Mark your calendars to attend the AAUW Branch Summer Picnic - July 31st at Danville Park - 11 am - 2pm - Park is on Mount View Lane  -  no charge as first come first served basis.  Plenty of parking and restrooms.  A lovely neighborhood park right behind Brenda Wolfe's home. 

A-G bring desserts and H-Z Bring Salads,  Drinks, Plates, Cups and Flatware Furnished,  All officers bring your books to exchange with new officers and committees.  Call Dixie Gordon at 719- 685-1113 home or cell 405-514-4916 with any questions or concerns. (Tea, Water and Lemonade will be furnished - perhaps coffee depending on weather.) A more central location was requested so we will try this one.

AAUW – Colorado Springs Branch Newsletter

JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 2010

Branch Summer Picnic

July 31, 2010

President’s Message  

1.        As I begin my term as your new President I would like to give credit to Lynda for a fine year and thank you for serving twice.  More than I hope to tackle and you did it so well.  WE THANK YOU LYNDA and look forward to seeing you often. 

2.        Kudos to Cookie Trulsson and Jeanne Marsh for another great choice for our Branch Meeting.  The food was good and excellent service shared with special AAUW friends; we thank you as you made it look so easy and took such care in making it a positive experience once again. Cinco de Mayo was enjoyed by all. A star in the crown of Marge Zimmerman and her committee for another informative and interesting program: Canine Companions for Independence. 

3.        Georgina Burns provided two great women in our branch for recognition in Names Honored: Congratulations to Lindy Conter and Marge Zimmerman - two very deserving members. 

4.        Joann Oh and her committee did a wonderful job of finding outstanding young women as recipients this year of our scholarships - it was nice to have two of them attend our branch meeting and how impressed we all were.  We only hope that we can provide more scholarship funds in the future to better support the efforts of that committee.  WE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO TO HELP US ACHIEVE ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT GOALS.

5.        Peggy Wimberly gave a great report and held the elections for the coming year.  Thank you Peggy for serving our branch with great nominees.  Your committee has functioned very nicely.

 We all will enjoy a pleasant summer season and look forward to working together in the fall in Breaking Barriers with the Winds of Change. 

 Dixie Gordon, President  

LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Again this year the Local Scholarship Committee selected three outstanding women to receive our scholarships: 

* Nicole Wilder received our $1000 scholarship.  She is a mechanical engineering major at UCCS with 77 credit hours and a 3.834 grade point average (GPA), AND she is the single parent of three elementary school age children.  She wrote in her personal statement, "My goal is to show women, the caretakers of America's future, that nothing is impossible. . . .I will maintain my standards of being an involved parent with my children, succeeding in college, and being an outstanding example to them."  Her engineering professor recommended her with high praise such as, "Nicole surpasses expectations at every turn, showing a diligence and dedication I have rarely seen."

* Michelle Glowczewski, a nursing major at UCCS with 53 credit hours and a 3.966 GPA, received a $500 scholarship.  She has been working at two jobs, including one as a lab instructor in an Anatomy and Physiology class at UCCS, and she helped run and judge the anatomy and physiology event at the Pikes Peak Regional Science Olympiad.  Her professor noted, "She genuinely has the self-motivation to transition from knowledge to understanding. . . .Michelle displays the same level of dedication and excellence to every challenge she takes on."

* Laura London, who received our second $500 scholarship, graduated summa cum laude from PPCC with a 4.0 GPA, earned "while working full-time, raising twin teenagers [as a single parent], becoming a grandmother, and returning to school after a 25-year absence."  She then spent two years in Micronesia teaching in the Peace Corps, where, as her director wrote, "Laura demonstrated a strong commitment to achieving a high level of excellence under arduous conditions."  She was accepted at UCCS but recently learned that because of revised requirements half of her credits, which have been accepted by UC-Pueblo, may not be accepted by the UCCS School of Education.  Our scholarship requires fall attendance at PPCC or UCCS.  If Laura does not get her credits accepted and does not attend UCCS, her scholarship money will be returned to our treasury. 

We honor and congratulate all three of these exceptional, deserving women!  And we thank Kathy Sturdevant and Jean Olsen at PPCC and Aditi Mitra at UCCS for encouraging their students to apply.

