Holiday Greetings from Our President

Dear Sisters,

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas weekend! May the smiles, laughter, time with family, friends, cookies, yummy food bring joy & peace to your hearts!

Cheers to a happy, healthy 2024, when we all continue to be JUST INCREDIBLE!

Love, Annette 💗

White Chocolate Peppermint Blondies -- Recipe

At this week's chapter gathering at Deborah and Sarah Raessler's home, they served the most amazing holiday confections! Several sisters asked for the recipe for this one. They graciously agreed to share it with us!

WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BLONDIES

Blondies:
1 cup salted butter, softened (plus more for greasing a pan)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
½ tsp. salt
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup white chocolate chips
1 cup coarsely crushed peppermint candies (divided)

Icing:

2 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup salted butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
¼ tsp. peppermint extract
2-3 Tbsp. heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 13x9 inch baking pan with butter. Line the pan with parchment paper, allowing paper to extend over edges of pan. Grease the paper.

Prepare blondies. Combine butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until well combined (about 3 minutes). Add eggs, one at a time, beating until combined after each addition. Beat in vanilla and salt. Add flour; beat on low speed just until combined (1-2 minutes). Stir in white chocolate chips and ½ cup of the crushed peppermints, reserving the remaining crushed peppermints.

Spread the batter in a prepared pan; smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in a preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean (20-22 minutes). Cool completely in the pan. Lift blondies from the pan using parchment paper as handles. Remove and discard the paper; trim the browned edges.

Prepare icing. Combine powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and peppermint extract in medium bowl; beat on medium speed until smooth. Beat in 2 tablespoons of the cream. Add up to one additional tablespoon cream, if necessary, until icing reaches a spreadable consistency. Spread the icing over top of the blondies. Sprinkle with reserved crushed peppermints. Cut into 2-inch squares; cut squares into triangles.

Gathering for Lunch, Program, Chapter Meeting

 
Background Left, Circling Around to the Right: Cindy Weber, Jill Hyde, Host Deborah Raessler, (Group at Dining Room Table in background), Marguerite Lipton, Jan Smith, Joyce Kozeliski -- (Photo taken by Belinda Alkula)

End of Table (left), Circling L-R (Background to Foreground): Tanya Lynn, Host Sarah Raessler (in red, obscured), Maggie McDonnell, Kathie Burson, Annie Gaddy, Linda Petroff, Mary Jean Cardinale, Annette Oakley, Mary Kay Durbin -- (Photo taken by Belinda Alkula)

L-R: Annette Oakley, Marguerite Lipton, Mary Jean Cardinale, Cindy Weber

(Photo taken by Belinda Alkula)

L-R (Background, Circling Around to Foreground): Joyce Kozeliski (describing her ornament), Tanya Lynn (in purple, obscured), Annie Gaddy, Jill Hyde, Jan Smith, Kathie Burson, Mary Kay Durbin, Host Deborah Raessler -- (Photo taken by Belinda Alkula)

Deborah and Sarah Raessler invited us into their lovely home for today's gathering, where we were warmly received and treated to a myriad of delectable homemade cookies, treats, and libations!

It was wonderful to see the Raessler's holiday decorations on full display! Their Christmas tree was adorned with beautiful ornaments, each with a special story as to why it was treasured and honored with a dedicated place on the tree.

Deborah Raessler orchestrated a wonderful program! Mary Kay Durbin and Deborah played the piano in the living room, as we sang Christmas carols. (Each sister had been asked to take an ornament from her Christmas tree to the gathering, where she would be invited to share why it was special to her.) As we heard each sister share memories connected to her treasured ornament, we could feel our bond of sisterhood strengthening. 

The chapter meeting was chock full of exciting news, as always. We so appreciate our officers' imaginative, creative leadership! Exciting things are planned for 2024! 

Our P.E.O. Chapter JI continues to be Just Incredible! 💗

Holiday Luncheon

 

Foreground (L-R): Maggie McDonnell, Sarah Raessler, Cindy Schreiber Huxley, Marguerite Lipton, Vicky Hughes, Cindy Weber

Background (L-R): Annie Gaddy, Kathie Burson, Jill Hyde, Geneva Fisher, Tanya Lynn, Jan Smith, Wendy Ahrendt, Mary Kay Durbin, Linda Petroff, Belinda Alkula, Joyce Kozeliski, Annette Oakley, Deborah Raessler, Debbie Yates

(Photo taken by BIL Phil Smith)

The Chapter Officers Table

Foreground (L-R): Kathie Burson, Joyce Kozeliski, Geneva Fisher

Background (L-R): Tanya Lynn, Annette Oakley, Jill Hyde, Jan Smith

(Photo taken by Deborah Raessler)

