Supporting the Laura Foundation at Halloween Town

On Saturday, October 21st, members of the Altrusa of Carroll County Club volunteered to work at the Halloween Town fundraiser to help raise funds for the Laura Foundation for Autism and Epilepsy.  We sold hot chocolate, cider and other drinks at two booths, worked the rides and ran errands to make this fundraiser a success.  And it was fun!! Some of us wore wacky costumes and got into the spirit of the event while greeting happy families and excited children.  And it worked! The Laura Foundation raised approximately $46,000 to provide therapeutic programs to children in the area.  Below are photos of just a few of our members who volunteered - I didn't get photos of everyone.

Making Strides Against Cancer

Altrusa of Carroll County Team

On Sunday, October 15th Altrusa of Carroll County had an energetic team of walkers join the Making Strides Against Cancer Walk to raise funds to support the battle against breast cancer.  A second team of members, Marsha Brown, Pat McCoy and Ellen Andreano, worked the registration desk to help the event run smoothly.  As of today, our team has raised $1,564.00 to contribute!

Summer Fun at Wells

A small group of Altrusans escaped to the beach at Wells, ME in August for some sun and fun with wonderful friends.

Tamworth Street Fair Festivities

It was a fun day at the Tamworth Street Fair. Altrusa gave away children’s books and cookies. We met a lot of nice people and talked about what Altrusa does in Carroll County. Thank you to Cathy B and Diane for setting up. Cathy Sholtanis, Judy Taylor and Cindy Hyatt for “manning” the booth and to Thelma for organizing and reminding all of us to show up. As always many hands make light work. A special thank you to those who provided cookies; they were a big hit. We were at the fair mainly to introduce Altrusa to people who might not know who we were. We even received some nice donations. So it was a Happy Day.

Cathy Sholtanis reported that "It was such fun! We passed out lots of cookies and information about Altrusa, along with somewhere around 50 or maybe even 60 books. We even had one woman from Sydney, Australia, who took a pamphlet so she would have information about Altrusa. We weren't sure if there was a chapter in Australia, but, if not, there may soon be! Everyone we spoke to was very impressed with the work we do."  


 

Altrusa Internation Convention 2017 - Nashville

Four members of our Club traveled to Nashville TN to attend the 100th Birthday Celebration and International Convention of Altrusa International.  It was a remarkable 3-day event with 650 Altrusans from all over the world.  Representatives of the clubs in India, New Zealand, Canada and every state in the Union were there providing insight into the broad sweep of Altrusa service.  The keynote speakers were interesting, the food delicious, and the Grand Ole Opry performance amazing.  Altrusa even had a special welcome on the big screen at the Opry!  We toured the city of Nashville, the Ryman Auditorium (original Opry House), the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the botanical gardens at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.  We have many photos and look forward to sharing our experiences.

Tootsie and Eleanor Roosevelt (aka Pat and Nancy) at the costume party at the Sheraton Music City.

Carroll County Club members at the Ryman Auditorium with the statue of musician "Little Jimmy Dickens"

District One members on costume night - with our 100 "glasses".

Members of the Carroll County Club and the Quebec City Club enjoying drinks in the hotel garden.

District One members, including 3 past-governors, at the banquet.

About 500 Altrusans attended the Grand Ole Opry performance on Saturday.

Scholarship to Tin Mountain Summer Camp

Donna Dolan of Tin Mountain accepting the donation from Altrusa of Carroll County.

In June our Club donated $150 to Tin Mountain Conservation summer camps for a scholarship for a needy child.  This will enable a child to enjoy the outdoors and learn about environmental stewardship here in the White Mountains.

International Scholarship Award

Through our member, Cathy Baybutt and her cousin, Peter Duston, we learned the story of Bishmita Dahal of Budhatum, Nepal.  Fourteen-year-old Bishmita will be leaving her home, devastated by earthquake, to study at Washington Academy in East Machias, Maine.  Washington Academy is providing a full academic scholarship to Bishmita based on merit- a strong academic record, her excellent English skills and motivation to study medicine.  However, medical insurance and travel expenses are not covered by her scholarship.  In June, Altrusa of Carroll County awarded Bishmita a $500 scholarship to assist with these costs and awarded an additional $500 grant to the small school in her village which had been destroyed in the earthquake.  We have recently learned that this grant will be used to install a toilet in the school.  We will continue to share Bishmita's story and progress at school.

