The Magic of BOOKS
The
Member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs
NOVEMBER 2025
Kelly Imbody GFWC-HB President kevnkell@hotmail.com
GFWC OF HOLDEN BEACH
Communique
VOLUME 20, ISSUE 9
Message from President Kelly
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GFWC-HB
What are you thankful for?
President Lincoln was the first President to proclaim Thanksgiving as a national holiday to foster unity. Franklin D. Roosevelt signed it into law. But we don’t need a law to tell us we should be thankful. Giving thanks is the act of expressing appreciation and gratitude for kindness, help, or blessings received, which can be done through words, actions, or both. This expression is important for changing one’s perspective, strengthening relationships and improving mental and physical well-being. It involves both an internal feeling of thankfulness and the outward action of communicating it. To be clear, thanksgiving does not deny the world’s hurt or our own. Studies now affirm that virtually every part of a person---our intellect, emotions, physical body, spiritual life, and relationships---is made healthier by gratitude. When we choose to give thanks, we experience: Fewer destructive emotions, like envy, resentment, and frustration. Increased alertness, enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness, and energy. Greater happiness and emotional well-being. Greater physical health… both objectively and subjectively. Stronger connections with others, more willingness to help, and happier relationships. More willingness to forgive the wrongs of others. Reduced anxiety, depression, stress, and stress hormones. Lowering of blood pressure, blood lipids and markers of inflammation. Improved sleep quality and duration. Increased resilience and greater capacity to overcome trauma. Remarkably, the practices that produce outcomes like these are often simple once a day or even weekly actions. In one study, just writing a few sentences once a week about things the participants were thankful for measurably boosted happiness and reduced aches, pains and doctor visits… something many of us are experiencing more of!!!! Why is giving thanks important? It makes others feel appreciated and can strengthen relationships. It can lead to greater happiness, reduced stress and improved emotional and physical health. Expressing thanks helps shift focus from what you lack to what you have, even during difficult times. The following quote about gratitude resonated with me: “Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.” -John Wooden
Give thanks every day, not just on Thanksgiving.
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Message from our President Kelly - page 2
Calendar - page 4
Message from President-elect Debbie - page 5
Message from 1st VP Kandace - page 6
Message from Membership VP Amanda - page 7
November Meeting - page 8
October Meeting - page 9
Club Information - page 10
Club Christmas Christmas Party - page 11
Trunk or Treat - page 12
Arts & Culture CSP - page 13
Civic Engagement and Outreach CSP - pages 14-15
Environment CSP - page 16-17
Education & Libraries CSP - page 18
Legislation & Public Policy - page 19
ESO - page 20-21
ESO & Heifer - page 22
District 7 Meeting Update - page 23-24
CCWC & GFWC-NC Fall Meeting Update - page 25
Why Read? - page 26
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20
1
APR
DEC
Holden Beach Chapel 6:15 pm refreshments & Club Chatter 6:45 pm meeting
11
NOV
Mark your Calendars
GFWC-NC State Convention
Home of Linda Sturgill 6 pm See page 11 for details
Important Dates !
Holden Beach Chapel 6:15 pm refreshments & Club Chatter 6:45 pm meeting hosted by Education & Libraries CSP
Nov
GFWC-HB Charity Gala
17
Club Christmas Party
7
Club Meeting
Jan
18
16
fEB & mAR
Holden Beach Chapel 11:00 am
Holden Beach Chapel 6:15 pm refreshments & Club Chatter 6:45 pm meeting hosted by Arts & Culture CSP CLUBS ARTS FESTIVAL
Gala Kickoff Meeting
GFWC-NC Arts Festival
24-25
Dec
MAR
St. James Event Center
Mebane, NC
Durham, NC
It’s that time again to reflect and report on what we did as a club in 2025!! All the CSP’s and special committees were busy doing fun and wonderful things starting this past January and will continue until the end of this year. Hopefully you started your rough drafts on each of the completed projects while they were fresh in your mind and will have them ready to email to Kelly, Kandace and me by December 1st. All CSP and special committee leaders have received an email from me on October 26th with information to assist when writing up the project reports. It is important to include the fundamentals such as the number of volunteers, total hours involved, any monetary donations and/or in-kind donations. It is also important to highlight the community impact of the project, detail the description of the work effort and include information about the success of the project.
