Santa’s Castle
Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who came out during snow, sleet, and freezing temperatures to assist Santa and his Castle. It was a great year at the Castle.
This year we had about 2500 peopl who enjoyed visiting with Santa. The Antioch Woman’s Club took 755 pictures.
We received $1398.00 from our portion of the pictures and donations. This money will be used for our scholarship fund.
See you at the Castle in 2009
Jean Haling and Mary Beth Walsh
Home Life ~ Health
Sue Lengvenis
OSTEOPOROSIS ~ By Dee Zehren
Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bones become weak and porous due to loss of minerals. They lose their density, often leading to fractures, most often of the hip, wrist and spine. As bone cells break down, new bone cells are rebuilt. With age, more bone is resorbed than replaced, until a fracture threshold is reached. This is the point at which they are likely to break when subjected to moderate stress, a fall or even a strain that would not normally cause a fracture. Sometimes a fracture may not even be detected until later.
There are some risk factors that make some people more susceptible to osteoporosis than others:
GENDER: Women, especially white women are 6 to 8 times more affected than men.
AGE: It is more common in those over the age of 45-
MENSTRUAL STATUS: Those with early menopause, hysterectomy, or irregular menstruation are most often affected.
SMOKING, ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION, CAFEINE USE, SEDENDATRY LIFESTYLE, FAMILY HISTORY, SMALL BODY FRAME
LONG-
MEDICAL DISORDERS: Such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, estrogen deficiency, and overactive adrenal or thyroid glands.
There are no “symptoms” of osteoporosis. Unless diagnostic testing is done, people
may be unaware they have it until a fracture occurs. A combination of bone scan
(DEXA-
Osteoporosis is preventable for most people and risk factors can be reduced in others. Prevention involves several aspects including nutrition, exercise, lifestyle modification, and early screening:
NUTRITION: A diet high in calcium and vitamin D and adding these supplements when necessary. Some studies show that the minimum requirements for vitamin D should be increased from 600 mg to 1200 mg daily. Check with your doctor.
EXERCISE: Physical exercise increases bone density and strength. Weight-
LIFESTYLE: Smoking prevents the absorption of calcium and estrogen, while alcohol consumption is related to poor nutrition and increased risk of falling.
There are currently several different types of medication used for the treatment
of osteoporosis. Always check with your doctor to see which one is right for you.
Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is often prescribed for post-
Along with exercise, diet, and/or supplements high in calcium and vitamin D, adequate treatment can slow or even stop the progression of osteoporosis. As always, check with your doctor before embarking on new therapies.
References:
Healthscout.com
Emedicinehealth.com
Boniva.com
Heart saver CPR
Heart Saver CPR is offered by the Antioch Fire Department. The class is 4 hours and is at the Antioch Fire Station 1. (Corner of Orchard & Holbek) Cost is $20.00
Dates are: (Wednesday evenings)
February 18; April 15; June 17;
August 19 and October 21
Call 847-
Card Ambassador ~
Maria Anderson (847-
During the past two months I send get well cards to Marjorie Charlton; Nanci Sorensen; Anna Hansen; Eunice Rawson; Belinda Dittman; Joe Leonhart (Jeannine's husband); Oliver Walker (Laura's husband) Bernie DeVries (Margaret Cole’s father) and Barbara Beese. Our club lost to dear members Eleanor Walsh and Esther Jacobsen. Several of our sisters also lost family members: Dee Costello her brother and sister; Aileen Biel a new born baby grandson; Vi Walsh Mattson her daughter; Margery Heddens her sister; Ellen Tossey her brother; Edna Barr her sister; Florence & Al Pedersen his sister; and 10th District past President Joyce Spencer her husband Roger. I also send cards during the holiday season to our Honorary Members to let them know we care and think of them. Many thanks to Mabel Lou Weber, Carol Van Patten, Elfriede Hansen, Karen Erb, Linda Valentino, Margaret Cole, Kay Blake, Nancy Zitkus, Allene Nelson, Eunice Rawson and Carol Maplethorpe for taking time to let me know of the needs of our club members.
Winchester House~
Mary Ware
On January 13, with all the snow and cold temperatures, seven Women's Club members made their way to Winchester House to give a birthday party for 19 residents, plus some extras that just wanted to have some fun.
Many, many thanks to Sally Todd, Mabel Lou Weber (who provided the entertainment
with a great singalong that the residents really enjoyed), Pat Rung, Dorothy Volkert,
Claudia Smith, and Susan Knudson. I really appreciate your coming out and helping
to make such a successful party and guiding a novice like me get through the procedure.
Membership ~ Mary J. Baehler
Welcome to new member:
Fran Molloy: 35308 N. Lake Shore Rd.
Ingleside, IL 60041
(847) 587-
Fran has 20 grandchildren and taught for 20 years in Chicago. She now spends her free time singing in the CLC choir and at St. Bedes Catholic Church. She also paints with watercolors.
