UPTOWN CIVITAN CLUB, January 2017
JACKSONVILLE, FLORID A Volume 34, No. 4
UPTOWN UPDATE
Inside This Issue Thoughts from Barbara ...
Program 2 January, the NEW YEAR, shining light. Fundraising 3 time for new beginnings, fresh starts, resolutions “Somewhere ages and ages hence: Membership / 4 Celebrating 100 Years of (cut out sugar!). I was Two roads diverged in a wood, Service thinking of how nice the and I, I took the one less traveled by, Social Activities 5 cooler weather is, and And that has made all the differ- Chaplain’s Corner / 6 how many years ago there ence.” Personally Speaking was often frost on the Volunteer Activities 7 ground early in the morn- From, “The Road Not Taken” - ing here in Jacksonville in Poem by Robert Frost Uptown Activities / 8 Florida District Meeting January and February. Your friendship, caring, giving Pine Castle / Birthdays / 9 While we continue on in makes a difference in the Greeters / our way there is always world. Invite someone of like change. I hope our new mind to come to a meeting, a meeting place, River City social, and to consider joining Officers 2016-2017 Brewing Company, with us. President Barbara Fiser its lovely view will be a President-elect Janice Miller wonderful change. We Happy New Year VP Membership Sandy Jones Secretary Mattie Fraser hope to have a new flag- Treasurer Betsy Caplan ship event soon. More to Chaplain Alice Painter come on that. And we will Sgt.-at-Arms Diana Flagg continue with our volun- Education Dr. Pat Ellis teer activities. Imm. Past President
Nancy Chamblin Directors Oh I’m back thinking of Tamer Britton frost again – but Robert Ellen Cooper Frost. Every time you give Laura Crooks your time and effort to a Regina Edwards Alice Painter volunteer activity your Sharon Rosenblum generosity, spirit and Ina Taffet cheerful giving is a Barbara Volume 34 No. 4 Page 2
PROGRAM … Jan Miller
Our program for December 13, our last meeting at the University Club and last meeting of the year, was a joyful one celebrating the Holiday spirit. We were joined by Karim Zabanneh who entertained us with eight holiday selections in- cluding White Christmas, Walking in a Winter Wonderland, Let it Snow, Blue Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, Its beginning to look a lot like Christ- mas, It’s the most wonderful time of the Year and have a Jolly Christmas, with some encour- agement, he sang a French duet encore with his mother, Lili, who had joined us for the lunch. Karin was born in Jordan, lived in Egypt and he and his parents and brother came to the United States in 2012. He began singing professionally at age 16 while in Egypt and since coming to the US has entered Florida State College Jacksonville, majoring in Film and Music. He has made one CD of Holiday songs and hopefully will be making more in the future. Who knows, maybe we will see him on “The Voice” next season! Pictured Karim, his mother and PE Jan Miller
In addition, to celebrate the season, about $700 in gift cards were donated by many mem- bers for the children at SeaMark Ranch. Pictured Susan Hamilton and Penny Powell
Also pictured below are Uptowners with two of the dedicated staff members of the University Club who have looked after us for almost 30 years!! We are sorry that the Club has closed. We will miss meeting there. Thanks to all for your service to us!! Volume 34, No. 4 Page 3
FUNDRAISING … Ellen Rubens
The next fundraising event is set for Valentine’s Day, February 14. Please donate any costume jewelry that you are no longer wearing. Let it find a new home and new happy owner.
Please contact Ellen Rubens to let her know if you can donate items.
We need Sellers and we need Buyers. Won’t you be one or both of these!!!
HOLIDAY PICTURES… Continued Volume 34, No. 4 Page 4
MEMBERSHIP …
Members are the lifeblood of any organization and certainly ours too. Please invite others to come and enjoy the fun and fellowship of Uptown Civitan while joining their hands with ours to serve those in need in the community. Pictured here are Toni Callahan who was the guest of Adonnica Toler at our December 13 meeting. Please join us Toni!!
In this Centennial Year, Civitan has a special pro- gram where they will award a special pin (shown above) to ALL members who recruit new or return- ing members. In addition for all returning mem- bers there will be no reinstate fee.
Bring prospective members to our regular meet- ings and/or to our projects so they will see the outstanding work being done by the Un- surpassable Uptown Civitan Club.
EARN THIS SPECIAL PIN BY RECRUITING A NEW OR RETURN- ING MEMBER.
Celebrating 100 Years of Service
Civitan International was chartered in Birmingham, Alabama on March 17, 1917. Civitan shares a look back at some of the milestones since its founding through the present day available on their website. I will be including a column in the Update each month. This is the next in the series!
1950-1959
Claxton Fruit Cake and Civitan team up in the early 1950s. It is to become the longest enduring fund raising project in Civitan history. The organization bolsters its expansion efforts by introducing Collegiate Civitan. The election of Ernest A. Moore as president of Civitan International is a true milestone. From Toronto, Ontario, Canada, he is the first non-United States resident to be elect- ed to that position.
