SPECIAL EDITION NEWSLETTER

WELCOME TO A NEW YEAR, WEC MEMBERS! WE HAVE SO MANY EXCITING ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR EACH OF YOU THIS UPCOMING YEAR. AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE, HELP US SAY GOODBYE TO THE SUMMER WITH THIS SPECIAL EDITION NEWSLETTER REMEMBERING ALL OF THE FABULOUS THINGS WEC MEMBERS HAVE BEEN DOING THESE PAST FEW MONTHS.

CONTENTS

• September Luncheon
• From the President
• From the Past President
• New Member Bios: Tricia Baker, Lynn Davila and Lisa Kaufman
• New FX Member Bio: Sherine Bichara
• Member Profiles (WEC Contest Winners)
• Grapevine: SUMMERTIME News and Notes about WEC Members
• Attitude of Gratitude
• Events
• Book Club
• Cannon Circle
• GEM
• WEC Table and Reservation Policies
• Closing Thought
• WEC Board of Directors
• Luncheon Dates
• Membership Dues and Attendance

SEPTEMBER LUNCHEON

Date: Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Time: 11:30 Networking; 12:00 Luncheon

Place: Tower Club, 28th floor
One Financial Plaza in the Regions Bank Building
Click here for directions

Program Speaker: Catherine Zimmerman, Author of Urban and Suburban Meadows, Bringing Meadowscaping to Big and Small Spaces

Guest Cost: $30. Guests must RSVP in advance.

GUEST SPEAKER

Catherine Zimmerman, Author of Urban and Suburban Meadows, Bringing Meadowscaping to Big and Small Spaces (**AND SISTER OF WEC MEMBER, CAROL MCKEEVER)

Catherine Zimmerman’s new book, Urban and Suburban Meadows, Bringing Meadowscaping to Big and Small Spaces, addresses the problems caused by the extensive planting of non-native grass lawns across America. In ignoring the environmental consequences of such landscape planning, ecosystems are being destroyed and replaced with chemically maintained monocultures.

Author and photographer, Catherine Zimmerman, combines her expertise in photography, storytelling, environmental issues, horticulture and organic practices to offer meadowscaping as a lawn alternative. Zimmerman weaves her personal journey of changing her own landscaping choices into a guide that demonstrates both the need to change current, detrimental landscaping practices and the practical knowhow and resources to accomplish that change.

Four experts in meadow establishment lend their knowledge for site preparation, design, native plants, planting and maintenance. Plant lists and resource sections for nine regions across the United States provide local sources to assist the meadow creator in bringing diversity back to urban and suburban landscapes.

SPECIAL NOTE FROM CAROL MCKEEVER ABOUT HER SISTER, CATHERINE ZIMMERMAN:

In July, I helped my sister who is being featured on Jane Pauley’s show on NBC’s The Today Show. Catherine wrote a book, Urban and Suburban Meadows, Bringing Meadowscaping to Big and Small Spaces. Jane’s  new show, Your Life Calling, profiles individuals who change their professional careers in their fifties to pursue their life’s calling.  Catherine is an award winning video photographer who went back to school to study her passion: organic land care and design.  From that, she wrote a "how to book" about creating a native meadow of your own in a big or small space.

Jane Pauley wanted to shoot Catherine’s interview in Ohio on our family farm where it all began. We made the background sets in the barn and they shot the interview.  The house is where we grew up.  We even got the Sheriff’s Office to help us by stopping road traffic for two hours to minimize noise while they were filming.  Don’t you just love small towns? The segment will air on the Today Show on September 16th, 8 AM – 9 AM time frame (two days after our WEC luncheon, where she is the guest speaker). NBC will feature a video of the show on their website, which will link to Catherine’s website (www.themeadowproject.com).  Here are some photos.

Missed a summer luncheon?? Click here for bios of our June and August speakers…

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hi Ladies: I hope you had a wonderful summer. The common theme I’ve heard from you this past summer is that you miss seeing each other. I’m glad we changed all that by having our kickoff luncheon on August 17th. We had a fantastic turnout where we had the pleasure of hearing Charlotte Mather-Taylor speak about her legislative efforts, along with learning more about our very own Myriam Cohen through her Business Showcase.

