Shop for a Cause - Junior League of Evansville

More documents

Recommendations

Info

10 December 2006/January 2007 Disco, Happy Days and a Decade of Dy-no-mite Signature Projects Written by Melissa Wagner “Stayin’ Alive, Stayin’ Alive, ah, ha, ha, ha, Stayin’ Alive” Saturday Night Fever and disco reigned supreme, even though I preferred the Eagles and Elton John. Since I turned 5 years old in 1970, I have vivid recollections of this era. How many times did I put a rubber band around my bell bottom pants to keep them from getting stuck in my bike chain My mood ring was always blue. I thought my Dorothy Hamill wedge hairstyle would take forever to grow out into my Farrah Fawcett feathered hairstyle. I remember history being made as the Vietnam War ended and President Richard Nixon resigned over the Watergate scandal. Drug abuse was a hot topic, and JLE looked to solve the issues of their generation. Those bellbottomed League girls shifted their volunteer energy and funds into environmental, recreational and historical arenas. The Charity Ball and the Rummage Sale continued as fundraisers. Did you realize that the Rummage Sale was the largest fundraiser and more than doubled the Charity Ball funding in the ‘70s On September 2, 1970, the JLE office suffered a fire in their newly created office. Many items and paperwork were lost in the fire in the Lancaster Building located on South Green River Road. Upon the completion of the Wesselman Park Nature Center, the JLE office was able to take residence there. The working girls of JLE were beginning to feel like the step sisters of the League, with most members still not holding jobs outside the home. The Professionals Committee began an all out force to make the working members aware of what was happening within the League. They held Monday evening meetings before the daytime Tuesday general membership meeting. They had nine teachers, two secretaries, two nurses, one social worker, one decorator and one service representative in their midst. The end of the ‘60s brought the Stockwell Woods survey funded by JLE which proved that the Evansville community had a deep desire to protect the natural land of this area for future generations . JLE then began their work on the Wesselman Park Nature Center. They poured $30,000 into the building and funded an additional $7,500 for interior furnishings. The Nature Center opened in April, 1972. JLE began to focus on historical arenas in the city of Evansville as well. They first demonstrated interest and concern for the Old Courthouse by decorating a Christmas tree in the rotunda and holding a candle lighting service. They then were led to begin an inventory of significant historic buildings in Evansville, along with publishing a book on this subject. The Reitz Home Preservation Society was established to maintain the Reitz Home as a museum. This same committee continued to be busy by creating Kaleidoscope, an art experience for kids at the Evansville Museum. It was a 10 day do-it-yourself art show and creative workshop with lots of hands on art for the children. During 1976, a Recreation Interest Group of the Junior League studied several needs in the city of Evansville. Two very positive things came out of this Community Awareness Committee. First and foremost, recreation facilities for the youth of Evansville were targeted, and as a part of the League’s 50th Anniversary project, the League challenged the city with a grant of $18,000 to build an ice skating facility. This challenge culminated in the original Swonder Ice Arena facility. The second positive item was that the committee met with the city administration to make positive steps towards the merger of the parks and recreation departments. What would Evansville be like without the Junior League of Evansville It is hard to quantify the changed lives of women and children. But if you take a drive down Boeke Avenue, you quickly realize that the landscape of the city of Evansville would be quite different without JLE. Would Wesselman Nature Center be a row of 1970s era housing or an outdated shopping center Would Swonder Ice Rink exist And as you drive to the downtown area, would the Reitz Home be in ruins These treasures might exist without JLE, but I would venture to guess that they would be quite different. With the funds, volunteers AND leadership training from JLE, it is easy to look at the city of Evansville and see just what an impact we have made! Dr. David M. Heuck Dr. Michelle L. Kerr “Start getting well today” 2222 W. Franklin St. Evansville, IN 47712 (812) 425-5686 Fax: (812) 422-0429 Congratulations! Congratulations to Stephanie Boyer, Active, on her marriage to Bryan Wilson on Saturday, September 30th at Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Evansville. Congratulations to Sally Becker, Sustainer, newly elected to the Evansville- Vanderburgh School Corporation school board.
December 2006/January 2007 11 JLE active member Michelle Walker and her children, Layla, 9 months, Brett, 11 years old and Mason, 3 years old, enjoy an exhibit at cMoe's JLE Day on September 21. It’s a hit! Children’s museum opens to rave reviews Written by Janet Keller Five-year-old Alaina Clements wasn’t even in the door yet when she began snapping pictures of her adventure at the Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville (cMoe). “When we were pulling into the parking space, she was so excited. She popped out of her seat belt immediately and couldn’t wait to get inside . . . that is, until she saw Millie the dinosaur outside the building. She HAD to stop, ask me for the camera, and take a picture of her,” said mom Amy Clements. Amy, a JLE active member, and Alaina were taking part in JLE Day at cMoe, an opportunity for Junior League members and their families to get a sneak peek at the museum prior to its public opening. JLE Day was held on September 21. This former JLE Signature Project was a hot spot for Leaguers that day, with active and sustaining members serving as both visitors and hosts. Greeting guests at the door were December Warren and Amy Kolleck, both JLE members who’ve played committed roles in transforming the former Hands On Discovery museum to Evansville’s newest city landmark. Positive comments could be heard at every turn by the many League attendees, both big and small. JLE active member Michelle Walker, busy mother of five children, noted that there seemed to be something for everyone at cMoe. “We were absolutely amazed by the museum,” she said. “Each exhibit did a great job of appealing to the interests of each of my children, even with an 11 year age span.” The Walker children were unanimous in their choice of favorite exhibit: the Live Big section, which explains parts of the human body and how they work. For Alaina Clements, the face-painting station stole the show. In fact, she insisted on wearing her make-up to a restaurant later that evening. When a waitress commented on her artistic look, Alaina replied, “Thanks, I did it myself.” For the individuals who worked to bring Hands On Discovery and cMoe to life, this simple statement is what they’ve worked toward since the museum’s original conception in 1990. Our JLE hats are off to the tireless volunteers, many of whom are current or former League members, who enabled this budding flower to bloom beautifully. We’re proud of the wonderful legacy you’ve left to our area’s children. And to think it all started … with JLE! In Sympathy Sympathy is extended to Christy Elmendorf, Provisional, in the death of her husband, Jerrod Elmendorf on November 4, 2006. Christy’s 3 year old son, Alex, also survives Jerrod along with Jerrod’s sister, Stefanie Wolf, Provisional. Condolences are extended to Diane Schroeder, Sustainer, in the death of her father. Donald Alva Marion passed away on November 7, 2006. Junior League Members, I want to thank everyone that offered their support to our family during this very difficult time. Whether you came to the funeral home, donated to my nephew's education fund or prayed for Christy, Alex and our whole family, we deeply appreciate it. We are blessed to be surrounded by so many loving and caring friends. Christy and I are new to the League this year, and we are just amazed by the support that everyone has shown. What an organization! Thank you so much for allowing us to be part of this unbelievable group of women! We have always been a strong family, and we will get through this, however, please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Stefanie (Elmendorf) Wolf
Page 1 and 2: Highlights of this Issue: Junior Le
Page 3 and 4: December 2006/January 2007 3 Meet t
Page 5 and 6: December 2006/January 2007 5
Page 7 and 8: December 2006/January 2007 7 “JLE
Page 9: December 2006/January 2007 9 JLE Je

Shop for a Cause - Junior League of Evansville

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?