replacement surgery. Today, she is honored to accept the nomination as President-elect. Berry has been part of the Music, Gardening, Thursday Riders Bike/Snowshoe, Advanced French Conversation, and Movie groups almost from the time she became a member. She is currently co-chair of the Music Group.

Betty Johnson

Secretary-elect 2026-27 (to serve as Secretary 2027-2028)

Betty Johnson has been a member of UWC for 12 years since moving here in May of 2012. She has participated in several groups including the Sunday Movie group, On the Road Again, Mahjong, and the Happy Hour Tea Time Conversations.

She began her career teaching high school English, then as a Teaching Parent at Boys Town, Nebraska, taking this program to Vermont for training and evaluating residential programs, training foster parents and providing treatment foster care and adoption services statewide. As a Senior Consultant for the Child Welfare Association, she provided analysis and services to public and private institutions throughout the United States. She served in the Peace Corps in the Eastern Caribbean for two years, returning first to Charleston, South Carolina and then to work for the Muskie Center as a consultant to the State of Vermont, retiring in 2012.

Frieda Holley

Treasurer-elect 2026-27 (to serve as Treasurer in 2027-2028)

Frieda Holley has been active in leadership roles for UWC and is currently the club’s Treasurer. In addition, she has been Co-chair of the Hiking group since 2012, served as Chair of the Scholarship Committee, and as President in 2017-18. She chaired the UWC Centennial History Book Committee that created the publication chronicling the Club’s first 100 years.

During her professional life, Frieda worked for over 30 years at Metropolitan State University of Denver as a Professor of Mathematics and an administrator in various positions including Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. Frieda was also active in the League of Women Voters of Boulder County, serving as their Treasurer for six years.

New this year, rather than the February lecture when parking is a challenge, we will hold a lecture in May when parking should be easier after the students have left campus. The location of all lectures will be Room 235 in the University Memorial Center, located at 1669 Euclid Avenue at the corner of Broadway and Euclid on the CU campus in Boulder.

Click for tips on How to Attend UWC Events at University Memorial Center (UMC)

Thursday, May 21, 2026 – 10:30-1:00
Ilene Naomi Rusk, PhD, CPsych, Director, Center for Brain and Mental Health
A Roadmap to Brain Health for Optimal and Joyful Longevity

Registration deadline is May 5, 2026

Click here to register for Lecture Luncheon #5. 

The cost of registration is $50. The Luncheon will be a choice of a Sweet Potato Black Bean Bowl (GF/DF/SF Nut Free), Pan-Seared Duck, or Blackened New York Strip. As always, the meal includes a salad, choice of coffee/tea and dessert.

House red or white wine and Prosecco will be available for an additional $12 per glass. (Cash only and only during the social hour.)

Final registration date is Monday, March 30, 2026

Register here https://boulderuwc.org/activities/2026-april-scholarship-luncheon-april-14-2026/

Scholarships

Message from the Chair

From Scholar to State Senator

Nine years ago a student named Katie Wallace received a $5,000 UWC scholarship that had a powerful impact on her formal education. Today she is a Colorado State Senator. Katie has had a lifelong calling to community service. She spent time in Uganda developing and implementing AIDS prevention and family planning followed by working for AmeriCorps in a Los Angeles school. AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that provides service to meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, health, and homeland security.

Her attention turned to politics when she became a field organizer for Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign. Katie was a federal policy advisor to U.S. Representative Joe Neguse and served as a legislative aide for the Colorado General Assembly.

She currently represents Colorado’s 17th Senate district, which covers eastern Boulder County, southwestern Weld County, and northwestern Broomfield County. Wallace was selected to represent the district following the resignation of Sonya Jaquez Lewis. She has served since March 21, 2025, and will be eligible for reelection this year.

Your contributions have tangible outcomes to help students overcome financial barriers and support the next generation of leaders in our country. Please give generously to help us fund this year’s worthy scholars in need of your support.

