MESSAGES December 2023 – January 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Upcoming UWC Events in January
TUESDAY January 9, 2024 – UMC 235, 10:30 a.m.
Lecture Luncheon #3 – Casey Fiesler – Issues with Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Deadline for reservations is December 20, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Snow, crisp night air, sparkling stars, holiday lights – these are all signs that winter is here and the holiday season is starting! This edition of MESSAGES spans December and January – the holidays and the new year. May you read with pleasure, and extend joy, peace, and kindness to all around you!
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Hi UWC Members,
As I think about the holidays, the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, I’m struck by how quickly this year of my Presidency is going. I feel as if I’ve just begun my term. I would like to take a moment to thank my fantastic Board for making this such an easy task. If I have questions, you’re always there with a ready response. If I need advice, you’re free to give it, and it’s always solid and based on experience. Most importantly, you’re always gentle with me as I make my mistakes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
At the end of the year, there are always lists of the ‘most memorable events’ of the year. Certainly, on a global level we’ll always remember this as a year of horrific wars and catastrophes in the world. As has been true of the last few years, but more than ever this year, I find myself needing a balance between staying informed and staying sane.
In contrast, this has been a wonderful year at UWC. All our events have been well attended and warmly received. Our donations are strong and there are 25 vigorous interest groups! I have been happy to welcome new members to each of our events and our numbers keep growing. By all accounts, we are thriving as an organization and enjoying growing friendships. As I often say, research shows that the stronger a woman’s community and the more social activities women have, the longer and more fulfilled lives they enjoy. Thank you all for enriching UWC while engaging one another in sisterhood and service!
Happy Holidays to you all, and let’s make next year even better!
Until next time,
Andie Kutinsky
2023-2024 UWC President
UWC NOTES
Membership
Welcoming New Members!
We are pleased to announce that UWC has 34 new members as of the end of October! The UWC Board welcomed them on October 29 with a wine and cheese party at Frasier Meadows, thanks to our previous president, Janet Brewer. Individual Board members supplied the lovely repast in a festive party room set with sparkling glassware and white linens. President Andie Kutinsky welcomed all attending and invited Marge Riddle to share information about our primary philanthropy, the scholarship fund. Board members described their responsibilities in the club, and each new member had an opportunity to introduce herself describing how she had connected with UWC. Not surprisingly, the majority of the new members said they came to our group because of a personal contact with someone who was already a member. Keep up the good work, everyone!
Anne Hudson
New Member Chair
Winter – the Quiet Membership Months – and a great time to bring new members!!
Membership chair activities begin in late August, escalate in September and October as returning members pay their dues and check their contact information, and then taper off for the rest of the year. All returning members should have received the 2023-24 Membership Directory in your email inbox (if you didn’t, please contact me!).
But these quiet winter months are also a great time to think about those who do not yet know about the University Women’s Club! Do you have an acquiaintance who might like to try out a lecture lunch or interest group? UWC offers so much to so many – this is your opportunity to introduce it to someone you know.
PLEASE TAKE THIS AS A CHALLENGE – As the holiday season approaches think of who you know who might find UWC a compatible, friendly place – and invite them to join (or send me their name and email). Spread the UWC cheer!
If you have any questions regarding UWC Membership, please email Merry Bullock, Membership Chair at uwcmembershipchair@gmail.com.
Merry Bullock
Membership Chair
Photo Courtesy of Sydney Hoerler
Recap – the November Lecture Luncheon
Devin Patrick Hughes, Music Director of the Boulder Symphony, had our group of 80+ attendees fully engaged, dancing in place and ‘pretend’ conducting along with some of history’s most highly acclaimed conductors.
This stimulating lecture, along with an ample buffet of Italian cuisine, left everyone satiated and happy that they had attended! You can see this in the pictures. (You can click on each picture to enlarge it.)
Lecture Luncheons
There are three Lecture Luncheons left for this program year!
Lecture Luncheon #3 – TUESDAY January 9, 2024 – UMC 235, 10:30 a.m.
Casey Fiesler – Issues with Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Associate CU Professor Casey Fiesler researches and teaches in the areas of technology ethics, internet law and policy, and online communities.
Read more and register for Lecture Luncheon 3 here. Registration Deadline is December 20
Lecture Luncheon #4 – TUESDAY, February 13, 2024 – UMC 235, 10:30 a.m.