Growth also brings opportunity. In this case, the opportunity for Civitan Inter- national to own its first permanent home. For $70,000, Civitan purchased a three-story building in downtown Birmingham.
Volume 34, No. 4 Page 5
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES … Diana Flagg
As part of our holiday festivities, Uptown members enjoyed the many creatively de- signed Gingerbread Houses at the "Gingerbread by Candlelight" fundraiser for the Jacksonville Historical Society held at the beautiful Old St. Andrews Church on December 14. It was amazing to see the level of detail displayed in each Ginger- bread House. Many had animation as part of their creation, too!! When we walked in, we were given the difficult task of voting for our favorite Gingerbread House. Afterwards, we had an enjoyable dinner at Uptown Kitchen and Bar. Members and guests attending the Uptown Social were Lynn Bertram and Tony Novelly, Betsy Caplan, Diana Flagg, Alicia Grant, Mattie Fraser, Pat John- son, Gayle Kanak, Mary Jo Marjenhoff, Jan Miller, Sara Ann and Jack Murray, Jean Smith, Patricia Stephens, Ina Taffet, Adonnica Toler and Linda Wein- stein. It was a fun time.
The next social will be a Beaches Fine Arts series concert at St. Paul's By-The-Sea on January 22nd at 4p.m. The concert will feature Brandon Ridenour on trumpet and is free to the public. The Uptown Civitan Club will be providing refreshments and clean-up for the reception immediately following the concert.
Afterwards, we'll continue our social time together for dinner at the Seachaser's Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach. This restaurant is on the beach and has a spectacular view of the ocean.
The next planned social will be on February 11, 2017. It is the Douglas Anderson School of Arts 2017 Extravaganza at the Times-Union Center Moran Theater, with the art exhibition at 6:30 p.m. and the performance at 7:30 p.m. As always, any ideas you have for social events are welcome!!
Volume 34, No. 4 Page 6
Chaplain’s Corner … Alice Painter
Happy New Year to my Uptown Civitan Sisters! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are looking forward to doing great things in 2017. I came across words of wisdom from Ann Landers on how to welcome the New Year with a clean and happy heart. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Let us all welcome 2017 with a clean and happy heart! Happy New Year!
Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you have always wanted to do but could not find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you do not think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You will look 10 years younger.
Do not be afraid to say, I love you. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world. May we all have a great year and wonderful times ahead. God bless us all. Let us all welcome 2017 with a clean and happy heart! Happy New Year!
– Ann Landers. PERSONALLY SPEAKING ...
Laura Crooks reports: My dear friend Linda Foley, and a member of Uptown Civitan is in Bap- tist (MDAnderson Cancer Clinic). The prognosis is not good. All chemo has stopped because it is not working. She is having only Palliative Care. Hospice will probably be called in soon. She cannot eat anything and is on intravenous meds to help the pain. This was a sudden turn of events because she seemed okay just after Christmas. Please let our members know so that they can keep her and Roger in their thoughts and prayers. No visitors are allowed. Just family. Please keep Linda and her family in your prayers.
Our sympathy is extended to JoAnn Leigh Gramm whose husband passed away in November. Our thoughts and prayers are with JoAnn and her family too.
Pat Johnson reports that Cathy Grant, her sister, is in ICU at St. Vincent’s South and is pro- gressing somewhat. Just keep her in your prayers as she heals from hip replacement and her major health setback.
Pat also says that she and her family (10 in all) flew to Chicago to share Thanksgiving with her oldest grandson. And thankfully came home and missed the huge snow storm and 7 degree temperatures.
Susan Connors says that Boz Thabler, her brother, is on a waiting list at Cleveland Clinic for a liver transplant. Prayers have sustained him through several critical instances, and are eagerly welcomed now. Susan will be living with her brother and help in his care during the waiting period until his transplant. Boz is also the beloved brother-in-law of Ellen Cooper.
Gayle Kanak and Mattie Fraser were happy to have son/grandson, Jon Kanak, home for the holidays from Los Angeles. The main attraction was his niece Emmie Burkhalter, the star of the family!! Emmie is also the granddaughter/granddaughter of Gayle/Mattie.
Volume 34, No. 3 Page 7
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES …
The monthly visit to Clara White Mission took place on December 14 and is to serve breakfast to those who are in need. Participating were: Su- san Connors, Sharon Kan- tor, Jan Miller, Sharon Ros- enblum, Wynester Sherrer, and Ina Taffet, along with two guests Lois Schleisinger and Alice Soliman. Ju’Coby Pittman, an Uptowner and CEO of the Clara White Mis- sion, and are pictured below. After volunteering, they went to the Uptown Café for brunch and a time for fellowship.
Linda Weinstein and Sharon Rosenblum worked at the Enchanted Christmas Village cookie decorating station all day Saturday, December 3. They each worked for 7 1/2 hours and it took 45 minutes driving each way to get to the Village. Mary Jo Mar- jenhoff and Mattie Fraser worked at the same place on Thursday, December 8 for 5 hours each, with one hour of driving time each way for them. We were lucky to be in- side the upscale barn area with the other craft stations and some vendors. Restroom facilities were there as well. The property is very pretty and we looked in at the igloo where breakfast with Santa was being held and it was adorable. The food looked great also and we were told that Publix catered breakfast. It was a magical setting with elves, music and sing-alongs. Upon leaving we each were given 2 passes to come back later.