Jean Manifesto
Scholarship Committee Chair

Donations to the Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Donations (November-December 2025)

Joyce Bograd
Sue Collard
Kitty Edwards
Catherine Ertz
Tina Facteau
Barbara Feifer
Janet Freeman
Linda Hattel

Isabelle Henderson
Sydney Hoerler
Michelle Hofmeister
Anita Hueftle
Sandy Johnson
Jean Manifesto
Cindy Meyer
Mary Morgan

Marilyn Moses
Gail Moyes
Katherine Randall
Sandra Reynolds
Marge Riddle
Kathleen Salzberg
Barbara Steffin
Sherry Woodruff

Support Scholarships Through Grocery Shopping!

If you shop at King Soopers, Safeway, or Albertsons, you can easily participate in their community award programs where 5% of your purchases will be donated to UWC to support our scholarships AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU! You can really make a difference.

With the King Soopers Community Rewards program, you can go online one time and link your King Soopers Loyalty Card to the UWC Account. UWC will automatically get 5% without your having to do anything else. Directions for signing up can be found here at https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards.

If you shop at Safeway and/or Albertsons, you can use a Safeway Community Giving Card when making your purchases and UWC will earn 5% every time you reload your card. To request a Safeway Card be mailed to you or to seek assistance to register for this program, contact Board Member, Norma Portnoy at normaporrtnoy1112 at gmail dot com.

Please click here for instructions regarding both programs.

Thank you for participating in these programs to support our scholarships!

Call for Nominations

As Andie reminded us in her President’s message, February 17 is a day to share acts of kindness. It’s also important to remember that acts of kindness are a universal human value, but the ways kindness is expressed can vary beautifully across cultures. Around the world, acts of kindness often reflect local traditions, social norms, and community values. According to GPT, here are several ways in which kindness is practiced and expressed in different parts of the globe:

🌸 Asia

• Japan: Kindness is often shown through omotenashi, a deep-rooted concept of hospitality that anticipates others’ needs before they’re expressed. Small acts like bowing, giving gifts with both hands, and maintaining harmony in conversation are key.
• India: Generosity and serving others (seva) are important. Offering food to guests or even strangers, and giving alms, reflect compassion and a sense of duty toward humanity.
• Thailand: Known as the “Land of Smiles,” kindness is expressed through gentle demeanor, patience, and respect (kreng jai)—being considerate so as not to cause discomfort to others.

🌍 Africa

• Ubuntu (Southern Africa): This philosophy, meaning “I am because we are,” emphasizes interconnectedness, compassion, and communal support. Acts like sharing food or helping neighbors embody this collective kindness.
• Ethiopia: Coffee ceremonies symbolize friendship and respect—a ritual way of showing care and hospitality toward guests.

🌺 Pacific Islands and Australia

• Polynesia: Generosity and sharing (aloha in Hawaii) form a core value that extends beyond kindness to love, harmony, and interconnectedness.
• Aboriginal Australians: Kindness is expressed through community relationships and the practice of sharing resources, reflecting a deep respect for connection and balance.

🍞 Europe

• Italy & Greece: Hospitality is a major form of kindness—offering food, coffee, or a seat at the table is considered both polite and heartfelt.
• Nordic countries: Kindness is shown through subtle support and social responsibility, such as valuing equality and community welfare over individual display.

🦅 The Americas

• United States & Canada: Kindness is often seen in volunteerism, charitable giving, and friendliness toward strangers (like small talk and helping others in public settings).
• Latin America: Warmth, affection, and generosity define interactions—expressed through hugs, kindness to neighbors, and prioritizing family and community.

🕌 Middle East

• Kindness is deeply tied to hospitality and charity. Offering food, coffee, or shelter to guests—even strangers—is a sign of honor and generosity.
• Within Islamic cultures, zakat (charitable giving) and everyday acts of compassion are central to expressing moral and spiritual kindness.

In essence, kindness is both universal and local. It might appear as sharing a meal, a smile, or a respectful silence, but everywhere, it’s a gesture that strengthens the bonds between people.