Gerry Hudson – The Russian-Ukraine War: Two Years Later
Gerry Hudson is retired as Professor of Political Science and Director and founder of the Russian and Central Eurasian Studies Program at Wittenberg University.
Read more and register for Lecture Luncheon 4 here. Registration deadline is January 27, 2024.
Lecture Luncheon #5 – TUESDAY March 19, 2024 – UMC 235, 10:30 a.m.
Rebecca Cox – Sleep, Insomnia, and Aging
Dr. Rebecca Cox completed her PhD in clinical psychology at Vanderbilt University, where she studied sleep disturbance in anxiety-related disorders.
Read more and register for Lecture Luncheon 5 here. Registration Deadline is March 2, 2024
Happy Hour/Tea Time Conversations via ZOOM
Happy Hour/Tea Time Conversations – a great way to get to know new UWC members, and a great way get to know old friends better. We meet via Zoom for about 50 minutes to an hour on the third Tuesday starting at 4:00 p.m. Contact Kathy Randall (katherineran at gmail dot com) to reserve a spot for any conversation or to sign up for automatic inclusion for the UWC year. With automatic inclusion you will always get the Zoom invitation, but you are not required to come.
December 19 – We’ll talk about our favorite holiday traditions (any holiday).
SCHOLARSHIPS
Message from the Scholarship Chair
We are approaching what for many of us is one of the busiest times of the year filled with making plans that honor family traditions and working on our gift lists. One of the important traditions of the UWC over the past 41 years is that of providing scholarships to non-traditional students at the University of Colorado. These students must be at least 24 years of age and returning to college after earlier university attendance has been interrupted.
As Scholarship Chair, I would like to make an appeal to members of our UWC family to add one more thing to your holiday ‘to do’ lists. I would love for you to consider a special year-end donation to the UWC Scholarship Fund. This will enable us to carry on our tradition of providing scholarships to persevering non-traditional students, many of whom have overcome daunting life challenges. As you consider including the UWC Scholarship Fund in your year-end donations, keep in mind that your gift will be multiplied because so many of our recipients have plans to pay it forward in their future professions to help make the world a better place.
So, before we all become wrapped up in the “busyness” of our own holiday celebrations, I want to encourage our members – old and new – to make an extra donation, which is so easy to do! Just go to the Scholarship link where you can easily make an online donation. This also is a special season of the year to make a donation ‘in honor of’’ or ‘in memory of’’ a special person of your choice. In addition, you can donate to the Scholarship Fund by simply shopping for all of your holiday groceries. (See directions below.)
Marge Riddle
UWC Scholarship Chair
Support Scholarships Through Your Grocery Shopping!
If you shop at King Soopers, Safeway, or Albertson’s, you can easily participate in their community award programs, and 5% of your purchases will be donated to UWC to support our scholarships AT NO 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 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 these program, contact Board Member, Tamera Van Spriell at tamvanspriell at gmail – dot – com.
Please click here for instructions regarding both programs.
Thank you for participating in these programs to support our scholarships!
Donations to the Scholarship Fund
Scholarship Donations (October, 2023)
Martha Andrews
Sherry Bruff
Catherine Ertz
Tina Facteau
Arlene S. Gerwin
Liz Hinebauch
Sydney Hoerler
Helen Hooper
Anne Hudson
Mary Huffman
Marilyn Jerde
Martha Jones
Caryl F. Kassoy
Susan Katz
Jacquie Kilburn
Roberta Kimmel
Diana King
Patty Ludke
Semay D. Nelson
Charlene Rasmussen
Sandra Reynolds
Jean Roche
Harriet Simons
Gail Smith
Tamera Van Spriell
DID YOU KNOW? – December-January
Winter Arrives on December 21!
- This year winter begins on Thursday, December 21. This is the astronomical first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest day of the year.
- The biggest difference between the equinox and the solstice is that a solstice is the point during the Earth’s orbit around the sun at which the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator, while during an equinox, it’s at the closest distance from the equator.
Winter Solstice: A Celebration of the Sun
The winter solstice has been a celebration of the sun for millennia. Throughout recorded history, societies across the world have held festivals and ceremonies marking winter solstice, the day of the ‘sun’s rebirth.’ Many of the world’s religions celebrate spiritual holidays during this time of year. These celebrations are steeped in ancient traditions, recorded on parchment, and passed down through the centuries through spoken word and written text.
What is the Origin of New Year’s Resolutions?
