MESSAGES May 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Upcoming UWC Events
- MAY
Honors Reception – May 21, 2024 – UMC South Terrace Tent, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Please note – registration is required! - SEPTEMBER (save the date!)
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 – Membership Coffee at Viele Lake
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Hi UWC Members,
As the 2023-2024 season ends, I am surprised that my last President’s Message to you for this administration happened so quickly. It seems as if it was just last month that I introduced myself. Thanks to all of you who were present at the final Lecture Luncheon, I will be joining you again as your President for the 2025-2026 session of the University Women’s Club.
My focus for the past year was our twin missions of Sisterhood and Service, with the emphasis on Sisterhood. Looking back at the 2023-2024 season, I can say that however you measure success, we were successful together! Our membership is back up to pre-Covid numbers, almost 350 members. Every one of our events was full, with late registrants having to sadly be turned away. We generated enough revenue to donate $30,000 in scholarships to worthy recipients whose amazing stories were shared at the Scholarship Luncheon. In May our Margaret Willard award winner, Donna Werner, will be honored at the Honors Reception. I’m sure you will find her worthy of this award and will be grateful that we can honor such a wonderful person from our community. Finally, our new Board of Directors will be in place at the time of our annual New Members’ Coffee at Viele Lake in September 2024.
I would be remiss if I didn’t take this time to thank our incredible Board for 2023-2024. These women consistently make the job of the President easy. They can each be counted on to do their part. They help each other in every way they can and that means I get to welcome events that are well planned, run smoothly and a joy to attend. Our current officers, Anne Hudson as President-Elect, Kathleen Salzberg as Secretary, Frieda Holley as Treasurer and Parliamentarian, made all of our Board meetings run smoothly. (A complete list of this year’s Board members and their responsibilities can be found at the end of this newsletter.)
Our Board meetings are conducted on Zoom, and, in addition to being productive, they are a lot of fun. We have two openings on next year’s Board if you are interested in getting more involved in UWC: event photographer and Chair of the 2025 Honors Reception.
We are always looking for people who want to lead new Interest Groups. Whatever your interest, creating a new interest group requires four women plus the chair to start. There will be a special gathering in July for all the Interest Group leaders at the home of our new Interest Group Chair, Lois Linsky.
As always, whether returning or new, I’d love to get to know you. Please, seek me out when you see me. I hope to see you at the May Honors Reception. Thank you all for making this such a very special organization.
Andie Kutinsky
2023-2024 UWC President
UWC NOTES
Annual University Women’s Club Honors Reception
Tuesday, May 21, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
South Terrace Tent, University Memorial Center, 1669 Euclid Avenue, Boulder, CO 80309
The UWC Executive Board invites all UWC members to join us as we continue our long-standing tradition of honoring the selected Margaret Willard Award Recipient for 2024 as well as other valued awardees and leaders, and to pass the gavel to our incoming 2024-2025 President.
We will gather in a festive outdoor spot to enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and a capella singing by our very own CU Buffoons! Please join us for camaraderie, engagement, and gastronomy at this, our last club event of the season!
We are so looking forward to seeing you!
Anne Hudson, Honors Reception Chair
Although the reception is complimentary, it is required to register by April 30, 2024!!!
Margaret Willard Award – 2024 Recipient
Donna Werner has lived a life devoted to service in and around the Boulder community. Over the years she has had many accomplishments. She was an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer teacher in Denver, Colorado from 1979 to 1981. She served as an I Have A Dream Foundation sponsor from 2010 to 2021, where she became part of the everyday life of a young boy and his family and supported him financially and has mentored him for over 10 years so far; that boy is still a part of her life today. She sponsored a Russian immigrant family from 1995 to 2005 and again has remained part of their lives and friendship groups. She was in charge of the Meal of Condolence for two organizations that provide meals for families who have lost a loved one. This work involves offering home-cooked meals, prayers, and lots of support for any member of her religious community who was just returning from the cemetery after burying a loved one. She is a certified childbirth doula, ushering many newborn children into this world. Since 2018 she has been the chairperson for Indivisible Boulder.
Donna obtained a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Special Education from SUNY Buffalo and UNC Greeley respectively. Her area of specialty is children and adults suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury. She taught in this field in Adams County School District #12 for many years.
Donna is currently a Co-Founder and Partner in BW Construction where she has worked alongside her husband building and remodeling many of the most beautiful homes throughout Boulder. Many of those homes are prominently featured in the Annual Kitchens and Cooking Event sponsored by the I Have a Dream Foundation. This event offers tours of recently remodeled kitchens, showcasing fabulous kitchens throughout Boulder. It is one of the premier events of the year and is always a favorite.
