Our Club

The Club is a social, civic, and educational organization celebrating Friendship, Education, and Community. Through friendship, its members work to support the charitable and education purposes of the Carmel Valley Women's Club Foundation. We hold luncheons most first Wednesdays of the month from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, a New Member Reception in September, a apecial Holiday Luncheon in December, and our spring fundraiser in April. We meet at various restaurants in the Carmel Valley area. We also hold other monthly events at varous times. Membership is open to all and not restricted to Carmel Valley residents.
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Become a member. Join the CVWC!

Memberships are $65 per year. You may join online HERE. If you have questions or would like to pay via check, contact our Membership Director HERE

If you are an existing member looking to renew, you must login to renew. If you need your login and password, contact our Web Mistress at web@cvwomensclub.org

A Message from our President

Happy Holiday Season to all!

We wrapped up 2024 with another delicious and festive luncheon at Woody’s Del Mesa, a chance to do some shopping and a raucous, record-breaking raffle. The crowd of 60 bought $550 worth of tickets! Desiree Gillingham’s exuberance and Deb Langley’s talents were responsible for this haul. Thank you, ladies! And a big round of applause to Conne Sutherland for pulling together the menu, the music, the venue and the vendors.

In January and February, the Board will focus on Health and Wellness. Phase three of our ‘Aging Well’ series will begin on 01/27 with a Zoom Meeting. The Alzheimer Society will present three sessions addressing various aspects of this disease. We are also offering an in-person workshop on what you might call ‘Falling Well.’ Joe Ragnarok of the Ragnarok Athletics in Monterey will help us improve our balance and ability to recover from a fall. See the Events calendar for more information.

Continued...

Save the Date - Saturday, Jan. 18 10:00 a.m. - Aging Well with Joe at the Gym

As we grow older one of our biggest concerns is not just falling, but how do we get up off the floor! Joe Ragnarak, of Ragnarak Athletics in Monterey, will work with us for a special session on not just the proper way to get up from the ground, but how to improve balance, walking, agility and strength. He will tailor his session for us to work with many levels of ability so that all can participate. Members are encouraged to bring spouses, significant others, and friends. A small donation of $10 will be requested (by us, not Joe, he's donating his time, but we'd like to help him), and a signed liability waiver will be required.

When: Saturday, January, 18
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Where: Ragnarak Athletics

Registration Email will be sent in early January

Save the Date: 1/27 12:00 noon zoom: Understanding Alzheimer's

Community Educator and retired nurse practitioner, Barbara Rhoades, from the. Alzheimer's Association, will join us for our next Zoom Session on Aging Well. She will speak on understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia, as an introduction to our three part series on Alzheimer's. She has plenty of hands on experience having worked in a memory-care unit for much of her career. This will be another Zoom Session. Link for participation will be sent later in January.

When: Monday, January 27
Time: 12 noon
Zoom Session

All are welcome, no registration required.

Save the date - April 6 - 2nd Annual Hoedown

Peter Meckle has very generously donated the use of Hidden Valley on April 6, 2025. It’s the perfect place for a Hoedown! The groundwork was done last year and we have the infrastructure and planning well in hand. Join the fun as we recreate the Carmel Valley of the past!

In January, a volunteer coordinator will contact the membership with a list of opportunities for you to participate in the success of this convivial and entertaining party / fundraiser..... Continued...

December Holiday Luncheon - A Joyful Occasion

Our annual Holiday Luncheon, this year once again at Woody's at Del Mesa, was a feast for the senses. Fifty-nine members and guests attended, and dined on vegetable hors d'oeurvres, squash soup, salad with fish or chicken and a baked apple dessert. Lovely holiday music accompanied the meal. As usual Woody's was decorated beautifully. We had three select (and very popular) vendors for a little light shopping: Quail & Olive, Old World Linens and JSM Organics (the lovely wreaths).

Our lucky raffle winners were Jane Consani, Mary George and Diana Morrow.

Many thanks to Conne Sutherland for arranging such a fabulous event, Deb Langley for our raffle gifts, and Cynthia Rivera and Sally King for registration.

