Christmas Party for Foster Families

On Saturday, Dec. 1st, we partnered with DCYF to host a Christmas Party for the Foster Families in Carroll County.   We had approximately 40 children and adults attend, enjoying cookie decorating, ornament making, face painting and a visit from Santa.  Lorraine summed it up nicely with her email below:
A successful children's Christmas Party is smiles, laughter, cookies, a good book, warm mittens and Santa.  We did it!  Thanks so much to all of you that helped with the party at Runnells Hall as well as those of you that baked cookies (we do have some cookies left for the nursing homes except for the ones I dropped on the ground.)  Thanks Shelly for putting up the tree.  A special thank you to Rachel's granddaughter for assisting us with the party.  See you all on the 10th. 
(Lisa would have been proud!)

Lots of planned events for December

We have many plans in the works for the next few weeks which we are all looking forward to.

• The Festival of Trees - This is an annual fund-raising event for the Meredith Altrusa club and we will be setting up our tree in preparation for the Opening Gala on Thursday, Nov. 29th.  The festival will be open Nov. 30th, 2-8, Dec. 1st 9-5, and Dec. 2nd 11-5.
• DCYF Christmas Party for Foster Families - This annual party will be held at Runnells Hall on Sat. Dec. 1st at 2:00 pm.  We will be providing cookies and fun as well as a Christmas tree with gifts of books for all the children.  Those working on set-up should arrive at 1:00 pm, and those who signed up to bake cookies can check with Lorraine.
• Christmas Party - our Carroll County Altrusa Christmas Party is planned for Monday evening, Dec.10th.  We will be having a White Elephant Yankee Swap (all swap items should be no cost, things you have around the house or basement).  In addition, anyone who desires to make cookies for the nursing homes should bring them to the party.  Cookies will be packed and distributed to the nursing homes the next day, Dec. 11th.

The new face of Volunteerism: District One Workshop

On Saturday, Nov. 2nd our district held a Workshop focusing on new ways to connect with members and volunteers.  Technology was an integral part of the presentations on texting and blogging.  The day ended with a motivational speaker who got us charged up about what we as volunteers can accomplish.  Awesome!  Lunch was delicious and we were all energized by the dynamic group of women here. Altrusans from Bermuda, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and of course New Hampshire connected, shared and left enthused about all that we can accomplish.

Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk raised $3,342

One of the highlights of the fall events was the "Making Strides for Breast Cancer" walk on October 14th in North Conway.  The members of our club came out in force to support this worthy cause.  We had 100% participation with 17 of our members participating in the three mile walk on a cloudy and dismal Saturday morning.  Many of us gathered at the Masonic Lodge Breakfast to benefit Jen's Friends before the walk and which raised $1,600 for Jen's Friends.  We had one member who was on the organizing committee for the walk, planning for months in advance to ensure a safe and enjoyable event.  Another two members assisted with the registration process and we had a total of 29 members who provided a monetary donation.  Our group was able to raise a total of $3,342.00 which far exceeded our donations from previous years.  Our club members are capable of anything they put their minds to!

Fundraiser Fashion Show at Flatbreads

What a great evening it was on October 9th when we held our 2nd annual Fashion Show Fundraiser at Flatbreads restaurant in North Conway.  Flatbreads agreed to donate a percentage of the pizza sales to our service projects.  We put on three fashion shows right in the middle of the restaurant, showing off some of the wonderful clothes for sale at the ReTails Boutique, a store to benefit the Animal Rescue League of NH - North.  The ReTails Boutique for adoptable clothing is located in the lower level of Norcross Place in North Conway.  Our fabulous team of member models showed off casual, dressy, and professional clothing, fortified by the delicious pizzas and salads that Flatbreads offers.  While we were modeling, Sue Norcross sold Pampered Chef items in the lobby, with a percentage of the proceeds to benefit Carroll County Altrusa.  Wow, in one evening of good food and good fun we were able to raise money for Carroll County Altrusa service projects through the sales of Flatbreads pizzas, the sale of Pampered Chef items, and to raise awareness of the ReTails Boutique to help the Animal Rescue League.  Delicious!!

