May 2008

PRESIDENT'S REPORT - Karin Caporuscio (474-1199 kacap66@yahoo.com)
It is auction time! A big thank you to those of you who have already donated. It is not too late if you would still like to contribute something. Please contact a board member so we can make arrangements to get your donation before the auction. We have collected a lot of items from both members and local businesses. Again, all of the money we raise will go to our three charities this year: Marian Sutherland Kirby Library, the Wright Township Park Expansion, and Mountain Top Youth Soccer. Please show your support at the auction on Thursday, April 24th. Doors open at 6:00.
Get ready for the Scavenger Hunt! I am excited to announce that we have many members participating in the event. It will be taking place on Saturday, May 17th. We will be starting at the Wright Township Park at 5:00. Good luck to everyone!
We are still in the process of forming our board for next year. I will make the official announcement next month after all of the positions have been filled.
Also, please save the date -- INSTALLATION DINNER -- FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008 ­ details announced shortly.
There will be no board meeting in May.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE ­ Beth LaMarca (474-6320, bethdoug@ptd.net) Corinne Rossi (474-2181, gabeandgigi@msn.com)
We are pleased to announce the board for the 2008-2009 term. Thanks to all those that volunteered!

President - Shannon Williams
1st vp - Karin Caporuscio, Beth LaMarca
2nd vp - Kim Carpenter
Secretary - Corinne Rodman
Treasurer - Corinne Rossi
Publicity/Historian - Lael Swank
Ways & Means - Elaine Bernstein, Carole MacDonald, Elizabeth Montanino
Services - Mary Kate Finney, Tricia Russell, Renee Sessions
Hostess Coordinator - Khris Fox
Newsletter - Mary Thomas

1st VICE PRESIDENT - Lisa Charton (868-0180, charton@epix.net)
This month there will be no general meeting. I sincerely hope everybody enjoyed this year's speakers and the food that came with them. It has been a pleasure serving as your first vice-president for the past two years and I want to thank you for the opportunity. I wish all the best to my successor for the upcoming year!

DETAILS:
GENERAL MEETING: Thursday, April 17, 2008
TIME: 12:00 pm
WHERE: Morris' Family Restaurant, Mountaintop
LUNCHEON COST: $6.00 per person
BABYSITTING: space is limited, the children will be in the back corner of the room watching a movie so if you can find alternate child care that would be appreciated, if not, please feel free to bring them with you.
RSVP: By April 10, 2008 using the reservation form at the back of the newsletter or by email to me at charton@epix.net

2nd VICE PRESIDENT - Membership - Kim Carpenter (474-9020 or kimwc@yahoo.com)
When I moved to Mountain Top, I was so grateful to quickly meet a couple of the members of the Welcome Club. They invited me to a playgroup and then a general meeting, and within two weeks of moving here, I had been to three Welcome Club events! I felt very welcome to the area and almost immediately felt surrounded by friends. It made my move to the area so much easier. Let's make sure we are providing our new neighbors the same opportunity. If you have a new neighbor or if there is someone you think would benefit from the Welcome Club, please let them know about our wonderful club. You can also give me their name and contact information and I'll send them a letter of welcome and a current newsletter. In either case, you may be the person who makes a difference in their life, just like Liz Shipton and Kathleen Ferguson made in mine!

HOSTESS COORDINATOR - Tracie Pratt & Lisa Davidson (474-9542 or 474-0285)
We are looking forward to May's Installation Dinner. Hope to see you there!

SECRETARY -Lorraine Novinger (474-1002 or lcnovinger@aol.com) Corinne Rossi (474-2181, gabeandgigi@msn.com)
As always, anyone who knows of a member in need of a card for a birth, get well, death in the family etc., please contact Lorraine. Please contact Corinne if you still need a directory. Please add the following new member information to your directories:

Melissa and Todd Chertow
678-3396
mlchertow@aol.com

WAYS & MEANS -Tricia Russell (403-7785, tricia.russell@wilkes.edu -please note new email address) and Shannon Williams (474-5570, shannon.williams@flsmidth.com)

WHAT?: Mountain Top Welcome Club Annual Charity Auction

WHERE?: Crystal Ballroom at the Stage Coach Inn, Route 309

WHEN?: Thursday, April 24- Silent auction at 6 pm, live bidding at 7 PM

WHO?: Anyone (members and non-members) can come and enjoy the fun!!

WHY?: All proceeds will benefit our three charities selected by the Welcome Club members at the beginning of the year ­ Marian Sutherland Kirby Library, Mountain Top Youth Soccer Association, and the Wright Township Park Expansion Project.

HOW?: Business and member (like you!) contributions

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO DONATE TO THE AUCTION!!!! We are at 55% of our 70% goal, so we want to reach our goal. Remember donations can be almost anything- homemade crafts, bought items, baked goods, services, theme baskets, or monetary contributions. Donations don't have to be individual-you can consider teaming up with a friend as well. Any board member would be happy to help you with ideas if needed, so just ask. Items can be dropped off as soon as they are ready at Tricia Russell's home ­ 477 Strawberry Lane or given to Shannon Williams, or any board member. We can also pick up items if needed.