 

L-R: Vicky Hughes, Cindy Weber, Marguerite Lipton, Belinda Alkula, Debbie Yates

(Photo taken by Tanya Lynn)

L-R: Wendy Ahrendt, Mary Kay Durbin, Linda Petroff, Maggie McDonnell, Sarah Raessler, Cindy Schreiber Huxley

(Photo taken by Tanya Lynn)

L-R: Jan Smith, Wendy Ahrendt, Joyce Kozeliski, Deborah Raessler

(Photo taken by Annette Oakley)

Foreground (L-R): Deborah Raessler, Annie Gaddy, Wendy Ahrendt, Mary Kay Durbin

Background (L-R): Annette Oakley, Kathie Burson, Joyce Kozeliski, Geneva Fisher, Jill Hyde, Jan Smith

(Photo taken by Tanya Lynn)

Today, we gathered at the lovely home of Jan and Phil Smith. We really appreciate their gracious generosity in opening their home for chapter gatherings! The members of our chapter's Communications Committee provided a delicious luncheon. 

We enjoyed good food, good conversation, and a spirited "gift-exchange" game (involving each sister choosing whether to keep the one she unwrapped or steal someone else's $20 gift). A fun time was had by all in attendance!

Donations to Sister Carmen Community Center

 

Jill Hyde's SUV Loaded with 461 Pounds of Donations from Our Sisters!

(Picture Taken by Belinda Alkula)

Sister Carmen Community Center Staff/Volunteers Welcome Donations!

(Picture Taken by Jill Hyde)

From Jill Hyde: WOW, that was fun -- I dropped off 461 pounds of donations for the Sister Carmen Community Center! I can't tell you how many times I heard, "this is awesome; wow, what a fantastic donation; and THANK YOU!"

From President Annette Oakley: 

Dear JI Sisters, who are not only Just Incredible, but very generous,  

Thank you, Jill Hyde, Joyce Kozeliski, and Jan Smith, for coming up with the Turkey Trot Thanksgiving food/supplies donation idea for Sister Carmen.  

Jill shared her business card with the director and a volunteer (returning to school) who might just qualify for the ELF.

Chapter Meeting Today

Meeting at Maggie McDonnell's Home

(Photo Taken by Belinda Alkula)

President Annette Oakley -- Leading the Meeting

(Photo Taken by Belinda Alkula)

Kathie Burson, Co-chair, Growth Committee -- Reporting Our Chapter Just Became a Partner in Peace Match, Along with 5 Other P.E.O. Chapters, to Support and Encourage a PhD Candidate in Nursing at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst

 (Photo Taken by Belinda Alkula)

Introducing Khadijat Adeleye from Nigeria

International Peace Scholarship (IPS) Fund Recipient -- Award Year: 2023

Probable Date of Graduation: 09/01/2027

Partners in Peace (PIP) Chapter: P.E.O. Chapter JI

Recording Secretary Geneva Fisher -- 

Reading Proclamation of How Just Incredible Our Operations Committee Members Are!

(Photo Taken by Belinda Alkula)

Today's Chapter Program -- Recapping Information Shared at Recent Fundraising Workshop

 

L-R: Joyce Kozeliski and Jan Smith, Co-chairs, Chapter Operations Committee

Adding Recaps on Daisy Petals During Today's Chapter Gathering

(Photo Taken by Belinda Alkula)

Photo Taken by Jan Smith

Recaps from Fundraising Workshop, November 4, 2023

Create – Don’t Fix

Baby Steps to Mountain (Our Goal)

Find Our “Thing”

(Have a) Collective Vision

Research How to Educate (About Our Goal)

Elevator Speech (Refine It)

Program Recurring Fundraising Events

(Have a) Year-long Plan

Involve Women-owned Businesses

Fundraising Fatigue (Be Aware)

Back-to-school Fundraiser (Annual Fund-raising Event)

Ask People (Women and Men)

Think “Outside the Box” (e.g., Painting Birdhouses/Rocks Fundraiser)

Fundraising Event of the Year: Lunch and Speaker's Workshop on Fundraising (Part 1)

Photo taken by BIL Charles Alkula.

Photo taken by BIL Charles Alkula.

L-R: Jan Smith, Carol Evans (Our Speaker), Sarah Raessler, Annie Gaddy (hidden), Marguerite Lipton (Photo taken by Belinda Alkula.)

Photo taken by Belinda Alkula.

L-R: Joyce Kozeliski, Jan Smith, Jill Hyde, Carol Evans (Our Speaker)

(Photo taken by Belinda Alkula.)

