MOMS Club of Bethel - Moms Offering Moms Support

March 2012
Dear Fellow Moms:

Executive Board
President: Alycia Matchen (914) 329-5102 Ajmatchen@gmail.com Membership Vice President: Sandra Losito (203) 792-4288 Misalo8706@gmail.com Administrative Vice President: Elizabeth Fisher (203) 797-9467 Elizabethfisher04@gmail.com Treasurer: Jill Kurtz (203) 778-2230 Jmkurtz@gmail.com Secretary: Hao Chang (203) 778-4577 Haoster2@aol.com Primary Coordinator: Carmen Weber 45 Split Rock Road Southport, CT 06890 (203) 526-8261 cweber82@optonline.net Secondary Coordinator: Lisa Sweeting (203)797-8823
Lisasweetingmomsclub@hotmail.com

Well, yet another month has passed. This seems to be the winter that was not this year. Hopefully all of the nasty sicknesses and viruses are finally behind us and we can now go forward with spring cleaning. I would like to thank Chrissy Salvestrini and Kathy Keener for putting together yet another successful Valentine's Day party! We had 16 moms plus kids in attendance! The craft was great and the kids had a wonderful time "mailing" their Valentines. Our next Meet & Mingle is scheduled for March 14. Our speaker for this month will be covering the topic of bullying as well as more information regarding our fundraiser for the Women's Center of Greater Danbury and Cindy Rizzo's nephew Lucas Storey. If you have a child who you fear is being the victim of bullying, you do not want to miss this! As I mentioned in previous e-mails and on other occasions, we are looking to put together a fundraiser for the benefit of Lucas Storey. He is the nephew of our chapter's founder Cindy Rizzo. His mother was the unfortunate victim of domestic violence. For more information about what happened, please see http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_19117851. We are putting together a joint fundraiser for both Lucas as well as the Women's Center in Danbury, which is tentatively set for Sunday, June 3 in order to try to prevent such occurrences from happening again. More details will follow regarding the event. As of this moment, we are looking for volunteers as follows: 1. We need a name. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! 2. We need volunteers to: - seek out donations of gift cards or gift baskets and the like for a silent auction; - see if we can get sponsors for the event -- often the larger grocery stores do provide such support; - seek vendors for the event -- this could be food vendors (we plan to incorporate lunch into the event) -- this could be local vendors or craft vendors or other people who just want to be involved; We would love to have other thoughts and/or suggestions of how we can make this a successful event. More specific details regarding the event will follow soon. (continued on page 2)

The MOMS Club of Bethel follows the bylaws of the International MOMS Club. If you would like a copy of the bylaws you can view them at any Business Meeting or contact any Club officer for a copy. www.MomsClubOfBethel.itgo.com MOMS Club, the Mother-To-Mother Fund and the Mother/Children logo are registered service marks of International MOMS Club. 1

PRESIDENTS LETTER (continued from page 1)

Thank you, Amy, for a fun and sweaty demonstration of Stroller Strides. For all of you who were interested in attending the demonstration, but were not able to attend, we are looking at the possibility of having another one in May. Stay tuned for details! If you are looking for more fitness, join us for "Run Like a Mother." It is a no pressure 5K. You can run it. You can walk it. It's a great way to meet other people. For more information, please see http:// www.runlikeamotherrace.com/city/ridgefield-ct/. Should you decide to join us, please let me know! Our Biggest Loser Contest is very successful so far. Thank you, Carla! All moms who are taking part in it have lost weight so far. That in and of itself is a success. I look forward to seeing how things progress. Remember our weekly weigh-ins are on Fridays. Keep up the good work!! Thank you, Eliette, for hosting the Appetizer Swap. What a wonderful idea! The food was so tasty, especially if you like bacon! It was a great social event! Thank you, Jen D'Amico for hosting the Moms Night Out. Everyone had a lot of fun enjoying the good wine, tasty food, and great conversation. As always, thank you so much to Melissa Willmott for all her hard work on the monthly calendar as well as the numerous events she runs! Because the numerous events like those that Melissa runs require quite a bit of planning and preparation, if no more than two families (other than the coordinator of the particular event and/or the host) respond yes to attending, than the host and/or coordinator may cancel the event the evening before the event. Therefore, please check the invite the night before the event to be sure it is going to take place. (Please note that this would not affect park play dates, morning coffees and events that do not require planning ahead of time.) Speaking of spring cleaning, it's time to go forward and get together a Nominating Committee for the new board in June. The Nominating Committee consists of five members including a chairperson. The purpose of the committee is to find all people who are interested in being board members. Please know that the job of being on the Nominating Committee is a temporary position. It is only from April through June. Therefore, if you would like to do something with the club, but you do not have a lot of time, this would be a perfect opportunity! If you are interested in joining the Nominating Committee, running for one of the Executive Board positions or know of someone who would fit well into any of those positions, please let us know! Your opinions and input are what makes this a great club! Again, please note that the 16th annual Northeast Regional MOMS Club Luncheon will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at Hanover Marriott in Whippany, New Jersey. It is a great opportunity to see what other MOMS Clubs from the regional area do and to get a chance to meet some of the moms in other chapters. This event is open to ALL MOMS Club members. If you would like more information, please either contact me or check out the following links: http://www .facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001855124719 http://twitter.com/NERegionMC http://neluncheon.blogspot.com/ Best wishes, Alycia

