September Monthly Meeting

Thursday, September 21st

Our September speaker will be Melissa Arias, the executive director for the

Alaska/Washington Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Here is their mission statement; The mission of the Make-a-Wish Foundation is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The children we serve are fighting for their lives, and their families are doing everything that they can to help them in their battle. One of our Bainbridge Island volunteers will share her last Make-a-Wish project which was shown on TV!.

Thank you everyone for your support of Helpline House during our September general meeting! Together, we contributed $351 and 32 pounds of food/household supplies.

Here are ways to support Helpline House at our October meeting:

Purchase raffle tickets for a local women-owned/run business gift card! (cash or check accepted). 100% of ticket sales go to Helpline House.

Bring a check payable to Helpline House or non-perishable food/household items to the meeting--we'll deliver for you!

Here are the items most needed:

cat food

bars of soap

canned chicken or salmon

jam/jelly

non-dairy milk

dry milk

We look forward to seeing you at the Outreach table on October 19.

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.

The kick-off meeting on September, 21st was amazing. Approximately 40 members enjoyed the program by Melissa Arias, Executive Director and CEO for The Washington and Alaska Make-A-Wish Foundation. Melissa spoke to us about the Make-A-Wish Foundation's history and the undeniable impact it has on children, their families, and their medical outcomes. Bainbridge Island volunteer Robin Warsaw explained the role of local volunteers and shared stories close to home. Thank you, our programs committee, for bringing her and her heartwarming presentation.

Thursday, August 17th at 10:00 AM

Join the Pop-Up Activity Group for Bainbridge Island Museum of Art’s Spotlight, a juried exhibition of work by 150 artists from the Puget Sound region. You will recognize several artists from Kitsap County including two paintings from one of our own BIWC members. The diversity of media is an absolute “WOW!”

There should be plenty of parking in the lower BIMA lot, as well as in garage under the building

**Meet at BIMA Bistro for a morning beverage and socializing at 10 AM on Thursday August 17, followed by an independent stroll through the art museum about 11 AM.**

"Creativity is never a straight predictable road"

Susan Wiggs

Photo by Susan Doupe

Our May speaker is Bainbridge Island’s own Susan Wiggs, a New York Times Best Selling author who is known for her novels that are inspired by her stubbornly held belief in the robustness of the human spirit in the face of adversity. She will share her latest novel, “Sugar and Salt” with us. Since 1987, she has written about two books a year. On becoming a writer, she admits “It was never something I wanted. It’s just something that I knew I was.” Don’t miss this fascinating presentation by one of the country’s favorite authors. Bring your favorite Wiggs' book to be autographed, and a guest to share this last speaker of the BIWC year with.

It’s our annual Pot Luck Luncheon April 20th at 11am

Plan to join us on April 20th as we present our club’s monetary donation to two of the charities that presented to our club this year.

Please bring a dish that you love to make and eat, along with a list of its ingredients.

Make sure that it’s in a ready-to-serve container along with the utensils needed to serve it and a trivet if the dish is hot.

NOTE: We will not have any way to either heat up or keep warm the food.

Looking forward to seeing everyone and their delicious treats!!

Dr. Jeannette Franks

Intentional Aging

Jeannette Franks, Ph.D, shares decision-making strategies on how to age well, with purpose and joy! Dr. Franks is a passionate activist, author, and gerontologist who taught courses on geriatrics and gerontology at the University of Washington for 25 years.

Stock up your personal toolbox with practical tips for living your best life! Check out her website, where you will learn more about Jeannette and her new book Intentional Aging: 7 Practical Actions to Live Well and Minimize the Risk of Dementia which is available at EH Books. https://jeannettefranks.org

Kitsap Animal Rescue and Education (KARE)

Dianne Cannafax is co-founder of Kitsap Animal Rescue and Education (KARE), a non-profit organization offering a wide range of services: animal rescue, fostering, adoption; grants for medical and educational needs, and an annual chicken camp for owners and their chickens! KARE collaborates with other agencies, including a new partnership with local law enforcement to provide emergency shelter for homeless persons and their pets. Dianne is bringing another trainer, plus a four-legged friend.

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

Click the picture to register!

Sail Into Summer

JUNE LUNCHEON

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

11:30 AM

Wing Point Golf & Country Club

811 Cherry Avenue NE, Bainbridge Island 98110

Festivities begin at 11:30 AM with a glass of sparkling wine, followed by the luncheon at 12 noon.

You will have an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for door prizes. (Cash/Checks only)

We will be having a Vintage Fashion Show put on by the Bargain Boutique.

Donations for Helpline House accepted with gratitude!

MENU

Mixed Greens with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Bread Basket and Butter

North West Chicken

Seasoned Vegetables

Roasted Potatoes

Vegetarian Mushroom Risotto

————

Lemon Tart with Rosemary

Coffee, Tea & Soft Drinks

$43 per person includes tax/gratuity AND a glass of sparkling wine or nonalcoholic beverage.

Guests welcome.

Reservation Deadline: Tuesday, May 29^thwith name(s), entrée choice, and payment.

3 Ways to Reserve & Pay

- CREDIT CARD: Click on the SAILBOATS above. Fill out your info & hit "Submit."

Note: You DO NOT need a PayPal account. Just skip over the PayPal box & scroll down to the bottom to choose "Pay with Credit Card"

- BRING YOUR CHECK or CASH to the General Meeting on Thursday, May 18th

- MAIL CHECK by May 25th: $43 per person Payable to:

BIWC

PO Box 10855

Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

** Indicate chicken, or vegetarian entrée directly on your check memo line.

Please -- no separate notes.

Carpooling encouraged. Need a ride? Contact: Judy Grossman

Luncheon Questions? Contact: Tracie Waxman

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