We also appreciate how generous the community businesses have been as well.
PLEASE COME AND BRING YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, ETC, and see our great new donations this year as well as some popular items from years past.

Lehigh River Whitewater Challengers rafting trips (#2 family of 4's and #10 individual trips which will be auctioned in groups)

Jean Denion's Cape Cod beach house rental (off season week)

Sporting Events/Tickets: skiing, golfing, Penguins, Ironpigs & Pirates' tickets, Kirby Center theatre and movie tickets

Dinner Party catered for 8 by Terry Cahill & Lisa Klusewitz

Numerous theme baskets for all ages-kids, dinner/wine, food, beauty products, etc.

Gift certificates for restaurants including Dinner A'Fare, spas/salons, car services, Kinderdance classes for a year, Dawson's gymnastic academy classes, portrait studios (Portrait Innovations, Picture People), bowling, karate, go-kart rides, bank donations, and hotels

Additional merchandise: Raider's Howie Long autographed picture, homemade clothing, American flag flown in Afghanistan, games, books, and jewelry

Independent consultant donations: At Home America, Close to My Heart, The Clover & Lotus, Creative Memories, Discovery Toys, Home & Garden Party, Lia Sophia, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Silpada, Stampin' Up, Teaberry Mountain Candles, and Tupperware

Art projects and baked goods
Thank you in advance for your support, and we hope to see you at the Auction!! Please contact us if you have any questions.

RELAY FOR LIFE- Lisa Davidson (lisa1122@hotmail.com, 474-0285)
Christine Strage (474-5026, Christine@strage.com)
Dear Welcome Club members: We are looking for people to help with the Safety Break on May 23-24 (Memorial Day weekend). We have the area for 48 hours straight. The time slots that we have arranged are listed below and we are looking for three to four people for each slot. Please let us know ASAP and be sure you will be available for the time you have chosen.

Furthermore, we are in need of MANY donations for this endeavor. Below is a list of everything needed and we are asking that you be as generous as possible (remember it's for the Relay!). Any donations need to be dropped off (or we will pick-up) by Thursday May 22. Again, please respond ASAP to either myself or Christine with times and donations (contact information below).
Times:
Fri. May 23 Sat. May 24
9am-12pm 5-7am
12-3pm 7-10am
3-6pm 10-1pm
6-8pm 1-4pm
8-10/11pm men only 4-8pm men only

Donations include: coffee (ground) (decaf, regular), non-dairy creamer, sugar packets (Equal, Splenda, regular), Styrofoam cups, stirrers or spoons, powdered lemonade, powdered ice tea, small cups 6-8oz., ice, mustard and relish for hotdogs, napkins and baked goods (bought or made) that can be sold individually. Thank you so much!

TREASURER - Terry Cahill (474-0592, tcahill@ptd.net)
If you have any expenses, please let me know and I'll be happy to reimburse you.

SERVICES - Beth LaMarca (474-6320, bethdoug@ptd.net) and Mary Thomas (868-7737, vandert5@pa.metrocast.net)

Thank you to those who donated items at our April General Meeting for the Volunteers of America (http://www.voapa.org) in Wilkes Barre. They were very appreciative and it's nice to see how our club members continue to reach out to help others in need.

Once again, thank you to the bakers that delivered the yummy treats to our Fire Departments in April to show our appreciation. Volunteers included: Jan Pagodin, Ellen Kuhn, Valerie Way, Kate Blazick, Corinne Rodman, Kacey Shaw, and Christine Strage. Thanks Ladies!

Oh, and last but certainly not least... (assuming that Kim is her speedy efficient self with getting this newsletter out so timely!) Don't forget that you are all cordially invited to our Adopt- A-Highway Spring Clean-Up! No need to wear black tie, informal old clothes are accepted! Weather permitting, we will meet Monday, April 21st, at 9:30 am in the parking lot at Morris' Family Restaurant. Our rain date will be Tuesday, (Earth Day) April 22nd. Babysitting will be offered at the home of Mary Kate Finney. After our last email of desperation, we did get a few brave souls volunteer to help us out and we are eternally grateful, but if you feel left out... no worries - meet us Monday morning! (Please try to give us a heads up if you are coming though, in case we are 'rained out' then we will be sure to call you) Remember, the more people we get the faster it goes... Thanks a million everyone!

PUBLICITY / HISTORIAN - Lael Swank (868-5040, rrswank@msn.com)
II'm looking for photos of all events such as playgroups and field trips, 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.

NEWSLETTER - Kim Kovalchik (403-1353, ejk2@verizon.net)
Please email newsletter articles for the Summer issue to me by Friday, May 16, 2008. Thank you!

MEALS THAT HEAL - Christine Strage (474-5026, Christine@strage.com)
Please contact Christine is anyone needs this service, which provides meals to members experiencing an illness, birth or death in the family.

CHILDREN'S PARTIES ­ Valerie Way 403-4017 & Carole MacDonald 474-5777
Thanks to everyone for the outstanding turnouts for the children's parties this year!!! We had 30 children at almost every party!!! The last party was a huge hit with live entertainment & a Mothers Day craft!!! It would not be possible without all the support from the parents bringing food & snacks so that our money could go elsewhere (like the entertainment). We had a great time doing the parties this year and appreciate the support we received from our members. Thanks also to the Presbyterian Church for the use of their facility.



