Hello Ladies!

We are rounding the corner on this year’s Golf Tournament!  Friday, August 12^th, will be a glorious day!  We have 74 golfers signed up!  We can still accept hole sponsorships up until 8/10 (the sooner, the better).  Golfers can sign up until the Monday of (again – the sooner, the better).  The committee is grateful for all of the support of Columbiettes with the raffle.  You have really come through and our raffles once again should be first rate.  The committee will be setting up the night before (Thursday), and will be meeting at the Parish Center to pick up raffles at 5:45pm.  If that’s too early for you but you’d still like to help, they expect to be setting up at River Ridge around 6:30pm.  Many hands make light work!  Working the day of are:  Linda Champagne, Vicki Rosich, Renee Asmar, Yolande Tice, Kathy Brophy, Rosie Payne, Paula Nowakowski, Kathy Luty, Cheryl Viens, Dorla Barres, Bea Denomme, Linda Demanuel (getting a ride from Dorla), and myself.  Keep in mind that it is a long day when you’re working.  I bring food and water so I can eat quickly between other duties.  Many workers buy food from the River Ridge Restaurant.  Most of the workers are too busy to partake of the $30 buffet, but you could buy in if you want to.  The choice is yours.  Please dress in a way that represents our group nicely.  No jeans or shorts, please.  Please wear your badge, if you have one.   If you don’t have a name badge, Jo Ann Rowley is your girl.

We voted at the meeting to appropriate $500 from our small projects fund to Campership.  This is a program run by State Columbiettes to send disabled kids and adults to camp.  This year 50 campers have been approved for camp.

Jackie Goddard has been moved to Norwichtown Convalescent Home for a (hopefully) short time as she is dealing with congestive heart failure.  I’m sure she would love to see a friendly face, if you have time.

Once again, we have been awarded the Margaret Mary J. Mangan Award that is given to Columbiettes Auxiliaries demonstrating excellence in several categories.  Your efforts throughout the year have contributed to this great honor.  I am pleased to accept the award on your behalf at the upcoming Supreme Convention.

Our Sister Columbiettes in Stamford are compiling a new cookbook and would like submissions by August 23^rd to meet their deadline for Christmas sales.  All categories are welcome, so please consider sending your favorite recipes!  Here are some recipe writing format tips:

• List ingredients in order of use in the ingredients list and directions.

• Include container sizes, e.g. (16-oz) pkg, (24-oz) can.

• Use names of ingredients in the directions – e.g. “Combine flour and sugar.”  Do not use statements like “Combine first three ingredients.”

• Include temperatures and cooking, chilling, baking, and/or freezing times. 

• Include your name as you would like it to appear in the cookbook as well as the best way to contact you if they have any questions. 

  Cookbooks will be available for $10/book.  Recipes, questions, and cookbook reservations should be sent to Cristina Andreana – Columbiette5833recipes@gmail.com.  Her address for mailing checks is 148 Skyview Drive, Stamford, CT  06902.  Don’t forget to let her know you’re with the Very Reverend Michael McCabe Columbiettes!

   

  The new valances are ready for the Church Hall.  The stage curtains are nearly done, and we are in search of heavy duty drapery hooks to hang them.  This will be a wonderful addition to our Church Hall!

   

  Our Sister Columbiette, Debbie Gallant, from Blessed Pope John XXIII in Monroe is asking for our help.  Her husband, Donnie, has kidney failure and is looking for a living donor to step forward and help.  I have put all of the information on our website.  There is going to be an informational session on Saturday, September 24^th, 11:00am-2:00pm with Joyce Albert RN, CNIII, CCTC from Yale New Haven Transplant Center as the guest speaker.  The session will be at Saint Jude Parish Church (707 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT) and a light lunch will be served.  Please consider this, if you are able.  If not, maybe you know someone who might be able to do it.  You can contact Debbie at 203-414-9861 or DonDebGallant@hotmail.com. 

   

  We have scheduled another evening to work on Sleeping Mats for Homeless People for Tuesday, August 30^th at 6:00pm.  Come by if you want to work on or learn how to make the 3’x6’ mats.  You can knit or crochet (Donna has now learned how), cut up plastic shopping bags, or make yarn out of the strips.  It would be hard to explain here, but really easy to learn in person.  Why not join us?  You don’t need special skills or have to be a Columbiette, so bring your friends.  As usual, we manage to have a good time while we’re doing something good!