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 starting at 4:00. Contact Kathy Randall (katherineran at gmail dot com) to reserve a spot for this conversation if you are not already a “regular.”
This will be Kathy Randall’s last Conversation as facilitator. Andie Kutinsky will take over in the fall.
In May we will meet on the 4th Tuesday (May 28) to avoid the conflict with the Honors Reception.
May 28 Topic: This is an adaptation from advice given by Lyn Slater, fashion influencer and author of How to Be Old. Think of three words or phrases that describe who you are now or who you would like to be. When you shop for clothing consider, “Does this say these three things about me?” This will give you a style.
We won’t go shopping, but we’ll talk about the words we choose for ourselves.
Examples might be party-lover, bookworm, good neighbor, volunteer, singer – any way you want to describe yourself.
Scholarship Luncheon
The University Women’s Club Spring Scholarship Luncheon is an opportunity to introduce and honor the recipients of the Club’s scholarships. The 2024 Annual Scholarship Luncheon took place on Tuesday, April 16 at the Boulder Country Club. Six non-traditional students from the University of Colorado Boulder campus were each awarded a $5,000 scholarship. During the program students shared stories about their college journey and personal experiences. University Women’s Club members enjoyed a delicious meal provided by the Boulder Country Club. The program also included a lively fashion show provided by Chico’s Fashions, Inc. Thank you to Mr. John Irons for again being this year’s Boulder Country Club Sponsor. Many thanks to these wonderful ladies who were a part of the Scholarship Luncheon Committee: Jonette Lucia, Chair, Linda Hultman, Lois Anderson, and Janet Evans.
Transition in Leadership
The 2024-2025 UWC Officers will assume office after the May Honors Reception. Their positions are: Anne Hudson, President; Sharon Nehls, Secretary; and Frieda Holley, Treasurer. They are skilled and sure to do a great job for UWC!
In addition to these elected positions, leadership is changing for several Board positions: Lois Linsky (Linda Nordberg) as Interest Group Chair; Jean Manifesto (Marge Riddle) as Scholarship Chair; Sharon Harkness (Anne Hudson) as New Member Chair; Norma Portnoy (Sharon Nehls) as Program Chair. In non-Board positions, Diana King (Berry Todd) is taking the position of email coordinator and Andie Kutinsky (Kathy Randall) as HHTT moderator. We are grateful to those who have previously served in these positions and welcome our new leadership to UWC.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Message from the Scholarship Chair
The generosity of the UWC membership made it possible for us to again award Scholarships of $5000 to each of six recipients this year. So thank you all!
This year’s UWC Scholarship recipients were honored at the Scholarship Luncheon at the Boulder Country Club in April. Attendees heard something of the inspiring life stories of these extraordinary young people. Life journeys of our recipients this year in one case began in a Russian orphanage and for others in small rural towns in the United States. These students also offered their heartfelt thanks to the UWC membership for the scholarships they had been awarded, one student noting, “This scholarship will have a profound effect on my future….having this support from the women in my community is so empowering….and I will continue to show my appreciation for this gift by using the opportunities you have afforded me to better the world around me.”
If you missed this wonderful Luncheon event, you can still read about our remarkable recipients in this edition of MESSAGES.
It is so easy to donate to ensure that the UWC can continue its now more than 40-year-run of providing Scholarships to non-traditional students at CU. Just go to the Scholarship link where you can easily make an online donation. And remember, you can also donate to UWC when signing up for UWC events or even when grocery shopping (see article below).
Marge Riddle
UWC Scholarship Chair
Scholarship Recipients
Violet Binns
I am currently a Junior in the Aerospace Engineering Sciences program. Here I am living out my dream of studying aerodynamics, a field for which I have had a particular fondness for my entire life. I presently work full-time as a Professional Research Assistant in IT at CU’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics in addition to taking a full course load. In my free time, I enjoy playing tabletop and video games, sewing, swing dancing, and rock climbing. I also enjoy spending a night in with my cats and partner, Donovan. After graduation, I aspire to work on green, sustainable propulsion.
