Chatterbox May 2026
PLEASE Pay Your Woman’s Club Dues Now!
Garage Sale is Almost Here!
by Carrie Riordan (incorrectly listed as Mary Riordan in the directory, but it’s me, I promise!), Garage Sale Chair
Our club garage sale will be Friday, July 12, and Saturday, July 13, with set-up from Monday, June 8, through Thursday, June 11.
This is our biggest fundraiser, and it takes A LOT of volunteers from our membership for the garage sale to be successful, so THANK YOU in advance for your support!
Volunteers are needed to help with setting up the sale, working the sale, and donating items to the sale. A sign-up sheet is at the club on the office desk where you can sign up to help with setup/pricing, and on sale days. There are both sitting and standing jobs — something for everyone!
So, it’s time to clean out those closets, cabinets, garages, attics and basements! We want all of your cool stuff that you don’t need anymore! You can bring your items to the Woman’s Club starting on Monday, June 8 at 9 am. All donations must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10. Thank you for understanding that this gives us time to get everything priced before the sale day. Please do not bring items before June 8.
We are grateful for all donations of items that will sell and make money for the club. If you have friends or family members who want to donate items June 8 through June 10, please have them contact me directly at 785.840.7083 so we can learn more about the items they have to donate to make sure they’re things we think will sell and have space for.
Regarding clothing — we will accept clothing this year. Last year we had a lot of clothes donated that were not clean and/or were in bad condition. We ask that you only donate CLEAN, GENTLY-USED or NEW clothing/shoes that are of the current (or recently current) fashion. Any clothing donated that doesn’t meet these standards cannot be sold.
Last year your hard work raised $3,000 for The Woman’s Club and we would love to raise that amount (or more!) again this year. THANK YOU for your support of the garage sale and please let me know if you have any questions.
Building Improvement Fund
May 7, 2026
To: WCT members, Leasers, Renters, and Central Congregational Church
The Women’s Club of Topeka has created a temporary Building Improvement Fund to assist with the improvements that started in January, 2026. These improvements have included
Stripping and waxing the floors in the dining room and bathrooms
Removing the drapery in the dining room and replacing them with new sheers. Adding security cameras throughout the building.
Replacing three of the old wooden round tables.
Replacing the building roof. (Insurance did not cover this replacement. Money was used from the endowment fund.)
Removal of evergreen shrubs and trimming of remaining bushes.
Further improvements are needed to the building for it to attract new members, renters and leasers. Our greatest source of income comes from renting the building for various types of functions. But the building needs to be attractive and accessible in order to maintain current clients and attract new ones. Further improvements include:
Replacing entry door locks
Replacing the window on the west side of the building
Repainting the dining room and the outside of the building
Replacing some of the lighting in the dining room
Updating the stage in the dining room with new carpet and steps with rails.
Adding outside cameras.
In order to accomplish these tasks, more funding is needed. That is why we are asking you to make donations to The WCT Building Improvement Fund!
Make checks payable to the Topeka Women’s Club, just write Building Fund on the memo line. A generous, anonymous donor has agreed to match what is collected in the fund!
Thank You!
Questions contact Mary Ann Howerton, WCT Vice President, 785-633-9214
Upcoming and Past Activities
Fifth Friday Game Day – May 29
Have a great lunch and play your favorite game at our next Fifth Friday Game Day on May 29th. Lunch is at 11:30. The cost is $12 for the day. Be sure to make your reservation!
Pitch Sunday – New!
Do you play Pitch? A new activity at the Woman’s Club is Pitch Sunday. Once a month, on Sunday afternoon from 1:00-3:30, there will be 10-point pitch games at the Woman’s Club. The first game will be played on June 14th. Members and nonmembers are welcome to play. Nonmembers will pay $3 each Sunday they play. Pitch players, come play a fun Pitch game and bring your spouse, friends, and neighbors! If you have questions, call Mary Ann Howerton at 785-633-9214.
Book Club
Join us on June 11th at 1:00 for our next Book Club meeting! The June book club selection is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. This book has been made into a Netflix movie. The Book Club meets during the summer on the second Thursday of the month. If you have questions, call Betty Frantz at 785-273-9278.
Summer Teams
Most of the teams continue to meet during the summer months: Ace of Hearts Duplicate Bridge, Book Club, Ever Young Bridge, Hand and Foot, Heritage Bridge, Mexican Train, Pitch Sunday, and Winds and Dragons Mah Jongg.
General Meetings
The last General Meeting of the 2025-26 year is on June 4th at 10. During the meeting, we will have a “Mystery Guest” speaker, honor Past Presidents, hold a Memorial Service, and install officers and standing committee chairpersons for the 2026-27 year, which begins June 1st.
