Uptown Civitan sisters, What a won-

derful year we have had together! A moment is not enough time to say

thank you for your hard work and

dedication throughout this year. I

know how hard you’ve worked, I was

there too, reaching out in service to others in this community. Just to

name a few; Clara White, Ronald

McDonald, Pine Castle, Seamark

Ranch, Light the Night (walk for Leu-

kemia and Lymphoma), Beaches Fi-

ne Arts, Junior Civitan, Girls Scout, PACE, Fonkoze, knitting baby caps,

JASMYN, Cummer Very Special Arts

Festival for the mentally and physi-

cally challenged, bake sales, garage

sales, and our awesome Flagship Project, Reverse Drawing! I’ve had

the time of my life, and I owe it all to

you!

These four years have been indeed

rewarding since I joined the ranks of Uptown Civitan, a group of phe-

nomenal women, who have a reputa-

tion of excellence with a diverse and

distinguished membership. It takes

commitment to stick to a mission

that has changed lives for 32 years.

Simply amazing ... just embracing

the idea of reaching out in service to

others, with emphasis on those with

disabilities, while working shoulder

to shoulder with the greatest civic organization in the world, Civitan

International.

Goals met for 2014-2015

We built a new Civitan Club,

Hometown Civitan…Gayle’s

vision. Thanks Mattie, Lana, and Betty Rohan for working to make

it happen.

We maintained one Junior Civitan

Club at Sandalwood. Jean Smith’s

grandson, Mitchell Pendleton, was the recipient of the Past President’s schol-

arship.

We have growth in Uptown Civitan's

membership.

Mentoring new members to maintain

85% or more of our membership.

We sought out new opportunities for

service and fellowship, Fonkoze … re-

sulting in a trip to Haiti, work with JA-SMYN, and an appointment for me to

the Civitan International Growth and

Retention Committee.

We increased media recognition of our

club, in the community news maga-

zines and public library.

Sought private sponsors to increase

our fundraising efforts. Tickets were purchased for our Flagship Project,

Reverse Drawing, and sponsoring two

of our new members for two quarters.

Our Club's Website has been rede-

signed and reinvigorated.

Our Facebook is alive and well.

Continued on page 2

Message from the President … Wynester Sherrer

Officers 2014-2015

President Wynester Sherrer

President-elect Nancy Chamblin

VP Membership Joyce DeVillez

Secretary Bonnie Hardman

Treasurer Betsy Caplan

Chaplain Tamer Britton

Sgts.-at-Arms Barbara Fiser /

Penny Powell

Education Mattie Fraser/

Jean Smith

Immediate Past President

Gayle Kanak

Directors

Lynn Bertram

Barbara Fiser

Karen Nasrallah

Ellen Paige

Ellen Rubens

Jean Smith

Linda Weinstein

UPTOWN UPDATE

U P T O W N C I V I T A N C L U B , J A C K S O N V I L L E , F L O R I D A

September 2015

Volume 32, No. 12

Inside This Issue

Philanthropic 3

Program 4-5

Membership / Hubbard

House

6

Ethel McDonald Barnes /

Chaplain’s Corner

7

Recruiting & Social on the

River

8

Personally Speaking /

Crochet Bee

9

Volunteer /

Uptown Activities

10

Pine Castle / Birthdays /

Greeters /

11

Volume 32, No. 12 Page 2

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT … Continued

It has been a delight to be encircled by a group of influential women whose flames radiate sparks

from one to another that refuses to let lights go dim. When I see your smiling faces and the glows on

the faces of those who know we care, my spirit is rekindled by the sparks from one to another. It keeps us going. It has kept me going. I have cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have

lighted the flame within me. Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone. Please know that each of you

has left an indelible mark upon my heart and memory that I will treasure for a life time.

Wynester

At our September 8 meeting, President Wynester Sherrer recognized and thanked her out-standing Board, Committee Chairs and ALL Uptown members.

Wynester presented an Honor Award to Wynester presented an Honor Award to Tamer Britton for her wonderful motiva- Betsy Caplan for her outstanding efforts tional messages at each Uptown meeting and accomplishments in her role as

as chaplain as well as her creative, and treasurer!! tasty renditions of food art at our meetings!

Congratulations to both of these fabulous ladies!!! Wynester also presented gifts to her Board officers and committee chairs … some of who are pictured with Wynester and incoming President Nancy Chamblin seated.

