December 2010 SCHENEXUS 2010-2011 JLSS Officers President: Deneen Palmateer President Elect: Julie White Eklund Treasurer: Sarah Stotz Secretary: Lindsey Fargnoli Committee Chairs Communications: Leesa Perazzo Community: Kathy Ozimek Membership: Jae Tracey Traci Koppenhafer Ways & Means: Lyn Niemeyer Marilyn Gibbons Nominating: Lisa Grieg Supporting Roles Schenexus Editor: Deanna Fox Sustainer Advisor: Joanne Coppola Barbara Piper NYSPAC Delegate: Kathy Van Allen Holiday BAzaar And Fashion Show A sure Bet for a great time! The 2010 Holiday Bazaar and Fashion Show will be held on December 4th and 5th at the Saratoga Hilton (located at 534 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY) from 9am to 5pm. A very special fashion show will be featured on De- cember 4th at 1:30pm. This fashion show is presented by Saratoga Trunk, a leading boutique and clothier in the Capital District. The 2010 Holiday Bazaar and Fashion Show is sponsored by active member Marilyn Gibbons, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with Weichert Realtors Northeast Group. Additional support is provided by Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Schenectady Ski School, Schenectady Museum, and Step- Mom-Diaries.com. This year’s vendors include Marigolds Fashions, New York Almond Com- pany, Silpada Fashion Jewelry, A Touch of Glass, Sistah’s Vintage Aprons, Saratoga Trunk Fashions, Lloyd Spears Honey and Bee Products, Anja Shaw Jewelry, Arbonne Beauty, Miche Handbags, Sisters Candles and Gifts, and Jewelry by Donna Marie. Come shop for your whole gift list, and while you are at it, stay to experi- ence complimentary make-up sessions, chair massages, and much more. This event coincides with Saratoga Restaurant Week. After a day of shop- ping, enjoy a delicious meal at a fabulous area eatery. For more informa- tion on participating restaurants, please visit http://www.saratoga.com/ news/restaurant-week.cfm. Tickets have been distributed to our members for sale. If you are unable to sell any tickets, please return them by December 1st. Our target is to at- tract over 1,000 guests, and we need your help to do so! More information on the 2010 Holiday Bazaar and Fashion Show is avail- able at http://g-revisions.com/jlss/2010. For further details, or to request more tickets, please contact Lyn Niemeyer at [email protected] or Marilyn Gibbons at [email protected]. We hope to see you all there!
Holiday BAzaar And Fashion Show A sure Bet for a great time!
The 2010 Holiday Bazaar and Fashion Show will be held on December 4th and 5th at the Saratoga Hilton (located at 534 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY) from 9am to 5pm. A very special fashion show will be featured on De-cember 4th at 1:30pm. This fashion show is presented by Saratoga Trunk, a leading boutique and clothier in the Capital District.
The 2010 Holiday Bazaar and Fashion Show is sponsored by active member Marilyn Gibbons, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with Weichert Realtors Northeast Group. Additional support is provided by Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Schenectady Ski School, Schenectady Museum, and Step-Mom-Diaries.com.
This year’s vendors include Marigolds Fashions, New York Almond Com-pany, Silpada Fashion Jewelry, A Touch of Glass, Sistah’s Vintage Aprons, Saratoga Trunk Fashions, Lloyd Spears Honey and Bee Products, Anja Shaw Jewelry, Arbonne Beauty, Miche Handbags, Sisters Candles and Gifts, and Jewelry by Donna Marie.
Come shop for your whole gift list, and while you are at it, stay to experi-ence complimentary make-up sessions, chair massages, and much more.
This event coincides with Saratoga Restaurant Week. After a day of shop-ping, enjoy a delicious meal at a fabulous area eatery. For more informa-tion on participating restaurants, please visit http://www.saratoga.com/news/restaurant-week.cfm.
Tickets have been distributed to our members for sale. If you are unable to sell any tickets, please return them by December 1st. Our target is to at-tract over 1,000 guests, and we need your help to do so!
More information on the 2010 Holiday Bazaar and Fashion Show is avail-able at http://g-revisions.com/jlss/2010. For further details, or to request more tickets, please contact Lyn Niemeyer at [email protected] or Marilyn Gibbons at [email protected]. We hope to see you all there!
SCHENEXUS JLSS ~ December 2010
A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.
A Message from our President
Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart. – Elizabeth Andrew
As we enter this holiday season, it is even more important that we give thanks and this year, I have decided to give thanks for the word “but”. I recently decided that it has become one of my favorite words. Why?