The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolution over 4,000 years ago in March when their crops were planted. They also made promises to return any objects they had borrowed and promised to repay debts in the year ahead.
The emperor Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar in 46 BC, which declared January 1 as the start of the new year to honor the Roman god, Janus. Symbolically, Janus has two faces to look back on the previous year and to look forward to the new year.
By the 1500’s religion exerted a significant social and cultural influence on the purpose and function of people’s new year pledges. However, contemporary resolutions tend to be more secular than religious or societal in nature.
Today new year resolutions continue to capture people’s imagination, hopes, and promises for betterment. Even after 4,000 years, the new year continues to symbolize a threshold, an opportunity for a fresh start (Taken from theconversation.com).
What’s Happening at CU?
It’s Not Too Late to Buy Tickets for CU Boulder’s popular Holiday Festival to be held December 8-10, 2023. Be immersed in the comfort and joy of twinkling lights, seasonal greenery, and beautiful music at CU Boulder’s Holiday Festival, an enchanting annual tradition.
For Information and to buy tickets, See Here
Faculty Tuesdays – free concerts hosted by the College of Music. December 5 will be the last concert before the winter holiday break. Tuesday concerts will resume on January 16, 2024. These concerts will be live-streamed.
Call for Nominations
Margaret Willard Award
Do you know an outstanding woman in the Boulder community?
The University Women’s Club is soliciting nominations for the Margaret Willard award for 2021. The award, named after the first president of the women’s club, is presented annually to a woman who has enhanced the quality of life for women in Boulder and/or on the CU Boulder Campus, is an exceptional role model, and has brought honor to all women through her accomplishments.
Nominees may be connected to CU Boulder in some way or be members of the Boulder Community. There are hundreds of women who fit these criteria. Look around and find that special woman and then nominate her so we can celebrate her while honoring Margaret Willard.
To make a nomination please see the nomination information online.
Calling for Nominations for the UWC 2024 President-Elect, Secretary-Elect, and Treasurer-Elect
This year’s “elect” positions serve the following year (2025-26) as the President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Here is a brief description of each position:
- President: Serves as the UWC figurehead and provides overall executive leadership. Chairs the Executive Board and provides supportive leadership to Board decisions and Board members.
- Secretary: Attends and takes minutes at all Executive Board Meetings and General Membership Meetings.
- Treasurer: Responsible for the oversight, management, and reporting of UWC finances including bank account maintenance, financial transaction oversight, budget development, monthly financial reporting, and all tax filings. It is not necessary to be a CPA for this role, but a good bookkeeper with Excel and Quick Books experience is ideal.
In addition to attending board meetings next year, the elect positions provide the opportunity to become familiar with the tasks of the executive positions as well as being available as back-up if needed.
If you would like to be considered for one of the “elect” positions or can recommend someone, please contact Andie Kutinsky, Anne Hudson, or Janet Brewer who make up the Nominating Committee. If you are interested in reading the complete job description of the above positions, please contact Andie Kutinsky, Nominating Committee Chair.
Looking Ahead
Opera Brunch in 2024
March 17, 2024—11:30 a.m. brunch, 2:00 p.m. Titanic Musical to be performed in Macky Auditorium.
Please save the date to join the University Women’s Club to view the musical, Titanic, preceded by a special gourmet brunch and a lecture on the making of the musical presented by Maestro Carthy who will be conducting the performance. The brunch will take place in the Aspen Room in the University Memorial Center (UMC), CU Boulder. After our brunch and lecture, we will reconvene in Macky Auditorium to be treated to Titanic, the musical.
We will embark on a thrilling musical journey of epic romance, courage, and destiny. Stunning music and performances will tell the tragic tale of the world’s most famous shipwreck. The musical, Titanic, opened on Broadway on April 23, 1997. It won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical and ran for over 800 performances. Despite having opened the same year as the epic movie of the same name, the two are not related. The musical, Titanic, is based on the story and book by Peter Stone with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston. Titanic, the musical is a collaborative presentation by the CU Boulder College of Music’s Musical Theatre and the Eklund Opera Program.
For more information, please contact Sandy Johnson at the UWC email, boulderuwc@gmail.com or call 732-322-8695. Sign up forms for the brunch and the musical will be available in January
Sandy Johnson
Opera Brunch, chair
Scholarship Luncheon – Registration is Open Now
The 2024 University Women’s Club Annual Scholarship Luncheon will take place on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 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 2024 scholarship recipients with the theme, “Anything is Possible . . . Reach for the Stars.” Registration is now open – see here. The registration deadline is March 27, 2024.