Maryann Gorka
I am a Mechanical Engineering student with an expected graduation date of May 2026. I graduated from high school in 2012 and spent many years in the customer service industry. When 2020 happened and I lost my job, I knew it was time to make serious changes in my life. This is when I enrolled at Red Rocks Community College online. After two years in pursuit of an Associate of Science Degree in Radiologic Technology, I decided I wanted even more. Upon acceptance to CU, I was delighted. Since then, I have been working harder than I have ever worked before to finance my education and achieve my goals. I am immensely proud to be a Buff.
Serena Bity Martinez
I am Serena Bity Martinez, a dedicated student majoring in Ethnic Studies with minors in Women and General Studies, Political Science, and Spanish at CU Boulder. Your generosity has a profound impact on my academic journey as a first-generation, transfer student and adult learner. Overcoming financial obstacles, your support has empowered me to pursue my dream of becoming a Civil Rights or Employment Attorney. Your belief in my potential has not only eased my academic and financial burdens but has also inspired me to encourage other women facing similar challenges. Your kindness and investment in my future are appreciated.
Chase Moles
As a 26-year-old non-traditional student, I have found that it has been a struggle in some ways coming back to school. Balancing work and school has been challenging, but it has also been beneficial because I have had time to really decide what I want to do with my life. I am an International Affairs major with a focus on the European Union. My dream with my education is to be able to get a career as a diplomat for the State Department. I want to be able to make a difference in the world, and I want to use my education to work toward making the world a more peaceful place.
Rachael Nelson
I am a senior at the University of Colorado Boulder majoring in Classics with minors in Italian and Art History. I am also a first generation, low-income, and nontraditional student. I first attempted University at 18 at the University of Louisville but dropped out due to a need to work full-time. This was, for years, a painful memory of my own failure to complete university which has long been a dream of mine and my family. I started at University of Colorado Boulder in the Fall of 2022 and have maintained a near perfect GPA. At CU Boulder I have been able to pursue my passions in Classical archaeology and the Italian language. I have received numerous grants and scholarships to encourage these pursuits and have worked three seasons on archaeological sites in Italy.
Jaclynne Reynolds
As a junior in Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado Boulder, I aim to become a physician assistant specializing in pediatric medicine. My motivation is fueled by my role as a hospital pharmacy technician and my volunteer work, especially with Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families. Being internationally adopted, I am committed to supporting adoptees’ cultural identity. These experiences have deepened my empathy and understanding of pediatric healthcare needs. My academic excellence and community service at CU Boulder are driven by a desire to positively impact my community and pursue my career goals. Thank you, UWC, for the scholarship opportunities.
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, 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!
Donations to the Scholarship Fund
Scholarship Donations (March-April 2024)
Dana Albright
Martha Andrews
Judith Auer
Rebecca Batizy
Karen Bell
Francine Blum
Joyce Bograd
Janet Brewer
Helen Brown
Joan Cardone
Sue Collard
Bonnie Crissey
Marie Dacey
Karen Diamond
Catherine Ertz
Janet Evans
Liz Fox
Anitta Frant
Janet Freeman
Ellen Gille
Helen Goldman
Linda K Groth
Linda Hattel
Sydney Hoerler
Frieda Holley
Rachel Homer
Anne Hudson
Cindy Jacobson
Sandy Johnson
Susan Katz
Jacquie Kilburn
Roberta Kimmel
Lois Linsky
Patty Ludke
Jean Manifesto
Diana J Mapes
Barbara Miller
Karen Neff
Jean Nelson
Peggy Pannke-Smith
Susan Prentiss
Katherine Randall
Charlene Rasmussen
Elizabeth Rauch
Judy Reid
Sandra Reynolds
Marge Riddle
Jean Rohrschneider
Boyce Sher
Joyce Spencer
Suzane Swarztrauber
Kathryn Wardell
Marilyn Whittaker
Stephanie Wrotny
In Honor Of
Tim Valle
in honor of Linda Fulton
DID YOU KNOW?
Where did the month of May get its name?
May was named for the Roman goddess Maia, who oversaw the growth of plants. Also, from the Latin word maiores, “elders,” who were celebrated during this month. Maia was considered a nurturer and an earth goddess, which may explain the connection with this springtime month.
More Fun Facts About the Month of May
- No U.S. president has ever died in the month of May. In every other month of the year, at least one U.S. president has died.
- Every year there is a particular meteor shower in May called the Eta Aquariids meteor shower. Discovered in 1870, this meteor shower passes by Earth between April 19 and May 28. It’s easiest to view it from the equatorial regions of the world.
- The Empire State Building opened its doors on May 1, 1931. At the point of its construction, it held the record for being the tallest building in the world.
