January 19th Program

Langley Gace is the Senior Vice President of Business Development for Innovasea systems, which designs the most technologically advanced aquatic solutions for aquaculture in the world. It is based in Boston but its predecessor company was NET Systems, founded on Bainbridge Island 27 years ago. Innovasea is part of a critical solution to meet the growing protein demand for an increasing global population and is very serious about global stewardship and making things better for our planet and its people.

Mr. Gace began his career as an ocean engineer, designing the equipment that eventually goes into the ocean. He has lived on Bainbridge for 27 years and raised his family here. He is looking forward to speaking to the Bainbridge Island Women's Club and sharing the story of modern aquaculture

This month's FEATURED ACTIVITY GROUPS

BIWC Book Clubs

BIWC offers a variety of book clubs ranging from the traditional to a nontraditional/alternative.

If you are interested in a book club, please go to our ACTIVITIES page to find a group that has space available.

If there are no current openings, we encourage you to consider starting a new group. Our Activities Director is available to provide support and direction. We have many new members who may be interested, and it should not take long to get it up and running.

The nontraditional/alternative option is our very own No Book Book Club. No assigned reading is involved. Instead, come with a favorite book in mind to share with the rest of the group. This group meets from 3 to 5 PM on the last Monday of the month.

American Mah-Jongg

Are you interested in learning to play Mah-Jongg, American style? A new member of the women's club comes to us with the knowledge and experience to instruct others in American Mah-Jongg and is interested in setting up this new activity group.

If you would like further information, please go to our ACTIVITIES page.

Dear Ladies,

I think it’s safe to say that our luncheon was just delightful! And your donations for Helpline House matched your smiling faces and festive outfits. We collected a total of 89 pounds of food and a whopping $545.00!!!

A very special thank you to Patty Doherty, Corrie Sterbentz, and Tracie Waxman for making the deliveries to Helpline House. Let’s continue this gift of giving into 2023.

Helpline House needs shelf-stable foods. Baking items like flour, sugar, salt & pepper. Warm clothing items.

Check donations made out to Helpline House

Winter Social at Sisters' Cider House

Wednesday, January 25th - 3:30 PM

Warm up a bleak winter afternoon with your BIWC sisters at Sisters’ Cider House, 921 Hildebrand, on Wednesday, January 25 at 3:30 PM.

Let's support this local women-owned business! Easy, accessible parking by the main entrance of Home Street Bank.

Sip cider (with or without alcohol) and socialize. BIWC will provide snacks, Skee-Ball, surprises, and silliness.

No pressure to participate, but your sense of humor is mandatory.

COVID 19 POLICY

The board unanimously approved the following Covid 19 policy on August 31, 2021.

All BIWC General Meetings, program presentations, activity groups, and any other BIWC-affiliated event shall follow the mandates and recommendations of regulatory agencies as they pertain to Covid 19 current to the specific date of each event. This may result in cancellations, venue changes, social distancing, masks, and/or other safety measures.
We respect the decisions of members to participate or not within their comfort zone.
We ask that members or guests who have not been vaccinated or are feeling unwell not participate in in-person indoor or outdoor events.

Focus on the positives and practice gratitude.

Over $2,000 raised and donated to Helpline House

Members arrived early with time to enjoy a spot of tea, some baked goods & friendly conversations.

Then the shopping began, making fun purchases; the proceeds of which were delivered to Helpline House on Thursday afternoon.

Items for sale included:

Baked Goods
Handmade Items– Glass Art, Wooden Ornaments & Knitwear
Gently used donated items– Women's Accessories, Scarves, Hats, Jewelry, Small Purses and Books.

Thanks to everyone who volunteered and participated in this event.

Special thanks to Sandy for coming up with the idea, and for all her hard work making this event a success

This month's speakers, Jackie Fabbri and Ben Upsell, were from Arms Around Bainbridge, a wonderful organization that was started in 2007 by friends of Olivia Carey who came down with ovarian cancer.

This organization provides emotional and monetary support for people on Bainbridge who are faced with medical difficulties. To date the organization has disbursed over $1 million to our neighbors who are caught in financial crisis as a result of serious illness.We heard how the group was formed and all the incredible things this organization does. Amazing how many services we are fortunate to have here on our Island.

Afterwards, many members enjoyed lunch at Wing Point.

We were fortunate to have Becky Bryan, from the Kathleen Sutton Fund, as in-house speaker for our March meeting.

The organization reimburses transportation costs for women undergoing treatment for cancer, living in Kitsap, Clallam, Jefferson, and Mason Counties; providing aid to those going through a dramatic and often costly period in their lives.

EVERYONE was IRISH on St. Patrick's Day - wearing a bit of the green.

Afterwards, many members continued socializing while enjoying lunch at Wing Point.

The November meeting included a fun presentation by this local boy and cool author.

Jonathan Evison is the New York Times Bestselling author of seven novels, including:

All About Lulu, West of Here, The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving (also a movie), This Is Your Life, Harriet Chance!, Lawn Boy, Legends of the North Cascades, and Small World.

As a teen, Evison, was the founding member of the punk band March of Crimes, which included future members of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. He lives on Bainbridge Island with his family.

On Thursday Oct. 21 we were joined by local author, Mary Lou Sanelli, will inspire strength and resilience in your human spirit!

“Mary Lou is an awesome speaker. She spoke to the General Federation of Women's Conferences, Western State Region meeting and you could hear a pin drop at one time and the laughter was contagious at another. She was a highlight of the four-day conference for many attendees. Her message was perfect for a group of women ranging in age from 40-90.”

Bonnie Walden, WSR President

Oct. 14th from 4 PM - 6 PM

at Heart and Soul Art Studio

Winslow Green, Bainbridge Island

We will be given step-by-step instructions on how to paint an awesome picture on canvas. The cost is $32.00 and all supplies will be provided.

Email Sandy at: sandy7nt@gmail.com for more info
Very limited spaces as we will be social distancing inside the studio.
Please RSVP to Sandy by Oct. 11 at noon.
Vaccinated members only and a Face Mask is required.

Come and have some fun and leave with a masterpiece.

Fifty-two members and guests basked in the sunshine, sipped beverages, and socialized over lunch at Eleven Winery in June. Thank you! What a joy to re-connect! We never expected to “sell out” the venue, and sadly could not accommodate inquiries after the deadline. Much appreciation to “Our Friendly BIWC Board Members” who volunteered and organized.

Outreach: Thanks to All
The wonderful turnout at our June luncheon also resulted in an impressive amount of donations for Helpline House: 42 pounds of food and a total of $95 in cash and checks. Thanks to everyone!

If you did not have an opportunity to participate in our October Program, we have posted a link to the pre-recorded presentation by the Ascend Fund. Click on the link below to learn about the challenges facing women who choose to run for office, the strategies for promoting gender parity and the other organizations working in coordination with the Ascend Fund.

Our Program Committee Chair, Karla Sammons, (highroadevents@msn.com) will be contacting the Ascend Fund with follow-up questions and comments from our members, and we invite you to contact Karla if you would like your feedback included.

Golf activity group enjoying the sunny weather
Members and guests have ample time to chat and network during the coffee time prior to the monthly meeting
The Spicy Ladies having fun together
Members of our golfing group
Having fun at our monthly meeting
Having fun with our "In Home Dining Group"
Wine and Garden Party
HIking/Walking Group
Sip & Shop Auction Items
Sip and Shop - Music and Dancing
Holiday Party - IslandWood
Holiday Party - Members Celebrating
Holiday Party
Raffle Items at June Luncheon
June Luncheon - Members wiho won the table hat decor