Sponsored by: Jean Haling & Audrey Lyle
We lost 2 long time members: Esther Jacobson on October 27, 2008 and Eleanor Walsh on November 29, 2008.
Please make the following changes to your club yearbook:
ADD Shirley Simek to the Veterans Committee
ADD phone number for Sigrid Brueggemann on page 17 it is 847-
PHONE TREE correct phone number for Arlene Hauck is 847-
EMAIL change for Karen Noland it is karenonthelake@comcast.net
EMAIL change for Mary Pejiril it is
MaryPejiril@att.net
ADDRESS CHANGE Pat Groh; P.O. Box 611; Antioch IL 60002
Membership as of January 23, 2009
137 Active
32 Active Honorary
24 Honorary
193 Total
Please report any address, phone or email changes to me at (847) 395-
Email: mjs296@sbcglobal.net
Public Affairs ~ Susan Straley
Thank you for your generous Christmas donations for A Safe Place. Estimated retail value of the gifts was $8025. The recipients were extremely grateful for our assistance.
At the February, March, and April meetings, we will be collecting food pantry donations. February’s collection will be for A Safe Place. Open Arms Mission will receive the donations made in March and April. As you know, food pantry needs are great this year given the state of the economy. Your continued generosity will be most appreciated.
The Public Affairs Committee has a new member. Terry Terlap has volunteered and was most helpful in the collection and delivery of Christmas donations. Thank you, Terry.
Postage Stamps
Sigrid Brueggemann and Lorraine Oren continue to collect and forward postage stamps to the Franciscan Sisters. Remember to leave at least ¼ inch on all four sides of the stamps. Foreign and Commemorative stamps are more valuable if there is a Postmark on them, but United States stamps do not need one. A collection bag will be set up on the Information table at the monthly meetings.
Coupons
Karen Schnur has a collection bag on the Information table at the monthly meetings to collect coupons for military families. Please remember to sort the coupons into five categories: (1) Baby Products, (2) Food, (3) Health and Beauty, (4) Household Goods, or (5) Pets. Please place in an envelope labeled with the appropriate category and write the number of coupons enclosed on the outside of the envelope. Include your name and the number of hours you spent on this activity. Coupons must be within 3 months of the expiration date.
Veteran’s Affairs
The first Monday of the month, volunteers from our club will car pool to the North Chicago Veteran’s Medical Hospital to play Bingo and serve a treat to the veterans. Please contact Betty Schneider if you are able to participate in this worthwhile activity on March 2, April 6, or May 4.
Stamp Information
In early January, 2009, over 8,000 stamps (including about 5,000 foreign stamps donated
by Sigrid Brueggemann) were mailed to the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart
in Frankfort, Il. They sell these to collectors and the monies are used to support
their missions in Brazil. Seventeen members and several anonymous donors contributed
these stamps. They were Allene Nelson, Kitch Pecci, Florence Pedersen, Pat Smith,
Betty M. Schneider, Nancy Morici, Sue DeRoche, Jean Robinson, Carol Maplethorpe,
Mary Ware, Marlene Coia, Pat Forth, Edna Barr, Nancy Zitkus, Karen Noland, Sigrid
Brueggemann and Lorraine Oren. Again, thanks to all to help in this endeavor and
remember to please put your name on your package of stamps so you can get the appropriate
credit and please remember to leave one-
Lorraine Oren
Sub-
Ways & Means ~ Laura Walker
Las Vegas Game Day
Fundraiser Luncheon
Tuesday, April 21st at McHenry Country Club
(Flyer included in this newsletter)
The Christmas Luncheon and Silent Auction was held on December 10, 2008 at Maravela’s Restaurant. It was estimated that 150 members and friends attended the event. The members donated items for bid at the silent auction which amounted to a profit of $1,689.00. This year it was decided to raffle off the very popular electronic game, Wii. The committee spent many hours organizing and distributing tickets for this item. However, it was well worth the time and effort put forth, because we made a clear profit of $1,420.00. A 50/50 Raffle was also conducted and made another $318 profit.
Domestic Violence
Woman's Story
My husband and I were high school sweethearts and drifted apart when we went to different colleges. When I met him again, I quickly fell in love and we were married in three months, after all I'd known him for years. It was totally romantic, he had a good job at the local school, and my parents liked him.
Shortly after we were married, I became pregnant and gained a lot of weight. I continued working, but after my daughter was born, I soon became pregnant again. Joe was very happy and said that I should be a stay at home Mom, which I thought was great.
After I had my son, Joe said at a family gathering that I disgusted him with my weight. After we got home, I told him I didn't like what he said and he made me cry. That just made him get angry with me and he left the house. He didn't come back until almost morning.
Joe works pretty long hours so when he comes home he likes everything to be in order. He has a pretty quick temper and can hold a grudge if things don't go right. I try to make sure everything is peaceful when he gets home.
