Dressing the Abbey - Muskegon Museum of Art

A large group of members and friends met at Muskegon Museum of Art to tour the “Dressing the Abby” exhibition on Thursday, July 28. The clothing was worn by the actors in the Downton Abbey television series. The exhibit included some actual vintage clothing and some made by costume designers. There was one design made from a vintage tablecloth!

About half the group had carpooled together, and stayed for an early dinner at Hearthstone Bistro, where we were able to sit outside on their flower-bedecked patio. Excellent food and great conversation were the perfect finish for a lovely day out.

Dressing the Abbey

Intro to the exhibit

Cleverly designed from a vintage tablecloth!

Hearthstone Bistro

Celebration 98!

We celebrated our 98th year at Watermark Country Club on May 12. A short video of events we have enjoyed over the past year was shown after a delicious meal and a sinfully rich chocolate dessert. Good friends and great conversation made for a great evening!

Women’s City Club Presents the 2022 Impact Award Recipients!

L-R: Ashley Garrido, Susan Jacobi, school counselor, Aaron Roussey, principal, Azucena Valasquez

Who inspires you? Express yourself!

This challenge went out to juniors at Union High School in Grand Rapids. The prize is a cash award to help the students with expenses related to their plans after high school. We are pleased to present a $500 cash Impact Award to 3 students this year! The students applied by submitting an entry using their choice of media along with a personal statement describing the person who inspires them.

Ashley Garrido wrote an essay describing her exploration of those in her life who she might consider as role models, finally coming to the realization that her best friend Kelease inspires her and is her role model. Kelease’s support and encouragement to work hard and achieve at school made her a perfect choice.

Azucena Velasquez created a 3D drawing of her father. The drawing, which must be viewed with special red and blue glasses, depicts in blue, Azucena’s father as a young man crying as he covers the eyes of a little girl (Azucena) and in red, the father and daughter smiling. In a moving statement, Azucena described her father as her role model who inspires her to stand up for her beliefs and to never give up no matter how bad things get.

Doris Sanchez Pineiro, who was on a class trip in DC and not able to attend in person, sent in a video statement explaining her entry which is a drawing of her father who is her role model. The black and white drawing of her father is surrounded by colorful plants and flowers which he loves. They remind Doris of her father who taught her to be strong, be herself, and care for others.

We are honored to present the award to these 3 deserving young women!

For more information on the Impact Award click here.

Day Away at the Gilmore Car Museum

On a blustery, yet sunny April Thursday, members of the Club traveled by automobile to visit the Gilmore Car Museum. A 90-acre farm near Hickory Corners, Michigan is home to this amazing museum founded by Genevieve and Donald Gilmore in 1966. It all began with 35 vehicles but over time the collection has expanded to 400 vehicles and over 190,000 square feet of exhibit space.

The first “car.”

We were graciously welcomed and after a brief history, were provided with our own docent to help us navigate the vast series of buildings housing the collection. Halfway through our tour we stopped for lunch at the authentic 1940s Blue Moon Diner. After a filling lunch that may have involved a chocolate malt or strawberry sundae, our docent Mark picked us up to continue the tour.

The attention to detail was amazing! Music from the era was playing as we moved through the buildings and clothing and other artifacts rounded out the displays. Of particular interest were the one of-a-kind enlarged movie set from the 1967 Disney feature film, “The Gnome-mobile” and the vast display of automobile mascots.

Their dedication to telling the history of America through the automobile is fascinating and educational. We would certainly recommend you take a “Day Away” and experience the magic and memories at the Gilmore Car Museum.

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Gilmore Car Museum

Wendy, Kathleen, and Wendy by the “Gnome-mobile” set

Muscle Cars

Luxury vehicle

Drumming and Dance, a Delightful Program!

Delight Lester, founder and director of Arts in Motion, a no-profit organization that provides artistic adventures in visual arts, music, and dance to individuals with disabilities, brought a special program to the WCC stage on March 17. Six young women demonstrated their skills in expressive dance.

Josh Dunigan, a percussionist who teaches expression, group play, and the science of sound, also attended, bringing along a plethora of drums and egg shakers which he distributed among the audience. His encouraging and lighthearted teaching style had us soon enthusiastically giving the shakers and drums a try. What fun!

Then the dancers had us up on our feet joining in the expressive dance using colorful scarves. We were certainly enriched by this creative and inspiring hour!