"MOMS & TOTS"- Ann Papciak (403-0488, kgnfakp@aol.com)

PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP - Elisa Colo (403-5374, Ekcolox2@aol.com)
Preschool playgroup is for children older than 2. Siblings are always welcome. If you would like to hostess, or have any questions, please contact me.

Day: To be announced soon
Time: To be announced soon
Place: Kim Carpenter's home
320 Cedar Manor, Bow Creek
RSVP: to Kim Carpenter @ 474-9020

COFFEE & BABIES - Rachel Boellmann (868-6002 or boell912@epix.net)
Come join us for Coffee & Babies this month. This playgroup is primarily for caregivers and their children aged two and under. Siblings are always welcome! If anyone would like to host a playdate for next year please contact Tricia Russell at 403-7785.
Day: Wednesday, May 28th
Time: 10AM-12PM
Place: Tricia Russell's home
477 Strawberry Lane, Bow Creek
RSVP to Tricia @403-7785

OTHER SPECIAL INTEREST ACTIVITIES:

DINNER CLUB - Marie Duclos (678-7332)
May 17th is our end of the year Cocktail Party. Open to all club members and any one who would like to become a club member. We are not moving on to any houses for dinner so we will need substantial appetizers and desserts. Please contact Joanne and Tim Rushton at 868-1066. If you can't contact Joanne, please call Marie Duclos at 678-7332. See you on the 17th!

ARTS & CRAFTS- Judy Grimm (403-6194, jacg715@ptd.net)

Let's make some jewelry! Cindy Mitchell from Michael's will be teaching us to make a bracelet and earrings, your choice of beads/stones. Cost is $15 per person. Please bring a light snack to share. Our hostess this month is Kim Kovalchik. Please RSVP to Kim by Friday, May 1st, information below.
Also, I am looking for someone to replace me as Arts & Craft coordinator. I have given it my best shot and now I am asking for help. It seems that there is a larger interest in cooking programs than crafts, as such. That is fine with me. I enjoy it just as well. I am asking however for someone to step up and volunteer to serve as leader for this special interest group (crafts, cooking or combined). I sincerely do feel that cooking is a craft. My time as leader has come to a close. I would like to step down and just go with the flow. I hope that many of you have enjoyed the crafts in the years I have served. I tried to vary the activities, and have really enjoyed it very much. Change can be very good for all. Please let me or Karin Caporuscio know if you are interested in this task. Thank you, sincerely. It has been my pleasure...
Date: Thursday, May 8th
Time: 7:00PM
Place: Kim Kovalchik's home
245 Hemlock Terrace, Bow Creek
RSVP: by May 1st to Kim at ejk2@verizon.net or 403-1353

NEEDLEWORK - Roye Brunnenmeyer (868-3071)
We meet every other Wednesday morning and members bring their own needlework projects to work on. We always welcome new members to join this fun-loving group. Please call the hostess if you plan to attend.
Wed., May 14th at Carmella Rovinski's, 4 Woodbyrn, at 10:00 a.m. (474-5669)
Wed., May 28th at Donna Albertine's, 3319 Blytheburn Road, at 10:00 a.m. (868-8634)
Wed., June 11th, at Judy Grimm's, 9 Glendale Drive, at 11:00 a.m. (403-6l94). Please Note -this will be a potluck picnic -- so please bring a dish to share & note the time is 11:00. This will be our last meeting until September. So have a fun and safe summer everyone and we'll meet again in the fall!

SCRAPBOOKING - Deana Pickett (474-6048, dpickett01@aol.com)

BOOK CLUB - Carol McGowan (868-6876)
May's book club selection will be The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. We will meet at Liz Shipton's, 460 Black Walnut Drive on Friday, May 30th at 9:30AM. Please give Liz a call at 474-5481 to let her know if you are coming. As always, children are more than welcome. This will be our last meeting until September. Have a great summer everyone!!!!!

BULLTEIN BOARD

1. Volunteer Opportunities at the Kirby Library
The Marian Sutherland Kirby Library is desperately in need of volunteers. If you can spare few hours a week or a month in the morning, afternoon or evening we are looking for you. Volunteers check materials in and out using our automated computer system, reshelve materials, answer the telephone, issue library cards and assist our patrons. The work is easy, the atmosphere is fun and relaxing and the rewards are great. Please consider donating a few hours of your valuable time to get involved in our community and support our library. You can stop in, call the library at 474-9313, visit our website at www.kirbylib.org or send an e-mail to info@kirbylib.org. Thank you!!! Debra Bolus Grosek, Vice President of Board and Welcome Club member.

Quick Links	President's Report	1st Vice President	2nd Vice President	Hostess Coordinator	Secretary	Ways & Means	Treasurer	Services	Newsletter	Publicity
	Meals that Heal	Moms & Tots	Preschool Playgroup	Coffee & Babies	Dinner Club	Arts & Crafts	Needlework	Scrapbooking	Book Club	Bulletin Board