TABLE OF CONTENTS

Upcoming UWC Events

President’s Message

UWC Notes

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

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/

President’s Message

Reflections on March: Change and Transformation
March has always been a special month in our household, especially when my children were growing up. Out of the five of us, all but one celebrated a birthday during this month. This meant that as a family, we would begin March at one age and finish it at another, marking a period of personal transition for each of us. The month itself was unpredictable—typically cold, yet occasionally offering milder days. It would begin as winter and end as spring, symbolizing the ongoing changes and transformations that life brings. While we could never anticipate exactly what the year ahead would hold, we were always certain that March would usher in new experiences and growth, much like the season itself.

Looking Forward to the Lecture Luncheon Series
This sense of transformation makes me especially enthusiastic about our upcoming Lecture Luncheon Series event. The fourth installment features a discussion on migration, led by Stephen Swenerton, who will speak on “The Real Story of International Migration.” This topic resonates deeply with me, as I remember the stories my grandmother shared about her journey from Czarist Russia to Michigan. Her transformation was profound—at the age of thirteen, she left behind her mother and three brothers to join her father and begin a new household, paving the way for the rest of her family to eventually come to America. Whenever I find the changes that come with March to be challenging, I reflect on her resilience and realize just how fortunate I am in comparison.

Anticipation and Connection
I am eagerly looking forward to hearing Professor Swenerton’s insights. I am confident that his presentation will be both fascinating and inspiring. Like many of you, I anticipate that his words will remind us of the strength and determination that have brought us together as a community. I hope you will join us for this engaging event and share in the opportunity to connect over stories of migration and transformation.

Until next time,

Andie Kutinsky
2025-2026 President

UWC Notes

Membership Update

The Warmth of Belonging

Belonging brings a quiet kind of joy, the feeling of being seen, welcomed, and woven into something larger than yourself. It’s the warmth of shared laughter, the comfort of familiar faces, and the ease that comes from knowing you don’t have to explain who you are to be appreciated. In a true community such as UWC, your presence matters, your contributions ripple outward, and the simple act of showing up becomes a source of connection and purpose.

Belonging feels even richer when you remember that each person is a unique piece of the club’s puzzle. We are now 377 puzzle pieces strong. Every member brings her own shape—her experiences, her talents, her humor, her quiet strengths—and when those pieces come together, they create a picture none of us could form alone.

Please Give a Warm Welcome to our Newest Members!

Renee Brant
Catherine Cameron
Gail Connally
Ardyth Sohn

UWC Events You Will Not Want to Miss!

The UWC Nominating Committee has presented the following slate of officers and officers-elect for 2026-2027 to serve in their respective offices in 2027-2028. The Nominating Committee, chaired by Frieda Holley, included Janet Brewer, Karen Haimes, Lois Linsky, and Jean Rohrschneider. Frieda expresses her thanks to the committee members for their work and support in fulfilling this task.

Changes is the slate of officers and the UWC Bylaws requirement that nominees’ names be “publicized at least two months prior to the election” result in the need for two elections this spring.

• At the March 17, 2026 Lecture Luncheon, the election of Berry Todd, President for 2026-27, Betty Johnson, Secretary-elect 2026-27, and Frieda Holley, Treasurer-elect 2026-27 will take place.
• At the April 14, Scholarship Luncheon the election of Carol Etges, President-elect for 2026-27 will take place.

The current President-elect position for 2025-26, held by the person slated to be President in 2026-27, was vacated. The Nominating Committee proposes that Berry Todd, who was 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. The President-elect position for 2026-27 thus became vacated. Carol Etges has agreed to be nominated for that position. Information on all the candidates follows.

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

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.

Carol Etges

President-elect 2026-27 (to serve as President 2027-2028) Vote to be held in April

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 a technical editor of the MESSAGES committee. 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 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.

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. 

Scholarships

Message from the Chair

Give the Gift of Education

Each year we evaluate applicants for the UWC scholarship at CU Boulder. We will celebrate those individuals on Tuesday, April 14 at our Scholarship Luncheon at the Boulder Country Club. It is a lively event that lets members see how their donations directly create opportunities for non-traditional CU undergraduates return to school following an interruption in their education.

Scholarship award factors include having graduated high school more than six years ago, academic merit, financial need, service, initiative and involvement in academics, community, leadership, and employment. There are many student costs in addition to tuition including health insurance, computer purchase, medical, and childcare expenses. The scholarship awards are applied directly to their university invoices. The only constraint is that the scholarship is used for educational expenses. The scholarship award is divided between fall and spring terms of 2026-2027.

Your donations directly diminish the student’s financial barriers to completing their undergraduate degree, giving them an ability to graduate with less debt. Scholarships reduce financial distress and permit talented students to more fully engage in extracurricular activities, university research, and internships, that will boost their career development.

Please donate generously on our website, knowing that you are supporting students to bridge the gap to achieve their educational goals. We all benefit from a more educated society.