For more information about Arts in Motion visit www.ArtsInMotionStudio.org

View this news clip on Josh Dunigan giving a taste of what he’ll be doing at LaughFest this month.

Covering Our Sisters With Warmth!

The Women’s City Club Outreach Committee recently organized a sweatshirt collection for the women vets at the Grand Rapids Veteran’s Home. Donations from our members brought in 71 sweatshirts!

The collection was delivered to the Vet’s Home on March 15 and the crew was met by Joe, a vet and volunteer to help receive them.

Thank you to Cat T. for organizing and delivering and to all members who donated!

Socks, Socks, and More Socks!

“If every day is a gift, then today I got socks.” In The Image, a local non-profit, will be providing new shoes to over 5,000 students in 38 elementary schools from Grand Rapids, Godfrey Lee, Kentwood, Godwin, and Wyoming to start the 2021 – 2022 school year. WCC members collected socks all July and August, to pair with those brand-new shoes. Pat Boyle and her granddaughter delivered all the socks given by WCC. They filled a shopping cart! Thank you, members, for making that first day of school with a new pair of socks into a true “gift.”

2020 in Review!

2020 in Review- WCC Finds Lot To Do!

By Kathleen Ray

We didn’t create this Covid-

It mysteriously seemed to appear

And altered our whole darn year.

We didn’t create this Covid-

Women’s City Club didn’t spread it

We wouldn’t let it.

June of 20, fear aplenty,

not to worry, programs in flurry,

Virtual Links or a zoom

Enrichment programs in your room.

Mayor Bliss was superb,

Kids Food Basket earned a blurb.

The Dutch House was complex,

Movies with Mike- can’t wait for the next.

July and August weren’t much better,

Social Distance seemed like a fetter.

Tuesday Coffee time at Ferris,

Seemed as good as Springtime in Paris.

Wonderful Wednesdays, kept us thinking,

Zooming Social Time was cause for drinking.

DIA, Farmers Mark-et,

quickly followed by Picnic in Tassel Park.

We didn’t create this Covid-

It mysteriously seemed to appear

And altered our whole darn year.

We didn’t create this Covid-

WCC didn’t spread it

We wouldn’t let it.

September ushered in the fall,

WCC adapted and had a ball!

Miles of Murals with Carolyn Cook,

Scarf Tying for a new look!

Book Club started to Zoom

Good-bye to Christine, changes loomed.

Secret Sisters on the way

New Bulletin Editor needed today.

October was a busy month,

In Johnson Park, we did lunch.

Oktoberfest was next in line,

Everyone had a very nice time.

The Getty Challenge was an inspiration,

Welcome Kate to the WCC nation.

Virtual Fashion from Tap House Bo,

Secret Sisters reveal, with smiles a glow!

November 2020- year’s almost done,

We definitely need some kind of fun!

Made felted soap, was good to see friends,

Hands all soapy, be sure to cover the ends.

Transformation Culture with Mary Brown,

Should be discussed all over town.

Stuff the Bag and Auto Calling were just a few,

Of the many new options, the WCC did do.

We didn’t create this Covid-

It mysteriously seemed to appear

And altered our whole darn year.

We didn’t create this Covid-

WCC didn’t spread it

We wouldn’t let it.

December is here, the end of 2020 is near!

Hope is rising, there’s declining fear,

We can do this, with our usual grace,

We wished safe holidays for the whole human race.

Holiday memories celebrated on Zoom,

Was really quite pleasant as the big day loomed.

The Evergreen Exchange was a new take on gifting,

And Movies with Mike, had us into past holidays drifting.

January 24, WCC celebrated 97 years,

With joy and laughter and maybe a few tears.

Hats off to Past Presidents, by our History Committee,

Showed once and for all why we’re the best in the city.

Opera GR in time of Covid, and Alita Kelly of South East Market,

Show cased young women who are star cut!

Book Club talked Kindred, how it was back then

Members in the spotlight were Harriet Mitchell and Cyndi Len.

February brought Alten at the Gram,

Wilke and Hurd on two pianos grand.

Member spotlight, Mae Preston and Nancy Court,

Valentines was cold and windy in Tassel Park.

Hope Unexpected was certainly inspiring,

Steinbeck’s East of Eden was inquiring.

Zumba with Kate got the juices flowing,

On the Member page it is still showing

We didn’t create this Covid-

It mysteriously seemed to appear

And sparked new thinking for next year.

We didn’t create this Covid-

We learned to work around it

We’re not bound to it!