PREGNANT MOMS! Kerry Papa - Due May 11, 2012 - ITS A GIRL! Mikki Durkin - Due June 7, 2012 Melissa Tromblee - Due July 4, 2012 Please contact Liz Nilsen at (203) 794-9032 or WayneLiz@sbcglobal.net to share your good news!

Happy Happy Happy Happy

Birthday Birthday Birthday Birthday

to you, to you, Moms and Kids, to you!!!

MARCH MEMBERSHIP ANNIVERSARIES: Jessica Bender Adriana Fernandez Patty Sghia Nadine Tuccinardi Kim Wendt To renew your membership: Send a check for $25 along with an updated Liability Release form (you can download from our Yahoo Group on the internet under files) to: MOMS Club of Bethel c/o Sandra Losito, 32 Chimney Drive, Bethel, CT 06801. If you have an update for your email, address, phone number or information on a new child, please contact

Moms Birthdays: Paula Navarrete - March 26th Melissa Parrish - March 1st Patty Sghia - March 20th Kids Birthdays: Liv Bassett - 3/23/10 Brooke Bassett - 3/23/10 Elizabeth Cullinan - 3/31/10 Sarah Crowell - 3/20/07 Lily Friedland - 3/13/09 Diana Matos - 3/14/?? Isabella Pessoa - 3/31/06 Katherine Papa - 3/6/07 Brian Sghia - 3/16/06 Julia Squiciari - 3/23/07

TREASURERS REPORT FEBRUARY 2012 Starting Balance: Income: New Membership Preschool Fair Advertising V-Day Party Expenses: Preschool Fair Postage V-Day Party Ending Balance: $ 890.80

MEET & MINGLE FEBRUARY MINUTES The February meeting was held on February 8, 2012. In attendance were: Alycia Matchen, Sandra Losito, Mikki Durkin, Melissa Tromblee, Liz Nilsen, Jill Kurtz, Jennifer Bassett, Kristie Norman, Nadine Williams, Sandra Schmidt, Eliette Matos, Chrissy Salvestrini, Hao Chang, Elizabeth Fisher, Amy Doyle and Kathy Keener. The Valentines Day Party, coordinated by Chrissy Salvestrini and Kathy Keener, was enjoyed by all. During the business portion of the meeting, Alycia made several announcements to the group: Elections for new board members will be held at the May Meet and Mingle Meeting. Members who want to run for an office, or be on the nominating committee should contact Alycia or one of the current officers. There will be a major fundraising event to take place in the spring. It will benefit the Womens Center of Greater Danbury and the scholarship fund for the nephew of our chapters founder, Cindy Rizzo. Stroller Strides demonstration (discussed by Amy Doyle) will be held on February 13 at 9:30 at the Danbury Mall - meet in front of Ruby Tuesdays. Members of the club are planning to run in the Run Like A Mother 5K race on Mothers Day. The registration fee will be $15 for individuals who register by February 15. Sandra announced the plan for all club members to transition from the current ezORG website to Big Tent by the March meeting. Sandra will follow up with an email explaining the details of this changeover. There will be an Appetizer Swap on Wednesday Feb 15 at Eliettes. See ezORG for details. The speaker at the March Meet and Mingle will be a representative from the Womens Center of Greater Danbury and the topic will be about bullying in schools. Respectfully Submitted, Hao Chang February 27, 2012

