We love to look through our photo album.
Just in time for holiday gift-giving, Flower Power crafts are being featured during November in the display cases at the Ramsey Library. Janet Klein, who helped set up the display, photographed it for our scrapbook. The two plaques at the top of picture note that the Woman’s Club donated the cases to the Library.
Lana Roytshteyn received the Ramsey Volunteer of the Year award from Councilwoman Jane Woods and Mayor Deidre Dillon at the October Council meeting. Dorothy Verdone, representing the Woman’s Club, recalled that although Lana has been with the Club only two years, she worked diligently at our garage sale, ran the Heirloom Tomato and Plant sale, tirelessly served desserts at our Farmers’ Market festivals, and contributed her beautiful handmade soap flowers to our Ramsey Day booth. Thanks, Lana, for your unfailing cheerfulness and willingness to help everyone — we appreciate everything you’ve done for the Club!
At our October meeting, Club Treasurer Janet Klein presented a check and a shopping bag filled with toiletries to Diane Sundermann and Marge Roche, representatives of Ramsey Responds, a community-based charitable organization that helps residents in need.
The Lunch Bunch began its fall season at Fiona’s in Midland Park, Deciding what to order are, from left, Julliet Borgersen, Pat Kelly, Sara Fisher-Poppe, Tina Pellicciari, Janet Klein, Katie Parker, Tina Matusiak, Pat Bernius, Karen Pevny, Marjorie Perry, Jeanne Ferretti and Joanne Tesoriero.
Thanks to generous donors at our fundraisers, Katie Parker and Dorothy Verdone, representing all the Club members, were able to presenting a check to Matt Latham, Director of the Ramsey Free Public Library. The Woman’s Club and the library have a long partnership — the Club founded the first Ramsey Library and donated the showcases in the entrance to its current building, and the library has helped us produce buttons and posters for our events.
Getting ready to serve apple cake at the Club’s last Farmers’ Market fundraiser of the year, the September Apple Festival, were Betty Green, Pat Bernius (behind Kathy Safai), Janet Klein, Dorothy Verdone, Tina Pellicciari , Toni Small, Katie Parker and Pat Kelly. The support of the Farmers’ Market and its visitors enables us to continue to help local charities.
Several prospective members joined us at our September Welcome Back meeting, where we enjoyed a lasagna and salad lunch and planned events for the fall.
On Ramsey Day, our colorful booth filled with Flower Power crafts was a big draw. Janet Klein, Dorothy Verdone, Lana Roytshteyn, Pat Bernius, Tina Pellicciari, Katie Parker and Kathy Safai sold flowers, flower shadowboxes, necklaces, plant markers, earrings, wine bottle gift tags and Christmas ornaments to raise funds for our projects.
We visited Dr. Jacenta Parker at Franklin Turnpike Veterinary Hospital to pick up boxes of cosmetics she donated to our Operation Safety Net project. We fill net bags with first-night supplies for charities that help abused women who must flee their homes.
Peaches and cream and Flower Power crafts were a big draw at the August Peach Festival, organized by Dorothy Verdone. Our thanks go to Nancy Boone and the Farmers’ Market and to generous donors — they made the event one of our most successful ones ever. Ready to dish out a summery treat are, from left, Kathy Safai, Pat Bernius, Janet Klein, Dorothy Verdone, Katie Parker, Tina Pellicciari and Lana Roytshteyn.
At our July summer gathering, Dorothy Verdone was our hostess for a delicious lunch of sandwiches and salads. Before dessert, Janet Klein handed out three awards: Tina Pellicciari was named to the Order of the Lily, past president Marjorie Detweiler was recognized for 50 years of Club membership, and Dorothy Verdone’s name was placed on the NJSFWC Honor Roll.
Club members greeted newcomers to Ramsey at the New Resident Mixer held in June at the Municipal Pool and Community Center. Pat Bernius, Dorothy Verdone and Tina Pellicciari described the Club’s fundraising events and helped prospective members fill out membership applications. Ramsey Councilman Sara Poppe-Fisher, a Club member, organized the event — it was a great opportunity for newcomers to meet all the groups that make Ramsey a wonderful place to live.
