MESSAGES April 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Upcoming UWC Events
UWC Annual Scholarship Luncheon
The 2026 University Women’s Club Annual Scholarship Luncheon will take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Boulder Country Club. Join University Women’s Club friends as we honor the 2026 scholarship recipients with the theme Follow Your Dreams to Success.
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 Friday, March 27, 2026
Register here https://boulderuwc.org/activities/2026-april-scholarship-luncheon-april-14-2026/
UWC Election for President-Elect for 2026-2027
The President-elect fulfills the duties of the President if the President cannot serve. Carol Etges has agreed to be nominated for that position. If members wish to offer nominations from the floor (with the consent of the candidate), please notify Frieda Holley, Chair of the Nominating Committee.
Carol Etges
President-elect 2026-27 (to serve as President 2027-2028)
Vote to be held in April at the Scholarship Luncheon.
Carol Etges joined UWC in the early 2000s and joined the Board within the first year. Among her contributions, she developed the first UWC website and championed the shift to emailing the MESSAGES newsletter. From there, she served as VP/Lecture Luncheon Chair before stepping into the Presidency in 2007. She continues to support the organization today as Membership Chair and technical editor of MESSAGES. She’s also a familiar face in two interest groups—On the Road Again and the Games Group.
She began her career in the medical field as a Specialist in Blood Bank technology, later partnering with her veterinarian husband to set up and run their Boulder veterinary clinic’s laboratory and office, where she taught herself website coding and design. From there, she moved into office management with various engineering firms before retiring in 2025. Today, she continues her commitment to women’s education as President of the Louisville chapter of P.E.O., another organization devoted to supporting women through scholarships. She gives her time each week to Meals on Wheels in Lafayette serving meals in their café.
May Lecture Luncheon
New this year, rather than the February Lecture Luncheon when parking is a challenge, we will hold a Lecture Luncheon in May when parking should be easier after the students have left campus. The location of all Lecture Luncheons 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
President’s Message
Welcome to Spring
Welcome to Spring! Although we haven’t experienced much winter this year, spring remains a season symbolic of new beginnings, renewal, and the delightful scents of blossoming flowers accompanied by the cheerful sounds of robins. This time of year invites us to appreciate the natural world as it awakens once again.
Celebrating Earth Day
Earth Day, observed on April 22, holds special significance during this season of renewal. Established in 1970 by Gaylord Nelson, a US Senator from Wisconsin, Earth Day has become a global event celebrated through a range of activities such as tree planting, community cleanups, educational initiatives, and rallies. The timing of Earth Day coincides with the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the end of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. The original organizers chose April 22 to ensure that college students could participate fully, as it falls between spring break and final exams. Furthermore, April 22 was selected because it does not coincide with any major religious holidays, making it a more inclusive and neutral option for collective action.
Annual Scholarship Luncheon at the University Women’s Club
At the University Women’s Club, we strive to recognize and celebrate similar qualities of renewal and new beginnings in the students we support. Each April, we host our annual Scholarship Luncheon, a cornerstone event that underscores our commitment to sisterhood and service. This luncheon serves as our primary service initiative, where we proudly award generous scholarships to six deserving alternative students who are preparing to advance their education.
Our scholarship recipients are chosen based on criteria such as age, financial need, and life experience. Attendees of our Luncheon have the privilege of hearing the inspiring and courageous stories of both men and women seeking a second chance at higher education through the University of Colorado and other institutions. For many, this opportunity represents a pivotal moment of renewal and the start of a new chapter in life. It is a celebration of resilience and hope, and a truly joyful experience for everyone involved.
A Wish for Renewal
As we move through this season, my hope for each of you is that you embrace the spirit of spring—renewal and rebirth. Take time to enjoy the beauty around you: the blossoming flowers, the songs of returning birds, and the many other signs that signal the arrival of spring.