L-R: Annette Oakley, Marguerite Lipton, Jill Hyde, Annie Gaddy, Maggie McDonnell

(Photo taken by Belinda Alkula.)

Yesterday, we gathered at the lovely home of Jan and Phil Smith. The operations committee members provided a scrumptious lunch. Sisters dined around the Smith's wonderful round table. Four BILs dined in the other dining room. After lunch, everyone was so excited to begin Carol's workshop on how to effectively fundraise!

Fundraising Event of the Year: Lunch and Speaker's Workshop on Fundraising (Part 2)

(L-R) Jan Smith, Carol Evans, Joyce Kozeliski

Jan and Joyce are co-chairs of the operations committee.

This fundraising event was held at Jan and Phil Smith's home.

Carol is a lifelong friend of Jan Smith.

(Photo taken by Jill Hyde.)

(Photo taken by BIL Charles Alkula.)

(Photo taken by BIL Charles Alkula.)

BIL Phil Smith is a big/tall help to Carol during her presentation.

(Photo taken by Jill Hyde.)

Animated conversation during the workshop.

 

L-R: Carol Evans and Sarah Raessler

Carol holding a copy of Sarah's book that she gave to Carol.

(Photo taken by Jill Hyde.)

From Annette Oakley, President, P.E.O. Chapter JI (Lafayette/Colorado)

Yesterday was such a great time at Jan’s! Sharing each other’s company, enjoying a lovely luncheon, meeting Carol & the topper was learning some great ideas as we move forward in fundraising efforts.

The spirit of P.E.O. was alive & bubbling over with lots of energy. Yes, we’ve got this!

Lovely in P.E.O.,

Annette

Book Club Schedule -- Update

Jan 3: Hostess Deborah Raessler – Book -- Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. 

Feb 7: Hostess Annette Oakley – Book -- 

Mar 6: Hostess Linda Petroff – Book --

Apr 3: Hostess Tanya Lynn – Book -- The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride.

May 1: Hostess ______________

Jun 5: Hostess Maggie McDonnell – Book --

Jul 3: Hostess ________________

Aug 7: Hostess Annie Gaddy – Book --

Sep 4: Hostess Vicky Hughes – Book --

Oct 2: Hostess _______________

Nov 6: Hostess ______________

Dec – No Gathering.

Questions or comments about our Just Incredible book club may be directed to Vicky Hughes, our book club orchestrator extraordinaire!

Raessler Quarterly Connection Group Outing

 

Front Row (L-R): Sarah Raessler, Jan Smith, Mary Kay Durbin, Annette Oakley

Second Row (L-R): Maggie McDonnell, Geneva Fisher, Tanya Lynn, Jill Hyde, Deborah Raessler

Report from Jill Hyde

On a cool and foggy morning, Deborah's QC group and welcome additions gathered at the East Simpson Coffee House for a delightful hour of sharing our blessings. We were fortunate to have a seat around the firepit. Then we walked across the street and had a very enlightening tour of the Lafayette History Museum, aka The Miners Museum. Our tour guide was full of historical facts, and we all enjoyed our morning.

P.E.O. Holiday Bazaar -- November 4, 2023

Raessler Quarterly Connection -- Group Outing

 

Dear Sisters,

Our next Quarterly Connection's gathering will be on Wednesday, October 25th. We will begin with a time for conversation at the Simpson Street Coffee Company and then walk across the street to the Lafayette History Museum.

Please let me know if you plan to attend by Tuesday, October 24th.

Looking forward to being with you and learning more about the area where we live!!

P.E.O. love, 

Deborah

Book Club Schedule -- Update

Nov 1 – Hostess Vicky Hughes. Book – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.

Dec – No Gathering.

Questions or comments about our Just Incredible book club may be directed to Vicky Hughes, our book club orchestrator extraordinaire!

Colorado State Chapter Organizer's Visit/Program

 

Kathy Pirie, Colorado State Chapter (CSC) Organizer 

Today, we were honored to have Kathy Pirie with us, via Zoom. She is the CSC Organizer. She presented a wonderful program, sharing about her experience participating in the 2023 Convention of International Chapter.

Book Club Schedule -- Update

Oct 4: Hostess Vicky Hughes – Book – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.

Nov 1 – Hostess Deborah Raessler 
   Book – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
   Book – Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. 

Dec – No Gathering.

Questions or comments about our Just Incredible book club may be directed to Vicky Hughes, our book club orchestrator extraordinaire!

