November Chatterbox
Woman’s Club Centenarians
Marty Edwards celebrated her 100th birthday on October 21. I’m sure she would enjoy receiving birthday or thinking of you cards. Her address is 1205 SW 29th Unit 6 Topeka KS 66611-1279
Marty has been a Woman’s Club member for several years. She was also the director of Melodears. She’s a delightful person who always has a smile on her face. Her daughter-in-law Carolyn, a Woman’s Club member, says Marty is doing fine and still sings and plays bridge. Happy birthday, Marty!
Margaret McGillivary had her 102nd birthday on October 12. Until the last 2-3 months, Margaret played bridge with the Ever Young Team at the Woman’s Club and the Heritage Team at Aldersgate. Margaret was a kind person who loved to play bridge. Margaret died on Saturday, November 9. Celebration of Life arrangements are pending.
Margaret is on the left in the picture
FALL COFFEE
Our year is off to a super start. We had a great turnout for the Fall Coffee in September. Thank you to Karen and her crew and everyone who brought food. Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who played and donated for the scholarship fund.
MAH JONGG TOURNAMENT
Everyone enjoyed the tournament. It was a successful fundraiser donating $511 to the scholarship fund. Winners in the regular Mah Jongg Tournament were 1st Jay, 2nd Vicki, 3rd Carrie. In the Royal Siamese Tournament, winners were 1st Mel, 2nd Rosie, 3rd Carolyn.
GENERAL MEETINGS
Our October and November meetings were well attended, and we had good programs. We have pictures from our November meeting. John Roberts, Deputy Director of Community Needs and Services—and grandson of Liz Gillman–was the speaker from the Topeka Rescue Mission.Two Topeka Police Officers from the Community Outreach Division shared tips on staying safe in your home and community.
It was great seeing Shirley and Carol together. They have been friends since high school and have been leaders of the Woman’s Club for many years.
GENERAL MEETINGS
December 5: Holiday Brunch, 10:00. January: no meeting. February 6: Juanita Cornelius will present the program, Safety for Women Traveling Alone.
Tips for safety at home
• Keep your home well lit
• Get to know your neighbors
• Avoid showcasing Christmas trees and presents in windows
• Keep driveways and sidewalks clear of snow even when you are gone
• Consider a doorbell with a camera
• Leaving town? Stop mail and newspapers
• Lock the car as soon as you get into it.
• Calling 911 is always an option, but you may get a faster response from the TPD Community Outreach Bureau for nonemergency issues. One number is Sargeant Wilson’s 785-328-2583
BOOK CLUB
Do any of these books sound interesting to you? Join us at 1:00 on the second Thursday of each month.
November: Oath and Honor by Liz Cheney
December: The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan
January: The Women by Kristin Hannah
February: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
Do you know them?
SAVE THE DATE
SATURDAY APRIL 12 AFTERNOON TEA AT THE WOMAN’S CLUB
ACE OF HEARTS DUPLICATE BRIDGE TEAM
Since Covid, the number of people playing duplicate bridge has decreased. Recently, a team of us, including Susan Turner, Paula Harper, Katie Loseke, and Nancy Huck set up training sessions for basically Woman’s Club members. Joan Arterburn also found a couple of interested people. We are excited that four people have now had an opportunity to play their first game, and we are looking forward to others getting involved.
We would invite any of you members who might be interested or know someone else who would be, to send me their names and contact information.
Jan Tillery 785-633-3682
[email protected]
GAD ABOUTS
On September 15, 2024, 13 ladies went to Topeka Civic Theatre to see the musical, Jersey Boys, the story behind Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The show was great and the four young men playing The Four Seasons were enormously talented. The Club Manager welcomed the Woman’s Club to the theater during her announcements before the
show. We were able to order drinks and/or desserts prior to the show’s start and everyone said they had a good time. I hope that we will be able to plan another trip to TCT soon.
Two Up Coming Events:
On Monday, December 16, 2024, The Topeka Festival Singers will be performing their Christmas concert at White Concert Hall. The show starts at 7:30 and the cost is as follows:
Adult $30, Senior (65 and over) $25, Student $10
The Topeka Festival Singers programs have allowed performers and audiences alike to experience fine choral music presented through inspired performances for 40 years. I went to the Christmas concert last year and it was delightful. I absolutely don’t want to miss this year.
Please let Kathy Diehl (785-969-7755) know by 11/30/2024 if you plan to attend. Once we have the number of people attending, we will arrange to carpool from the Woman’s Club to White Concert Hall.
On Sunday, Feb. 2, 2024, Helen Hocker Theater will present “The Book Club”. Loads of laughter and literature collide in this hit comedy about books and the people who love them. Ana is a Type A personality who lives in a letter-perfect world with an adoring husband and her greatest passion: Book Club. But when her cherished group becomes the focus of a documentary, their discussions about life and literature take a turn in front of the inescapable camera lens. More information will be provided in December, such as cost, final date to join up and carpooling. So mark your calendar! It should be a good show.
MARGARET HILL MCCARTER TEAM
We are often asked, “Who is Margaret Hill McCarter?”