Until next time,
Andie Kutinsky
2025-2026 President
UWC Notes
Pictures from Our Latest Events
Opera Brunch
The Opera Brunch and the “opera” Oklahoma began with a Western-theme barbecue brunch prepared by the catering company, A Spice of Life. The brunch was followed by a talk on Oklahoma! by Maestro Nicholas Carthy, who directed the performance immediately after his talk. The brunch and Maestro Carthy’s talk took place in the British and Irish Studies Room on the 5th floor of Norlin Library, a very short walk to Macky Auditorium where we were treated to the celebrated Rogers and Hammerstein musical, Oklahoma!
If you click on a photo, you can see the full, enlarged version.
Lecture Luncheon #4
Stephen Swenerton, President at Swenerton Consulting, gave an informative talk on The Real Story of International Migration. Steve reviewed the many aspects of migration and the fact that millions of people are being forced from their homes, while millions of others are migrating for economic improvement. In this overview, we learned what is happening and why.
If you click on a photo, you can see the full, enlarged version.
Membership Update
A Note on the Upcoming Conference on World Affairs
The 78th Annual Conference on World Affairs (CWA) returns to CU Boulder April 13–16, 2026, and it’s such a wonderful opportunity for members of the University Women’s Club to attend. Both communities share the belief that real global understanding starts with connecting people and listening to one another.
In many ways, UWC’s lecture luncheons echo the conference’s spirit by creating space for open conversation, curiosity, and thoughtful engagement with big world issues. Attending the CWA isn’t just another event on the calendar; it’s a natural extension of the UWC’s commitment to engaging with the world with insight, courage, and a sense of shared responsibility.
This year, the conference will honor Malala Yousafzai, herself a champion of women’s education, as the closing speaker for the Conference on World Affairs. For more information on the conference and its speaker lineup, visit https://www.colorado.edu/cwa/.
Carol Etges
Membership Chair
Please Give a Warm Welcome to our Newest Members!
Ann Crouter
Beth Franklin
Amy Levy
Rachael Small
Scholarships
Message from the Chair
Additional Ways to Support the UWC Scholarships
Your donations through credit card, check, and grocery reward programs fund our scholarships to nontraditional students, helping them complete their undergraduate education. We are expanding your options to make charitable gifts. These include in-kind gifts of stock, qualified charitable distribution through an IRA, and making a charitable gift through your estate planning. These gift options can significantly increase the UWC scholarship endowment fund for the future.
Lindsay Cameron will speak at the Scholarship Luncheon. She is a senior director of Planned Giving at CU Boulder. Since joining the team, Lindsay works with individuals to create charitable gifts and help donors achieve their philanthropic goals. She collaborates with individual donors to find creative ways to gift and maximize tax benefits. She is available to consult with you about your charitable giving goals. https://giftplanning.cu.edu/
Scholarship committee members Rebecca Batizy and Amy Westfeldt bring experience in financial planning and charitable giving. We will be updating our UWC website to help you better understand these additional options that support our scholarship fund even more. I urge you to continue donating generously to support our future scholars.
Jean Manifesto
Scholarship Committee Chair
Donations to the Scholarship Fund
Scholarship Donations (thru February 2026)
Lynne Barnett
Becky Batizy
Patricia Buys
Julianne Cassady
Carmen Caver
Marie Dacey
Catherine Ertz
Jane Etzel
Janet Freeman
Susanne Gerson
Betsy Hicks
Michelle Hofmeister
Anita Hueftle
Marilyn Jerde
Jacquie Kilburn
Regina Macy
Jean Manifesto
Sarah Pierce Martin
Mary Lee Morgan
Linda Panter
Jean Rohrschneider
Nancy Rueckert
Amy Falk Russell
Carol Saunders
Zdenka Smith
Joyce Spencer
Pamela Swenerton
Judith Thompson
Berry Todd
Amy Westfeldt
Sally Yerger
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!
Did You Know?
April 1—April Fools’ Day
April Fools’ Day has been celebrated for several centuries by different cultures, though its exact origins remain a mystery. April Fools’ Day traditions include playing hoaxes or practical jokes on others. Speculation of its origin includes the notion that this celebration was tied to the vernal equinox, or first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when Mother Nature fooled people with changing, unpredictable weather. It is assumed in literary circles that April 1 has been associated with ‘foolishness’ as early as Geoffrey Chaucer‘s The Canterbury Tales (1392).
