CJNBW March 2002 NewsLetter

CALENDAR

2 Lois's Bday

5 Steering Committee

12 Monthly
Meeting

19 Joyce's Bday

Central Jersey Network
of Black Women
P. O. Box 217
Hightstown, NJ 08520
NEWSLETTER
March, 2002

President's Message

Dear Members and Friends:

February was a busy month for CJNBW, and I would like to thank several members who worked to produce many successful activities.

We were unable to meet at the Hickory Corner Library due to the closing of the library system on February 12, however, Beverly Hobbs was able to secure a venue for our monthly meeting. We thank Beverly and Gloria Nielson Realtors for the use of their conference room. Joyce Abbott persuaded Carine Toussiant to speak at the meeting and the attendees were pleased to hear about Ms. Toussaint's visit to Kenya and her informative discussion on that country's heritage and customs. Thank you Joyce and Carine.

Also thanks to Linda Moton Rivers and Marcia Duhart who accompanied me to meet with some of the African-American employees at Merrill Lynch on Feb. 15th. We discussed the purpose of CJNBW and its contributions to the community during a 'Lunch to Learn' session. Some of the attendees are interested in becoming members and/or finding out more about the network. We look forward to welcoming new members from this group shortly.

This year we will again be honoring an outstanding member from our community as we did in 2001. However, for 2002 we have selected a couple, Brenda and Albert Werner. The awards will be presented on

April 21, at the 5th Ave. Bistro (formerly Coach & Four) from 3-6 p.m. Please mark your calendars and come out to celebrate their lifetime achievements with this dedicated couple!

Please also join us at the March 12th meeting at Hickory Corner Library to hear 2 speakers from Capital Health Systems. Note that the speakers are the only item on the agenda, and that the first speaker starts promptly at 7:30.
7:30 PM - Women's Health Issues in Cancer - Dr. Shirnett Williamson, CHS Radiation Oncology Dept.
8: 15 PM - Stress Reduction through Breath and Meditation - Marsha Rudolph, MA, CHS Community Health Educator.

Members of CJNBW unanimously agreed to commemorate Gloria Daniel's passing as follows: a) Prepare a special insert to the March 2002 Newsletter devoted to Gloria; b) Designate Gloria as a CHARTER member of CJNBW (her name will be listed on all network printed matter with the current steering committee's names); c) Contribute to 2 charities in her name (Am. Cancer Society and United Negro College Fund). Please see the enclosed insert on this wonderful woman's life.

We look forward to seeing a good turnout for our next meeting, March 12.

Sincerely,
Ruth Rainford Timins

IMPORTANT DATES

Tuesday, March 5, - 7:30 p.m. - Steering Committee Meeting at the Twin Rivers Library, 276 Abbington Drive, Twin Rivers, NJ.(443-1880)

Tuesday, March 12 - 7:30 p.m. - Regular Monthly Meeting at Hickory Corner Rd. Library, E. Windsor, NJ - (609) 448-1332. This month's meeting will feature 2 guest speakers from Capital Health Systems as follows:
        Topics: Women's Health Issues in Cancer
                      Stress Reduction through Breath and Meditation
        Speakers: Dr. Shirnett Williamson, CHS Radiation Oncology Dept. - 7:30 - 8:15 p.m.
                        Marsha Rudolph, MA, CHS Community Health Educator - 8:15 - 8:45 p.m.

It is very important that we start the meeting promptly at 7:30 p.m. since our guests have families and must be home by a certain time. Please try to be at the library by 7:00 p.m. so we can have a short discussion prior to the presentation, if time allows. We would appreciate your bringing a friend or two. (We promised that we would have at least 20 people in the audience.)

The Women's Issues Committee will be hosting this meeting. Since this is a small committee, please feel free to bring some snacks and refreshments. We look forward to your presence as this should be a very informative meeting.

Sunday, April 21 - 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. - At 5th Ave. Bistro (formerly "Coach & Four Restaurant"), Route 33, Hightstown, NJ- Celebration of our 21st Anniversary with a benefit to support the Scholarship Fund and honor a local black couple, Albert and Brenda Werner, who have given so much to the children of this community. Come out to share desserts, music and also welcome spring with friends and family.