This year we received 33 completed applications for our Local Scholarships.  This large number of applications had several strong impacts:

* The first impact was that the Local Scholarship Committee felt overwhelmed with all of the reading and then evaluating of the applicants' personal statements, recommend-ations, academic achievements, and financial needs.  I very much appreciated my hard-working committee:  Pat McGee, Leslie Richardson, Julie Rosenheimer, and Shirley Semonchik, as well as Jean Olsen, who with Pat and Leslie interviewed our top candidates.

* The second impact was the increased competition for our three scholarships by these many candidates, who impressed us as intelligent, caring, hard-working, achieving, truly amazing women.

* The third impact was our recognition of the need to update and state more precisely the procedures of our committee, the requirements on the application form, and the criteria on the evaluation form.  I have just sent out a six-page packet to my committee members from 2008, 2009, 2010 suggesting changes, some proposed by committee members, and asking for their comments.

* The final impact was our fervent wish that we had a lot more money to give away!  Dixie Gordon, our new president, has some intriguing fund-raising ideas for next year, but you can also support the AAUW mission of empowering women through education right now by writing a tax deductible check to our branch treasurer designating the Local Scholarship Fund as the recipient.  Any amount that you can give will be very much appreciated. 

Joann Oh, Local Scholarship Chair

MEMBERSHIP

Important Membership Information

A second reminder that dues for 2010-2011 are due by May 31.  Payment by this date will insure your name in the 2010-2011 directory.  Please Note:  We are asking that each member fill-out a dues renewal form (page 9) in order that we may update our files.  Additionally, spouse's names will be published in the upcoming directory so if you wish to add that information, there is a space on the renewal form to do so.  Your check and renewal form should be mailed to our current treasurer, Gail Farrar.  Her address is at the bottom of the renewal form.  If you have any questions, please contact Claire Drozd by phone at 481-1519 or by E-mail at GrammyCJ@comcast.net.

Looking for AAUW members to help plan our next Woman -to-Woman Conference

Come join an enthusiastic group of AAUW members and faculty at USSC to plan the 5th Conference to be held on Saturday AM, October 16, 2010.  We are looking for ideas for this year's theme and possible presenters.  We usually only have 3 planning meetings and the staff at UCCS does most of the work.  Our first meeting is on Friday, May 21st at 3 pm in the first floor conference room in Columbine Hall on the UCCS campus. Parking is available in the Parking garage, 3rd. Floor.

If you cannot make the meeting, but would like to share your ideas or come to the next planning meeting please contact Joan Mikow, (joan32543@aol.com or 535-2646.)

New Interest Group!!!!

"Short Trips"

plans a trip to the Denver Botanical Gardens and the City Floral Greenhouse and Garden Center in Denver, established 1911, for Tuesday, the 29th of June.  Depending on how many participants sign up, we will most likely carpool to keep costs down.  Entry fees for the Botanical Gardens are $12.50 per adult and $9.50, for seniors 65 and older, as well as military. Floral Greenhouses are free. 

Additional expense for gas and parking approximately $10.00 per person, plus lunch, which we will have somewhere on the way from the Gardens to the Greenhouses.  We plan on leaving at 9am and returning no later than 4pm. 

To sign up or get more info please contact Renate Speer at 594-4941 or rcspeer@comcast.net; or Jann Nance at 528-6443 or jannnance@comcast.net.

You can also visit the web pages for above locations. 

Call or e-mail to sign up no later than 20th of June.

Donations for Local Scholarships on Dues Renewal Form will help us help more women next year

Ah,…

TO BE A SCIENTIST…..

 On Sat. March 13th,  at the Pikes Peak Regional Science Fair, on the campus of UCCS,  the Colorado Springs branch of AAUW once again participated by rewarding young women for their efforts at the Fair.  AAUW recognized female scientists at both the senior high and middle school levels.  Award winners were Mattie Rufenacht of Peyton Middle School and group project participants, Katie Morrison and Chrissy Gardner of Palmer High School.  The winners each received a $25 gift certificate to Borders.

