CJNBW December 2001 NewsLetter

4 Steering Committee

16 Holiday Tea

Central Jersey Network
of Black Women
P. O. Box 217
Hightstown, NJ 08520
NEWSLETTER
December, 2001

President's Message

Dear Members and Friends:

As we approach the Holiday season, let us enjoy the shopping and gift-giving, but let us also reflect on life, family, friends, and God's blessings. I would like to share with you the following verse from Maya Angelou's poem THANK YOU, LORD:

Thank you, Lord.
I want to thank You, Lord
For life and all that's in it.
Thank You for the day
And for the hour and for the minute.
I know many are gone,
I'm still living on.
I want to thank You.

I look forward to seeing all our members at the December Tea which will be held at Ms. Duncan's home. Happy Holidays to all!

Sincerely,
Ruth Rainford Timins, President

IMPORTANT DATES

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. Steering Committee Meeting at Twin Rivers Library on Abbington Drive.

Sunday, Dec. 16 - 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. - "Tea" at Noreen Lois Duncan - 1 Kensington Ave., Trenton, NJ (609) 278-9515. This is in lieu of the regular monthly meeting for December.

Instead of exchanging gifts, each member is being asked to bring a gift bag (marked for female or male) which will be given to the Crisis Ministry for distribution to families in motels. The bags can include any of the following items: Soaps, deoderants, shampoo, conditioners, razors, shaving cream, after shave lotion, toothpaste and toothbrushes, combs and brushes, tissue, etc.

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES

The Book Club, with a tentative name of "Reading Between the Lines" has resumed. The first meeting was held at Marcia Duhart's on 11/9. At this first meeting we decided to start with Flo Kennedy's "Honey Hush". Each person planning to attend the January (date to be decided) meeting should read 2 chapters for discussion. Your local library may have the book. Marsha has picked Chapters 6 & 7. Let Marsha (426-4117) or Joyce (448-4511) know which chapters you pick so we don't duplicate to much.

The next meeting will be sometime at the end of January 2002. A date will be confirmed in the next Newsletter. We will be meeting at Joyce Abbott's home. Please bring suggestions for future books.

Steering Committee Corner At the meeting on 11/5/01 discussion continued on the awarding of scholarships to women in college or re-entering. One Book Award was given to Miranda Roach a student to the College of NJ. Another name, Linda Choice, was submitted by MCCC, however,

Noreen Duncan (contact person) was unable to get in touch with Ms. Choice. Her name will be put in the pool for next year. Ms. Duncan will again seek the assistance of the 3 local colleges to get names of potential candidates. CJNBW members remember to submit names also.

We plan to interview the candidates so we can get to know them a little bit before awarding scholarships.

At the present time, the criteria for Awards are: Mature, returning women students; preferably African American; demonstrated need; full-time status, and willing to be mentored by the CJNBW during the course of the year.

Steering Committee Corner, (Continued)

CARD ORDERS: Thanks to everyone who sold cards and calendars for our fundraiser. Orders are in and you should have received your orders by now. Any questions, call Shirley Vassall.

Alternative Meeting Location (when needed) - Beverly Hobbs, who is a Realtor at GMAC (General Motors Acceptance Corp.) advised us that we can use their office on Princeton Hightstown Rd. Of course, we would notify them in advance. Thanks, Beverly.

CONGRATULATIONS Hattie Blanchard recently passed the exam for "Assisted Living Administrator" and is now seeking employment in this field. Please let Hattie know if you are aware of jobs. Much good luck to Hattie.

Joan Tomlin's brother-in-law, Alfonso E. Lenhardt (who was a guest speaker, about 4 years ago, at one of our Ed. Fairs at Princeton University ) has been elected and sworn in, on 9/14/01, as the 36th Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. Senate. Before this position, he retired from the U.S. Army as a Major General then held a position as Exec. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Council on Foundations.

Some of the protocol responsibilities include escorting the President and other heads of state or official guests of the Senate who are attending official functions in the Capitol; assisting in plans for the inauguration of the President and organizing the sweating-in and orientation programs for newly elected senators.

WELCOME: New member, Jessica A. Ransom. Jessica attended our Open House and we are so pleased she decided to join us. Please make Jessica feel welcome and we look forward to seeing Jessica at the "Tea".

DUES It's that time again to pay dues, which will be collected at the "Tea" if you forgot to pay, or can be mailed to our Treasurer, Shirley Vassall.

SCHOLARSHIP Work is still being done to complete the criteria for awarding scholarships. Further discussion was held at the Nov. meeting. In the meantime, a "Book Award" was made at the Open House. (See previous months Steering Committee Corner in addition to this month's Steering Committee Corner.)

TIPS Yellowed Bathtub - Restore whiteness to a yellowed tub by rubbing with a salt and turpentine solution.

Glass Tabletops - Clean with lemon juice and dry with paper towels or newspapers.

BEST WISHES & CONTINUED Good Health TO: Arlene Banks and Gloria Daniels; the mothers of Marcia Duhart, Lorna Jones, Louise Smith, Joan Tomlin, and Shirley Vassall's mother-in-law.

GET WELL: Louise Smith is now at St. Lawrence Rehab. Center (896-9500) Room 518. We do wish Louise the very best and a speedy recovery. Please don't forget to visit.

Gloria Daniels is back home and visits are welcomed. We continue to wish the best to Gloria and look forward to having her join us soon at our functions.

Ruth Timins' mother is also doing well after her surgery and we trust she continues to improve. Also, remember Ruth's daughter, Nicole.

Hattie Blanchard's sister, Debbie who resides in Kansas, recently came out of a Coma, but still has a long way to recovery. We do wish her and the family the very best.

Shirley Vassall is back to work after successful surgery in October. She wishes to thank everyone for all the kindness showed during her recovery (cards, flowers, gifts, etc.)

Joyce Abbott also wishes to thank everyone who remembered her during her bout with Vertigo. Cards, food, calls and flowers, and sharing of information on the problem, were so very much appreciated. Thanks loads.

It is our intention to remember all who are ill, lost a loved one or congratulate members and their families when achievements are made. However, you must let Joyce Abbott (448-4511 ) know so mention can be made in the Newsletter.

BIRTHDAYS
If your birthday has been overlooked, contact Joyce Abbott (448-4511).

December - 1 Illean Fussell
31 Shirley Vassall

November Newsletter January 2002 Newsletter CJNBW Homepage email: cjnbw@hotmail.com