Hi Ladies,

Thanks again to everyone who attended our August Silent Auction meeting and/or helped at the August 24 Bake Sale at the Brook Hollow Winery Cops N' Rodders Car Show.  Special thanks to Paul and Debbie Ritter for obtaining the baked items for the sale through the generous donation of Kim Beyer from Driscoll Foods. Our Club raised $221.25, and $31.10 was also donated for Veterans!  

 What's going on with the BWC this September? 

September 11 - (rescheduled from Sep. 10 due to Highland's council meeting in Long Valley) Executive meeting at the Outreach Center at 1:30 p.m.  Everyone is welcome to attend.    (If you are interested in attending the Sep. 10 council meeting, please rsvp to blairwomansclubnj@gmail.com — by Sep. 4, and we will rsvp to the district.

September 17 - This is a Wednesday as the Stroudsmoor isn’t open on Tuesdays.  Our Fall Luncheon will be held at the The Moor / Stroudsmoor's Restaurant (Stroudsmoor Country Inn), 257 Stroudsmoor Road, Stroudsburg, PA.  If you haven't sent in your reservation, please do so as soon as possible! Great food, great speakers, and great camaraderie await! Be part of it! RSVP and let us know your meal choice here!

PLEASE note, our October meeting will be Tuesday, October 21 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Walnut Valley UMC.

Thanks to everyone working on the Silent Auction!  Members are canvassing businesses, locally and beyond. This is our biggest fundraiser, and takes all of us to be successful!  The auction will be on a Friday evening, November 14, 2025, and we want each member to participate and donate as you are comfortable.  IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO GET INVOLVED!

Hope to see you at The Moor / Stroudsmoor's Restaurant!

--

Kind Regards,

Wendy Kelley & Jen Plut 

Co-Presidents

Blair Woman's Club of Blairstown, NJ

Website: sites.google.com/view/blairwomansclubnj/

Facebook & Instagram @BlairWomansClubNJ

Hi Ladies,

I hope you are enjoying the nice weather and avoiding the heat when possible!  Fall is coming!  Thanks to everyone who attended the second Silent Auction meeting in July; our next meeting will be August 13 at 2:30 following the executive board meeting at 1:30 at the Outreach Center.  Everyone is welcome to attend both, or either meeting.  

• Club Apparel: Any last minute apparel orders? Available are four apparel choices: (1) three-quarter sleeve polo, (2) full zip fleece, and a (3) short sleeve polo with our club name and a lily of the valley flowers embroidered. Also available is a (4) long-sleeve t-shirt with the club name/lily screen printed. Please see the 2-page attachment for details and cost. Payment may be sent to the club at PO Box 341, Blairstown or may also be dropped off with Jen at the Outreach Center next to the post office. Please include which item(s) #'s and size for each. We are staying local and ordering from Lyan Clothing Company, located right in Marksboro - owned/operated by NWR graduate Logan Gillen! Please email to let us know if you're ordering by Monday, Aug. 11 so we can include your order.

• Car Show: Thank you to those who volunteered to work the bake sale on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, at Brook Hollow Winery. We will have a table from 8:30-2:00 pm to sell baked goods (prepackaged), coffee, and register attendees for the silent auction.

• September Luncheon: You will receive the invitation to the September luncheon in a few weeks. Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, Sep. 17 at 12:30 p.m. at the Stroudsmoor Country Inn. It's always a great way to begin our club year. Our state President Barbara McCloskey will be our guest.

• Silent Auction: Plans for the Silent Auction to be held Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at Brook Hollow Winery are continuing! Many of us met for our second Silent Auction meeting  on July 23 at the Outreach Center! We discussed timeline considerations, committees and assignments and much more!. Each year we learn a lot and look to adapt and improve. There are many ways for each one of you to help! It's very exciting! What an opportunity to show that we are more than just a wonderful, interesting group of ladies who enjoy our refreshments and interesting speakers! We volunteer where we are needed and commit to a project. We ask each member again this year to donate with comfort in one of the following ways in addition to volunteering your time at the Silent Auction:

  • You can donate a completed basket valued $25.00 or more (suggest amount only). Two or more members can certainly go together.

  • You can donate $25.00 or more in cash (suggested amount only).

  • You can donate a current new item worth $25.00 or more (suggested amount only).

 We only have two fundraisers and this is the BIG one! Please plan how you can best help this project! Many thanks for your anticipated participation!

• Executive Board Meeting: Wednesday, Aug. 13 beginning at 1:15 PM at the Outreach Center. All members are welcome to attend! Following at 2:30 is the Silent Auction planning meeting.

District News & Local WC Events of Interest:

• September 10 Highlands Council: Host Club: Long Valley Woman’s Club. Flyer is attached. If you are interested in attending, please rsvp to blairwomansclubnj@gmail.com (or just let Jen or Wendy know) by Sep. 4, and we will rsvp to the district.

• September 20 Belvidere Woman's Club's 95th anniversary celebration: In case you are interested in attending, RSVPs by September 6 — please see the attached flyer for additional information and how to RSVP.

• October 12 Washington Woman's Club's 100th anniversary celebration: In case you are interested in attending, RSVPs by September 21 — please see the attached flyer for additional information and how to RSVP.

 See you in at the car show on August 24th, and at the Outreach Center on the 13th!  Excited for the new year starting in September!  