Miss Rufenacht, investigated which types of plants hold the soil together under erosive conditions.  Her experiment, entitled :”Mudslide”, tested three types of ground cover- prairie grass, sod, and wild flower against water channels.  Her samples demonstrated that sod worked the best at preventing soil erosion.

In their project, “Vampire Leukemia”, Miss Morrison and Miss Gardner investigated whether garlic and onion extract can be ingested to kill leukemia cells. While conducting the experiment in a biology lab at UCCS, they treated L1210 cells (mouse leukemia cells) with the two types of extract.  The onion did not have any effect – but the garlic killed almost all the cells. Check out the cool tie-dyed lab coats of our winners!!

The Science Fair remains a crucial outlet for young ladies to demonstrate their science capabilities and garner confidence and recognition.  The good news is that compared to ten years ago, the total number of female participants now equals the male participants.  In the middle school division, the girls were actually at 56%.  The bad news is, however, that we are still losing a lot of girls during high school.  Of the Physical science and Engineering category participants, 42% were female in middle school, but this dropped to less than 5% in high school.

In general, while the spectrum of original topics was not very broad, the enthusiasm for the scientific process was still high and all the young ladies I spoke to gave interesting and informative presentations!

---Brenda Wolfe, Science Fair Chair

Pikes Peak Regional Fair winners, Katie Morrison and Chrissy Gardner

   JUNE

Monday:        HARDY HIKERS: C: Charla Dowds, 574-7568

7          Hike Barr Trail/Manitou Incline.  Call Barbara Faaborg, 597-8781

            14         Hike Fremont Forest.  Call Jann Nance/Darlene Aspedon, 528-6443

            21         Hike Jones Park.  Call June Hallenbeck, 598-2979

            28         Hike Bear Creek/Mountain Bike Trail.  Call Jean Koch, 332-9706

Tuesday:

1          COMPUTER GROUP II:  C: Berneice Yoder, 380-9110. H: Berneice Yoder, 3915 N Midsummer Lane, 380-9110.

8          DINNER BOOK CLUB: C: Kay Atteberry, 599-3187.  B: The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo by Stieg Larsson.  Dinner at 5:45 p.m. at PJ's Bistro 819 Manitou Ave. Manitou Springs 685-1195 PLEASE RSVP whether coming or not.

22         UFO’S (UNFINISHED OBJECTS): 1:30 p.m. C: Wynn Weidner, 598-5259, wynnweidner@q.com. H:  Ann Hecox, 2220 Mesa Rd.,  634-3187, annhecox@gmail.com.

Wednesday:

            AMIABLE AMBLERS: Co-C: Ann Noonan, 528-1639. Co-C:  Kay Atteberry, 599-3187.

2          Hike Ute Valley Park.  Meet at the trailhead on Vindicator at 8:30 a.m.  Brunch at Peak Grill.  Call Shirley Miekka, smiekka1@comcast.net or 302-3323.

23         Hike Black Forest section 16.  Meet at Park & Ride on Woodmen.  Take Woodmen Rd. east to Black Forest Rd. (past new St. Francis Hospital).  Turn north & then take immediate right onto Vollmer.  Go 4 miles & take a left on Burgess at the flashing light to gate.  Parking for horse trailers and trail users is on right.  Lunch TBA.  Call Marty Gaines, 574-6248.     

16    LUNCHEON NOVEL I: 11:45 a.m.  Co-chairs:  Mary Eiber, 597-1730 & Georgina Burns, 598-7773. H: Jean Reynolds at her cabin, 598-1784. Co-H: Georgina Burns,    598-7773.  Everyone is invited to bring a salad to share.  We will carpool from the Safeway on W. Colorado. B: Stones Into Schools by Greg Mortenson. DL:  Sally.

LUNCHEON NOVEL TOO:  12:00 p.m. C: Betty Slaughter, 548-8524.  H/Co-H: Betty Slaughter, 245 Raven Hills Road, 548-8524.  B: A Prayer for Owen Meany – Irving. DL: Betty Slaughter.

23        CHOCOLATE LOVERS:  10:15 a.m.  Co-Chairs:  Ellie Solomon - 630-7465, elron3@msn.com & Sally Mathewson - 473-0228 mathewson3@juno.com.  Field trip to Denver - lunch at White Chocolate Grill, 8421 Park Meadows Center Dr. and shopping at Park Meadows.  Meet at 10:15 at Chapel Hills Mall by Sears Auto to carpool.  RSVP to Ellie Solomon, elron3@msn.com, 630-7465.

