Latest news with #Woman'sClub
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Help Woman's Club give the Salvation Army domestic violence shelter a makeover
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Salvation Army's safe house for domestic violence survivors hasn't undergone any major renovations since Hurricane Michael. 'Although they may have been updated as far as mildew and mold reduction and all of that, right after the hurricane, we have not been able to go in and really individualize each of the bedrooms and the actual living spaces. And one of the things that we want is so that when individuals and their children come in, that they feel safe and they feel like it's a positive environment,' Domestic Violence Program Director Kimberly Garbett said. Currently, the walls at the Salvation Army's safe space for domestic violence survivors are bare. Officials are hoping in the future they'll be covered with positive messages, paintings, and decorations that will make survivors feel more at home, and ready to start the healing process. The Woman's Club of Panama City plans to give more than just the walls a makeover. In fact, they've already started improving the safe house for domestic violence survivors 'We're going in and we're repainting all of the rooms, and we have taken old lighting out and put new lighting in the rooms already. And we're doing new headboards, new bedding, new bedspreads. Everything is going to be new for those rooms, so that when the families come in, they feel like it's not a hotel. It's a warm, inviting place for them to come and feel comfortable,' Community Improvement Project Co-Chair Sherry Melton said. Melton and other members are using their interior design backgrounds for good. The club's 106 members will tackle this initiative as their community improvement project. 'What we're going to do is a total refurbishing of the six bedrooms that they have at the domestic abuse shelter that the Salvation Army runs. The moment they're very utilitarian spaces, and this is going to give them an opportunity to create a warm, loving environment for these families,' GFWC Woman's Club Vice President Joanne McFee said. To raise funds for the project they are calling on community members to join them for a night of fun and bunco. 'It's all about raising money to complete this project. You know, when you can make a positive impact on someone's life, it's an amazing blessing and that's what we want to do with this shelter,' Melton added. Doors open Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m., and tickets are $35 a person. 'It includes dinner, it includes the bunco and the opportunity to give back to your community through raffles and silent auction and their prizes to be won as well, and just friendship,' McFee said. The event will take place Tuesday night at the Woman's Club at 350 North Cove Blvd. Through plenty of raffle and silent auction items, organizers are hoping to raise $3,500 for the project. If you are unable to attend the fundraiser, there's a wish list of items they are hoping to collect for the shelter. Womans-Club-wishlistDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Theater festival producer sees new dawn for Coconut Grove
Things To Do Theater festival producer sees new dawn for Coconut Grove Lifelong Coconut Grove resident William Hector debuts his Coconut Grove Theatre Festival (CGTFest) at the Woman's Club of Coconut Grove featuring eight new works by local playwrights. (Photo by Patrick Farrell) As the demolition on the venerable Coconut Grove Playhouse auditorium began in April, lifelong resident William Hector was putting the finishing touches on his inaugural Coconut Grove Theatre Festival (CGTFest). The festival will feature new plays at the Woman's Club of Coconut Grove Thursday through Sunday. 'The idea first came to life in a phone call I had with Irene Munore, a member of the Woman's Club of Coconut Grove Arts & Culture Committee. As two lifelong Grovites, we instantly started dreaming of what this could be and what it could mean for the Grove for the theater in Miami,' said Hector. Director Hattie Mae Williams talks with playwright Hannah Benitez over ZOOM. (Photo by Ted Hartshorn, courtesy CGTFest) The festival founder and producer then said they got to work recruiting writers, directors, producers, crew, volunteers, donors and anyone else needed to bring the festival to life. The dream, too, is also a movement to revive Coconut Grove's arts scene, according to the festival founder. From Walter De Garmo's 1920s amphitheater to the U.S. premiere of 'Waiting for Godot' at the Coconut Grove Playhouse, Hector said that the neighborhood has long been a home for innovative theater. 'Miami has an amazing group of artists who want to not just make theater but make theater in Miami. The idea was to unite these local voices and creatives in a central destination like the Grove where there are walkable restaurants, shops, bars and cafes for a weekend of theater so that the audience can experience a full range of Miami storytelling in one place and one time to build support for the greater theater community. 'Liberty City Vignettes' Playwright Lolita Stewart-White and Director Karina Batchelor-Gómez. (Photo by Ted Hartshorn, courtesy CGTFest) Hector's interest in theater began in Coconut Grove, performing in school plays at St. Stephens Church and Ransom Everglades along with Summer Theater Camp at the Coconut Grove Playhouse. In 2015, he graduated with dual degrees in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, and in Playwriting. He was also chosen to participate in Miami Dade County's Playwright Development Program from 2015 to 2017. He received a Knight Foundation New Work Miami grant to write, produce, and stage 'G7: 2070' and in October 2023, the immersive experience was performed in the nine-acre botanical garden The Kampong. It was part of the vision of what he sees for the future of theater in Coconut Grove. Director Amy Coker with 'Humanization' playwright Michael Yawney. (Photo by Ted Hartshorn, courtesy CGTFest) 'My hope is for more theater in the Grove (and) for the festival to continue of course, because Miami is full of amazing writers and directors doing some of the most interesting work in the country. But also to have theater in the Grove throughout the year — storefront pop ups, black box productions, theater in restaurants, galleries, stores and parks. Theater in the Grove could be a thriving ecosystem like a tropical version of London's West End,' said Hector. The plays will be presented as staged readings as an introduction to the new works. 