Gibson Center Picnic at White Lake State Park

 

 On a beautiful Wednesday, August 29th, 8 members of Carroll County Altrusa provided help to the Gibson Senior Center annual picnic at White Lake State Park.  Residents of Mineral Springs Nursing Home also attended and our Altrusa members provided help by unloading food, serving, and moving residents in wheelchairs.  After a delicious picnic lunch a few seniors went swimming while others played board games and some enjoyed a sing-along.

Plant Sale Fundraiser

     On a very rainy June 2nd, Carroll County Altrusa partnered with the Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth to host the annual Plant and Book Sale fundraiser.  Many members of Carroll County Altrusa pitched in and thinned, potted and dug annuals to be sold.  In spite of the pouring rain that day, it was a happy crew and we raised $967 towards our service projects.

May 2012 - Initiation & Installation

When spring arrives so do many more opportunities to serve our local community.  Things that Carroll County Altrusa has done in the past 30 days:

•  helped clean up and organize the new storage area at Starting Point family shelter;  

Cleaning up at Starting Point Barn

Many hands make light work - that's the Altrusa way

• served the volunteers at the annual volunteer appreciation luncheon at the Gibson Senior Center;

Judy T, Judy Y, Barb K & Lisa M - served lunch at Volunteer appreciation luncheon

•  provided snacks and lunch for Habitat for Humanity in the Mtn Washington Valley; 

serving lunch to the volunteers

The Women Build Team at Fryburg Habitat for Humanity House

 

 

•  helped a senior with cleaning and moving to her new home;
•  served at the volunteer appreciation dinner at the Ossipee Dinner Bell; 
• dug up and potted perennial flowers for the upcoming Plant sale fund raiser co-sponsored with the Cook Library, Tamworth; 

members of Cook Library Friends and Carroll County Altrusa - Digging plants for sale

• provided over 25 magazine subscriptions to youths in Carroll County through our new Mail for Me initiative;
•  Provided seed money for a Healthy Summer exercise program for at risk Middle School Students in the Mtn Washington Valley; 
• Voted to  sponsor a team at the ACS Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in October; 
• Stitched up Baby Book Bags for the Cook Library project to get families reading to their infants
• Supported KIVA with a donation of $100 and learned more about how to help others Internationally www.kiva.org
• Collected aluminum tabs for Camp Cody / Shriner

Pat McCoy and tab collection

Also this spring:

• Members attended our tri-club birthday party with Laconia and Meredith

Happy Birthday to US

• Seven members attended Spring Conference in Montpelier, VT 

Ben and Jerry's prior to Conference

• Carroll County Altrusa initiated new members

Sponsor Nancy Spaulding, new members Deb Parsons and Ruth Stevens, sponsor Sue Battles

• Carroll County installed a new Slate of Officers 

Installation of new Carroll County Altrusa board

• Presentation of 5 year pin for continuous membership in Altrusa

Sue Battles, 5 year certificate presented by outgoing president, Pam Beck

• Hosted a fun workshop making Cement leaves and decorated bird houses

Fun time marking "Stuff"

Finished birdhouses.

• Planned summer events to keep us connected, grill and game, trip to the beach, picnic and hike, outing at the Barnstormers theater

There is a lot going on. Our vision is to find activities and service opportunities that provide opportunities to interact with each other and support our communities at the same time.  No member can do it all, but together we can make a difference in the world we live.

Please consider joining us for any of these events.  carrollcountyaltrusa@yahoo.com

 

District One Spring Conference - Montpelier, VT

Seven Carroll County Altrusans met on Thursday at noon at the Ranger Station at the Kanc.  Our plans were to head to Montpelier, check in to the hotel and then go to Ben and Jerry.  The weather was great. The route was across the Kanc and all the way on Rt 112 to Vermont.  We split into two cars, Cathy B, Kathy S & Lisa S in one, Pat K, Pat M, Cindy and Terry in the other.  The weather cooperated with no rain and some nice scenery. Arriving about 3 PM, we quickly checked in to the hotel and then loaded into one car and headed to Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream. There are no rules when you leave town, so we had dessert before dinner!  Wild and Crazy and Delicious.  When we came out from the Ben and Jerry tour it was pouring rain.  Cindy was kind enough to run to the car and pick us up so we minimized getting wet.

