To be added to our Friends e-mail mailing list, please send your first and last name, chapter letters if you are a P.E.O., e-mail address, phone number and location (if you wish) to "E-Mail Address Request" at colopeo@msn.com. You need not be a P.E.O. to request being added to this Friends of Chapter House e-mail mailing list. You may ask to be removed from this list at any time.
Director's Notes
"Making the Difference at Chapter House"
June 2011
Chapter House Celebrates 45 Years in 2011!
An Open House will be held on Sunday, October 23, 2011, from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Chapter House to celebrate its dedication on that date in 1966. P.E.O.s, BILs, residents' families, former directors, neighbors, and other guests will be welcomed by staff and residents in celebration of its 45 years as a gracious P.E.O. home and venue for other activities. Stay tuned for more details!
Chapter House Market Place #3 - October 2011!
Thirteen of the 18 Pikes Peak P.E.O. chapters participated as did one of the residents of Chapter House in Market Place #2 last November. More shoppers are needed to make this year's Market Place a complete success! The Chapter House was happy to host this event, which also provided an opportunity for sisters from different chapters to enjoy cider and cookies and visit with one another. Plan to participate in and shop at Market Place #3 on Saturday, October 29, 2011, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Chapter House. Advance reservations are needed and may be made at any time by calling Janet Weidner or Julie Castro at 473-7670. One 4-top table provided per chapter. Order forms may be distributed at the Market Place. There is no charge and refreshments will be provided. Chapter House wishes to thank Pikes Peak Reciprocity for its many contributions to this historical P.E.O. home in the woods of Cheyenne Canon.
Chapter House Market Place for Colorado Reciprocity Groups or Local Chapters - Give Us a Call!
Reciprocities from around the state as well as some local chapters may want to consider following in Pikes Peak Reciprocity's footsteps and make plans for holding a fundraising Market Place at Chapter House. Please contact Janet Weidner, Director, for more information. Advance reservations are needed and these will be taken by Janet or Julie Castro at 473-7670. One 4-top table provided per chapter with a limit of 14 tables available in the Dining Room. No individual sales permitted. Order forms may be distributed at the Market Place. There is no charge and refreshments will be provided. This is a wonderful use of Chapter House and it's a way for our residents and staff to say "thanks" to local chapters from around Colorado for their many contributions to this historical P.E.O. home in the woods of Cheyenne Canon.
Chapter House Bids Farewell to Mary Fahrenwald, Y, a 24-Year Resident, and Welcomes Annabel Crain, AP-NM
Mary Fahrenwald who came to Chapter House many years ago from Chicago, IL, left on April 5 to live closer to her daughter, Roxanne, in Billings, MT. Mary sustained a compression fracture in her back after a fall in January and in spite of physical therapy since was unable to regain her strength to the extent necessary to meet the independent medical standards required at Chapter House. Mary's family hopes that P.E.O.s in Billings will reach out to her as she transitions to an Assisted Living in a facility there.
Annabel Crain, Chapter AP-NM, of Farmington, NM, joined one of her best friends (Ada Rosebrough) as a resident of Chapter House on March 1. They live across the hall from one another. She is settling in and residents and staff of Chapter House are happy to welcome her to the family.
Third Annual Chapter House Gardening Meeting A Success & Thanks from Residents & Staff for Gardening Donation from Pikes Peak Reciprocity
Barbara Nordhausen, FT, called the third annual garden volunteers meeting to order on Monday, March 28, at 9:00 AM. Barbara has graciously agreed to coordinate the gardening activities of the group beginning this spring. She acknowledged the $150 gift from Pikes Peak Reciprocity. An effort to plant some flowers in containers on the dining room patio behind the historic rock wall seems a good idea. Randy Linde of Chapter CE, first garden coordinator, was thanked by Barbara on behalf of the gardeners and by Janet Weidner on behalf of the Chapter House residents and staff. Randy will continue to participate in the gardening effort. A total of approximately 25 people attended. The following chapters were represented (some for the first time!): Chapter C, K, Y, BW, CE, EA, FT, GI, and HR. Thanks to all who came and to all who assist in this effort. It's not too late to call either Janet (473-7670) or Barbara (528-6111) to participate.
Commemorative Bricks and Benches Fundraising Project - Summary to Date
This project is well under way since its introduction at the Colorado State P.E.O. Convention in June 2009. To date 52 bricks and five benches have been purchased. Please make plans to visit the Commemorative Garden. Twelve bricks and one bench are yet to be delivered by Wilhelm Monument Company. This is an ongoing fundraiser and it is most interesting to see the various dedications. Benches and bricks are 100% tax deductible and may be purchased by P.E.O.s or interested others. These are a way to honor or remember someone or some group. Please refer to brochures for detailed information, or contact Janet or Julie at Chapter House. All proceeds benefit Chapter House. Janet can answer questions concerning inscriptions.
