October

Karen Pritchett-Neuman
Natures Way Market
143 Northampton Street
Tuesday, October 8, 4 pm

Join us for 4 o’clock tea with goodies followed by owner, Karen Pritchett-Neuman, presening a program on the importance of high quality food and diet, with a special emphasis on the needs of women.  

Although Karen is a Pennsylvania native and a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, she spent most of her professional career in New York City, as a professor of art at the Fashion Institute of Technology (37 years), and also taught concurrently for a good many years at Parsons and Pratt. Her husband, Shalom Tomas Neuman, is a Czech-American multi-sensory and multidisciplinary artist, and the force behind “fusionism.” In 2016, when Shalom bought Churchman’s Business School and founded the FusionArts Museum on 4th St.,  Karen bought Natures Way from the Harders, who had been operating it since 1975, and wanted to retire.    

Karen has embraced life in the Easton area and has learned a lot about nutrition from attending a variety of symposiums and study. Karen will share the story of her journey, including some of the things she has learned, and there will time for questions.  

Parking will be available in the lot behind Natures Way, and also on Northampton St.

September

Brooches:  Ornaments of Panache and Political Intrigue
Speaker: Donna Murphy

Tuesday, September 17, 6:30 pm for ice cream, program at 7 pm
Palmer Library

Our speaker, Donna Pulese-Murphy, M.A. is an Adjunct Professor of Non-Fiction Writing & History of Decorative Arts: A Global Survey, a published writer, a former Director of Communications for an antique & estate jewelry firm in NYC. in her own words:

Madeleine Albright, our country’s 64th Secretary of State, wrote in her 2009 book, Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box, 

“On good days, I wore flowers and butterflies and balloons, and on bad days, all kinds of bugs and carnivorous animals. I saw it as an additional way of expressing what I was saying, a visual way to deliver a message.”

Having spent most of my professional career in the antique and estate jewelry industry, I remember when this book first came out and the excitement it generated. What struck me was how potent these jewels are in their visual imagery and message- designed not only to bedazzle (think Hollywood glam) but also as hidden communicators.

Behold the brooch! Long admired for being decorative and ornamenting one’s outfit. But is this the only reason for wearing these lovely jewels? History has proven otherwise. In ancient Roman times, brooches (fibulas) were worn for utilitarian reasons as cloak fasteners. Nineteenth century Victorians wore “mourning hair brooches” as a memento for the passing of a loved one. 

Tonight’s presentation, however, will shine a spotlight on the wearing of brooches in our 20th-21st century modern times for a myriad of reasons. From Cartier’s “Bird in a Cage” brooch symbolic of the 1940s Nazi invasion of Paris, to the bravado of American women leaders & British royalty wearing brooches with hidden political messages, to who’s donning brooches today and why. 

Used as metaphors for social commentary, philanthropic causes, political positions, and surprising gender “red carpet” statements, tonight’s talk will dispel the notion that brooches are just another pretty face. It will become apparent that the “Power of the Pin” cannot be denied!

June

We take a break over the summer but that doesn’t mean that nothing is happening. Members are working diligently behind the scenes to plan our programs for next year.  Our Let’s Read Math™ volunteers will be busy teaching six lessons. Some of our interest groups do meet over the summer and their activities will be updated as needed. Check out our Interest Group page for more information.

See you in September

 

May

Scholarship and Award Dessert

Branch members joined together to celebrate our members’ achievements and to honor our scholarship recipients. After a delicious dessert of profiteroles filled with ice cream, the ceremony began. Congratulation to our scholarship recipients Ella Choi, Phillipsburg High School, Claudia Gonzalez, Wilson High School and Katrina Valente, Pen Argyl High School. Katrina was unable to join us as it was her high school graduation.

Then it was time for our member awards. Congratulations to Fran Kennedy, Outstanding Woman, Margaret Skaarup, Member Making A Difference, and Debra Kindevater and Karol D/Huyvetters who received the Presidents’ Award.

Congratulations to Lois Wildrick who became a 50 year member of AAUW this year.

 

Kathy Quinn, the AAUW-PA East District Coordinator and Sanely Rossi, former scholarship recipient were honored guests.

 

Third Annual Girls Recognition Night

Scholarship and Award Dessert
Tuesday, May 21 at 7 pm
First Presbyterian Church,
333 Spring Garden Street, Easton

Meet our scholarship recipients. Honor our Branch Awardees.

Dessert consists of three small profiteroles filled with various ice creams topped with a little chocolate sauce with a garnish of mint and berries OR a fresh fruit cup. Coffee and tea provided.

Please RSVP with your name(s) and check payable go Easton Branch AAUW by May 15^th. Mail check to Becky Goldenberg PO Box 1464 Easton, PA 18040. Please indicate choice of dessert.

 

April

Science On A Sphere
 Nurture Nature Center
Saturday, April 13
10:30 am

The Program Committee is announcing a change in the date of our April program: It was to be at Nurture Nature on April 20th. The new date is one week earlier, April 13th, still at Nurture Nature, 518 Northampton St, Easton. 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Our member, John Cosgrove, is a docent at the Nurture Nature Center and has set up this experience with Science on a Sphere especially for us. Everyone is welcome, as usual, and it will be a great                 introduction to this unique resource in our community. 

https://www.nurturenaturecenter.org is the website which has information and a link to sign up for a bulletin with an up-to-date listing of events.

Free parking is available behind the building on Pine Street, although there is no rear entrance, so that a trip around to the front on Northampton Street will be necessary. We suggest carpooling, as this is a busy time in downtown Easton. However this is also a good time to visit the Winter Market on Northampton St. or find a treat for lunch at the indoor Market.

March

International Aid Organizations
Speaker: Patricia Price
7 pm, March 19, 2024
Palmer Library

Our March meeting, to be held at Palmer Branch of the library at 7:00 p.m. March 19, will feature a presentation by Patricia Price, focusing on philanthropy, in particular, her work with Buddhist Global Relief as a founding Board member, now Deputy Director, for international aid focused on Food, Children’s Education and Women’s livelihood trainings. 

Please join us to welcome Patti, who, I know, is a longtime friend to many in our group and to learn about effective aid, both local and international.

February

One Read
Saturday, February 10, 1 p.m
Palmer Library

Whether or not you have had a chance to read this book by February 10, you are welcome to join the discussion. “As Louise Aronson says, ‘Life offers just two possibilities: die young or grow old.’ This searing, luminous book is for everyone who hopes to accomplish the latter and remain fully human as they do. It will challenge your assumptions and open your mind–and it just might change your life.”–Lucy Kalanithi, MD, editor of When Breath Becomes Air.

We look forward to seeing and hearing from you and sharing tea and goodies.

January

April 23, 2024 is the Primary Election. The last day to register two vote is April 8th. There is time to request a mail in ballot which makes voting very easy. Click here to find out more information on how to vote in this upcoming election.

There is no program scheduled for this month. What does that mean? Time to play! Make snow angels, build a snowman, read a book not on your book group list, the possibilities are endless.