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 8 'Liberty City Vignettes,' written by Lolita Stewart-White, directed by Hattie Mae Williams. A coming-of-age story of 14-year-old Liberty City Red, whose family and community face forced removal from the Pork N Beans Public Housing Projects by the Miami-Dade County Housing Authority. 5:30 p.m., Friday, May 9 'Humanization,' written by Michael Yawney, directed by Maha McCain. Father Chris is struggling to keep his parish alive when the wealthy, eccentric Angela offers as much complication as she does help, and lines blur between salvation and scandal. 8:30 p.m., Friday, May 9 'A Shiva for Joseph: Day Two,' written by Brandon Urrutia, directed by Charisma Jolly. Joseph is dead. His family is unraveling. And his 18-year-old son Joshua is in the next room, grappling with the fact that he is quite literally God incarnate. What does faith mean when even God is grieving? 2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 10 'The Death of Kings: An Encyclopedia,' written by Vanessa Garcia, directed by Victoria Collado. A kaleidoscopic world seen through the eyes of Quin—a modern-day Harlequin, full of memory and mischief—on a mission to rewrite one of the most canonical works of centuries past: The Encyclopedia. 'When the Sea Wall Cracks,' playwright Alejandro Rodríguez, with director Maha McCain. (Photo by Ted Hartshorn, courtesy CGTFest) 5:30 p.m., Saturday, May 10 'The Queer Séance at #3 Sutton Place,' written by Hannah Benitez, directed by Amy Coker. It's 1903 and the daughter of J.P. Morgan is desperate to secure her place in Daddy's will. Her plan? Host a seance to summon the spirit of Leonardo da Vinci to authenticate a suspiciously acquired Mona Lisa. 8:30 p.m., Saturday, May 10 'Turbo Hybrid,' written by William Hector, directed by Gladys Ramírez. After the death of larger-than-life F1 world champion Miles Carmine, his overlooked teammate Anna Scholl sees an opportunity to become the winning driver she always believed she could be. 4:30 p.m., Sunday, May 11 'When the Sea Wall Cracks,' written by Alejandro Rodríguez, directed by Karina Batchelor-Gómez. A hurricane slams into Miami and through the lives of a Cuban business owner and his activist daughter, who are torn apart by the storm and their convictions as they embark on parallel journeys. 7:30 p.m., Sunday, May 11 'The Feral Spinster Society,' written by Andie Arthur, directed by Melissa Almaguer. Amelia Beauchamp has spent her entire life being overlooked… by men, by her family, and by her neighbors. However, when her niece, a notorious suffragist, finds herself in trouble — Amelia knows exactly who can save the day. If you go: WHAT: The Coconut Grove Theatre Festival WHERE: Woman's Club of Coconut Grove, 2985 S. Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove WHEN: Various times, Thursday, May 8 to Sunday, May 11 COST: $20 INFORMATION: is a nonprofit media source for the arts featuring fresh and original stories by writers dedicated to theater, dance, visual arts, film, music and more. Don't miss a story at
Chicago Tribune
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Naperville News Digest: Woman's Club announces Young Adult Art Contest winners; Naperville police conducting traffic safety webinar
Woman's Club announces Young Adult Art Contest winners The Naperville Woman's Club has announced the winning Young Adult Art Contest entries done by high school artists living in the Naperville School District 203 and Indian Prairie School District 204 areas. Students took part in the club's annual contest by submitting two-dimensional and three-dimensional entries in a variety of mediums. Artwork included pencil, pen and ink, collage, mixed media, paint and pastel, computer design, photography, sculpture, pottery and jewelry, a news release said. Their work was judged on concept, creativity, composition, originality, emotional impact, presentation and execution. Cash awards were given to all winners, who include: Best of Show: Lillian Dillon, a student at Neuqua Valley High School. Paintings and Drawings: Anusha Konjeti, Metea Valley High School, 1st place; Rachel Li, Metea Valley, 2nd place; and Addison Frank, Waubonsie Valley High School, received 3rd place. Digital Art and Photography: Mia Rowe, Naperville North High School, 1st place; Elizabeth Story, Naperville Central High School, 2nd place; and Giuliana Lopez Castro, Naperville Central, 3rd place. Sculpture and Jewelry: Fiona Sutherland, Naperville Central, 1st place; Shealon Dwyer, Naperville Central, 2nd place; and Sydney Ewald, Naperville Central, 3rd place. Ally Piepho Tribute Award: McKenna Bundle, Neuqua Valley High School. The club also awarded honorable mentions to 20 students among all categories. Naperville police conducting traffic safety webinar Wednesday In the wake of 3,200 crashes in Naperville last year, eight of which were fatal, the Naperville Police Department will hold a webinar on traffic safety at noon Wednesday, April 23. Information will be presented on the frequency and locations of crashes in Naperville, the most common crash causes, how roadways are evaluated, and ways the city tries to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes, a news release said. The webinar is free and open to the public. No registration is required. To view the webinar, go to A recording will be made available on