MESSAGES November 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Upcoming UWC Events
Lecture Luncheon #2
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., UMC 235
Registration deadline is October 28
Sarah Kozloff, Vassar Film Professor Turned Novelist
Movies that Changed Society
President’s Message
Giving Thanks
Dear UWC Members,
Reflections on November
As I sit down to write this message, I find myself reminiscing about past Novembers. The season of deep fall is upon us, and I am drawn to the beauty of the autumn colors—the golden sunflowers, and the vibrant leaves in shades of orange, red, yellow, green, and brown. The air has turned chilly, a welcome change from the heat we endured not so long ago. Memories of bonfires and s’mores come to mind, along with the joy of raking damp leaves into a giant pile, playing in them, and then lighting them on fire—a scent I love even after having escaped three significant fires.
Special Events and Opportunities at UWC
November is a time for special events within UWC. We are looking forward to another wonderful lecture lunch. Remember to register early; we do fill up. Sadly, we had to turn a few away for our October Luncheon, and we hated to have to do that. Our interest groups are thriving, offering new activities and fostering new friendships. I hope each of you is taking advantage of these opportunities to enrich your lives and build connections with others.
Gratitude and Community
This season is a sweet time of life to appreciate family, good friends and enjoy fun together. Similarly, the friendships and experiences we share through UWC help sustain us, and UWC can offer these benefits to you. Moreover, by paying your dues and registration fees, you help provide a second chance for those in need, making a meaningful impact and giving an incredible gift to our community. I especially want to ask you to look at the article written by Jean Manifesto in our October Newsletter. It tells of the path one of our scholarship recipients has taken after graduation from CU.
Acknowledgments
I am truly grateful to all of you. I also want to give a special shout out to three people. First, our Treasurer Frieda Holley for stepping in to conduct our October Board Meeting as I traveled to Spain. Second, to our Program Chair, Norma Portnoy for hosting our Lecture Luncheon for me. Finally, we had to say good-bye to our amazing web and newsletter and all-around tech person, Merry Bullock. She brought our club’s communication skills into the 21st century and has continued to do so. She is also leaving us to start a new chapter in her life in Seattle. She will be greatly missed by so many.
I wish you all a joyful Thanksgiving, filled with love and gratitude.
Until next time,
Andie Kutinsky
2025-26 President
First Lecture Luncheon — A Story in Pictures
Judy Amabile, State Senator representing the people of District 18 and previous State Representative in District 49, kicked off our first Lecture Luncheon of the 2025-26 year with an informative discussion on challenges in our society and shared examples of substantive problem solving happening all around us.
If you click on a photo you can see the full, enlarged version.
UWC Notes
Membership
Hello everyone! I’d love to take a moment to introduce myself as your new Membership Chair, especially to those I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet.
I’ve been a member of UWC for almost 20 years. In 2006, I served as UWC President for a year and back then there was no UWC website or emailed MESSAGES. We have come a long way! Now I am truly honored and humbled to step into the role of Membership Chair. As many of you well know, I have big shoes to fill as we bid a fond farewell to Merry Bullock as she begins the next chapter of her life in Seattle. This opportunity to serve and connect with our incredible group members is both a privilege and a responsibility I hold with deep gratitude. I look forward to fostering meaningful relationships and welcoming new members with warmth and enthusiasm. Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me.
If you haven’t renewed your membership yet, please do so today so you don’t miss out on exciting UWC news. Renewing is easy—just click here: https://boulderuwc.org/about/uwc-membership/membership-join-renew/
Carol Etges, Membership Chair 2025-26
SAVE THE DATE – UWC Events you will not want to miss!
Lecture Luncheons
Click to see the complete list of 2025-2026 luncheons and links to register.
We are excited to share our 2025-2026 lecture luncheons that cover a wide variety of topics presented by exceptionally knowledgeable speakers. 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)
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 – 10:30-1:00
Sarah Kozloff, Vassar Film Professor Turned Novelist
Movies that Changed Society
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 – 10:30-1:00
Roxanne Bailin, Former Chief Judge of the 20th Judicial in Boulder County
You Be the Judge: A Case from the Real World of Sentencing
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 – 10:30-1:00
Stephen Swenerton, President at Swenerton Consulting
The Real Story of International Migration
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
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.
Registration will open early in the new year.
Opera Brunch
This coming year, the University Women’s Club won’t be seeing an opera; instead, we will be treated to a production in Macky Auditorium of the beloved musical, Oklahoma.
Save the date: Sunday, March 8, 2026, starting at 11:00 a.m. for a fabulous brunch, a lecture by Maestro Carthy and the musical, Oklahoma. This all adds up to a memorable day of camaraderie and entertainment that you do not want to miss.
Scholarships
Message from the Chair
It is my pleasure to welcome a new member to UWC and to the Scholarship Committee, Amy Westfeldt!
Amy has been a part of Boulder’s community for over 50 years. She has extensive experience in development and fundraising, including 13 years at CU Boulder. Her last position before recently retiring was as a Senior Director of Development. She served as a mentor within its Advancement Division, and secured millions of dollars in gifts for the University. These included Financial Aid scholarships, the Veteran and Military Affairs Office, the Guardian Scholars scholarship program, and Student Affairs support services.
