PRESIDENT'S REPORT ­ Shannon Williams (474-5570 richshan1@verizon.net)

Happy Spring! As you all know by now, it's time for our annual Auction! Don't forget to mark your calendars, Thursday, April 16th at the Stage Coach, doors open at 5:00. By this time, you most likely have been contacted by a Board member about donating an item. Remember all members can help by donating something, AND by attending. We'd like to make this a community event so please consider bringing a friend, neighbor, family member or co-worker! Elizabeth, Elaine and Corinne have a fun night planned! The Auction benefits the charities that we all have chose which are the Marian Sutherland Kirby Library, Wright Township Park Expansion, and Mountain Top on the Move.

Thank you to Khris Fox for volunteering to coordinate a new Family Fun Group. Through this group, the club will offer a few fun activities over the summer for the entire family.

It has also come to the Board's attention that there might be interest in forming a Working Mom's group within the club. This group will offer activities that would take place in the evenings or over the weekend. In order to offer this, we need a coordinator. If you have interest in coordinating this group, please let me know.

The Nominating Committee is in the process of finalizing next year's board. The new board will be announced at the April Board Meeting and will appear in May's newsletter.

April's Board Meeting: Thursday, April 2nd at 7:30PM at the home of Kim Carpenter.

1st VICE PRESIDENT ­ Karin Caporuscio (474-1199 or kacap66@yahoo.com) and Beth LaMarca (474-6320 or bethdoug@ptd.net)

The meeting this month will be on Thursday, Aprril 23rd at 12:00 at the Presbyterian Church of Mountain Top. We are having a speaker from the Luzerne County Convention and Visitors Bureau talking about local attractions and entertainment. Lunch will cost $7.00 and babysitting will be provided for $3.00 for the first child and $2.00 for each additional child.

2nd VICE PRESIDENT ­ Membership ­ Kim Carpenter (474-9020 or kimwc@yahoo.com)

For the last two years, I have served as the New Members Coordinator, which has been such a fun job! I love meeting all of the new personalities! I'm continuing in this role for next year as well, but am looking for someone who can help me in anticipation of taking over my role for the following year. Doubling in this role for next year will allow a new "New Members Coordinator" to be very secure with her (or his) responsibilities for the following year. Honestly, it's not too much work and most if it is great fun! Please contact me if you like to be my wingman next year. Thanks!

Spring has arrived and people are starting to move into and around Mountain Top! Please take notice to the new families moving into your neighborhood. Members of the Mom Squad, please drop off a letter of welcome and newsletter to any new neighbors or neighbors going through a life transition. If anyone wants me to send information to a family, please let me know. Once again, guests and new members will be given a little gift of welcome at our next general meeting. Make someone's day and bring them along!

HOSTESS COORDINATOR ­ Khris Fox (906-8159 or khrisfox@hotmail.com)

Thank you to Mary-Ellen Mc Farland who provided the delicious dessert for our March General Meeting. Also, thank you to Corinne Rossi for the beautiful centerpieces. She really helped to make it feel like Spring!

SECRETARY ­ Corinne Rodman (474-9501 or sasseboo@ptd.net)

Please add the following new member to your 2008-09 Directory information:

Antoinette & Ron Hattingli
459-6817
Ronnethat3@aol.com

WAYS & MEANS ­Elaine Bernstein (474-5984, elaine.bernstein@earthlink.net), Carole MacDonald (474-5777, mcdonac8@aol.com), and Elizabeth Montanino (574-6884, elizabethmontanino@yahoo.com)

The social highlight of the Welcome Club Spring season is right around the corner. Mark your calendars and invite everyone you know!

WHAT: Mountain Top Welcome Club Charity Auction
WHO: Everyone!!!!! (Our auction is not just for Welcome Club Members - please invite your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers)
WHERE: Stage Coach Inn http://www.stagecoachonline.com/
WHEN: April 16, 2009
5:00 pm - Preview and Buy-It-Now Boutique
5:30 pm - Silent Auction
6:00 pm - Live Auction
WHY: To benefit our member-selected local charities:
Mountain Top on the Move, Wright Township Park Expansion Project, Marian Sutherland Kirby Library
HOW: Thanks to the support of Welcome Club members, friends and our local businesses

Please contact us to arrange for a pick-up of donations.

Remember:
1. Donations come in all sizes - small, medium and big.
2. Donations come in all shapes - anything someone might like to buy is welcome.
3. Donations come from many sources - not only club members, but also community members and local businesses .
We would like to thank everyone who has contributed so far for their friendliness and generosity in support of our Auction.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Ways & Means Committee, Mountain Top Welcome Club: Elizabeth, Elaine, and Corinne

TREASURER ­ Corinne Rossi (474-2181, gabeandgigi@msn.com)