Message from President -elect Debbie
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your hard work needed to impress the judges with how wonderful we are in our community involvement!!!
5
Reporting Guidelines
An In-kind Donation is a contribution of goods, services, or time rather than money to an organization. The value of these non-cash gifts is recorded at their fair market value on financial statements. Key Aspects of In-Kind Donations Non-Monetary: The gift is not cash, checks, or credit card payments. Goods or Services: It can be tangible items like books or food Fair Value: For accounting purposes, the donation is recorded at its estimated fair market value, which is the price the organization would typically pay for it. Example: Lightbulbs donated to our IDS – we collected 277 with a value of $1451 DOLLARS DONATED If you give money towards a project in the form of cash or checks or Venmo. Example: quarters, cash or check to our quarter millennial fund VOLUNTEER HOURS This is the TIME you spend on a project, whether it is working on it, shopping for it, driving to it. All time is counted except for time to and from monthly meetings. Example: Peace Poles – getting together to work on it, 2 hours to complete, 30 minutes to drive to and from your location, going to the installation of the post. I have a sheet I use to keep track of mine. I keep it on my desktop and mark it usually as soon as I am done. To download a copy of Kandace's form click here...
Once you open the form, please download the page to your own files by clicking on this symbol at the bottom of the page.
Message from 1st VP Kandace
"Keep us, Oh God, from pettiness"
Message from Membership VP Amanda
Collect for Clubwomen
Last month we talked about the origin of our Collect for Clubwomen. We say it together every meeting, but do we really pay attention to what it says and take to heart the message that it sends? We are going to take the next few months and think about what the Collect for Clubwomen says about us gathering together as women ~ and how we interact with each other. "Keep us, Oh God, from pettiness;"..... Pettiness....According to Onward Psychological Services, pettiness often describes the actions and behaviors that focus on trivial matters, usually to the detriment of harmony and goodwill. It involves giving undue importance to minor details often accompanied by an exaggerated response. Pettiness can be difficult to identify in part because what counts as petty is based on subjective judgment. Letting go of minor grievances and prioritizing kindness (You know that last line in our Collect!), understanding and choosing a more positive response and going a long way to building stronger, more positive relationships. Kan was a renowned Japanese musician whose name reflects the beauty of an open mind, balance and clarity. The following link is a You Tube playlist of his music for "an open mind, free from pettiness and a quiet day". See if you enjoy the calm peacefulness of his music. Bing Videos When we stand back and take a breath and shift away from pettiness, we free up emotional space for more rewarding pursuits, personal passions and stronger connections with friends and loved ones. Less pettiness and more loving kindness! What a great way to live!!
November 18th
We will be meeting at Holden Beach Chapel
November meeting is hosted by Education & Libraries CSP. Their speaker from Brunswick Literary Council
Also at Our November meeting -- Learn about. . .
She has led the Brunswick County Literacy Council as Executive Director since 2021, combining her marketing and technical expertise to expand the organization’s reach and impact. A longtime professional writer, Melissa has spent more than a decade creating content for agencies, nonprofits, and regional magazines, including Our State, South Brunswick Magazine, North Brunswick Magazine, and Topsail Magazine. Melissa earned both her bachelor’s in English and master’s in Liberal Studies from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She also serves on the County’s Library Board of Trustees and is on the board of the nonprofit, Sunset Vision, in Sunset Beach.
The Education & Libraries CSP will also be collecting gently used books for the Literacy Council. Please bring your books to the November meeting.
Don't miss our November Meeting
All the CSP activities, past and present Upcoming Club's Christmas/Holiday party Gala Update and Gala Budget and much more
Melissa Warren
October 21st
Please click on the this link to see Johnny's plant presentation:
Johnny Randall retired Director of Conservation at the North Carolina Botanical Garden was our speaker at the October meeting. Everyone enjoyed his presentation and it is available for you to view and download. Johnny talked about the challenges to coastal living for landscaping. He explained how important it was to plant native plants from our area for insects and wildlife. He gave us a lot of examples of native, flowers, shrubs and trees that do well here. "The Best time to plant a trees was 20 years ago. The second best time is NOW"
This PDF Plant presentation will be available for you to download until January 1, 2026. It is a large file and takes a lot of storage. Please download the file to your own files by clicking on this symbol at the bottom of the page. After January 1, 2026 you may contact Linda Sturgill for a PDF copy.
