President’s Message

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I wanted to share my thankful thoughts with you. Here we are toward the end of 2021 and we are mostly back to normal life. I am very thankful for that! Our luncheons and activities are back in full swing and we are able to socialize with each other and that is the best gift of all.

I am so very grateful that we are able to be back together enjoying life and each other’s company. I am also thankful for each and every one of you. We have such a wonderful group of ladies who continue to demonstrate this year’s theme of Sisterhood of Compassion toward each other. Thank you for your caring, dedication and friendship.

I am also deeply thankful for all of our new members who have joined this past year and I look forward to getting to know you better during the coming year. I wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings with friends and family and many blessings through the holidays.

With warmest regards,

Rita Williams

December Program

Our Holiday Program will feature Burt Keirstead and his crew singing Holiday songs and leading a sing along. We will also have an ugly Christmas sweater contest! If you choose not to participate in the contest, simply wear your favorite holiday outfit. In January 2022, we are looking forward to having singer Linda Cole return to Marsh Creek.

The next luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, December 8th.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Christine Matthaei, Vice President and Program Chair

Care Committee

The Marsh Creek Care Committee will help anyone in Marsh Creek who has an illness, has had surgery or has lost a loved one. We offer cards, calls, and meals for those who request them. Anyone who needs help, please contact Barbara Mahoney or Pattie Nolton. If you know of a person who needs help or has suffered a loss, let us know.

One of our neighbors, Helen Del Galdo has a request. The Care Committee is asking our members, or a member’s spouse, to volunteer to help Don, Helen’s husband. Don likes to exercise by walking daily, but he needs a companion to walk with him. If you are interested in helping Don and also getting some healthy exercise benefits yourself, please contact either Helen (904-501-2688) or Pattie Nolton!

Thank you,

Pattie Nolton obnpat@hotmail.com 410-858-0151

and Barbara Mahoney babsmah@aol.com 904-209-5252

Co-Chairs Care Committee

Social Events

The weather in late October proved to be a big challenge for outdoor events, so our scheduled "Pena-Peck House" luncheon sponsored by the Woman's Exchange of St. Augustine was moved to the first Thursday in November. Our ladies enjoyed a beautiful Fall day and a delicious, mouth-watering Southern meal provided by the Fried Chicken Food Truck! Local speaker & author Ann Colby, who wrote “Wicked St. Augustine,” gave a riveting talk about life in the early days of our special city. Shopping in the gift shop was a must!

Many thanks to Sue Whittle for organizing a fabulous all-day trip to DeLand. Thirty-four-ladies had a fantastic day on Wednesday, November 10, 2021. Not only did they visit Florida’s most historic home, the 1886 Stetson Mansion decked out in "Holiday Splendor,” but they got a downtown Historic Tour with award-winning guide Gary Sass. A delicious lunch was served at The Table restaurant and shopping was quite an experience for all, including a scavenger hunt with member Anne-Marie Parramore winning a "gift basket" worth $100 of DeLand goodies! Wine & treats were served during our bus ride home ending an awesome day!

HOLIDAY FLORAL ARRANGEMENT CLASS Tuesday, December 7, 2021, 12:00-4:00pm MCCC Ladies Card Room. Create a holiday floral arrangement with Diana Emehiser. Cost $35.00

3 spaces left ! You may reserve a space online!

Mark your calendar for upcoming events in the New Year!

Friday, January 14, 2022 at 11:00 am: Jacksonville Symphony Coffee Series: "Classical Broadway" music. Ticket price-$30.00. Lunch Arrangements & pricing (TBD). 25 seats available, sign up at the December luncheon or by clicking on the following link: https://www.marshcreekwomensassociation.com/social/jax-symphony

Carpooling will be available.

Tuesday, January 25, 2022 from 2-4pm in the LaMesita Room at MCCC: Paper Card Making with Judy Reyes from Paper Kutz. Cost: $25, includes all materials, please bring a small pair of scissors. 25 spaces available, sign up at the December luncheon or by clicking on the following link: https://www.marshcreekwomensassociation.com/social/card-making

Martha Halcrow and Tracy Gallagher,

Co-Chairs Social Events Committee

MEMBERSHIP

To those of you who have renewed your membership, we thank you and look forward to a great year! Some of you may have been busy, or out of town, and forgotten to renew your membership. Rest assured, you have a few more days to join MCWA before we go to publication with the directory the week of November 29th! You may join MCWA by clicking on the button below.

Current members have so enjoyed meeting new members at social events at the Women’s Exchange Luncheon at the Pena Peck House, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, and trip to Deland. Luncheons with fashions from Jean-Pierre Klifa and vintage treasures from Lisa at ReCHIC Unique Boutique have expanded our closets!

Fingers crossed, we will have NEW directories available at our December 8th luncheon.

Barbara Alford and Marie Elena Calabrese,

Co-Chairs Membership Committee

Community Outreach

Thank you to all the generous members who chose angels from the Angel Tree at the November Luncheon! We are still in need of several gifts for the boys at Rodeheaver Boys Ranch and the young adults at Port in the Storm. Of course your monetary donation to Food 4 Kids is always appreciated, too.

Rodeheaver Boys Ranch

One of the goals of the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch is to teach how to make responsible choices in everyday life situations. The Ranch is therefore requesting $25 gift cards to Walmart. The boys will go shopping for holiday gifts as a group with adults who will guide them in making appropriate purchases for themselves and for their Ranch families. Place the gift card in a small holiday bag and bring it to the luncheon on December 8th.

Port in the Storm

The Port in the Storm is a drop-in program for homeless young adults. The shelter provides support, meals and sleeping accommodations. A Christmas gift of food would be much appreciated. Therefore, a $25 gift card to Chick-Fil-A is requested.

Food 4 Kids

100% of your monetary donation goes directly toward the purchase of food. The children benefitting from the food donations attend South Woods Elementary School in Hastings. The donations are listed in $25 increments.

For each of the above non-profit organizations, checks should be made out to MCWA and placed in the Angel Tree envelope in the Ladies Locker Room or mailed to Camille Kay or Paula Hutson, Co-Chairs Angel Tree, on or before December 8th. Credit card donations can be make by clicking on the Angel Tree Button below.

Cheri Keirstead and Mimi Iannuzzi,

Co-Chairs Outreach Committee