Book Club Gathering

It was so wonderful to be able to meet in person again! Eleven of us gathered in Joyce Kozeliski's lovely home for a lively discussion on her book selection: “The Personal Librarian” by Marie Benedict. (To view a 5-minute interview with the authors, click here.)

We were thrilled that Beth Herbert and Judy Trautwein participated in the conversation, as our honored guests.

The next gathering will be Wednesday, May 4 at Annette Oakley's home, when we discuss her selection: “The Last Midwife” by Sandra Dallas.

Questions or comments about our book club may be directed to Vicky Hughes via email or text.

Molly McDermott's PhD Public Talk

 

Molly McDermott Giving Public Talk at CU-Boulder and On Zoom

Molly McDermott's Acknowledgements of Groups Sponsoring Her Educational Journey

$150,000 in Grants

Some of our Sisters were able to Zoom in, as Molly gave her public talk about her work on her PhD dissertation at The University of Colorado Boulder today. It was a privilege for our chapter to sponsor and encourage her on her journey. She was a P.E.O. Scholar Award recipient in 2020.

In-person Executive Board Meeting Today!

 

The officers of P.E.O. Chapter JI met at Annette Oakley's home for their first-ever in-person Executive Board meeting today. Previous meetings had been held via Zoom, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

So many exciting things are being planned! Stay tuned!

Surprise Puppy Shower for Annette Oakley's New Puppy

 
Annette Oakley Opening Presents for Ms. Pepper

Specially Decorated "People" Cookies

Ms. Pepper with One of Her New Toys

Adorable Ms. Pepper

Judy Lawrence Playing with Ms. Pepper

Hostess Maggie McDonnell had the fun idea to surprise Annette with a "puppy shower" today! And Annette seemed to be really surprised!

Thanks to Jim Oakley, Ms. Pepper made an appearance at her shower. She appeared happy to get to know everyone. And everyone was delighted to spend time with this energetic, playful, loving puppy!

Maggie's Fabulous Irish Tea on St. Patrick's Day 2022

Maggie McDonnell's Irish Tea:

Irish Soda Bread with Whipped Butter and Jam

Scones with Devonshire Cream

Frittatas -- Assortment of Cheeses, Fruit

Irish Breakfast Tea

Coffee with Assortment of Special "Add-ins" (including Jameson's Irish Whiskey)

Delicious Scones

Yummy Frittatas -- Assorted Cheeses, Fruit

Background (L-R): Roberta Meyer, Maggie McDonnell (Our Hostess)
Annette Oakley with her new puppy, Ms. Pepper
Judy Lawrence, Linda Petroff

Foreground: Belinda Alkula

(Picture Taken by Jim Oakley)

Maggie McDonnell hosted a most marvelous Irish Tea for members of her small group, the Petroff Quarterly Connections Group. And they were kind enough to extend an invitation to Belinda Alkula. 

What a delight it was to enjoy one another's company, in the comfort of Maggie's lovely home.

It was fun to surprise Annette with a "puppy shower!" Pictures for that are in the next blog post. Annette's husband Jim was kind enough to transport Ms. Pepper to Maggie's home, so we could enjoy her energetic, loving spirit. And we appreciate him taking our group photo! 

The blessings "bowl" was passed. Judy Lawrence and Maggie McDonnell are thrilled about the arrival of their new family member, Joelle Skye Messinger, born last Friday, March 11th. Annette is thrilled by the addition of Ms. Pepper to her family. And the rest of us expressed our gratitude and relief that we could finally meet in person and enjoy one another's company! Everyone thanked Maggie for her fabulous Irish Tea! 

Celebrating the Arrival of Joelle Skye Messinger

Judy Lawrence with Joelle Skye Messinger (born March 11, 2022)

Message from Maggie McDonnell:

My mother became a great-grandmother for a third time last Friday, March 11th. Joelle Skye Messinger was born to Connor (her oldest grandson) and Leah in Longmont. This makes my sister a first-time grandma and me a great-auntie. 🧡

Assistance for Ukrainian Women and Children

 

Message from Jill Hyde:

As I mentioned after our chapter meeting today, Jan and I have a niece who lives in Istanbul, Turkey. She was an ELF recipient when we were in Chapter GB. She completed her education in Poland and has since married and lives/works in Istanbul. Many refugees from Ukraine are going to Istanbul to settle. Being the humanitarian she is, our niece has joined an international group to assist these women and children coming across the border. 

