january 2014 volume 16, issue 6 aspen leaves · melisa christ from the president... volume 16,...
TRANSCRIPT
Happy New Year! Here’s to hoping 2014 brings good things to you and yours. It’s the time of year when we think about what we didn’t accomplish last year and what we would like to focus on in the coming year. No matter which goals you choose to make part of your lives, don’t forget to leave room to enjoy your life in the present. I’ve heard so many statements indicating people will plan to be more happy at the next base, or other things that fall in to the “some day” category. We live our lives in the now. While it’s important to plan goals for the future, the opportunities we have to make the most of the present are ever changing and only last a moment.
Our Mad Hatter Tea Party is a great way to start off the year with friends, food, and fun! Also, it’s about time we begin looking forward to the next ASC year, and who will volunteer to fill the positions that help the ASC make a difference in our community. Consider whether you might have some time to contribute to making good things happen! Lastly, if you know others who might be interested in our club, membership dues are only $15 for the remainder of our year! Take care and I hope to see you at our next events!
Your President,
Melisa Christ
From the President...
Volume 16, Issue 6
January 2014
Aspen Leaves USAF Academy Spouses Club
www.usafasc.org
Like us on Facebook!
Inside this issue:
January Social 2
Save the Dates 2
Tax Resources 3
Ways & Means 3
January Calendar 4
SnoFest 4
Scholarship Info 5
Mini Bunco 5
Thrift Shop News 6
ASC Board & Information
7
Welfare Corner 5
Invite a Friend or Neighbor—Dues are Half Price!
The Academy Spouses’ Club is a wonderful way to meet new people, share in the military life experiences, and give back to the community. As the new year kicks off, be sure to reach out to neighbors and new arrivals by inviting them to attend one of our monthly socials as a guest the first time and then encourage them to join! Starting this month, membership dues are only $15 for the rest of the year!
We are always looking for new faces to make our group a well-rounded representation of the Academy community. There is something for everyone when you look at our monthly meetings and additional activity groups (like book club, bunco, and more).
Contact Donna Hatch, our Membership Chair, at 719-684-4121 or [email protected] for more information.
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Aspen Leaves
Save the Dates!
January 16—Mad Hatter Tea Party.
February 20—My Favorite Things Bunco (11:30 am).
March 13—Make It, Bake It, Fake It auction (10 am). *Please note this is a date and time change.
April 17—USAFA Historian Speaker, Col (Ret) Jack Anthony (5:30 pm).
April TBD—Scholarship Awards Social.
May 15—Hail & Farewell evening social (5:30 pm).
January Social
Follow the white rabbit to join the Academy Spouses Club!
Thursday, January 16, 2014
11:30 – 2:30 at the Falcon Club
Tea sandwiches, scones, fruit, and tea will be served.
$13.50 for Falcon Club members
$15.50 for non-members
Wear a crazy hat!
RSVP by Sunday, January 12 to the email invitation or to [email protected].
The Academy Spouses Club is a non-profit, 501 (C)-3 organization. The ASC is a private organization, is not part of the Department of Defense or any of its components, and has no governmental status.
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Januar y 2014
Ways & Means
Our Ways & Means committee wants to know what YOU want to win! Suggestions for what you want to see at the Ways & Means table are welcome! Contact Deb at [email protected]
with your suggestions!
Home-Based Business
Do you have a home-based business you’d like to promote? Consider donating a gift basket of goodies or other items to the next Ways & Means drawing. The donation is tax deductible and you may include your business card.
Cookbooks
We still have plenty of cookbooks available!
More Falcon Favorites is a collection of over 200 recipes from our membership! Cookbooks are for sale for $15 each, or 2 for $25. Stop by the Ways and Means table at upcoming socials to buy your copy!
Special thanks to Judy Fogg for coordinating both the holiday decorating and un-decorating at the Falcon Club. Thanks, also,
to everyone who came and had a part in creating and taking down the festive, holiday look at the Falcon Club!
Tax Resources for Military
Military OneSource is pleased to announce the availability of the Military OneSource version of the H&R Block Basic Online tax preparation service. If you are eligible under the Military OneSource program, you can complete, save, and file your 2013 Federal and up to three State returns online at no charge to you with the H&R Block Basic tool.