Margaret Hill McCarter and Lucy Kingman organized women’s groups to form what is now known as the Woman’s Club of Topeka. We borrowed this succinct biography from the McCarter School website. “McCarter School was named for Margaret Hill McCarter. Mrs. McCarter was an outstanding writer and speaker. She was the author of many books, including her first novel, The Price of the Prairie. She was the first woman ever to address a Republican National Convention, which she did in Chicago in 1920. Three colleges honored her with degrees – Washburn University and Baker University with Master’s degrees, and the College of Emporia with a Doctorate of Literature. Mrs. McCarter was a vivid, vital person who typified the ideals of her generation. She passed away August 31, 1938, at the age of 78.”
MEXICAN TRAIN
Reminder: Mexican Train is every Wednesday and Friday at 1:00 Mexican Train can be learned the first time you play it, so come enjoy the fun!
EVER YOUNG BRIDGE
Come join us for a fun and friendly afternoon of Bridge! The Ever-Young Bridge group meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month for party bridge. We play 3 rounds of 6 hands of casual fun Bridge. If you think you would enjoy this kind of afternoon, please call Karen Swogger at 785-338-2833 or Joan Arterburn at 785-408-5174.
TREASURE SALE/GARAGE SALE
This is a perfect time to find items for our garage sale. As you are sorting through Fall and Christmas decorations, remember to save items for our sale! If you are moving, we have some room at the Woman’s Club where items can be stored. Carrie Riordan is the sales coordinator, so call her at 785-840-7083 if you have questions. Our next garage sale is in June 2025.
TEAMS ARE HERE FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT
Woman’s Club members may join teams just by calling team contacts. The book club and the Margaret Hill McCarter teams are social teams. Hand-and-Foot and Mexican Train require no previous experience. Members need to have taken lessons or have previous experience playing Mah Jongg and bridge (Ace of Hearts, Ever Young, Heritage, Queen of Diamonds) See contacts below for lessons.
Invite women who are not members of the Woman’s Club to play games marked with an * asterisk. Encourage friends to enjoy the fun for just $2-3 each time!
TEAM TIMES
Ace of Hearts Duplicate Bridge*: every Tuesday & Thursday 12:30, contact Jan Tillery, 785-478-4670
Book Club: 2nd Thursday, 1:00, contact Betty Frantz, 785-273-9278
Ever Young Bridge*: 2nd & 4th Mondays, 1:00, contact Karen Swogger, 785-338-2833
Hand and Foot*: every Monday at 1:00, contact Janet Williams, 785-272-1730
Heritage Bridge: 4th Thursday, 12:00 Lunch then Bridge, contact Joan Arterburn, 785-408-5174
Margaret Hill McCarter Team: 2nd Wednesday of the month, 10:00, contact Jan Gilliland at 785-633-4098
Mexican Train*: 1st & 3rd Friday at 1:00, contact Mary Adkin, 785-845-8566.
every Wednesday 1:00, contact Deborah Hardin, 785-806-5502
Queen of Diamonds Marathon Bridge*: 1st Monday at 1:00 October through June. Contact Susan Turner, 554-5686 or Karen Swogger, 785-338-2833.
Winds & Dragons Mah Jongg*: every Friday at 1:00, contact Janet Williams, 785-272-1730
ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST at the Woman’s Club
Sponsored by Woman’s Club members or Central Congregational Church. International Folk Dance at the Woman’s Club
Joan Oyler & Marsha West, WC Members Sunday, December 29, 3 pm. Beginner lessons 3-4 pm. Wear comfortable shoes 🙂
No partner needed. Donations welcome to cover rental costs.
Sip & Shop: Mel Stewart, WC Member.
Central Congregational Church
Meet the Officers for the year, June 2024 through May 2025:
President: Paula Harper
Vice President: Mary Ann Howerton
Secretary: Betty Frantz
Treasurer: Diana Komarek
Treasurer Assistant: Jo Miller
Auditor: Jan Gilliland
Communication Committee Chair: ZoAnn Torrey
Community Service Committee Chair: Carol Talley
Fundraising Chairs: Phyllis Kelly/Joan Arterburn
Hospitality/Activities Committee Chair: Karen Swogger/Phyllis Kelly Membership Committee Chair: Janet Williams
Program Committee Chair: Carol Talley
Parliamentarian: Kathy Diehl
Appointments – Thank you for your willingness to guide this work!
Cares & Concerns: ZoAnn Torrey/Kathleen Wilson
Clubhouse Beautification: Sue Roche
Yearbook: Pam Parker
Garage Sale: Carrie Riordan
Afternoon Tea: Karen Swogger/ZoAnn Torrey
Mah Jongg Tournament: Janet Williams
Rubber Bridge Tournament: Paula Harper/Susan Turner
Clubhouse Secretary staff: Melanie Stewart
Clubhouse Custodian staff: Steven Schoenfeld
THANKSGIVING THOUGHT BY HELEN STEINER RICE
THE MORE YOU GIVE, THE MORE YOU GET-
THE MORE YOU LAUGH, THE LESS YOU FRET-
THE MORE YOU DO UNSELFISHLY, THE MORE YOU LIVE ABUNDANTLY…
THE MORE OF EVERYTHING YOU SHARE- THE MORE YOU’LL HAVE TO SPARE. …
FOR ONLY WHAT WE GIVE AWAY ENRICHES US FROM DAY TO DAY.
If you would like a printable PDF of this Chatterbox, click the link below to download and print!