Congratulations to our Newest Bright Futures Scholar

Vicky Hughes had the honor of presenting the Bright Futures Scholarship check to her granddaughter, Delaney Renner. Delaney will be attending the University of Tennessee in the fall. 

New Sister Initiated

 Lorraine Books was initiated into P.E.O. at a special meeting held at the home of Annette Oakley on May 28, 2005. We are excited to welcome this Just Incredible sister into our chapter!

Front row l.-r. Sarah Raessler, Lorraine Brooks

Back row l-r. Jan Smith, Geneva Fisher, Kathie Burson, Tanya Lynn,

 Jill Hyde, Maggie McDonnell, Annette Oakley. 

Not pictured: Joyce Kozeliski, Wendy Ahrendt, Cindy Schreiber Huxley

(photo taken by Cindy Schreiber Huxley)

One Silver Star and Two Golden Girls

 At our May meeting, we honored three of our Just Incredible sisters who are celebrating P.E.O. membership milestones:

Sarah Raessler, 25 years

Deborah Raessler, 50 years

Maggie McDonnell, 50 years

Geneva Fisher, Growth co-chair, presented the chapter's gifts to each honoree: a recognition pin and a vase of daisies 

(l.-r. Sarah Raessler, Deborah Raessler, Maggie McDonnell)

Sarah pinning the 50-year recognition pin on her mother.

Deborah explaining the special provenance of her 50-year pin.

(All photos by Annette Oakley)

Add Some Beauty to Your Home

Sarah Raessler will have a piece for sale at this event. It's a great opportunity to own one of her pastels.

Join us for a meaningful shopping experience at the Artists in Action Art Sale Fundraiser—where local creativity meets local impact! All proceeds will benefit Sister Carmen Community Center (SCCC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Family Resource Center that helps families in Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, and Erie access food, financial support, educational programming, and many other essential resources. Right now, 1 in 4 Boulder County residents can’t make ends meet. By purchasing a one-of-a-kind piece of art, you’re not only supporting local artists—you’re also helping a neighbor in need. Sunday, June 8, 2-6pm Tri City Elks Lodge, 525 Main, Louisville Every dollar makes a difference. Come shop for a cause!

Annie Gaddy Performs with Resonance Women's Chorus

 

Annie Gaddy, pre-concert

(photo taken by Kathie Burson)

l.-r. Geneva Fisher, Kathie Burson, Annie Gaddy, Tanya Lynn, Annette Oakley

Several JI sisters drove to Longmont to attend the first of three "Everyone Belongs" concerts. Resonance is known for singing songs with meaningful and inspirational lyrics. Some standouts from this program include:

Let us take on the world while we're young and able.

Plant a little happiness / Let the roots run deep

If it's love that we give / Then it's love that we reap

Every act of love is a mirror / Showing us our purest light

Every act of love is a pathway / Into one another's lives

Every act of love is essential / To build a world that survives

And that first act of love, I know, for sure, is to listen

Good done anywhere

is good done everywhere

When we unite in purpose,

we are greater than the sum of our parts.

You won't live to see the future that you fight for,

Maybe no one gets to reach that perfect day.

But keep marching, keep marching.

If other sisters attend either of the other two performances, please take photos and send them to Kathie so they can be included in this post.

Get Your Tickets Now!

 

Everyone Belongs

a performance by

Resonance Women's Chorus

Saturday, April 26 12:00 pm,

UCC Longmont

Sunday, April 27, 4:00 pm,

UCC Longmont

Saturday, May 3, 4:00 pm,

FUMC, Boulder

Livestream: Sunday, April 27

Tickets and information are at resonancechorus.org.

We recommend and request advance purchase.

Our concerts often sell out.

$20 advance

$30 at door if available

$20 livestream

One of the songs in this program is Keep Marching from the Broadway musical Suffs, by Shaina Taub. It is about the suffragists who fought for women's right to vote in this country. We've found it helpful in the current moment: ...We did not end injustice and neither will you But still, we made strides, so we know you can too. Make peace with our incomplete power and use it for good 'Cause there's so much to do.   The gains will feel small and the losses too large, Keep marching, keep marching. You'll rarely agree with whoever's in charge, Keep marching, keep marching. 'Cause your ancestors are all the proof you need That progress is possible, not guaranteed, It will only be made if we keep marching, keep marching on...

Resonance concerts are always attempts to pay attention, to meet the moment helpfully. In this moment, we find ourselves living through a destabilizing assault by the president on the government, the country, and its people. In Everyone Belongs, we sing in solidarity with one another, with all of you, and with the broader community. Choral singing offers a kind of existential reassurance that we cherish. In the words of some of the Resonance singers: This concert is a gathering of power, peace, beauty, and courage... It will be heartening, strengthening, comforting, and helpful... We invite you to join us in celebrating the love, the beauty and the wonder that unite us... You should come to the concert because it will make you feel better.