Music and Theater

A complete listing of musical and theatrical events scheduled at CU this fall can be found by clicking the links below:

•     Faculty Tuesdays – free concerts hosted by the College of Music
•     Performing Arts Events: cupresents.org

What’s Happening at the Fiske Planetarium?

Did you know that CU has a lovely planetarium on the Boulder campus that has a full spectrum of programing: concerts and special events, full-dome films, laser music shows, live faculty talks, science under the dome, and star shows. Google Fiske Planetarium for information about future events.

If you know of anyone who has a Medicaid or EBT/SNAP card, they will be admitted to the Fiske Planetarium shows for $1.00.

Membership Courtesy

Interest Groups

Interest Groups Information

• Book Group – Afternoon – Fourth Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. mostly at members’ homes or on ZOOM. Chairs: Mary Anna Dunn 720-355-8174; Mary Clough 303-522-8692.
• Book Group – Biographies – Third Friday at 3:00 p.m., in person. Chair: Susan Planck 303-499-3916.
• Book Group – Mysteries – Third Monday of every month, except December, at 2 p.m. in the East Age Well Center. Chair: Betty Barnes 512-657-6584. (Note: Waitlist only).
• Book Group – The Original Book Group – Formerly Evening – Second Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Meetings held in members’ homes. Chairs: Beth Rauch 303-746-2983; Kathleen Salzberg 303-499-3128. This group has been meeting continuously since the 1950’s.
• Bridge Group – First Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Chair: Karen Neff 303-494-0467.
• Crafting Group – Chair: Katy Ginger 303-827-6710.
• Games Group – It’s Anyone’s Game – Board and card games. First Tuesday from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at home of Chair in Louisville. Contact Chair to join. Chair: Kathleen Newton 720-548-8661. (Note: Waitlist only).
• Garden Group – Third Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Chairs: Jyotsna Raj 303-447-8831; Jean Rohrschneider 720-542-9788.
• Golfing – For the Casual Golfer – 1:00 p.m. every Thursday at various golf courses, new members welcome. Chair: Susan Planck  303-499-3916.
• Hiking Group – Every Friday 9:00 a.m., September to May; 8:30 a.m., June to August. Meet at the north end of the east side of the main (new location) garage at 29th Street Mall,  Chairs: Frieda Holley 303-499-3733; Joan (Joanie) Cardone 303-263-7823. Note: Dogs are not allowed on UWC hikes.
  
• Hiking Group – Slower Hikers – Every Friday 9:00 a.m. Meet either at the north end of the east side of the main garage at 29th Street Mall or at trailhead. This group usually hikes on irregular terrain for 1-1/2 to 2 hours in the Boulder area. Chair: Lois Linsky 720-939-5845. Note: Dogs are not allowed on UWC hikes.
• Italian Conversation – Wednesday, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Zoom. Chair: Maxene Wilson 303-530-4619.
• Music – Second Monday afternoon of most months in members’ homes, providing a venue for musical performers to meet and share their love of music in an intimate setting. Chairs: Berry Todd 303-442-9083; Tula Roberge 303-443-2509.
• On the Road Again – This popular group hits the road 4-6 times per year to enjoy activities, exhibits, and events that are located in Boulder County or surrounding communities. Co-Chairs: Norma Portnoy 303-908-9371; Beth Karpf 720-326-5093; Barbara Steffin 310-892-9966.
• Out to Lunch – Usually Fourth Wednesday, at noon at various local restaurants. Chairs: Jean Rohrschneider 720-542-9788; Jyotsna Raj 303-447-8831. Looking for new chairs.
• Readers’ Theatre 2 – Third Monday 4:00 p.m. at the Boulder Library. Chairs: Patty Ludke 303-817-1020; Kathy Randall 303-746-4528.
• Spanish Conversation – Contact chair for details. Chairs: Diana King 303-803-4583; Arlene Gerwin 303-349-8959.
• Sunday Afternoon at the Movies – Usually second Sunday, to see movies at a theater in Boulder or nearby theater. Co-chairs: Sharon Nehls 303-494-5778; Deann O’Donovan 773-968-2274. New leadership needed.
• Theater Goers – Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company matinees. Acting Chair: Cindy Meyer 713-256-9185.
• Walking Group – Thursdays at 10 a.m. Walking for one hour on level trails in the Boulder County area. Chair: Marilyn Moses 303-775-9069.