Highlights of our meeting: A reminder now is the time to pay our dues. The revisions to our By-laws and Standing Rules were approved Reports from our officers and CSP chairman talking about our upcoming events, how to keep our time and donations for reporting, how to join Legislative Action Center, how to join the GFWC Forum and the Quarters collection for the Woman's Suffrage monument in Washington DC. District 7 and GFWC-NC news and updates We had 5 new members in October: Welcome, Denise Mirandola, Christal Page, Patti O'Connor, Connie Trotter. We are so happy you joined us. We also welcomed our guest Bobbie Rostetter
Did you miss our October Meeting?
Members recently created Christmas items at Seascape Designs and enjoyed a lunch outing.
Festival of Trees
Nov 1 - Linda Sturgill Nov 15 - Rosemarie Rovito Nov 16 - BJ Stephens Nov 19 - Carol Ann Lohman Nov 24 - Debbie Yorio Nov 28 - Donna Geise
Club Information for you
November hosts days of remembrance around the globe. In the Commonwealth, November 11th is Remembrance Day, commemorating the end of World War I. In the U.S., it’s Veterans Day, honoring those who have served in the armed forces. On the fourth Thursday of November, American Thanksgiving brings families together over turkey and pie.
Several club members went to the "Festival of Trees," an event at the Museum of Coastal Carolina in nearby Ocean Isle Beach to decorate our tree. Our tree along many others will be on display from November 6 to December 31. The museum galleries are decorated with the themed trees, and visitors can vote for their favorite and bid on them in a silent auction to support local charities. TAKE TIME TO SEE THEM AND VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE.
It's time to party -- relax and visit with each other! December 16th
Club's Annual Christmas Party
This year we will have an unique Christmas shirt/sweater contest. So... put on your thinking caps and be creative and design your own shirt! Suggested themes: snowmen, reindeer, GFWC, friends, etc. Prizes awarded.
at the home of Linda Sturgill 3637 Natchez Street SW, Supply in the community of SeaScape 6:00 p.m.
an appetizer or dessert to share, A wrapped Christmas decoration valued at $15-$20 for our fun gift exchange game, be prepared to swap your gift! and BYOB.
Bring . . .
UNIQUE
WATCH NEXT MONTH'S NEWSLETTER FOR DIRECTIONS TO LINDA'S HOUSE
On Friday, October 31, 2024, the GFWC of Holden Beach crew brought a burst of excitement to the Annual Holden Beach Monster Mash Trunk-or-Treat! The club joined in on The Teal Pumpkin Project, making Halloween safer and friendlier for kids with food allergies—and spreading some allergy awareness along the way. In tune with the “Finding your Beat, Join the Rhythm” special project, club members donned fun costumes—a bear, chef, pumpkin character, a suffragist, and even Mrs. Claus—and handed out awesome non-food goodies to over 80 kids. These treats celebrated creativity and the joy of the arts! Parents and Trick-or-Treaters loved the fresh twist on Halloween, as the little ones left grinning with buckets full of art supplies, games, play dough, pop bubble fidget strips, and glow sticks.
Trunk or Treat Photos
submitted by Kandace
Monster Mash Magic
GFWC of Holden Beach Brings Artful Tricks and Allergy-Friendly Treats!
Art Festival Guidelines
Ladies - get your projects together to enter into our Art Festival. First place winners will then be submitted to the District Arts Festival in February.
Literature Entries need to be submitted electronically to Holly Coleman (hollyc311@gmail.com) by midnight, December 31, 2025. All other Art Entries will be accepted on January 20, 2026. For more information, click this link...
