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April 2019

College Club of Buffalo Monthly Newsletter

The College Club of Buffalo Buffalo, NY 14222

716-885-4404

Mission Statement

The College Club of Buffalo is a community of women

who promote the advancement of education through programming,

scholarship endowment, charitable activities, and social interaction.

Happy Spring Everyone!

April is here and with it we hope to see the trees begin to blossom and perhaps a tulip or Crocus will appear. Hoping old man winter finally rests. April finds us with important holidays, two being religious; Passover and Easter. There are other notable days in April. We start off with the silly April Fools’ Day; time for every school age child’s day to play a prank. I think one of the most important days is Earth Day, celebrated on April 22 but actually every day should be earth day. Species are becoming extinct due to mankind. We have three wonderful speakers in April and the Wednesday entertainment is set. Roberta Schlehr, The Vice-President of the Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight will tell us about this wonderful group and how they serve the veterans of WWII and Korea. Maria DiVincenzo will present on April 8. She is an award-winning author and publisher. Her publishing career has included executive roles in sales, marketing and product development. For decades she has worked as an educator, speaker, and coach. April 17 will once again find us watching a film produced by Buffalo State students. Their pilot is a comedy called, Troop 513. Please make them feel very welcome. April 29 will feature Dr. Karen King. She is the Commissioner for Public Advocacy of Erie County and Executive Director of the Erie County Commission the Status of Women. The College Club is closed Easter Monday, April 22. S o, you are free to celebrate Earth Day or Dyngus Day! Don’t forget the Bridge/scrabble days and the movie nights. Stay well, Betty

Officers and Board

President…Betty Kulpa 1st Vice President…Beverly Thomas; 2nd Vice President...Mary Ellen McGowan

Treasurer…Lillian Gondree; Assistant Treasurer…Carolann Besch; Corresponding Secretary and Newsletter

Editor…Rosina Alaimo; Recording Secretary...Pat Krims

Directors: Bonnie Botsford; Nancy Davidson; Barbara Kushinoff; Mary Vacanti

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Monthly Bridge Activities

Party Bridge April 3 Party Bridge is the 1st Wednesday of the month. Please sign up for this event with Linda Franchell (949-7742). Since play begins at 11:00 AM, plan to arrive by 10:45. Bring your smile, your quarter and your lunch. Goodies will be provided. Mark your calendar; Make a sandwich; Bring Mike’s bridge lessons; come and play! If you would like to play, call the hostess of the month to sign up. If you must cancel, call the hostess of the month.

Duplicate Bridge: April 10 Duplicate Bridge is the 2nd Wednesday of the

month at 10:45 AM. Please be on time.

Call Beverly Thomas if you cannot play. Otherwise

you are expected to be there. Desserts are

welcome— Just let Beverly know what you plan to

bring. If you cancel the morning of bridge you will

be expected to provide a sub.

Bridge & Scrabble Luncheon: April 15 12 noon $20.00

Lunch is served at 12:00. Sign-up sheet is available at the Club. Please reserve your seat at a table and for lunch by the Friday before the event. If you need to cancel, call Camille Beecher (at 862-9517). This is important both for an accurate lunch count and to insure that we have 4 players per table. If your game is scrabble, you may sign up at the Club. We need a minimum of 2 players to play. April Hostess—Linda Franchell

Kitchen Bridge 11:30 AM Lesson 12:15 PM Play Bridge

Kitchen Bridge is played on the last Wednesday of

each month. Play begins at 12:15; If a lesson is

planned, the lesson will begin at 11:30. Remember to

bring a lunch and a quarter. Treats will be provided.

Hallie will call potential players to confirm.

Call Hallie Howell at 885-4190 if you wish to sign up

or if you cannot play.

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Cultural, Literary, Educational, and Social Activities

Books into Movies Night 1st Thursday evening of the Month The next meeting for “Books into Movies Night” is Thursday, April 4th at 6:30 PM. We will be watching and dis-cussing Bel Canto. Based on Ann Patchett’s best-selling novel, BEL CANTO is a dramatic love story that follows a famous soprano who travels to a military dictatorship in South America to give a private concert at a party for a wealthy Japanese industrialist. Just as the glittering gathering of diplomats and politicians convenes, the mansion is taken over by a guerrilla rebel group demanding the release of their imprisoned comrades. Threats are made, lives are lost, a tense negotiation begins, and a month long standoff ensues. While they are confined to the house, the hostages and their captors, who speak different languages, are forced to find ways to communicate. Music, especially the beautiful arias performed by Julianna Moore’s charac-ter, a songbird in captivity, sparks a shared sense of comradeship and even love, uniting the disparate housemates as they form unexpected bonds, overcome their differences, and discover their shared humanity. .

