“Enriching Lives and Benefiting Our Community”

December 2016/January 2017 Edition

THE PURDUE WOMEN’S CLUB NEWSLETTER

2016-2017 PWC Board

Elected

President: Emily Blue President-Elect: Linda Dolby Vice President Interest Groups: Mary Gayle Hartzell Vice President Newcomers: Sara Harlan Treasurer: Alexca Freed Membership Secretary: Sarah Wassgren Recording Secretary: Gretchen Bertolet Corresponding Secretary: Sandra Burbank Past President /Advisor: Karen Mullen Appointed Newcomer Team: Kathy Leidy Eileen Drennen Marchell Baker Chicago Bus Trips: Jeanna Jones Educational Excursions: Jacky Ralph Sandy Komasinski Kitty Decker Email Secretary: Sue Peters Friendship Secretary: Dianne O’Kane Let’s Do Lunch: Kathy McGraw Luncheon Table Coordinator: Jeanne McCoy Newsletter Team Rene Ferguson, Editor Jan Blau, Kimba Dunsmore Dorothy Hughes, Cherry Delaney Nominating Committee: Rene Ferguson Patty Jischke Lisa Hoverman PWC 20|30 Young Members Circle: Lisa Hoverman Publicity: Ronda Walsh-Schwab Social Media Administrator: Danielle Cohen Website Administrator: Ann McCracken

A 4th Successful Year of the PWC Welcome Bags Project for EBV - The Entrepreneurship Boot Camp for Veterans with Disabilities!

Four years ago during a speech at a PWC luncheon Melissa Evans from The Krannert Business School asked if PWC could support providing welcome bags for the veterans com-ing to the EBV program. PWC members leaped in and have been doing it ever since with different members leading the project from year to year. This year Sarah Wassgren made it all happen and here’s her report: PWC volunteers have put together wel-come bags for the veterans attending Pur-due’s Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veter-ans with Disabilities (EBV) for the past 4 years. EBV offers world-class, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small busi-ness management to post-9/11 soldiers, sail-ors, aviators, and marines with disabilities

resulting from their service to our country.

EBV is designed to provide this training without any cost whatsoever to the veter-an. Their firm belief is that our veterans have already earned the price of admission, as a consequence of their military service.

A big thank you to the movie group for providing the bags and decorations. Four local Girl Scout troops wrote notes and made bookmarks for the veterans. Many members donated food, magazines, stationery, and Purdue items for the bags. Thank you to Gretchen Bertolet, Sandra Burbank, Kitty Decker, Alexca Freed, MaryGayle Hartzell, Emily Hendricks, Lisa Hoverman, Rainey Jen-kins, Lynda Kelley, Kathy Leidy, Ann McCracken, Karen Mullen, Dianne O’Kane, Jeanne Verville, Deidre Watts, Kristin Wei-denaar, and Dana White for their donations.

One Veteran’s Thank You Note 1 November 2016 Ladies of the Purdue Women’s Club,

Thank you very much for your kind support and gift bag! The donations were appreciated and I know that I saw at least half of my class snacking on the mixed nuts and M & M’s from the bag. It is probably a higher consumption rate since these were all in class! You hit the mark with that! The notebooks, bookmarks and cards from your Girl Scouts were great! I wrote ‘thank-yous’ and hope you all can sort out who they go to! Re-ceiving letters and packages from home while overseas meant a lot. I figure a short thank you to your scouts will encourage the positive and mean-ingful effort. Generally I do not drink soda but tried your Vernor’s and TRULY enjoyed it! I found it crisp and clean, without a heavy sugary after-taste like some. I do enjoy your regional favorite. Thank you again for your support. Douglas F

If you are willing to donate for next fall’s EBV program bags, please contact Sarah Wassgren (swassgren@gmail.com / 765-490-7542) . She’ll contact you next September!

This year’s EBV participants!

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Mary Jo Turley passed away on 14 November following a traffic accident. Mary Jo grew

up with five brothers and a sister in the Back of the Yards neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois and graduated from Saint Augustine Parish High School. She then earned a BA in English (magna cum laude) at Marymount College in Salina, Kansas. Mary Jo married Scottsburg, Indiana native 1st Lieutenant Jim Turley and began nearly 23 years of army life including many postings, some overseas. The family moved to West Lafayette in 1981 when her hus-band was assigned as Adjunct Professor of Military Science for three years. They made West Lafayette their permanent home after Jim's retirement from the Army.

