http://grapevinechamber-womensdiv.com/gvlogo175.jpgWORDS

The Monthly Newsletter from
The Women’s Division of the
Grapevine Chamber of Commerce
Established 1965

August 2010

www.grapevinechamber-womensdiv.com


 http://grapevinechamber-womensdiv.com/gavel.bmp ... from the President

The Women’s Division received the most recent updates on the DFW Connector project during the July luncheon meeting.  Special thanks to Selma Stockstill for presenting a very informative program on the progress of the project and the impact on Grapevine and the surrounding area and also for becoming one of our newest members!  Additionally, thanks to BJ Wilson and Dixie Conley for coordinating the annual gifts and presentation honoring the great work of the Grapevine Fire Department and Police Department.   

 

Linda Swirski and Robin Smith have exemplified “service from the heart” in every aspect of preparation for our annual ‘Christmas in July” and School Supply projects.  What a busy spring and summer they have had!  Santa and his reindeers were surprised by the Texas heat, but not as surprised as the 100 Grapevine seniors the Women’s Division treated with visits and special gifts during our  “Christmas in July” deliveries!  Thanks to everyone who volunteered to assist with organizing the gift bags and the visits!     

 

It’s also difficult to believe the summer is almost over and we are preparing for the upcoming school session and distribution of school supplies at the Community Activity Center on August 19th.  We continue to seek donations for backpacks, so please drop off your backpack donations or a monetary donation at the Chamber office.   We have 695 children counting on our help!  Please contact Linda Swirski directly to volunteer to assist with the distribution on August 19th.     

 

SeniorFest is Saturday, August 7th; 5p.m. – 9:00p.m. at the Grapevine Convention Center.  Helen Jean Lucas Reed and Sandra Tate, our co-chairs for the  Swing Into the 40’s” event, have been busy preparing and need our help with decorating and during the event.  This is our annual free dinner, dance and entertainment for approximately 250 area seniors.  The event also honors our veterans and a special presentation of the individual selected to be “Veteran of the Year for 2010”.  Decorating at the Grapevine Convention Center will begin at 10 a.m.  This is a very special night and showcases our hard work from fundraising throughout the year.   

 

The Women’s Division Luncheon Meeting on Tuesday, August 17th will feature Mary Jo Tellin informing us about “Going Green in Grapevine.”  

RSVP required:   msjkane@sbcglobal.net. 

 

I’ll look forward to seeing you at SeniorFest and at the luncheon on August 17th!

 

Jan Smith

President

 


 

August Luncheon Program

 

"Going Green in Grapevine"

 

Presenter:

 

Mary Jo Tellin

Community Resource Coordinator

Executive Director Keep Grapevine Beautiful

City of Grapevine Parks & Recreation Department

 

 

Come hear about the "Greening" of Grapevine and how you can join in!

 

 

 

Balla Wright and Paula Wilbanks

Program Chairs


   …Service and Hospitality from the Heart

 

We’re sending best wishes and congratulations to all the ladies who are celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in August!!!

 

Happy Birthday to the following ladies:           

 

 

05 – Phyllis Smith

10 – Linda Montgomery

10 – Rachel Nobles

16 – Sue David

16 – LouAnn Chapman Gatts

19 – Natalie Dancer

20 – Jennifer Hibbs

22 – Desiree Lane

22 – Tena Burrell

27 – Linda Swirski

28 – Faith Tennyson

29 – Paula Jones

 

Happy Anniversary to the following August brides and their husbands:

 

01 – Martha & Terry Walker

01 – Judee & Frank Brown

09 – Carol Ann & Dean Eldridge

09 – Linda & Jim Montgomery

10 – Shonda & Paul Schaefer

12 – Estee & James Hammer

13 – Susan & Jerry Pittman

15 – Sharron & Jerry Spencer

17 – Rebeka & Phil Cook

19 – Beata & Kevin Hill

20 – Jane & Gary Chevier

21 – Paule & Shane Wilbanks

23 – Kim & Mark Harrison

28 – Sandi & Dan Urban

28 – Jeanette & Grady Dickey

29 – Patricia & Jack Iovine

 

Please continue to keep me posted on any illnesses or special needs for any of our members so we can reach out to them….

Thanks!  

 

Duff O’Dell  214-478-3750 

dodell@premierbank.com

 

 

 

 

       ... from the President-Elect

Special thanks to Selma Stockstill for presenting a most informative program on the progress of the DFW Connector Project at our July meeting!

 

Please join us in welcoming our newest members – Selma Stockstill and Kristen Schropp, Northgate Constructors; Fonda Martin, Fonda Martin Enterprises; and Tamra White.  Our membership continues to grow with 142 members as of the end of July!