First to arrive at the June Strawberry Festival at the Farmers’ Market were Dorothy Verdone, Tina Pellicciari, Katie Parker, Pat Bernius, Janet Klein and Betty Green. Others Club members who prepared and served delicious strawberry shortcake were Tina Matusiak, Lana Roytshteyn, Marjorie Perry, Joanne Tesoriero, Pat Kelly, Julliet Borgersen and Margaret Wellman. Generous donations plus sales of Flower Power crafts made this year’s festival one of the best! Our thanks go to Nancy Boone and the Ramsey Farmers’ Market for supporting our fundraiser.
Marjorie Detweiler, past president of Woman’s Club of Ramsey and a 50-year member of the Club, presented a wreath at Memorial Day services in Veterans Park. Years ago, through the efforts of the Club, land was donated to create Bonny View Park — this park, now known as Veterans Park at Bonny View, is one of Ramsey’s best-known landmarks and a lasting tribute to our servicemen and women.
Local gardeners crowded the Masonic Lodge parking lot to choose their favorite plants at the Club’s 22nd Heirloom Tomato and Veggie Plant Sale on May 17. Lana Roytshteyn, left, organized the event, and her helpers included Sara Poppe, Pat Bernius, Dorothy Verdone, Marjorie Perry, Tina Pellicciari, Joanne Tesoriero, Janet Klein and Pat Kelly. The sale is the Club’s biggest fundraiser, and it will enable the Club to continue to donate generously to local charities.
The May town-wide garage sale brought carloads of shoppers to Dorothy Verdone’s driveway, where they found treasures — jewelry, clothing, household items, wall art and Flower Power crafts. Club members who took a break during the garage sale included Toni Small, Katie Parker, Dorothy Verdone, Eileen Lobaugh, Pat Bernius, Lana Roytshteyn, Pat Kelly, Kathy Safai, and Tina Pellicciari. Inset, Joanne Tesoriero helped Club Treasurer Janet Klein, and they reported that hundreds of dollars were raised for charitable projects.
At the May Installation Luncheon at Mahwah Bar & Grille, Membership Chairman Pat Bernius, center, welcomed eight new members — from left, Joanne Tesoriero. Karen Pevny, Marjorie Perry, Jane Argent, Sara Poppe, Kathy Safai, Pat Kelly and Tina Matusiak. Elaine Muzzillo received a pin for bringing in new members and Tina Pellicciari was honored with the Order of the Lily.
At the April combination Ramapo District Meeting and Achievement Day luncheon, Dorothy Verdone reported on the successful restructuring of the Club and its accomplishments during the past year. The Club was proud to receive two awards, one for Arts and Culture and one for Women’s History and Resources. For the Achievement Day exhibit, Jane Argent brought a beautiful Ukranian Pysanky Easter egg, Lana Roytshteyn displayed soap flowers, and Linda Korsen offered a watercolor and a Flower Power shadowbox. Members were delighted to take home three gold ribbons.
Tina Pellicciari, a member of the Woman’s Club’s governing committee, has stepped down from her responsibilities as co-president of the Ramsey Leisure Club. At a March Leisure Club meeting, Tina was honored and presented with gifts, including a special gavel. Fran Mahon, left, and Dorothy Verdone were among the dozens of well-wishers at the event.
In March, the Lunch Bunch met at Shannon Rose. Around the table, from left, are Joanne Tesoriero, Pat Kelly, Cathy Lynch, Elaine Muzzillo, Dorothy Verdone, Betty Green, Tina Pellicciari, Marjorie Perry, and Julliet Borgersen. The luncheon was also a top-level planning session: Where to dine next?
We welcomed three new members at our March meeting — Tina Matusiak, Kathy Safai and Jane Argent. After deciding what crafts we want to display at Achievement Day and working on our May 17 Plant Sale and other fundraisers, we played trivia games. Can you name all 50 state capitals?
The February Lunch Bunch gathering, at Mahwah Pizza and Pasta, included Betty Green, Joanne Tesoriero, Pat Kelly, Lana Roytshteyn, Marjorie Perry, Karen Pevny, Fran Mahon, Pat Bernius, Dorothy Verdone, Paula Bartow and Eileen Lobaugh. There was a lot to discuss — Dorothy urged everyone to clean out their closets because we’ll be raising funds by participating in the town-wide garage sale on May 3, and plans are moving forward for our Heirloom Tomato and Veggie Plant Sale in the Masonic Lodge parking lot on May 17.
Dylan Poppe, a talented 13-year-old who will be appearing soon in “Billy Elliot” at the Antrim Playhouse, treated the Club to a special tap-dancing performance in February. Dylan’s proud mom, Sara Poppe, standing at the right, is a member of the Club.