March is Impact Award Month, members generously give,

To make a difference in a life, a chance for a dream to live.

It’s also Women History Month, honoring those who have gone before,

Forging the way for us and others to take to the sky and soar.

Granting the wishes of Women Vets,

or drinking coffee in our jammies, how much better can it get?

Irene Nowak and Colleen Lowry Alward, we learned about you,

and about Charm Bracelet author Wade Rouse, aka, Viola Shipman too!

April’s spotlight shone on members Marilyn Lamoreaux and Nancy Knauss,

Programs started with new author Christopher Cosmos.

On to Camp Blodgett and its STEM program especially for girls,

Then Caroline Cook took us on a Zooming good Love Tour.  

The monthly coffee, social time, and Book Club was rounded out by the Flower Bar Class,

Everything was looking up, and we were positive, that Covid restrictions would finally pass.

Any Furman’s program, from Acne to Entrepreneur, was the final Zoom,

and smiles began to spread through the room!

May was to be our homecoming month to Kent County Club you see,

For Thursday programs, and special events, please, let it be!

Our General Meeting and Impact Awards went off without too much trouble,

But we did have to kill extra time, did she just say that double?

Tap House Bo was our Fashion Show, oh, it’s so good to be out,

At the President’s Tea, we were all so happy, we just wanted to shout!

The 97 Annual Meeting was a joyful affair, and Kathleen has passed the torch,

Now Linda is here, there’s nothing to fear, and Kathleen is rocking on the porch!

We didn’t create this Covid-

It mysteriously seemed to appear

It didn’t beat us; it couldn’t defeat us.

We didn’t create this Covid-

It made us stronger,

Women’s City Club will last much longer!

Here’s to the Women of our Club, and their partners too,

Together there isn’t much, we absolutely cannot do.

The past year proves that point, time and time again,

All it takes is courage and a few very good friends.

We celebrate where we’ve been, and the many lessons learned,

We are glad we are here tonight, in a time of less concern.

Look to the future, and its countless opportunities to choose,

With your WCC friends behind you, it’s impossible to loose.

The Story of the Women's City Club on WGVU's The Michigan Experience!

Watch the video here!

Honoring Women

Women’s City Club members celebrated Women’s History Month on March 9 by donating “wish list“ items needed by the women residing at Grand Rapids Veterans Home. Our generous WCC members brought fleece jackets, flannel shirts, blankets and quilts, shampoo, toothbrushes, socks, snacks and puzzle books.

Volunteers spent over an hour at East Congregational Church packing all of the items in colorful bags. GVSU sent a photographer to film the event to be included in their public media documentary series: The Michigan Experience.

Tiffany Carr, director of Community Relations at the Home, was very appreciative of the 18 cart loads of our timely contributions. Tiffany stated that during the winter holidays donations are plentiful for the veterans, but it is during early spring and throughout the rest of the year organizations such as GRVH are still in need.

Our Community Outreach project for March is both meaningful and successful because of the tremendous support of our Women’s City Club community!

Celebrating Women Veterans

February 1, 2021

The Women’s City Club will be celebrating the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2021, by honoring the 14 women who reside at the Michigan Veterans Home in Grand Rapids. The Club plans to fulfill the women’s individual “Wish Lists” by collecting items in the month of February and presenting gift packages on March 9, 2021. We are seeking:

New Clothing: in sizes S-3X. Items especially desired are sweatshirts, zip-up or pullover fleece. Flannel shirts, jackets and PJs.

Personal items, including shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, blankets, novels, puzzles, word search and Sudoku booklets.

Snacks: individually wrapped items such as granola bars, Rice Krispies Treats, cookies, chips, chocolates, and soft drinks.

Items purchased for the “Wish Lists” may be brought to East Congregational Church, 1005 Giddings SE, Grand Rapids, MI on March 9, 2021 at 11:00 AM or call 616-459-3321 to make alternative arrangements.

If you are unable to shop for the “Wish List items,” WCC will accept monetary donations, which will be used to fulfill the requests.  Call 616-459-3321 for more information.

Any surplus items will be shared among other residents of the Veterans Home.

For more information about this project, please visit wccgr.org or call 616-459-3321.

Evergreen Exchange

Several WCC women, bundled against the cold and masked up, stopped by Pamela’s cheerily decorated porch at different times on December 19 to participate in a no-contact gift exchange.

The idea was to leave one, take one, open it at home, then share by sending in a photo of yourself with the gift.

Members were delighted with their gifts!