We registered at the Altrusa desk in the lobby and received our Conference packets and gift bags provided by the Greater Barre Club. They were great hostesses.  We decided to go back to our rooms to settle in and then to meet for a few snacks and a glass of wine.  Why we weren't hungry, I'm not sure.  We decided to try the restaurant in the hotel.  We were not disappointed.  The food was exceptional.  The two specials of the evening were a coconut shrimp with an orange sauce and a filet with caramalized onions.  Delicious!  We laughed and chatted until close to 10:30, looked around and realized there weren't many people left in the restaurant.  The old saying, time flies when you're having fun was certainly true.  We needed to head for bed as we had early workshops to attend.

Workshops for presidents, treasurers, first timers were held first thing on Saturday morning; then the business meeting went from 10 to 11:45.  Lunch was delicious with a cobb salad and cookies.  Our keynote speaker was Katherine Paterson, Childrens Author and Literacy enthusiast.  She spoke of her life with words and how reading can change your world. She was truly inspirational. 

After lunch there was an all conference presentation about the "new brand" and how to use the logo. From there we broke out into 4 different workshops: Service Projects, Membership Communication, Altrusa Foundation and Technology and you.  We divided up so that at least one member attended each of the workshops. More information will be shared at our regular meetings about what was learned.

The Fund Raiser fair was next. We had decided to take all of the items we had offered in previous years and have a "Must Go" Sale.  We sold soap, hand knit cloths, bracelets, and Perpetual Calendars for a total of $95.  There were many raffles and it seemed like a feeding frenzy as everyone tried to get around to each club's table.

Kathy S and Cathy B attended the reception and dinner. Another great meal and delicious dessert was served. Awards were presented. Dr. Nina Fay Calhoun, International Relations Award was presented to the Portland, ME club for their South Sudan Library Project. Letha H. Brown Literacy award was presented to 1st place, Laconia for Betty the Book Worm visits the Library, 2nd place Central Ct. Altrusa Little Free Library, tied for 3rd were Meredith for Day Care Reading Program and Northeastern, CT for Books for your Enjoyment-A Take Away Library. The Mamie L. Bass Service award was presented to Meredith "Altrusa Food Aid Concert" 1st, Merrimack Valley "Welcome Baby Head Start Project" 2nd, and Central Ct, "Well Feb Babies with Dry Bottoms 3rd.  There were so many wonderful ideas for helping our communities as we shared our projects with each other.

Our Carroll County Club received a 3rd place award for our Publicity.  A special thank you goes out to Estelle Smith (and Dr. Bob) who worked very hard at getting press releases about our Altrusa Club out to newspapers every month.

With all the wonderful projects that our club works on, perhaps next year we will submit them for awards.

Sap Bucket for the Saturday Night Auction

Saturday brought us together for a buffet breakfast and then a discussion about leadership with our Governor Elect, Mary Faries.  It was a great opportunity to exchange ideas and talk about the positives and the negatives that sometimes occur in a group. 

The final business meeting was held. Announcement of the new nominating committee was made and we concluded business early.  Our group was headed home with a stop at King Arthur Flour on the way.

Saturday night at the Auction of the Sap Buckets, a total of $1700 was taken in.  This was divided between the Alden Library (Katherine Paterson, patron) and the Local Disaster Relief Fund for the victims of Hurricane Irene. The silent Auction also netted $650 for the International Foundation.

We all agreed that this annual event is worth saving our pennies for and making the effort to attend.  Next year, will you join us when we travel to Bangor, ME?  We sure hope so.

Submitted by Cathy Baybutt

Member Spotlight - Estelle Smith

Our resident Artist and Altrusan sister,  Estelle Smith has some exciting news to share with all of us.