Naperville's website for those who cannot watch live. Rep. Foster hosting military academy information session A military academy nomination information session will be held from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at the Nichols Public Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave., in Naperville, hosted by U.S. Rep Bill Foster, D-Naperville. The session will help students and their parents familiarize themselves with the application and nomination process to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Foster's office said in a news release. Participants will be given an overview of the admissions process, and academy representatives will be on hand to answer questions. Foster can nominate a limited number of district residents interested in four of the five service academies. It is not necessary to seek a nomination to the Coast Guard Academy, Foster's website said. For information on the nomination process, go to Forest preserve, park districts urging responsible trail use The forest preserve districts of DuPage, Kane and Will counties, McHenry County Conservation District and the Fox Valley and Naperville park districts are teaming up to promote responsible trail use. The initiative is taking place in May, which is National Bike Month, a news release from the DuPage County forest preserve district said. Trail safety, rider etiquette and understanding electric bicycle classifications and regulations are among the topics being addressed in the campaign. Participating agencies will distribute pocket-sized handouts with trail safety guidelines and e-bike regulations, the news release said. The campaign will also include social media posts and trail-side signs. Participating agencies are working to align their ordinances to improve consistency, the release said. Under current forest preserve and park district regulations, only Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on trails. Class 3 bikes, which have a motor that can travel up to 28 mph, are not permitted. All e-bikes must have a label that indicates the bike's class and top assisted speed, the release said.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Women played integral role in shaping Lexington's 250-year history
Lexington museums will focus on the area's famous women as they celebrate the city's 250th anniversary. As March is Women's History Month, the museums in Lexington will focus on how women impacted the city's politics, culture and quality of life. The exhibits are part of 250Lex, the city's year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of its founding. Mandy Higgins, director of the Lexington History Museum, said the exhibits would bring to life the work and times of the women who shaped Lexington. 'Lexington women had a significant influence in Lexington's culture and politics,' she said. 'They were responsible for a lot more than they're given credit for.' Higgins said the Lexington History Museum will continue its 'Among Women' exhibit featuring the history of the Woman's Club and Lexington's social and cultural changes over the past century. That includes significant contributions to the city, such as the establishment of the first public library, the influence of the club's members on business and politics and the fashions of the day. The first women's organization in Lexington was the Woman's Club of Central Kentucky. Formed in 1894, just after the Kentucky Federation of Women's Clubs was formed, the organization represented women from Bourbon, Boyle, Casey, Clark, Fayette, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Scott and Woodford counties. The group's goal was far-reaching: To 'further the educational and cultural life of the community and to broaden the outlook of the women of central Kentucky by keeping them informed on matters of national and international scope.' It has been instrumental in establishing the Carnegie Public Library in 1898, in public school reform, and in women's suffrage in local school elections. Today, the club focuses on childhood education, historic preservation, welfare and seniors. The exhibit will run through March 31. At the Mary Todd Lincoln House, visitors can see exactly how Lexington's first lady lived. Mary Todd lived in the house on Main Street in the early 19th century. The four-panel traveling exhibit features images and text that show just what life was like in Lexington during her time. The exhibit runs through April 30. Born on Short Street in 1818, Mary Todd became the wife and most trusted confidant of US President Abraham Lincoln. Mary Todd was one of the most educated women of her generation, which made her a successful First Lady during the American Civil War. Although history remembers her as troubled, Mary Todd's life traumas included her mother dying young, her father dying in a cholera epidemic, witnessing her husband's assassination, and three of her four children dying before adulthood. Focusing on the experiences of women at Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, the estate's museum will provide a 'Women's Voices' tour on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:45 p.m. During those tours, visitors will learn about the nine women associated with the Henry Clay estate – from Charlotte Dupuy, an enslaved woman who went to court against Henry Clay to get her freedom, to Laura Clay, one of Kentucky's leading suffragists. Laura Clay organized and served as the first president of the Kentucky Equal Rights Association, which worked to secure equal rights for women through legislative changes in education, property rights and wages. As the daughter of Cassius Marcellus Clay, the politician and emancipationist who worked for the abolition of slavery, she was inspired to fight for women's rights after her father divorced her mother and left her mother penniless, property-less, and without custody of her four children. She grew up on 193 North Mill Street. Tickets to the Women's Voices tours are available online at
