Members celebrated May with a trip to Montclair to view the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. Since 1927, these gardens have celebrated the blooming of Irises of every hue in memory of Frank H. Presby of Montclair who was a leading horticulturist and a founder of the American Iris Society. The gardens were spectacular, and we enjoyed lunch together at Samba, a Brazilian restaurant in Montclair.

Members enjoyed an evening sponsored by The Friends of Hackensack University Medical Center at The Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes on May 17th. Very informative conversations on “What Matters Most To Women” in the fields of Cardiology, Endocrinology and Gynecology were moderated by Dr. Lisa Tank, Senior VP and Chief Medical Officer. The panel of doctors included Dr. Jacqueline Hollywood (Cardiology), Dr. Colette M. Knight ( Endocrinolgy) and Dr. Ami P. Vaidya (Gynecology).

Members attended a performance of Agatha Christie’s play, Murder On The Orient Express, at the Paper Mill Theater in Millburn on Wednesday evening. We enjoyed cocktails and appetizers before curtain time at the Loft at the Carriage House Restaurant.

We had a very informative and insightful tour of the Old Stone Church last Saturday thanks to Elder Peter Freeman, Vice President of the Consistory. Prior to the church’s construction, the church’s first ministers traveled on horseback to minister at members’ homes. The church’s front entrance and the first and oldest tombstones are made from local sandstone from the Saddle River. The non-denominational cemetery contains tombstones dating back to the early 1700s.

Fun Fact: The original bell from the church now resides between Bogert and Reynolds school!

Members filled 22 Hospital Survivor Bags for parents of children with cancer and donated them to Emmanuel Cancer Foundation’s Center in Midland Park this month. Nestled in the bags with a note of encouragement were natural and fragrance free toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, comb, dry shampoo), a pad and pen for taking notes, granola bars and snacks, adult coloring book, colored pencils, and a Sudoku or crossword puzzle book. We hope to bring some comfort to parents who are faced with supporting their children as they endure the huge challenge of chldhood cancer.

Many thanks to Linda Miko who organized this community service project.

Members enjoyed a trip into New York City to the see Gold in Motion–the immersive digital experience of Gustav Klimt’s art at the Hall Des Lumieres. A delicious German lunch followed at the lauded Heidelberg Restaurant.

Thanks to member, Joan Clifford, and our local Athleta for a lovely evening of browsing, shopping, chatting, and wellness. Members enjoyed stretches from the experts at Stretch Lab, gift bags from Sephora, and munched on a fruit and a cheese platter while many chose to add to their workout wardrobe.

A February outing for members was an evening at Stumpy’s Hatchet House. Members tried their hand at throwing an axe––and many determined women hit the bullseye! It was such fun!

In late January and February, club members donated and collected hearty soups and other non-perishable food items to support the Center for Food Action’s “Souper Bowl” Food Drive. Members brought their donations to our meeting. Collection baskets were also placed in the USR Library lobby and a drive through was held at our recycling center on a Saturday. Community outreach and member generosity filled two carloads of donations to help neighbors in need.

We wore red at our February meeting for Women’s Heart Health Month and we welcomed Cardiologist, Dr. Christine Gerula, who spoke to us about the Go Red For Women Campaign, how to have better heart health, and the signs and symptoms of heart attacks in women.