November 6 - A "Genius" Lunch

A spectacular outdoor setting and a spectacular fall day awaited the 45 members and guests at Earthbound Farmstand Pavilion for our November luncheon. We had a lovely buffet luncheon set amidst pumpkins, flowers and greenery. Patricia Qualls, local artist, gallery owner, former psychologist and wall street financier and even a farm-hand, was our guest speaker. Patricia spoke on "Honoring our Genius" whatever that might be, and wherever one might find a creative outlet. She urged us all to be curious and open to new experiences, and even to look to our past to find activities we may have "given up" (piano in your youth???) to find a creative outlet that allows our genius to flow. She related this to her own creative journey and how she came to artistic expression relatively late in life after a very analytic approach. She noted it's never too late to start, and gently pushed us all to start our own exploration.

Thanks to Deb Langley for the two lovely baskets. We raised $195 for the Foundation with ticket purchases. Thank you members!!!

Aging Well - Part 2 - November 18 12:00 noon Zoom Call

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Our second zoom presentation in our Aging Well series will be with Christine Dawson, Senior Vice President of Philanthropic Giving at the Community Foundation for Monterey County. CFMC is well known for supporting nonprofits like us, but they also provide customized support to individuals, families and businesses in bequest, legacy and estate planning. Christine will cover their unique approach through personalized plans for giving with a focus on creating the greatest good for Monterey County.

To join the zoom call or find out how to participate in person, please contact Judy Tschirgi by EMAIL

Two Fun and Informative October Events

First "Aging Well" Zoom Presentation - 10/17
Alliance on Aging with John McPherson

Pumpkin Decor Event - 10/19

Our first of four sessions on Aging Well was a fun and informative event. We had 15 paricipants, mostly on Zoom and all went smoothly. John McPherson was an excellent speaker and the Alliance is a very impressive organization. They offer a myriad of free services for seniors in Monterey County. We encourage you to visit their site and learn how they might be able to help you, your loved ones or senior friends with taxes, Medicare choices, legal services and so much more. They also partner with numerous organizations who can help with transportation services and other important senior services.

Stay tuned for details about our next session!

What do 6 people and 12 pumpkins add up to on a gorgeous autumn morning? A fun-filled Pumpkin Decor "Instructional Event", of course. It was held at Conne Sutherland’s house on her beautiful patio. Six of us enjoyed coffee and pumpkin bread, (of course), while we created some beautiful, fall floral arrangements. A delightful morning for all involved.

October 2 Luncheon was a Musical Delight

Our first luncheon of the year was a delightful, and well-attended, affair. Nicola Reilly, President and CEO of the Monterey Symphony not only regaled us with stories of her fascinating life, but played several pieces on the violin with her long time piano accompanist. Nicola started life in a musical family and while thinking she wanted to play bass violin, realized at age 6 that violin was perhaps more appropriate for her petite size. With a vision of conquering the world in short order she became an accomplished musician, helped reorganize some government services, worked at a start-up, worked at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, founded two women's musical groups and then began the long arduous climb up the ladder of Arts Administration through numerous musical organizations including the Seattle Chamber Music Society and the Carmel Bach Festival, ultimately landing at the Monterey Symphony where she's been since 2016. They are lucky, indeed to have found this energetic, creative, resourceful leader who emphasizes partnership with other arts leaders in the region. Be sure to check out the schedule of events at MontereySymphony.org

Thanks to Helayne Williams for arranging for Nicola to speak and perform.

And Many Thanks to Conne Sutherland for obtaining the Hacienda Carmel venue with piano and for arranging for the lovely buffet luncheon.

Sept. 11 - Aloha Meet 'n Greet - some serious mana

The "Aloha" spirit was flowing at Conne
Sutherland's amidst the lei's and colorful
outfits as our members enjoyed pupus,
wine, and each other.

A little over 30 members gathered to
kick off our 76th year as a club and
start a fun-filled year of luncheons,
educational events, social gatherings,
and our second annual Hoedown
in April. We look forward to seeing
you all over the next 9 months.