“Listening to my WCC gift of Brandon and Rich Ridenour. Loving it.”

“Thank you friend for the great gift. Very appropriate as the mask has bananas on it. Merry Christmas!”

“I really love the book/cd and it will get much use.”

This contact-less Christmas party was a great success!

Stuff the Bag!

During the month of November, the WCC Community Outreach Committee is sponsoring “Stuff the Bag.” This program is in support of the DA Blodgett Foster Care Program. DA Blodgett provides classes for foster parents prior to receiving a child. After that the foster parents are notified of the day and time they will receive the child. No items are provided at the time the infant is picked up. No car seat, no diapers, no bottles or formula, just the baby.

WCC is stuffing 15 bags with diapers, baby wipes, sleepers, socks, infant blankets, onesies, books, baby shampoo & lotion, baby food, cereal and snacks. All items will be collected and bagged on December 1 at East Congregational Church at 11:00 am. Contact Cat Timermanis at 616-956-3485 with questions.

Miles of Murals!

On steps, on bridges and underpasses, in alleys, on buildings, on the street, on electrical boxes, mural art is everywhere in Grand Rapids! Carolyn Cook from Grand Rapids Running Tours, presented a fantastic new program to the WCC last week. It’s called “Miles of Murals.”

Caroline has done extensive research about the art and artists and the details are fascinating. You may have seen the painted electrical boxes downtown. These are done by local female artists and feature special women who have made a difference in their field.

Some murals are very visible and some are a little harder to find. Some of the art was created for ArtPrize. The alley activation project murals showcase historical women in Grand Rapids. Hannah Berry, from Lions & Rabbits, a gallery, event space, and education center in the Creston neighborhood, is instrumental in bringing this project to the streets.

There are so many murals that Caroline got through only half of the program in our allotted time! We can’t wait to have Caroline back again to show us the rest!

You can hop on one of her tours by registering on her website at grandrapidsrunningtours.com.

Women's City Club Hires New Administrative Assistant!

The Women’s City Club is pleased to introduce you to our new Administrative Assistant, Kate Mora Woods. Kate comes to us with many years of experience in the field of Communications and Project Management and her skills will be a great resource for the WCC.

“I’m so excited to be working with the Women’s City Club of GR! Joining this legacy of strong, vibrant women in my community is thrilling. I’ve always been the type of person to look for that next adventure. I’ve done everything from leading my own dance and fitness company, to traveling through South East Asia while working remotely as a project and communications manager. My current adventure is being mom to my son Oddell, who was 1 year old on September16! My husband and I lead the GR Cuban Salsa dance community (currently on hiatus due to COVID-19) and we live on the west side of downtown GR. I’m so looking forward to meeting everyone soon!”

Kate has been trained in our systems, set up her home office, and familiarized herself with our files. Each Committee chair will meet with Kate to explain procedures and responsibilities. 

Welcome Kate!

Support, Encourage, Enrich!

September has always been an exciting time of the year. The school year begins, we settle into a regular routine, the days are warm and sunny, the nights are cool and crisp. The color and texture is invigorating as the leaves turn brilliant orange, red and yellow. The grasses and seeds deepen to rich golds and browns, providing a beautiful contrast to the falling leaves. Even the animals hasten their efforts as they prepare for what is next!

To date, 2020 has been like no other! All of us have been impacted by a virus that didn’t exist a year ago. And while the Women’s City Club has altered the way we do things, many things have remained constant. The great conversations are now taking place by phone, the meetings are via Zoom and our face-to-face events are outside, mask-to-mask.

In 1924, a group of energized, engaged women recognized the need for a social organization, providing opportunity for women to come together to support, encourage and enrich each other’s lives. Today, we are still here for the same purpose. As we continue to adjust to the ever-changing landscape of Covid-19, the Club is focusing on what we can do, not what we can’t. We are here to support, encourage and enrich the lives of our members and our community.

Enjoy the color, texture and energy of fall!

Women's City Club Safe Start Protocol

The Women’s City Club is slowly beginning to return to in-person activities. We started with a Let’s Do Lunch Picnic at Tassell Park on July 16 and Coffee Time on July 21 at Ferris Westside. The availability of our Thursday venue, Kent Country Club, will determine when we are able to resume Thursday Programs.

Safe practices for WCC events are directed by both the MI Safe Start Plan and our host facilities requirements. To meet all these requirements, the WCC has implemented the following requirements for all in-person activities:

• A mask is mandatory, except when eating

• Maintain social distancing

• Events will be reservation only with prepayment required when applicable. 