Clubwoman Crafts Categories - Needlework: Crochet (small – doilies, place mats, etc.) Crochet (large – bedspreads, afghans, etc.) Crochet (garments – sweaters, etc.) Knitting (accessories, scarves, booties, etc.) Knitting (garments only sweaters, etc.) Quilting - Machine (small – baby quilts, pillows, wall hangings, etc.) Quilting - Machine (large – full quilts, pieced or appliqué) Basic Embroidery (on stamped canvas or fabric) Counted Cross-stitch Clubwoman Crafts Categories - Crafts: Jewelry (any single medium or combination) Painting on fabric, wood, metal or other surfaces Nature Craft (dried flowers, etc.) Sequin and Bead Craft (flowers, jewel pictures, Indian beading, ornaments, etc.) Paper Craft (quilling, paper sculpture, Papier-mâché, etc.) Scrapbooking (single page submission only) Glass Craft (stained glass, etc.) Fabric Craft (appliqué, felt/burlap work, wall hangings, etc. – not stenciling) Upcycling (creative reuse is the process of transforming unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality) Open Category: If an entry does not fit in any of the preceding categories, the Crafts Contest Chairman may place it in the Open Category. Clubwomen Visual Art Categories: Oil Acrylic Pen and Ink Watercolor Pencil Mixed Media Clubwoman Photography Contest Categories: The World in Pictures Contest: These photographs showcase the people, places and things at home and around the world that impact our lives in a meaningful way, as expressed in these three categories: Our World Up Close — Create a visual that offers a novel viewpoint or a macro image that takes the viewer into a whole new, tiny world. Natural Wonders — Use wide angles and panoramas, or moody landscape images, to showcase mountains, meadows, sand hills, rivers, waterfalls, oceans, deserts, or any other magnificent vista. Reflections — Feature a setting, situation, or landmark that brings back poignant memories, or capture a fleeting image reflected in glass, water, or another mirrored surface. GFWC Volunteers In Action Contest: These photographs capture the special moments in the lives of GFWC clubwomen as they meet, plan, advocate, volunteer or celebrate, in groups or one-on-one. All Direction/Submission Requirements and Judging Requirements/Criteria above apply. Clubwoman Literature Contest Categories: Short Story : Limited to 2,000 words, any style. (a short story is defined as a story with a fully developed theme but significantly shorter and less elaborate than a novel. It is a piece of invented prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self contain Incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a “single effect” or mood. It deals with a few characters and aims at unity of effect and often concentrates of mood rather Than a plot.) Poetry : Any style with a minimum length of eight (8) lines and maximum of fifty (50) lines. Best Lyric or Narrative
Arts & Culture CSP
submitted by Lisa
Have you ever considered how books are a great way to learn about the community in which you live? Finding books written by local authors is an excellent way to know more and be entertained at the same time. Numerous authors have chosen Brunswick County as the setting for their work. “My Right Hand to Goodness: The Life and Times of Crazy Dale Varnum” by Lynn Cook Betz was hitting the presses just about the time I made Holden Beach my full- time home. Of course, I knew about Dale and his exploits, but the book widened my knowledge. If you travel along Stone Chimney Road, maybe you want to visit Fort Apache. Most fiction lovers know Nicolas Sparks sets several of his books in Southport, and the film settings are interesting sites to visit. If you are in the area, stop by American Fish Company, called Ivan’s Restaurant, where Katie worked in the film Safe Haven. Most readers are aware that Carl Sandburg is an NC native; F. Scott Fitzgerald also had ties to the Old North State. Closer to home are Jill McCorkle, New York Times Best-selling author, and P.M. Terrell – both with Robeson County ties. Clyde Edgerton, Wiley Cash, and Ron Rash set their novels in NC. Although most of the works mentioned are fictional, if you stay in North Carolina long enough you will probably believe that they might hold some truth.
Read North Caroline Books
Lisa Holmes & Robin Langley Co-Chairman
Civic Engagement & Outreach CSP
The Civic Engagement and Outreach CSP is partnering with BCHC to support their fundraising efforts, during Hunger and Homeless Week. Members are providing soup, desserts & bread. Several of our members will be serving the food that day. Please share this information with your community; come out and support this fundraising event to help the homeless of Brunswick County. We encourage monetary donations as well, which can be given to Linda Sturgill. Thank you for your support.
Support BCHC "Soup-to-Go"
submitted by Patti
LET’S DO OUR PART TO REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY!!