Groups That Are at Capacity

• Book Group – The Bookies – Kathy Randall 303-746-4528.
• Book Group Small – Fiction and Non-Fiction, Joyce Bograd 303-250-7706.
• Book Group – Second Monday, Janet Evans 303-818-1530.
• French Conversation (Original group) – Dot Thompson 303-499-4423.

New Leader Needed!

Biking
French Conversation
Sunday Afternoon at the Movies

Want to Start a New Group?
Starting a new interest group requires at least five members in addition to the leader.

• If you are interested in starting a new group, please contact the Interest Group Coordinator for more information: Lois Linsky, Interest Group Coordinator, 303-499-2689.
• To form a new book group, contact Kathy Randall, 303-746-4528.

On the Road Again

The next excursion for the On The Road Again Interest Group will be a free guided tour of the U.S. Mint in Denver on February 12.  Learn the rich history of the Mint and how they produce billions of coins every year for the American public. Then join us for an optional lunch at Saigon Basil, a Vietnamese Restaurant in Northglenn.

RSVP by January 28 to Barbara Stefan.

Questions: Contact Barbara Steffin, On The Road Leadership Team. Email barbarasteffin13 at gmail dot com or call/text Barbara at 310.892.9966.

Let’s Go See a Play Together!

The Theater Goers group will see Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company (BETC) plays together in 2025-26. Please join us for these Sunday 2:00 p.m. matinees followed by conversation and reflection at the Dairy (and in February at The Nomad Playhouse). You and a friend/partner may purchase individual tickets from the BETC website, or you may schedule your season subscription for these dates:

February 22: Brooklyn Laundry by John Patrick Shanley
May 3: Mary Jane by Amy Herzog

Please contact chair Cindy Meyer for details about a 5% UWC Theater Goers discount code for individual performances and to be added to the email list, at 713-256-9185 or cfmeyer at sbcglobal dot net.

For additional details, click here.

Happy Hour/Tea Time Conversations

Interest Group News

Advanced French Conversation Group

Original Book Club Group

Out to Lunch Group

Out to Lunch Group enjoying a holiday tradition of celebrating food and friendship at Murphy’s Tap House in Louisville.

Music Group

The group enjoyed Judy Owens on the piano.

On the Road Again Group

Members enjoyed a Holiday Tea at the Huckleberry restaurant in Louisville.

Executive Board

Officers
President – Andie Kutinsky
Past President – Anne Hudson
Secretary and Secretary Elect (2026-2027) – Betty Johnson
Treasurer and Treasurer Elect (2026-2027) – Frieda Holley

Board Members
Acknowledgements: Donations made
“in honor of/in memory of” – Joyce Spencer
Advisory/Parliamentarian – Frieda Holley
Interest Groups Chair – Lois Linsky
Margaret Willard Award Chair – Andie Kutinsky
Membership Chair – Carol Etges
Membership Coffee – Lynne Barnett
MESSAGES Co-Chairs

Editor – Tam Van Spriell
Copy Editor – Kathleen Salzberg
Technical Editor – Carol Etges

New Member Event – Shirley Harkess
Nominating – Frieda Holley
Opera Brunch – Sandy Johnson
Photographer – Sydney Hoerler
Programs

Chair – Norma Portnoy
UMC Liaison – Tam Van Spriell
Registration – Lynne Barnett

Scholarship Committee Chair – Jean Manifesto
Scholarship Luncheon – Jonette Lucia
Website – Joyce Spencer
Zoom Master – Lynne Barnett

Non-Board Positions
Document Repository – Diana King
Email Communications – Andie Kutinsky
Historian/Yearbook – Karen Neff

Calendar

UWC Calendar for 2026