Wendy Kelley & Jen Plut 

Co-Presidents

Blair Woman's Club of Blairstown, NJ

P.O. Box 341, Blairstown, NJ 07825

Website: sites.google.com/view/blairwomansclubnj/

Facebook & Instagram @BlairWomansClubNJ

Hope you all had a lovely Fourth of July Weekend Ladies!

Thank you to all who braved the threatening rain and came to the June general meeting/picnic at Footbridge Park.  We enjoyed hearing from Maggie and Jack about their experiences at GCI and Hoby!  

September Luncheon: As we discussed at the Picnic, the Stroudsmoor is not open on Tuesdays; therefore, our September luncheon will either be on Sept. 17 or 18 (awaiting confirmation from the Stroudsmoor) and our state president Barbara McClusky is available to be our guest speaker at either date!  Additional information will follow regarding the luncheon as it becomes available. It will be a great time to catch up with everyone.  If you have news to share in the meantime, please email us so that it can be included in the August KIT.  

Yearbook: Debbie Ritter has graciously agreed to put our Yearbook together for the 2025-2026 BWC year!  If your information has any changes or corrections, please let her know.

Silent Auction: We held our first Silent Auction meeting at the conclusion of the June picnic, and the second meeting will be Wednesday, July 23 at 2:00 p.m. at the Outreach Center next to the Post Office.  Remember this year, the Silent Auction will be Friday evening, November 14!  We need many hands to make light work, so we hope you all can join us! 

August 24 Bake Sale at the Winery during their annual Cops N' Rodders Car Show: We will need volunteers from 11 AM to 6 PM.  Please email blairwomansclubnj@gmail.com with what shift you can help with: 10:30–12:00; 12:00–1:30; 1:30–3:00; 3:00–4:30; or 4:30–6:00. Thank you!

Club Apparel: Available are four apparel choices: (1) three-quarter sleeve polo, (2) full zip fleece, and a (3) short sleeve polo with our club name and a lily of the valley flowers embroidered. Also available is a (4) long-sleeve t-shirt with the club name/lily screen printed.  Please see the 2-page attachment for details and cost.  Payment may be sent to the club at PO Box 341, Blairstown or may also be dropped off with Jen at the Outreach Center next to the post office. Please include which item(s) #'s and size for each.   We are staying local and ordering from Lyan Clothing Company, located right in Marksboro - owned/operated by NWR graduate Logan Gillen!

BWC Committees: Many of you signed up for a BWC Committee at that meeting - thank you!! If you did not get a chance, please let us know which committee you would like to serve including silent auction, fundraising, education  (Scholarship/HOBY/GCI), Hospitality (Coordinator), Community Service Programs, Membership, Nominating, Special State Project.  What we do together matters! You are appreciated!

*************************

NOTES FROM NJSFWC:

Reminder: Somerset Patriots Game with Fireworks!

Friday, July 11 at 7:05 pm

Bring family and friends and join our NJSFWC family at the ball game!

Tickets are $15 

  ORDER TICKETS

"Do you have a special skill set or experience that you would like to share?

Are you a retired graphic designer? Attorney? Bookkeeper? Auditor?

Do you have experience writing grants? Are you an author? Want to run a craft workshop?

We are looking to tap into our talented pool of members to expand what NJSFWC offers to its members and to help our organization thrive. Whatever your ability … we’re looking for YOU!

Email NJSFWC President: mccloskey@njsfwc.org so we can start moving forward!"

*************************

No executive board meeting in July.

More to follow later this summer…!

Wendy Kelley & Jen Plut 

Co-Presidents

Blair Woman's Club of Blairstown, NJ

Hi all!

Saying goodbye to May which was filled with fellowship!  The Hope Bank Tour was so informative, and the luncheon and general meeting gave us more opportunities to get to know each other.  Link for photos here. 

Hello June!  Picnic, scholarships and more opportunities are ahead with longer days, blooming flowers, and warm sunshine!  

What's going on with the BWC during June . . .

• June 4 - NWRHS Awards Night, Barbara will present the BWC’s 4/ $1,200.00 and 2/ $600.00 scholarships as well as presenting the $1,500 Pat Treible Memorial Scholarship.

• June 11 - Executive Board meeting -  Executive Board Meeting, 1:15, 1st Presbyterian Church Outreach Center, Blairstown (next to Post Office). All members are welcome. Parking is available on Main Street and behind the building.

• June 17 - General meeting - 2:00/ Footbridge Park. Potluck refreshments, please bring an item to share with the members and the students from North Warren Regional High School who attended GCI and HOBY. At this meeting, we’ll have committee sign-ups. It's our last meeting before a 2-month summer break. Hope you all can attend. 

• June 17 - Silent Auction meeting - Footbridge Park - Immediately following the general meeting. We want to get an early start so nobody feels rushed and we have a fun and successful auction on Friday, November 14 at Brook Hollow Winery. We need everyone to participate, or recommend additional fundraisers.

BWC Yearbook:

Debbie Ritter has offered to begin working on our Yearbook for 2025-2026. The work will be completed over the summer, so please check your yearbook carefully and email any corrections to both littledeb1234@embarqmail.com and blairwomansclubnj@gmail.com.  

