President’s Message

Event Recaps: Food Truck Festival Tea…rrific Tea Party

A ‘SWIG’ of News

Newsletter Editor: Regina Graham

In this Edition

southbridgewomen@gmail.com www.southbridgewomensclub.org

President Vice President Theresa Pugh Susan Terry Treasurer Recording Secretary Janet Stevenson Amy McGuffey

Corresponding Secretary SWIG Liaison Malinda Smith Frankie Longo

Events Team Jane Tucker-Radley, Faye Markwalter, Joan David, Frankie Longo, Claudia Lohaus

Patriot Posse Webmaster Nicki Hansen Regina Graham

Newsletter 2019 Board

Theresa Pugh 2019 President

It is that time once again for my message to the SWC. I can’t believe it’s already June and the year is half over. I feel like there is so much more to do and not enough time to do it.

The board has been very busy brainstorming to bring bigger and better events to our members. I am proud to announce that we currently have 187 members. Thanks to the Southbridge Festival we signed up 6 new members. We are growing and that is a wonderful feeling.

I want to mention that one of our SWC board members, Mary Williams has had a stroke recently. Mary is currently in rehab working very hard to get better. Her prognosis is good but will require quite a bit of work. The last I was told, she is not taking visitors yet. Please keep Mary in your thoughts and prayers for a full recovery. During this time, Frankie Longo will be stepping up as the Interest Group Liaison until Mary returns. So please direct any interest group questions to Frankie.

I would also like to announce the formation of a new interest group headed by Michele Stuchell. This interest group is for mom’s of homeschoolers in Southbridge. Michele has homeschooled her three children for quite some time and has found a need to bring the mothers of other homeschooled children together in an effort to share ideas with each other and also as a social outlet for these moms. If you are a mom who homeschools your children or you know a mom who homeschools her children please contact Michele at 912-713-0229 for additional information on the group – and to join the SWC to participate.

The Southbridge Festival was a huge success! I’m sure that next year will be even better. The SWC raffled off two beautiful gift baskets, created by our own Joan David. The Martini Basket was won by Bonnie and Bob Dixon The Family Fun Basket was won by Jeanne Parr who decided to donate it to a family in need.

Thank you for your support for the SWC and its many programs!

Hello Ladies!

The 1st Southbridge Food Truck Festival -- By Janee Przybyl

What do you get when you mix food trucks, bounce house, a live band and lots of people? You get a Southbridge Food Truck Festival!

The May 3rd festival was a wonderful success considering all the positive comments from participants and vendors.

The idea of a food truck festival came from Donna Abbott who formed a planning committee consisting of Frankie Longo and Janee Przybyl. We found the food trucks, a bounce house, face painters, corn hole platforms and the perfect location -- the driving range at the Southbridge Golf Course. After rain thundershowers earlier in the day, the clouds broke and the sun came out in time for a dry evening of fun and food for all!

The committee would like to thank the HOA for the financial support which allowed us to provide free ice cream from the Ben and Jerry’s Food Truck; the Southbridge Women’s Club for providing volunteers to plan, staff the bounce house and provide members for the cleanup crew, as well Regina Graham for designing the flyer, festival banner and scouting the band.

Also, a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to our community sponsors from Southbridge Realty, Tripp Butler Broker/Owner & Donna Abbott, Realtor, Berwick Animal Hospital, Dr. DeAnna Douglas DVM, King’s Pride, Kent King Owner, and Companion Animal Hospital, Dr. Kristin Hiers DVM. And lastly the committee would like to thank all the residents of Southbridge who attended the event with family and friends.

It was great to see over 300 people attend our event and have fun with their neighbors throughout the entire evening.

And now the big question….Should we do it again next year?

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SWC Membership Tea -- Malinda Smith

Our May Membership Tea was Tea-rrific! On Sunday, May 19, Malinda Smith opened her home for a membership tea open to all members of the Southbridge Women's Club. Forty ladies attended that day – some brand new to the SWC and others who have been members for years. Everyone had the chance to chat with neighbors, meet new friends, and share with each other about special pieces of jewelry that were worn to add a little bling to the festivities!

On a hot Savannah afternoon, the iced tea bar was a hit, and featured a regular brewed tea and 3 flavored teas - a spiced chai, Bavarian berry blend and ginger peach. Yummm! As is always the case at SWC events, food was in abundance with both savory and sweet treats.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who attended- it was such a

success, there are rumors that another membership tea may be scheduled for later this year!