It is simple really – often League members are tasked with calling volunteers to ask if they will do something for the League, whether it is baking cookies for the City Mission, making lunch for those work-ing at the new Habitat for Humanity homes, donating holiday deco-
I am so busy, I am not sure what I can do, but… I have so much going on, but…Work is crazy, but…My family life is just so hectic, but…
And it is always the words after “but” that are my favorite, and those are:
Of course, I can make cookiesYes, I will make a lunchYes, I have decorations I can donateI will definitely be there
And my favorite “but” this year is:
But, yes I will sell my tickets and support The League
Without all these “buts”, the League could not sustain its mission. It is vital that each of our volun-teers commit to continuing their volunteerism by supporting each of our events and most impor-tantly our funding which allows us to continue to build better communities. I am so glad to be a part of this organization of women that truly prefer to use the word “but” instead of the word “can’t”!
Truly, we are all busy but… This year, what will be your “but”?
rations for our holiday event with CAPTAIN, attend a meeting, or sell tickets for our Holiday Bazaar and Fashion Show and what is surprising is the words we often hear. These words:
Happy Holidays from the Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties Officers
SCHENEXUS
A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.
JLSS ~ December 2010
To submit news, please contact Deanna Fox at 527.8448 or [email protected]
JLSS Membership By The Numbers
Each year, our League welcomes new members in with open arm. Likewise, we must also say goodbye to dear members who have become our friends and partners in service. Here is a snapshot of the Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties, by the numbers.
Membership:
The JLSS has a total membership of 194 women. This breaks down as:
Two members have transferred out of our Junior League. These members are Jacqueline Baker (to the Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk, CT) and Kori Kaufman (to the Junior League of Boston, MA).
Five members have transferred into our Junior League. Our new transfers include Brook Parry (from the Junior League of New Orleans, LA), Margaret Gorman (from the Junior League of Troy, NY), Susan Hub-bard (from the Junior League of North Harris and South Montgomery Counties, TX), Katrina Lucas (from the Junior League of Washington, DC), and Summer Immer (from the Junior League of Central and North Brevard, FL).
JLSS Represented at NYSPAC Conference
Thank you to Kathy Van Allen and Denise Mur-phy McGraw for representing our membership at the NYSPAC Fall Conference this year. NYSPAC is the lobbying arm of the Association for Junior Leagues International.
A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.
JLSS ~ December 2010
JLSS Holiday Party
The JLSS Annual Holiday Party will be held Saturday, December 4th at the Saratoga Hilton (534 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY) from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Volunteer to work and shop for gifts during the day at the Holiday Bazaar and Fashion Show (also held at the Saratoga Hilton), and celebrate the holiday season with other Leaguers during the evening. There will be food and music, and our Holiday Bazaar vendors will be offering exclusive deals for Junior League members and their guests. See something at the Bazaar on Saturday morning and bring your date back for the party to drop a heavy hint! Tickets are $25 per person and cover heavy hor d’oeuvers. Please contact Deneen Palmateer at [email protected] to RSVP or for more information.
A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.
SCHENEXUS JLSS ~ December 2010
Spotlight On: Helen GeorgeHelen George is a sustainer member of JLSS, and served twice as our president. Our current president, De-neen Palmateer, had the opportunity to chat with Mrs. George shares her experience here.
What were the reasons for your decision to originally join the Junior League? Right after college, I received an in-vitation (that is how is was done in the 1930s) to join. I was unfamiliar with the Junior League but thought it would be a great opportunity to meet other women. Initially I joined the Junior League of Youngstown, Ohio and in 1934 when I relocated to the Schenectady area, I transferred my membership to the Junior League of Schenectady.
Throughout the years, the Junior League has completed many community projects, was there a particular one that held special meaning to you? All of our projects throughout the years are special. I would have to say Family & Child Services of Schenectady because that was my very first job after moving to the region. I would also have to say that we did projects with Proctors and my biggest job I had and the most responsible was when I served as President of the Proctor’s Board of Directors. I also served as President of the Schenectady Child Guidance Clinic which was founded because of the need for services to the mentally handicapped.