Volume 3, No. 3 Page 8
UPTOWN ACTIVITIES … KEEP THE DATES!!!
Ongoing Fundraising Candy/Coin Boxes (Adonnica Toler) Ongoing Volunteer Clara White Mission (Sharon Kantor/Sharon Rosenblum) Ongoing 2nd/4th Thurs. noon Volunteer Pine Castle Civitan Club (Diane Young/Elaine Hall) Ongoing Volunteer Baby Caps (Ellen Petersen/Linda Weinstein) Ongoing Volunteer Sewing Catheter Bags for Brooks Rehab (Marion Anderson, Linda Weinstein) Ongoing Volunteer Ronald McDonald House (Sharon Rosenblum) Ongoing Fundraising Ellen Rubens Annual Fundraising Flagship Event (TBD) Ongoing Social Diana Flagg
2017 Jan. 18 Clara White Mission Volunteer Sharon Kantor/Sharon Rosenblum Jan. 22 Beaches Fine Arts Volunteer Mattie Fraser/Gayle Kanak Jan. 22 Seachasers Social Diana Flagg Feb. 11 Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Social Diana Flagg Feb. 15 Clara White Mission Volunteer Sharon Kantor/Sharon Rosenblum Mar. 15 Clara White Mission Volunteer Sharon Kantor/Sharon Rosenblum Apr. 19 Clara White Mission Volunteer Sharon Kantor/Sharon Rosenblum May 17 Clara White Mission Volunteer Sharon Kantor/Sharon Rosenblum June 21 Clara White Mission Volunteer Sharon Kantor/Sharon Rosenblum July 19 Clara White Mission Volunteer Sharon Kantor/Sharon Rosenblum Aug. 16 Clara White Mission Volunteer Sharon Kantor/Sharon Rosenblum Sept. 20 Clara White Mission Volunteer Sharon Kantor/Sharon Rosenblum
If you have volunteer, social, or fundraising activities you would like to have added to this calendar, please e-mail me at [email protected]
FLORIDA DISTRICT MEETING… MARCH 11, 2017
SAVE THE DATE THE FLORIDA DISTRICT MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE HILTON GARDEN INN, LAKE MARY, FLORIDA ON FRIDAY, MARCH 10 AND SATURDAY, MARCH 11. THE REGISTRATION AND MORE INFORMATION WILL BE ISSUED IN THE NEXT WEEK.
UPTOWN WILL PAY THE REGISTRATION FOR ALL FULL-DUES PAYING MEMBERS. JOIN US FOR THE FUN AND FELLOWSHIP!!!
Uptown Civitan Club, Jacksonville, Florida WELCOME Guests … Toni Callahan Uptown Civitan Club P. O. Box 10266 New members … Invite others to join us! Jacksonville, FL 32247 Membership: 93 WHAT’S COMING Also see Uptown Activities Calendar, Jan. 4 Board Meeting, WJCT, Noon Jan. 10 Tommy Hazouri, City Councilman Jan. 24 Nathan Souder, National Parks
Visit www.floridacivitan.org Uptowncivitanjacksonville.orgVisit www.floridacivitan.org GREETERS FOR MEETINGS Jan. 10 Joyce DeVillez, Diane Young Jan. 24 Diana Flagg, Ann Mackey HAPPY JANUARY Feb. 14 Sharon Rosenblum, Ina Taffet BIRTHDAYS Feb. 28 Diana Flagg, Lois Lawrence
8 Lynda Steele Editor: Mattie Fraser, [email protected] 12 Margaret Purcell Special Contributor: Laura Crooks [email protected] 15 Renee McQueen 15 Jan Miller 23 Sara Ann Murray 23 Karen Nasrallah Embrace your uniqueness. 25 Barbara Fiser Life is too short to(noun) be living 27 Bonnie Hardman Volunesia Thatsomeone moment when else’s you forget life. you ’re MANY HAPPY RETURNS volunteering to help change lives, If it’s your birthday and your becauseKobi Yamada,it’s changing American yours. name is not here, please let me know
PINE CASTLE CIVITAN CLUB … Diane Young
The December meeting of Pine Castle Civitan on December 8 was the highlight of their year. Santa Claus arrived with his sack full of gifts. The members had been waiting since 9:00 am for him. Santa presented Lissette Pelegrin with the Ray Young Memorial North Florida Elf award. Beth Boehm bestowed an award on Santa for his good work this year. Each member received a gift bag, stocking, cookies and had their picture taken with Santa. Up- town members helping with the good cheer included Ina Taffet, Sharon Rosenblum, Sharon Kantor, Elaine Hall, Ellen Rubens, Wynester Sher- rer and Diane Young. Nancy Darlow contributed the gift bags.