April 22—Earth Day
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd because the date was chosen by founder Senator Gaylord Nelson to maximize student participation in the first event in 1970, falling between spring break and final exams for college students, and it coincided with Arbor Day. The first Earth Day mobilized 20 million Americans to protest environmental degradation, leading to significant environmental laws and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, was a massive success, establishing the modern environmental movement and spurring national environmental action. (Provided by an AI Overview.)
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. Visit 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.
Member Acknowledgements
Membership Courtesy
If you know of a member who would appreciate a card, note, or any personal contact due to illness, death, or other reasons for support, please inform UWC at boulderuwc@gmail.com with “Acknowledgements Chair” in the subject line.
Members In Memoriam
As information to members, and to remember those who have passed away, UWC includes an ‘In Memoriam’ section on the website. This section honors those UWC members that we know about who have died since 2020.
If you are aware of UWC members who have left us, please let Joyce Spencer, webmaster (jjandbobs at msn dot com) and Tam Van Spriell (tamvanspriell at gmail dot com) know the member’s name for prompt inclusion on our website and in future MESSAGES.
Interest Groups
Interest Groups Information
- Biking – New Chair Needed! Contact Lois Linsky, Interest Group Coordinator, 303-499-2689, if interested.
- 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.
- 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 – This group meets monthly to socialize while working on our own projects or teaching each other new skills. Chair: Katy Ginger 303-827-6710.
- French Conversation – New Chair Needed! Contact Lois Linsky, Interest Group Coordinator, 303-499-2689, if interested.
- 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. Chair: Kathleen Newton 720-548-8661.
- 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 or fourth Monday 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 – New Chair Needed! Contact Lois Linsky, Interest Group Coordinator, 303-499-2689, if interested.
- 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 – Mysteries, Betty Barnes 512-657-6584.
- Book Group – Second Monday, Janet Evans 303-818-1530.
- French Conversation (Original group) – Dot Thompson 303-499-4423.
- Games Group – Kathleen Newton 720-548-8661.
New Chairs Needed! Contact Lois Linsky, Interest Group Coordinator, 303-499-2689, if interested.
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.
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:
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
We invite anyone and everyone to join us each month for our Happy Hour/Tea Time (HHTT). These Zoom meetings occur 4:00-5:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. We each have time to talk to the group about a topic in our personal lives or within our philosophies. It’s an opportunity to get to know fascinating women on a much deeper level.
Contact Andie Kutinsky (drandie305 at gmail dot com) to get on the mailing list.
Interest Group News
Book Group—Mysteries
Back row (L to R): Betty Barnes, Rory Laiho, Dianne Bernier, Fran Elred, Barbara Darling, Ruth Hamann, Zdenka Smith
Front row: Linda Hultman (in pink), Mary Lou Oppenheimer (in grey)
Not pictured: Janet Baker, Alice Doyle, Cate Lawrence, Clair McCorrison
Theater Group
The Theater Group discussion after attending the production of Brooklyn Laundry at the Diary Center.
On the Road Again Group
There was a lot of interest in this outing, so two separate groups visited the Lift Chocolate company for an informative tour (with chocolate tasting) after lunching at Bucatino Restaurant in Lafayette.
Send your photos for MESSAGES!
Send your interest group photos and/or photos you have taken of Boulder and surrounds for inclusion in MESSAGES. Send photos with description and members attending to MESSAGES editor Tamera Van Spriell at boulderuwc@gmail.com
Executive Board
Officers
President – Andie Kutinsky
Past President – Anne Hudson
President-elect – Berry Todd
Secretary and Secretary-elect – Betty Johnson
Treasurer and Treasurer-elect – 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
April
- 14 Tuesday, Scholarship Luncheon, Boulder Country Club
May
- 21 Thursday, Lecture Luncheon #5 and Margaret Willard Award Presentation, 10:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m., UMC 235