Additional Dates of Interest:

• Highlands District Council on Wednesday, June 11; it is an evening meeting (with dinner), hosted by the Thursday Morning Club (TMC)  at the Madison Community House in Madison. The speakers will be Linda Carley, State Treasurer, Lin Hrycenko, State Nominations & Elections Chair, and Jacqueline Wisner, State Legislation/Resolutions Chair. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. and is $5 at the door. RSVP is due by June 4, so please let us know if you would like to attend/car pool. See attached flyer for details. Those interested in attending, email Wendy and Jen at blairwomansclubnj@gmail.com by noon on June 4, and we will take care of responding for the club.
  
  

• To make the August 7 Lobster Shanty Children's Alliance (SSP) fundraiser a success, completed gift baskets are needed for the auction. Any Baskets that Clubs or members would like to donate to the function be brought to the June 11th Highland's Council meeting.  Click here for donation a basket form.  If you are not planning on attending the meeting but would like to send a basket, please let Jen or Wendy know by June 10.
  
  

• Friday, July 11, NJSFWC will attend a Somerset Patriots game followed by fireworks. The tickets are $15 per person for those who would like to attend the 7:05 pm game. See flyer link here and purchase tickets here.

• NJSFWC Fall Conference has a new location - Lobster Shanty, 80 Channel Drive, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742. Save the date, Monday, October 20, 2025. See attached flyer.
   

• Lastly, mark your calendars for the NJSFWC Open House celebration on Thursday, November 13th and Saturday, November 15th, celebrating the 60th Anniversary at the Headquarters Building! Flyer is attached.

It has been so fun working with all of the amazing women in our club!!  We are looking forward to another year of service and sharing with each of you!  Please reach out if you need or want to discuss other areas of life in our community where you believe we can make a positive difference.  Thank you, ladies, for your unwavering commitment, boundless energy, and remarkable talents. You’re all amazing!  Keep up the fantastic work!

What We Do Together Matters - See you soon!

Wendy Kelley & Jen Plut 

Co-Presidents

Blair Woman's Club of Blairstown, NJ

Hope you're all doing well and getting excited because............

     M any of our

          A rea gardens and outdoor spaces will soon

             Y ield an array of colors, an assortment of shapes, sizes and textures, pleasing aromas and beacons to  bees and  butterflies! Greening and growing time! :) 

What's going on with the BWC during May?  

• Wed., May 14 at 1:15 PM: Executive Board Meeting at 1st Presbyterian Church Outreach Center, Blairstown (next to Post Office). All members are welcome.
  
  

• Thu., May 15 at 11:00 AM: Field trip to First Hope Bank in Hope, NJ then lunch afterwards at Inhouse. If you would like to attend the bank tour and learn about its Moravian history and more, please email/reply to us at blairwomansclubnj@gmail.com.  If you’d like to attend the luncheon afterwards at Inhouse, please let us know as well so that we can let the restaurant know approximately how many are attending.  We'll order off the menu; separate checks. Looking forward to seeing you there!
  
  

• Tue., May 20 general meeting at 2:00 PM: Join us at Walnut Valley United Methodist Church - invite a friend! 

  • We will welcome Joanne VanValkenburg, Blairstown Township Committee Member, as our guest speaker to learn about township "happenings."

  • Food Pantry donations will be delivered to St. Johns’ United Methodist Church in Hope. As mentioned before, we ask for many donations throughout the year. Please always donate within your comfort level. 

  • We will collect laundry items for Veterans Haven North = Laundry Detergent Pods & Dryer sheets; Laundry Baskets & Hampers w/wheels. 

  • Thanks in advance to our May refreshment volunteers—Linda L., Sue R., Nancy S., & Pat Tompkins! 

Additional Event of Interest:

Hunterdon Hills Playhouse trip on Rt 173 in Clinton, NJ for a dinner and show starting at 11:30 am on Tuesday, July 29.  Discounted cost to club members is $73 each (regular price is $88).  The show is "Clue the Musical."  This is organized by the Washington Woman's Club - they have limited seats available.    If you wish to join them, please email Lois at moneylake@aol.com to be sure space is still available. Checks may be made payable to Washington Woman's Club and mailed to:  Lois Muglia, 3 Lenape Trail, Washington, NJ 07882. 

Year in Review - Club year 2024–25

As promised at the April general meeting, here is a link to the BWC year-end report for 2024–25!

Overdue BWC Dues:

There are still a few members who have not sent in their 2025–26 club dues of $35.  Please mention “Dues” in the Notes section and your check should be made out to Blair Woman's Club of Blairstown. Dues should be mailed directly to our Treasurer: Deborah Ritter, 57 Lime Kiln: Road, Columbia, NJ 07832 OR dropped off at the 1st Pres. Church Outreach Center (next to post office) at 35 Main St. with Jen. Please text her at 973-296-2156 to be sure she is at the church office first.

Happy Mother's Day:

Lastly,  we urge you to celebrate those women who had/have an impact on your lives and influenced/influence who you are today.  Happy Mother's Day to all women who have nurtured a child with unconditional love, support, and guidance! 

What We Do Together Matters!

Wendy Kelley & Jen Plut 

Co-Presidents

Blair Woman's Club of Blairstown, NJ

Hi all!

The first full month of spring is here!  Let’s embrace April’s spirit of renewal and growth! Please read the following carefully and plan to be with us whenever it works for you! Exciting month!

What's Going on with the BWC?