How has your volunteer experience with the League helped to enrich your personal life? I can’t tell you exactly how many friends and business contacts I made throughout the years as a result of my Junior League member-ship but it is immense. My membership gave me many new experiences and new opportunities to meet women who wanted to help create a better community and also to meet those with influential power to make these things happen. How has your volunteer experience with the League helped strengthen your professional life? When I first came to the Schenectady League, we were required to donate 2 days a week to working at the Family Welfare Bureau (what is now known at Family & Child Service of Schenectady). That volunteer experience eventually led to a paid position at the Bureau and later a board position and eventually led to my serving as President of their Board of Directors. These positions then led to my serving on a variety of other community organizations.
As a sustaining member, why would you suggest that women join The League? I would suggest that they join the League for the opportunities it provides to serve the community and to increase awareness of community needs and projects, while at the same time, your membership helps in creating long term friendships and contacts. Many of the women in my life are a result of my membership within the Junior League.
What other community organizations are you affiliated with? Goodness, there are so many, to list just a few: I served on the board of directors for Proctors, Family & Child Service of Schenectady, Schenectady Chamber of Commerce, Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Club, YWCA, United Way, Ellis Hospital Foundation, Niskayuna Founda-tion and also served on the Human Services Planning Council. I also served as President of the Schenectady Child Guidance Clinic which was founded because of the needs for services to the mentally handicapped. I was extremely fortunate because when I was becoming involved in the community, there was a strong leadership call for women to become members of community organizations and I was often asked and very
often accepted these wonderful positions.
SCHENEXUS
A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.
Sabrina HartleyProvisional
JLSS ~ December 2010
Sabrina Hartley was raised in Brooklyn and Rockland County. She attended Russell Sage College for Women in Troy and received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her Masters of Arts in Teaching degree in Secondary English Education. Since college, she has permanently moved to the capital district and married Blaise Hartley. Sabrina now works within the Enlarged City School District of Troy, NY. Her hobbies include being an Assistant Coach to the RPI Ballroom Dance Team, Geocaching whenever possible, and traveling within the United States.
Kimberly Campbell-Deso, an alumna of UAlbany, is currently pursuing an MBA and is VP of Sales and Marketing for Celtic Tours World Vacations. Kim is also owner of Inspire Center and worked in the jewelry industry for many years. Her interest in community service began in the 1990s with the Connecticut Junior Woman’s Club, Inc, where she was named “Rookie of the Year. “ She has served the Capital Region as a volunteer with many organizations, and loves spending time with her son, dog, and by writing, art and traveling.
Kimberly Campbell-Deso
Provisional
Getting To Know You
Eager-Leaguer RecognitionOur Eager Leaguer award goes to Kathy Van Allen. Kathy is one of our most senior actives and has served the League in many capacities over the years, putting in hundreds of hours of volunteer time. In addition to volunteer-ing for stints as secretary and Communications chair, she has acted as our NYSPAC representative for the past several years. NYSPAC is AJLI’s lobbying arm, and Kathy has served as our representative during advocacy days at the state capital. Although she is currently working two jobs, Kathy remains devoted to the League and its aims. Thank you, Kathy, for your hard work and devotion!
SCHENEXUS
A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.
JLSS ~ December 2010
JLSS ~ October 2010
Get Involved!
Volunteers needed to help paint the kitchen at Mechanicville Area Community Service Center on Super Volunteer Saturday, January 15 from 9 am until done (most likely noon). For more information contact Patty Christensen at 518-669-0664. Kathy Ozimek will be choosing paint colors for the kitchen, and would appreciate input from others. The Mechanicville Area Community Servce Center is an amazing community resource and
Get Involved!Get Involved!Painting Volunteers Needed for Community Center
serves well over one thousand people per year. This organization is very much in need of our help. Check it out at http://www.mechanicvilleacsc.org
Our community partner CAPTAIN is currently accepting donations for their holiday toy shop. Toys must be new and unwrapped. CAPTAIN is also ac-cepting donations of wrapping paper and other ephemera. Parents who receive CAPTAIN services are able to come in and shop for toys on the Friday before Christmas. They also provide parents with wrapping paper so that they can take part in the gift. For information on participation, please con-tact Kathy Ozimek at [email protected].
CAPTAIN’S Toy Shop Accepting Donations
The League has adopted a Saturday evey month to provide desserts to the City Mission. Our fabulous Sustainer Advisor, Joanne Coppola, has kindly offered to deliver the desserts. All we need are four volun-teers to offer to bake 25 individual items. Items can consist of brownies, cookies, cupcakes, etc. but they must be individually wrapped so that they can be handed to each of those who arrive for a meal that day. Please contact Joanna Coppola at [email protected] or 346-9019 if you would like to volunteer to bake. During these tough economic times, it is important that we assist other organizations in helping those less fortunate, so please volunteer.