Volume 32, No. 12 Page 3

PHILANTHROPIC COMMITTEE … Mary Jo Marjenhoff

Many thanks to the members of this year’s Philanthropic Committee: Laura Crooks, Bar-bara Fiser, Mattie Fraser, Karen Nasrallah, Linda Wilkinson and me. Fourteen agencies were invited to submit proposals which supported Uptown’s mission of benefitting women, children and/or the developmentally disabled. Approximately $13,000 was available to award, and the awards would range between $1,000-$4,000. Eleven agencies submitted proposals which were reviewed and discussed by the committee. Recommended for fund-ing and approved by the Board at its September board meeting were the following:

Angelwood, Inc.-$3,400; The ARC Jacksonville-$800; Civitan International Research Center-$1,000 Downtown Ecumenical Services Council-$1,300 North Florida School of Special Education-$2,000 Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office-$1,875 Clara White Mission-$1,300 WJCT Radio Reading Service-$1,500 The awards were made at the September 8 meeting. A representative from each agency attended to receive their check and give a brief overview of their organization and what the money would be used for. Alexis Woods, Angelwood; Beth Wilson, Downton Ecumenical Services Council; Ju’Coby Pittman, Clara White Mission; Tom Hackney, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office; Melenie Jensen, North Florida School of Special Education; Julia Steffen, ARC; Michelle Corum. Seated, President Wynester Sherrer and Philanthropic Chair Mary Jo Marjenoff

Volume 32, No. 12 Page 4

PROGRAM … Nancy Chamblin

At our August 11 meeting, we welcomed Mr. Russ Armistead, CEO of FU Health Jacksonville, formerly

Shands Hospital. This was the first hospital in Jacksonville, founded in 1870 and was named Duval

Asylum. Now affiliated with the University of Florida, it is the largest UF campus outside of Gainesville and employs more than 5000 health care professionals, making it Jacksonville's 7th largest employer. It

is the largest safety-net hospital in the Southeast, seeing over 90,000 patients per year though the Level

One Trauma Center and Emergency Departments. It is a private, not-for-profit facility mandated to pro-

vide health care and emergency services to patients who would otherwise have limited or no access to

care because of insurance status, financial circumstances or their medical condition.

In Florida, 25% of all residents are

without health insurance, the 2nd high-

est in the country. In Duval County,

20% have no insurance. There are

4,000 homeless in Jacksonville and

20% of all children live below the pov-erty level. UF Health provides over $80

million a year in unreimbursed charity

care.

According to state law, anyone coming

into the Emergency Department must be triaged before they can be asked

about their ability to pay. They must be

treated and admitted if necessary based

solely on their medical needs. At any

one time, there are 20-30 inpatients

who have been there over 50 days. Many are kept an extended

time because they have no other place

to go.

Most funding comes from private insurance, which very few of the working poor are unlikely to

have. For those without insurance, funding comes from Medicare and Medicaid. City funding covers 7-14

thousand people for inpatient services although many

homeless are not eligible for city funds; unless they are

staying in a shelter, they have no way to show proof of

residence. Currently, and in the foreseeable future, the state legislature will not accept any funding through the

Affordable Health Care program. Although medical

costs are fairly well controlled, Mr. Armistead says that

as funding, including Medicare and Medicaid, continues

to drop, more government money will be needed to care

for the ever increasing number of uninsured patients.

Also at this meeting, Nancy Chamblin had some items

left from our flagship project and assembled two gift

baskets. Uptowners purchased tickets and the lucky

winners were Helen Willoughby and Ellen Rubens.

Congratulations to the lucky winners!!

Volume 32, No. 12 Page 5

On August 25 we welcomed Michael Boylan, President and CEO of WJCT. He was accompanied by

Stan Cleiland, VP of Community Relations and Michelle Corum of the Radio Reading service. Radio

Reading provides special programming for people with visual or physical challenges that make it diffi-cult to read the newspaper. Over 50 volunteers team to read the Times-Union, other newspapers,

magazines and books of interest to the listeners. Founded in 1993, the live broadcast gives voice to the

printed word, seven mornings a week and is funded solely by donations. The service is accessed

via internet or on a special radio receiver that WJCT will loan free of charge. Michelle Corum is always

looking for volunteers with a pleasant reading voice, good pronunciation and projection and especial-

ly dependability and commitment.