After many years raising their family Mary Jo rejoined the workforce full time. Her first role at Purdue was as secretary and then administrative assistant to the Director and Dean of In-ternational Programs in Agriculture. After many years in that position, she moved to a new job as editor and administrative assistant in the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL). After retire-ment she became heavily involved with volunteer activities, including St. Thomas Aquinas Parish and Family Promise. She loved meeting people and making new friends and enjoyed volunteering at the Purdue Union information desk. As well as being a member of several PWC Interest Groups, she volunteered for many organizations and belonged to bridge groups and three local Toastmasters clubs. She had a special place in her heart for international stu-dents, developing long-term friendships with many. Mary Jo was a humanitarian and care giver, visiting friends in nursing homes and providing a listening ear for many through difficult times. People were always drawn to her warmth.

IN MEMORIAM

Memories of Mary Jo from PWC Friends I knew her from WALLA, Toastmasters and St. Tom's...she was a wonderful person. Alice Anderson

Mary Jo and I were roommates on a week-long trip to Kentucky in May and had many long conversations in the car and after lights-out at night. She was a woman of strong faith with a great sense of fun and adventure. She loved her family deeply. I am devastated for Jim and her children and grandchildren. Amy Harbor

The Explore Indiana group has lost a devoted traveler and the yearly organizer of the Turkey Run State Park trips. We will miss her lively sharing of all things related to Indiana history and her warm, caring personality. Melinda Bain

Mary Jo had a great heart....I will miss her tender soul. Sandy Komasinski.

On a crisp, windy and sunny Novem-ber day, Explore Indiana visited Turkey Run State Park. Following lively con-versation over lunch in the Inn, the group explored the nature center and walked the trails while dried autumn leaves skipped along the paths and rustled with each footstep. All agreed that the weather was perfect.

Explore Indiana’s Annual Visit to Turkey Run State Park Was Organized Delightfully

As Always by Mary Jo

Explore Indiana is going to take a break in December and is adding an outing in January 2017 to The Envi-sion Center on the Purdue campus which is ITaP’s data visualization and multimedia production services center. It helps faculty enhance research and teaching by graphical-ly representing data and information through techniques such as scientific visualization, animation, and immersive 3-D virtual environments. This tour will provide opportunities to interact with and test drive the technology. A date is still pending; however, if you are interested in this tour, contact Melinda Bain, melindahbain@comcast.net to be put on a list to receive details when available.

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It was only a few years ago that Kinnari Sejpal, Purdue’s Sen-ior Manager of Market Research, was an international student look-ing to start her career in the U.S. Sejpal recalls the struggles and challenges she faced in receiving work authorization, especially in looking for employment outside STEM-related fields. But more than the struggles, she remembers the mentors who guided her along the way.

“It’s really in large part thanks to them that I am where I am to-day,” she says. That’s why these days, when Sejpal encountered an opportunity to pay forward the guidance she received as a stu-dent, she was quick to volunteer.

Sejpal is now one of eight mentors associated with Pur-due’s new Classroom to Career Mentor Program, which aims to help nontraditional students in their professional growth and devel-opment. Launched this fall by Span Plan Nontraditional Student Services, the program pairs working professionals in the community with Purdue students, many of whom have children, spouses, or are returning to school after at least a two-year break in formal educa-tion. Mentor pairs are matched by similar majors, career goals, or interests. The program is designed to foster networking opportuni-ties, enable students to learn more about the day-to-day work in-volved in specific careers, or possibly provide student assistance with career placement.

Sejpal was matched with Luna Burgos Moreno, a student from Spain who’s studying aerospace engineering. The two quickly bonded at the program’s kickoff meeting over their shared experi-ences as international students and passion for traveling.

“I was in a similar mentoring program in Spain, but my ultimate goal is to obtain a job here in the United States, and I wanted to meet someone who could help me navigate that process,” Burgos Moreno says. “I don’t know many people here; I’m so grateful that someone is willing to share their time and experiences, because that type of firsthand guidance is not always offered.”

Span Plan Director Peggy Favorite says the new program is one of many ways her organization, housed in Student Success Programs, hopes to close educational gaps for nontraditional stu-dents and enable their degree completion.

“Each year we provide students with scholarships; however, financial assistance doesn’t eliminate every obstacle faced by non-traditional students,” Favorite says. “That’s why we also provide other supplemental resources and co-curricular programming.” Last year, Span Plan held a professional development series, dur-ing which many students expressed a desire for additional opportu-nities focused exclusively on professional growth. Although the Classroom to Career Mentor Program supports participants with events and conversation prompts, Favorite says pairs are responsi-ble for determining the communication frequency and methods that work best for them.