Children in Budhatum, Nepal.

Celebration of New Member and Board Installation

At a lovely dinner at Remick Farm Museum on June 12th, our Club welcomed our newest member, Beth Wheatley Dyson, and installed Lisa Maggiolo as Treasurer and Ellen Andreano as Board member.  Good food, much laughter and wonderful Altrusa friendships made it a special evening.

Kathy, Beth, Nancy, Barb and Cathy

Barb, Peg, Lisa, new Treasurer, Ellen, new Board member, Nancy

Plant Sale a Success!

On a bright and sunny Saturday, June 3rd, Altrusa of Carroll County worked with the Friends of the Cook Library in Tamworth selling perennial plants and books.  As one of our major fundraisers in which we partner with the Cook Memorial Library, we were happy that business was brisk.  The Calendar Raffle was also a success and Diane will have final numbers for us soon.  Many thanks to the Library for hosting this sale, and many thanks to our members who worked hard digging, potting and selling.

Donna, Beth, Diane and Kathy ready for business.

Plant Sale and Planters

Our annual Plant Sale and fundraiser is planned for Saturday, June 3rd at the Cook Memorial Library in Tamworth Center.  Many members have been digging and potting perennials and today a small group worked on making 12 cement planters which will be offered for sale.  Diane Robinson got everyone organized, bought the mortar mix and taught a small group of us how to make these popular planters.  Don't forget to come to the Plant and Book Sale on June 3rd - and bring a friend!

Ruth Stevens, Lisa Maggiolo, Cindy Hyatt, Pat Kehoe up to their elbows in burlap and cement.

Diane Robinson, Master Mortar Mixer!

Habitat for Humanity Women's Build

At this annual event, Altrusa of Carroll County provides breakfast and lunch for the hard-working women and men at the Habitat for Humanity Women's Build.  This year 40 women and 10 men came to work at the build site in Madison at Sokokis Pines.  On this bright sunny day, the work crew framed the walls and began sheathing them.  Our lunch was enthusiastically received, especially the cookies!  Many thanks to all those who baked and served and the Community Market who helped to provide the food.

Marsha Brown, Beth Dyson, Sue Battles, Kathy Somerville setting up at the build site.

Sue Battles, Ruth Stevens, Pat Kehoe setting up lunch.

Builders enjoying a great lunch!

Serving at the Gibson Senior Center

We volunteered to help the volunteers!  On May 11th the Gibson Senior Center provided a "Thank You Luncheon" for all of their Meals-On-Wheels, Thrift Store, Servers and other volunteers.  It was a special event for which our members volunteered to help and serve this special luncheon.  Attending was our own Kathy Laracy with her husband Rich who deliver Meals-On-Wheels and, as many of our Altrusans do, provide community service in many ways.

Kathy Somerville, Kathy Laracy, Lorraine Streeter, Linda Armstrong

Servers Lisa, Kathy, Lorraine and Linda

Fun at District One Conference

          Mystic, CT was a beautiful location for our District One 61st Annual conference, organized by the NE Connecticut Club.  Six of our club members attended and enjoyed the keynote speakers and the breakout workshop sessions.  Ideas and service projects were happily shared among attendees.  At the Saturday banquet, Anne Rash was installed as District One Governor along with other Board members.

     We also spent a sunny afternoon at Historic Mystic Seaport touring a whaling ship, a Viking longboat, historic schooner, and village craft demonstrations.  The wonderful guides told great stories and answered our many questions.  We even saw the Mayflower II being repaired.
     But the best part was the camaraderie we found among friends with a common purpose.  The talents of the women in Altrusa are what makes this Organization special.  We look forward to next year's Conference in Portland, Maine.

