The Holiday Season is Definitely Here!

The Breakfast Bunch is definitely in the middle of Christmas! We're still taking poinsettia orders, we have the the gorgeous "Jewels on the Rivers" afghans in stock for Christmas giving. (Or hey, treat yourself!) In addition, we're selling raffle tickets for our toy wagon again this year. A $2 ticket will buy you a chance to win a radio flyer wagon heaped full of toys. Talk about one-stop shopping! You can get raffle tickets at Cowlitz Credit Union on Friday, Dec 16, or anytime at Banda's Bouquets on Broadway in Longview.

November Happenings

November is always a fun month - all those holiday bazaars, thoughts of fall foods, and holiday planning. We can help you with two things - decorating and gifts! First of all, we've started taking orders for our florist-grade, lovely six-inch poinsettias. There are color choices available. They're a great buy at $13 each, fresh, and delivered directly to you - PLUS - you get the added benefit of knowing your money is going to support community programs. The local Emergency Support Shelter is one of our projects, and we were recently honored to participate in their Candlelight Ceremony to support victims of domestic violence.

On to gifts - we have the perfect gift for anyone on your list! Our lovely "Jewels on the Rivers" commemorative afghan is available for $55. It's a finely woven soft cotton tapestry with images of Southwest Washington points of interest and comes with a booklet explaining the history of each "jewel." You can see them at Banda's Bouquets, 1310 Broadway, Longview, or contact us at Altrusa-CowlitzCounty@hotmail.com to place an order.

October Program a Hit!

We were so lucky to have Carolyn Caines, local poet and author, as our speaker at the October program meeting! She talked a little about her childhood in Longview during the 1950's, and read some poems from her book called In the Noiseless Night. She answered questions about the ways to read and enjoy poetry, and told us about her soon to be released novel based on the life of her grandparents, Passage to Love: an Ellis Island Story. The grandparents were part of the community of immigrant Finns who made their homes here in Southwest Washington.

Fall Happenings

Fall has gotten off to a great start in our Altrusa Club! One of our ongoing projects is to put together "graduation" baskets for women completing courses at the Emergency Support Shelton. To help start them set up housekeeping, we put together a laundry basket full of essential supplies such as paper towels, cleanser, sponges, dish and laundry soap, toothpaste and so on. Since July of this year we have supplied 13 baskets - wow! This is one of the needed community projects our fundraising supports.

And speaking of fundraising, we will soon begin taking orders for gorgeous poinsettias which will be delivered right around Thanksgiving time. What better way to support our community than to order florist-grade poinsettias from us that you'd probably be buying somewhere anyway? This way, you know that funds are going to help people in our community, plus you get the added bonus of absolutely beautiful plants that are definitely suitable for gifts. More information on that project coming soon.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Labor Day weekend always signals the "end of summer" as school starts and fall schedules start filling up. We're hoping for a continuation of this late summer weather here in our area, though. The Breakfast Bunch is busy finalizing budgets and brainstorming ideas for community service. (Not that there aren't lots of opportunities - just picking the ones with the most need.) Wednesday, September 7 begins our fall calendar with a business meeting at 7 a.m. followed by the program meeting on September 21 when we'll hear from one of our active community groups. Please join us - you're invited!

August Program Meeting

This past Wednesday at our month program meeting, Lisa Allen, owner of Banda's Bouquets in Longview and a member of "The Breakfast Bunch," was our speaker/demonstrator at the program entitled, "Flower Arrangements for Dummies." Wow! Lots of great hints and ideas for gifts and centerpiece arrangements from plants growing in our yards, how to use greens and berries to enhance just a few flowers, and how to liven up a grocery store bouquet. She created two styles of arrangements for us, and presented them to audience members. It's fun to find out what our members do for a living. Lucky Lisa works in a 'scented' office.

Summer Happenings

Even though summer finally started around here and lots of things are going on to pack our calendars, The Breakfast Bunch has been busy lining up this year's projects and priorities.