$ $ $ $

100.00 160.00 374.00 80.00

$ 71.20 $ 44.00 $ 28.18 $1,461.42

MOMS CLUB WEBSITE Interested in gaining access to the International MOMS Club website? Here is the information you will need: www.momsclub.org User ID: mommy Password: daytime support

aB Irish Sod
INGREDIENTS: 4 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup cold butter 1 cup golden raisins 1 3/4 cups 1% low-fat buttermilk

read

From
allrecipes.com

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add raisins. Stir in buttermilk just until moistened. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; gently knead 6 -8 times. 2. Place on an ungreased baking sheet; pat into a 7-in. round loaf. Using a sharp knife, cut a 1-in. cross about 1/4 in. deep on top of the loaf. Bake at 375 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

CCADV (CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence)

24 hour, Confidential, Toll Free 1-888-774-2900 Local Resource: Womens Center of Greater Danbury Website: www.WomensCenterOfGreaterDanbury.org Providing safety planning, advocacy, information, referrals, counseling, support groups, and emergency shelter. Information & Referrals - 203-731-5200 Sexual Assault Hotline - 203-731-5204 Domestic Violence Hotline - 203-731-5206

ACTIVITIES* AROUND THE AREA IN MARCH

Run! Jump! Fly! Adventures in Action, Stepping Stone Museum, All Month @ 10:00am Animation Exhibit, CT Science Center, Thursday March 1st - Sunday March 4th @ 10:00am Fantastic 4 - 5, Brookfield Library, Thursday March 1st, 8th, 15th, & 22nd @ 10:30am Science Says: Things That Go, Stepping Stones Museum, Thursday March 1st, 8th, & 15th @ 3:30pm Read Across America with Dr. Seuss, Danbury Library, Thursday March 1st @ 4:00pm Scrapbooking for Kids, Bethel Library, Thursday March 1st @ 4:30pm Creative Kids, Brookfield Library, Friday March 2nd - Sunday March 4th, All Day 10th Mt. Division Exhibit, Military Museum, Fridays - Sundays All Month Long @ 10:00am Teen Craft: Decorate Picture Frames, Bethel Library, Saturday March 3rd @ 10:15am Open Studio Session, Glitter, Saturday March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, & 31st and Sunday March 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th @ 2:00pm Kids Night Out, Gymnastics Revolution, Saturday march 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, & 31st @ 7:00pm Ms. Claras Mini Musicians, Brookfield Library, Monday March 5th @ 10:30am Terrific 2-3, Brookfield Library, Tuesday March 6th, 13th, & 20th @ 11:15am ArtSmart, Stepping Stones Museum, Wednesday March 7th & 14th @ 10:15am Cooking Class for Kids, Daily Fare in Bethel, Wednesday March 7th, 14th, & 21st @ 4:30pm Evening Family Storytime, Brookfield Library, Wednesday March 7th @ 6:45pm A Curious George Storytime, Danbury Library, Friday March 9th @ 10:15am Saturday Family Storytime, Brookfield Library, Saturday March 10th @ 10:30am PJ Storytime, Bethel Library, Monday March 12th @ 6:30pm Family Friday Night with Laura Doherty, Brookfield Library, Friday March 16th @ 6:30pm Book Babies Storytime, Danbury Library, Tuesdays March 20th & 27th @ 10:15am Terrific Twos Storytime, Danbury Library, Thursday March 22nd & 29th @ 10:15am Kinder-Ready Storytime, Danbury Library, Friday March 23rd & 30th @ 10:15am Storytime Saturday, Bethel Library, Saturday March 24th @ 2:00pm * Please note that these events are not sponsored by the MOMS Club of Bethel. Events are subject to change - please check host website.