During the General Meetings in March, April, and May, we had informative and interesting programs. In March, we learned more about Veterans Administration resources and Blessing Boxes. We are collecting items for Blessing Boxes. In April, we met the new Deans of the nursing programs at Washburn and Baker Universities. Dr. Crystal Stevens is now the Dean at Washburn, and Dr. Ranee Seastrom is the new Dean at Baker University. Welcome to the Woman’s Club! Ann Mah is always a great speaker who shared table etiquette tips at the May General Meeting. The Program Committee arranged quality programs for our learning and enjoyment this year. Thank you!
Bunco Tournament
The Bunco Tournament, a new fundraiser for the Woman’s Club held on April 11, was a success! It raised $527 and provided a fun afternoon for 36 attendees. Door prizes were plentiful: Robin Merrifield donated 8 paintings, Pad Restaurant donated gift cards, and Mel Stewart and Shaun Collins each donated 2 baskets of movie-watching goodies. Sheila Ramseier provided several delicious desserts. Thank you, Robin and Sheila, for coordinating and contributing to this fundraiser, and thank you, Mel and Shaun, for donating door prizes!
Having a monthly Bunco game at the Woman’s Club is being discussed, but no plans have been finalized. The Bunco games would be open to members and nonmembers. If you are interested in participating, let Mel Stewart know, 785-273-6978.
Shriner Ladies Tea
Hosting a tea for Shriners’ ladies was another new fundraiser held on April 16. It raised $572 for the Woman’s Club. There are several people to thank for their work and food items. Thank you, Karen Swogger and ZoAnn Torrey, for coordinating the event. Additional appreciation is shown to others: The members providing delicious items for the tea were Karen Swogger, Judy Marks, Susan Turner, Elaine DeCoursey, and Phyllis Kelly.
Kim Scruggs provided scrumptious scones. A huge thank you to the members who helped with the setup and clean-up of the tea: Judy Marks, June Parre, Rae Boyd, Sue Roche, Chearie Donaldson, Susan Turner, Paula Harper, Elaine DeCoursey, Gayle Hassler, and anyone I failed to mention. Thank you, Sean and Tracey Forshe, for your help!
Fundraisers are successful because members are willing to help in any way they can! Be thinking about which fundraiser(s) you will help with next year!
Joan Arterburn does so much for the Woman’s Club, we think it is time to say, “Thank you, Joan!”
Margaret Hill McCarter Team
On June 10th, the Margaret Hill McCarter Team is meeting at 10:30 to have lunch at Cava, 1750 SW Wanamaker Rd. Their next meeting is in September. At the May meeting, Pastor Gage Church gave an interesting program about Charles Shelton, the first pastor of the Central Congregational Church and author of several books, including In His Steps. Pastor Shelton did many good works in the Topeka community and worldwide, especially for freed slaves and impoverished people.
The front of the Woman’s Club after shrubs were removed.
2026-27 Officers & Standing Committee Chairs
President Paula Harper
Vice President Mary Ann Howerton
Secretary Judy Marks
Treasurer Diana Komarek
Assistant Treasurer Karen Swogger
Auditor Jan Gilliland
Lunches, Kitchen, & Fifth Fridays Chairs
Lunches Co-Chairs Candace Ayars & Susan Anderson,
Kitchen – Judy Donnelly,
Fifth Fridays – Karen Swogger
Building & Grounds Mary Ann Howerton
Communication ZoAnn Torrey
Community Service Carol Talley
Fundraising Carrie Riordan & Phyllis Kelly
Membership Rosie Cooper
Program Carolyn Burns
2026-27 Nominating Committee: Carrie Riordan, Karen Swogger, Phyllis Kelly, ZoAnn Torrey, Susan Turner, vacancy
We appreciate the work of the 2025-26 Nominating Committee in securing nominees for the slate of officers and standing committee chairs that was voted on at the May 7th General Meeting. Thank you, Phyllis Kelly – Chair, Joan Arterburn, Carolyn Burns, Kathy Diehl, ZoAnn Torrey, and Susan Turner.
Worth a smile?
We played cornhole with real corn because we ran out of pickles for pickleball.
I tried to jump up higher, but gravity said, “Not today!”
Why did the smartphone go to therapy? It couldn’t handle all the updates.
Why did the salad toss itself up? Because it wanted to be a little more “dressed” for the party.
How do planets keep their spirits up? By orbiting around friendly stars.
Mother’s Day has passed, but let us remember,
A mother’s love leaves
lessons that last a lifetime.