Eclipses That Influenced History
On April 8 this year, many of us traveled to observe a total eclipse of the sun. While this natural event occurs every 18 months someplace on Earth, it only occurs every 375 years in the same location.
There have been several such celestial events recorded that have influenced history in some fashion. (Excerpted from history.com – Eclipses That Influenced History. Additional examples are featured on this website.)
- October 22, 2134 B.C.: Solar eclipse spells doom for His and Ho. Shirking their duties, two royal astronomers failed to predict this celestial event and were beheaded by the emperor.
- May 28, 585 B.C.: Solar eclipse inspires truce between the Lydians and the Medes. The sun disappearing behind the moon was interpreted as a sign the gods wanted peace and brought about an unexpected ceasefire between two warring nations in what is now central Turkey. A truce was negotiated.
- May 29, 1919: Solar Eclipse Confirms Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity. As the moon blocked sunlight, more stars were visible near the sun. “Measurements taken during the eclipse confirmed that starlight bent around the sun. This was early confirmation of Einstein’s theory that massive objects warp the fabric of space-time and that distortion manifests as gravity.”
What’s Happening at CU?
Graduation
This year’s commencement ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. MDT Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Folsom Field stadium. Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer Inc. with Steve Jobs in 1976, will be the graduation speaker. No tickets or registration are required for guests of the graduating students.
Fun Facts
- In order to graduate, one needs at least at 2.000 GPA and be in good academic standing with the university.
- The graduation rate at CU Boulder was 68.9% for first-time, full-time students in 2021–2022.
- The University Colorado Boulder is ranked #105 (tie) in National Universities, #51 in Top Public Schools (tie), and #192 in Best Value Schools.
- University of Colorado Boulder’s tuition is $13,622 for in-state and $41,966 for out-of-state students. Compared with the national average cost of in-state tuition of $11,560, University of Colorado Boulder is more expensive.
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.
Virginia “Ginnie” Ross died April 4, 2024. She was 93. Ginne was a member of UWC since 1959 and served in many, many roles. Most recently she was chair of the Needlecraft Interest Group. Please see more information here.
INTEREST GROUPS
Interest Group News
Out To Lunch
At Blue Agave in Longmont
Hiking
Hiking the Greenbelt Plateau Trail: Janet Freeman, Frieda Holley, Arlene Gerwin, Joanie Cardonne, Janet Schofield, Lois Anderson, Lois Linsky, Sue Rapp.(taken by Kathleen Salzberg)
Movie Group
On Sunday April 14, the UWC saw the movie “ Arthur the King ,“ followed by a discussion at Twisted Pine Brewery. Left to right: Sherry Woodruff, Jane Cummings, Janet Freeman, Berry Todd, Dorothy Coltrin, Carmen Caver, Sherron Sheffield, Deborah Janeczko, and Jane Etzel.
Let’s Go See a Play Together!
On May 5th, Theater Goers will meet for BETC’s performance of What the Constitution Means to Me. Please contact interim chair Cindy Meyer to be added to the e-mail list. Also, please contact Cindy if you would be willing to help organize plays for the fall.
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 –Chair Rebecca Batizy 303-601-9956 or Rebeccabatizy at gmail dot com. Contact chair for current information about meeting dates and times. New members welcome.
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.
Games Group –It’s Anyone’s Game – There are new openings in the Games Group which meets once a month on the second Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Interested? Contact Kathleen Newton at 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 and Strolling – Every Friday 9:00 a.m. September – May; 8:30 a.m. June – August. Our meeting place has changed. Meet at the far NE corner of the Free Parking underground garage at 29th Street Mall, close to the old Macy’s. Check the weekly email for details. – 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.
On the Road Again – Occasional in person road trips. Chair: Kathy Randall 303-746-4528.
Out to Lunch – 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 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
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.
Want to MeetUp with a UWC friend with a common interest?
This is not an interest group, but instead, a group of UWC members who agree to receive emailed meetup invitations for spontaneous get togethers. You must sign up for MeetUp to receive invitations. What to know more? Contact Betty Barnes at 512-657-6584.
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 to MESSAGES editor Tamera Van Spriell at boulderuwc@gmail.com
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 2024 Spring
MAY
TUESDAY, 21 May 2024 – Honors Reception – University Memorial Center (UMC) South Terrace Tent
…and for the fall, mark your calendar now:
SeptemberTuesday, September 10, 2024 – Membership Coffee at Viele Lake
Photos courtesy of Anne Hudson.