For Kennari Sejpal and Luna Burgos Moreno, the program is going well so far. Moreover, they both describe their pairing as mutually beneficial. “I came here for the American dream and I want to do everything in my power to help Luna achieve that as well, but I’m also interested in gaining a better understanding of people from other cultures,” Sejpal says. “For any mentoring program to be a success, there has to be commitment from both sides. I know she’s as committed to this as I am, and I think it can be a long-lasting relationship as a result.”

Individuals who may be interested in participating or contributing to the program in the future may contact Span Plan Director Peggy Favorite at favorite@purdue.edu .

For more information on Span Plan—housed in Student Suc-cess—or to learn how to become a donor, please visit: www.purdue.edu/spanplan .

Written by Andrea Thomas, Communications Director for Stu-

dent Success Programs, 765-496-3754, thomas78@purdue.edu .

New Span Plan ‘Classroom to Career’ Mentoring Program Pairs Nontraditional Students With Working Professionals!

Please check your email for this UPDATED CONTACT INFORMATION

to add to your yearbook

Welcome to Our Newest or Recently Renewed Members:

Nancy Bakes Regina Becker Marcia Stroup

Changes in Contact Information:

Mary E. Freeland (new email) Flavia Hoffnagle (new email)

Please note: New members and changes received after the news-letter deadline will be published in the following month’s newsletter. Contact the Membership Secretary, Sarah Wassgren, at membershipsec@purduewomensclub.org , or phone 765-237-9876 with any contact changes you wish to share.

PWC

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Discovering Art & Artists Learns About Looms

After a congenial lunch at Café Literato, 11 members and 3 guests of the Discovering Art and Artists group traveled to Moss Creek Weaving Studio to discover an artist among us. On Octo-ber 28, Ellen Germann, PWC member, hosted us in her home studio where she creates fiber art and teaches at all skill levels.

Students start with an 8 week Learn to Weave class. After that, they can rent a loom and work on their own projects, partici-pate in study sessions, or bring their own looms to work in a group setting. Materials are available for a fee or weavers may bring their own supplies. Possible projects include table runners, dish towels, scarves, purses, wall décor, rugs, and more. In addition to several multipurpose looms, the studio has some small table looms. More advanced students can tackle the tapes-try loom or a specialized rug loom that produces a reversible product.

Ellen notes that weaving (as well as other artistic work) can be a very solitary pursuit. Working in an environment such as Moss Creek Studio provides a community of artists with whom one can share ideas and encouragement.

If you fondly remember weaving potholders as a child, Moss Creek Weaving Studio could be your next step. Story by Mary Gayle Hartzell

The Explore Indiana trip that was planned for October 19th to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and Mayberry Café, changed suddenly when Trip Planner, Jacky Ralph, found out that the museum was tied up with visiting national Future Farmers of America members for the entire week! Sending a quick e-mail to the women who had signed up for this trip, it ended up that there were four Explorers who would go even if they couldn’t go to IMS museum. So, on Wednesday, the four set out for Danville, IN. They visited Hendricks County Art Council, an Artists Cooperative, on the square in Danville which is the county seat of Hendricks County. From there they headed for the Mayberry Café and Andy Griffith’s patrol car. This was like a trip back in time and even though the real town is in North Carolina, Danville does a good job of catching the flavor of the time and of the famous TV show. Heading back toward Lafayette we hunted down Avon Gardens which turned out to be a very pretty place to stop and wander around the beautifully landscaped grounds with a beautifully tuned wind chime. This turned out to be a good place to take pictures. Everyone enjoyed the abbreviated trip on a very lovely fall day. Story and photos by Jacky Ralph, Trip Planner for IMS/Mayberry Trip

A Surprise Change in Plans for Explore Indiana Leads to Back in Time and Beautiful Gardens!

Create an Heirloom Interest Group Is Working on Assisi Embroidery

On November 9 at the Create An Heirloom meeting the group was working on Assisi embroidery. The technique is origi-nally from Italy and the work is completed by filling in the back-ground with cross stitching which leaves the motif standing out.

Next month they are doing ribbon work and if you are inter-ested please call Barbara Whiteside at 765-838-3170. The group meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm and the next meeting is December 14th. Story and photo by Barbara Whiteside

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PWC Gr8Gals@Technology Interest Group was at Best Buy on November 2 for what is becoming an annual event!