 Estelle has been published in the April issue of the prestigious South West Art Magazine.   She was approached by the magazine when she first arrived down south when she was on vacation.  She was able to complete the work for the April issue. (this magazine can be purchased at Barnes and Noble if anyone is be interested).  Estelle also shared, that she was approached again by Kennedy Publishing Company for their Best of American Artists ... drawings and landscapes book or books.  She said that she is not sure if it's one book or possibly two.  A couple of years ago Estelle was in their Best of American Watermedia Artists Book.  Estelle is very happy to have received these prestigious confirmations of her work.  She said  "it gives me a boost that I so need! "

Carroll County Altrusa is so very proud of Estelle and share our support and enthusiasm with her.

To view more about Estelle and her artistic work check out her web page  www.estellensmith.com

April is "Add and Altrusan" Month

Carroll County Altrusa hosted it's April meeting on the 16th.  Members received an e-invite with the suggestion that they invite family, friends and acquaintances to join them at the meeting.  This was a successful event.  There were seven guests who joined members. The membership committee created a reward for both guests and members who brought guests.  Each guest had their name entered into a basket for a drawing for a $25 Gift Certificate to Hannafords Grocery Store.  In turn, each member who brought a guest was entered into a drawing for a $25 reduction in membership dues.  It was a win-win for everyone.

The Communications Committee was responsible for the dinner and used the left over sauce and meatballs from the Spaghetti Supper fund raiser.  Dessert and Salad were served as well.
Nancy also created a gift for both members and guests.  It was a package of seeds with a promise to help grow Altrusa membership as a new member and as a mentor to new members.

Kathy & Terri while preparing dinner

Nancy & Lorraine setting up for dinner

Introductions all around

many guests and members interacting

After the dinner, Pat led us through our meeting.  It was election night.  The new board will be installed at the May meeting.  The new board is Pat Kehoe, President; JoAnne Hastings, Vice President; Cindy Hyatt, Secretary; Judy Yeary, Treasurer; Lisa Maggilio, Board member. Members who will remain on the board are Pam Beck, immediate past president; and Shelly Freburg and Lisa Sordi, board members who will serve one more year.  The nomination committee did a great job asking members to run for office and members were great in responding in the positive.  This reflects the commitment and enthusiasm of the Carroll County Altrusa club members.

The months of April and May are very busy for Altrusa.

Saturday the 14th, Members are volunteering at Starting Point. Their job will be to clean, set up and organize the barn that holds the items used to help the individuals from Starting point set up their own homes. 

Tuesday, April 24th the club is looking forward to the Tri-Club Birthday party hosted by Laconia Club at the Castle in the Clouds.  Astrological signs and fortunes will be told.

Thursday, April 26th, 7 members leave for the District One Conference hosted by the Greater Barre Club in Montpelier, Vt.

Sunday, April 29th is the Tamworth Civic News Mailing at Cathy's house.

Monday, April 30th is a membership Committee meeting at Nancy's house.

Wednesday, May 9th the board will meet at Shelly's house.

Wednesday, May 9th, members will help serve at a volunteer appreciation dinner at the Ossipee Congregational Church.

Saturday, May 12th members will serve breakfast and lunch to the Habitat for Humanity Women Build day in Fryburg, ME.

Monday, May 14th will be our initiation and installation dinner meeting hosted by the Community Service Committee.

Wednesday, May 16th will serve lunch to the volunteers at the volunteer appreciation luncheon at the Gibson Senior Center in North Conway.

Saturday, May 19th is the cement leaf workshop or make a bird house workshop held at Cathy's shop.

Friday, June 1st is the set up for the Cook Library and Altrusa Plant Sale

Saturday, June 2nd the annual Plant sale fund raiser co-sponsored by the Library and Altrusa.

Monday, June 11th the annual cook out will be held.

PHEW... there is a lot going on.  The good thing is that each member can decide where they can help out and we have enough members to make all of these events happen.

Carroll County Altrusa  certainly does partner service to others with fellowship.

Spaghetti Supper - March 31st, 2012

The dinner is over and we had almost 100% participation from our membership. 

 What a wonderful team Carroll County Altrusa is!