If you have any expenses, please let me know and I'll be happy to reimburse you.
Date Category Withdrawal,
Payment (-) Deposit,
Credit (+) Balance
10/29/08 $ 3,460.47
11/3/08 Services - Davis Manor 46.96 $ 3,413.51
11/19/08 DEP - Membership 437.00 $ 3,850.51
11/20/08 Nov mtg - caterer 241.15 $ 3,609.36
11/20/08 Hostess - Nov mtg 31.53 $ 3,577.83
11/25/08 DEP - Nov mtg & membership 453.00 $ 4,030.83
12/28/08 Services - Davis Manor Holiday 59.76 $ 3,971.07
12/28/08 Children's holiday party 65.00 $ 3,906.07
1/15/2009 cake for mtg, host gift holiday 47.19 $ 3,858.88
1/15/2009 auction expenses 19.08 $ 3,839.80
1/15/2009 stamps 26.60 $ 3,813.20
1/16/2009 DEP - Jan mtg & membership 337.00 $ 4,150.20
1/19/2009 Jan mtg - caterer 258.00 $ 3,892.20
1/19/2009 annual po box fee 42.00 $ 3,850.20
1/19/2009 jan gen mtg-hostess 9.51 $ 3,840.69
2/19/2009 feb gen mtg-hostess 32.09 $ 3,808.60
2/19/2009 Feb mtg - caterer 256.00 $ 3,552.60
2/27/2009 DEP - Feb mtg 245.00 $ 3,797.60
3/19/2009 March gen mtg-hostess 11.88 $ 3,785.72
3/19/2009 March gen mtg - caterer 172.64 $ 3,613.08
3/20/2009 DEP - Mar mtg 221.00 $ 3,834.08

SERVICES ­ Tricia Russell (403-7785 or tricia.russell@wilkes.edu), Renee Sessions (788-6463 or reneekurt@hotmail.com), Mary Kate Finney (717-682-2389 or Therapy97@yahoo.com)

Fire Department Appreciation Bakers: There is STILL a need for a few more volunteers this year. PLEASE sign up to help in April or May! If you aren't a baker, an appetizer would be ok too or you can purchase any snack from the store (our fire dept volunteers just appreciate the fact that someone is caring enough to acknowledge their services). A big thank you to March's volunteers: Deirdre Murphy, Heidi Pollack (double duty!), Corinne Rodman, and Corinne Rossi (double duty!!)!

Easter Baskets: Thanks to all who donated something for our baskets! It is great to see the continued generosity of our members in the current times we live in.

Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup: This will be on MAY 4TH! Please mark this in your calendars! We will meet at 9:30 am in the parking lot at the Rise and Shine Restaurant. Babysitting will be provided at the home of Mary Kate Finney: 155 Kestrel Road in Forrest Pointe development. As usual, this can go really fast if many people join in!

PUBLICITY / HISTORIAN ­ Lael Swank (868-5040, rrswank@msn.com)

Mountain Top Welcome Club in the news: I'm looking for photos of all events such as playgroups and fieldtrips, dinner clubs, special events, adopt-a-highway, picnics, children's parties and any other events that our Welcome Club participates in. I need your help to cover all of our special interest groups. These photos will also be used for our President's album at the end of her term. Please send me any photos you would like published and I will send them to the newspapers. Let's have a great year promoting our Welcome Club!

NEWSLETTER ­ Mary Thomas (868-7737, vandert5@pa.metrocast.net)

Please email newsletter articles for the May issue to me by Friday, April 24th, so that we can get the newsletter out in a timely manner. Because of the late meeting this month, due to the auction, it is even more important that the newsletter gets out on time. There are some great events happening in early May, and we want all members to be aware of them and their RSVP dates! Thank you.

MEALS THAT HEAL ­ Christine Strage (474-5026, Christine@strage.com)

Thanks to all that have cooked recently Please contact Christine is anyone needs this service, which provides meals to members experiencing an illness, birth or death in the family.

Spring Children's Party
Date: Thursday, April 2nd
Time: 12:30p.m.
Place: Presbyterian Church - 8 Chestnut St.
Cost: $4/per child
RSVP: Tracie Pratt at 474-9542
by Friday March 27th
Please join us for a Spring Party! A pizza lunch and snacks will be provided. There will also be a Spring craft, songs, books, games and an Easter Egg Hunt. Don't forget your Easter Baskets. It is very important that you RSVP by March 27th to ensure that we have enough eggs for the egg hunt. Please tell your friends, this will be a very fun event!


"MOMS & TOTS"­ ­ Kate Blazick (474-9881, kblazick@ptd.net) and Lori Urosevich (868-5852)

Come see the Irem Shrine Circus!
At the Kingston Armory
Date: Friday, 4/17 10am
Cost is: child: $2 donation
Adult: $4 donation
**please RSVP to Kate by 3/29 in time to order tickets or via e-mail: kblazick1@verizon.net*
*Please note the new e-mail address

We're visiting Clyde Peeling's Reptileland!
18628 US Route 15
Allenwood, PA 17810
570-538-1869
www.reptiland.com
Date: Monday 4/ 27 10-12:30
Cost is $7 per adult and $5 for children under 12
A box lunch is available for a cost of $4.95 per person, please indicate if you would like to pre-order a lunch when you RSVP
RSVP to Kate by 4/20 or via e-mail: kblazick1@verizon.net*
*Please note the new e-mail address