Thank You From Sister Carmen

 Geneva Fisher received the following email from Zoya Elhassan after our meeting on Monday:

I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to each of you for your time and effort in visiting with us yesterday. We truly value the time you spent answering our questions and sharing information about the Pathways to Economic Stability Program. We are incredibly impressed by the impactful work P.E.O has been doing for over a hundred years, empowering and supporting women both nationally and internationally.

We are thrilled about the opportunity to collaborate locally, providing additional support and creating a positive impact in the East Boulder County community. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of women and children, helping to create stability and lasting change.

Sister Carmen Follow-up

 After our tour of their facility last month, Geneva Fisher arranged a meeting with Sister Carmen staff to discuss how our P.E.O. projects might be able to benefit some of their program participants. We hope this meeting bears fruit in the form of finding local women who are eligible for our scholarships, grants, and loans.

l.-r. Jill Hyde (outgoing Growth co-chair), Sarah Brown (Sister Carmen Advocate Manager), Zoya Elhassan (Sister Carmen Pathways to Economic Stability Program Coordinator), Maggie McDonald (incoming Growth co-chair), Geneva Fisher (Growth co-chair).

(Photo taken by Kathie Burson)

During the meeting, Maggie made reference to this African proverb highlighting the profound impact of women's education on society: 

And here is another great quote about women's education by Queen Rania of Jordan: 

Springing Forward with New Officers & a New Member

Today's meeting included the Installation of Officers for 2025-2026.

l.-r. Annette Oakley, outgoing President; Geneva Fisher, Vice President, Tanya Lynn, Corresponding Secretary; Sarah Raessler, Guard; Joyce Kozeliski, Treasurer; Wendy Ahrendt, Recording Secretary; Kathie Burson, President. Not pictured is Maggie McDonnell, Chaplain.

(Photo taken by Jill Hyde)

We grew by one Just Incredible sister today when 

Carol Hagerbaumer's transfer from Chapter GP was completed. 

Welcome, Carol! 

A Post from Sarah Raessler

         I have entered one painting; "Aspens in Fall" for the                                pARTiculars Students Art Show. 

There were third, second and first prize awards and five Honor Mentions and; I received the First Honorable Mention Last Friday Night.  

This is what The Judges wrote about my painting; Sarah Raessler-Aspens in Fall Love the color, a very cool style that would be great as a series. Make more of these! This piece is SO playful and fun. We love the pop/impressionistic take on the trees.

pARTiculars Art Gallery is in Lafayette on S. Boulder Rd. 

This Students Art Show are for those who have taken a workshop or class in the pARTiculars Teaching Studio in the past two years. 

I was and still am fortunate to participate in a full day pastels workshop a year ago on Saturday March 30, 2024. 

Love and Hugs,

Sarah

Quarterly Connection 3/12/2025

Thirteen chapter members, two BIL's, and two guests spent an hour touring the Sister Carmen Community Center in Lafayette. 

Kristen Bohanon, our tour guide

Volunteers working in the food pantry.

Longmont artist Mario Miquel Echevarria painted the mural entitled "Bountiful" on the walls of the food pantry.

Daffodils and grape hyacinths are already blooming in the garden. This online photo shows what the garden promises to look like at summer's peak. The garden produces about 1,000 pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs over the course of the growing season.

After the tour, we headed to the Masters Restaurant at the Colorado National Golf Club for lunch. 

Thank you, Geneva Fisher, for organizing such an interesting and fun Quarterly Connection!

Book Club March Meeting

 Book Club met on March 5th at the home of Linda Petroff.

A great discussion about this month's book included generating the following group "A to Z" gratitude list:

Next meeting:

April 2 - Hostess Mary Kay - Book: The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

A Note of Thanks from Cindy Weber

 

 Dear “Just Incredible “ sisters

Words cannot adequately express how grateful I am for my Chapter JI sisters and my time with you.

But I’ll try to say a few things anyway! 

When I arrived in Colorado I was totally new and alone, trying to deal with the traumatic events of Laura’s mental health crisis. Chapter JI sisters lent a listening ear, and lots of love and support. It meant so much!

I was very honored to serve as President of the Chapter, many years after I was President of my NYC chapter as a very new PEO. It was very fulfilling to serve as a much more experienced member with more time on my hands. Especially during Covid!