We would also like to remind you to stay home if you are ill, have a bad allergy day, or are coughing or sneezing for any reason.

Kent Country Club will be implementing the following protocols:

• No one will be admitted to KCC facilities without a mask.

• Currently, coffee time and socializing is not possible. Beverages cannot be left unattended.

• Tables will be placed six feet apart.

• Four guests per table

• Direct service only. Beverages, salt, pepper, cream, and sugar must all be requested and may not remain on the table.

• Socializing will need to take place at the tables, rather than in the lounges. Please proceed directly to your table.

Kent Country Club is taking extra precautions by providing the highest standards of cleanliness and is providing hand sanitizer for use by all guests. Please assist them by following their directives.

Suspension of WCC Activities

March 13, 2020

Dear Members,

Yesterday we announced that you are our most important asset and that your health and welfare is our priority. To protect the population of Michigan, and to stem the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus, Governor Whitmer has ordered all Michigan schools closed until at least April 5. In addition, we have received notice from Beacon Hill that until further notice, all outside meetings or gatherings will be suspended.

The Women’s City Club Board of Directors has made the decision to suspend all Club activities Beginning tomorrow, March 14, 2020, until Thursday, April 23, 2020. The Club will stay in contact with you via e-mail, Member Monday and the Bulletin. If you are aware of a member who does not have email, please reach out to them and pass on this important development.

The members of the Women’s City Club are seasoned women who know how to weather a storm.  It is the intention of the Board to communicate with you often, plan for our future programs and prepare for our 96th Annual Meeting.  Please continue to use protective hygiene practices and, Be Calm and Carry On!

Kathleen Ray, President

Vision 2020: MORE TO OUR SOCIAL CLUB

“Welcome to Women’s City Club!”  This is the enthusiastic greeting I have heard many times since joining the Women’s City Club. It is a welcome that reminds me of the reasons I joined this longstanding institution. It’s the comradery of women learning and working together through the various resources and opportunities made available by the Women’s City Club. A welcome addition in my life, especially the Thursday Enrichment programs, Book Club and Mah Jongg! What a delight to share the different backgrounds and perspectives brought to all of these experiences, plus a cup of coffee and cookies at $2 Bucks Tuesday Coffee Time and knowing that you are contributing to other programs like the books donated by the Literacy Committee to DeVos Children’s Hospital.    

There are many ways to come together and enjoy WCC, different activities that allow us to both give and receive. But to sustain these wonderful opportunities there must be a vision for the future. The sharing of ideas to build a sustainable future for WCC was the goal of the Vision 2020 discussions February 20, 2020. It was another learning experience for me as a new member to participate and learn from so many years of perspective as we forge ahead together.

There were ten questions presented to the members for discussion. Each question may have had a specific set of answers, but all ten questions dealt with the overall future of the WCC.

There were key words that came through all discussions. Inclusion and diversity, how can we bring this to the WCC?  Defined both as age and cultural diversity, members discussed finding ways to make ourselves and perhaps some of our programs available and relevant to a younger and more diverse population of women. Members also reflected on the strong history and commitment from the Women’s City Club to civic, artistic and philanthropic activities. 

“We are more than a social club!” was echoed by many members. How, then, to make our work known beyond and into the community at large. That there needs to be “focused, intentional forward thinking” was a goal that came from these discussions. And networking! We all bring something unique to the WCC as professional women with many gifts to share. Now let’s bring a friend, a contact, a new network to tap into so that we can continue to grow and encourage a community of women sharing together.

BY CYNDI LEN

WCC Donates Over 150 Books to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital!

On Friday, February 14, a very special delivery was made to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital by Anne Hill and Pat Boyle from the Women’s City Club Literacy Committee. Over 15o books were presented to Sarah Smith, Lead Teacher, Andrea Hekman, Assistant Teacher, and Taylor Babcock, Communications Specialist. A wide variety of books at all levels from toddler to teen were included. They’ll be distributed for use by patients and their families in the library, in their 9th-floor classroom, and by the Book Fairy to the children.

The books were purchased from Schuler Books using store credit from previous book sales and generous WCC member donations. Some of the books were donated by members.

The staff at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital were delighted and grateful for this donation! The reasons the children are in the hospital are sometimes scary, but hopefully, these books will help alleviate some of the stress and be a welcome distraction for them and their families.

The Women’s City Club is extremely proud to provide this donation!