March 2012
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur 1
Book Club @ 9:30am

Fri 2

Sat 3

5
Morning Coffee & Stroll @ 9:30am
Open Playgroup, Danbury PAL @ 9:30am

7
Park Playdate @ 10:00am or 3:00pm, Meckauer
Board Meeting

10

11

12
Matinee Movie, Edmond @ 1:00pm

13

14
Meet & Mingle @ 9:30am

15
Breakfast, ONeils @ 9:15am

16

17

Park Playdate @ 3:00pm, Meckauer

18

19
Mommy & Me Circle Time @ 10:15am

20

21
Park Playdate @ 10:00am or 3:00pm, Meckauer

22
MNO Dinner at Stella @ 7:30pm

23
Morning Coffee & Stroll @ 9:30am

24

25

26
Childrens Book/ Craft Club @ 9:30am

27

28
Park Playdate @ 10:00am or 3:00pm, Meckauer

29
Nature Walk, Outlook Park @ 10:30am

30

31

PLEASE BE SURE TO RSVP TO THE ezORG INVITE! Activity Coordinator: Melissa Willmott (Melissawillmott@yahoo.com)

The MOMS Club does not endorse nor guarantee any products or services advertised here. Goals: To provide a support group for mothers who choose to stay at home to raise their children To provide a forum for topics of interest to mothers To help children in the community To perform at least one service project yearly helping needy children Principles: That women must be free to choose their personal path to fulfillment That, for women who choose it, raising children is an important and fulfilling full-time job That a familys decision for a mother to stay at home to raise the children often involves considerable financial sacrifice That there is no one right way to raise children, but our members have a common concern in raising their children in a healthful way

For more information about these Activities, contact the following Volunteers:

Activity Coordinator: Melissa Wilmott p: (203) 778-6712 e: Melissawillmott@yahoo.com Advertising Coordinator: Eliette Matos p: (203) 947-9077 e: Eliette5000@hotmail.com Book Club Coordinator: Kim Wendt p: (203) 205-0102 e: kltwendt@gmail.com Buddy-Up Coordinator - Hao Chang p: (203) 778-4577 e: Haoster2@aol.com Childrens Craft and Book Club Coordinators: Jennifer DAmico p: (203) 748-7507 e: Jendamico77@gmail.com Melissa Wilmott p: (203) 778-6712 e: Melissawillmott@yahoo.com Newsletter Coordinator: Elizabeth Fisher p: (203) 797-9467 e: Elizabethfisher04@gmail.com Outreach Coordinator: Carla Franzin p: (203) 826-7921 e: Carla.franzin@att.net Party Planners: Playgroups Coordinator: Sandra Losito p: (203) 792-4288 e: Misalo8706@gmail.com Sunshine Coordinator: Liz Nilsen p: (203)794-9032 e: WayneLiz@sbcglobal.net There are still many ways to get involved with our club. Please contact Alycia Matchen at Ajmatchen@gmail.com or call (914) 329-5102.

2012 AD RATES A business size ad can be placed in our newsletter. Perfect and cost-effective for advertising. Home-Based or Husbands business! 1/8 page (business card) 3 mo - $15 6 mo - $25 12mo - $45 1/2 page 3 mo - $25 6 mo - $42 12mo - $80 1/4 page 3 mo - $18 6 mo - $30 12mo - $55 Full Page 3mo - $35 6mo - $62 12mo - $112

Any member of MOMS Club advertising their own business is eligible for a 50% discount! MOMS Club does not necessarily endorse any of the advertisers in this newsletter.

The Bethel MOMS Club is not affiliated with any church or religious organization. We appreciate the goodwill of the organizations that allow us to use their space free of charge for various events.

As agreed upon by the membership, beginning September 1, 2008, the MOMS Club of Bethel is an "Allergy Aware" club. It is requested that food brought to events that are open to the entire club (parties, open playgroups, meet and mingles, etc.) does not contain peanuts or tree nuts. It is important to note that this in no way guarantees that peanuts or tree nuts will never be present at these events. Pursuant to the membership Liability Contract we each sign every year, the MOMS Club of Bethel cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions due to these club changes. Please make sure you always use wise judgment concerning your children's well being at any and all MOMS Club events.

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