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.

Poinsettias for the Holidays

Once again it is that time of year that we think about the holiday season. What a better way to let your friends and family know you care that with a beautiful poinsettia!!

We have just what you need. We are offering lush 6" plants in either RED or JINGLE BELLS for sale for only $12 each.

Please click on this link to download the order form. Just complete the form and send it to the address on the form and we will order your plants. The poinsettias will be available sometime between November 29th and December 4th.

Thank you for your continued support of Altrusa of Cowlitz County...."The Breakfast Bunch". All monies raised are used to benefit our community and make Cowlitz County a better place to live and raise our children.