Amy recently joined the UWC to become a member of the Scholarship Committee, which also includes Ruth Hamann and Rebecca Batizy. She brings an impressive amount of experience to enhance our fundraising efforts to provide financial aid scholarships for nontraditional students. Amy’s experience will bring a new perspective to evaluating the individual applicants so we can choose the most deserving students. The scholarship recipients will be introduced to our members and honored at our April 14, 2026, Scholarship Luncheon.
If you are interested in joining our committee, please contact me at your earliest convenience. I am confident you would find it to be a rewarding and interesting act of service for the UWC.
Jean Manifesto
Scholarship Committee Chair
Donations to the Scholarship Fund
Scholarship Donations (September 2025)
Lynne Barnett
Becky Batizy
Mary Baumgardner
Joyce Bograd
Susan Campagna
Joan Cardone
Julianne Cassady
MaryAnn Dangelo
Barbara Darling
Catherine Ertz
Janet Freeman
Susanne Gerson
Leland Giovannelli
Ruth Henderson
Sydney Hoerler
Frieda Holley
Barbara Huff
Sandy Johnson
Martha Jones
Susannah Jordan
Roberta Kimmel
Carol Koch
Lois Kraft
Rory Laiho
Lois Linsky
Patty Ludke
Jean Manifesto
Sarah Pierce Martin
Cindy Meyer
Judy Minger
Mary Morgan
Judy Owens
Mary Pierce
Rita Riis
Michele Ritter
Jean Roche
Rebecca Roser
Phyllis Schwartz
Lorraine Sexton
Boyce Sher
Barbara Steffin
Patricia Thompson
Linda Toomre
Linda Warfield
Amy Westfeldt
Lyn Wickelgren
Nurit Wolf
Sherry Woodruff
Support Scholarships Through Grocery Shopping!
If you shop at King Soopers, Safeway, or Albertsons, you can easily participate in their community award programs where 5% of your purchases will be donated to UWC to support our scholarships AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU! You can really make a difference.
With the King Soopers Community Rewards program, you can go online one time and link your King Soopers Loyalty Card to the UWC Account. UWC will automatically get 5% without your having to do anything else. Directions for signing up can be found here 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
Elected UWC Board Positions
The UWC Nominating Committee is tasked with recommending nominees for President-Elect, Secretary-Elect, and Treasurer-Elect to serve on the UWC Board next year (2026-2027). The elected persons attend board meetings for one year as “elect officers” to become familiar with the tasks of the executive positions and to be available as backup. They then serve the following year (2027-2028) as President, Secretary, or 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. The treasurer does not need to be a CPA for this role; however, good bookkeeping skills and skill with Excel and QuickBooks are ideal.
If you would like to be considered for one of the “elect” positions or would like to recommend someone, please contact any member of the Nominating Committee which consists of Frieda Holley, Chair: Janet Brewer, Karen Haimes, Jean Rohrschneider, and Lois Linsky.
Margaret Willard Award
Margaret Willard was the first president of the Faculty Wives’ Club, which became our University Women’s Club. Each year we present the Margaret Willard Award to someone who exercises initiative in her endeavors, and in doing so, brings honor to all women and/or to the University of Colorado.
Please submit a nomination by March 1, 2026. Nominations consist of the nominee’s name and a brief description of why they are deserving of the award. The form can be accessed here.
Questions? Contact Andie Kutinsky, Chair, Margaret Willard Award (719-492-7967)
Did You Know?
Thanksgiving Day: History and Controversy
In 1621, the Plymouth colonists from England and the Native American Wampanoag people shared an autumn harvest feast that is one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. (history.com)
Minor Actors in our Thanksgiving Day Story
- Squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe, taught the Pilgrims, weakened by malnutrition and illness, how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers, and avoid poisonous plants. He also helped the settlers forge an alliance with the Wampanoag tribe which endured for more than 50 years.
- Sarah Josepha Hale, a noted magazine editor and author (Mary Had a Little Lamb), launched a campaign in 1827 to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. It took 36 years of promoting this idea through numerous editorials and letters sent to government officials before Abraham Lincoln finally heeded her request in 1863 at the height of the Civil War in a proclamation to all Americans to ‘heal the wounds of the nation.’ He proclaimed the final Thursday in November to be a national day of thanksgiving.
Colorado Women’s Suffrage: Historical Fact
It bears repeating that on October 2, 1877, Colorado women’s suffrage lost the first popular vote. It would take another 16 years for equal suffrage to be voted through on November 7, 1893. This was 27 years before the matter was resolved nationally by the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified in 1920. Although this represented a great win for most women in Colorado, many Native American women were not given the right to vote until 1970, and for members of the Ute tribe, well into the 1990s.
Music and Theater
A complete listing of musical and theatrical events scheduled at CU this fall can be found by clicking the links below:
• Faculty Tuesdays – free concerts hosted by the College of Music
• Performing Arts Events: cupresents.org
What’s Happening at the Fiske Planetarium?
