Looking Back and Forward

 

Election year!  Again?  this is going to be an interesting year in the political history of our country.  The Republicans are in the midst of choosing their candidate to challenge Barack Obama for the Presidency.  This summer, both parties will meet, and it will be officially "on."

Before we move "on," I think it is always helpful to look back and see our accomplishments for 2011.

  • In February, seven of us attended the inaugural Tallahassee Days.  It was a great day of hearing from our legislative leaders.
  • In March, our speakers were Buz Livingston and Bill Von Hoene on a subject near and dear to all of us--money, how to manage it, and how to react if the worst happens and bankruptcy is imminent.
  • We made a donation to the Homeless Children's Project administered by the Walton County Schools.
  • Throughout the year, we welcomed newly registered Democratic women voters via a letter introducing our club.
  • In May, we were graced with a wonderful presentation from Wayne Greenhaw about his life as a reporter during the days of the civil rights struggles in Alabama.
  • We donated two copies of Wayne Greenhaw's book,  FIGHTING THE DEVIL IN DIXIE, to the Coastal Branch Library.
  • In June, on one of the hottest days of the year, we cleaned Hwy 395 from Hwy 98 to the Gulf.
  • On July 4th, we participated in the Seaside Fourth of July parade.
  • Each Thursday, a group from our club -- joined by their spouses--meet to work at Deer Lake State Park.
  • In September, Susie Arnold and I attended the Annual Convention of the State Club.
  • At the convention, our club's newsletter and website were recognized as "Best in State."
  • In October, members cleaned out their treasures to sell at the Seaside Yard Sale.  We made well over $600 to fund our activities for 2012.
  • We created the Walton County Talent data base of Democratic women artists.  Look at this listing the next time you need an original gift.  If you would like to add your name to this list, call me.
  • Throughout the year, several members wrote excellent fact-based letters to various local newspapers about topics of concern.
  • We ended the year in good financial condition.

 

And now for the New Year, 2012, a year that promises to be a political doozie.   

This is a preliminary schedule that will evolve as the year unfolds.

January 19th   Deadline to register for Tallahassee Days.  See information on our website.

January 26th  Alvin Peters, Democrat from Bay County, has stepped up and out to challenge Southerland for his congressional seat.  We will meet with Alvin at noon at the Vue (Santa Rosa Beach Club) to sign his petition, hear his story and support him financially.  Running for office is very expensive and those of us who do not have the fire in our belly to run should help those qualified candidates who do have the talent and the commitment.    RSVP to maryinbham@aol.com

February 6-7     Tallahassee Days.  .

February 11th    Seaside Yard Sale 8am to 2pm.   We will need your treasures and your time to help with transportation and staffing the table.   Karen McGee is leading this effort.  More about this at the Jan. 26th meeting. 

March    No meeting due to Spring break

April    Meeting place and date to be announced.

--Mary Wolfe, DWC President

Courage, Commitment and Currency - Learn More at our January 26th Meeting

 

Representative Steve Sutherland is being challenged by Democrat Alvin Peters of Panama City.   Sutherland, you may remember, is the one who said,  “I can’t make it on $174,000.”    Steve has voted a straight Republican line on every vote this year.   Some of those votes directly hurt his constituents who are fighting for their economic survival.    Alvin Peters has decided he cannot stand by and not challenge this total disregard of our economy and our future.

Running for office is not an easy or inexpensive venture.  You must have the 3 C’s: COURAGE to face your opponent and the barbs that will come your way, a strong COMMITMENT to make a difference and the CURRENCY (lots of cash) to buy media and to run an effective campaign

So SAVE the DATE (January 26th at noon) and SAVE UP to help Alvin with his third C (cash).  We will meet at the VUE, the Santa Rosa Beach Club on 30-A.

Those of us who do not have the fire in the belly to run for political office in our deep red area can, at the very least, help Alvin with the cash needed.

Read more about Alvin.  Come out on the 26th and meet him and offer your support.  Please RSVP to me no later than Friday January 20th.   

Respond to maryinbham@aol.com

 

Democratic Women's Club Member Artists

Becky Brodersen fabric art btbrodersen@cox.net
Betty Cork paintings efcork@mac.com or 850-585-2743
Saramae Dalferes paintings sedalferes@yahoo.com or 850-534-0945
Karen McGee holiday/all occasion cards, photos seajayhawk@mchsi.com
Shelia Wachsman paintings (custom work) swachsman@embarqmail.com

 

"A Chip Off the Old Block"

 

The cliché "a chip off the old block" certainly applies to retired librarian Marilyn Coe.  The daughter of a wood carver, Marilyn inherited his carving tools several years ago and has continued the family legacy. 