Come see the show: Dinosaurs!
At the Kirby Center
Date: Tuesday 5/5 10am
Cost is: 6.50 per person
**please RSVP to Kate by 4/20 in time to order tickets or via e-mail: kblazick1@verizon.net* *Please note the new e-mail address

PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP - Megan Kennedy (474-1310, megan.kennedy@verizon.net) & COFFEE & BABIES - Tricia Russell (403-7785, tricia.russell@wilkes.edu)

We would like to thank Valerie Way for hosting a preschool playgroup in March and thank Liz Shipton for hosting a Coffee & Babies in March!
With April being a busy month with other children events (Moms & Tots and the Spring party), we will have a combined playgroup at the Wright Township Park on Wednesday, April 29th at 11:30 am. Something different, something fun! Bring your lunch. Hopefully, it will be a nice day, if not, then we will see you at the next playgroup in May.

DINNER CLUB ­ Marie Duclos (678-7332)

Dinner Club Cocktail Party May 30 at 6:30 PM, for members and anyone interested in joining the Dinner club. Please call Marie Duclos at 678-7332 if you wish to attend. We will need substantial appetizers or desserts.

WHAT'S COOKING? COOKING GROUP ­ Bobbi-Jo Romanishan(371-4317 or bojorom@yahoo.com)

Tour of The Stegmaier Mansion_with desserts from Ah! Some Chocolates__
Our group travels again this month for a tour of our local landmark, The Stegmaier Mansion. The mansion is a fine example of High Victorian exuberance and was the residence of Frederick Stegmaier, president of the Stegmaier Brewery. In 2001 Joseph Matteo acquired the mansion and meticulously restored it to its former opulence.
We will enjoy tour of the mansion's many, many rooms followed by a dessert and coffee bar by Ah! Some Chocolates.
RSVP/Questions, contact Bobbi-Jo Romanishan_371-4317 or bojorom@yahoo.com
$15/person_Tuesday, April 28 - 7:30 PM_RSVP by Wednesday, April 15__The Stegmaier Mansion_http://stegmaiermansion.com_304 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702

NEEDLEWORK ­ Jan Pagodin (647-3908 or pagodin@pa.metrocast.net)

We are a small friendly group who meet every other Wednesday morning. You don't have to have a needlework project to attend, just come for the company and conversation. We love to welcome new members. Please contact me or the hostess if you will be able to join us.

We are trying a few new ideas for our April meetings. Here is the information:

Wednesday, April 1st: We will meet at Damon's Restaurant, 120 State Route 93, Hazelton at 11:30 am for lunch and then we will decide which movie we would like to see at Hoyts' Hazelton Cinema at the Laurel Mall. ( Take Route 81 South to Exit 145. Head South on Route 93. Damon's will be on your right, across from the Penn State Hazelton Campus. )

Wednesday, April 15th: We will meet at Cafe Toscana, 1 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre at 11:30 am for lunch. Reservations will be necessary. Please call or email me if you do plan to attend.

Wednesday, April 29th: We will meet at Donna Albertine's, 3319 Blytheburn Rd, Mountain Top,868-8634 at 10am.

SCRAPBOOKING - Khris Fox (906-8159 or khrisfox@hotmail.com)

Because of the many activities in April, our dates this month may be more 'spur of the moment', so please contact Khris if you are interested in joining us for a bit of scrapbooking!

BOOK CLUB ­ Carol McGowan (868-6876)

This month we will be reading American Wife: A Novel  by Curtis Sittenfeld.

We will meet to talk about the book on the morning of April 24th, 9:30am at the home of Valerie Way, 506 Morning Glory Place, (Bow Creek)

Please RSVP to Valerie at 403-4017 (vjway@ptd.net) so she knows how many readers to expect! Thanks!

RELAY FOR LIFE ­ Lisa Davidson (lisa1122@hotmail.com, 474-0285) and Christine Strage (474-5026, Christine@strage.com)

Christine and I would just like to remind everyone to send there donations to Christine or myself as soon as possible. Our addresses are in the directory. We would also like to thank everyone for there support. Please check your calenders to see what times you may like to walk or work one of the tables. I will send out a form soon. The relay is May 30-31. Thanks again. LISA and CHRISTINE Relay Chairs

RECIPE CLUB ­ Jen Glowacki (malinows@juno.com)
Do you like trying out new recipes? It's not too late to join the recipe club! If you haven't already done so, send a quick email to Jen Glowacki at malinows@juno.com with an email address that you would like to receive/contribute recipes. Looking forward to another great year of dishes!

Catholic Social Services of Hazleton has a wonderful educational program for toddlers, aged two and three years of age! The Parent-Child Home Program is an in-home, early education program that works specifically with toddlers and their families. It involves a trained home visitor doing educational play for 30 minutes, twice a week, in the house with the child and their parent(s). Our coverage area is any where in the Crestwood and Hazleton Area School districts . The program runs during the school calendar year only, and we begin registration for the fall in August. Space is limited though, so if you'd like to learn more, please contact us soon! If interested, please contact Alice Vislocky by phone (570-455-1521, ext 316) or by email at alice@csshazleton.org for more info!