Our last meeting, prior to summer hiatus, will be on May 7th at 10am

Photos

GFWC Florida President, Sara Dessureau has chosen to honor our GFWC Florida Women Veterans through a Flight of Honor. While we honor all of our veterans, Sara wanted to pay special tribute to female veterans in the GFWC Florida organization.

As such, GFWC Florida is sponsoring an all-inclusive flight to Washington, DC. for 172 GFWC Florida veterans in March 2026. This will be the first ALL female veterans Flight of Honor in Florida.

Her goal is to raise $150,000 to cover the costs of not only the flight itself, but all of the hotel and food expenses for both the veteran and their guardian.

Our Scratch-Off Ticket Umbrella was raffled off and won by a lady in attendance. We collected $795 for our President's Flight To Honor project.

Much thanks to Christine Smith for organizing.

👏 👏

GFWC District 7 "FLY IN" Festival of Fashions

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Benefits GFWC Florida Flight to Honor

Dist7 Fest of Fashions.mov

Linda Brantner modeled as a tea bag and Christine Smith paraded as an ice cream cone. Every model had a "backstory" making the fashion show very entertaining.

Induction of New Members was held during our March 5th Meeting. Candi Aubin, GFWC Florida 2nd VP Membership Chairman, from Tallahassee, presented each member with a Rose and a GFWC pin.

pictured l to r: Candi Aubin, new members Michelle Boshears, Connie Jones, Kristi Rehm & Sheryl Johnston, along with Linda Brantner, GFWC The Villages President.

Missing were new members Victoria Baker, Joan O'Donnell, Suzanne Zenkewich.

Induction Ceremony Video

GFWC Induction March 2025 edited.mp4

Fran Musante, Secretary, attended the LEADS TRAINING PROGRAM on Saturday March 1st, 2025

2025 Friendship Tea

Feed My Starving Children (FMSC)

Several members volunteered for two MobilePacks during the month of January 2025.

January 15, 2025

Live Oaks Community Church

The members volunteering their time and effort for the two hour packing shift on 1/15 were Brenda Peters, Adelaide Staton, Judi Taylor, Sandy Kruger, Carol Knoll, Connie Jones and Fran Musante.

2025 Dr. MLK, Jr. Commemorative Breakfast & Scholarship Ceremony

January 11, 2025

Savannah Center

Showing support for this event thru attendance were Ruth Gooding, Mary Ann Dechnik, Marianne Husk, Carol Knoll, Adelaide Staton, Kay Basham, Chris Coene, Teri Gray. Missing from the picture are Joanne Canizaro & Laura Robinson.

One bedroom in the Baker House was decorated for the 2024 Christmas Season by Brenda Peters, Nancy Maxwell and Fran Musante.

December 2024 Events

Judi Taylor coordinated the donation of gifts donated to our Christmas Angels this year during our regular December Meeting.

🎄 🍽️ 🎁

Following the meeting, several members met for a special Holiday Luncheon & Gift Exchange at Miz Kathi’s Southern Cafe in Wildwood, FL, coordinated by Joanne Roller.

November 2024 Events

GFWC The Villages

Special Anniversary Celebration

During the monthly meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6th, four (4) of our members were presented with a special recognition pin for their Years of Service by GFWC International 1st VP Jolie Frankfurth.

Immediately following the meeting, the ladies were honored with a luncheon at the Arnold Palmer Legends Restaurant, hosted by Joanne Roller and attended by many members.

Kay Basham - 25 Years ; Brenda Peters - 50 YearsPresident Linda Brantner ; GFWC International 1st VP Jolie FrankfurthMarianne Husk - 25 Years ; Carolyn Reade - 57 Years

Jean Styles (Treasurer) & Joanne Canizaro (1st VP) with GFWC Florida President Sara Dessureau

District 7 Fall Meeting hosted by the Clermont Women's Club - Saturday, October 19, 2024

Joanne Canizaro (1st VP) with her mentor Gail Hill Smith, member of the Lake Mary GFWC and founder of the Gail Hill Smith Juniorette Leadership Award (top) and Andrea McDowell, District 7 Junior Director. (bottom)

October 2024 Meeting ...