Mr. Boylan said that WJCT's first television broadcast was in 1958 and first radio broadcast in

1972. He came to the station in 1999 and has led the expansion of WJCT-TV to four channels and

WJCT-FM to three. He described the values and mission of WJCT as similar to our Civitan

Creed. They are committed to community enrichment and public service. Their mission is to use their

unique assets as a resource for citizens to come together to celebrate human diversity, experience life-long learning and actively engage in matters of civic importance, all to improve the quality of our lives

and our community. They have and will continue to reflect and respond to the many voices of our

First Coast community with distinction, balance and respect. They appreciate the power of public

broadcasting and honor our heritage by remaining responsive to citizens of all ages, abilities, cultures

and values.

WJCT and Uptown have sponsored and supported each other for many years. Several committees

have met at the WJCT studios and our board meets monthly in their board room. We have held suc-

cessful fundraising events in their broadcast facility including the Downton Abbey luncheon and our

two recent Flagship Reverse Drawings. Uptown is a sponsor of the Radio Reading Service and also

supports WJCT's programming through our philanthropic endeavors.

We treasure our long association and look forward to continuing a close relationship between Uptown

and WJCT. We worked the JAZZ Festival for many years, answered the phones for many years for the

station’s on-air TV auction (a lot of fun) and took pledges for many years, too, for the radio drives.

PE Nancy Chamblin thanks Michael Stan Cleiland, Michael Boylan, Mattie Fraser,

Boylan and for all WJCT does for Michelle Corum

the community

PROGRAM … Nancy Chamlin

Volume 32, No. 12 Page 6

MEMBERSHIP …

At our August 11 meeting, President Wynester Sherrer presented Past

President Nina Waters with her Medallion Member plaque for her 25

years of dedicated service to Civitan. Nina served as President of Uptown in 1997-1998.

At our September 8 meeting,

President Wynester presented

Lana Suggs with her scrap-book. Lana served as Uptown

President 2004-2005 but did

not have a scrapbook. Wynes-

ter did some research, looked

at the old Uptown Updates from that time and prepared a wonderful memory book for

her sister.

Membership is the key to any

club’s success. Be sure to in-vite your co-workers, friends,

family … to come to our meet-

ings to learn more about Civitan and our unsurpassable club! Pictured below are:

Diana Flagg, guest of Mary Jo Marjenhoff Linda Levin learned about Uptown through our

Website and came as guest of Wynester Sherrer

HUBBARD HOUSE...Barbara Ann Campbell Breakfast …

The Barbara Ann Campbell Memorial Breakfast will be held at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel

on Thursday, October 22 from 7:30—9:00 a.m. during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The

event is in memory of former Jacksonville Mayor Jake Godbold’s sister-in-law, who lost her life as a result of domestic violence. The proceeds raised go towards the life-saving services Hubbard House

provides. Cost for individuals is $35. Sponsorships also available. Contact Margaret Purcell or go to

www.800helpfla.com. Or 904-354-0076 hubbardhouse.org facebook.com/hubbardhouseinc twit-

ter.com/hubbardhouse

Volume 32, No. 12 Page 7

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER … Tamer Britton

SIMPLIFY LIFE AND ENJOY IT MORE

Appreciate simplicity.

Learn to have a good time without spending a lot of money.

Satisfaction begins when comparison stops.

Your needs will outweigh your energy.

While the poor dream of having riches, the wealthy long for simplicity.

Anything can last more than one year.

Don’t throw money at problems.

If you can’t afford it, you don’t need it.

Never let your yearnings exceed your earnings.

Be as satisfied with what you don’t have as with what you have.

Your wealth is measured by the fewness of your wants.

Never buy something for the purpose of impressing others.

Being deprived of something you desire is better than having something

you despise.

If you can’t live without it, go home and sleep on it.

Make a lifelong goal o remove clutter.

What you are bears little resemblance to what you have.