Fun Movie Night

Thursday, April 18 6:30 PM

Tonight we will enjoy watching the Oscar award winning movie, Bohemian Rhapsody. Bohemian Rhap-

sody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie

Mercury. Freddie defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved

entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and

revolutionary sound. They reach unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded

by darker influences, shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. Having suffered greatly without the

collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While

bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in

the history of rock music. Queen cements a legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and

music lovers to this day.

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Monthly Program Dinner: Wednesday, April 17

Our monthly program dinners are scheduled for the- 3rd Wednesday of every month. The cost for the dinner is $25.00. Reservations must be made by noon on the Monday before the dinner by calling Carolann Besch at 883-4482. AND, if you must cancel, you MUST call Carolann with that information to avoid being charged for your dinner. **Reservations and cancellations must be made with Carolann Besch at 883-4482.

Wednesday, April 17—Cost $25.00

5:15 PM Wine And Hors d’oeuvres

6 PM—Dinner and Program

Dinner Menu:

Pasta Fagiole

Meatloaf or Salmon Filet

Carrot Cake

Program: Buffalo state students will share with a film project with us. We had a similar program last year which was very interesting. Please come and support these students!

Program Luncheons

This month we have three program lunch-eons planned: April 1st, April 8th, and April 29th. Our tasty lunches are catered by Chef Thomas O’Keefe.

**Lunch is served at 12:00 PM immediately followed by the program.

Carolann Besch is our very capable luncheon reservation manager. Please sign up with Carolann by phone (883-4482) or at the Club by noon on the Friday immediately before the luncheon so she has an accurate count for the caterer. The cost of the luncheons is $20.00. We encourage you to pay by check.

Monday, April 1 Speaker: Roberta Schlehr Program: -Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight Lunch Menu: Beans & Greens: Chicken a la King OR Eggplant Florentine: Chocolate Mousse

Roberta Schlehr is Vice President of Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight. In 2016,Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight re-established as a hub of the Honor Flight Network. Honor Flight is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing veterans with honor and closure. Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight serves 7Counties of WNY, Potter, McKean and Warren Counties in PA and Southern Ontario, Canada. Priority is given to WWII, Ko-rean War Veterans and Veterans with a catastrophic illness followed by Vietnam War Veterans and Veterans from other conflicts. Our plan to take ALL Veterans on future Missions! Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight is preparing for Mission #8 on May 4, 2019. Up to fifty veterans and fifty guardians will participate. Please join us!

Roberta is an educator with over 20 years of experience, holds three NYS certifications; School District Administrator (SDA), Commercial Art and Coordinator of Diversified Cooperative Work-Study. She has completed 30 credit hours in the field of Educational Leadership and earned an MS in Voca-tional Technical Education, BS in Design and an AAS in Visual Communications Technology-Graphic Arts and Printing. Currently, Roberta is a full-time instructor and Department Chair in the Visual Communications Technology-Graphic Arts and Printing department at Erie Community College. She is an active member of the ECC Leadership Academy. She was a teacher at Erie 1 BOCES for 12 years as a Graphic Design Technology instructor. Roberta was involved in the Equity and Diversity Council for the District and was instrumental in developing the Cultural Diversity Committee at the Harkness Center.

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April 8 Luncheon program speaker: Program Speaker: Maria DiVencenzo

Birthday Celebration Luncheon

Lunch Menu: French Onion Soup

Trio Salad Birthday Cake

Maria T. DiVencenzo is an award-winning author and publisher of books for children. Her most recent publications, The Scariest Dream Ever and The Star of Christmas have been recognized with multiple industry awards. As a HarperCollins author, Maria wrote Little House in Brookfield, Little Town at the Cross-roads, and Little Clearing in the Woods, novels depicting the childhood of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s mother, Caroline. Intent on producing exceptional books that delight, inspire and support children, DiVencenzo founded Winterlake Press in 2007. An independent publisher, Winterlake Press uses proceeds from book sales to support children’s programs in schools and libraries. In 2010, Winterlake Press became a founding sponsor of HeroConnect.org, a storybook support program that connects deployed US service men and women with their families back home. Maria lives in Western New York with her husband, four children, and shaggy black schnoodle.

Monday, April 29 Program: Status of Women Speaker: Karen King Karen King is the Commissioner for Public Advocacy of Erie County and Executive Director of the Erie County Commission the Status of Women.

Luncheon Menu Tomato Bisque

Applewood Smoked Bacon or 3 Cheeses on Texas Toast

Banana Cream Pie

The Erie County Commission on the Status of Women connects women with the resources they need to reach their full potential and rec-ommends measures to coordinate, consolidate or expand the resources and services available to women in Erie County. The Commission is comprised of 14 communities. Karen King was ap-pointed to be the head of the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women by Erie County

Executive Mark C. Poloncarz . The office oversees the Commission on the Status of Women, the Office of Equal Em-ployment Opportunity and the Office for the Disabled. As head of the commission, King is responsible for awareness, resources and policy recommendations related to women's issues and empowerment. In her new role, she would be tasked with ensuring fair and equal treatment of county residents without regard to race, sex, religion, age, disability and national origin.