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office Domestic Violence Awareness Advocates gave a presentation which was described as highly informative and insightful. The main goal of the talk was to raise awareness about domestic violence within the Sumter County community. The advocates from the Sheriff's Office provided detailed information about recognizing signs of domestic violence, available support systems, and legal options for victims.

In support of GFWC 2024 National Day of Service, Joanne Canizaro & Judi Taylor organized a Food Drive to support the Wildwood Soup Kitchen. On Saturday, September 28, 2024, several club members shopped for and then delivered many bags of food to the appreciative staff at the Soup Kitchen. Those members who weren't able to attend, previously dropped their bags off at Joanne's home for delivery to the Kitchen.

The Wildwood Soup Kitchen serves the poor, the hungry, and the lonely by providing healthy, nutritious and appetizing meals to all who request it. Meals are delivered to shut-ins and others who are unable to come to the Soup Kitchen, as well as eat-in or take out. Every person who seeks assistance is welcomed, without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, handicap, or income.

September 2024 Monthly Meeting

Joanne Canizaro (2nd VP) hosted our first meeting after the summer hiatus.

The first guest speaker was Karen Meglio from Brighter Lipstick, Bigger Earrings Inc., a charitable organization that collects old jewelry and pieces together earrings to be given to cancer patients who have completed their infusion treatment.

The second guest speaker was US Army MSgt Retired David Booth founder of Combat Veterans to Careers, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of combat veterans by focusing on education, employment, housing and wellness. He was accompanied by Sandee Richmond, Operations Manager, and Olivia Richeson, a veteran who owns Loving Touch Esthetics, a skin and nail salon.

https://combatveteranstocareers.org/mission/

"Lunch at Tiffany's: A Benefit for Ashley's House" (A Transition Home for Female Veterans) was attended by several Club members on July 6th at Colony Cottage.

Operation Shoebox Tour and Packing Day : Several members toured Operation Shoebox at the Lake Miona Rec Center on Monday. June 10, 2024 receiving an in-depth education on process of packing necessities and goodies for our troops.

President Linda Brantner attended the Spring 2024 District 7 Meeting hosted by the GFWC Oviedo Woman's Club on Saturday, May 11th

Secretary Barbara O'Brien (left) wrote, directed, and performed in a play called The Anniversary on May 23rd. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales ($1000.00) was donated to Wildwood High School teacher Dr. Shloe Kerness (center), whose EPIC program is supported by the Club.

At our May 2024 meeeting the newly installed GFWC Florida President, Sara Dessureau, traveled to The Villages to install our new officers for 2024-2026

After a reading of a short script, adapting The Wizard of Oz to GFWC and The Villages in a tale of Leadership, Sara installed the new officers of GFWC The Villages:

Sara Dessureau (GFWC FL President), Jean Styles (Treasurer) Barb O'Brien (Secretary) Joanne Canizaro (2nd VP) Brenda Peters (1st VP) Linda Brantner (President)

Over 300 pairs of gently used shoes were donated during our May meeting to the nonprofit organization "Follow the Need". This organization collects shoes to give a
'hand-up' , not a 'hand-out' , to women in Guatemala. Joanne Canizaro collected and delivered our donations to the project organizer, Lila Vilain, in The Villages.

During the May meeting, our members donated many gift cards, in response to the request by our April speaker from H.O.M.E. (Hands of Mercy Everywhere). These gift cards, to be given as rewards to the girls at H.O.M.E., were collected & delivered by Laura Robinson.

