blossom

A PUBLICATIONOFTHE JUNIOR LEAGUEOFGREATERWINTERHAVEN

First Edition

Get the Scoop onMerryMarketLife BalanceProjectHighlight:Grants forGreatness

2 Blossom Fall 2011 The Junior League of Greater Winter Haven

Welcome

Gina BarronSuzie BauerBlair BrooksMelodi BrownKirsten CurlingDauphne EarnestErica GillMegan GillisAndrea GorbyJulie HickmanErica HumphreyAmy LambridisAmanda O'HalloranAmy RigglemanMia SchemmelLindsay TannahillAdrianna Wales

Interested in advertising?If so, contact

[email protected]

NEW

MEM

BERS

This fall AJLI is launching a Webinar series,Webinar Wednesdays, as one of many methodsto help Junior League women develop ascommunity and civic leaders. These sessions,typically one-hour in duration, are designed toappeal to every Junior League member,regardless of age or current engagement in hercommunity, as an easy way to increase herknowledge of and interest in community andcivic leadership.

Webinar Wednesdays

www.AJLI.orgSustainers, email [email protected] to retrieve yourAJLI membership number to set up your login.

The Junior League of Greater Winter Haven Blossom Fall 2011 3

It’s surreal to be writing this right now. To be putting the final toucheson our first issue! This magazine is the product of a lot of hard work.Many of you put your heads together to deliver some pretty catchy titles.Even more of you voted for your favorite. Others may have sent emailswith your ideas. A few of you were enlisted to bring it to fruition. Severalof you may not have even known that this was in the works. Nonetheless,welcome to our new publication, Blossom.

Though I don’t know for sure why the title Blossom was the mostpopular among our blog readers, I can share some tidbits I’ve discoveredthat reinforce to me that it is a fine choice. Most obvious is that theorange blossom is Florida’s official state flower. When it’s blossom time,the aroma of these white blooms literally permeate the atmosphere,especially right here at home.

A publication should spark your interest and change you in some way.Fitting then, that a magazine for an organization committed todeveloping the potential of women is Blossom, to develop and flourish.

Whether a member of our league or the community at large I hope thisfirst edition ignites your excitement about JLGWH and the ways westrive to help our community blossom.

BLOSSOM

EDITOR/DESIGNERJessica Fischer

CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUEKatie CampbellAngela NewellPaula Orcutt

ADVERTISING [email protected]

Blossom is published biannually by theJunior League of Greater Winter Haven.

Our MissionThe Junior League of Greater WinterHaven, Inc. is an organization ofwomen committed to promotingvoluntarism, developing the potentialof women, and to improving thecommunity through the effectiveaction and leadership of trainedvolunteers. Its purpose is exclusivelyeducational and charitable.

Best Regards,

Jessica FischerWebsitePublications


Have you started your holidayshopping?

If you are looking for aninnovative and relaxedapproach to holiday shopping,we are hosting a very specialevent for you, Merry Market!Our 4th annual holidayfundraising event is a one-stopshopping experience withmerchants from all overthe United States. Fromchic clothing boutiques tohandmade ornaments andposh jewelry, our vendorshave it all!

A fabulous addition to

this year’s holiday market isour VIP kickoff event, Hops &Grapes! Guys and Gals cantake advantage of an exclusiveshopping experience with tastytreats, beer and wine from arearestaurants Friday, Nov. 11,from 6:00pm-9:00pm.

Santa & Mrs. Clause will dropby throughout the weekend toensure we capture lots ofsmiling children! They canpose for a picture with Santa orenjoy a fun breakfast with Mrs.Clause.

This year, Merry Market willbe located at Olde TowneSquare in Downtown WinterHaven. Guests can shop from12:00pm-5:00pm on Fridayand from 9:00am-5:00pm onSaturday. Admission is $5.00for General Shopping and $35for the Hops & Grapes VIP

NOVEMBER11 & 12

By Angela Newell


event. Free valet parking isavailable on both Friday &Saturday.

Stroll through Olde TowneSquare with us and shop for acause to help the JLGWHenrich the lives of women,children and families in ourcommunity.