You must start your return from the Military OneSource H&R Block Basic link to access this offer that is no charge to you. For information, visit http://www.militaryonesource.mil/pfm/tax-planning-and-preparation?content_id=273404.
If you have questions about this tax service or about your own tax returns, please call 1-800-342-9647 and ask to speak with a Military OneSource tax counselor.
The following are eligible for the Military OneSource tax service:
All Active-duty service members of the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force.
National Guard and members of the Reserve (regardless of activation status), includes members of the Coast Guard Reserve activated as part of the Department of the Navy under Title 10 authority.
Spouses and dependent children of eligible service members, and who are authorized in DEERS.
A family member who is taking care of the affairs of an eligible service member when the service member is deployed.
A severely injured service member of one of the services noted above, or a designated family member of a severely injured member who is incapable of handling his or her own affairs. Medically retired individuals are eligible until 180 days past their End of Tour of Service, retirement date, or discharge date.
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Aspen Leaves
January Calendar Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
3 4
5 6 7 8 5p Mini Bunco
9 9a Board Meeting
10 11
12 13 14 15 16 11:30 Mad Hatter
Tea Party
17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 SnoFest
25 SnoFest
26 SnoFest
27 28 29 30 31
Details for the events listed here are on the website at www.usafasc.org/Calendar.html
Remember to check the ASC website and our Facebook
page for updates on events!
Our website is www.usafasc.org.
On Facebook, search for Academy Spouses Club! Or link to it from the website!
Thr i f t Shop C losed
Thr i f t Shop C losed
SnoFest 2014
SnoFest features more than world-class skiing and snowboarding! Fabulous lodging, parties, giveaways, races, a hilarious cardboard derby, sleigh rides, tubing, ice-skating, non-skier excursions, and more. All at a heavily discounted prices for the military community. You won't want to miss this spectacular event hosted by the Front Range Military Bases at Keystone Resort, Colorado.
For more information, visit www.mysnofest.com. Advance reservations required.
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Januar y 2014
ASC’s Welfare Contributions
You’ve heard we have a lot of fun, but did you know that we have a charitable side to our club as well? Funds raised through our Thrift Shop and Annual Charity Auction have made a positive impact on our community.
This month, the ASC donated a significant amount to the USAFA Equine Therapy Program for Wounded Warriors at the Equestrian Center.
Happy Birthday to all the January
birthdays!
Mini Bunco Club
Come join the Mini Bunco club for a night of fun and games! We meet the first Wednesday of every month. Contact Jamie Brown at 719.310.8131 or at [email protected] to be added to the monthly Evite with the details!
You must be an ASC member to be a part of this mini club. If you would like to win a gift, you need to bring a gift. Each month has a theme. Gift amount is somewhere between $10-15. We wrap our gifts in a brown paper Commissary bag.
ASC 2014 Merit Scholarships
The ASC awards multiple scholarships each year to high school students and dependent spouses (O-3 equivalent & below). Our scholarship application period begins January 31 and ends March 31.
Applications will be available on the ASC website, at the Thrift Shop, and USAFA Education Office. Contact Sally Mueh (719-599-0694 or [email protected]) or Christie Lee ([email protected]) for more details.
Eligibility requirements:
Dependent or spouse of active duty stationed at USAFA residing in the Colorado Springs area.
Dependent or spouse of USAF retiree residing in the Colorado Springs area with a valid military ID.
Dependent or spouse of active duty on remote tour (PCS from USAFA).
Dependent or spouse of POW/MIA or deceased military member residing in the Colorado Springs area.
Dependent or spouse of a USAFA DoD employee, a member or AF National Guard, or AF Reserve assigned to USAFA, or an AFAAA employee.
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Aspen Leaves
Thrift Shop Volunteer of the
Month
Congratulations to Bobbi Carrion, the December/January Volunteer of the Month! She has volunteered at the Thrift Shop for the past five years and is usually there on Tuesdays.