Thursday:

10         THURSDAY BRIDGE GROUP: 10:00 a.m. C: Ilene Steinkruger, 332-8613. H: Ilene Steinkruger, 2265 Mesa Rd., 332-8613, ijas@comcast.net.  AAUW members interested in becoming bridge substitutes, call or email Ilene: ijas@comcast.net.

MAH JONGG: 1 p.m., Inn at Garden Plaza, 2520 International Circle.  C: Jan McKenzie, 597-7161, janzie@att.net  or Susan Sommerfield 390-2955 or ggO4nrkm@juno.com.

Thursday (June continued):

17         COMPUTER INTEREST GROUP: 11:30 a.m. C: Judie Werschky, 632-9989, judiewer@aol. Lunch at the Ultimate Buffet, NE corner of Powers and North Carefree.  Turn left into the shopping center from North Carefree, take the first left and then and immediate right.

FILM GROUP: 1:00 p.m. East Library. C: Gloria Chapman, 332-8483, cjgloria@msn.com and Jean Reynolds, 598-1784, jreyno1932@aol.com.  H: Ann Noonan, 528-1639, comimipop@juno.net.  Members view and discuss arts, foreign and independent films.

24         MAH JONGG: 1 p.m., Inn at Garden Plaza, 2520 International Circle.  C: Jan McKenzie, 597-7161, janzie@att.net or Susan Sommerfield 390-2955 or ggO4nrkm@juno.com.

Friday:

4        EXPLORING LIVES AND CULTURES:  10:00 A.M, East Library, Conference Rm II.  C: Jan McKenzie, 597-7161 or janzie@att.net B: (Gay/Lesbian Pride Month) Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers by Lillian Federman. 

Saturday:

26        WINE AND DINE: 6:00 p.m. C: Jeanne Marsh, 590-7237.   "On the Orient Express" at Gini and Jim Simonson's home, 1525 Woodrose Court. Call 481-8843 by June 16th for reservations. Gini will send out recipes after that. Couples, singles and friends are welcome. Be sure to save receipts so we can divide the cost of the meal.

    JULY

Monday:        HARDY HIKERS: C: Charla Dowds, 574-7568

5          Fourth of July weekend/no hike

            12         Hike AFA/Stanley Canyon.  Call Gini Simonson, 481-8843

            19         Hike St. Mary’s Falls.  Call Susan Rawley, 576-6910

            26         Hike Salad luncheon/Centennial Trail.  Call Charla Dowds, 574-7568

Tuesday:

6          COMPUTER GROUP II:  C: Berneice Yoder, 380-9110. H: Shirley Swinney, 720 Point of Pines Drive, 598-6228.

13         DINNER BOOK CLUB: C: Kay Atteberry, 599-3187. B: Still Alice by Lisa Genova.  Dinner at 5:45 p.m. at the B&E Filling Station Restaurant in Palmer Lake (25 S. Highway 105) 481-4780. PLEASE RSVP whether coming or not.

  27       UFO’S (UNFINISHED OBJECTS): 1:30 p.m. C: Wynn Weidner, 598-5259, wynnweidner@q.com. H:  Susan Sommerfield, 2520 International Circle, Apt. 120, 390-2955, Gg04nrkm@juno.com.

Wednesday:

            AMIABLE AMBLERS: Co-C: Ann Noonan, 528-1639. Co-C:  Kay Atteberry, 599-3187.

7          Hike Monument Rock Loop.  Meet at Woodmen Rd. Park & Ride at 8:30 a.m. to carpool.    Lunch TBA in Monument.  Call Linda Shane, 260-1220 or cell 355-9287.

28         Hike the Crags meadows. Meet at the West Colorado Safeway at 8:30 a.m. to carpool. Lunch at Mucky Duck or Wines of Colorado.  Call Joann Oh, 575-0409

Wednesday (July continued):

14         SOUTHWEST STUDIES: C: Jean Reynolds, 598-1784. Planning meeting at Jean’s cabin. Meet at Safeway on W. Colorado at 10:30 a.m.  Bring a salad to share.  Call Jean at 598-1784.