We served over 120 meals. We had lots of families, seniors, neighbors and friends in attendance. Everyone left with a full belly and comments were all positive.

The tables were beautifully set and Judi D.  loaned us some of her Italian decorations, so the hall was festive. Carol (who celebrated her birthday with us and her friends) did an excellent job decorating the walls.  With a little creative collaboration, there were also some very cute center pieces.  It's wonderful how the collective minds can be so creative.

The Dessert Table

 A special thank you goes out to Frank Hastings  ( www.mwgraphfx.com) who provided us with a delightful assortment of Italian music and his MC services.  A special thank you also to all the friends and families of Carroll County Altrusa members.  We appreciate your continued support.

Upcoming events include:

•  the Annual Perennial Plant sale held in conjunction with the Cook Library                           www.tamworthlibrary.org in Tamworth NH.  Saturday June 2nd (10 to 12)
• Habitat for Humanity "Women Build" ( www.mwv-habitat.org ), May 12th.  Altrusa will be serving breakfast and lunch to the women build team.
• Starting Point ( www.startingpointnh.org ).  Carroll County Altrusa has supported Starting Point with a financial contribution and plans to help with the cleaning out and setting up of their Supply Barn.

Anyone interested in learning more about membership in Carroll County Altrusa, come join us on Monday, April 16th for our "Add an Altrusan" meeting.  RSVP to carrollcountyaltrusa@yahoo.com Someone will contact you with the details.

Friday, March 30th - Never too many cooks in the kitchen

There are never too many cooks in the kitchen when Altrusans get together.  Today was cooking day.  Spaghetti sauce and meatballs were made.  Then spent the day simmering on the stove in preparation for the Spaghetti Supper on Saturday night, March 31st.  Tickets are still available and will be sold at the door (5PM to 7PM) and we hope to increase the number of guests.  Pricing is such that it is affordable for the whole family. Adult $7, Children $5, those under 3 $3.  Other members have been home baking up homemade desserts.  Come join Carroll County Altrusa celebrate Spring at our 2nd annual Spaghetti Supper.  Runnells Hall, Chocorua, NH (Rte113 & Rt16)

Cooks in the kitchen, Sue, Judy, Barbara, Cindy & Lorraine

Menu

Spaghetti Sauce

Meatballs,

Tossed Salad with dressing

Bakery rolls

Homemade desserts

Coffee, Tea, Lemonade

Hope to see you there!

Saturday, March 24th - Baby Book Bags & Helping Hands

Sometimes things just happen.  This week Pat K & Cindy had a phone call from a women they know, she was moving, but the home she was moving to was a mess, she didn't know how she could possibly get it ready by herself as she was physically unable to do the work.  The answer:  Carroll County Altrusa "Helping Hands". On Thursday,  Pat sent out an email to the members and had four responses, four members who had a couple of hours on Saturday and the willingness to Help.  This is what Altrusa is all about.

On Saturday the same morning, five other members were meeting to cut out and assemble Baby Book Bag kits.  Several years ago CC Altrusa and the Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth teamed up to create a project to promote literacy in young families.  It is a proven fact that reading skills lead the way to success in life.  Reading should start early.  These book bags are given to each family in Tamworth with a newborn.  In the book is a library card, an informational book about reading to infants, and a couple of books to start the family and the baby on their path of success. The library also includes a list of all the great programs the library offers to families and children.  www.tamworthlibrary.org

Baby Book Bags

The morning went by quickly and 16 kits were assembled.  Cathy was motivated and continued working on the bags and stitched two up in the afternoon.  Morning workers were Cindy, Lorraine, Evelyn and Barbara. (Cathy took the picture). As usual we had great discussions, some delicious chocolate, zucchini bread (recipe in the CC Chatter), some fresh fruit and coffee and tea.  It is pretty "cool" how we always get together, have fun and accomplish our mission.  That's how Altrusa works, at least here in Carroll County.

