December is upon us, and 2023 is coming to a close. The holiday season is here, and I’m excited to bring out all of the holiday decorations—my favorite color is red! My children are no longer little, but I still take a moment and smile when I put out their hand-made ornaments from long ago. Some are in sad shape with the glitter flaking off and the glue no longer works, but they are always on the tree—and another year has passed.

Read further for more information about these upcoming events.

Clothing Drive for Interact

Save your unwanted clothes and bring them to the February general meeting...

Arts Fair

Calling all artists - start planning your entry for the January Art Fair...

Carying Place Gift Cards

Bring gift cards to the December Luncheon ..

Membership Event

Post holiday get-together for members and guests.  More info at holiday luncheon...

Pecan Sales:

Shout out to our two CWC members with the most Clubwoman longevity: Lillian Smith and Dorothy Schmelzeis. In addition to all the other ways these experienced members help our club, each of them sold over 100 pounds of pecans during our fall pecan sale. That is more than any other members! Total number of pecans sold by the whole club this year is 882 pounds. (And we have a few left to sell at our December luncheon.)

Thank you Lillian and Dorothy for your continuing leadership and service to the Cary Woman’s Club!

Lois Nixon and Merc Cooley

St. Andrew's Craft Fair

We had such a great time working together, and the club earned much needed revenue for the organizations that we support.  !!!!!  

Total Revenue:  $1,450.00

Arts and Culture

Cary Gifting Tree Project

By the time you receive this newsletter, our tree will be decorated and be on display in the newly opened Downtown Cary Park. The location of our tree is right around the fountain on the Dry Avenue side. Voting on the best tree takes place Starting at 10 am December 2.  Votes are limited to one per person and will close at 11:59 p.m. December 17.

Each “POCKET" ORNAMENT on the tree has a unique URL on the back that seeks a contribution for clothing items for Note in the Pocket’s mission of providing school clothing for children and families in need. If you are planning to make a donation this holiday season, please make it through this URL so that Cary Woman’s Club is credited with the donation. Tell your friends and family too.  

I’d like to thank the volunteers who helped prepare the ornaments for the tree (Jane, Karen, Elzbieta, Merc, Arlene, and Priscilla) and for those who helped decorate the tree.

Cary Woman’s Club Arts Festival

Cary Woman’s Club will be holding an Arts Fair in January at our regularly scheduled meeting on January 11, 2024. If you have crafts, needlework, artwork, photography, or original literature, it’s not too early to start planning what you’d like to bring to submit for display for consideration. All entries must have been completed from January through December 2023. First place winners at our local fair will be submitted to the district fair in February. Winners from the district will go to the State meeting in March. Click below for more information.

NC Art Museum Park

There is a field of sunflowers that has been timed to bloom in mid-November. They are starting now. There is also a new musical swing installation you might want to check out. Each swing has a different instrument. Both are in the area near the tall red smokestack and the new visitor welcome center.

~Susan Abbott, Arts and Culture Chair

Civic Engagement and Outreach / Domestic Violence Awareness

We purchased 3 wreaths which will be placed at the grave of a veteran in Wreaths Across America Ceremony. It will be at 12:00 on December 16, in Cary’s Hillcrest Cemetery, 608 Page St. All are welcome to the ceremony.

The no-sew blankets for Myra’s Angels will be distributed at our January meeting for those who wish to participate. Completed blankets will be collected at our March meeting.

At our February, 2024 meeting we will be collecting clothes for InterAct’s Pass It On Thrift Store. Please bring gently used woman’s clothes, shoes, purses, jewelry and accessories. No maternity, children, men or intimate apparel will be accepted. Proceeds from the thrift store help support InterAct programs. Also, survivors and their families who receive services are able to shop at the thrift store at no cost, helping them rebuild their lives.

~Elzbieta Hibbs and Priscilla Keating, Civic Engagement Outreach Domestic Violence Awareness Chairs

Education and Libraries

Ther perfect day for our Yates Mill Tour and Hike. Together with Environment CSP, we were guided through the mill and surrounding trails by friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Thanks to our Park Guide, Adam, for taking numerous group photos, and for Mary Grayson Hart for her copy. Thanks to Irene Kuo for the squirrel and mill interior photos. All photos edited by Linda D'Alto.

Kingswood School has requested donations of playground supplies.  We will purchase the items and deliver a package to the school mid-December.

~Linda D'Alto, Education and Libraries Chair

December Book Club

Our selection for the December Book Club is “The Last Dress from Paris” by Jade Beer. We are meeting on December 21st at 1pm at the home of Jane Suppa. Her address is 202 Muir Brook Place, Cary. Since this is so close to Christmas you are invited to bring your favorite holiday snack to share. "What is the most memorable dress you have ever worn?” This is just one of the questions for discussion that we will cover as we review “The Last Dress from Paris "We hope you will join us. 

All are welcome whether you come once, a couple of times, or ever month. For those reading ahead, the January book is “Lessons in Chemistry”. For questions contact Maryanne Olsen, mgocary@yahoo.com

~Maryanne Olsen, Book Club Coordinator

Environment

Daffodil rescue, bulb relocation and sale involved most of our members in one way or the other with October 22, 2023, digging and removing bulbs, cleaning and sorting workshop at Page Walker on October 25, 2023, and packaging October 31, 2023, at Glenaire as part of our wreath making workshop. Approximately, 20 bags containing 12 various sized bulbs each were sold at the St Andrews Craft Fair on November 4, 2023. It has been almost a year since the old homestead spot was observed and permission for us to harvest and relocate the bulbs was procured.

Environmental Club at Cary High School – we will meet with the teacher/sponsor Lydia Paulk and club members Nov 28, 2023 after school to plant some bulbs and evaluate potential for collaboration – How can we help this group of future environmentalists in a sustainable way?

Downtown Cary Park grand opening was Sunday November 19, 2023, come check it out.

Input needed – now is our opportunity to provide feedback on the town's Draft Urban Forest Master Plan.  Also, stay engaged with our town’s stewardship strategies for a sustainable future.

Volunteer opportunity – we need more help in the pollinator garden at the Page Walker one morning once a week spring, summer and fall. Contact Denise or Lois for details.

~ Denise Tally, Environment CSP Chair and Lois Nixon, past chair of the Environment CSP

Health and Wellness

Bingo - Dec 5th at 2:00 at Total Life

We will be collecting gift cards for the Carying Place at the December 14th Luncheon.

CSP Meeting - Jan 8th 11:00 at Jane Suppa’s house.

~ Jane Suppa, Health and Wellness Chair

Cary Woman's Club Newsletter

P.O. Box 918, Cary, NC 27512-0918 

Publication Deadline:

25th of Each Month.

Newsletter Editor: Linda D'Alto

Website Liaison: Susan Abbott

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