Did you know that CU has a lovely planetarium on the Boulder campus that has a full spectrum of programing: concerts and special events, full-dome films, laser music shows, live faculty talks, science under the dome, and star shows.
Google Fiske Planetarium for information about future events.
If you know of anyone who has a Medicaid or EBT/SNAP card, they will be admitted to the Fiske Planetarium shows for $1.00.
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
- Book Group – Afternoon – Fourth Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. mostly at members’ homes or on ZOOM. Vaccinations required. 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.
- French Conversation – All Speaking Levels – Dates and times to be determined. Chair: Zdenka Smith 303-330-2856.
- Games Group – It’s Anyone’s Game – Board and card games. First Tuesday from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at home of Chair in Louisville. Contact Chair to join. Chair: Kathleen Newton 720-548-8661.
- 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: Joan (Joanie) Cardone 303-263-7823; Frieda Holley 303-499-3733. Note: Dogs are not allowed on UWC hikes.
- Hiking Group – Slow 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. Chair: Norma Portnoy 303-908-9371; Co-Chair Beth Karpf.
- Out to Lunch – Usually Fourth Wednesday, at noon at various local restaurants. Chairs: Jean Rohrschneider 720-542-9788; Jyotsna Raj 303-447-8831. Looking for new chairs.
- Readers’ Theatre 2 – Third Monday 4:00 p.m. at the Boulder Library. Chairs: Patty Ludke 303-817-1020; Kathy Randall 303-746-4528.
- Spanish Conversation Advanced – 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. Cochairs: Sharon Nehls 303-494-5778; Deann O’Donovan 773-968-2274.
- 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.
- Book Group – Second Monday, Janet Evans.
- French Conversation (Original group) – Dot Thompson 303-499-4423.
New Leader Needed!
Biking
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.
Suggested New Groups
- Tatting
- Antiques
- Needlework – We have a new member who is interested in setting up a Needlework group. Please let me know if you are interested. I have a couple of unfinished projects that I would love to complete! ~Lois
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:
December 7: Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan MacMillan with Jonny Donahoe
February 22: Brooklyn Laundry by John Patrick Shanley
May 3: Mary Jane by Amy Herzog
Please contact chair Cindy Meyer for details about a 5% UWC Theater Goers discount code for individual performances and to be added to the email list, at 713-256-9185 or cfmeyer at sbcglobal dot net.
For additional details, click here.
Happy Hour/Tea Time Conversations
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 (drandie at gmail dot com) to get on the mailing list.
On the Road Again: Exploring Local Treasures Together
On the Road Again explores cultural, historical, and entertaining destinations in Boulder County and beyond. The group schedules four to six outings each year, traveling to nearby communities to take in a wide variety of activities and events.
Past excursions have included tours, museums, theatrical productions, visits to botanical gardens, and other regional attractions. A highlight each year is the Holiday English Afternoon Tea in December. After each event, members typically gather for coffee, snacks, or a meal to share impressions of the day, turning each trip into a shared experience that is as social as it is entertaining.
Go to https://boulderuwc.org/interest-groups/interest-group-sign-up-sheet/ to join On The Road Again and receive email notifications about upcoming events.
Interest Group News
Readers Theatre 2 (RT2)
RT2 had fun reading and singing the 1950 radio version of The Wizard of Oz for their first performance of the year.
Back row:
Elaine Leass, Toto, Annie Russell, Diane Thoms, Karen Haimes, Dorothy Cohen
Front row:
Kathy Randall, Sherry Woodruff, Joni Kiesecker, Susan Litt, Patty Ludke
On the Road Again
Attendees included, in no particular order: Deborah Janeczko, Beth Karpf, Carol Etges, Ina Nenninger, Norma Portnoy, Carol Saunders, June Saunders, Susan Doughty, DD Mallard,
Julie Neway, Barbara Steffin, Nannette Wien, Pia Zeller, and Susan Labovitz.
Slow Hikers Group
Our new Slow Hikers group enjoying the Fall weather.
Members pictured are Barbara Zable, Barbara Miller, Lois Linsky, Lois Anderson, Janice Belkora, Heidi Lynch, and Susan Labovitz.
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
Secretary and President Elect (2026-2027) – Sharon Nehls
Secretary Elect (2026-2027) – Betty Johnson
Treasurer and Treasurer Elect (2026-2027) – Frieda Holley
Board Members
Acknowledgements: Donations made
“in honor of/in memory of” – Joyce Spencer
Advisory/Parliamentarian – Frieda Holley
Honors Reception – Anne Hudson, Andie Kutinsky
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 Masters – Lynne Barnett
Non-Board Positions
Document Repository – Diana King
Email Communications – Andie Kutinsky
Historian/Yearbook – Karen Neff
Calendar
UWC Calendar for 2025-2026
November
- 11 Tuesday, Lecture Luncheon #2, 10:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m., UMC 235
December
- No scheduled events – Happy Holidays!
January 2026
- 13 Tuesday, Lecture Luncheon #3, 10:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m., UMC 235
February
- No scheduled events
March
- 08 Sunday, Opera Brunch, Center for British & Irish Studies, Norlin Library
- 17 Tuesday, Lecture Luncheon #4, 10:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m., UMC 235
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