We held a successful Planning Retreat on June 12. Our new president Adele Gowdy talked about her priorities for the coming term and members discussed past projects and new ideas. We also held a Bunco party in June, which is always a great time. We also hosted Phillip Olson from Progress Center at our June program meeting, when he described the work his organization is doing in our area.

In July we participated in "Bark for Life," which is organized by one of our members, Brenda Courser. Our July program meeting centered around Altrusa, including history, organization of the international and local clubs, and present-day testimonials by members.

Since May we have provided supplies and goodies for a baby shower at the Emergency Support Shelter, plus delivered six baskets of suppplies for Shelter graduates who are moving on to their own homes. This month we're looking forward to a summer BBQ at Betty Trembly's house for members and their spouses.

There's always something cooking in our club!

CHANGING OF THE GUARD
The Officers and Board of Directors for 2011-12 were installed May 19 at a dinner party held at Parker's Steak House. The installation was carried out with a "Canine Friends" theme, using flower arrangements shaped like puppies, dog bone and paw-shaped cookies, and bookmarks outlining the positive attributes and character each person brings to our club, as exemplified by pets. It was a fun evening!

From left back row:  Eleanor Clapp-Shumaker, Sandra Putaansuu, Gail Barber, Lisa Allen, Joyce Leitner, Betty Trembley, Marion Olmsted, Winona Smith; front row Adele Gowdy, Maggi Miollis, Virginia Russeff, Debbie Johnson, Darlene Little, Krista Mead.

Immediate past president Lisa Allen presented the Altrusan of the Year Award to Joyce Leitner, explaining Joyce's steady, can-do attitute and calm demeanor has been a helpful attribute to the entire club last year. 

Lisa was presented with a lovely Altrusa travel blanket, a token of thanks from the officers and members for her leadership over the past two years.

New President Adele Gowdy gave a short introduction to the upcoming year, thanked members for their confidence in her leadership, and said she is excited about the upcoming year.

She invited members to sign up for their choice of committees and announced the annual planning retreat on June 12 to map out the goals and projects for the 2011-12 year. Everyone's input and ideas are important!

Officers and Directors, 2011-12 

Adele Gowdy, President

Gail Barber, Vice President

Lisa Allen, Immediate Past President

Debbie Johnson, Secretary

Eleanor Clapp-Shumaker, Treasurer

Virginia Russeff, Assistant Preasurer

Sandra Putaansuu, Communications Director

Winona Smith & Betty Trembley, One Year Directors

Marion Olmstead & Joyce Leitner, Two Year Directors

IT'S SPELL-EBRATION TIME!!

Come join us for Our Third Annual
SPELL-EBRATION

 Adult Spelling Bee on Friday, March 18th

@ the Kelso Theater Pub 

Brought to you byAltrusa International of Cowlitz County
(The Breakfast Bunch)

 

Put your SPELLING TEAM together in costume...(or not)
and spell for a cause. 
Get your teams ready and break out those dictionaries
and practice, practice, practice.

Pick up your registration form in the lobby of the
Kelso Theater Pub, Banda's Bouquets 
or call 360-673-1983 or email jleitner@kalama.com
or click here to print out the rules and entry form.

The 2011 Spell-ebration Entry Form and Rules are now available.
There is only room for 25 teams so BUZZ your entry form in today!!!

There will be fantastic prizes and fun galore for the entire family PLUS
THE FABULOUS PIZZA and BEVERAGES
THAT ARE OFFERED
by the KELSO THEATER PUB staff!

Everyone is welcome...team members must be 21 or older.

A special thank you to all of our terrific sponsors this year and

everyone who works so hard to bring this fun,
family event to our area!!!

Sponsoring All the Balloons

Sponsoring the Beautiful Decorations!!

Sponsoring all the Flyers, Posters and More!!

Sponsoring all the Note Pads!!



We hope to see you all there!!

Save the Date

Mark your calendars.....get your team together....

pick out those costumes.....and study, study, study.

The 3rd ANNUAL

SPELL-EBRATION

will be held on Friday, March 18, 2010

at the Kelso Theatre Pub.

Applications will be available soon.....

but mark you calendars now

so you don't miss out on this great evening of fun and frolic.