Smith College Club of Colorado ~ Fall 2008 Newsletter ~ President’s Letter ♦ Kirsten Steinke This Issue: Dear Smith Alumnae in Colorado very exciting time in derby history. Club Updates and Wyoming, 2 Remember: if you have an idea for I hope that each of you had a nice an event or activity, don’t be shy! Club Events summer and fall. Our club had a We’re always looking for new and 3 - 4 great summer, between an interesting gatherings. Unfortunately, illuminating lecture by Professor we can’t promote other non-profit Board & Committee organizations or for-profit Members Robert Burger at our annual meeting, our young alumnae event with author businesses. But other than that, most 5 Jessica Brody ‘01, and an early fall of our great event ideas come from Dues Form event with author Joy Hakim ‘51. club members, so keep them coming. back And please let us know if you’re It’s hard to believe that we’re already talking about the holidays, but making headlines or making waves luckily we have a lot to look forward in the area. We love to include these to. Sally Allen ‘62 has graciously news items in our newsletters. agreed to host our annual holiday party. This event is always a favorite, If you haven’t already paid your dues with ample opportunities to meet and for the 2008-2009 year, please fill Upcoming Events: mingle with local smithies and enjoy out the dues form on the last page of a light brunch. Also in time for the the newsletter. We also welcome • Holiday Party, holidays is our annual Enstrom’s additional donations to sponsor some December 14 Toffee Sale; be sure to submit the of the exciting events we have enclosed order form by December 6. planned for the spring. • Opera Arias, All proceeds from this fundraiser go February 8 Many thanks to our hard working directly to Smith’s Scholarship Fund. • Derby Days, board members and volunteers: April I’m very excited about an upcoming Laura Perry Barton, Julie Bock, Ali event we’ve scheduled with Opera Colby, Ann Crampton, Danielle Colorado. We’ll be hosting a private DiMauro, Emily Farrell, Donna event with a few young opera Feldman, Mary Hoagland, Tanya performers—it promises to be a Mathews, Elizabeth Mitchell, Nora unique and moving evening. Look Hoskins Neureiter, Elizabeth forward to that in early February. Rohrbough, Brazee Smith, and Jennifer Tredeaux. Additionally, we’ve scheduled a great event to coincide with the Looking forward to seeing you soon, Kentucky Derby. Penny Chenery ‘43 is a Colorado Smithie and was the Kirsten Steinke ‘06 owner of Secretariat. She’ll speak to President, Smith Club of Colorado us about her experiences during this [email protected] Page 2 of 5 Smith College Club of Colorado Treasurer’s Report ♦ Tanya Mathews At the Annual Meeting on Support. Thank you to all who current members to make June 18, 2008 all club have joined the Club and who additional donations to members in attendance have made a contribution. sponsor these upcoming approved a $2,581.64 gift to events. the Smith College Current I want to urge any of you who Scholarship Fund. This gift haven’t sent in your dues to do Remember, 100% of your dues was possible thanks to so. To match last year's dues- payment and additional proceeds from the Club's raising record, the Club still contributions are deductible annual Toffee Sales fundraiser needs to raise another for tax purposes, and all of $2,086.64 and Scholarship $4,000.00! We can do it! We proceeds directly fund events contributions of $495.00. are planning some great events for Club members and fund that you will read about in this student scholarships. Please As of September 30, 2008 the newsletter, and sending in mail your dues form and check Club had $3,664.26. So far in your dues form and check to me at 3840 Wolff St., this fiscal year, which began right away will ensure you Denver, CO 80212. Feel free July 1, 2008, the Club has receive all event invitations. to contact me with questions at raised $4,550.00 in Annual [email protected] or Dues and in additional Club We also encourage new and 303-588-5453. Admissions Report ♦ Brazee Smith The Smith Club of Colorado and Wyoming saw The Club has been proudly sending these five new women begin their studies at Smith packages every fall for the last three years, and this year. Please join me in welcoming Rebecca the response from the students has been Chazin, Terra Cutaia, Cassandra Hickman, overwhelming. They really appreciate getting Lucia Leighton and Danielle Pite to our group; care packages and many have thanked us for the all are scheduled to graduate in 2012. The added support they feel from the Smith number of current