Having said that, we actually have been very busy this past summer. We started off our new year with the White Orchid Retreat. We had a record number of 67 attend. A fabulous day that will be remembered by all. The theme for this next year is centered around flowers, music, love and relationships. Our new Board walked down the runway at the Retreat modeling the newest fashions from Sondro’s Boutique. What a stunning group of ladies!

We then had our summer event at Cinema Paradiso. This was our 4^th year that we have been able to invite 199 of our dearest, closest friends, bring food and have a great movie. The band, The Jay Blues Band, was awesome.

Our last Cannon Circle was at Just Great Looks and Nina DuBrock had an amazing event. All of her food had a matching wine. A great time was had by all.

Our social calendars are getting very full already. Please join us on September 14th as we welcome Carol McKeever’s sister, Catherine Zimmerman, renown author and photographer, as our guest speaker. We also can’t wait to see you this Thursday for our Cannon Circle at Jardin Bleu Spa & Laser Center. We have an array of amazing things already planned for you this upcoming year.

See you soon.

Jan

FROM THE PAST PRESIDENT

Hard to believe the summer has ended and my year as your president has come to an end. It doesn’t seem like it’s been a year since we met at a lovely location on the beach for last year’s 2009 retreat. At that time, I didn’t know what the future would hold, but had picked “Explore” as my theme for WEC.  Personally, I found I explored new friendships in WEC, tried new things (salsa dancing, for one) and was exposed to new ideas from our speakers. Whatever you were exploring, I hope you had an enjoyable year. Many thanks to the women on this year’s board as well as those of you who volunteered on a committee or attended our events. The club would not continue to thrive without your participation.

Now you are in Jan Bullard’s capable hands. The board this year is composed of some returning members as well as some new ones. I look forward to serving you as your past president, so please let me know if you are interested in hosting a Cannon Circle this year or would like to do a business showcase.

Hope you had an enjoyable summer and we’ll see you at the next WEC event!

Jenny

NEW MEMBER BIO: TRICIA BAKER

Read all about Patricia’s biography in our new WEC blog! Feel free to comment on her member profile and personally welcome her to WEC! Click here to read more …

NEW MEMBER BIO: LYNN DAVILA

Read all about Lynn’s biography in our new WEC blog! Feel free to comment on her member profile and personally welcome her to WEC! Click here to read more …

NEW MEMBER BIO: LISA KAUFMAN

Read all about Lisa’s biography in our new WEC blog! Feel free to comment on her member profile and personally welcome her to WEC! Click here to read more …

NEW FX MEMBER BIO: SHERINE BICHARA

Read all about Sherine’s biography and learn about WEC’s FX Program in our new WEC blog! Feel free to comment on her member profile and personally welcome her to WEC! Click here to read more …

MEMBER PROFILES: ANN MEACHAM AND NATALIA BENDA (Contest Winners!)

Ann and Natalia were our contest winners this past summer when their business cards were pulled out of our WEC “fishbowl”. Winners are eligible to have their member profiles published in upcoming editions of the WEC newsletter. Read all about Ann and Natalia in our new WEC blog! Feel free to comment on their member profiles! Click here to read more …

THE EXECUTIVE GRAPEVINE: NEWS AND NOTES ABOUT WEC MEMBERS

Click on the link to read all the great news about WEC members.  This is the best part of the newsletter … don’t miss it. Click now!
Read all about the exciting adventures of our WEC members in our new blog! Feel free to comment on any post that strikes your fancy!

Read the Grapevine, news and notes about our members…

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

We have designated this spot as an “Attitude of Gratitude” where WEC members can share business testimonials and words of thanks and praise for fellow WEC members.

Click here to read about which WEC members are profiled…it might be YOU!

EVENTS

We have a new “Events” tab at the top of this blog! Click on the “Events” tab to find out what events WEC is hosting, or to see where WEC members are inviting you to join them!

Click here to read about WEC “Events” around town…

BOOK CLUB

All WEC members are invited to become “Bookies”, where women meet in each other’s homes once a month to share in the love of books. Please contact Rose White at rosewhite@allstate.com for more information about WEC’s monthly book club meetings.