Member Acknowledgement
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 will honor those UWC members who have passed away in the current year. If you are aware of UWC members who have left us, please let Joyce Spencer, webmaster, (jjandbobs at msn dot com) know the member’s name.
INTEREST GROUPS
Interest Group News
Let’s Go See a Play Together!
As many of you know, UWC has had a functioning Theater Goers Interest Group in the past, but it has recently been on hiatus. We are now working toward a newly reconstituted group!
Recently six UWC women attended the first Theater Goers outing on November 5 to see Boulder Ensemble Theater Company’s (BETC’s) sold-out production of Coal Country at the Dairy Arts Center. Following the talk-back with the cast, the Theater Goers continued their own discussion in the theater lobby, where they had the opportunity to visit with BETC’s new Managing Director, Mark Ragan.
The Theater Goer’s second outing was on November 22 to see the BETC production of The Belle of Amherst, starring BETC Artistic Director Jessica Robblee as American poet Emily Dickinson.
I look forward to organizing more outings in 2024 and hope to see many of you at these future events!
Cindy Meyer
Theater Goers Interest Group Chair, 713-256-9185
Scenes from Interest Group meetings
The Sunday Afternoon at the Movies group met November 12 to see What Happens Later with Meg Ryan and David Duchovny. Several of the group had a discussion at Panera and agreed that we would not recommend it. The characters’ chemistry wasn’t strong enough to make us care about their relationship.
Theater Goers outing to see the matinee performance of BETC’s production of The Belle of Amherst at the Dairy Arts Center. We enjoyed the play and conversation afterwards in the Dairy Lobby.
Our next outing will be Sunday, December 17 for the matinee performance of BETC’s holiday show, Holly, Alaska!.
Send your interest group photos for inclusion in next month’s MESSAGES
– send to MESSAGES editor Tamera Van Spriell at boulderuwc@gmail.com
Interest Groups Information
Bicycling – Meets weekly on Thursdays from May through October. Chairs: Gail Smith 303-960-5004; Susan Lee 303-974-8969. We start with a couple of shorter rides and work up to around 20+ miles each ride. We have a couple of levels of riders, but faster riders will wait until all riders catch up. Electric bikes are welcome.
Bicycling – Easy Riders – Meets sporadically on Tuesdays. Contact chair for details. Chair: Dorothy Coltrin 720-527-4704.
Book Group – Afternoon – Fourth Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at members’ homes or on ZOOM. Vaccinations required. Chairs: Mary Clough 303-522-8692; Lois Linsky 303-499-2689.
Book Group – Biographies – Third Friday at 3:00 p.m., in person. Chair: Eunice Wilkinson, 303-956-9675.
Book Group – The Original Book Group – Formerly Evening – Second Thursday at 2:45 p.m. Meetings may be held outside when weather permits. Up-to-date vaccinations are required for indoor meetings, masks are optional. Chairs: Kathleen Salzberg 303-499-3128; Ellen Gille 720-836-2365. This group has been meeting continuously since the 1950s.
Bridge Group – Chair: Karen Neff 303-494-0467; also seeking beginner players to start a new Beginners’ Group.
French Conversation – All Speaking Levels – Dates and times to be determined. Chair: Zdenka Smith 303-330-2856.
French Conversation Group 1 – Every Wednesday year round at 1:30 pm. Includes 8 sessions per semester with a paid native speaker. Limited openings. Contact chair for details. Chair: Dot Thompson, thompsondot at hotmail dot com.
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 –will resume in the spring – 1:00 p.m. every Thursday at various golf courses, new members welcome. Chair: Susan Planck 303-499-3916.
Hiking and Strolling – Every Friday 9:00 a.m. September – May; 8:30 a.m. June – August. Meet at southern end of the east side of covered parking lot opposite the lower-level east entrance to the former Macy’s – Chairs: Joan (Joanie) Cardone 303-263-7823; Frieda Holley 303-499-3733.
Italian Conversation – Wednesday, 2:00 – 3:00 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: Judy Owens 720-562-8064; Carol Green 802-363-1868.
Needlecraft – Third Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. Chair: Ginnie Ross.
On the Road Again – Occasional in person road trips. Chair: Kathy Randall 303-746-4528.