submitted by Pam
Environment CSP
Pam Foertsch & Cindy Lee Co-Chairman
National Recycling Day 2025 will be on November 15, 2025. It is a national initiative by Keep America Beautiful to encourage people to recycle and reduce waste. This is a day designated to get inspired, learn, take action, and spread the word about recycling. Taking this to our local level, Brunswick County Solid Waste and Recycling Division’s number one priority is to divert placing anything into the Brunswick Landfill because they are running out of space. No trash has been deposited into our landfill since 1998. Rather, it is primarily used for construction and demolition debris. Brunswick County’s primary waste management company is GFL Environmental Inc. It is the fourth largest environmental services company in North America. Our residents can sign up for GFL’s curbside service or you can drop off recyclables at any of the 13 sites in our County. Our recyclable materials are transported to the recycling transfer station at the Brunswick County Landfill, where they are deposited into transfer buildings and then hauled to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Wilmington for processing. Sonoco Products Company, the operator of our local MRF, sorts and bales recyclable materials such as cardboard, plastics, metals and glass. These are then sold to commodity brokers mostly in the Carolinas, and they will eventually become new products. Sonoco says they successfully recycle 80% of all incoming materials and they say that the remaining 20% wasn’t properly recycled by the homeowners. As I am sure you are aware, plastic bags and film wrap cannot be recycled. The reason is they jam up the sorting equipment at the MRF and this causes expensive stoppages. Brunswick County residents have the option to drop off their plastic bags and film to the recycling receptacles at any Food Lion store.
National Recycling Day
The Environment CSP recently organized a hike at the Green Swamp Reserve, providing members with an opportunity to explore one of the region’s unique natural habitats. Personally, I was hoping for rain, I had so much to do on Wednesday... BUT I’m so happy I went. The event featured a scenic trail that wound through lush landscapes, showcasing native plants and trees. Our tour guide Shannon was very knowledgeable of the area. We enjoyed a morning of exercise, camaraderie, and environmental appreciation, while learning about local conservation efforts and the importance of preserving our natural ecosystems. After the walk, we gathered for lunch and shared reflections on the day’s experiences. This outing not only promoted wellness and outdoor activity but also strengthened our friendship among our members.
submitted by Linda
What a Wonderful Hike
Green Swamp Hike
Venus Fly Trap
Education & Libraries CSP
Nancy McDevitt & Kandace Hill Co-Chairman
GFWC has been a pivotal force in advancing libraries and advocating for women's and children's education by initiating projects that have established hundreds of public and traveling libraries throughout the United States. Evolving from reading groups, GFWC became a major proponent of community library development, particularly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. We maintain our dedication to supporting libraries. According to the American Library Association, GFWC was instrumental in founding approximately 474 free public libraries and 4,655 traveling libraries. And speaking of traveling libraries as a precursor to modern bookmobiles—to extend access to books in under served regions, GFWC-North Carolina began operating traveling libraries in the state as early as 1903. The efforts of GFWC and similar organizations laid the foundation for subsequent book delivery services, such as the Pack Horse Library Project during the Great Depression. Building on this legacy, the WPA-funded Pack Horse Library Project, active from 1935 to 1943, provided essential resources by delivering books to rural Appalachian communities via horseback librarians. This initiative served thousands of families without access to public libraries, with librarians reading to families, sharing news, and supporting literacy efforts. Local clubs continue to champion libraries by implementing projects such as our "Little Free Library,” at Sail Fish Park in Holden Beach. The GFWC's Women's History and Resource Center located in our headquarters in Washington DC is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and promoting the organization's history and the contributions of its clubwomen. The center houses extensive records of the federation's library initiatives, including photographs documenting libraries and bookmobiles.
Judi Stankowich & Donna Geise Co-Chairman
2025 Post Region Newsletter from Mary Pat Marcello, 2024-2026 GFWC Legislation/Public Policy Chairman
Want to learn how Texas planned a visit to their state capital to advocate on an issue.
Legislation and Public Policy
Click on this link to read all about it!
Since its inception in 1890, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) has been a beacon of community-driven activism, uniting its members to address national and global concerns. Over the decades, dedicated groups of GFWC members, acting as grassroots activists, have left an indelible mark on society. Women have concerns about political issues. We have opinions. We want our concerns and opinions taken seriously by our legislators. The GFWC Legislative Action Center is the perfect place to do this in an easy, fast way. Go to votervoice.net/GFWC/home. Current Alerts that you can take action on immediately sending your opinion to your personal legislators are: Protect Kids Online Protect Funding For Victims of Crime Support Funding To Stop Domestic and Sexual Violence Support Global Immunization Programs Support Survivors of Human Trafficking Not enrolled? Not receiving GFWC Legislative Alerts? Use the link above. On the right side look for the words Sign Up For Alerts. Add your email address and zip code and click on the arrow. Next add the requested information. Be sure to check the boxes “Yes, sign me up to receive email updates and action alerts from General Federation of Women's Clubs” and “Remember me.” Those two mean you will receive an Alert when issued by GFWC and your information will be filled in and ready for you to click send. Just think - once you are enrolled, you could send the information to your legislators on the bulleted issues above in less than 10 minutes. Remember to email judistankowich@gmail.com when you take action. This is another free benefit of belonging to GFWC.