Best Buy staff gives a presentation on the newest items in the technology world. This year the updates were on the digital impact in major appliances: the refrigerator that connects to your smart phone….you may have seen the commercial of a person at the gro-cery taking inventory of their refrigerator. The connectivity extends to other kitchen and laundry appliances.

Twenty seven group members also enjoyed the update on smart phones, both I-phone and Android. And then sometimes it is the gadgets like the PopSocket holder that affixes to the back of a phone and provides a way to easily hold the phone in one hand while texting….or the cardboard adapter that turns your phone into a virtual reality viewer.

The visit to Best Buy was a good outing to help keep the Gr8Gals members current in the digital world.

Upcoming events for Gr8Gals:

(Gr8Gals will not meet in December or January) February 13, 2017 the program will be “A Review of Social Net-works: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and others” by Scott Ksander, 1:30 PM at Daniel Turf Center, 1340 Cherry Lane, West Lafayette.

Watch the Gr8Gals web page for upcoming programs!

Story and Information by Sandy Komasinski

Gr8Gals@Technology Attend Best Buy Seminar on New Technology on 11/2

Increasing Our Financial Confidence Toured University Place ~ November 10

On Thursday, November 10, University Place hosted 21 members and friends of “Increasing Our Financial Confidence.” Jeffrey Weaver was our host for the lunch, lecture and tour. We enjoyed delicious pork tenderloin, crisp salad, homemade rolls and luscious chocolate cake, plus tasted the excellent coffee available to residents in the University Place Bistro.

The group requested and received financial details for living at the Lindberg Road complex, including options for both independ-ent and assisted living, and the new memory care unit. The tour took us through common areas and independent and assisted apart-ment units. This PWC Interest Group focuses on collecting financial facts to enable making smart choices. Anyone interested in join-ing this group can find information on upcoming programs at http://www.purduewomensclub.org/increasing-our-financial-confidence.html.

The next meeting dates and topics are:

Charitable Giving by Appreciated Stock and Required Minimum Distribution & College Savings-Indiana 529 Plan with Indiana Tax Credit on Thursday, December 8, 1:30 - 3pm at the West Lafayette Public Library

Social Security Benefits on Thursday, January 12, 1:30 - 3pm at the West Lafayette Public Library

Please contact Ronda Walsh Schwab at rondawalshschwab@gmail.com or 426-7511 for further information.

Gr8Gals@Technology members attend seminar at Best Buy!

Interest Group Events Coming Up!

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Let’s Do Lunch goes to Hu Hot Mongolian Grill on Friday, January20

Discovering Art & Artists Group Members Get A Close Up Look at

Original Costumes From Downton Abbey

Discovering Art & Artists had a wonderful day in South Bend on Monday, November 21. During the all-day trip by car 26 PWC members and guests had the opportunity to explore 3 museums and a delightful restaurant. The highlight was the vi-gnettes and fashion ensembles from 3 seasons of Downton Ab-bey on display at The South Bend History Museum- the only stop in Indiana during a nationwide tour of the exhibit ”Dressing Downton- Changing Fashion for Changing Times.” The cos-tumes were beautifully displayed in period settings with fascinat-ing explanations about how the clothing reflected the changing times in design, fabric and style. There was also a clever ‘set’ for taking photos with the ‘cast’. A Downton Abbey Gift Shop at the end of the exhibit had lovely linens, china, jewelry and books for sale. The exhibit is at the museum through January 8.

Lunch was at the East Bank Emporium Restaurant. The group returned to the museum campus for a docent led tour of Copshaholm, the 38 room mansion of the Oliver family. It was beautifully decorated for Christmas and it also displayed some beautiful period dresses. This home was donated to the History Museum by the 2 surviving Oliver family grandchildren. Every-thing in the house is original to how the family lived. There was also time to check out the adjacent Studebaker Museum or other museum exhibits before the trip home. Story and Photos by Kitty Decker

Let's Do Lunch at the Hu Hot Mongolian Grill! I love to say the words, Hu Hot! We hosted a Japanese student for 10 months and I loved pronouncing his name. It was Katsunori Kuwahata. I would over exaggerate the "ha ta".

Besides enjoying their Asian flavors, you will be entertained by their cooks with their smiling faces, black aprons and chef hats and their speed at chopping up the meats, vegetables and sauces you select. It is All-You-Can-Eat. And I don't think you can risk too many extra calories on more meat and veggies.

We will eat at noon on Friday, January 20. So come and step right up in line for Mongolian Food and Fun. Located at 100 S. Creasy Lane in the Pavilions Strip Mall next to Men's Warehouse and Le Nails at the intersection of SR 26 and Creasy Lane.