Mark your calendars: Monday, October 11, 2010 at 6:30pm

Where: Sharyn Brunk’s place

333 Las Olas Way #3304 (this is Las Olas River House)

Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301

Free valet guest parking is limited to 5 cars, so please use this for carpools or those with difficulty getting around. A public parking garage is just off of Las Olas, one block east of the SE 3rd Avenue intersection—where Samba Room and Timpanos are. Or, coming from the south, turn right after crossing the 3rd Ave bridge. There’s large “P” signs for parking. Sharyn’s condo unit is the tall blue and white building downtown—just look up and you’ll see it—it’s next to the park that’s on the corner of Las Olas and Andrews. The parking meters across the street only handle 2 hours.

Book: We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver (fiction)

DO NOT READ THE REVIEWS–they’ll give away the entire story!!!  BE SURPRISED.

Please let Sharyn Brunk sbrunk@chemware.com know if you are planning to attend, and the potluck dish you plan to bring. Sharyn will supply liquid refreshments of all sorts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CANNON CIRCLE

Along with the monthly luncheons, members also get together in a more informal atmosphere during the year. These evening socials are called “Cannon Circles” and are hosted at members’ homes or businesses.  The Cannon Circle is named for Past President Shirley Cannon who was known for her gracious and uplifting spirit.

Our upcoming Cannon Circle will be hosted by Sahar Abdelsayed on Thursday, Sept. 2^nd from 5:30-8:30 pm at:

Jardin Bleu Spa & Laser Center

4390 N. Federal Hwy.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308

Located between Commercial Blvd. & Oakland Park Blvd. on the east side

Please rsvp to Sue

sue@jardinbleu.com

Below are pictures from June’s Cannon Circle hosted by Nina Dubrock’s salon, Just Great Looks. A fabulous time was had by all! Several members asked about Nina’s recipe for Creamy Dill Shrimp Salad. Due to popular demand, here it is! Thank you, Nina!!

Creamy Dill Shrimp Salad

Ingredients:

1 cup Mayonnaise (could be light)

½ cup sour cream

½ cup Greek Yogurt

1/3 cup lemon juice

¼ cup sugar

2 table spoon FRESH Dill chopped

¼ teasp salt

1 small red onion- finely chopped or sliced

2 pounds fresh Shrimp- preferably larger size-lightly boil 4-6 min’s

Optional tablespoon Italian Parsley

Combine all ingredients, except onion and shrimp. Stir well until blended…Stir in onion and shrimp. Refridge overnite or until flavors blend….

ENJOY!!!

GEMS: “GREET, EAT, MEET”

Formed in November 2002, members of WEC who choose to get together for an informal meeting are selected at random in small groups to greet, eat and meet. A Lead person is selected to set a time and place for breakfast, lunch, dinner or whatever. This is a great opportunity to get to know each other on a more personal level. If you would like to be a host, please contact Liz Mendel, GEM Coordinator at dolphintravelinc@aol.com or at her office, Dolphin Travel Inc., 954-351-2002.

This is a great opportunity to get to know each other on a more personal level.

Click here to find out restaurant recommendations for GEM lunches made by our WEC members…

WEC TABLE AND RESERVATION POLICIES

We have several club policies which we need to remind everyone:

Regarding items on the tables at the luncheons, the only things permitted are: official club business such as flyers about social events, items from the speaker, and items from the member doing the business showcase. Thank you for your cooperation.

RSVP to luncheons…Any member who fails to cancel a luncheon reservation within 48 hours or who fails to attend a reserved luncheon, will be billed at the current rate by VP of Finance. Each member will be entitled to one courtesy “no-show” per club year.

CLOSING THOUGHT

“Friends are like bras: close to your heart and there for support.” Author Unknown

WEC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jan Bullard – President

Jenny Kelly – Past President

Karen Rowe – President Elect/VP Finance

Marsha Broadwell – VP Membership

Laurina Anderson – VP Corporate Records

Kathleen Ryan – VP Community Involvement

Pam Morgan – VP Internal Involvement

Susan Kingsley – VP Events

LUNCHEON DATES

Next up: Tuesday, September 14

Tuesday, October 19

Tuesday, November 16

@ the Tower Club

MEMBERSHIP DUES AND ATTENDANCE

Membership dues were due by August 31st. If you still have not paid your dues, please click here to avoid late fees.

The membership requirement is to attend a minimum of five (5) club events every year in order to maintain regular membership. This is calculated on a fiscal year basis (i.e. August-June, not calendar year).