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.
Friends of Chapter House
August 2009
Summer's going by too fast, isn't it? With all the moisture that we've had this year and with the help from chapters who have adopted individual gardens, Colorado P.E.O. Chapter House grounds are especially beautiful this year. The volunteer gardeners (coordinated by Randy Linde, CE) were honored at a tea given by the Chapter House residents and staff in June.
The annual Chapter House Picnic, held on Saturday, August 8, was enjoyed by all who attended. Several chapters from around the state brought their fund raising items to sell. For the first time in anyone's memory, the residents of Chapter House also offered a table of interesting items which raised some $900 for Chapter House. Tom O'Boyle entertained the guests with his special musical ability on piano, which surely added to the very festive event.
Bricks and Benches, the newest project of Friends of Chapter House, is off to a running start with the first batch on order. The flagstone pavers to honor or remember someone (or even a special event or pet) will be placed around the pond. The small pavers (6"x6") are $100 and larger pavers (6"x12") are $150. Approximately 10 benches (three have already been spoken for at $2000 each) will be placed around the grounds. You can download your order form on the Chapter House website (www.peochapterhouse.org), contact Chapter House, 1819 W. Cheyenne Road in Colorado Springs 80906, (719) 473-7670, or receive it by e-mail at colopeo@msn.com.
This year's quilt, again designed and produced by Martha Kuhn, AX, PPCSC, from Burlington, CO, is in beautiful shades of brown, ivory, and green. Raffle tickets are $5.00 per ticket, six tickets for $25.00. The drawing for the quilt will be held at the Annual Christmas Open House on Sunday, December 13, 2009, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. Send your check payable to Colorado P.E.O Chapter House, 1819 W. Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs 80906 and your raffle tickets will be returned via U.S. mail.
Remember those DVDs that every chapter received at state convention in Estes Park? Please be sure to use the DVD for a chapter program or show it (about 17 minutes) during your social time. Prospective residents will be given a copy, and individuals may purchase a copy for $8.00 including shipping.
There are currently vacancies in a one bedroom apartment (820 square feet) and a suite (275 square feet). Two people on the Waiting List are not yet ready to move in so here's the chance for you or someone you know to live at this wonderful famility. Contact Janet or Pat (719) 473-7670 or by e-mail.
A few tidbits - The residents appreciate the greetings they receive from the State Board, from the Chapter House Board of Trustees, and from chapters around Colorado. Thank you. The Chapter House Gift List (chapter and individual donations) for 2008-2009 is listed on both the State and Chapter House websites. Each gift is sincerely appreciated by the residents and staff alike.
If you're on FACEBOOK, please join Friends of Chapter House Group on Janet Weidner's Profile page. You can reach this in the SEARCH mode by using cjweidner@msn.com. Photos of Friends' activities are posted there.
"Come See It For Yourself!" continues to be the theme. Bed and Breakfast rooms have been busy this summer, and there have been lots of drop-in visitors as well. Add your name to that list.
Lovingly in P.E.O.,
Liz Aikin, Chairman, Friends of Chapter House
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Colorado P.E.O. Chapter House
ANNUAL MEETING
2009 COLORADO STATE P.E.O. CONVENTION
June 6, 2009
HOLIDAY INN
Estes Park, CO
- My thanks to P.E.O. sisters and guests for their contributions and words of encouragement in my third year as Director of Chapter House. A special thanks to Joanne and the Chapter House Board of Trustees; to Pat Bradley, Chapter K, my assistant; and to my P.E.O. sisters in Chapter C. I AM still enjoying my job!
- My theme for this year's Annual Meeting is the same as it was last year: "COME SEE IT FOR YOURSELF!" - Chapter House, that is. As a Cottey graduate, I believe that seeing both the Cottey campus in Nevada and Chapter House in Colorado Springs is realizing what a wonderful project each one is.
PROGRAMS & TOURS:
I'd like to thank the following Colorado P.E.O. chapters for visiting Chapter House during the past year:
- O (Golden)
- AC & FC (Canon City)
- AE (Alamosa)
- CP, CW, & FI (Denver)
- FQ & GZ (Littleton)
- CV (Arvada)
- DZ (Sterling)
- FW (Pueblo)
- GB (Boulder)
- IA (Buena Vista)
- and IE (Grand Lake)
- Most came for a program, tour, and luncheon. We have appreciated and enjoyed visiting with sisters from each of them.
- 430 individual tours were also conducted. These visitors represented 20 states.
- The Chapter House Bed & Breakfast guests came from 20 states during the past year.
GIFTS
We recognize the difficult financial times we are in and appreciate every gift or contribution to Chapter House during the past year. These included project donations from chapters, individual gifts or bequests, special donations, Christmas gifts, Gifts-In-Kind, and Volunteerism. Donations from the estates of two BILs totaling $20,000 were received this year. Those enabled us to make some much needed repairs and to purchase some necessary equipment for Chapter House. Donations, resident fees, and income from room use or food service continue to sustain us at Chapter House.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- Drafting of Waiting List criteria for Chapter House since until the end of March 2009 we had a full house.