• April 4:  This Friday is the 2025 Wear Blue Day for the Pinwheels for Prevention® Campaign.  April is the national observation of Child Abuse Prevention Month and is when the Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign has launched.  We will "plant” our Pinwheels at the Blairstown Township Municipal property this Friday at 2:30 PM.  If you are interested in being a part of this event, please meet Wendy and Jen in the parking lot in front of the municipal building.  If you are able, wear blue to demonstrate your support for children’s well-being. 
  
  

• April 5: BWC Yard Sale - Brook Hollow Winery/ 10 AM – 2:00. We will begin to set up and price items at 9 AM. If you haven't already, please let us know if you can help. We need items to sell and hands to work! Spread the word!!
  
  

• April 8: BWC Ex. Bd. Meeting / 1:15 PM at Outreach Center. All members are invited. (rescheduled from Wed., Apr. 9)
  
  

• April 9: Highlands District Achievement Day/Hanover Manor in East Hanover.
  
  

• April 13: Highlands Girls Career Institute Orientation and Reception; Registration/Reception: 1:30 PM, Meeting: 2:00–3:30PM, Roxbury Senior Center (Horseshoe Lake Complex) RSVPs are needed by April 9 to blairwomansclubnj@gmail.com - we will forward our rsvps for this event the following day. Carpooling can be arranged. We are sponsoring 2 delegates from NWRHS -Sydney Hoffman and Magdalyn Pilny.
  
  

• April 15: BWC General Meeting/ 2:00 Walnut Valley United Methodist Church. We can use another volunteer or two for refreshments — please email us if you can help out!. Food pantry donations will be delivered to UMCB (United Methodist Church of Blairstown). It is a very important meeting as we will be voting on the 2025-2026 proposed budget which will be emailed separately by our Treasurer, Debbie. You will also hear the year-end report of what we've accomplished in 2024! We will also pack Traveler Treats for the T/A Truckstop in Columbia—treats of hard candy, gum, and/or prepackaged snacks (no chocolate) are appreciated as you are able. Additionally, we are collecting table serving items such as paper plates/napkins/cups/plastic forks, knives, spoons/paper towels, or toilet paper for "Project Horses for Forces" - a 501(c)(3) all volunteer organization / equine farm located in Tewksbury Township, NJ. For more information, please visit https://horsesforforces.weebly.com/.
  
  

• Club Dues for the 2025-2026 calendar: Please mention “Dues” in the Notes section and your check should be made out to Blair Woman's Club of Blairstown. Dues should be brought to the April 15 meeting or mailed directly to our Treasurer: Deborah Ritter, 57 Lime Kiln Road, Columbia, NJ 07832
  
  

There is a lot to think about this month! Hope some of the dates, if not all, work for you and you can be with us! We need you to both work with us and to celebrate with us! As always....What we do together matters!

Special Note:  Thank you for your care, concern, and support to Jen Plut and her family on the recent loss of her mom. (obituary)

Be well and enjoy the season!

Wendy Kelley & Jen Plut 

Co-Presidents

Hi Ladies,

We hope everyone stayed warm during the cold February, and is as excited about March as we are! Spring is coming!  Officially, it begins Thursday, March 20, 2025!  Hopefully, Mother Nature has gotten the memo! 

 March also brings Women’s History month!  Don’t forget the theme, “Moving Forward Together, Women Educating and Inspiring Generations”! We can learn about remarkable women through a variety of films, documentaries, and educational media.  You can also explore the Women’s History and Resource Center (WHRC) online at The General Federation of Women’s Clubs website: gfwc.org.

💚 Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday, March 9!  Another sign that spring is coming.  

💚 Wednesday, March 12 is our first Executive Board meeting for 2025, and all are welcome.  We will be meeting at 1:15 p.m. in the Outreach Center between the Post Office and Gourmet Gallery.  

💚 Monday, March 17th, is St. Patrick’s Day, so don’t forget your green!  ☘️   This day commemorates not only St. Patrick (c. 385 - c. 561), the patron saint of Ireland, but the day Christianity arrived in Ireland by way of missionaries that included St. Patrick in the 5th century.    ☘️

💚 Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. we will meet at Walnut Valley United Methodist Church for our monthly general meeting! Food pantry donations will be delivered to the Food Pantry at the Blairstown (First Presbyterian Church) Outreach Center. We will need to decide whether to purchase the pinwheels and banner for a garden in April for Prevent Child Abuse Month, and whether to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, 2025, as a club.  Another decision is whether to hold a spring yard sale this year.  As you know, we did raise less money at the Silent Auction in November, so a yard sale would bolster our treasury balance. 

• Notes about the potential pinwheel garden: As we would need permission ahead of time to do this, we reached out to Blairstown Township — the board approved our request at their Feb. 26 meeting. They have also expressed interest in displaying the Prevent Child Abuse banner on their digital sign! Additionally, they will be passing a proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month at their March meeting! They thanked us for our efforts in raising awareness for this important cause. 

• Our March guests will be Pete and Betsy Peterson and Bob May from H.O.P.E (Help Our Preservation Effort), established in 1982, H.O.P.E. is dedicated to preserving the historic architecture and heritage in the village of Hope, New Jersey. We will learn about their latest restoration project, which is three doors down from First Hope Bank and learn about Moravian history in Hope.

💚 We will also learn from North Warren Regional High School by the end of March which two young women were selected to attend GCI (Girls’ Career Institute) in June.   