The Buffalo Federation of Women's Clubs has issued a philanthropic challenge to all of its' member clubs, including the College Club of Buffalo. BFWC is calling on all its' clubs to donate new or very gently used Dr. Seuss books in an effort to collect and distribute 1000 Dr. Seuss books by March of 2020. All books are to be donated locally in the Buffalo and WNY area. College Club members can take part either by bringing in books and giving them to Barbara Kuvshinoff or Betty Kulpa OR by donating funds ($5 per book). Any donation checks for the Dr. Seuss challenge should be made out to BFWC with Dr. Seuss/CCB in the memo line. BFWC will track donations from each of its' member clubs and post monthly updates toward the collection total, so let's make College Club of Buffalo proud and plan to donate either books or funds toward this initiative! For more information, call Barbara Kuvshinoff at 553-5722.

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Introducing Chef Thomas O’Keefe

We have a new caterer! And if his first two meals are an indication of the deliciousness of our luncheons and dinner, we have scored a HIT!

We welcome Chef Tom O’Keefe to the College Club. Tom was inspired to cook by his Grandmother who taught him her recipes. He continued to study at Emerson Vocational High School which proves that vocational schools are important. He continued his education at the Culinary Institute of America. He has had a distinguished career. He has worked in many Buffalo and Erie County restaurants and clubs, notably the Buffalo Club and Fanny’s and currently at The Saturn Club. He believes in using seasonal and local ingredients to create his meals.

We look forward to experiencing many memorable meals with Tom.

You can order soup, Entrees, cakes, desserts, and pies for your own entertaining needs from Tom. His contact number is 228-1058.

Membership Form

College Club of Buffalo Payable by April 1, 2019

College Club membership dues are payable annually and due on April 1st. According to our Bylaws, Dues may be paid in full (364.00) by April 1st or in two installments of $182.00 each payable by April 1st and July 1st. Member’s Name__________________________________________________________

______Annual dues of $364.00 _____________ payable by April 1, 2019

______I will pay $364.00 by April 1st and $182.00 by July 1st.

Please make check payable to College Club of Buffalo and Send to:

Carolann Besch

180 Linwood Ave

Buffalo, New York 14209

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The Blanket Brigade

A group of your fellow Club ladies are interested in starting a “blanket brigade” to

further our involvement with the babies at Harvest House. We will be meeting at

the Club on the 2nd Thursday of the month to make blankets. Any kind of blankets!

They can be knitted, crocheted, quilted, or tied. Or any other method may be used -

your choice. If you do not have a particular skill, you can still help by cutting fabric

squares, pinning squares, ironing seams, etc. Also, yarn and pieces of quilting fabric

(child appropriate designs, please) may be donated. All are welcome! Come and

join us on Thursday, April 11th at 10:30 am. This is another chance to help those

children who desperately need us to care.

Member Information

This past winter has not been kind to several of our members who have experienced falls and illnesses. Their day

would be brightened knowing that we are thinking of them.

Mary Akman 154 Meadowstream Dr, 14226; Amherst, NY; 839-9180

Cleo Alexander 126 Brunswick Blvd; Buffalo, NY 14208; 883-0154

Marjorie Girth is currently in rehab. Call Betty Kulpa (837-2504) for the name of the facility.

Birthday Luncheon Special

April Birthday Gals will be the first to experience the new “perk” approved by the Board: “The

Board of Directors supports the monthly birthday celebration and appreciation luncheon.

Beginning the second Monday of April, Birthday

celebrants will enjoy their lunch at half the cost of

the regular luncheon. So, Happy Birthday to our April

Birthday members, Carmella, Barbara, and Marjorie.

We will continue this practice in the future. July

birthdays will be celebrated in June and August birth-

days will be celebrated in September. Our caterer,

Tom O’Keefe, will provide us with a delicious cake to

mark the event. So if your birthday is in April, join us

on April 8th!

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April 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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12:00 PM

Program Lunch

2 3

10:45 AM

Party Bridge

4 6:30 PM

Book into

Movie

Bel Canto

5 6

7 8

10:00 Board Mtg

12:00 Program

Lunch

Birthday Celebration

9 10

10:45 AM

Duplicate

Bridge

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10:30 AM

Blanket

Brigade

12 13

14 15

12:00 noon

Program

Luncheon

16 17

5:15 PM Wine

And Hors

d’oeuvres

6 PM—Dinner

and Program

18

Movie Night

Bohemian

Rhapsody

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20

21

Easter

Sunday

22

Closed

23 24

Kitchen

Bridge 11:30 Lesson

12:15 Bridge

25

26 27

28

29

12:00 PM

Program

Lunch

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Happy Birthday to all our April birthdays!

April 11 Carmela Hanley

April 19 Barbara Kuvshinoff

April 21 Marjorie Girth