Quilt Raffle Tickets for 2011-2012 On Sale
Martha Kuhn, Chapter AX of Burlington, PPCSC, has once again provided Chapter House with a beautiful handmade quilt for raffle during the 2011-2012 P.E.O. year. It is available for viewing at the Chapter House booth at the 2011 convention, and ticket orders may be taken at that time and will mailed to those interested. Please refer to the Quilt Raffle Flyer for further details. The drawing will take place at the Christmas Open House on Sunday, December 11, 2011. All proceeds benefit Chapter House.
Two Residences Available at Chapter House
As of April 5, eight residents are living at Chapter House. Two residential rooms are available at Chapter House - both are suites (275 sq. ft.). Please contact Janet or Julie for more information and a tour. A Waiting List is being maintained and two women remain on it for the one-bedroom apartment floor plan.
Chapter House Staff & Residents Thank Local Chapter & Individuals for Donations - 2010-2011
The residents and staff at Chapter House want to thank each and every local P.E.O. chapter and group and the many individuals who donated to Chapter House during the past fiscal year. Pikes Peak Reciprocity continues to support Chapter House, also. Donations for the new 2011-2012 fiscal year began on April 1.
No Chapter House Picnic to be held in 2011
Due to a noticeable drop in the number attending the annual Chapter House picnics traditionally held in August, the Board of Trustees has supported the decision to suspend this annual event. If more interest in it is expressed in the future, the Trustees may reconsider this decision.
New Chapter House Brochure Available: Tradition-Purpose-Success
This brochure has been designed to answer some of the questions most frequently asked about the Colorado P.E.O. Chapter House. It has received Executive Board approval and is hot off the press in honor of the home's 45th anniversary. It answers common questions and outlines activities that take place at Chapter House as well as potential uses of it. It will be distributed at the Annual Meeting and on the projects table at convention and is available at Chapter House. A copy will be available on the Chapter House website in the near future, too. Please share its contents with P.E.O. sisters and others.
"Making the Difference" - Continuing Theme for Chapter House
"Making the Difference" was the theme for Chapter House at the 2010 Colorado State P.E.O. Convention in Denver, and it will continue as this year's theme at convention and throughout the year. The Chapter House story will be told with pictures at convention. Please enjoy the ones in the Administrative hallway now, too. They show how Chapter House is making a difference in the lives of its residents and how P.E.O.s and others all make a difference in the life of this 45-year-old proud Colorado State P.E.O. project. This year's use of Chapter House for a wedding, BIL functions, fundraising, receptions, and book clubs are worth noting. Chapter House is available for use by non-P.E.O. groups as well. Two B & B rooms are available to P.E.O.s as well. Contact Janet or Julie at 473-7670 for more information.
Chapter House Cookbooks for Sale
There are a limited number of reprints of the Chapter House cookbook still available from Janet or Julie for $18.50.
Chapter House DVD & Website Programs
The DVD given to each local chapter president at the 2009 Colorado State P.E.O. Convention is available to share with sisters who might be prospective residents as well as with P.E.O. sisters seeking to know more about this Colorado state project. Please refer to the website (www.peochapterhouse.org) HISTORY/PROGRAM MATERIAL for more information on Chapter House, too.
Back to the topEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Colorado P.E.O. Chapter House
ANNUAL MEETING
2011 COLORADO STATE P.E.O. CONVENTION
June 4, 2011
DENVER MARRIOTT TECH CENTER
Denver, CO
• It is a privilege to continue to serve as Director of your Chapter House. In my fifth year now I want to acknowledge the efforts and dedication of its Board of Trustees and officers. My thanks to all of you.
• In addition to use of Chapter House by the Pikes Peak Reciprocity chapters, I'd like to acknowledge those chapters from around the state who came to visit this year. They are Chapter B (Las Animas), CI (Pueblo), CP and DM (Denver), EY (Boulder), FR (Evergreen), GQ (Lakewood), IH (Monument), and IR (Castle Rock). Thank YOU for coming.
• Two-thirds of the 244 chapters in Colorado continued their financial support of Chapter House in 2010-2011. We thank you sincerely for that. The Gift List for 2010-2011 is available at the Chapter House project table to share with your chapter as are flyers for the 2011-2012 quilt raffle. Thank you, Martha Kuhn, Chapter AX-Burlington and PPCSC, for your contribution of another hand-made quilt for raffle at the Christmas Open House on December 11. The quilt may be viewed at the project table and it will hang in the living room at Chapter House until the winner is selected.