Elaine Santiago of Several Sources Shelters came to our February meeting to tell us how we can help her organization save babies’ lives and shelter and support their mothers.
The Lunch Bunch turned out on a cold January day to meet at Anthony’s Coal-Fired Pizza. Enjoying the gathering are, from left, Joanne Tesoriero, Katie Parker, Cathy Lynch, Sara Fisher Poppe, Dorothy Verdone, Tina Pellicciari, Pat Bernius, Fran Mahon, Karen Pevny, Marjorie Perry and Pat Kelly.
At our January meeting, we gave Harris Recht of Ramsey Responds 22 birthday cake kits to distribute to families struggling to afford basic foods so that they can celebrate birthdays with a special treat. The kits are packaged in a 9 x 13″ baking tin and include the Sprite Birthday Cake recipe, cake mix, a can of Sprite, frosting, candles, and party plates. Harris explained how Ramsey Responds provides local residents who are in financial need with assistance towards rent, mortgage, utilities and food.
At the November Club meeting, members planned their next Lunch Bunch gathering, decided to assemble birthday cake kits for local families in need, and practiced napkin folds to add zip to holiday table settings.
Enjoying a mid-November pre-holiday Happy Hour at Shannon Rose are, from left, Betty Green, Katie Parker, Joanne Tesoriero, Pat Kelly, Janet and Tom Klein, Linda (taking the photo) and Hap Korsen, Toni Small, and Dorothy and Joe Verdone.
The Lunch Bunch enjoyed an October outing to Rosario’s Trattoria in Midland Park. Looking forward to a great meal are, from left, Dorothy Verdone, Kim Campbell, Eileen Lobaugh, Betty Green, Karen Penny, Marjorie Perry, Elaine Muzzillo, Pat Bernius, Katie Parker, Joanne Tesoriero, Pat Kelly and Janet Klein.
Yadira Reyes, a senior at Ramsey High School, visited the Club in October to research her profile project, which focuses on women’s health and issues related to pregnancies. Members enjoyed a lively discussion about the changes in pre-natal care and social attitudes over the past decades.
Katie Parker, right, receives a Ramsey Volunteer of the Year award from Councilwoman Sara Poppe and Mayor Deidre Dillon. Janet Klein, Club Treasurer, read Katie’s Citation, which read: “Katie Parker, a club member since 2014, is a gracious hostess at our meetings, providing refreshments, welcoming new members, and serving everyone with a friendly smile. At our Farmers’ Market events, Katie is the first to arrive and last to leave, working all day dishing out strawberry shortcake, peaches and cream, or apple cake while she encourages everyone to help fill our donation jar. Katie is an untiring volunteer who for ten years has helped the Woman’s Club raise funds for charities and local organizations.“
Pat Bernius, who organized the September Apple Festival, portions out apple cake with whipped cream for visitors to the Farmers’ Market. Helpers included Lana Royshteyn, Janet Klein and Katie Parker. Cathy Lynch and Marjorie Detweiler also pitched in, and Dorothy Verdone and Fran Mahon helped bake apple cakes. The not-so-secret recipe for the popular dessert is in the Club’s “What’s What In Ramsey” booklet.
We greeted new members at our September Welcome Back luncheon meeting. We planned our next round of fundraisers and set a date for our first Lunch Bunch restaurant outing.
Dorothy Verdone, who planned our Ramsey Day booth, helps visitors pick out Flower Power crafts — paper flowers, shadowboxes, beautiful soap flowers, and lots more. Kids loved our necklaces and critter keychains!
The Woman’s Club team serving peaches and cream at the Farmers’ Market August Peach Festival included, from left, Janet Klein, Tina Pellicciari, Katie Parker, Dorothy Verdone and Pat Bernius. At right, Lana Royshteyn displays fresh flowers and gift boxes of soap flowers.
On July 18, Hunter Torchin, Assistant Chief of the Ramsey Rescue Squad, accepted a donation from Janet Klein, Dorothy Verdone and Pat Bernius, representing the Club. The Ramsey Rescue Squad is an independent, volunteer-based, heavy rescue squad that’s known as the number one rescue company in the region.
The Ramsey Volunteer Ambulance Corps turned out on July 17 to accept a donation from the Woman’s Club of Ramsey. Treasurer Janet Klein hands a check to Jane Simon, President of the Corps; Club members Dorothy Verdone and Pat Bernius accompanied Janet for the presentation. This year, the donation was made in honor of Chuck Schucht, whose recent passing was a great loss to the Ambulance Corps and the community he served.