ETHEL McDONALD BARNES … Mattie Fraser

I am sad to have to report that Uptown lost a wonderful Civitan as well as one of our charter members

when Ethel McDonald Barnes passed away on August 22 after a brief illness. Ethel was a wonderful,

devoted, active member of Uptown Civitan from its chartering in May, 1983. Ethel’s Civitan life included: Certified Club Builder, Riv-

er City Civitan Club … earning a red club builder jacket; Associate

Club Builder, Pine Castle Civitan Club; International & District

Award Winner for Club Newsletter, 1987-88; Club Honor Key,

1989; Sponsored 20 Members; Summit District Candy Box Chair,

1990-91; Committee Chair: Fruitcake, Newsletter; Volunteer Extraordinaire … Jazz Festival, WJCT-TV7 Auction,

Cerebral Palsy, Gateway Nursery and Kindergarten, Greater Council

of Civitan Clubs of Jacksonville, Philanthropic Com., Naturalization

Ceremonies, Going Places Reception, Pine Castle, Awards, Greeter

Fundraising … Alhambra Theater, Trash Bags, Fruitcake, Candy Boxes, every Uptown Flagship Project since 1983—2015, etc.

Perfect Club Attendance 1983 –1992 (until she married and moved

to South Florida) Even though she moved from Jacksonville, she

remained a loyal member of Uptown and Civitan!!!

Attended numerous District, Area and International Conventions.

Ethel is survived by her loving husband, Richard Barnes, a sister, and many step grandchildren and

nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Ethel Barnes to Civitan International, P. O.

Box 130744, Birmingham, AL 35213-0744 towards a Civitan International Research Center Fellow in

Ethel’s name.

ETHEL WAS A DEDICATED CIVITAN AND WONDERFUL FRIEND. WE WILL MISS HER!!

Volume 32, No. 12 Page 8

RECRUITING & SOCIAL ON THE RIVER …

On Friday, August 28, a number of Uptowners and their guests met at the beautiful home on the St. Johns River of Barbara Drake and Joyce DeVillez. Members brought food and beverages and enjoyed a wonderful social time. Everyone told a little about themselves and our guests also learned a lot about Civitan and the Uptown Club. One of our guests, Linda Levin joined that night. Hopefully our other two guests, Barbara Moulding and Ann Mackey, will also join this month. Husbands of Laura Crooks and Linda Foley served as our cheerful bartenders! A job they have done numerous times which we thank them for.

Volume 32, No. 12 Page 9

PERSONALLY SPEAKING

Nancy Darlow’s granddaughter, Sydney Gross, a Junior volunteer, is headed to Florida State University on August 17 and already has a job at the UPS Store! (where else?)

Regina Edwards is hosting two students from China for two weeks. We are excited

to share our home in this new cultural experience for these students.

Ivy Harris is very proud of her son, Holden, who was just awarded a 4-year scholar-

ship to the graduate School of Fisheries Program at the University of Florida (go ga-tors!!). He was also given a paid internship for the du-ration of the program.

Lana Sugg's second daughter, Dr. Staci Suggs-Myles, married Dr. Jacob Williams, Jr. On August 22 in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Staci is a Pediatric Dentist who owns Pediatric Smiles and Jacob is a Pharmacist who owns and operates People's Pharmacy. The wedding was held on the lawn of a beautiful beach resort and the happy couple will reside in Jacksonville along with Staci's 6-year old son, Rowan Jackson Myles.

Jean Smith, daughter Holly and grandchildren Matthew and Jaclyn, visited the U.S. Naval Academy to see grandson Mitchell Pendleton when he completed his first six weeks of training. Mitchell is doing real well and is enjoying his time at Annapolis.

CROCHET BEE … Ellen Petersen

ALL UPTOWN MEMBERS AND GUESTS WELCOME WE HAVE KNITTING AND CROCHET PATTERNS

AND CAN TEACH YOU HOW

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 — 5:30-8:00 P.M.

ELLEN PETERSEN'S HOME

3648 RUBIN ROAD - 32257

I WILL SERVE A MAIN COURSE please sign up to bring a salad, veggie, fruit , dessert, or wine

and rsvp to me asap@ ellenpetersen@comcast.net or 904 571-3155

Volume 28, No. 2 Page 6

Page 10

UPTOWN ACTIVITIES … KEEP THE DATES!!!