21    LUNCHEON NOVEL I: 11:45 a.m.  Co-chairs:  Mary Eiber, 597-1730 & Georgina Burns, 598-7773. H: Katy Turley, 329-1329.  We will carpool from St. Paul’s. B: 
The Help by Kathryn Stockett. DL: Jean.

Thursday:

8          THURSDAY BRIDGE GROUP: 10:00 a.m. C: Ilene Steinkruger, 332-8613. H: Wynn Weidner, 1614 Westmoreland Rd., 598-5259, wynnweid@aol.com.  AAUW members interested in becoming bridge substitutes, call or email Ilene: ijas@comcast.net.

MAH JONGG: 1 p.m., Inn at Garden Plaza, 2520 International Circle.  C: Jan McKenzie, 597-7161, janzie@att.net  or Susan Sommerfield 390-2955 or ggO4nrkm@juno.com.

15         FILM GROUP: 1:00 p.m. East Library. C: Gloria Chapman, 332-8483, cjgloria@msn.com and Jean Reynolds, 598-1784, jreyno1932@aol.com.  H: Jean Reynolds, 598-1784, jreyno1032@aol.com.  Members view and discuss arts, foreign and independent films.

27         MAH JONGG: 1 p.m., Inn at Garden Plaza, 2520 International Circle.  C: Jan McKenzie, 597-7161, janzie@att.net  or Susan Sommerfield 390-2955 or ggO4nrkm@juno.com.

Friday:

2           EXPLORING LIVES AND CULTURES:  10:00 A.M, East Library, Conference Rm II.  C: Jan McKenzie, 597-7161 or janzie@att.net B: The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by  Rebecca Wells     

16         LOCAL HISTORY: 10:00 a.m.  C: Darlene Aspedon, 471-7192.  In 1876, Planning meeting at Darlene Aspedon’s, 43 W. Boulder.  Please come with suggestions or just to listen.  We need opinions, too. Call 471-7192,

   AUGUST

Monday:        HARDY HIKERS: C: Charla Dowds, 574-7568

2          Hike Mackinaw Trail.  Call Penny Fischer, 487-9985

            9          Hike Putney Gulch to Crags Campground.  Call Cara Koch, 531-6374

            16         Hike Platte River Trail at Happy Meadow CG.  Call Nona Hentschel, 599-9342

            23         Hike Florissant Fossil Beds.  Call Janet Condit, 277-7590

            30         Hike Pyramid Peak/Howard’s Rock.  Call Darlene Aspedon, 471-7192

Tuesday:

3          COMPUTER GROUP II:  C: Berneice Yoder, 380-9110. H: Barbara Dieter, 4121 Lupine Street, 598-2131

10         DINNER BOOK CLUB: C: Kay Atteberry, 599-3187. B: The Tenth Gift by Jane Johson.  Dinner at 5:45 p.m. at the Caspian Cafe 4375 Sinton Rd. 528-1155.

Tuesday (August continued):

24         UFO’S (UNFINISHED OBJECTS): 1:30 p.m. C: Wynn Weidner, 598-5259, wynnweidner@q.com. H:  Open.

Wednesday:

            AMIABLE AMBLERS: Co-C: Ann Noonan, 528-1639. Co-C:  Kay Atteberry, 599-3187.

4          Hike Palmer Lake to Santa Fe Trail, Monument.  Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Shops at Briargate near Starbucks.  Lunch at Mozaic.  Call Margot Thomas, 598-5525.

25         Jean’s cabin – Planning pot luck.  Meet at West Colorado Safeway at 9:00 a.m. to carpool.  Call Jean Reynolds, 598-1784.  Bring salad to share.  

