Hartford Happenings May 2008 - Volume 7, Issue 9
June 3 Meeting – Installation Banquet! Join your fellow members on Tuesday, June 3 at the Hartford Bistro for our year-end Banquet. Stop in the cocktail lounge for social time at 6:30 before heading to our dining spot at 7:00. Debby Tomlinson will serve as emcee for the evening as we say goodbye to our 2007-2008 officers and install our 2008-2009 leadership team. After a (very) short business meeting to finalize plans for the Book Sale, we will recognize this year’s Junior of the Year winner before past president Nancy O’Rourke conducts the installation ceremony. This year’s Secret Pals will be revealed, so don’t forget to bring any remaining gifts with you. We hope to see everyone there! Schauer Sponsorship Confirmed: Happy Birthday to… 6/4 6/11 7/7 7/24
Linda Hauser Carol Tautges Sue Eggleston Marde Zimmermann
The GFWC Hartford Women’s Club will jointly sponsor The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on Saturday, March 21. The performance will be at 3:00 PM.
Looking Ahead… June 3 June 12-14 July 18-19 August 9
Installation Banquet Book Sale GFWC-WI Summer Board Meeting American Accents Craft Fair
111th Annual GFWC-WI Convention "Proud of our Past" "Passionate about our Future" Just some notes about the highlights of the state convention held in Brookfield: We "won" 1st place in the Arts in the Community category. YEAH FOR US!!! Carleen Garner, GFWC 1st Vice President, was a guest at the convention. What a dynamic woman! She had everyone listening to what she had to say---her most "interesting" comment being that she will be president of GFWC in 2011 and asked the Wisconsin Federation to host the international convention that year. The last time GFWC-WI had that honor was in 1963, and Carleen wanted to bring the international convention "home". Carleen was born in Wisconsin and still has family living here. What a great opportunity to "show off' our state! Dan Geigler of Morgan Stanley reported on the investments held by GFWC-WI, and the federation is doing well financially. However the most important number I heard him "announce" was the winning raffle ticket for a shredder and a bottle of wine. Yes, it was mine! I will share the shredder, but not the wine. Our Friday morning speaker was from the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Her presentation concerning internet dangers, especially for children, was quite chilling. Dr Tom Brazelton, feature speaker on Saturday morning, was introduced by Elizabeth Davy. Dr Brazelton's topic concerned the PED bag project, stating that the project was given a national award and is a model for the rest of the nation. Isn't it great that our club is part of that project? Domestic violence was the topic for Saturday afternoon. Debra Fields, Community Outreach Educator for Sojourner Truth House, was the guest speaker, and her message of "break the cycle" was quite powerful. But to me, the most moving of all, was the exercise Kay Salewske held prior to Debra's presentation. Volunteers were selected to be victims of domestic violence; each being given an envelope containing "money vouchers" to enable her to get out of an abusive situation. As scenarios were read, each person could move to a "place of safety" using her vouchers. However for each move there was a cost, the only exception being that going back home was "free". As each person ran out of vouchers, she was forced to return home. For a "pretend" exercise, the looks on some of the faces of those forced to return home really tugged at your heart. I was able to meet the newly installed Director of Junior Clubs, Susanne Way of the Oconomowoc Juniors, on Friday. Being from South Africa, she has the neatest accent! I hope that you will get to meet her during the next club year. Lastly, I have a bit of news regarding the officers of our "new" district, Rolling Hills. Currently we have none. The officers for the other districts were installed Saturday afternoon, but Rolling Hills is "leader-less". Let's hope this gets resolved soon. It was a wonderful convention------great ladies, informative programs, and good food------a very nice way to feel connected. -Submitted by Barb Pontow
Words to Live By The Wooden Bowl I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now. A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year - old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.
The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor." So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat
alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. " The four-yearold smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled. On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life.." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
4th Annual Community Book Sale!!
Sponsored by the GFWC Hartford Women’s Club Hartford Recreation Department
125 N. Rural Street Hartford, WI 53027 Located 2 blocks west of Main Street & 1 block north of Hwy. 60 (Rural Street)
Thursday, June 12 – 12 PM to 7 PM Friday, June 13 – 10 AM to 6 PM Saturday, June 14 – 8 AM to 11:30 AM