GABBY GOURMET 3 DERBY PARTY

Gabby Gourmet 3 hosted a gathering on May 4th at Jane Tucker Radley's home inviting all of the Gabby Gourmet groups to watch the running of the 145th Kentucky Derby. Those in attendance came wearing their very best in Derby attire. Everyone had a wonderful afternoon sipping Mint Julips, watching the Run for the Roses, and enjoying delicious food with friends and spouses.

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Place Your Bet!

Best Dressed Man John Hechavarria

Best Dressed Couple Boon and Dan Lang

Best Ladies Hat Kim Stewart

It was exciting watching the “greatest 2 minutes in sports” end in the first ever disqualification in the history of the Derby. Those who were happy Maximum Security had won were soon disappointed to learn he was stripped of his title and long-shot Country House took the actual “W”.

Thank you Jane and Gabby Gourmet 3 members for a wonderful Saturday afternoon!

Southbridge Women’s Interest Groups

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Photoholics – Liz Casella

The Photoholics interest group took a drive down I-95 to Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge and what a day! The weather was spectacular and the birds were all a-flutter building nests and tending babies. Hundreds of Wood Storks, Snowy Egrets and Herons were squawking and nesting. Join us every 2nd Tues. for an outing sure to be remembered.

Southbridge Garden Club – Liz Casella

The Southbridge Garden Club held it's final meeting of the year, at the home of Debbie Yeagley. For the first time in 3 years, the SBGC will have a new president ~ Debbie Yeagley! She will be taking charge for 2019-20 and we look forward to her leadership and fresh ideas! After a short meeting, we treated ourselves to a luncheon of home made salads and conversation. Have a great summer and join us in the fall, the 3rd Friday of the month.

Southbridge Garden Club’s POLLINATOR GARDEN – Liz Casella

The Southbridge Garden Club realized a longstanding dream of having pollinator garden in Southbridge. We added the butterfly and bee plants that are so important to the health of our pollinators and plants, along with two benches for a nice respite. Please stop by and sit for a moment and enjoy the flora and fauna of the garden and pond.

Southbridge Women’s Interest Groups

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www.southbridgewomensclub.org

HOMESCHOOL MOMS –Michele Stuchell

Let's get together for dessert and coffee at Lulu's downtown Thursday May 30th, 7pm.

If you're a veteran, in the thick of it now, a newbie, or just considering homeschooling, come join us for dessert! RSVP to Michele Stuchell at 912.713.0229

The Southbridge Service Club had a tremendous response to the peanut butter drive for Second Harvest. Debbie Yeagley and I delivered 75+ jars of peanut butter totaling 200 pounds!!! This is the largest quantity we have ever collected and we knocked their socks off with the size of the contribution.

Thank you so much, Southbridge Women's Club, for your generosity!

Southbridge Service Group – Liz Casella

Southbridge Service Group – Sandy Anderson

On May 21st we had a seminar at the Grand Lake on Savannah Working Against Human Trafficking(SWAHT). We had 80 men and women attend this seminar. John Gonzalez the President of SWAHT spoke as well as Special Agent Andy Van Epps, Victim Specialist Nancy Uveges and Darcelle Burandt from the House of Hope.

We learned about the victims and the heinous crime itself. We urge everyone to educate yourselves on this terrible crime. The children are 12-17 years old and younger. If caught these criminals could face life in prison.

National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888

We hope to have more informative seminars in the future.

Southbridge Women’s Interest Groups

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www.southbridgewomensclub.org

The Dog Lovers Network – by Marie Foley About twenty people came out for our wonderfully educational meeting with Dr. Michael Brown of Godley Station Animal Hospital. We learned so much in two hours as Dr. Michael spoke about what he clearly loves: pets and their people. We learned how to equip ourselves with basic tools for First Aid with our pups; when to call the vet or when and how to handle the incident on our own; why Ibuprofen is dangerous for pets while Benadryl is okay; when a snake bite is dangerous enough to call the emergency vet and when you can use Benadryl, then wait and see. Basically, when in doubt call your vet or the emergency vet for advice over the phone.