She began at the Thrift Shop because she was looking for volunteer work and something to keep her busy at the same time. She enjoys getting to know more people and feeling like a part of the Air Force Academy community.
In her free time, Bobbi works part-time in an accounting office and also volunteers at the Pikes Peak Library District. She enjoys bowling, reading, and learning to crochet.
One thing you might not know is that Bobbi is a retired Air Force Master Sergeant and was stationed in 8 different locations.
Thrift Shop News
We will reopen Tuesday, January 14, 2014.
Reminder of our weather closure policy: We follow Academy School District 20 for weather related closings and delays. If D20 is delayed we will remain closed. Every effort is made to post a message on Facebook of changes to our daily schedule
The USAFA Thrift Shop is run by a fabulous group of dedicated volunteers. We not only raise thousands of dollars that assist with our philanthropic work, but the Thrift Shop provides a wonderful facility for those looking to sell unwanted items, as well as those looking for a bargain.
**Donations are always accepted if you don’t want to consign. Just please drop off donations during business hours—do not leave bags outside the door!
Contact Info: (719) 333-4459 or [email protected]
Like us on Facebook at “ASC Thrift Shop at the AFA”
Operating Hours
Tuesday: 9:30—2:00
Wednesday: 9:30—2:00
Friday: 9:30—2:00
Consignment Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:30—11:45
It’s that time to look ahead and start planning for next year’s ASC! Please consider volunteering for an Executive Board position or
Standing Committee Chair for next year!
For more information on specific position descriptions, please contact Melisa at [email protected] or another member of the current board.
Who We Are…
ASC Board
The ASC Board consists of elected Club Members to chair the various positions. We are always looking for creative, fun leaders to hold these positions and contrib-ute their talents and gifts to the group.
Aspen Leaves Newsletter
Members receive every edi-tion of the Aspen Leaves Newsletter to keep them up-to-date with all the Club events and current infor-mation. A copy is also avail-able on www.usafasc.org by selecting the “Aspen Leaves” tab.
Community Contribution
The ASC is committed to making a substantial and significant contribution to the local and military com-munities in which we live. A sample of the worthy organi-zations we choose to sup-port are:
USAFA Quarterly Award Winners
Airmen & Family Readi-ness Center
The Lemay Foundation
Pikes Peak American Red Cross
Fisher House
Wounded Warriors
2013/2014 Executive Board
The Academy Spouses’ Club is a non-profit, 501 (C)-3 organization. The ASC is a private organization, not part of the Department of Defense or any of its components, and has no governmental status.
AFI 34-233
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Januar y 2014
Executive Board
President Melisa Christ [email protected]
First Vice Kimberly Tayman [email protected]
Second Vice Mindy Cunningham [email protected]
Parliamentarian Marian Singer [email protected]
Secretary Pepper Beasley [email protected]
Operational Treasurer Chad Holland [email protected]
Welfare Treasurer Chad Holland [email protected]
Standing Committee Chairs
Membership Donna Hatch [email protected]
Reservations Judy Fogg [email protected]
Welfare Christie Lee [email protected]
Publicity Christina Shelby [email protected]
Aspen Leaves Christie Beverly [email protected]
Ways and Means Deb Oliver [email protected]
Thrift Shop Chair Robyn Wyttenbach & [email protected] Stephanie Carley
Socials Heather Kraus & [email protected] Jamie Brown
Scholarships Sally Mueh [email protected]
Website Karen Lawrie [email protected]
Sunshine Barbara Green [email protected]
Member at Large Kyle Clark [email protected]
Academy Ladies Nicole Harrison Inabinet [email protected]
Historian Christie Detweiler [email protected]
Retiree Liaison Donna Marie Edwards-Armstrong
Honorary Presidents
John Hargreaves and Laurel Ludwig
Advisors
Diane Lengyel, Kathy Armacost, and Natalie Hawkins
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Advertise in the Aspen Leaves! Are you looking for a cost-effective way to reach the USAFA community? The Aspen Leaves is accepting advertising. We reach over 100 spouses on a monthly basis. Let them know about your area of expertise or products! Ads can be purchased for the entire board year, or on a per issue basis.
For pricing and details, please contact Christie at [email protected].