GFWC Florida State Convention

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Rosen International Hotel

Orlando, FL

YOUR NEW GFWC FLORIDA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE for 2024-2026

⬇️

Attendees from our club included

President Kay Basham, President Elect Linda Brantner, Treasurer Carol Knoll & Webmaster Chris Coene

President Kay Basham met up with a few old friends and colleagues from her days as GFWC Junior Director

GFWC Woman's Club of the Villages received 2nd Place Award in Website Design Contest for GFWCTheVillages.org Congratulations to our Webmaster Chris Coene

The Arts & Crafts entry submitted by Fran Musante, Holiday Snowman, took 2nd Place in the Glass Fusion Category

Table Centerpieces for the Saturday Luncheon, Hosted by District 5, were Miniature Replicas of the Cabins at Camp Boggy Creek, President Linda O'Toole's Special Project

April 3rd, 2024 Meeting

Guest speaker at our April 2024 meeting was Tina Talton, the Community Engagement Manager at Hands of Mercy Everywhere (H.O.M.E.), a residential organization that provides shelter and care for homeless and at-risk teenage girls.

Members Judi Taylor and Joanne Canizaro attended the Spring Fling Fashion Show at Restoring Hope Boutique in March 2024. The boutique supports Combat Veterans to Careers.

On March 6th, during our meeting, Missy McCoy, GFWC Florida, gave a talk on her GFWC experiences and then welcomed & initiated some of our new members.

New Members Initiated during our March 6th meeting are Kay Basham, Jane Pritchard & Lynn Valukonis

Linda Brantner, current 2nd VP / President-Elect, initiated new members Sandy Schaefer & Jacki Wasserman during our April 3rd meeting.

NEW MEMBER INITIATION 2024

Several of our members volunteered at our food packing event at

Christ Lutheran Church, Summerfield

on Thursday February 1st, 2024

from 9 - 11am

This was the first of two events this month in which our members volunteered their time.

Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) Mobile Packing Events

Catherine Kelly, Coordinator

Several of our members volunteered at our food packing event at

Live Oaks Community Church, Oxford

on Wednesday February 28th, 2024

from 9 - 11am

This was the second of two events this month in which our members volunteered their time.

Members and invited guests shared pots of tea and several types of breakfast items and sweets during our Friendship Tea

Thank you to everyone for helping to make our Friendship Tea such a wonderful event. It was a pleasure meeting all of the guests.

Member Barbara O'Brien presented a hilarious comedic skit for entertainment during our Friendship Tea.

With sadness, we say "GoodBye" to our current President Cindy Rice, as she begins the next chapter in her life. And a big "Thank You" to 1st VP Kay Basham for stepping into the President role for the remainder of this term.

In appreciation for her service and leadership, Cindy was presented a plaque from Linda Brantner, 2nd VP on behalf of the entire membership.

Florida District 7 Meeting
and Arts & Crafts Competition

Saturday Feb 3rd, 2024

The luncheon was hosted by GFWC Womens Service League of Central Florida at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, 5873 N. Dean Rd, Orlando, FL.

Attended by Cindy Rice (President), Linda Brantner (2nd VP) and Linda Whitenton (Secretary) with Jean Brown, District 7 Director

1st Place : Glass Fusion Happy Snowman submitted by Fran Musante

1st Place : Mixed Media Peacock submitted by Carolyn Olsen

1st Place : Recycled Material Crochet Tote Bag submitted by Carolyn Reade

1st Place & Directors Choice : Decoupage

Jewelry Music Box submitted by Lynn Wennstrom

2nd Place : Recycled Material Crochet Purse submitted by Carolyn Read

January 3, 2024

CERT

[Community Emergency Response Team]

Disaster Preparedness

December 6, 2023

Christmas Angels

Judi Taylor, Coordinator of our Christmas Angels program, collecting the gifts requested by, and purchased for, our selected children

Historic Baker House in Wildwood, Florida

Our members are committed to decorating a bedroom in the Baker House for the

2023 Christmas Season.

https://www.wildwood-fl.gov/parksrec/page/baker-house

Above, Maggie Butler readies supplies at our November 1st meeting

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Below, several members volunteered to finalize the Victorian-era decorations at Maggie Butler's home on Nov 9th.

