A Message from the President

Two symbols of presidency sit in my dining room, almost ready to make their home in a new place. The tall silver urn and the shiny wooden gavel. When I first joined the Woman's Club many years ago, I would see the urn at receptions, standing tall at the end of a long table, watched over by a woman in a ribboned hat and white gloves.  She was ready to dispense coffee to all who lined up. The gavel, I'm sure, was used to call to order the meetings that took place each month. The urn no longer holds coffee but remains a strong symbol of friendship and service.  The gavel continues to call to attention those who attend the monthly meetings.  

What has it been like to be president?  I've talked to many people. I've spent time with those I already knew and met many more that I had not known.  I've attended many wonderful events and heard many stimulating talks.  I've learned about parts of the University, previously unfamiliar. I tried to keep track of all that was going on. And there was also the work: gathering information, writing agendas for meetings, reserving rooms, supporting new programs, writing various notes and letters on behalf of the club, meeting and dining with scholarship recipients (that wasn't difficult!), keeping the president's book with its photos and records of events and correspondence.  

In spite of the time I needed for the work, the rewards were great.  The thought of sitting around in retirement was not a happy one for me.  Being involved in the Woman's Club, particularly as an officer, provided the stimulation and direction for this new part of my life.  I saw myself in a role very different from any that I had already had.

Now as I polish the urn and shine the gavel, readying them for their new home, I look toward other responsibilities within the club.  I give my heartfelt thanks to all who have shared their ideas and taken responsibility for services and events. I thank all of you for trusting me to be your president and hope I have served you well.

Docent: Alison Taylor

Georges Braque, Vase, Palette,  and Mandolin, 1936 

Thursday, March 28, 2013 

11:00 am 

 All members are welcome to enjoy this tour!

This invitation was not in the printed newsletter.  If you know members who do not have a computer and will not see notice of this event, please share the news.   

Please RSVP 

Pat Sarantites 314-862-6615  sarantites@gmail.com

Assimo Azariadis 314-925-8162  assimoaz@gmail.com     

Friday, April 26, 2013   11:30 am - 2:00 pm

 Highlands Golf and Tennis Center

5163 Clayton Avenue in Forest Park (East) * 

♫Classical Music Program: 

Duo D'Autrefois

Alan Rosenkoetter, Guitar Head of Guitar Studies at Washington University

Jim Harris, Baroque Flute

Cash Bar opens 11:30        

Short Annual Meeting 12:00-12:30

Lunch 12:30-1:30 

Music program 1:30-2:00

Approval of slate of officers for 2013-2014

Luncheon Menu

I. Pan Seared Salmon $23

Fresh Filet of Salmon Herbed, Seared & Dressed w/ a Country Dijon Dill Cream

II. Hollywood Cobb Salad $20

Roasted Shaved Turkey Breast, Diced Tomatoes, Crumbled Gorgonzola, Sliced Eggs, Shredded Cheddar atop  Mixed Greens with choice of Dressings

III.  Pasta Primavera $20                                   

Oven  Roasted  Seasoned  Vegetables, Cavatappi  Pasta , Tossed  together in a Light Lemon Cream Sauce Finished w/ Aged Asiago

Directions:  Parking spots (30)

Please RSVP by April 8, 2013   Make checks out to Woman's Club of Washington University For each member and guest include choice of lunch and any dietary restrictions, your telephone number and email address.

Mail to:  

Ingrid Lutzeler

Elizabeth Danforth Butterfly Garden

Big Dig

Annual Spring Planting

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Rain Date May 9, 2013

8:00 am - 1:00 pm

We will have the plants, fertilizer, tools and snacks. 

Any amount of time you can share that morning is appreciated!

If you can help with the planting party

RSVP to

Leigh Pratter: 314-795-4211   leighpratter@sbcglobal.net     Jean Davis: 314-863-5646

Garden News

November 4th was the date of the last butterfly sighting in the Elizabeth Danforth Butterfly Garden- a lone Skipper Butterfly.  While other butterflies were migrating south or making other seasonal arrangements, the gardeners stayed busy getting the garden ready for winter.  We ended the growing season with a 10 am to 2 pm  Planting Party attended by WCWU garden workers, a few students, staff members, Carol Shapiro's loving dog and Barb Ackermann's two year old grandson.  We are very grateful to the non-profit Forest Releaf for thirty native trees and shrubs and to the members of the Clayton Garden Club who gave us an American Hornbeam tree as a thank you after touring our garden last summer.

Planting all these new plants was more work than you might imagine, since each plant needed a space four feet in diameter cleared of weeds, vines and honey suckle.  All the new plants went into the area between the Butterfly Garden and Stix International House where there had been a hedge. Our vision is to have trees and shrubs with beautiful fall colors to naturally separate our Garden from the red brick of Stix International House and its driveway.

Last summer's gardeners had a recent winter fun event. Tedi Macias got the crew together to see the delightful movie, Flight of the Butterflies at the Omni-Max Theatre in the St. Louis Science Center. Afterward, as a special treat, Diane Wyse-Jackson invited us to an Irish lunch at her home, the residence of the Director of the Missouri Botanical Garden.  The lunch setting could not have been more appropriate for gardeners.  We all expressed our appreciation for her thoughtfulness and went on to the orchid show at the Botanical Garden after the lunch.

Scholarship Endowment Day Donations 

The Scholarship Endowment Day (Game Day) February 6, 2013, organized by Jennifer Luner, was held at the Willows at Brookings Park. The Willows generously donated the space and beverages.  It was a fun filled day that netted more than $925.00 for the Centennial Scholarship Fund.  Many Woman's Club members attended, and their names are included on the donations list.  Several attendees were game players from the Willows who donated to our scholarship fund to play with the group that day.  They are mentioned in the courtesy notes.  The fun included players of Bridge, Mah Jongg, Rummy Cube, and Scrabble.  A delicious Greek lunch was prepared by Alki Lappas-Case and Ginni Lappas.  We thank Alki and Ginni for their generous spirit and cooking skills.

Donation Courtesy Notes

Neil Bernstein and Philip Bernstein each made donations to the Centennial Scholarship in honor of Marcia Bernstein.  Assimo Azariadis made a donation to the Centennial Scholarship in honor of Gloria Lubowitz.  Phyllis Tirmenstein through the Roland G. Quest Trust made donation to the Scholarship in honor of her husband, Roland. Susan Weiss  also made a donation to the Centennial Scholarship fund.  Donations from the following residents at the Willows were made to the Centennial Scholarship on Scholarship Endowment Day: Charles and Dottie Schmidt, Elliot Rosenstock, Herb Bilinsky, Carol Axelrod, Ruth Malvern, Anita Graves.  Carol Armstrong made a donation to the Elizabeth Danforth Butterfly Garden.

These are not just ordinary notecards.  These are Woman's Club cards created especially to celebrate our centennial year and to share the beauty of our Elizabeth "Ibby" Danforth Butterfly Garden. The gorgeous photos of butterflies are captured on film right in our own beautiful and tranquil oasis on campus. 

Purchase these cards and use them to brighten spirits and send your thoughtful words on wings of butterflies.

A package of 8 cards--2 each of 4 different images--sells for $10.00 per set.  They will be available at Woman's Club events.  You may also purchase them from Sylvia Silver at email: sarks317@sbcglobal or by phone: 314-863-4853.  Enjoy!