- With the Board's approval, recycled asphalt replaced the worn gravel of the parking lots and driveways at Chapter House, and dead wood clear of the tall trees was accomplished.
- Following careful study, the Board reaffirmed its position that Chapter House remain an independent living facility unable to offer medical procedures due to the cost.
- Both the Employee Manual and the Resident/Staff Manual were updated.
- The Brick fundraising project for Chapter House was endorsed.
- The distribution of a new Chapter House DVD to each Colorado P.E.O. chapter for use in promoting Chapter House as a residence as well as projects program material for Colorado P.E.O. chapters was approved. If you're a delegate and have not received your chapter's copy of this, please check with me at the Chapter House booth this weekend. Brochures on the Brick and Bench fundraising projects are available there as well.
RESIDENTS AT CHAPTER HOUSE
will continue to inspire you. Eight women, all P.E.O.s, and one BIL have selected Chapter House as their home. They come from all walks of life and from all parts of the country. They enjoy being a family and have a close relationship with the staff of eight.
RESIDENTIAL ROOM AVAILABILITY
A one-bedroom apartment and a suite are temporarily available at Chapter House as of April 1st. Both ladies on the Waiting List have indicated that they're not quite ready to move so residents are being sought to fill these two rooms. A medical situation forced one of our two couples to move the end of March.
SPECIAL EVENTS AT CHAPTER HOUSE
- Chapter JA's organizational meeting and reception held there in early April was truly a highlight for the residents and many guests at Chapter House
- Buffets open to guests on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas plus a Brunch on Mother's Day
- Annual Picnic enjoyed by nearly 200 in August
- Christmas Open House and annual Quilt Raffle — second Sunday in December will be held at the same time this year. Out-of-town guests are welcome and non-P.E.O.s including neighbors are invited.
FUNDRAISERS
These are being coordinated by the Friends of Chapter House and include the following:
- Chapter House cookbooks (reprints)
- Chapter House postcards
- Quilt raffle tickets – with many thanks to Martha Kuhn, AX, Burlington, Past President of Colorado State Chapter
- Bricks and Benches project (NEW!) – I have received a lot of cooperation and encouragement from Cottey College as they've had three successful fundraising drives to sell commemorative bricks. Chapter House lends itself to the purchase of flagstone pavers and benches to honor or to remember P.E.O.s and others. These will be placed in the Commemorative Garden around the pond at Chapter House. Brochures are available at the Chapter House table. All proceeds will benefit the General Operating fund at Chapter House.
CHAPTER HOUSE TRIVIA will bring my remarks this year to a close. DID YOU KNOW THAT…?
- - Discovery of A MYSTERY FURNACE in the attic of the kitchen in January has meant real heat for the kitchen staff and more comfort in the Dining Room for the residents for the first time in the 15 years that our Housekeeper has been there!
- - Discovery of a P.E.O. grandmother's photo album by a P.E.O. in Colorado Springs - all beautifully labeled - has brought black and white photos activities in Stratton City Park in 1901, the ground on which Chapter House stands today. The first three slides in the new DVD were taken from this album. What a find!
- - Neighbors are beginning to realize that the Chapter House is not a nunnery.
- We've had visits from kindergarteners giving the residents homemade Valentine's bags
- Artists have been out to capture the beauty of the grounds with brushes in hand
- A neighborhood newspaper (THE CHEYENNE EDITION) featured Thelma Pinger's life. She is a 33-year resident of Chapter House and served as a WW II nurse in the Pacific.
- A well-known local author and authority on Cheyenne Mountain history, Richard Marold, personally delivered several copies of his latest book on Winfield Scott Stratton, toured Chapter House, and recounted his past as a child playing on the grounds around it.
- Photographers from the neighborhood wanting to capture the beauty of the Chapter House grounds for family coffee table books have been given tours.
- Unsolicited notes from appreciative neighbors have been received.
- - Ground-breaking was held at Chapter House on February 7, 1966, and dedication on October 23, 1966.
- - The total cost of the land, architect's fees, contractor, furnishings, and other expenses was $315,000 in 1966.
- - The first residents in 1966 included Cosette Carter of Colorado Springs, Helen Hartford of Berthoud, Meta Naugle of Sterling, and Alice Eames of Grand Valley.
- - The entrance fee was $2,000 and monthly fee $175 in 1966.
- - There were 166 P.E.O. chapters in Colorado (7,000 P.E.O.s) at that time.
Thank you for your greetings and support of the staff and residents of Chapter House this year.
My thanks to you for the opportunity to continue to serve as Director of this special home.
Janet A. Weidner
Executive Director
Colorado P.E.O. Chapter House
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COLORADO P.E.O. CHAPTER HOUSE
2008-2009
"Come See It for Yourself!" remains the theme at the Colorado P.E.O. Chapter House. We thank 12 chapters for visiting the Chapter House during this fiscal year. Visitors can learn the history, see the beautiful home and grounds, and meet the residents and staff. They may join the residents for dinner. P.E.O.s needing accommodations may reserve the Bed & Breakfast rooms available to them through advance reservations. Guests from 20 states enjoyed their B & B stays during this fiscal year; and 435 guests from 21 states signed the guest book, many of them receiving tours.