So many of us want to help, somehow, someway, during this crisis. She and her friends are spending their own money right now to help these refugees get the basics for their new homes and are committed to keeping us informed on how they are helping them. If you are on Facebook, her name is Octavia Ryz, and you can read more about her. 

They are inviting people to partner with them and support their efforts by donating to DonorBox (similar to GoFundMe). Thank you, in advance, for your consideration to support them. 

To learn more about this effort and provide financial support, please click here.

Growth Committee Meets Today

Top Left of Picture: Hostess Annette Oakley (wearing scarf)

Clockwise: Kathie Burson, Roberta Meyer, Vicky Hughes, Geneva Fisher, Jan Smith
Photo Taken by Belinda Alkula

Foreground: Hostess Annette Oakley

Clockwise: Kathie Burson, Roberta Meyer, Vicky Hughes, Geneva Fisher, Jan Smith
Photo Taken by Belinda Alkula

"Pepper" Oakley

Growth Committee Co-chair, Annette Oakley, invited members of the committee into her lovely home today to discuss committee business. We were treated to an assortment of teas, scones, and fruit. And we were introduced to Annette's new puppy, Ms. Pepper! 

It was a productive meeting. Stay tuned for this committee's report during our next chapter meeting, March 16th!

Revised Book Club Schedule

P.E.O. Chapter JI Book Club -- 2022 Schedule

Mar 30: Hostess Joyce Kozeliski – “The Personal Librarian” by Marie Benedict

To see a 5-minute interview with the authors, click here.

May 4: Hostess Annette Oakley – “The Last Midwife” by Sandra Dallas
Jun 1: Hostess Vicky Hughes – “An Invisible Thread” 

                                                    by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski
Jul: No book club meeting due to vacations.
Aug 3: Hostess Annie Gaddy – Book to be determined.
Sep 7: Hostess Tanya Lynn – “The Maid: A Novel” by Nita Prose
Oct 5: Hostess Maggie McDonnell – “Violeta: A Novel” by Isabel Allende
Nov 2: Hostess Cindy Weber – Book to be determined.
Dec ?: Undecided

Stay tuned for updates about location of meetings, i.e., either via Zoom or at the hostess’ home. Questions or comments about our book club may be directed to Vicky Hughes via email or text.

Audit Committee Approves Treasurer's Books

 

Selfie Taken by President Belinda Alkula
L-R: Annie Gaddy, Joyce Kozeliski, Jill Hyde (Hostess), Tanya Lynn

P.E.O. Chapter JI's treasurer, Jill Hyde, invited us into her lovely home this afternoon, for the purpose of auditing the chapter's 2021-2022 financial records. Of course, everything was in order. We really do have a most-marvelous treasurer! 

Additionally, we were able to take the opportunity to complete the required annual reports, so they will be dispatched in tomorrow's post -- well in advance of our March 10th deadline. We really are "Just Incredible!" 

In-person Book Club Gathering Today

 

Linda Petroff served as the hostess for today's book club gathering. She invited Sisters into her lovely home to discuss her book choice, 

“The Judge’s List” by John Grisham. 

The next one will be March 30th at the home of Joyce Kozeliski. She will lead the discussion on her book selection, “The Personal Librarian” by Marie Benedict.

"Group Fisher" -- Quarterly Connection Gathering

Group Captain Geneva Fisher invited the Sisters in her group to her lovely home for a wonderful time of great conversation and delicious teatime treats!

Kathie Burson, Lyn Dwornik and Belinda Alkula were so grateful to Geneva for her gracious hospitality. The blessing basket was circulated. Each Sister remarked that it was "medicinal" to be together, in person, and to enjoy one another's company! (We missed Marguerite Lipton and Mary Jean Cardinale. We hope they will be able to join us at our next small-group quarterly connections' gathering.)