Ongoing Fundraising Candy/Coin Boxes (Linda Weinstein)

Ongoing Volunteer Clara White Mission (Sharon Kantor) Ongoing 2nd/4th Thurs. noon Volunteer Pine Castle Civitan Club (Nancy Darlow/

Elaine Hall/Diane Young/Cathy Grant)

Ongoing Volunteer Baby Caps (Ellen Petersen/Linda Weinstein)

Ongoing Volunteer Sewing Catheter Bags for Brooks Rehab

(Marion Anderson) Ongoing Volunteer Ronald McDonald House (Helen Willoughby)

Ongoing Fundraising Ellen Rubens

Annual Fundraising Flagship Event (Susan Mack)

2015

Sept. 10 Volunteer Clara White Mission (Sharon Kantor)

Sept. 18-19 District FLORIDA DISTRICT CONVENTION, Tampa area Sept. 27 Volunteer Ronald McDonald House (Helen Willoughby)

If you have volunteer, social, or fundraising activities you would like to have added to this calendar, please e-mail me at mandsfraser@yahoo.com

Volume 32, No. 12 Page 10

Our monthly volunteer activity at Clara White Mission on August 13 … serving breakfast to

more than 300 people. This volunteer activity involves many Uptowners … Susan Connors,

Ellen Cooper, Regina Edwards and son Joshua, Sharon Kantor, Lois Lawrence, Alice

Painter, Sharon Rosenblum, Ellen Rubens and husband George, Wynester Sherrer, Ina

Taffet, Linda Weinstein and granddaughter Sabina, as well as Sandy Jones and Alice Solo-

mon, friends of our members. Culinary Program school supplies were donated by Civitan

members. After serving breakfast, the Uptowners headed to the Uptown Café for brunch.

Combining volunteer activity and fellowship … a wonderful time for everyone.

VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE … Sharon Kantor

WELCOME Guests … Diana Flagg, Sandy Jones, Linda Levin New members … Linda Levin

WHAT’S COMING Also see Uptown Activities Calendar, Page 9

Sept. 2 Board Meeting, Noon, WJCT

Sept. 8 Farewell Address, President Wynester Sherrer

Sept. 18-19 Florida District Convention, Tampa Sept. 22 Installation of Officers for 2015-2016

Oct. 6 Board Meeting, Noon, WJCT

Oct. 13 Cindy Mosling, BEAKS

Oct. 27 Linda Foley, Forensic Psychology

GREETERS FOR MEETINGS Sept. 8 Lesley Wolfson, Laura Crooks

Sept. 23 Renee McQueen, Lynn Bertram, Laura Crooks

Editor: Mattie Fraser, mandsfraser@yahoo.com Special Contributor: Laura Crooks lwcrooks@comcast.net

Uptown Civitan Club, Jacksonville, Florida

The Pine Castle Civitan Club meeting on August 13 was supposed to feature local meteorologist John

Gaughn. The gym was packed as everyone awaited his arrival. Unfortunately, as can happen sometimes, John had a last minute emergency and could not be there. Nancy Darlow had distributed pamphlets to

those assembled with information o preparing for and understanding types of hurricanes by number.

Nancy reviewed some of this information with audience participation.

Uptown members attending included Ina Taffet, Sharon Rosenblum,

Sharon Kantor, Ellen Rubens and her husband George and grandson Jacob, Nancy’s granddaughter Syd and grandson Jacob, Wynester

Sherrer and Diane Young.

We have just learned that Terry Clark, an active member of Pine Castle

Civitan, has passed away. We extend our sympathies to his family. Terry

never missed a meeting and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance at each meeting.

On August 27, Bernie Sims brought his dulcimer which he played for

our enjoyment. He also shared the history of the dulcimer which goes

back to biblical times and is mentioned in the bible. Uptown members attending included: Nancy Darlow, Sharon Kantor, Sharon Rosen-

blum, Ina Taffet, Wynester Sherrer, and Ellen Rubens.

PINE CASTLE CIVITAN CLUB … Nancy Darlow and Diane Young

Uptown Civitan Club P. O. Box 10266 Jacksonville, FL 32247 Membership: 91

I’m Civitan Happy

Visit www.floridacivitan.org

HAPPY SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY

3 LaShawn Stubbs

17 Lois Lawrence 22 Sharon Kantor 23 Marshelle Berry 24 Jean Smith MANY HAPPY RETURNS

If it’s your birthday and your

name are not here, please let me know

One of the happiest moments ever is when you find the courage to let go

of what you can’t change.

Visit www.floridacivitan.org