💚 Don’t forget if you are interested in the Highlands District Spring Conference and Achievement Day, it will be held April 9 at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover. It is a day to reflect and showcase all that we've achieved and for club women from the district to display their creative talents — paintings, photography, crocheting, knitting, counted cross stitch, embroidery, cookies, cakes, flower arrangements, houseplants, and more. This year there will be a full continental breakfast with pastries, fruit, coffee and tea and a four-course lunch served. Please consider entering some of your fantastic works. The categories are varied. You don't have to be an expert in any of the fields. You can find all this info at the NJSFWC website: https://njsfwc.org/materials/. Go to "Materials and then select "Achievement Day."   Quick links: categories are here, and registration for the Highlands district talents is here.  We will bring copies of the registration forms to the March meeting. The spring conference and achievement day invitation from the Highlands District is attached to this email. We will send in one check from the club for registration - If you would like to attend (car pooling would be available), let us know at the March 18 meeting or very soon thereafter!

💚 You all should have received an email from our treasurer, Debbie Ritter about the April 15 dues deadline. We need you to make your commitment to membership for the 2025–2026 club year on time. Write that check right now before you forget.  You can bring it to the March meeting, or mail it directly to Debbie at 57 Lime Kiln Rd., Columbia, NJ 07832. We appreciate your promptness. Your check payable to Blair Woman’s Club should have "Dues" on the memo line, and made out for $35.00. Thank you.

💚 Debbie will also be sending the proposed budget for 2025–2026 when it is finalized for you to review. It will get voted upon at the April general meeting as per our BYLAWS. 

What we do together matters, and we hope to strengthen friendships and have fun along the way!  You are most appreciated!

Our best,

Wendy Kelley & Jen Plut 

Co-Presidents

Blair Woman's Club of Blairstown, NJ

P.O. Box 341, Blairstown, NJ 07825

Website: sites.google.com/view/blairwomansclubnj/

        @BlairWomansClubNJ

Hi Ladies,

Welcome February! Hope you all share a valentine  with someone, even your server or postal worker!  Bringing a smile to another:) 

While we didn’t have a club meeting in January, again, thank you to everyone who attended and/or helped prepare for the District meeting that we were able to host January 8th at Brook Hollow Winery due to the generosity of the Ritter family!  The silent auction raised $687.77 for the NJ Children’s Alliance, our state project.  

Anyone interested in further supporting the NJ Children’s Alliance can purchase a Lantern for $20 each by the February 15, 2025, deadline.  The order form and more information is here. You may order directly or can submit a check to the Blair Woman's Club by Feb. 10 (mail or drop off at the Outreach Center next to the post office), and we can submit a group order and Jen and/or Wendy will pick them up at Headquarters. If you do mail a check, please let us know - thank you!

Our sponsorship for Girls’ Career Institute, a mini college and career exploration experience in June 2025, was submitted in January.  North Warren Regional High School will select the two students to attend and let us know before the end of March.

Finally, our annual reports for 2024 were submitted in January!  

February is American Heart month!  Wear red on February 7, 2025, in support of women’s heart health.  Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States and the World Health Organization states cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide.  So, let’s be heart smart!  Setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.  For example, taking morning medication before 9:00 am; walking 60 minutes a week; eating at least a certain number of vegetable servings a day!

Upcoming celebrations are Women’s History month in March, Child Abuse Prevention month in April, and Earth Day on April 22, 2025.  If you have suggestions on how our club can/should recognize these, please share them with us!  The theme for Women’s History month is “Moving Forward Together. Women Educating and Inspiring Generations” which can be through education, mentorship, or leadership.  For Child Abuse Prevention month as a club, we could plant a pinwheel garden(s); the NJ Children’s Alliance is selling pinwheels at $1 each in bundles of 25, and we could purchase a banner with the name of our club to post beside the garden.  For earth day, we could plant trees or a tree??  What are your thoughts? 

Are you feeling creative and maybe a little competitive? Don’t forget if you are interested in the Highlands Achievement Day, it will be held April 9 at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover. It is a day to reflect and showcase all that we've achieved and for club women from the district to display their talents.   Please consider entering some of your fantastic works. The categories are varied. You don't have to be an expert in any of the fields. It's truly to show the variety of talents/interests that club women possess. You can find all this info at the NJSFWC website: https://njsfwc.org/materials/. Go to "Materials and then select "Achievement Day."   Quick links: categories are here, and registration for the Highlands district is here. 

All club women and guests are invited to attend the 44th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Ceremony which will be held at the Opening Banquet of the State Convention on May 5th. You are also invited to be a Patron of these awards with a listing in the awards program book - a link with more information and the form is here if that is something you are interested in. In addition to the ads that will be in the Convention Program Book, there will be a patron listing for “Friends of Convention”. The cost of the listing, which is just a name only, will be $5.00 for each club member. If you are interested in being listed, please send the Blair Woman's Club a check (or drop it off at the Outreach Center) no later than Feb. 21. We will then send in everyone's name and payment. Those members who sign up and attend the Convention will receive a “Friends of Convention’ ribbon.   Again, if you do mail a check, please let us know - thank you!

**Helpers are also needed for the April 9 Highlands Spring Conference and for the May 4–7 NJSFWC State Convention in Atlantic City. If you have interest in learning more, let us know!**

Always remember....What we do together matters! 

