Dramatic Increase of COVID-19 Cases in Boulder County

 

For Immediate Release 12/27/2021 Media Contact Shawn Hollister, 303-441-4579 shollister@bouldercounty.org

Increased Demand for COVID-19 Testing Leads to Long Wait Times in Boulder County Boulder County, CO - Cases of COVID-19 have risen dramatically over the last week, likely caused by the Omicron variant, creating a significant increase in demand for testing.  Between Dec. 15 and Dec. 22, the number of tests administered increased by 332% at the Stazio community testing site in Boulder and 238% at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont.  Boulder County Public Health urges community members seeking testing to plan ahead, exercise patience and expect delays. “Positive cases of COVID-19 in Boulder County have risen nearly 160% in the last week. As a result, we have seen a huge uptick in demand for tests, creating long lines and significant wait times. Unfortunately, we expect extended wait times to continue throughout the holidays. We are aware of the delays and are working with our partners to remedy the situation and ensure a positive experience at community testing sites,” said Chris Campbell, Boulder County Public Health Emergency Management Coordinator.

Lunch Outing December 29th -- POSTPONED (Decision Made 12/27/21)

 

"Quarterly Connections Group Petroff" had planned a lunch outing at LuLu's BBQ in Louisville on Wednesday, December 29th, starting at 1:00 p.m.

Group Captain Linda Petroff had invited all the Sisters in our chapter to join in the fun! 

However, today the decision was made to postpone it. Since folks have been travelling and spending time over the Christmas holiday with people outside their normal "bubble," out of an abundance of caution, it was decided to NOT meet this week. We will wait to see how the COVID-19 numbers are looking in a few weeks.

Thank You from the President, P.E.O. Chapter JI

 

What a delightful surprise! The Executive Board of the P.E.O. Chapter JI graced me with this lovely gift bag today, complete with a lovely card, engraved mirrored bowl, and a gorgeous silver necklace with festive baubles ... and ... another set of interchangeable baubles. Wow! I am overwhelmed with these beautiful gifts!

It has been an honor to serve as the president of P.E.O. Chapter JI this past year. And I look forward to our working together in 2022, as we lovingly support one another ... and continue our work to do all we can to provide educational opportunities for women. 🧡

Lovingly in P.E.O.,

Belinda Alkula

Lunch Outing December 29th -- POSTPONED (Decision Made 12/27/21)

 

"Quarterly Connections Group Petroff" has planned a lunch outing at LuLu's BBQ in Louisville on Wednesday, December 29th, starting at 1:00 p.m.

Group Captain Linda Petroff invites all the Sisters in our chapter to join in the fun! Please R.S.V.P. to Linda if you are planning to attend.

New Book Club News

The next book club gathering will be one week later than usual. It will be Wednesday, January 12, 2022, starting at 10:00 a.m. "The plan" is to meet at our hostess Cindy Weber's home ...  if the COVID-19 numbers aren't perilously high (after folks gather together for holiday celebrations). Having it one week later, gives us more time to assess how the numbers are looking. Also, it gives us one extra week to get the book read. We will discuss "The Rose Code," by Kate Quinn.

February 2nd, we will discuss hostess Tanya Lynn's book selection, "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo." The decision to meet in person at her home or via Zoom will be made at a later date.

2021 Holiday Social

L-R: Maggie McDonnell, Belinda Alkula, Joyce Kozeliski, Jill Hyde, Linda Petroff, Geneva Fisher, Annie Gaddy, Kathie Burson ... and Tanya Lynn, Annette Oakley

 

L-R: Annette Oakley, Marylee Zurick (standing), Maggie McDonnell, Belinda Alkula, Joyce Kozeliski, Jill Hyde

L-R: Joyce Kozeliski, Jill Hyde, Linda Petroff, Annie Gaddy

L-R: Kathie Burson, Roberta Meyer, Jan Smith, Cindy Weber

L-R: Jan Smith, Tanya Lynn (standing), Cindy Weber

Foreground: Our Host Jan Smith

Background, L-R: Annie Gaddy, Jill Hyde

L-R: Marylee Zurick, Geneva Fisher, Joyce Kozeliski, Jill Hyde

We had a great time at this year's holiday social, hosted by Jan Smith! Every year, Jan opens her lovely home to the Sisters in our chapter, and we are so very grateful for her gracious generosity!

Before we ate, we recited together this mealtime affirmation, written by Lila Herrmann, and a prayer.

Affirmation for Mealtime:

I am thankful, grateful, and blessed for the people in my life.

I am thankful, grateful, and blessed for the purpose in my life.

I am thankful, grateful, and blessed for the joy in my life.

I am thankful, grateful, and blessed every day of my life.

Prayer: 

Oh, Holy God, we thank you for the food before us, the friends beside us, the love between us, and Your Presence among us. Amen.

You can see from the presents on the table that we took gifts to be exchanged. And, again this year, there was some gift-stealing involved in a spirited game where each gift that was unwrapped could be kept or exchanged for someone else's gift. The rule is that each gift could be stolen twice, and it then resided with the Sister who stole it the second time.

2021 Holiday Social Prep

 

L-R in Foreground: Cindy Weber, Annette Oakley / L-R in Background: Maggie McDonnell, Jill Hyde

L-R: Jill Hyde, Maggie McDonnell

Many thanks to our Sisters who catered our amazing holiday luncheon which included fabulous soup made by Maggie McDonnell; an assortment of crackers; a meat, cheese, and fruit board; and a stellar assortment of homemade cookies and shortbread! We enjoyed choices of a sparkling fruit punch, hot tea, coffee, and bottled water. Additionally, in front of our place settings at the table, we delighted to see an assortment of nuts and chocolates, which we were encouraged to sample ... with the "holiday guarantee" that they were calorie-free. (Ho, ho, ho!)

Great Visit with Judy Trautwein!

 

L-R: Judy Trautwein, Karen Lockwood, Annette Oakley, Linda Petroff  -- Picture taken by Belinda Alkula ... (Unfortunately, Kathie Burson and Jan Smith had already departed.)

Today, a few of our Sisters met Judy Trautwein at Express Vino by Brewing Market in Lafayette! Judy just moved from Columbus, Nebraska, where she was actively involved in P.E.O. It was fun to visit with her and share stories about how each of us migrated to Colorado. We hope we see her again ... soon! 🧡

Message from P.E.O. International

 

Support the P.E.O. projects and earn special recognition for your chapter! Chapters interested in participating in any of the chapter recognition programs must have their donations and paperwork submitted to their state/provincial/district chapter by January 31, 2022, to be included in the spring selections.

Tis the Season!

L-R: Marylee Zurick, Jill Hyde

Our Sisters Marylee and Jill were seen sporting festive holiday hats!

Happy Holidays!

Colorado Executive Board's Virtual Holiday Happy Hour

The Colorado P.E.O. Executive Board hosted a virtual holiday happy hour tonight. Jill Hyde and Belinda Alkula represented our P.E.O. Chapter JI. For 45 minutes, we shared our favorite holiday traditions with one another. It was great fun!