Once Joe got furious with me after a party with friends. He said I was flirting. When I really wasn't, we were just laughing and talking. When we got home he just lost it. He was screaming at me and shoved me into a corner. He kept hitting the wall by my head and yelling that I was a slut. He kept it up for a long time and then ordered me to "get out". I cried and sat in the garage all night, He was very apologetic after that night for awhile. He was sorry that he got so upset.
But after that things got only worse. Now he calls me stupid, fat or lazy in front of the kids or anyone else around.
I'm so tired of the yelling and screaming and hitting. He actually hit me so hard, I fell down, and then he kicked me. I was so afraid.
I told Joe that I wanted to leave him. He got really hard and cold sounding. He said go ahead but the kids were going to stay with him in the house. I had nowhere to go and no money. I couldn’t go and leave my children.
After that night, it took very little for him to hit me. He does it now in front of the children. He has taken away all the money we have and gives me barely enough for groceries. One particular bad night after being hit, I called the police. They could see my black eye and bruises and took him to the police station. He spent the night in jail. The police wanted me to go to the hospital, but I was so used to the bruising, I didn't see any reason to go. They wanted me to testify against him. But since he would already be fined a $1,000, would have to hire an attorney if he went to court for a violent act. And the possibility of his losing his job at school, I did not press charges and the case was dropped.
My girlfriend asked me why don't I leave him? But where would I go and what about the children? I have no money. If I went to one of those "homes" it would mean the children would have to change schools, lose their friends and the house they grew up in. There would be no money for college or to keep up with their sports.
Today we took our son to college (my daughter was already gone) and Joe and I stopped for
dinner on the way home. I told him that now I was definitely leaving him. I had already lined up a job to start next week and would move in with a girlfriend until I saved enough for my own place. I wanted nothing from him. My clothes were already packed and when we got home, I ran in to get my bags and there he was. I never got a chance at my new job. He beat me to death that night.
You ask me why I stayed so long? And why I didn't just leave? When should I have done that? It sort of sneaks up on you, at first it doesn't seem that bad and you want to keep the family together. Later when it gets worse, it's harder to leave, there's so much fear that you just can't do it. After all, for years I'd been told how terrible and worthless I was. And when I finally thought I could do it, it was too late. I just hope my daughter won't think this as an acceptable life style with her husband or that my son will learn how to control his anger.
At what point in this story should she have left? Any comments will be appreciated; we will put them in the next Newsletter.
Audrey Lyle
Email your comments to:
Audrey.max.lyle@sbcglobal.net
Or mail them to:
39934 Fairway Drive; Antioch IL 60002
Or call 847-
State Board Meeting Report
GFWC Illinois State Board Winter Meeting
Americinn/Wise Guys, Princeton, Illinois
Friday, December 5 & Saturday, December 6, 2008
Prepared by Mabel Lou Weber, GFWC Illinois Public Affairs Chairman
The meeting opened in regular form by the Executive Officers of the 2008-
Lou Brown, GFWC Illinois Leadership Chairman, gave an interesting presentation on CODE OF CONDUCT. All present received a copy of her report and I have made several copies. If you would like one, please see me. I think it is beneficial for us to review these statements.
Jackie Pierce, Parliamentarian, also presented a clever skit called “Presenting A Report”. It was something I think it would be fun to do for our club.
The Regional meetings were discussed and our NORTHERN REGION MEETING is March 21, 2009 at Manzo’s Banquets in Des Plaines. The cost is $20.00 and includes lunch and materials. (Sign up form included in newsletter)
The GFWC ILLINOIS LEGISLATION DAY is March 11, 2009 and I am planning on attending. We hope to meet with several of our Representatives and Senators if possible. (Sign up form included in newsletter)
The, GFWC ILLINOIS BLUE RIBBON LUNCHEON/FASHION SHOW, will be held March 28, 2009 at the Drake Hotel, Oakbrook. Ticket price is $35.00. Please be advised that the proceeds from this event benefit Prevent Child Abuse and there are two incentive programs for each club. # 1 is every club that sells 10 tickets will be entered into a drawing for a $50.00 Target gift certificate. # 2 is the club that sells the most tickets per capita will be honored at the State Convention with a 30 minute personal cocktail reception with the State President and State Junior Director and will be featured in the GFWC ILLINOIS Clubwoman magazine.
Saturday morning Debbie Bach, Chairman “Our Promise...A Safe Place for Every Child presented her 2009 GFWC Illinois Convention program, “Light Up the Pinwheel”. Consider buying a light in honor of or in memory of someone special.
These donations will help our continuing support of Prevent Child Abuse Illinois.
Your donations will make it possible to illuminate the room with lights on our pinwheel.
These lights can represent family members, friends, fellow club members, co-
Please do not forget our Veteran’s serving our country!! They deserve all the help we can give them.
On the International level, we received a GFWC Communication Alert regarding the vote by the 111th Congress for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Lilly Ledbetter appeared on the cover of our December 2008 – January 2009 GFWC Magazine. The magazine also recognizes 17 female senators of the 111th U.S. Congress. Very interesting!! My only problem with this is there are 13 Democrats and only 4 Republicans!!