Our best,

Wendy Kelley & Jen Plut 

Co-Presidents

Blair Woman's Club of Blairstown, NJ

Welcome 2025 and A New Year for our Club!

Thank you to everyone who assisted with the donations we were able to make in 2024….including the gifts to the area food pantries, gifts to Veterans Haven North and Clover Rest, gifts to the truckers who visit our local travel center, the scholarships to graduates of Warren Regional High School, as well as cash donations to local area food pantries and other local organizations.

What we do together matters!!  

January will start off busier for the club than usual as we are hosting the Highlands District Meeting at Brook Hollow Winery on January 8, 2025!  We appreciate those serving at the registration, beverage, federation, Silent Auction, Bake Sale tables, as well as all our members who are contributing to making this event a success!  Our Club will handle setup, paper products and beverages, and clean up; thank you in advance!  Note also that Brook Hollow will have their beverages available for purchase! If you're planning on attending this event, please email blairwomansclubnj@gmail.com as soon as possible so that we may include you in the advance registration.

Our next general meeting will be March 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.  Please enjoy your winter break and keep in touch!  Informal gatherings among members are a great way to spend some of the cold months!  Please continue to donate at the yellow building behind the Blairstown Municipal building for food pantries.  

The Highlands District Achievement Day will be held April 9 at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover. It is a day to reflect and showcase all that we've achieved and for club women from the district to display their talents.   Please consider entering some of your fantastic works. The categories are varied. Among them are: Door decorations (any season)/ Jewelry/ Embroidery/ Needlepoint/ Macrame/ Knitting/ Crocheting/ Sewing/ Paper Art/ Holiday decoration/ Favors/ Cooking (no mixes)/ Painting -oil, watercolor, acrylic/ Drawing/ Photography.  You don't have to be an expert in any of these fields. It's truly to show the variety of talents/interests that club women possess. You can find all this info at the NJSFWC website: https://njsfwc.org/materials/. Go to "Materials, Achievement Day, Highlands Reg. Form." Registration/Entry form: Arts-and-Culture-Achievement-Day.pdf, is due by March 26, 2025!

Special Note: 

We would like to extend heartfelt condolences to Elaine Anderson on the Christmas morning loss of her son-in-law, Kevin. 

(Obituary link here: Kevin J. Folts Obituary (2024) - Murrysville, PA - Hart Funeral Home Inc) Thank you for your care, concern, and support to her family.

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Always remember....What we do together matters!

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Kind Regards,

Wendy Kelley & Jen Plut 

Co-Presidents

Seasons Greetings Ladies,

It is already December 2024, and we have done such great work this year! The Silent Auction was a success with so many members participating and jumping in wherever they saw a need!  Our treasury grew by $9,266 (pending any additional expenses)!

December will be a busy month for us as our meeting will be jam packed with activities coordinated by Elaine Anderson and Leaka Whipple. To the extent you are comfortable, please bring:

• Dress socks and slippers (sizes 6-14) for Veterans Haven North.

• Two dozen nut-free cookies (for both our refreshment time and to box for the residents of Clover Rest Home. The residents there enjoy home baked items very much, often reminding them of time in their own kitchens with loved ones.

• Tissues for residents of Clover Rest Home (name brand full size boxes preferred).

• Snacks/treats (hard candy and/or gum) for the treat bags for residents of Veterans Haven North and Clover Rest Home; any extra will go to Blairstown Police Department, Road Crews, and Ambulance volunteers. 

Johanna from Johanna’s boutique will be our guest speaker regarding fashion!  

Although we don’t meet in January or February as a club, our club will be hosting the Highlands District Meeting on January 8, 2025!  We will be at Brook Hollow Winery again thanks to the generosity of the Ritter family!  Our club will provide coffee, tea, cream, sugar, and sweeteners, and the Washington club will provide the food.  We will also need to provide beverages and desserts for lunch if the meeting goes that long and those who stay to present their clubs’ programs will bring their own sack lunches.  We will also hold our mini silent auction at this event, with proceeds benefiting the New Jersey Children's Alliance, the NJSFWC 2024–26 Special State Project!

Our treasurer Debbie Ritter has been busy submitting filings, and Jen Plut took a report writing course as the state has changed the format for our annual reports due February 1, 2025.

Mark your calendars:

• Wed., Dec. 11: Exec. Board meeting at the First Pres. Church Outreach Center at 35 Main Street at 1:15 PM (next to Blairstown Post Office, side door) - All are invited. 

• Tue., Dec. 17: Regular Meeting at Walnut Valley UMC beginning at 2:00 PM.

• Wed., Dec. 18: Delivery of items to Veterans Haven North at 11:00 AM.

• Wed., Jan. 8: Highlands District Meeting (registration begins at 9:15 AM)

We hope you and your families/friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and enjoy the joy of all the celebrations this month!

Thank you so much for being a vital part of making what our club does matter, as well as having friendship and fun!

What we do together matters!!

Wendy Kelley & Jen Plut 

Co-Presidents

Blair Woman's Club of Blairstown, NJ

Hi all!

Ah, November . . . Things move quickly in these last couple months of the year. We’re shifting from   October goblins to  November gobblin’ while keeping an eye on  December shoppin’. It’s a speeding train  that isn’t stoppin’. Also...don’t forget to set your clocks back tonight!  

