University Park Woman's Club

Montgomery County District
Contact : upmdwctreasurer@gmail.com

2012-2014 Officers

President: Anna-Mae Kobbe
Vice President: Peggy Misback
Recording Secretary: Michelle Wedge
Treasurer: Leatha Thome
Director: Helen Andreno

Meetings

Regular meetings are held on the first Monday of each month (October through June) at Riverdale Presbyterian Church at 6513 Queens Chapel Road in University Park, Maryland. You are invited to mingle beginning at 11:30 a.m. Lunch begins at noon followed by topical programs featuring guest speakers at 12:30 p.m. A brief business meeting will follow the program. Guests are always welcome.

Prospective members please contact Membership Chairperson Michelle Wedge at (240) 770-6097 or upmdwc@gmail.com. Members may join at any time and need not be residents of University Park to become active members of the Club.

2012-2013 Meeting Schedule:

October 1, 2012: Domestic Violence Awareness In recognition of the GFWC's signature project, a representative of the Prince George's County Family Crisis Center (www.familycrisiscenter-pgco.org) will discuss their efforts to shelter and aid women and families experiencing abuse. As part of the club's continued partnership with the Crisis Center, donations to the organization will be presented.
November 5, 2012: Conservation
Energy Coach Suzanne Parmet, director of the Small-Town Energy Program (STEP), updates members on the achievements and expansion of the "green" energy program launched by the Town of University Park as part of a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Energy.
December 3, 2012: Holiday Gathering
Clubwomen are invited to celebrate the season with food and music at the home of our hostess (details provided to members).
January 14, 2013: Public Issues
Mr. Ken Funk of Operation Welcome Home Maryland (www.operationwelcomehomemd.org) will share the organization's efforts to greet and thank returning military personnel on all flights that arrive at Thurgood Marshall BWI Airport. Since 2007, volunteers have greeted more than 800 flights.
February 4, 2013: Arts
Dr. Lauren Heather Lay, Program Manager of CREATE Arts Center. Dr. Lay will describe how CREATE delivers the arts to all age groups through classes, camps, parties, and art therapy programs. Dr. Lay is a poly-artist whose primary focus is textiles with bead embroidery. She also works in mixed media and abstract painting.
March 4, 2013: Home Life
Designated a national treasure, the Chesapeake Bay is still far from pristine. It is plagued with agricultural, industrial and residential pollution. The last several years have seen improvement in water quality from a D- to D+ rating, but there is much to address before reaching A status. To learn more about what homeowners can do to improve the state of this precious resource, join the UP Woman's Club at their meeting to learn from Heather Tuckfield, Manager of Volunteer Services at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
April 1, 2013: International Outreach
The UP Woman's Club will hear David Huitema, Department of State Attorney/Advisor discuss "The Internet and International Law.". He will speak about his work concerning international and communications law and address the increasing demands for new treaties and other international cooperation to meet the challenges of our times. David was a recipient of a UP Woman's Club scholarship in 1989. Peggy Misback, UPWC Vice-President will introduce Mr. Huitema.

May 6, 2013: Education
Local UP resident Dr. Jo B. Paoletti, Associate Professor of American Studies at the University of Maryland, will be the guest speaker. Dr. Paoletti teaches courses that address everyday American life, popular culture, fashion, and consumerism and material culture. She will discuss her latest book, "Pink and Blue: Telling the Boys from the Girls in America." She will be introduced by Jacquie Groppe, UPWC Education Program Chair

June 3, 2013: Awards Luncheon
Installation of new officers and year-end celebration of the club's work.
Location TBD.

Club News

October 2011

"First Night Kits" Presented to Family Crisis Center
The signature project of General Federated Women’s Clubs is domestic violence awareness and prevention.
One of the projects of many clubs is the preparation of First Night Kits for women and children who arrive at the shelter without the most basic personal items. UPWC has prepared 10 kits that will be presented to the Family Crisis Center of Prince George’s County. Thanks to all of you that donated items and assembled the kits. We will prepare additional kits this year and look forward to providing holiday gifts for a shelter family again this December.

A Part of Town History
President Anna-Mae Kobbe prepared a quilt block on behalf of the UPWC as part of the 75th Anniversary of the Town of University Park. Anna-Mae chose to feature a house to represent the club’s founding of the Club's anticipated annual events (the Candlelight House Tour, the Holiday House Decorating Contest, and the Spring Garden Tour). The quilt blocks are shaped like the street blocks in town, and the finished quilt will be the shape of the town. The finished quilt will be on display at the town's 75th Anniversary Celebration on October 9, 2011, and is then to reside permanently on display at the Town Hall.

The Club's long history -- over 70 years -- will be on display as part of the Town of University Park's 75th Anniversary celebration. Clubwomen will staff a stationary "float" whereby visitors can learn more about membership, view historical photos of the Club, and receive mementos commemorating the long history shared by the UPWC and the Town.

Summer 2011

Label Collecting Campaign Supports University Park Elementary School
Clubwomen continue to collect "Box Tops for Education" and "Labels for Education" to boost the University Park Elementary School PTA's fundraising efforts. Each box top or label is worth 10 cents to the school, and our contributions are adding up! Bring your collected items to the monthly meetings.

March 2011

Celebration of the Club's 70 Years of Service to the Community
The University Park Woman's Club, Inc. celebrated its 70th anniversary on Sunday, March 27. The Anniversary Celebration and Tea highlighted the club's volunteer service to the town of University Park and the surrounding area. The UPWC is well known for their sponsorship of the Annual Candlelight House Tour, Holiday Decorating Contest, and the Garden Tour. In addition, UPWC supports programs in the arts, education, conservation, public issues, international outreach, and home life.

The UPWC was federated by the General Federation of Women's Clubs in March 1941. The General Federation of Women's Clubs is an international women's organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. The General Federation is one of the world's oldest and largest women's volunteer service organizations with clubs in all 50 states and more than a dozen countries.

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