(As submitted by the University Women of BGSU)
The University Women of Bowling Green State University will open their 2016-2017 year with the annual Fall Membership Brunch. The event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. in the Simpson Building at Simpson Garden Park in Bowling Green. It is open to the public, with area women interested in joining the organization invited to come as guests.
Current members each bring a dish for the potluck brunch.
During the brunch, BGSU President Mary Ellen Mazey will update members and guests on what is new at BGSU.
The morning’s program will be presented by Julie Rubini, author, founder of Claire’s Day, and a Maumee City Councilwoman. Rubini will speak about her own book “Missing Millie Benson.” Writing under the pseudonym of Carolyn Keene, northwest Ohioan Millie Benson wrote 23 of the first 30 books in the vastly popular Nancy Drew Mystery series for girls.
Claire’s Day was created in memory of Rubini’s daughter, Claire, who died in 2000 at age 10 as a result of a heart condition. Reflecting Claire’s love of reading, dancing and art, Claire’s Day currently partners with Read for Literacy, dedicated to inspiring children and families to be lifelong readers through exposure to a variety of literary experiences. Among these is Claire’s Day Children’s Book Festival, northwest Ohio’s largest free family book festival.
Also during Saturday’s fall brunch the organization will hold its annual raffle and silent auction, which last year raised $1,000 to help with school supplies for families in need in the five Bowling Green public schools. All of this year’s raffle proceeds will go to support scholarships for nontraditional female students at BGSU. Denise Robins is organizing this fundraiser. Members are invited to bring one or more items to donate.
UW’s two $2,000 scholarship winners for this year will be introduced at the brunch. They are Coti Puhl of Perrysburg, and Tammie Waynick of Dunbridge, both currently seniors at the university.
Members will also be signing up for year-long interest groups, which are the backbone of University Women. Among these are monthly groups devoted to gourmet dining and travel, gardening, book groups, docent-led Toledo Museum of Art tours, antiques, bridge and community service, among others.
UW will be taking part in the Elder-Beerman Community Days sale in November. The money collected for each booklet sold goes directly into the University Women scholarship fund. Barbara Ruland and President Susan Winters are co-chairing the 2016 sale.
Looking ahead, UW will continue its tradition of an annual holiday party for members, spouses and partners on Dec. 9 at the home of Barbara and Roger Sanchez.
Prospective new members may download an application form and find out more about UW on the website at www.universitywomenofbgsu.weebly.com