Carmel Valley Fiesta 2024

The CVWClub and Foundation were well represented at the Kiwanis 2024 Carmel Valley Fiesta in the Community Park. We got our name out to the community, recruited some new members, and even sold one of our cool aprons we were wearing!!! (They were from the BBQ Cook-off from several years ago).

Deb Langley's Silent Auction she ran to benefit our organization was a big success. And Deb donated 2/3 of her proceeds which amounted to $2000 to the Foundation. So AWESOME!!! Thank you Deb.

Wednesday, June 5 Luncheon -We celebrated our
Scholars and Non-Profit Grantees

Our June luncheon is always a delight. Held in the lovely garden of Los Laureles Lodge, with delicious food and umbrellas to (barely) protect us from an unusually hot day, we celebrated the scholars and nonprofits who were recipients of our 2024 grants. The Foundation was able to grant $16,000 in tuition scholarships to 7 Carmel Valley area scholars and $9,500 in unrestricted grants to local nonprofits that serve Carmel Valley residents. We are thrilled to be able to provide this much support and thank all of our members and the community at large who supported our fund-raising efforts.

The Community Allocations Committee (June Dawson, Chair, plus members Linda Davey, Marilyn Kajs-Wyllie and Judi Zaches) selected the following nonprofits to receive grants: Rotacare Monterey Clinic ($2,000), Alliance on Aging ($1,500), CASA Monterey ($1,500), Friends of Cachagua Children's Center ($1,500), CV Community Youth Center ($1,500) and the CV Historical Society ($1,500).

The Scholarship Committee (Nancy Endriz, Chair, plus members Megan Mayer, Susan McFarland and Judy Tschirgi) selected 7 recipients for tuition scholarships: Adrienne Ranansky (Cal Poly - SLO), Azucena Martinez (Caly Poly - SLO), Maggie Short (Verto Education through University of New Haven), Lilyana Marciano (OSU), Lesslie de la Rosa (applying to graduate programs), and two awardees from last year who completed their first year at UCSB, Sophia Bone and Cassidy Bullas.

In addition to the celebration, our membership voted in new Club Officers for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and thanked outgoing President, Renée Wagner for her service. Incoming Officers are: Brenda Davis, President; Helayne Williams, 1st VP Programs; Conne Sutherland, 2nd VP Venues; Deb Langley, 3rd VP Membership; Melissa Sterling, Secretary; and Sherie Dodsworth, Treasurer. Peggy Dickson, Chair of the Nominating Committee presented the slate, Marti Myszak made the motion to approve, Gale Paul seconded the motion, and the motion was carried.

New Member "Meet 'n Greet" - A Lovely Time

On May 23 the club hosted a 'Meet and Greet' for current and new members. The event was held at the home of Cynthia Hall, who very graciously welcomed 27 women to her spectacular hilltop residence. Thanks Cynthia!

Gale Paul brought Linda Coyne, who joined right away. Jani Quirinale brought Corrina Barrus, and Corrina Barrus brought Stacy Sonik, who had both joined the previous week. Hooray for new members, all.

The new members from this past year had a chance to introduce themselves, and we all enjoyed getting to know one another. Sweet and savory treats from Jerome's, donated wine from Bernardus and Hahn along with lemonade from Cynthia were appreciated by all.

75th Anniversary 'Diamond' Hoedown Party - An Amazing Celebration!

What a 75th Anniversary it was!! A Hoedown to beat all Hoedowns. There was music. There was incredibly delicious food. There was a Silent Auction that netted us over $9000. And there was DANCING! (we should have an amazing video soon). With 146 tickets sold (over our goal), we had over 130 attendees all dressed to the nines in cowboy and cowgirl attire - never seen so many hats and boots. Hidden Valley was turned into a Western Wonderland by our awesome Decorations Committee. We had lots of community members join our Club members for a truly wonderful Carmel Valley celebration of fun and philanthropy.

There are lots of people and companies to thank for helping to make this event so successful. Please take a little time to acknowledge all our Volunteers, Sponsors and Donors. Without their support we never could have pulled this off.