Hearthside Dinner - Remick County Doctor Farm Museum 3/19/2012

Although the calendar said March, it felt more like a summer night.  The evening started with a guided tour of the museum lead by Karen Sulewski.  There are really two parts to the museum which makes it quite unique.  The Farm is maintained with animals that would have been on any farm in the 1800's to current time.  Sheep, Pigs, Chickens, Cows, Goats, Horses; all had a purpose. The farm was self sustaining.  There are many educational programs especially geared to schools.  One can learn how to make soap, do laundry, pump water, cut ice, make maple syrup, plant a garden, gather eggs, care for animals, plow with horses, weave, and cook.

The 2nd part of the museum is the depiction of the Doctor's Remick (father and son) and the home that they lived and worked in.  The rooms are preserved as they were in the mid 1900's. The Doctors served the town of Tamworth for almost 100 years (combined).  The tools and equipment they used were pretty simple, but the practical approach to medicine was much appreciated by the citizens of Tamworth.

After the tour we entered the hearthside room.  This room has a huge open hearth fire place with a built in oven.  Erica Boynton was our hostess for the evening along with Karen and Andrea who helped us all learn how women would have prepared a meal in the early 1800's.  All of this was done in the fireplace.

Hostess, Erica

 THE MENU

Herb Roasted Turkey

Corn Bread & Sausage Dressing

Beef, Lamb, & Root Vegetable Pottage

Scalloped Cabbage

Sugared Winter Squash

Buttermilk Biscuits with Fresh Churned Butter

Assorted Pickles & Preserves

Maple Bread Pudding with Fresh Whipped Cream

Fresh Ground Coffee

Black Tea

Raspberry Shrub

Members gathered around three workstations that had been set up.  One table had butter making, whip cream making,  coffee grinding (by hand) and Raspberry Shrub making.  A second table had buttermilk biscuit making and bread pudding assembly.  The third table was stew making, stuffing making, cabbage and squash prep.  Everything was placed in different "Spiders" which are cast iron pans with covers.  The stew was hung over the open fire as well as the squash.  The cabbage, biscuits and bread pudding were placed in these pans and then coals were raked out and the spiders (with legs) were set on the coals and then coals were placed on top of the lids to create an oven affect. It was remarkable how quickly things cooked.

Erica explaining sugared squash and scalloped cabbage

President Pam, Board member Sue and Soon to be member, Ruth making Shrub

Guest Shannon, Board member Shelly and newest member Lisa making stuffing

Jan, Judy and Gail making butter and whipped cream - the old fashioned way

Everyone was busy watching and helping

After everything was prepped it was placed in the fireplace.

Dinner is cooking

As can be seen in the above photo, everything is cooking in the pots above and on the hearth.  We all appreciated what these early women had to do to prepare a meal for their family.  It was especially appreciated when we considered how hot it was in that kitchen.

Dinner is cooked and Erica explains 1800's manners

 Besides have 23 of our 27 members in attendance, we enjoyed the company of 6 guests.
They are pictured below with their hostesses.

Guest Deb with Nancy, Erica, Guest Shannon with Shelly, Carol with Guest Priscilla

Pam with her guest Dorothy

Lisa with her guest Christine

Soon to be member Ruth with her sponsor Sue

After dinner was finished, Pam held a quick meeting to review all of the projects coming up.  Spaghetti Supper Fund Raiser (March 31st), Mail for Me (Literacy Project), Habitat for Humanity (May 12th - Breakfast and Lunch), Gibson Center Volunteer Luncheon, Tri-Club Birthday Party (April 24th), Just for Fun Game night (April 5th), Spring Conference (April 27th & 28th), Bird house project, Cement leaf project (May 19th), Book bags for Babies (March 24th), Plant sale (June 2nd) Financial support of Starting Point, Camper scholarships to Tin Mountain and Remick Farm. Phew! There is a lot going on.

A special thank you goes out to the Remick Museum and especially to Erica and her staff.  The dinner was so much fun and it was so delicious. We would encourage anyone who has not been to take a morning and visit the museum.  Bring the kids and grandkids, there is a lot to see and do. Check out their website to see the programs offered as well summer camp options.  Join and receive discounts on items in the gift shop and on items produced at the farm. 

http://www.remickmuseum.org/