• The sale of commemorative bricks and benches to chapters and individuals at Chapter House continues and will indefinitely. To date, five benches and over 50 bricks have been purchased. All proceeds from these sales benefit Chapter House. Please pick up a Bricks and Benches Gift List at the projects table. The unique inscriptions are included on this list. These benches and bricks honor or remember P.E.O.s and non-P.E.O.s. They are adding to the beauty of the Chapter House grounds and pond garden area.
• Residents of Chapter House have enjoyed the monthly visits of a Girl Scout troop in Fountain. Each scout has adopted a grandmother at Chapter House. They have made things together, exchanged gifts, sung songs, and formed a bond in the process. I had the honor of being one of the Grandmas this year and am fully qualified to be, I might add. The Scouts achieved their Intergenerational badges as a result. Neighborhood children again delivered valentines to the residents in February.
• Paisley Huntoon, of Chapter IF of Highlands Ranch and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, has spoiled us all with hand-made greeting cards on birthdays and other special occasions. I want to thank Charlene Nelson and Chapter FG of Johnstown for remembering the residents with special cards on most holidays. Chapters C and DL in Colorado Springs each have a jam and jelly shower for the residents of Chapter House at Christmas time, a tradition by now; and many cards are received by the residents then, too. As often as possible I share the notes sent to Chapter House by chapter treasurers or others who are forwarding donations to Chapter House with the residents. In my retirement some day, I hope to be able to organize these into a scrapbook for posterity to enjoy as well.
• First-time guests at Chapter House this year, who are, in my mind, a perfect fit for our home, were the National League of American Pen Women. They held an all-day seminar in the library in February and ate lunch with the residents. We sincerely hope that they will return often. These are accomplished women writers, artists, and musicians who were not allowed to join similar men's groups in the late 1880s and, thus, formed a society of their own in 1897. They were fascinated by the history of P.E.O. Several of their members are P.E.O.s and that's how they discovered Chapter House.
• For your information, eight of the 10 residential rooms are occupied and two P.E.O.s remain on the Waiting List for a one-bedroom apartment. Two suites (or smaller rooms) are available as of April. It became necessary for Mary Fahrenwald, who lived at Chapter House for nearly 24 years, to relocate to MT to be nearer her family. Just prior to her departure, we were happy to welcome Annabel Crain, Chapter AP-NM, of Farmington to our Chapter House family. She is living across the hall from her best friend and P.E.O. sister of over 50 years, Ada Rosebrough.
• The Bed & Breakfast rooms were occupied a total of 228 nights during the past fiscal year. Guests came from 16 states. Monica Parker, a 2008 Cottey graduate and P.E.O. from Chapter AN-MT, spent 10 weeks with the residents this winter in one of the rooms while she completed an internship at the Broadmoor Hotel. She graduated from DU in Denver in May. We enjoyed her time with us, and she was happy to be only five minutes away from her work!
• Individual tours were given to P.E.O.s and BILs from 17 cities and towns in Colorado as well as 24 states in FY 2010-2011. We are honored to think that they consider Chapter House important enough to visit when they might be enjoying the many other sites of the Pikes Peak region. They are carrying their photos and findings back to their home chapters for which we are most grateful. Chapter BV in Williamsburg, VA, once again adopted Chapter House as a project this year and provided us with a gift.
• Thelma Pinger, Chapter GV, has lived at Chapter House for 35 years this fall. She is our resident historian. Ellen Jones celebrated her 98th birthday was us in January. She moved to Chapter House four years ago from Blue Hill, NE, and remains medically independent. We are proud that she is a member of our family and of the fact that she has been a member of P.E.O. for more than 75 years. She remains a member of Chapter W-NE.
• Ada Rosebrough, Chapter AP-NM, has lived at Chapter House for four years. She is our resident artist; and we've found she can modify greeting cards for us to fit any occasion, restring necklaces, or glue together whatever breaks. Phyllis Lawrence of Chapter BW moved to Chapter House from Canon City more than six years ago. She continues to provide us with flower arrangements - many of the flowers being selected from the Chapter House grounds. Frances Edwards of Chapter Y, a three-year resident, is on her hands and knees tending to many garden areas at Chapter House throughout the spring and summer. Nine of the 18 chapters in Pikes Peak Reciprocity participate in the gardening efforts as volunteers. I'd especially like to recognize Chapters K of Manitou Springs and CE and FT of Colorado Springs for their contributions to the grounds and gardens. Member of Chapter FU in Breckenridge brought BILs with them last fall and helped rake leaves and had lunch with the residents.
• A very special event took place at the Chapter House pond area last June when a young couple was married in an outdoor wedding ceremony. Approximately 125 guests enjoyed the event with them - the groom from IN and his bride from Colorado Springs. They had been searching for the perfect place for an outdoor wedding and discovered Chapter House in Cheyenne Canon by accident. They approached me about use of this area for it. The Board approved, and the weather was perfect that morning. Another wedding is scheduled for next summer.