One of our newer members and friend, Carol Walker, has relocated to her new home in Maine to be closer to family. As soon as we have her apartment number, we will forward her mailing address to you - I’m sure she’d enjoy hearing from us!

Upcoming happenings!

November 6: Set up for the Silent Auction at Brook Hollow Winery/ beginning at 10:00 AM. Please bring any donation items during this time. NO items will be accepted on the day of the auction (Nov. 7). 

November 7: The BIG DAY! Silent Auction at Brook Hollow Winery begins at 6:00 PM. If you attend as a shopper or as a worker (and maybe both!), please keep notes about what was good and what might need consideration for our next silent auction. That helps us make each event better and better. We also plan on having a collection jar for the GFWC Hurricane Disaster States Relief Fund. 

A huge thank you to Brook Hollow Winery for the use of their beautiful facility and to all our volunteers who have or will help with the Silent Auction in any way! Invite your friends, family, and neighbors - so far we have just over 60 people registered/paid! Registrations at the door are $15 (cash only).

November 13: Executive Board Meeting - 1:30 PM / FPCB Outreach Center (next to PO in Blairstown). All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

November 19: General BWC Meeting - 2:00 PM/ Walnut Valley UMC (next to ball field). Food pantry donations will be delivered to St. Jude Church food pantry. We thank, in advance, Olive Carbonaro, JoAnn Dato, Rita Gross, and Kathy Jackets for refreshments, and of course, Leaka for setting up the coffee. Our speaker will be Erik Schneider of Newbaker Funeral Home, who will share info about pre-planning funerals. (Erik also graciously donated a large Yeti cooler for our Silent Auction again. The cooler was very popular last year!)

Looking Ahead to December: At our general December 17 general meeting, we will collect cookies for both our cookie share and for Clover Rest Home. We will also collect Men’s & Women Slippers Sizes 6-14 and dress socks to donate to Veteran’s Haven North (VHN) in Glen Gardner. Be sure to check out store sales and of course, Black Friday deals! Delivery will be the next day (Dec. 18 at 11 AM). Please email us if you would like to attend - they will give us a short tour and then if you’re interested, out to lunch!

At that meeting we will also be packing treat bags and signing holiday cards to deliver to VHN, and Clover Rest. We will collect tissues for residents of Clover Rest Home. Full-sized, brand name tissues preferred! Christina at Clover Rest explained that the ones they get are thin and scratchy and the residents LOVE brand named smooth tissues! 

December details will follow in the December KIT. (Elaine - thanks for your assistance planning the December happenings in advance!)

If we don’t see you at the Nov. 7 Silent Auction, we wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving, whether spent with others or solo.  

Now for some random Thanksgiving humor in case you need some corny jokes around the dinner table:

Why did the turkey decline dessert?

Because it was stuffed.

Why did the turkey cross the road twice?

To prove he wasn’t a chicken.

What smells the best at Thanksgiving dinner?

Your nose.

Why didn’t the chef season the turkey?

There wasn’t enough thyme.

Why did the turkey leave the band?

People were fighting over the drumsticks.

See you soon!

Wendy Kelley & Jen Plut 

Co-Presidents

Blair Woman's Club of Blairstown, NJ

Hello, October! Let the crisp air and vibrant colors awaken our souls. The leaves are getting so colorful and it's fun to see the pumpkins, cornstalks, and mums in various shades decorating many homes and businesses.  

We enjoyed seeing so many of you celebrating another year with us at our Fall Luncheon at Inhouse Restaurant! The food was delicious and there was enough for all to take dinner home! We welcomed the NJSFWC Highlands District VP Karen Jeisi.  Our speakers, Debbie Fox (Coordinator, Warren County Meals at Home Program) and CeCe Lindsley (Coordinator of the Volunteer Connection Program) through the Warren County Department of Human Services, Division of Aging & Disability Services, provided important information about volunteering for the Meals at Home program right here in the Blairstown area.   For additional information or if you are interested in volunteering, visit: https://www.warrencountynj.gov/Home/Components/News/News/298/14?arch=1&npage=5 .  

What's going on with the BWC in October?..... Lots!

• Oct. 9: Exec. Board Meeting/ 1:15 PM / First Presbyterian Church of Blairstown Outreach Center (next to Blairstown Post Office, side door) - All are invited.
  
  

• Oct. 22, Thursday at 2:00 PM - General meeting. This is a change from our usual meeting date.  Same place, Walnut Valley United Methodist Church. Please mark your calendars. Our food pantry collection will be donated to Evangelical Free Church. We thank our refreshment volunteers - Sue Bennett, Wendy Kelley, Andrea Messmer, Joyce Newport - and also Leaka for setting up the coffee! A variety of goodies are encouraged. Cookies, cake, buns,etc. along with pretzels, crackers, fruit, etc. for those watching their sugar intake.  Speaker/activity pending.
  
  

• Oct. 19: Last October we participated in the Blairstown Fall Festival at Footbridge Park and even participated in the bed 'race'! This year we have the opportunity to enter a scarecrow or a carved pumpkin contest! If there is any interest in putting together a 'team' to enter a BWC themed scarecrow or carved pumpkin - email blairwomansclubnj@gmail.com and let us know! If there's enough interest, it will be fun to participate! Additionally, there is no charge for a nonprofit to have a table at this event - if there is enough interest we could have an informational table and sell Silent Auction tickets - if you're interested in helping with this - let us know by Oct. 8!
  