Baking Continues for City Mission
Our CondolencesOur deepest symapthies are extended to the family of Marie H. Pletenik. Marie passed away on October 20, 2010 at the age of 82. She was a lifelong resident of Schenectady, NY and was vital in improving our community. Marie was an elementary school teacher in the Schenectady School District for many years. She was married to Andrew, and had two daughter (Betty Castle and Jeanne Shoulder). Marie devoted her life to community service and was actively involved with many organizations, including Ellis Hospital, Family and Child Services, and our very own Junior League. Memorial contributions can be made to Community Hospice of Schenectady or Northeast Parent and Child Society. Marie will be missed by all that knew her, especially through our League.
SCHENEXUS
A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.
JLSS ~ December 2010
Provisional Class Off to a Great StartThe Membership Committee is pleased to announce that for the 2010-2011 year there will be two separate classes Fall and Spring. The strong recruiting efforts of our membership over the summer months proved successful once again and our Fall class is already well under-way. On Sunday, September 26th, the 2010 Provisional Class was welcomed with a Ladies' Tea and Training Retreat held at Ellis Conference Center. The 2010 Fall Class, numbering 16, had already started on their project and we look forward to announcing the details soon. Special thanks to Paula Ohlhous, Beth Frear and Julie White Eklund for their extra efforts in making the training event such a success. We would also like to thank our Board Members as well as Joanne Coppola, Denise Murphy McGraw and Sue Malinowski, Executive Director of CAPTAIN, for their special presentations. The class is energize and excited as a direct result of such a dynamic and informative day. Our Spring class will begin in February. Keep a look out for those special
women in your life that would be a good fit for our league and forward their contact information to Traci Koppenhafer at [email protected] or 518-810-4854. We would love to have them at our next event.
SCHENEXUS
A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.
JLSS ~ December 2010
Decorations Needed for Holiday Drive
Looking Back
From the Schenectady Gazette on April 15, 1959: Directing League Activities - Mrs. Jack D. Byrne, re-elected president of the Junior League of Schenectady, is pictured 3rd from left, with executives for the coming year at the annual meeting held Monday evening at the Hotel Van Curier. Left to right are, Mrs. J. Donald Schutt, recording secretary, Mrs. John Ericson, vice president, Mrs. Byrne, Mrs. Andrew Pletenik, treasurer, and Miss Adelaide Brown, corresponding secretary.
Do you have holiday decorations piling up in your attic? Decorations that have not been hung in years, that are just waiting to be put to good use again? If so, the provisional class would like your help! We are throwing a Holiday Ex-travaganza for underprivileged children in the Clifton Park Turf Hill Community on December 11. We are currently look-ing for decorations that will help liven up their community center for the event. As a means to keeping costs down, we are hoping to find members of the Junior League who are willing to either donate or loan decorations for the day. At the end of the event, any donations will be given to either CAPTAIN (if they are able to use them at another location) or a local domestic violence shelter, where they will continue to liven up the holidays. We are planning on a color scheme of blue, white, and silver, so anything along those lines would be wonderful! We are looking for lights, garland, ornaments, tinsel, wreaths, centerpieces, wall hangings, and more! If you have decorations you believe may be of use, please contact Stephanie Hunter at [email protected]. Your help in raising the spirits of local children is greatly appreciated!
Dates To Remember!
December 4/5 Holiday Bazaar and Fashion Show, 9am-5pm Saratoga Hilton, Saratoga Springs NY
December 4 JLSS Holiday Party, 5:30-8:30pm Saratoga Hilton, Saratoga Springs NY
Now Through Holiday Donation DriveDecember 11 See inside for details
Now Through CAPTAIN Toy Shop DonationsDecember 17 See inside for details
January 15 MACSC Painting, 9am-12pm See inside for details
January 15 City Mission Dessert Donation See inside for details
JLSS Mom’s Group Survey
With our growing number of moms in JLSS, we’d like to start planning a few kid-friendly events throughout the year. If you have (or are expecting!) children, please complete this short survey, to help us understand how old your kids are, and the types of ac-tivities that you’d like to see offered. Please share your thoughts at http://www.survey-monkey.com/s/V76PQVH
Our Mission
The Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the
effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
Non-Profit OrganizationUS Postage
PAIDPermit #460
Schenectady, NY 12301P.O. Box 857 | Schenectady, NY 12301