ESO Members Favorite Books
Michele Skultety "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr - Is a masterfully crafted novel of a father who encourages his young daughter not to treat her blindness as a weakness and fosters her independence by teaching her to navigate the world through her other senses.
Interesting in joining ESO? Contact Judi Stankowich.
GFWC-HB ESO
Kandace Hill "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee - This novel addresses racial injustice, loss of innocence, and moral growth, inspiring me to advocate for the less privileged and to withhold judgment of others, recognizing that appearances can be deceiving. This book had a strong influence on me when I read it and again when I saw the movie.
I asked all the HB club ESO members to tell me their favorite book and why. See their selections below:
More on the next page...
Judi Stankowich "Gone With The Wind" - read my grandmother's copy as a teenager - her copy was small print, two columns of print per page. The sweeping saga, the characters - I have read it multiple times - wish I still had my grandmother's copy.
Jeri Bills When I think of my favorite book of all time, it’s “Hawaii” by James Michener. A long book like all of Michener’s, it weaves together the stories of several different families: missionaries, islanders, Chinese, lepers- from the formation of the island of Hawaii to modern day. Well, modern day at the time that the book was written, long before cell phones! I still think of some parts of this book, decades after I read it.
Kelly Imbody I don't have a favorite or even a favorite genre as I like so many. So...I will choose Ken Follett's Kingsbridge novels: "The Pillars of the Earth; World Without End; A Column of Fire; The Evening and the Morning; and the Armour of Light". I enjoy them because they are so well researched. I learn something while losing myself in the story. Win! Win!
Jere Blackburn "Year of Wonders", the historical novel by Geraldine Brooks, shows how an English woman copes with the heartaches brought by the Plague of 1666 and is able to make a difference in her world. Awesome!
Linda Sturgill "A Walk to Remember" by Nicolas Sparks - I’m a sucker for a tearjerker with lots of emotions and this book has it all. Set in 1958 North Carolina, the story follows a romance between a rebellious teenage boy and a shy, terminally ill girl who is the devout daughter of a Baptist minister. The story explores themes of love, faith, and loss.
Patti Hogan So many great books; it's so hard to pick one. Here is "a" favorite: "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver. As always Kingsolver's storytelling is enrapturing in this book about a Baptist missionary's family in the Belgian Congo in the 1950s and their experiences in the wilds of post colonial Africa.
Ann Landis My favorite book this year is "Tell Me What You Did" by Carter Wilson. This is his tenth book and it was released January, 2025. It is a psychological thriller that follows the character Poe Webb, a true-crime pod caster who invites anonymous guests to confess their crimes, only to have one claim responsibility for her mother's murder. Carol Gardner and I met Carter Wilson on our African Safari trip. He was beginning his writing career at that time. I think this is his best book, but of course, I love psychological thrillers! My book club has chosen this book for our January read and he is going to ZOOM with us for a discussion! What fun!
Holly Coleman "Gone With The Wind" by Margaret Mitchell - My mother handed me her copy of GWTW the summer after 6th Grade which I did not put down until the last page, solidifying my lifelong love of reading.
Heifer International is offering a NEW project that is in conjunction with GFWC ESO
Heifer International, a GFWC Affiliate, is on a mission to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way by supporting and investing alongside local farmers and their communities. Through donations, animals are given to farmers in poverty areas, that helps them provide food for their families and communities. GFWC ESO is a free program that promotes reading and learning. Heifer has found a corporate sponsor who will donate a flock of chicks for every 2000 minutes logged for reading. You do not have to be a member of GFWC ESO and it’s not only for books. All reading is allowable: you can do audio books, any type of reading, any books, magazines, whatever you normally read. The most important thing is to track your minutes read. For every 2000 minutes read, a flock of chicks is donated on your behalf. The project runs through June 30, 2026. And, of course, GFWC-HB has found an easy way for you to do this - you can log in and track it yourself or just supply Judi Stankowich a list of what you read and how long it took. She will be happy to make your time count. And, it’s not only for GFWC members. You can involve your neighbors, your coworkers and your church. Just be sure to keep a list of who participates so we get credit for their time. For more information on how to participate and how to help others participate, contact Judi Stankowich at judistankowich@gmail.com.