   

  The Tri-Parish Picnic will be Sunday, August 28^th at 2:00pm.  It is being held at the Voluntown Fire Department on Route 165.  I received an e-mail from Fr. Ted asking for help.  It seems as though most of the work has been assigned, but I think there’s room for Columbiettes to assist with the clean up.  I’m not creating a formal committee for this, but if you are going to the picnic, please plan to stay a bit at the end to help out.  Fr. Ted has asked that Columbiettes procure the beverages for the picnic.  I am asking Sheila for some guidance on what to get.  Is anyone willing to volunteer to take care of this?  Sheila said she can give us a check to write out at the store, or reimburse with a receipt.   Check out the bulletin for more information on attending.

   

  Donna Coombs and Cheryl Morin lead the Divine Mercy Chaplet on the first Friday of each month at 6:30pm in the chapel.  This month’s Divine Mercy Chaplet will be August 5^th.

   

  We decided at the meeting to have a Summer Picnic at Hopeville Pond on Wednesday, August 31^st at 5:30pm.  We will meet at the beach area.  Donna Coombs will bring plates, etc.  This should be as simple as possible as the real goal is just to get together.  Last year, we either brought our own dinner (I brought Subway) or a dish to share.  A couple of us even went swimming after most everyone left!  I look forward to seeing you there!    

   

  We talked about buying more chairs for the Church Hall.  This would be timely as we could use them for the Comedy Show.  I have e-mailed Fr. Ted to get his permission to solicit donations from the parishioners in the bulletin.  We decided to bring up the topic of appropriation next month when we have more information. 

   

  Apparently our Comedy Show will not conflict with the upcoming St. Thomas’ Basket Raffle.  They have not nailed down the date yet, but 11/5 is not in consideration for them. 

   

  We voted at the meeting to hold a Foxwoods Bingo Fundraiser.  Seems like fun!  We are shooting for a Friday in late October. 

   

  Dorla Barres and Madeline Illinger are once again putting together Backpacks with School Supplies for Griswold and DCF students.  You may have seen this in the bulletin.  Last year they put together and distributed almost 60 backpacks!  We will be including a card with our embossed stamp wishing each student success.  If you would like to make a donation, you can contact them or leave your items in the center vestibule of the church.  They are looking for new or gently used backpacks and school supplies.  All donations must be received by 8/21.  Rosie Payne went to Dollar General to purchase supplies.  When they heard what it was for, they gave her a 20% discount.  Ask for the discount, if you go there.

   

  Cheryl Morin and Donna Coombs are organizing a Living Rosary in conjunction with the Parish School of Religion on Sunday, October 16^th.  The Living Rosary will be 9:30-10:45am behind the statues by the roses.  At this time Dorla Barres, Alex Kral, Linda Champagne, Teresa Brown, Renee Asmar, Yolande Tice, Barbara Hanes, Bea Denomme, Kathy Kral, and Leona Minski have volunteered to assist.  There is room for you, too!

   

  At the meeting, Janice Steinhagen gave a report on the picnic that Columbiettes sponsored at Camp Ahimsa in Voluntown, which is run by Catholic Worker.  Each week of summer they host a camp for Hartford kids and counselors.  What wonderful work they are doing!  This camp gives these kids a glimpse of another life that is available to them.  They encourage them to do what they never thought possible.  One counselor told Janice that the camp had saved his life.  That’s quite a statement!  Thanks to the Columbiettes who participated in this very worthwhile event.

   

  Our next First Degree will be on Sunday, September 11^th at 1:00pm.  We have one candidate so far and room for more!  Claire Fafard contacted us through State Columbiettes.  She lives in Colchester and wants to be a Columbiette.  Who wouldn’t want to be a Columbiette??  If you know of anyone who wishes to join our merry band of ladies, now is a good time!  Let me know if you are interested in being on the Degree Team as this will be before our next meeting.

   

  This month’s Officers’ Meeting has been moved to Tuesday, August 9^th at 6:00pm.

   

  Our next regular meeting will be Monday, September 12^th at 7:00pm due to the Labor Day holiday.  Social Hour will begin at 6:00pm.

   

  Thanks for all you do!

   

•  Maryann