 

The 2010 Women’s Division Membership Directory was published and sent out electronically to all members in the spring.  However, we are in the process of updating the directory for redistribution since we have had several new members join us since that time. You can renew you membership anytime, so if you have not already done so, please take the time now to renew your membership for our fiscal year January 1 – December 31, 2010 (dues for the remainder of the year are $20 instead of $40) AND be included in the revised directory to be published before the end of August.  Membership forms can be found online, and we always have them available at our monthly luncheon meetings. In addition, members have the option this year of purchasing a magnetic Women’s Division nametag with your name and/or company’s name for $5.00 each.  Order forms for nametags are also available online and at the monthly meetings.

 

Please remember to RSVP for our monthly luncheon being held on Tuesday, August 17th, 2010, 11:30 a.m. at Stacy's Furniture Community Room, 3rd Floor.  Reservations can be made by emailing msjkane@sbcglobal.net or calling (817) 360-0684.  Please plan to attend and bring a guest to learn about Women’s Division and our service to our community.

 

The cost of our luncheon is $15.00 with advance reservation, $17.00 if you RSVP to attend and do not show, and $25.00 without a reservation.  We have the capability to accept credit cards, and you can pay online for your membership dues, monthly luncheons, pre-pay for the year, and all other Women’s Division activities.

 

Again, please join us to give your “Service from the Heart” to our community as a member of the Grapevine Women's Division!

 

I look forward to seeing everyone at our August luncheon!    

 

Janice Kane

President-Elect

 

 

 


 MPj04463990000[1]... Christmas Spirit 2010

Back Pack Drive

We still need about 410 Backpacks.  Please set up a collection at your place of business, church or other group if you can to help us reach our goal.  You can drop off backpacks to the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce office and donations are accepted online on our web site.

 

School Supply Distribution

We will be distributing school supplies, shoe gift cards and backpacks at the Grapevine Community Activity Center on Thursday, August 19th. Idell Bowker and GRACE employees have been busy signing up children who qualify for this program.  This is a really fun activity in which you will want to be involved.  We will be having a volunteer meeting at the Chamber office on Tuesday, August 3rd at 5:30 PM.  Volunteers who cannot attend the meeting will be receiving additional information via email.

 

Christmas in July

Volunteers assembled packages containing small personal items, stamps and gift cards for the seniors at the Chamber office.  Lucas Funeral Homes and Judee Brown donated a sweet treat to add to the gift collection.  Thanks to all of the volunteers who worked the assembly line.  Henry Ford himself would have been impressed with how quickly and efficiently it was done!  The gifts were distributed by GRACE on July 21st.  Idell Bowker and Rusty Thigpen coordinated the distribution and we thank them for their help.

 

Your fund raising efforts and gifts are surely appreciated.  We received the following note from one of our senior couples:

 

“To All at the Women’s Division,

Thank you SO much for our Christmas in July through GRACE!

What a blessing for poor folks – You give us new reasons for feeling blessed.  We

pray the good Lord will give you back many times over, so you may continue to bless others.

Your thoughtfulness is appreciated most sincerely”

 

We cannot add to that…

 

 

Linda Swirski, SwirskiL@tx.rr.com, 817-416-8968

Robin Smith, Robin.Smith@WhamProductions.com, 817-442-9579

 


 

   …. Fire & Police Appreciation

 

At the July luncheon, presentations were made to Police Chief Eddie Salame and Deputy Fire Chief Mark Ashmead for our annual Police and Fire Fighter Appreciation Event.  Each year we work in conjunction with both departments to provide an item or assistance to them in appreciation for their service to the community and for keeping Grapevine safe. 

 

This year the firefighters requested funds to assist with their annual banquet.  Each year they have a banquet honoring firefighters who have gone above and beyond in their duties.  This banquet is funded 100% through donations and is a special time-honored tradition in the fire department. We were able to donate $300 to them from our general fund.

 

Over the past few years we have honored the Police Department in a variety of ways; providing a fax machine, providing a painted logo in their training room and this year we provided 16 dinner plates and 16 sets of flatware for their break room.  They are "going green" and with these items stocked in their kitchen, they will no longer have to bring items from home each day.

 

Next time you see a fire fighter or a police officer, thank them for their service.

 

Dixie Conley and BJ Wilson

Fire and Police Appreciation Chairs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010 Officers and Committee Chairs

President

Jan Smith

President-Elect

Janice Kane

Parliamentarian

Kathee Livengood

1st Vice President/Fund Raising

Lavon Bolech

2nd Vice President/Christmas Spirit

Linda Swirski

Secretary

Kathy DeMaggio

Webmaster

Sandra Urban

Communications Liaison

Carolyn Lease

Treasurer

Martha Walker

Photographer

Desiree Lane

Chili Cook-Off

Kim Schuld

Holiday Charity Ball

TBD

Senior Fest

Helen Jean Lucas Reed and Sandra Tate

Hospitality

Duff O'Dell

Bowling with AMBUCS

Judee Brown

Programs

Paula Wilbanks and Balla Wright

Great Taste of Grapevine

Shelley Ruddick

Police and Fire Appreciation

Dixie Conleyand BJ Wilson

Woman of the Year

Jane Chevier

Second Chance School Supplies

Nancy Coplenand Nancy Reid

Membership Social

Shonda Schaeferand Kathee Livengood