students from Colorado and community in their home state. Plus the Wyoming remains stable, and we currently have packages come with bragging rights as no other 24 smart, young women representing us. Keep club sends them out. up the good work, ladies! It has long been our wish to further support To help support our young women, the Club has these students by sending a care package in the been sending care packages to each of the spring, as well. Unfortunately our funds have students from Colorado and Wyoming. We not allowed us to do so. If you wish to give a send these packages near the end of October so donation which would go solely to the care that they are received in time for midterms. package fund, please see the membership form Typically we try to send mostly comfort foods on the back page of the newsletter. Thank you and things that may remind the students of for your help and here’s to the proud Smith home, such as candy, popcorn, granola bars, community we continue to create! Ramen noodles, more candy. If you would like to help recruit the next generation of Smith students and interview current applicants this fall and winter, please contact Emily Farrell at [email protected] or (303) 642-5237. Smith College Club of Colorado Page 3 of 5 Derby Days with Penny Chenery ‘43 ♦ April 2009 The Smith Club of Colorado is proud to host a Derby Days event next April (exact date TBD) with Penny Chenery ‘43. Penny, “The First Lady of Racing,” spent decades working in thoroughbred racing and breeding and is most known as the owner of Secretariat. In 1973, Secretariat became the first horse in 25 years to win the Triple Crown—winning the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Secretariat, also known as “Big Red,” is one of racing’s most famous horses, and two of the track records he set while winning the Triple Crown are still standing. www.secretariat.com Our event in April will set the scene for the 2009 races, which begin with the 2009 Nominee for Smith College Medal Kentucky Derby on May 2. Penny will talk Helen "Penny" Tweedy Chenery '43 about her experience as a woman in the rich Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding man’s world of horse racing. Penny recently moved to Boulder to be Penny is most known for her work in thoroughbred near her four children and six grandchildren. racing and as owner of the celebrated racehorse, In February 2009, Penny will be honored with Secretariat. She took over her father’s stables when he a Smith Medal at Rally Day. became ill and then bred and raced Secretariat who won Stay tuned for an announcement of the the Triple Crown. She has received many awards location and date of this exciting spring event! including the thoroughbred industry’s highest award, the Eclipse Award of Merit in 2006. Her references talk about her class, determination, and integrity – and her commitment to the horses first. Upon the retirement of Arias & Ensembles by Secretariat to Claiborne Farm she insisted that he would Opera Colorado, Feb. 8 be available to the public for viewing as she felt he belonged to the US and the world. On Sunday, February 8, 2009 from 2 - Penny has served on numerous boards, both in the 5 p.m. Jaren Ducker ‘60 will host Arias industry and outside of it. She has worked to promote & Ensembles by Opera Colorado. equine research and thoroughbred retirement and Talented young performers will sing rehabilitation. Of note is her help in founding the popular highlights from the operatic Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) which and musical theatre repertoire! The prevents the slaughter of retired racehorses and finds them Arias & Ensembles program features new careers. The TRF works with prisons to retrain the the Opera Colorado Ensemble Artists. horses and has a positive impact on the inmates. Designed to educate as well as Penny was the first woman to head a national racing entertain, the performance will include organization as President of the Thoroughbred Owners background information and interesting and Breeders Association, from 1976-84. In 1983, she facts about the program selections. was one of the first three women elected to membership in the previously all-male Jockey Club. She has been an active community volunteer as well Home of Jaren Ducker ‘60 as a loyal Smith alumna. Her mother, sister and two 200 High Street, Denver cousins also attended Smith. Page 4 of 5 Smith College Club of Colorado Quantum Theory and Relativity with Joy Hakim ‘51 On Monday, September 22, more than 30 Smithies and guests gathered at Lynne Bruning's studio to hear the featured speaker, Joy Hakim '51.