Other ways to learn about Chapter House are to view the updated DVD, which includes historical and current photos about the house and grounds; viewing the Chapter House on its website (www.peochapterhouse.org); or joining "Friends of Chapter House" on FACEBOOK to view photos of activities and of friends of Chapter House.
Residents remain the priority. Chapter House enjoyed a "full house" with all ten residential rooms occupied until the end of the current fiscal year. The Board developed Waiting List criteria this year and two P.E.O. sisters are on it.
Bequests this year totaled $20,000, both from the estates of BILs honoring their wives. Restricted and In-Kind gifts totaled $16,000. These contributions enabled Chapter House to repair and purchase items most needed.
Donations from local Colorado P.E.O. chapters to Chapter House are an important source of revenue and contribute to its well-being. Of the 244 local chapters in Colorado, 169 contributed to Chapter House in 2008-2009. These gifts combined with individual donations totaled nearly $30,000 this year. Special recognition should go to a new P.E.O. chapter, BV-VA, who "adopted" Chapter House and contributed to it this winter.
Gifts to "Share the Care" have continued to grow during this fiscal year (total = $5,625). These funds enable current residents whose incomes have fallen during their tenure at Chapter House to stay here.
Improvements continue to take place at Chapter House – both in the house and on its grounds. The staff, volunteers, and the Board deserve thanks for the following accomplishments in 2008-2009:
- Gravel parking lots and driveways have been replaced by recycled asphalt and a major dead wood clear of the grounds has taken place.
- Volunteer gardeners, residents, and staff contribute time and materials to bring the gardens to life each spring, perform cleanup in fall, and prepare the grounds for winter and for spring planting.
- The On-Site Supervisor continues to make improvements to the cottage and has done major work, donating many volunteer hours, pruning and cleaning up the grounds and creek. Compliments continue to be received from residents, guests, and neighbors.
- A "mystery" (non-functioning) furnace was discovered in the attic above the kitchen after many years. It has been repaired and brought up to code so that the kitchen and dining areas are much more comfortable.
- Many electrical improvements have been made and doors reconditioned and weather stripping replaced by staff and volunteers.
- Gifts of art work have been received and adorn more of the hallways at Chapter House.
- The purchase of needed tools for the grounds and maintenance staff has made it possible to nearly eliminate contract labor costs.
- Board members have put much effort into establishing the criteria for a Waiting List; reaffirmed the criteria for independent medical living at Chapter House; and revised the Residents'/Staff's and Employees' Policies Manuals. They also approved a rent increase effective at the beginning of the new fiscal year (2009-2010) to offset the rise in the cost of food and utilities in particular.
Fundraising efforts continue to be important at Chapter House. The Board, staff, and residents wish to thank Martha Kuhn, AX, Burlington, PPCSC, for once again providing another hand-stitched quilt for raffle, all proceeds to benefit Chapter House. The winner of this year's quilt was the daughter of a resident who lives in Billings, MT. Chapter House cookbooks and postcards sales continue to benefit Chapter House.
The President of Friends of Chapter House, Liz Aikin, Y, has continued to share Chapter House news with sisters and friends through her seasonal e-mail newsletters. P.E.O.s and others may request being added to this mailing list.
Some activities this year included four buffets at Chapter House for residents, their families, and other guests: Easter, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The annual summer picnic drew nearly 200 visitors to Chapter House. The quilt raffle was held at the annual Christmas Open House.
New friendships with neighbors have developed during the year. Some examples are (1) Discovery of a local P.E.O.'s grandmother's photo album that includes pictures of the Stratton City Park and Chapter House grounds at the time of the park's dedication in 1901. (2) A visit by Richard Marold, Cheyenne Canyon historian and author of The Reluctant Millionaire, who portrays Winfield Scott Stratton. (3) A special note received from a neighbor which states: "This is simply to express our appreciation, as neighbors, to those responsible for the maintenance of your lovely grounds and stream. During this past summer, we noticed the extreme care given your landscaping. The Chapter House is a beautiful asset to the neighborhood and we want you to now that it is noticed and appreciated." (4) A feature article in the CHEYENNE EDITION, a neighborhood newspaper, about P.E.O., the Chapter House, and Thelma Pinger, GV, a 33-year resident of Chapter House. (5) A visit by two kindergarteners and their mothers to deliver homemade valentine gift bags to each of the residents.
Being chosen as the location for the founding of new P.E.O. chapter, JA of Colorado, was an honor. The residents and staff of Chapter House welcomed P.E.O.s from the area and other parts of Colorado as well as out-of-state guests. Chapter JA will bring together P.E.O.s living in the eastern part of Colorado Springs. Sisters in this chapter as well as those in Chapter JB of the Monument-Palmer Lake area will be part of Pikes Peak Reciprocity and will, we hope, become frequent visitors to Chapter House.
We thank friends of Chapter House near and far for the blessings and successes we've realized this year and for the memorable times we've shared.
Janet A. Weidner, C, Executive Director
We honor the memory of Jean W. Harris, DL, Chairman of the Board of Trustees in 2007-2008, who lost her battle with cancer in January 2009. She and her family will remain our friends forever…