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Carolyn Olsen and Linda Whitenton hand-painted Victorian-era ornaments

Marge Mangus, Brenda Peters and Nancy Maxwell stringing the popcorn and cranberry bead garland

Members working to string the popcorn and cranberry bead garland

Our decorated bedroom looks wonderful !

Carolyn Olsen, Kay Basham and Adelaide Staton creating dried fruit ornaments

Carol Knoll & Linda Brantner creating 3D Ornaments

Peggy Roberts working on the Pin Prick Ornaments

Members creating beautiful decorations for use during the Baker House Christmas Season.

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Honor Flight

WELCOME BACK VETERANS

November 18, 2023

November 8, 2023

FALL FASHION SHOW FUNDRAISER

Our ladies enjoyed the fashion show, along with refreshments, organized by Catherine Kelly & Joanne Roller, with proceeds benefiting the Wildwood Middle High School.

Catherine Kelly organized a food drive, held during our meeting on November 1st, 2023 to benefit the Salvation Army.

Giving Club Showcase

Ezell Recreation Center October 28, 2023

Jean Styles organized club members in staffing our informational table at this event provided by The Villages.

Salvation Army

Soup-Off

October 17, 2023

Savannah Center

Jean Styles, Catherine Kelly and Denise Wiseman assisted by staffing one of the Registration Tables.

In addition to the roaming ticket sellers, Lisa Johnson & Teri Gray, sold 50/50 tickets at one of two ticket sales tables manned by GFWC The Villages. In total, we raised over $500 for the Salvation Army thanks to the generosity of the event attendees.

We collected FOUR car loads of food for the kids, as well as $504 in cash AND a PowerBall lottery ticket!!! Plus two can openers and lots of personal hygiene items!

The total poundage is . . . . (drum roll, please) 638 pounds of food!!! Holy cow!

Several of our members gathered at the home of Lisa Johnson on August 15, 2023 to clip, trim and organize donated "used" stamps for the Wounded Warriors Veterans group.

The DAR collects the stamps and then sorts them before they are forwarded on to the veterans group to make crafts to help with PTSD.

MAY 3, 2023

BABY SHOWER

supporting the Earn While You Learn program at the Pregnancy & Family Care Center in Leesburg

Nina Miceli, Chris Coene & Linda Brantner prepare table decorations for the upcoming May 3rd Baby Shower

Rachel , from Pregnancy & Family Care Center, gave a moving personal presentation on what she and her team provide for local pregnant mothers.

Civic Engagement Chairperson, Judi Taylor, pictured with Rachel from Pregnancy & Family Care Center, amongst the many baby gifts donated by GFWC The Villages members.

Linda Whitenton, Linda Brantner & Cindy Rice represented GFWC The Villages

GFWC Florida

Spring Convention

Rosen Hotel, Orlando

April 21 - 23, 2023

Theme: Roaring 20s

Cindy Rice and Linda Whitenton with Linda O'Toole and ? from GFWC Florida

GFWC Woman’s Club of The Villages donated $961 to Camp Boggy Creek during their April 5th meeting.

Shown here are Marge Mangus & Carol Knoll presenting the donation to Jacqueline Boykin, gift officer and community relations for Camp Boggy Creek. In addition to the monetary check, a stuffed Bear and several afghans were also presented. Every camper gets to take home a stuffed bear and afghan after their stay at the camp.

New Member Induction Ceremony March 01, 2023

Lisa Johnson - new member, with Denise Wiseman ; Marge Mangus with Joanne Canizaro - new member ; 1st VP Linda Brantner ; Lynn Higgins with Lynn Wennstrom - new member ; Chris Coene with Peggy Roberts - new member ; Mary Ann Dechnik - new member with Marianne Bayer and Ruth Gooding - new member

President Cindy Rice opens the Meeting

FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN MOBILE PACK

GFWC Woman’s Club of The Villages, organized by Catherine Kelly, participated in the meal packing event for FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN on February 23, 2023, Sponsored at the Live Oaks Community Church in Oxford.