Her current project is a 300-pound block of old walnut that her father discovered about 40 years ago.  It sits on Marilyn’s porch, waiting to become a work of art.    Sooner or later, after hours of chipping, carving, shaving, sanding and whatever it takes to make the wood block take form, a female figure will emerge.

Marilyn doesn’t sell her work but donates it to friends and various charities.  “It takes so long to carve a piece, I could never put a price on the finished artworks, so I just give them away,” Marilyn says. 

A recently completed piece sits in her wooded side yard where Marilyn often spends quiet time with her cats.    Two of her favorites are “The Magi” and a smaller carving of an octopus mounted on an antique music box.  The pelican was carved by her late father.

A member and officer of the Democratic Women’s Club, Marilyn worked tireless during the 2008 Obama campaign and brought a carving she had done years earlier to the campaign headquarters (as a symbolic mascot) that had a striking resemblance to then candidate Barack Obama. 

Marilyn is just one of the many creative and talented women who are part of the Walton County political and artistic community. 

 

Seaside Yard Sale -Part Deux

Save your treasures and block off Saturday, Feb. 11th for the Seaside yard sale.  We will need all of your "stuff,"  your help in manning the table and in transportation to duplicate the rousing success from the first yard sale.  Please contact Karen McGee with your volunteer or material offerings. (850-231-9531)

This money will go directly to fund our political activities for 2012. 

 

Legislative Days --Sign up before the January 19th Deadline - See Latest Schedule!

 

Last year, a group of our members went to Tallahassee Legislative Days, sponsored by the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida,  and they highly recommend that you consider attending this year.

TALLAHASSEE LEGISLATIVE DAYS

WHEN? Monday and Tuesday, February 6-7, 2012

WHERE? Accommodations provided at $89.00 per night at Holiday Inn Capitol East, 1355 Appalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32301.  Phone: 850-877-3171.  Hot breakfast included in price. Free parking.

TRANSIT FROM/TO HOTEL AND CAPITOL: Low taxi fare, public bus transportation, shuttle from nearby Governor’s Mall. Short drive to Capitol parking if driving on your own.

Please let me know if you want to attend no later than January 11th.  Once we know numbers, we can make our plans.   Email to maryinbham@aol.com

 

Artist of the Month - Saramae Dalferes

 

DWC member Saramae Dalferes is the Artist of the Month at the Coastal Branch Library (Highway 331, Government Center).  Go by and view her numerous paintings in various media.  You may find just the right gift for yourself or a friend!  (The name of the painting is "Harmony.")

 

DWC Members Volunteer at Deer Lake State Park

DWC members Ann and Ralph Bogadus, Angela and Rawlins McKinney, Mary and Tom Wolfe, and Carol Geary were among the Deer Lake Park volunteers who were recently honored with an appreciation luncheon.  Sponsored by the Friends of Grayton Beach and Deer Lake CSO and prepared by Ranger Patrick Hartsfield, the volunteers and all the local rangers were recognized for their contributions to the park.

 

 

Alex Sink Launches New Foundation

Alex Sink launches foundation, mum on possible 2014 run

St. Petersburg Times - Former Democratic gubernatorial nominee Alex Sink, after narrowly losing her campaign for governor, is launching her own policy think tank while brushing off widespread speculation that she will take on Gov. Rick Scott again in 2014.

After narrowly losing his first race for governor, Jeb Bush created a think tank that helped keep his profile elevated and sharpened his education policy chops before he won the governor's race on his second try.

Fifteen years later, former Democratic gubernatorial nominee Alex Sink, after narrowly losing her campaign for governor, is launching her own policy think tank while brushing off widespread speculation that she will take on Gov. Rick Scott again in 2014.

"That's a long way away," Sink, 63, said Thursday. "People may criticize and say I have some other agenda, but the opposite would be that I go hide under the covers and do nothing. I don't think that's good for our state." 

Read More>

 

Become a member of the DWC

Membership dues are $25 per year.  To join, click on this link, print the form and mail with your check to Democratic Women's Club, P. O. Box 2507, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459.  Thank you!  Men are always welcome to attend our meetings.  Become a member, too!

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