Lisa with Leanne Milligan of New Zealand, International President-Elect

Carroll County Club members congratulating Anne Rash as new Governor.

Carroll County Club members enjoyed time with the Meredith Club members.

Mystic Seaport was an interesting and beautiful spot.

A Birthday Party Bash!

On Tuesday, April 11, 2017 Altrusa of Carroll County hosted a Birthday Party to celebrate the founding of the 3 New Hampshire Clubs of Laconia, Meredith and Carroll County as well as the founding of Altrusa on April 11, 1917.  We were so glad that 40 people could join us at the River's Edge Tavern in Ossipee, NH.   Our District Board members, who traveled quite a distance and were able to attend were:  Anne Rash, Governor-elect;  Susannah Leslie, Past Governor; Ann Marie Snyer, Past Governor and Past International Foundation President; Adrienne Stevens, Past Governor; Monica Bennett, Director.

Many thanks to our Hospitality Committee, chaired by Cindy Hyatt, and our hard-working members who did a wonderful job planning and organizing the dinner and evening.  Thanks also to Kathy Laracy and her crew who made all the decorations and to Gayle Kelley who purchased prizes and created the Fish Pond of Prizes.

The evening gave us a chance to have fun all while celebrating the 100 years of service projects Altrusans have accomplished.  The longest-running service project by Altrusans is the Day Nursery in Battle Creek, Michigan established in 1923 by the Altrusa Club of Battle Creek and to this day Altrusans from that Club volunteer at the Day Nursery and are members of the managing Board.

Happy Birthday Altrusa!

Welcome to our newest members

Altrusa of Carroll County extends a warm welcome to our two newest members, Donna West and Ellen Andreano.  These energetic women have jumped right in and are participating in many of our service projects.

Judy, Donna, Ellen and Lisa

Pond Hockey Fundraiser

On January 28th and 29th Altrusa of Carroll County supported the Laura Foundation for Autism and Epilepsy at their Pond Hockey Festival fundraiser.  The second annual Youth Pond Hockey Festival was held at Purity Lake in East Madison on bright and sunny days, both Saturday and Sunday morning.    Our Club members worked selling breakfast and lunch food on both days, with all the proceeds going to support the Laura Foundation.  The Laura Foundation provides funding to develop therapeutic recreation and educational programs that enrich the quality of life of individuals with autism and/or seizure disorders.

Donna and Diane working in the food tent.

We're on the Radio!

In conjunction with our fundraiser at Brandli's Restaurant, Altrusa was able to have several Public Service Announcements broadcast by WMWV, our local radio station.  Two of our members, Cathy Sholtanis and Cathy Baybutt were also interviewed for a "Drive-Time" radio program which gave them an opportunity to showcase Altrusa of Carroll County and our service projects.

Successful Fundraiser at Brandli's

On Friday, January 20th, Brandli's Pizza hosted a "Dine to Donate" event to support Altrusa of Carroll County.  Owner Ken Janis generously donated a percentage of all sales, all day, to our Club's literacy programs.  Many of our members stopped in for lunch and more came for dinner and enjoyed delicious food and great camaraderie.   Thank you to Ken and his staff!

Welcome to our new member

On January 9th we initiated our new member, Ellen Andreano, and welcome her to our active group.  She immediately had an opportunity to help with our up-coming service projects, including helping The Laura Foundation for Autism and Epilepsy, End 68-hours of Hunger, the Dinner Bell and making cookies for the elderly in our local nursing homes.  Our members serve in many ways!

Ellen with her sponsor, Cheryl.

Christmas Party for Foster Families

On December 10th Altrusa of Carroll County collaborated with DCYF to host a Christmas Party for the foster families in Carroll County.  With approximately 65 guests, the gym at the Madison Elementary School was humming.  The children had opportunities to decorate cookies, build with Legos, create art work, have faces painted and nails decorated.  To add to the festivities there was plenty of hot chocolate and treats to eat.  But the best part was when Santa arrived!  Altrusa provided every child with a new book and a beanie baby toy to bring home.

Club members who helped to host the party.

The cookie decorating table.