It’s best to let me know if you’re coming if you can! Kathy McGraw at letsdolunch@purduewomensclub.org or 617-1496.

Do you know who’s been reading YOUR PWC newsletter?

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And More Interest Group Events to Come!

Health & Wellness Interest Group Presentation on Allergies & EpiPens

Thursday, February 2 at 7 pm

International Friendship Group Meets Monday, January 23

To Explore “Travel to Wellness & Spas”

With Thommi Weliever

THIS GIRL HAS IT ALL! Thommi is a Certified Travel Associate with proficiencies in different trip itineraries AND an expert planning process to help qualify clients with just what they need and where they best fit in.

She is an expert on travel destinations, wellness and medical tourism. She is going to elaborate on US and global spas that enhance your mind, body and spirit.

Thommi is definitely in demand. She squeezed me in for a quick picture and interview. Another time she assisted me with arranging a Spring Break Disney World vacation for my daughter, her husband and their 4 kids (my grandchildren). She was so FAST at finding, arranging and printing off the tickets for entrances and rides etc. DONE--out the door.

This November Thommi was on her way to Ireland. She was selected by Brendan Vacations, who specialize in Ireland, to learn first hand for her clients the independent, rail and guided choices a traveler has. In Dublin, she will be ex-posed to various hotel amenities through the guidance of the hotels' General Managers. She will tour the rooms, learn what's around the corner, and look at maps to advise for self drive vacations. You may want to give Thommi a call even before her presen-tation at 765-423-7777. Just tell her Kathy McGraw thinks she is GREAT.

On Monday, January 23 at 9:30, International Friendship Group members and guests can drive over to the Purdue Agronomy Center on Cherry Lane for this presentation.

If possible, please let me, Kathy McGraw, know if you plan to RELAX with us as Thommi Weliever takes us

away to tropical quiet places.

kathymcgraw90@gmail.com or 617-1496.

We have had so many women attending our first meetings during our first year! It has been wonderful!

Our first meeting for 2017 will be on Thursday, February 2 and we will be hav-ing Dr. Jay Prochnau. He is an allergist and will be speaking about food allergies, anaphylactic shock and the use of Ep-iPens.

Join us at the Daniel Turf Center at 7:00pm (Please note the time change!!) on February 2. Information from Debbie Zachman debbie.zachman@yahoo.com

Plan Ahead for the

Spring Educational Excursion Sights in Terra Haute

NEW DATE: Friday, April 21, 2017

Here are the venues for the trip! Check out the websites listed below to see what delights await us.

Clabber Girl Museum and Bake Shop for a food demonstra-tion, museum tour, & LUNCH! You’ll be transported back in time with Antique household items and appliances, vintage toys and an old-fashioned coal generator.

https://www.clabbergirl.com

Sheldon Swope Art Museum known for its extraordinary collection of nearly 2,500 works of American art including paintings, sculptures, and works on paper from the 19th centu-ry to the present. http://www.swope.org

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College an historic site where we will view an orientation film, tour the beautiful chapel and ca-thedral, explore the campus by bus and then visit their gift shop. http://www.spsmw.org

We will end the day with a stop for dinner at Beef House, Covington, (at your cost) http://beefhouserolls.com .

See the February PWC Newsletter and website for details!!

Information from Kitty Decker kitty.decker@frontier.com .

tinyurl.com/pwc-linkedin

The Purdue Women’s Club

P.O. Box 2073 West Lafayette, Indiana

47996-2073

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Quilting Connection Interest Group Ladies Traveled To Quilt Camp in September!

Eight ladies from Quilting Connection traveled to the Hickory Road Inn for a quilt camp in late September. Some stayed 4 days, and others 5 for intensive time plan-ning, cutting, and sewing quilts and visiting a quilt shop in Greensburg. Time was also devoted to laughing, eating, and enjoying the tranquility.

Located near Oldenburg, which is a quaint German-style village in southeastern Indiana, the Inn offers great amenities for all kinds of groups or individuals. A lovely breakfast is served each morning on differ-ent place settings and linens. Hostess Lea-carol Bennett does a wonderful job making each guest feel comfortable. Host Jerry meets guests at their cars with a golf cart and delivers all their luggage and equipment directly to the work room.

The ladies are ready to return for another round of quilting and companionship. Hope-fully next time there will be more time to ex-

plore the shops in Oldenburg that beckoned this trip.

Story and photos by Suzie Collins

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