Thank you to all members who volunteered . We packed enough food to feed 109 children for a year in less than 2 hours!

February 1st, 2023

December 7, 2022

Christmas Holiday Luncheon

As part of our holiday luncheon everyone attending 'decorated' the tree with their named gift tags. After a Christmas Word game, the ladies left holding the gift bags were the winners!

Jean Styles, Judi Taylor & Lynn Higgins help collect the many donated gifts for our Angel Tree families

Catherine Kelly & Cindy Rice help load bags of donated groceries for our local food pantries

11/12/2022

Salvation Army

SOUP - OFF

GFWC The Villages

Volunteers helping to make the fundraiser a success

GINGER SCHWARTZ modeling her outfit for the evening!

CINDY RICE & CATHERINE KELLY among the volunteers at the Registration table

TERI GRAY helping to arrange the pottery bowls and baskets tables

JEAN STYLES arranging the many gift baskets for auction

November 2022 Monthly Meeting

Thank You Cards for Veterans

Club Member Jean Styles provided materials and instructions for our group

GFWC District 7 Annual Meeting

October 29, 2022

Hosted by GFWC The Villages

Jean Brown - GFWC District 7 Director

Cindy Rice - GFWC The Villages President

Laura Connelly - GFWC FL 2nd Vice President

Jean Brown presenting 'thank you' gifts to Laura Connelly

2022 - 2024 Board Member Installation Ceremony May 4, 2022

(l to r) Jean Brown, District 7 President ; Cindy Rice, President ; Ginger Schwartz, 1st VP ; Linda Brantner, 2nd VP ; Carol Knoll, Treasurer ; Lynn Higgins, Secretary

New Member Induction Ceremony May 4, 2022

(l to r) Lynn Higgins - Secretary, Shan Smith - new member, Kathy Suggitt - new member, Madge Chapman - President, Carol Knoll - Treasurer, Rhonda Hartman - new member, LuAnn Rothlein - new member

Creating Auction Baskets

August 27, 2021

Several members of our group gathered at Sandy Gordon's house in the Village of Pinellas for a Basket Making Party for the Salvation Army's Silent Auction in November. Pictured with some of the baskets are (l to r) Madge Chapman, Linda Brantner, Carol Knoll, Sandy Gordon, Catherine Kelly & Kathy Olen.

New Member Induction Ceremony

June 2, 2021

(l to r) Lynn Higgins - Secretary, Carol Knoll - Treasurer, Madge Chapman - President, Denise Wiseman - new member, Ginger Schwartz - new member, Carol Newton - VP

New Member Luncheon

Federation Day

April 17, 2021

(l to r) Cindy Rice, Denise Wiseman, Lynn Higgins - Secretary, Ginger Schwartz, Madge Chapman - President, Carol Knoll - Treasurer, Carol Newton - VP, Lucy Murphy, Brenda Peters - Former President

Madge Chapman – President and Carol Newton - 1st VP, in costume, perform a cute skit all about the history of the GFWC for our October 2021 meeting.

District 7 Arts and Crafts Competition Placements

2/20/2021 in Orlando

Brenda Peters won 2nd place for Volunteer of the Year.
Barbara O’Brien won 1st place for her Recycled Materials Entry.
Carolyn Reade won 1st place for her Knitted Top AND also took 1st place as Directors Choice Award at the District Level.
Carol Newton won 2nd place for her Cross Stitch Entry
Carol Knoll won 2nd place for her Quilt.

MEETINGS RESUME

after Covid-19

On October 7, 2020, GFWC The Villages resumed meetings after the Covid-19 hiatus. Because of restrictions indoors, it was decided to hold the meeting in the parking lot at Lake Miona Recreation Center. Social Distancing was still the norm and masks were still required indoors.

During this meeting, the new officers for 2020 - 2022 were elected and installed.

New Officer Installation 2020 - 2022

Madge Chapman - President

Carol Newton - 1st VP

Barb O'Brien - 2nd VP

Lynn Higgins - Secretary

Carol Knoll - Treasurer

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