July 11 was a double-donation day: The Club gave funds to Ramsey Responds, which aids Ramsey residents in need, and to Several Sources Shelters, which helps pregnant women and their babies. Top, Harris Recht of Ramsey Responds accepts a check; bottom, Elaine Santiago, in blue, receives a donation from Club Treasurer Janet Klein. From left, both photos, Tina Pellicciari, Pat Bernius and Dorothy Verdone represented all the members.
At the June mixer at the Municipal Pool, we handed out bookmarks to invite women to begin a new chapter in their lives by joining the Club. At our table, Dorothy Verdone, Pat Bernius, Tina Pellicciari and Janet Klein welcomed newcomers with flyers and application blanks.
Katie Parker, Janet Klein, Lana Roytshteyn, Tina Pellicciari and Pat Bernius served cups of strawberry shortcake to raise funds at the June Strawberry Festival. Eileen Lobaugh, Betty Green, Julliet Borgersen and Margaret Wellman also helped, and Linda Korsen sold Flower Power Crafts. Thanks to the support of the Farmers’ Market, the Club raised hundreds of dollars to contribute to local charities.
Dorothy and Joe Verdone represented the Club at this year’s Memorial Day ceremony, which was held in Ramsey High School because of the possibility of inclement weather. Every Memorial Day, the Club sends a wreath to be placed at Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Veterans Park to commemorate our fallen military heroes.
Customers lined up early at the Club’s 21st annual Heirloom Tomato & Veggie Plant Sale on May 18 in the parking lot of the Masonic Lodge. Tina Pellicciari, in yellow, was first to arrive at the pre-order table and was joined by, from left, Betty Green, Janet Klein, Elaine Muzzillo, PatBernius, Julliet Borgersen and Lana Roytshteyn. Lana had put up signs throughout Ramsey and worked hard all day to ensure the success of the sale. Rose Ippolito brought coffee and donuts to fortify the others who pitched in — Fran Mahon, Bette Moore, Marjorie Detweiler, Mia Howard, Eileen Lobaugh, and Linda Korsen, who sold plant markers to raise extra funds.
At the May installation luncheon, Ramapo District Vice President Tina Ree, right, presented the five members of the newly elected Governing Committee with colorful scarves to symbolize the ties that unite members of the Club. Accepting the honor are, from left, Linda Korsen, Janet Klein, Pat Bernius, Dorothy Verdone and Tina Pellicciari.
At the Club table at the April District Council and Achievement Day event at Portobello Banquets in Oakland were, from left, Lana Roytshteyn, Fran Mahon, Pat Bernius, Tina Pellicciari, Betty Green, Rose Ippolito, Margaret Wellman, and Linda Korsen, who took the photo. Rose reported on the year’s fundraising events, Lana received a gold ribbon for her soap flower party favor, and Linda took home a gold ribbon for a paper flower shadowbox and a blue ribbon for a watercolor.
This year’s theme at Performing Arts Day in March was “Red, White and Blue — And You.” Marjorie Detweiler, second from right, gave a talk about how clubwomen support their country in times of peace and war, and Rose Ippolito, Pat Bernius, Tina Pellicciari and Dorothy Verdone handed out keepsake flyers with more information.
Visitors to the Farmers’ Market on February 25 flocked to Winter Warm-Up, our newest fundraiser. Members of the Woman’s Club of Ramsey served hot chocolate at the train depot and sold beautiful soap flowers and paper flower bouquets and wall art. Generous donations and craft sales brought in raised much-needed funds for local charities.
The Woman’s Club of Ramsey filled Operation Safety Net gift bags with emergency supplies of toiletries for abused women arriving at the Center for Hope and Safety. CHS representative Diana Dloughy, second from right, spoke about the programs available at the Center, and Club members who helped fill bags are, from left, Lana Roytshteyn, Janet Klein, Tina Pellicciari, Bette Moore, Rose Ippolito, Katie Parker, Eileen Lobaugh, Betty Green, Fran Mahon, Pat Bernius, Terry Gandia and Margaret Wellman.
Rainy weather didn’t keep shoppers from the September 24 Apple Festival, and hundreds of cups of free apple cakes were served. Councilman Mike Gutwettter enjoyed his treat with, from left, Tina Pellicciari, Marjorie Detweiler, Dorothy Verdone, Pat Bernius and Katie Parker.