submitted by Judi
ESO & Heifer
Pictures on the next page
October 18th
Highlights: GFWC-NC District 7 President, Sandy Alford presided GFWC-HB had 17 members in attendance. After the thought for the day about nuts... we said the pledge of allegiance, the national anthem sung by Jwantana Frink (a Southport member) and presentation of colors by Southport Fire Department Welcome by Southport from club member Penny Tysinger and Invitation to next District 7 meeting on February 21, 2026 by Kelly Imbody hosted by GFWC-HB. Greetings from GFWC-NC President Karen Throckmorton, Informing us of upcoming state events. Karen also awarded GFWC-HB with the "GFWC Legislative Ladder" Award and "Club Newsletter" award that we won at the GFWC National Convention in June 2025. Greetings from GFWC-NC President-elect Cindy Hewett who brought up-to-date on the new redistricting. Congratulations to the New District Officers for 2026-2028 - listed on the next page Program was presented by Mary Ellen Rogers from Sea Biscuit Wildlife shelter, who kept us entertained with stories about her birds. Sandy presented her with a check from the District. We had a wonderful lunch of Tacos bowls. During lunch many participated in making dog and cat treat bags for local Nursing home pets. Reports from: District 7 Officers GFWC-NC President's Project GFWC Leadership Report Legislation & Public Policy There were lots of fun baskets in the Silent Auction and a 50/50 raffle Don't miss the next District 7 meeting hosted by GFWC-HB on February 21, 2026 held at Brunswick Plantation. Mark your calendars TODAY!
District 7 fall meeting update
Fairmont Woman’s Club, GFWC Cape Fear Woman’s Club, GFWC Lumberton Woman’s Club, GFWC of Holden Beach, GFWC-South Brunswick Islands, North Carolina Junior Sorosis- General WC, North Carolina Sorosis, Shallotte Juniors, Southport Woman’s Club, Whiteville Junior Woman’s Club, Whiteville Woman’s Civic League, Wilmington Woman’s Club
Reports given by GFWC-HB members
New GFWC-NC District Map
Receiving awards from GFWC Convention
Lunch
District 7 Photos
Making pet bags
PRESIDENT-Beth Elliott-GFWC-South Brunswick Islands VICE PRESIDENT-Holly Coleman-GFWC of Holden Beach SECRETARY-Vicki Daughtery-Wilmington Woman’s Club TREASURER-Dawn Whitley-GFWC Lumberton Woman’s Club Director of Jr Clubs-Meagan Bellamy-Shallotte Juniors
Sandy presenting a check to Mary Ellen from Sea Biscuit
GFWC-HB Member attending
Southport Fire Dept
CCWC & GFWC-NC fall meeting update
Eleven members from GFWC-HB went to Raleigh to CCWC (Corporate Champions for Women & Children) where 4 business were honored: Designed for Joy J. Huffman, Dr. Antonio Ruiz and State Employees Credit Union. It was a fun evening.
Kelly receiving the first place award for our Federation Day projects.
Friday, November 7, 2025
Saturday, November 8, 2025
GFWC-NC Executive Board, Karen Throckmorton President and Wendy Carriker, GFWC President-elect
Debbie & Linda Picture Ready!
We attended the GFWC-NC Fall meeting. It was a good meeting, We all enjoyed the Volunteers Connection Showcase. We listened to a Zoom broadcast about the National Suffrage Monument. We learn about America cerebrating it's 250 anniversary in 2026 -- visit america250.org for all the happenings around America for that celebration.
Here's why you should be reading more books!
Reading is a fundamental skill that enriches our lives in numerous ways. Whether for education, entertainment, or personal growth, reading opens doors to new worlds, ideas, and opportunities. Understanding the importance of reading can inspire us to make it a regular part of our daily routine.
Why Read?
There are countless reasons to read, from gaining knowledge and enhancing communication skills to nurturing creativity and well-being. Making time for reading not only benefits our minds but also enriches our lives in countless ways.
Read more... Expands Knowledge and Understanding Enhances Vocabulary and Communication Skills Stimulates Imagination and Creativity Improves Focus and Concentration Reduces Stress and Promoting Well-Being Encourages Lifelong Learning
Read More!