  

• Ongoing - Nov. 7 Silent Auction Preparation: Remember that we need every member to take part in this, our biggest fundraiser, for it to be a success. "How can I help?" you ask :)

           * You can donate a completed basket valued $25.00 or more.
      Two or more members can certainly go together.

           * You can donate $25.00 or more in cash.

           * You can donate a current new item worth $25.00 or more.

Shoppers/Bidders wanted! Don't forget to register and get your bidder #.  Invite your family, friends, and neighbors! Auction donations may be dropped off at the Outreach Center at 35 Main Street, Blairstown (next to the post office) with Jen. Can also drop off registrations there as well.  Some items have already started arriving - the baskets look great and the donations are generous! Need a copy of the Silent Auction Sponsor Letter, additional copies here or email blairwomansclubnj.silentauction@gmail.com and ask for more!

More information at https://sites.google.com/view/blairwomansclubnj/events/silent-auction .

What's going on BEYOND the BWC in October?..... Check it out!

• Oct. 5: The Zonta Club of Morristown Area is hosting an informational panel on October 5, 2024 at the Morris County Library, 30 Hanover Ave, Whippany, NJ., 9:30 am-12:00 noon. Presenters will be Captain Donna Roman (retired), the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NJCAHT) and  NJ State Assemblywoman Aura Dunn. The goal of this event is to raise awareness about human trafficking in our state and discuss prevention of human trafficking from both a civilian and legislative perspective. RSVP requested to zontamorris@gmail.com or visit www.zontamorristown.com. More information also here.
  
  

• Oct. 15: We are invited to attend the Washington Woman's Club annual covered dish on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 6PM.  This will take place at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 214 Route 31 N, Washington. The program will be presented by Barbara McCloskey, the NJSFWC President who will speak about the Special State Project and 130 Grand Initiatives. If you are interested in attending, please email us at blairwomansclubnj@gmail.com (or reply to this email) no later than October 10.
  
  

• Oct. 20: The Roxbury Club plans to participate in the Oct. 20  End to Alzheimer's Walk in Succasunna. You may join the Roxbury Club, form your own walking group, or walk on your own. Registration details are here.
  
  

• Oct. 21: State Fall Conference, at the APA Hotel in Iselin (a location closer for Highlands Clubs than in recent years). The registration deadline is Oct 4. The morning speaker is Assemblyman Brian Bergen and the afternoon speaker is from NJ Children's Alliance (our Special State Project). There are great vendors and a delicious lunch plus GFWC and Membership Awards. More information here. If you are interested in attending, please let us know (email blairwomansclubnj@gmail.com) as soon as possible.  We would need to submit one check for attendees. 

 Our happy October best!

Wendy Kelley & Jen Plut 

Co-Presidents

Blair Woman's Club of Blairstown, NJ

P.O. Box 341, Blairstown, NJ 07825

Website: sites.google.com/view/blairwomansclubnj/

Facebook & Instagram @BlairWomansClubNJ

Hi Ladies,

The days of hot weather are about over, and this cooler fall weather is a welcome change!  The leaves should start changing soon!

What's going on with the BWC?

September 11 - Highlands District Council Mtg. beginning at 10 AM in Long Valley at the Presbyterian Church. Jen and Andrea are attending and taking the donations of body wash, shampoo and laundry detergent for PREVENT CHILD ABUSE NJ organization with them to the meeting (we are still accepting donations through September 10 - a big Thank You to all who have contributed items for this!).  If anyone else is interested in attending this district meeting, please email us at blairwomansclubnj@gmail.com.  We have until September 6 to RSVP. 

September 17 - Fall Luncheon at Inhouse at 12:30.  If you haven't sent in your reservation, we have extended the deadline to reserve your spot until Sep. 6!  Great food, great speaker, and great camaraderie await! Be part of it! RSVP as soon as possible to blairwomansclubnj@gmail.com or respond here.  Karen Jeisi, our Highlands DVP will also be in attendance.

September 26 - Silent Auction Meeting beginning at 2 PM at the Outreach Center.

Thanks to everyone working on the Silent Auction!  Members are canvassing businesses, locally and beyond. This is our biggest fundraiser, and takes all of us to be successful!  As Elaine reminded us last year, “We need each and every one of you because we are all part of a dynamic team! Think of us as The Energetic and Magnificent BWC! :) Go, TEAM, go! :)”   Registration is open for this event - for more information, please visit Blair Woman's Club NJ - Silent Auction (google.com).

We will again request each member to donate with comfort in one of the following ways in addition to volunteering your time: 

       * You can donate a completed basket valued $25.00 or more. Two or more members can certainly go together.

       * You can donate $25.00 or more in cash.

       * You can donate a current new item worth $25.00 or more.

**September 11 Executive Board Meeting CANCELLED due to Highlands District Council meeting.**

PLEASE note, our October 15 meeting date has been rescheduled to October 22, 2024, at our new meeting time of 2:00 p.m. at Walnut Valley UMC.

Hope to see you at Inhouse!!

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Kind Regards,

Wendy Kelley & Jen Plut 

Co-Presidents

Blair Woman's Club of Blairstown, NJ

P.O. Box 341, Blairstown, NJ 07825

Website: sites.google.com/view/blairwomansclubnj/

Facebook & Instagram @BlairWomansClubNJ