We have had so many wonderful times together as a new chapter, sponsoring many deserving women with our projects, enjoying social events, and discussing books in book group. Chapter JI is a unique group of sisters who really love and support each other, and I’m so glad I have been a part of it these past seven years.

Thank you for the special send off on Wednesday, I love the earrings, I may be able to wear them for Emily’s wedding! And I can’t wait to explore the East Passyunk Avenue neighborhood in Philadelphia and make use of the gift certificate at A Novel Idea😇

Much love in P.E.O.,

Cindy 

This is What 333 Pounds Looks Like!

 

Our Just Incredible donations to Sister Carmen

(Photo taken by Mary Kay Durbin)

The bin that Sister Carmen delivered to Mary Kay Durbin's home was literally overflowing with food, personal care items, and cleaning supplies donated by our chapter members. 

For our first Quarterly Connection of 2025, Geneva Fisher has organized a group tour of Sister Carmen, followed by lunch at the Master's Grill in Erie. Please RSVP asap to Geneva if you plan to attend.

And the Answer is...

 

Foreground: Mary Kay Durbin; l.-r. Jill Hyde, Geneva Fisher, Vicky Hughes

(Photo taken by Annette Oakley)

Clockwise from front: Lorraine Brooks (guest), Tanya Lynn, Kate Ward (guest), Roberta Meyer, Deborah Raessler, (Jan Smith), Annie Gaddy

(Photo taken by Jill Hyde)

l.-r.: Maggie McDonnell, Pam Brasch (guest), Wendy Ahrendt, Mary Kay Durbin

(Photo taken by Jill Hyde)

l.-r.: Cindy Weber, Kathie Burson, Maggie McDonnell, Pam Brasch (guest), Mary Kay Durbin

(Photo taken by Jill Hyde)

Members of the Growth Committee put in hours of work to make today's program on our P.E.O. Philanthropies interesting, informative, and entertaining. Led by Jill Hyde, Geneva Fisher, and Vicky Hughes, and following a "Jeopardy" format, three teams of sisters answered questions about Colorado and International projects. The winning team ended up coming from behind in Double Jeopardy and got the opportunity to donate the $75 prize to the philanthropy of their choice: PCE. 

Another Farewell to Another Beloved Sister

 

Tanya Lynn presenting Cindy Weber with cards and gifts from the Chapter.

(Clockwise from bottom: Tanya Lynn, Joyce Kozeliski, Annie Gaddy, Roberta Meyer, Kate Ward--guest from Chapter GB, Deborah Raessler, Cindy Weber, Pam Brasch--guest from Chapter GB)

We bade farewell to Cindy Weber at our February meeting. Cindy and her husband, Randy, are leaving next week to start a new chapter in their lives. On behalf of the chapter, Tanya Lynn presented Cindy with a gift card to a bookstore within walking distance of the Webers' new apartment in downtown Philadelphia. Tanya also presented Cindy with a pair of earrings from the Executive Board, acknowledging Cindy's service to our chapter as president (2019-2021). 

 

We will miss you, Cindy, (and the wonderful Quarterly Connections you organized at your neighborhood pool!). Godspeed to you and Randy.

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Necklaces, bracelets, watches, earrings, pins, and rings displayed at

 Katie's Holiday Boutique.

(November, 2024)

Belinda donated boxes of her mother's jewelry to Chapter JI for fundraising purposes. The jewelry was sold by Katie Wright (of Chapter GB) at her annual holiday boutique. Profits were split between JI and Questers (a nonprofit organization dedicated to the study, conservation, and preservation of historical objects for the benefit of today and tomorrow). Thanks to Belinda's generosity, both groups added $222 to their coffers. 

Book Club 2025 Book Selections Updated

February 5 - Hostess Cindy Weber - Book: Murder Before Evensong by Richard Coles

March 5 - Hostess Linda - Book: Thanks a Thousand : A Gratitude Journey by A.J. Jacob

April 2 - Hostess Mary Kay - Book: The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

May 2 - Hostess Maggie - Book: I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon

June 4 - Hostess Tanya - Book: Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes

July 2 - Hostess Annette - Book: Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

August 6 - Hostess Annie - Book: A Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts

Sept 3 - Hostess Vicky - Book: Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

Oct 1 - Hostess Linda - Book: The Killing Storm by Shannon Work

There may be changes as we go and will let you know about changes. Please remember to contact Vicky or Maggie if you have questions or would like to join this group.

Book Club February Meeting

 

l. - r. Tanya Lynn, Linda Petroff, Mary Kay Durbin, 

Vicky Hughes, Cindy Weber, Maggie McDonnell

(Photo taken by Annette Oakley)

Book Club met in the home of Cindy Weber to discuss "Murder Before Evensong" by Richard Coles.