"Step Up for Down Syndrome" Walk, City Park, Denver

 

Picture taken by Annette Oakley

Picture taken by Annette Oakley

Foreground: Sarah Raessler

2nd Row (L-R): Dan Raessler (Deborah Raessler's husband), Annette Oakley, Deborah Raessler, Jan Smith

3rd Row (L-R): Thea Carruth (Deborah Raessler's cousin), Gordon Carruth (Deborah Raessler's cousin's husband), Phil Smith

L:R: Thea Carruth (Deborah Raessler's cousin), Deborah Raessler, Dan Raessler (Deborah Raessler's husband), Annette Oakley, Phil Smith, Sarah Raessler

L-R: Jan Smith, Phil Smith

(Picture taken by Annette Oakley)

Today, several sisters and BILs in our chapter participated in this 27th annual walk. Spirits were high in the mile-high city as folks turned out to support this worthwhile endeavor, while enjoying a picture-perfect day, this first Sunday in autumn.

Annette Oakley commented, "walking today with these amazing families was inspiring, uplifting, and joyful." She added that she would love it if sisters in our chapter would choose to participate in this annual walk each year.

Chapter's Watch Party -- Projects Night at 2023 International Convention

 

Photo Taken by Jill Hyde (taking the selfie)

1st Row Behind Jill (L-R): Sarah Raessler, Deborah Raessler

2nd Row (L-R): Geneva Fisher, Mary Kay Durbin, Annie Gaddy, Tanya Lynn

3rd Row (L-R): Host Linda Petroff, Annette Oakley, Kathie Burson, Jan Smith, Cindy Weber

Thank you, Deborah Raessler, for your great idea to have a watch party of the convention's opening night's favorite event: "Projects Night!" We heard from recipients of the various philanthropic projects, and we were impressed and inspired by their educational pursuits! It was a fun evening of celebration and a time that reaffirmed how the P.E.O. Sisterhood is Just Incredible!!! 💗

Non-profit Fundraising Workshop -- November 4, 2023 -- 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Non-profit Fundraising Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2023, 9:00-11:00 a.m., at the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 3700 Baseline Road, Boulder (east of CU residence towers). 

Speaker: Carol Evans, CEO and Executive Director of the New York based SHARE Cancer Support organization

- In 3 years, she has more than doubled the revenue of SHARE from $2.3 million to $5.2 million.

- She has bought and sold media companies, hosted roundtables for CEOs, and convened top women at conferences all around the world.

- Now she has focused her attention on the non-profit work that she loves.

- She will help you learn proven and effective techniques to help your organization increase its fundraising success.

- She will offer ways to enhance your visibility, further develop your cause, and bring in more funds.

This 2-hour workshop will focus on how to:

- GET what your non-profit deserves

- GAIN entry into new markets

- APPEAL to donors

- CLOSE big grants

Registration Form: Available upon request to Joyce Kozeliski, joycekozeliski@gmail.com

- All registrations will be confirmed by email within 48 hours of receipt.

Registration Deadline: October 20, 2023

Cost: $50 per person

Payment Methods:

- Scan and email completed registration form to cochapterji@gmail.com and pay registration fee of $50 via Zelle to User ID: joycekozeliski@gmail.com

OR

- Mail completed registration form with $50 check ("Pay to the Order of P.E.O. Chapter JI") to Joyce Kozeliski, 16408 Aliante Drive, Broomfield, Colorado 80023

Questions: Call Joyce Kozeliski at 505-979-0360 (cell number) or email her at cochapterji@gmail.com 

Who Should Attend? Folks associated with non-profits, small to mid-size:

- Board Members

- Front-line Campaign Leaders

- Experienced Team Members

- New Team Members 

- Volunteers

- Folks Who Care About the Strength and Longevity of Their Charity Work

- P.E.O. Chapter Members

This seminar is sponsored by P.E.O. Chapter JI. 

Book Club Discussion Schedule -- Update

Oct 4: Hostess Vicky Hughes – Book – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.

Nov 1 – Hostess Deborah Raessler – Book – Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. 

Dec – No Gathering.

Questions or comments about our Just Incredible book club may be directed to Vicky Hughes, our book club orchestrator extraordinaire!

7th Birthday of Chapter JI

 
Photo taken by Jill Hyde

Birthday Party Favors for Attendees -- "Sarah's Just Incredible 3-2-1 Cake Mix"

(Photo taken by Belinda Alkula)

Photo taken by Belinda Alkula

L-R: President Annette Oakley, Mary Kay Durbin

(Photo taken by Belinda Alkula)

Today, we met at Kathie Burson's lovely home for our monthly chapter meeting. We celebrated the chapter's 7th birthday! So much has been accomplished in those seven years! (And as we left, we were gifted party favors: "Sarah's Just Incredible 3-2-1 Cake Mix." Thank you, Sarah Raessler, for this great idea!)

Three sisters participated in the meeting via Zoom. 

And Mary Kay Durbin was presented with her P.E.O. pin! 💗