Fliers will soon be mailed to members and guests. The cost is $25 per person.

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES

The Book Club, now named, "Reading Between the Lines" has resumed. The next meeting is Friday, May 3 - 7:30 p.m. This meeting will be held at Ruth Timins. If you don't know how to get there, please call Ruth at (799-7143). The book we will read for the May gathering is "The Measure of a Man" by Sidney Poitier. Please come join us for a fun and relaxing evening. Bring your suggestions for future readings.

Steering Committee Corner

This Committee is made up of the officers of the Network. We meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Twin Rivers Library in E. Windsor, NJ., (276 Abbington Dr. (609) 443-1880). Any member can attend these meetings, if so desired.

At the Feb. 5 meeting we discussed how we could contribute to the memorium of our member, Gloria Jean Daniels who passed on 1/28/02, and was a founding member of CJNBW. The family requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to UNCF and American Cancer Society. It was determined that we would ask members to make donations which would be divided between the two funds. Please consider making a donation at the 3/12 meeting, as we cannot use CJNBW funds. Thank you.

We also discussed how new/prospective members should be greeted or contacted. The Membership Committee, (Linda, Marcia and Joyce) will talk about this and come up with ideas and bring to the meeting.

Merrill Lynch asked CJNBW to participate in a "Lunch to Learn" Program on 2/15 where we will talk about our Club and perhaps this will be a way to expose CJNBW to prospective members. Ruth, Marcia and Linda will attend.

The second annual anniversary program was also on the agenda. This program will be held on 4/21 at 5th Avenue Bistro in Hightstown, NJ. We will honor 2 local residents, Albert and Brenda Werner. This is also a fund raiser for our Scholarship Fund. We are looking forward to the full cooperation of all members so that the event is a success. Ads will be placed in newspapers to spread the word and fliers will be distributed also.

It was determined that 2 scholarships would be awarded this year and possisbly additional funds can be awarded to the 2 winners later on in the year.

THANK YOU
To all of my CJNBW Sisters: Thank you for all the get well wishes. I'm still a little fuzzy but recovering from Pneumonia twice in 2 months, which was not fun. George was away for his job when I got sick, and Ruth was an emergency room angel. Not only did she take me to the Emergency Room, she stayed there with me all day. Her second rescue came when I had to go for a lab test. Thank you Ruth!!!!! Hope to see everyone on March 12.
Love to my Sisters,
Hattie Blanchard

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE (Noreen Lois Duncan, Beverly Hobbs and Regina Quince) - This committee should be prepared to up-date the Steering Committee on their progress regarding the next awardees for scholarships.

NOTES OF THANKS:

Thanks to Beverly Hobbs for securing space for our Feb. meeting at Gloria Nielson's Real Estate offices in Princeton Junction. The libraries were closed due to President's Day.

We also thank Regina Quince for representing CJNBW at Gloria's funeral. What courage it took to do such a wonderful job in speaking about our Sister who is no longer with us.

CONDOLENCES We extend our sincere sympathies to:

Ann Kassahun who lost her last remaining uncle, Clanson Newell, in Jamaica, W.I. Ann travelled to Jamaica for the funeral, and while there, a cousin, Winston Newell, age 50 was killed in car mishap.

Joan Tomlin's mother, Mary Nell Hill passed on 2/5/02 in Brooklyn, NY.

To both Ann and Joan, we are very sorry for the loss of your loved ones. Keep the good memories of your loved ones uppermost in your minds as this will see you through these difficult times.

BEST WISHES & CONTINUED Good Health TO: Arlene Banks, Louise Smith, Rith Timins daughter, Nicole and; the mothers of Marcia Duhart, Lorna Jones, Louise Smith, and Shirley Vassall's mother-in-law.

GET WELL: Louise Smith is doing quite well and feeling better and stronger each day. We do wish her continued good health. Also, Hattie Blanchard has been ill with Pneumonia and to date she is not fully recovered, but feeling much better.

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.

Furniture Tip: Easy Dusting - Slip an old woolen sock over your hand, spray with polish, and run hand over furniture to dust easily.

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

March - 2 Noreen Lois Duncan
19 Joyce Abbott

Top of Page April Newsletter February Newsletter CJNBW Homepage email:cjnbw@hotmail.com