Come enjoy creative gingerbread"homes" built by professionalchefs, bakers, caterers, and pastrychefs along with other members ofthe community on display duringMerryMarket shopping hours.

Bid on one of 10 homes on displayduring the Hops &Grapes eventFriday beginning at 6pm.

Visit Candyland gingerbreadhouse decorating for participantsof all ages Saturday 9am-2pm. ($)

Learnmore by visitingwww.wrcfl.org and clickingHome Sweet Home.

VisitJLGWH.orgfor informationand to purchase

tickets.Further questions? Pleasecontact Angela Newell

863-581-1965.

SUSTAINERSBe our guests! Enjoy aprivate luncheon Friday,Nov. 11th at 11:00 andbe the first to shop!Watch for your

invitation!


Bistro Book ClubMotivating local high schoolers to become readers

The JuniorLeagueofGreaterWinterHaven reachesout to local teachersbyawardingmini grants through theGrants4Greatnessprogram. Goinginto the 4th year, over 50 grants have been awarded to teachers withinnovative projects in the GreaterWinter Haven area.

SusannaCarey, agrantrecipientfromWinterHavenHighSchool,teaches11th and12thgradersReading and Language Arts.She created the Bistro BookClub as a fun way to reinforcereading comprehension

following silentreading. Sheworks withstudents whohave not yetpassed the FCATand searched forincentives toencouragereading.Unfortunately,the downwardspiral had begun

and the students neededsomething new and different tobuild their confidence andreading comprehension.

By Paula Orcutt


Susanna looked for novels andreading material to fit thestudents interests, those thatencompassed their culture andbackgrounds. The studentsbegan to relate to and discussthe topics making connectionsbetweentheir ownlives andwhat theyread. Theywere nowinterestedandreadingsilentlyMonday-Thursdaylookingforward to Friday when theBook Bistro opened forbusiness. The aroma of coffee,tea and hot chocolate floatedthrough the air while thestudents enjoyed a drink andpastry. They gathered in theirgroups and before long thediscussions began. Thestudents shared stories aboutthe main characters, events,problems and lessons learned.Susanna found they wereswapping books and lookedforward to reading.

The BistroBook Clubhas inspiredthe studentsto lovereading, increase test scoresand become young adults who

strive to beproductive membersof society. The JuniorLeague of GreaterWinter Haven isproud to help fundThe Book Bistro atWinter Haven HighSchool. SusannaCarey is just one of themany teachers whostrive to find creative

ideas to enhance the learningof her students.

Grants for Greatness areawarded twice annually.The spring deadline forapplications is February10, 2012. Learn more anddownload an applicationon our website jlgwh.org.

Please share with all of thespecial teachers you know!


First, really? You juggle theroles of spouse, mother,daughter, employee/employer, friend, volunteeramong others. You’ve beenup since the crack of dawn,made breakfast, packedlunches, car pooled, worked(including the lunchmeeting), coached soccerpractice, helped with

homework,fixed supper,read bedtimestories, andsent out theemailsorganizingyour volunteercommittee.You’reexhausted andit won’t be

Balancing ActThe time is now to put yourself first

But I gotta do it...

Do you overestimate how muchothers need you. Take a step backand extract yourself from beingovercommitted.

To qualify for your must-do list,your committment needs to fit oneof these four categories:

1. Benefit yourself (fun andrelaxing self-care)

2. Be required for pursuing yourpersonal mission and values

3. Benefit or required by yourfamily

4. Benefit or required for yourwork and professional life

ANDREMEMBERAsk for help

Learn to say no without guilt

Delegate tasks to your childrenand spouse

Learn to say “No!” Your “Yes” isInstead, reserve it for the things


long before you start thecycle over again.

Women are going, doing,and giving at a pace thatleaves us feeling out ofcontrol. If we are notfeeling completelyexhausted, then we arelikely consumed by guiltabout what we have notaccomplished or whom wehave let down.Theproblem with this is that ifwe don’t take care ofourselves, sooner or laterwe won’t be of much use toanyone else, or toourselves.