Pat Bernius organized a 2023 Christmas in July lunch and weeklong fundraiser for the Tommy Strong Foundation, which aids hospitalized children. Christine FitzPatrick. left, thanks members who gave toys and gift cards.
At Ramsey’s June 2023 New Resident Mixer at the Municipal Pool, Kathy Ambrose, Fran Mahon, Pat Bernius, Bette Moore and Tina Pellicciari welcomed newcomers, invited women to join the Club, and handed out leaflets for the Christmas in July luncheon.
Workers setting up the June Strawberry Festival were Janet Klein, Pat Bernius, Tina Pellicciari, Kathy Ambrose, Joe and Dorothy Verdone and Katie Parker.
Former Club President Marjorie Detweiler and Dorothy Verdone show off the wreath the Club donated to celebrate Memorial Day in 2023. In the 1920’s, the Woman’s Club helped arrange for land to be donated for Bonny View Park, now known as Veterans Park at Bonny View, and its centerpiece is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, a memorial to our veterans.
Rain didn’t keep the Woman’s Club of Ramsey from holding its 20th annual Heirloom Tomato & Veggie Plant Sale in May 2023. Kathy Ambrose, who organized the event, and Tina Pellicciari and Janet Klein helped Ramapo District Vice President Tina Ree select plants for her garden.
At the town-wide garage sale in Tina Pellicciari’s driveway in May 2023, Pat Bernius, in grey, hugs Janet Klein, showing that everybody loves a treasurer when funds are being raised for Club projects. The event brought in hundreds of dollars from the sale of household items.
Betty Green, Tina Pellicciari, Pat Bernius and Julliet Borgersen attended the April 2023 Achievement Day luncheon at Indian Trail Club. Pat read the Club’s report on its fundraising activities, the Club received a Certificate of Merit as Best All Around Advocates for Children, and Linda Korsen’s watercolor won a blue ribbon.
Marjorie Detweiler continued the Club’s tradition of presenting historical highlights at Performing Arts Day in March 2023. Marge spoke about the history of the NJSFWC flower, the lily of the valley, and NJSFWC colors, Continental Blue and Buff, and gave out flyers telling the story.
At the January 2023 luncheon and new member get-together, Club members assembled Operation Safety Net gift bags of emergency toiletries for abuse victims who arrive at the Center for Hope and Safety. Filling bags are, from left, Kathy Ambrose, Bette Moore, Pat Bernius, Julliet Borgersen, Margaret Wellman, Eileen Lobaugh, Tina Pellicciari, Fran Mahon and Elaine Muzzillo. Betty Green, inset, counted 40 bags ready for delivery.
On December 1, 2023, Club members gathered at Ramsey Golf & Country Club to celebrate the start of the holiday season. Attending the luncheon were Janet and Tom Klein, Rose Ippolito, Pat Bernius, Sunny Whittaker, Kathy Ambrose, Fran Mahon, Katie Parker, Margaret Wellman, Betty Green, Dorothy and Joe Verdone and Linda and Hap Korsen. Pat presented new members with decorative copies of the Collect.
Tara, the popular “bag lady” who sells WeBe Bags at the weekly Ramsey Farmers’ Market, spoke at the Club’s November 2023 meeting. Tara overcame many obstacles to create and market her eco-friendly bags made from up-cycled coffee, bean, rice and feed bags. Special visitors, back row at left, were NJSFWC Ramapo District.
Nancy Boone, manager of the award-winning Ramsey Farmers’ Market, visited the October 2023 meeting to tell the Club how the award-winning market was started and its importance to the Borough today. The Farmers’ Market supports the Club’s Strawberry, Peach and Apple Festivals, a major source of donations to our charitable projects.
Club members were proud as peacocks as they handed out peacock feathers to draw visitors to the Club’s 2022 Ramsey Day booth. Working the crowd were, from left, Rose Ippolito, Kathy Ambrose, Pat Bernius, Dorothy Verdone, Tina Pellicciari and Marjorie Detweiler.
In May 2022, Pat Bernius, left, organized a Baby Shower Luncheon at Ramsey Golf & Country Club to aid young mothers and babies being cared for by Several Sources Shelters. Venetta Ellerbe of Several Sources Shelters opens layettes and other presents — thanks, everyone, for your generous gifts!