Dr. Michael explained how to deal with an overheated dog. Have you ever noticed your dog laying outstretched and face down on your cool tile floor after a long walk? Well dogs intuitively know they need to get their pulse points cooled down fast, so we can use ice packs or cool cloths in the same way, but should never dunk our dogs in an ice bath because that is too taxing on their circulatory system. Similarly, when a dog suffers from arthritis pain, they often lay in a warm spot or in the sun for relief. We can apply heat packs to help with soreness, but should never use heating pads because we can easily burn their skin.

A huge Thank You to Maggie Rousseau for hosting our meeting in her beautiful home!

Upcoming Events for the Dog Network

Donna Pfendler-Merkle of Pet Partners Therapy Dog Organization will speak to us about the process of having your dog become certified to be a therapy dog. We look forward to hearing from Donna later in the summer, date to be determined. If you are interested in hosting this event or any other meeting for the Dog Network, please let me know. Savannah Dog Training Club AKC Obedience and Rally Trials will be held at Benedictine Military School on Seawright Drive in Savannah. The dates are June 15th and 16th. Volunteers are needed to assist the judges. Please contact me if you're interested in attending or volunteering at this event. Marie Foley

aubtom@comcast.net 954-562-6167

Don't forget to Hug your Pups!

You’re the reason SWC works, grows and makes things happen

all for the betterment of our friendships and community.

Here are our Interest Groups at a glance. There are plenty of opportunities to form new interest groups this year as well.

Questions? Contact Temporary

SWIG Liaison, Frankie Longo 770-655-3396

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photoholics BOOK CLUB

Reading Circle 1 Reading Circle 2 Reading Circle 3

FOOD

Gabby Gourmet I Gabby Gourmet II Gabby Gourmet III Gabby Gourmet IV Gabby Gourmet V Plant Based Lifestyle

GAMERS

Afternoon Bunco

BEAUTIFICATION

Southbridge Garden Club Spangle Wranglers

Southbridge Service Group

ANIMAL LOVERS

The Dog Network

ARTS & CRAFTS

Chicks With Sticks Beading

Women’s Conversation Group

Beading -- Shirley Daniell --Meets monthly to work on jewelry creations.

Call 912-232-3784 sidneydaniell@bellsouth.net for details and to join.

Books Circles – Betsy Horne –Groups meet at various times and days to discuss a variety of literature. Call 912-657-4936 or email betsyhorne@bellsouth.net for details and to join.

Bunco – Suzanne Walter--Meets during the afternoon each month in members’ homes, no experience needed. Call 770-337-5961 or email swtw28@gmail.com for details or to join.

Chicks with Sticks -- Carol Gay --Meets first Wednesday of the month to work on yarn and all-fiber arts projects. Call 912-856-3506 or email ltlmeow@comcast.net for details or to join.

Dog Network -- Marie Foley --Meets every other month to enhance your dog’s health and wellbeing. Call 954-562-6167 or email aubtom@comcast.net for details or to join.

Gabby Gourmet Girls – Joan David–There are five groups that meet at various times, days and

locations to enjoy fellowship and culinary creations. Each group sets their own schedule. Call 443-513-0446 or email joan55david@gmail.com for details or to join.

Garden Club --Liz Casella --Meets m monthly. Call 973-610-6418 or email eicasella@aol.com for details and to join.

Photography Adventures -- Liz Casella --Meets monthly at photo rich locations. Call 973-610-6418 or email eicasella@aol.com for details or to join.

Plant Based Living -- Ann Meyer --Meets to enlighten and encourage plant based food plans.

Call 912-790-7691 or email annmeyer@comcast.net for details or to join.

Southbridge Service -- Sandy Anderson, Claudia Lohaus and Jackie Occiano -- Meets to provide support for those in need in our city. Call 912-233-0732 or 912-655-0875 respectively or email for details or to join.sandy_anderson37@yahoo.com or clohaus@verizon.net or jocciano@bellsouth.net

Spangle Wranglers -- Nicki Hansen --Meets to decorate neighborhood with American flags during

patriotic holidays. Call 912-358-0668 or email cactuspeach@reagan.com for details and to join.

Women’s Conversation Group -- Barbara Dunn --Meets the last Thursday of the month to

explore selected ideas of interest to women. Call 912-232-2302 or email rollerqueen@comcast.net to join.

Southbridge Women’s Interest Groups