18    LUNCHEON NOVEL I: 11:45 a.m.  Co-chairs:  Mary Eiber, 597-1730 & Georgina Burns, 598-7773. H:  Ellie Soloman, 630-7465. Co-H: Ilene Steinkruger, 332-8613.  B: The Book Thief  by Markus Zusak. DL: Mary

25    CHOCOLATE LOVERS:  10:15 a.m. Co-Chairs:  Ellie Solomon - 630-7465, elron3@msn.com & Sally Mathewson, 473-0228, mathewson3@juno.com.  Field trip to Littleton - Visit Chocolate Therapist, 2560 W. Main and lunch at Merles, 2609 W. Main.  Meet at 10:15 at Chapel Hills Mall by Sears Auto to carpool.  RSVP to Georgina Burns, goergina.b1@juno.com, 598-7773.     

Thursday:

12         THURSDAY BRIDGE GROUP: 10:00 a.m. C: Ilene Steinkruger, 332-8613. H: Deanna Lyons, 3870-B Strawberry Fields Circle, 527-8036, deannablco@aol.com.  AAUW members interested in becoming bridge substitutes, call or email Ilene: ijas@comcast.net.

MAH JONGG: 1 p.m., Inn at Garden Plaza, 2520 International Circle.  C: Jan McKenzie, 597-7161, janzie@att.net  or Susan Sommerfield 390-2955 or ggO4nrkm@juno.com.

19         FILM GROUP: 1:00 p.m. East Library. C: Gloria Chapman, 332-8483, cjgloria@msn.com and Jean Reynolds, 598-1784, jreyno1932@aol.com.  H: Gloria Chapman, 332-8483, cjgloria@msn.com.  Members view and discuss arts, foreign and independent films.

26         MAH JONGG: 1 p.m., Inn at Garden Plaza, 2520 International Circle.  C: Jan McKenzie, 597-7161, janzie@att.net  or Susan Sommerfield 390-2955 or ggO4nrkm@juno.com.

Friday:

  6       EXPLORING LIVES AND CULTURES:  10:00 A.M, East Library,  Conference Rm II.  C: Jan McKenzie, 597-7161 or janzie@att.net,  B: My Hope for Peace  by Jehan Sadat     

Saturday:

26        WINE AND DINE: 6:00 p.m. C: Jeanne Marsh, 590-7237.   "In the Good Old Summertime" cookout at Jeanne and Brian Marsh's home, 850 Timber Valley Road. Call 590-7237 by July 26th for reservations. The traditional cookout menu will include burgers, brats and all the trimmings. Come one, come all for an end-of-summer party. And remember to save your receipts.

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AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN - COLORADO SPRINGS BRANCH

Last Name ______________________________ First Name ______________________

Nick name _______________ Birthday (not the year!)__________ Spouse’s name (optional) ______________

Address _______________________________________________________      Zip ________________

Phone (home) ___________________________________    (cell) _____________________________

E-mail ________________________________________________________________________________

(Please print clearly.)

Age range, circle one:       26-35     36-45      46-55       56-65        66-75       76-85         Over 85        

(This info will not be published; it is used for statistical purposes only.)

New Degree(s) Earned ______________________________________________________________

Please CIRCLE the areas in which you wish to donate your time and talent. Support your branch.

Branch events             Newsletter support                  Short-term project              Mailing                   Computer project            Carpool                                   Mentoring                           Email/phone tree      Other – specify____________

Board Member (Which office?)____________________________________________ 

Committee Member (circle choices): Community, Fundraising, Hospitality, Membership, Program, Public Policy, Publicity, Scholarship

Fiscal Year: July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011

Annual Dues - To be paid NO LATER THAN May 31, 2010 …………$80 ($46 tax deductible)

Dues (State & Branch) for paid life members … ….….………$31

Dues for Student Affiliates ……………….…………….……….$25 ($16 tax deductible)

DONATIONS TO:

Educational Foundation/Legal Advocacy Fund ……………………………………$_________

Local Scholarship Fund (students at PPCC and/or UCCS)………….……………$_________

            TOTAL ENCLOSED (Check payable to AAUW) ..........................…….$_________

Dues payments MAY be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense.  Contributions to the Educational Foundation/Legal Advocacy Fund ARE tax deductible charitable donations.  Other contributions ARE NOT tax deductible.

PLEASE REMIT YOUR DUES PAYMENT TO THE TREASURER NO LATER THAN MAY 31

to assure that you are included in the next directory.

MAIL TO: Gail Farrar

   P.O. Box 1191

   Monument, CO  80132