Jean Manifesto
Scholarship Committee Chair

Donations to the Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Donations (January 2026)

Linda Conlin
Marie Dacey
Carol Etges
Barbara Feifer
Susanne Gerson
Karen Haimes
Trudy Heller

Anne Hudson
Kathleen Israelson
Sandy Johnson
Susan Katz
Jane Laughlin
Susan Litt
Patty Ludke

Jean Manifesto
Kathy Randall
Marge Riddle
Nancy Rueckert
Elaine Schnabel
Tamera Van Spriell
Lyn Wickelgren

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

Book clubs feel very modern, but, according to ChapGPT, they’re actually an old social technology that’s been reinvented over and over. Their evolution tracks changes in literacy, leisure, power, and media.

Ancient & medieval roots: reading as collective meaning-making
Before widespread literacy, reading was often oral and communal.

• Ancient Greece & Rome: Philosophical schools (Plato’s Academy, Aristotle’s Lyceum) functioned a bit like book clubs—shared texts, debate, interpretation.
• Early religious communities: Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists gathered to read and interpret sacred texts together. Discussion wasn’t optional; it was the point.
• Medieval monasteries: Monks practiced lectio divina, a slow, communal engagement with texts—reflective, dialogic, and social.

Reading was rare, valuable, and usually shared.

17th–18th centuries: salons, coffeehouses, and power
As literacy spread, discussion groups became social and political tools.

• European salons (often hosted by women): elites gathered to discuss literature, philosophy, and politics. These were proto–book clubs with cultural influence.
• Coffeehouses in England: people debated pamphlets, newspapers, and books—fueling the Enlightenment.
• Key shift: books became a way to perform intellect and social belonging, not just devotion or study.

This is when book discussion became a marker of identity.

19th century: mass literacy and moral improvement
Industrial printing changed everything.

• Cheaper books → working- and middle-class reading groups
• Literary societies and reading circles formed around self-education, reform, and uplift
• Women’s book clubs flourished, especially in the US, often tied to: abolition, suffrage, and social reform.

Book clubs became spaces where people excluded from formal power (especially women) could build influence and community.

Early–mid 20th century: domestic and institutional clubs
Book clubs moved into homes and institutions.

• Great Books movements emphasized “canonical” reading and serious discussion
• Libraries and universities sponsored reading groups
• Book-of-the-Month Club (1920s) standardized reading nationally—less discussion, more shared consumption

This era framed book clubs as respectable, educational, and civilizing.

Late 20th century: intimacy, identity, and pop culture
Book clubs became more personal and more fun.

• Informal neighborhood and workplace book clubs took off
• Reading mixed with wine, friendship and personal sharing.

Discussion shifted from “What does the text mean?” to “What does this mean to me?”

21st century: digital, global, and niche
Now book clubs are everywhere and nowhere.

• Online forums, Discords, Substacks, Zoom clubs
• Social media-driven clubs (BookTok, Instagram, Reddit)

The modern book club is less about geography and more about shared sensibility.

Across all eras, book clubs exist to answer the same human need: belonging, interpretation, negotiating values together, and turning private reading into social meaning.

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.

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.
• 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.
• 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 – 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 – 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 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.

What Are Our Book Groups Reading?

Small – Fiction, Non-Fiction

James by Percival Everitt
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
A Day in the life of Abed Salama by Nathan Thrall
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van.Pelt
The Lucky Few by Elwood Carson
Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard
Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes du Mez
West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

Biographies

The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal by David McCullough
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Day of Empire by Amy Chua
No More Secrets: My Part in Codebreaking at Bletchley Park by Betty Webb
Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans by Brian Kilmeade
A Fever in the Heartland: The KKK’s Plot by Timothy Egan
Hooked: Pirates, Poaching and the Perfect Fish by Bruce Knecht
Sea of Glory: America’s Voyage of Discovery by Nathanial Philbrook

Book Group – Afternoon

Becoming Adam Secretary by Stephanie Dray
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marian Kamal
This is Happiness by Niall Williams
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Razor’s Edge by Somerset Maugham
The Leopard by Giuseppe di Lampedusa
Spitfires: American Women/Danger by Becky Aikman

The Original Book Group

River of the Gods by Candice Millard
Surface and Depths by Roland Evans
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
Time the Child by Niall Williams
North Woods by Daniel Mason
Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides
Lovely One, A Memoir by Ketanji Brown Jackson
Forgotten on Sunday by Valerie Perrin
Why We Die by Venki Ramakrishnan

The Bookies

The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi
Long Island by Colm Toibin
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
How To Read a Book: A Novel by Monica Wood
Time of the Child by Niall Williams
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawton

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

Interest Group News

Out to Lunch Group

Walking Group

Slower Hikers Group

From L to R: Nancy Erdrich, Zdenka Smith, Lois Anderson, Beth Karpf, Barbara Miller, and Lois Linsky

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