• I'd like to devote the last of my remarks today to a special day coming up on Sunday, October 23, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM this fall. Chapter House will celebrate its 45th birthday on that very day, and I am happy to be preparing a big party. Please consider yourselves invited. - Come when you can that afternoon and help us celebrate. Colorado Chapter House is the youngest of the four remaining P.E.O. homes - Alhambra, CA being the oldest; the Beatrice, NE home, founded in the late 1930s, in second place; and the Caldwell, ID home celebrating its 60th year last fall.
• Julie Castro, Administrative Assistant, has researched the archives and I'd like to share some of the history of Colorado P.E.O. Chapter House with you now.
• On October 23, 1966, 166 P.E.O. chapters in Colorado celebrated its dedication and opening. Our local newspaper, the GAZETTE, described it as a "dream come true" for Colorado P.E.O.s. Mrs. J. F. Bischof, Chapter CE in Colorado Springs, was state president at that time.
• The groundbreaking ceremony had taken place on February 6 of that year. The shovel used for this is in my office. Mrs. Ralph Monell and her husband, chairman of the Board of Trustees, from Canon City and Mrs. Earl Russell of Pueblo, then president of Colorado State Chapter, turned the first shovels of dirt. The Monells became the first directors of the home.
• Fundraising for the home began as early as 1939 and the Articles of Incorporation were presented on June 12, 1949, by Rachel Allen Upton, Gladys Thompson, and Margaret Aldom. Their efforts led to the formation and incorporation of Chapter House for the following purpose: "To establish a fund to receive contributions, membership dues, gifts and bequests for the philanthropic, benevolent, charitable and non-profit benefit of members of the Colorado State Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Such funds to be allowed to accumulate toward the acquisition of a home for P.E.O. members, the operation of which shall qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954."
• Further, "To establish, maintain, and operate in the state of Colorado a home for the benefit of members of the P.E.O. Sisterhood (including members of their families who meet criteria established by the corporation), who may desire to reside in such a home."
• The site on which the house is located consists of nearly 10 acres of the former Stratton City Park. It was bought from the Stratton Foundation with the stipulation that Colorado P.E.O.s "should retain the property as a natural park where possible and preserve its trees." That has been done, and I assure you that the squirrels, deer, and bears on the grounds can vouch for it!
• Chapter House opened with three residents; Mrs. Cosette Carter, Miss Helen Hartford, and Mrs. J. E. Naugel.
•When Chapter House was dedicated in 1966, there were 166 chapters in Colorado and 7,000 members. There are now more than 10,000 P.E.O.s and 244 chapters. Chapter House remains true to its original mission.
• Much of the artwork and many of its furnishings have been donated by Colorado P.E.O.s. We continue to receive such gifts. We are especially proud of the dining room set, which was purchased with green stamps thanks to a lot of dedicated P.E.O.s in Colorado Springs willing to lick stamps and prepare the books.
• We hope that you will mark your calendars for October 23 and join us then in celebrating our 45 years as a Proud Colorado State P.E.O. Project.
Thank you.
Back to the topANNUAL REPORT OF THE COLORADO P.E.O. CHAPTER HOUSE
2010-2011
"Making The Difference At Chapter House" Our gem in Cheyenne Canon, Colorado Springs, where we provide a lovely home for our residents; a peaceful retreat for their families, friends, our Sisterhood and the community. We are springing forward with "Tradition, Purpose, and Success as we Reach For The Stars" in 2011-2012. A celebration approaches; your Colorado Chapter House is 45 years old. Join us for the festivities Sunday, October 23, 2011, from 2-4 p.m.
The gardens are beginning to bloom with the help of local P.E.O. Chapter gardeners, and the wildlife continues to amuse and entertain. Visiting P.E.O. Chapters conduct their meetings, programs are given, meals shared. Many visitors enjoy our gracious Chapter House, and this gem, dedicated in 1966, continues to bless us with opportunity.
Thank you for your generous contributions, both financially and in service. The spectacular "Bricks and Benches" fundraiser has become a fond tradition and has truly enhanced our property. Thanks to our "Friends of the Chapter House" for their continued devotion. Our sincere gratitude to Martha Kuhn, AX, PPCSC, for another beautiful quilt. Raffle tickets for this amazing piece of artwork are available until December.
We currently have nine residents with one suite available; the two Bed & Breakfast rooms and the rented cottage have been a profitable source of income.
Six regular meetings and one meeting for the review of the audit have been held by the Board of Trustees this year.
My heartfelt gratitude and a round of applause go out to the Board of Trustees, Janet Weidner, C Executive Director, Julie Castro, Administrative Assistant, and all the staff at the Colorado P.E.O. Chapter House for another exciting, successful year.
Debbie Lowery, EL, Chairman