Out to Lunch –December’s holiday luncheon will be December 6 at Postino’s. Usually Fourth Wednesday, at noon at various local restaurants. Chairs: Jean Rohrschneider 720-542-9788; Jyotsna Raj 303-447-8831.
Readers’ Theater 2 – Third Monday 4:00 p.m. at the main Boulder Library. Chairs: Patty Ludke 303-817-1020; Kathy Randall 303-746-4528.
Spanish Conversation Advanced – Contact chair for details. Chair: Diana King 303-530-1860.
Sunday Afternoon at the Movies – Usually second Sunday, to see movies at a theater in Boulder or nearby theater. Chairs: Sharon Nehls 303-494-5778; Carmen Caver 803-606-5619.
Theater Goers – Boulder Ensemble Theater Company matinees. More to come. Acting Chair, Cindy Meyer 713-256-9185.
Groups that are on hiatus
- Easy Riders – New Chair needed. The Easy Riders have met 3 to 4 times per month in the past. The ride is primarily on flat surfaces and the distance is about 8 to 10 miles. If interested in chairing this group, contact Linda Nordberg, Interest Group Coordinator at 978-314-9987.
Groups that are at capacity
- Book Group – The Bookies – Kathy Randall 303-746-4528.
- Book Group Small – Fiction and Non-Fiction, Joyce Bograd.
- Book Group – Second Monday, Janet Evans.
- Book Group – Mysteries, Betty Barnes.
- Bridge Group Intermediate level – First Wednesday Chair: Karen Neff
-
Games Group – It’s Anyone’s Game – Second Wednesday Chair: Kathleen Newton
To start a new interest group requires at least five members including a chairperson.
If you are interested in starting a new group please contact the Interest Group Coordinator for more information: Linda Nordberg Interest Group Coordinator, 978-314-9987.
To form a new book group, contact Kathy Randall, 303-746-4528.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Officers
President – Andie Kutinsky
President Elect – Anne Hudson
Past President – Norma Portnoy
Secretary – Kathleen Salzberg
Secretary Elect – Sharon Nehls
Treasurer & Treasurer Elect – Frieda Holley
Board Members
Acknowledgments Co-Chairs
For Tax Purposes – Merry Bullock (all donations); Frieda Holley (large donations)
For Personal Notes – Sharon Nehls
Advisory/Parliamentarian – Frieda Holley
Archives Chair – Karen Neff
Email/Communications – Berry Todd
Honors Reception – Anne Hudson
Interest Groups Chair – Linda Nordberg
Margaret Willard Award Chair – Andie Kutinsky
Membership Chair – Merry Bullock
Membership Coffee – Lynne Barnett
MESSAGES Co-Chairs
Compilation of Content – Tam Van Spriell
Copy Edit Review – Kathleen Salzberg
Technical Wizardry – Merry Bullock
New Members Chair – Anne Hudson
Nominating Committee – Andie Kutinsky, Anne Hudson, Janet Brewer
Opera Brunch – Sandy Johnson
Photography – Anne Hudson
Programs
Chair – Sharon Nehls
UMC Liaison – Tam Van Spriell
Registration – Lynne Barnett
Scholarship Committee Chair – Marge Riddle
Scholarship Luncheon – Jonette Lucia
Website – Joyce Spencer
Zoom Master – Merry Bullock, Lynne Barnett
Non-Board Positions
Document Repository – Frieda Holley
Zoom Scheduler – Kathy Randall
CALENDAR
UWC Calendar 2023-2024
December
Happy Holidays!
January, 2024
TUESDAY, 9 January 2024 – Lecture Luncheon #3: Prof. Casey Fiesler –Issues with Artificial Intelligence (AI) – University Memorial Center (UMC), Rm 235
February
TUESDAY, 13 February 2024 – Lecture Luncheon #4: Gerry Hudson, PhD – The Russian-Ukraine War: Two Years Later – University Memorial Center (UMC), Rm 235
March
SUNDAY, 17 March 2024 – Opera Brunch – The Titanic
TUESDAY, 19 March 2024 – Lecture Luncheon #5 – Rebecca Cox, PhD – Sleep, Insomnia, and Aging – University Memorial Center (UMC), Rm 235
April
TUESDAY 16 April 2024 – Scholarship Luncheon – Boulder Country Club
May
TUESDAY, 21 May 2024 – Honors Reception – University Memorial Center (UMC) South Terrace Tent