Moving yourself up theto-do list: Begin with self-care, and not just luxurywishes for spa treatmentsand getaways. Preserveyour physical health withpositive lifestyle choicesincluding healthy eating,getting enough sleep, andexercise. Don’t stop there.

Take responsibility foryour life. Extract yourselffrom some of yourcommittments that do notfall into the "But I gotta doit category." (see chart)

Remember, this is aprocess that will take timebut is truly worth thebalance you will gain.

valuable and should not be automatic.that are most important to you.


Tribute CardsRecognize someone special,

commemoratea milestone or

celebrate aspecialoccasionwith asecure

honorarytribute gift. You

may also honor the memoryof a loved one with a gift supportingthe service of JLGWH. Visitjlgwh.org or call 863.583.7659.

This and Tha

t

Little Leaguer

Active member, Hannah Taylorand husband Scott welcomeddaughter, Olivia Clair,September 27. She joins sisterAmeila.

In Rememberance

Mary Carolyn Puckett, chartermember and past president,(1984-85) passed awaySeptember 29, 2011.

Butter andflour an11x7-inchbaking pan.Heat oven to350°.In a largemixing bowl,beat butterwith brownsugar, 1teaspoonvanilla, and 2eggs untillight andcreamy. Beatin pumpkinpuree. Inanother bowl,combine 1cup of flourwith baking

powder, soda, salt, and spices. Slowly beatinto the first mixture until well blended.Spread in prepared baking pan.

In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, 1egg, confectioners' sugar, 1/2 teaspoonvanilla, and 2 tablespoons flour. Beat for 1to 2 minutes, until smooth and creamy.Spoon onto the pumpkin batter. Using asmall narrow spatula or butter knife, swirlthe cream cheese batter into the pumpkinbatter.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until atoothpick inserted in the center comes outclean.

6 6 tbsp butter, melted· 1 c light brown sugar,

packed· 1 tsp vanilla· 2 large eggs· 1 c pumpkin puree· 1 c all-purpose flour· 1 tsp baking powder· 1/2 tsp baking soda· 1/4 tsp salt· 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon· 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg· 1/4 tsp ground allspice· 1/4 tsp ground ginger· 4 ounces cream cheese,

softened· 1 egg· 1/3 c confectioners' sugar· 1/2 tsp vanilla· 2 tbsp flour

Pumpkin Cream CheeseSwirl Brownies


INGREDIENTS

4 Chicken Breasts· 1 c Fresh Spinach· ¼ c Light Cream Cheese· 1 tbsp Chopped Basil· 1 tbsp Chopped Parsley· ¼Onion, finely diced· 1 tbsp Chopped Cilantro

¼Green Bell Pepper, diced· Salt & Pepper Seasoning· 1 c Tomatoes diced· Balsamic Glaze (store bought)· 3 c Roasted Red Potatoes· 3 c Fresh Zucchini· Garlic Powder· Olive Oil

Katie's StuffedChickenDinnerSpinach, herb and cheese stuffed chicken with diced tomatoes and balsamicreduction served with roasted potatoes & zucchini medley

PREPARATION

In a bowl combine spinach, cream cheese,basil, parsley, cilantro, onion, and greenpepper. Mix together and set aside.

Season chicken with light salt and groundblack pepper. Toss with very light olive oil.Place on a baking sheet and bake at 375degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Remove and slice breast down side (not all theway)and stuff with spinach mixture. Return tooven for 3-5 minutes to heat thoroughly andwilt spinach. Place on platter and top withtomatoes. Drizzle balsamic glaze over top toenhance appearance and add flavor.

POTATOESQuarter, rinse throughly and place on bakingsheet. Lightly toss into olive oil with salt,pepper, and garlic powder. Bake at 425degrees for 15 minutes, rotate and bake 15minutes at 400 degrees.

ZUCCHINISlice zucchini in half lengthwise thencut into think pieces.Heat skillet with lightolive oil and toss inzucchini. Stiroccasionally. Just beforecooking completely, tossin some fresh spinachand chopped garlic.Season with salt andpepper.

Serves 4

Recipe courtesy of Katie's Cafe to go inWinter Haven 863.324.3663

P.O.Box7161WinterHaven,FL33883-7161

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