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AFRW E-News
December 2007
President's Message
When it comes to politics, for the next two months most attention will shift to the national scene as the major political parties meet in caucus and convention to decide their presidential nominees. This is always an important and exciting process – probably now more than ever.
While Iowa and New Hampshire kick off the process in January, the big day is “Super Tuesday,” February 5 and this time around, Alaska Republicans have a part to play. (Please see ARP Vice Chair Cathy Giessel’s report in this online newsletter.)
For the next few weeks, however, most of us will focus on our families and friends as we prepare for the holidays. I’d like to use this column as an opportunity to share with you an idea for gift-giving that I think merits consideration.
At our National Federation of Republican Women convention in September we heard from one of the authors of the recently published book, “How to Raise an American.” I bought the book and read it and offer the following.
The authors begin by saying that, “It was our love of America and our belief in its inherent goodness and greatness that led us to write this book. It was also our fear that raising good Americans in today’s political and cultural climate is becoming more and more difficult…but like President Reagan, we’re optimists too. And, so we’ve tried to accentuate the positive – the many things you can do to inspire your children and make them hopeful and proud to call themselves Americans.”
The book is a practical guide offering 1776 tips, games, activities, quizzes, and pieces of information you can use to make patriotism part of your family’s daily life. It would make a great gift for new parents but also has wonderful ideas that any of us can use as we entertain, plan our travel or celebrate holidays.
Two Amazon reviewers wrote:
“I love this country, I feel blessed to have been born here and to raise my three children here. I am determined to help them appreciate this great country, and the freedoms we enjoy.”
“It's easy to be cynical about patriotism, to cast it in merely right wing/left wing terms. But in the history of mankind, America is exceptional, and our children have to know what we believe, why we believe it and how to proudly live as Americans.”
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season and be sure to mark your calendars for February 5!
Paulette Simpson
Alaska Republican Party
Alaska 2008 Presidential Caucus Vote – February 5
Cathy Giessel, Vice Chair, Alaska Republican Party
The Alaska Republican Party will hold its 2008 Presidential Caucus Vote on “Super Tuesday”, February 5, 2008. Polls will be open for several hours in the evening that day, in districts around the state. Republicans registered to participate in their District Conventions will be eligible to vote for their choice of candidate for President. There will also an option to vote "undecided".
Alaska will send 26 pledged delegates-at-large to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis September 1-4, 2008, along with 3 RNC member delegates, for a total of 29 Alaska delegates. This gives Alaska 2 percent of the delegates attending the National Convention, and just one delegate less than Connecticut, Oregon or West Virginia. In fact, 16 states and territories have fewer National delegates than Alaska.
The Alaska Caucus vote will determine the number of delegates pledged to vote for each of the Presidential candidates, or as “unpledged” delegates, during the nominations at the National Convention. Two Presidential candidates, Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney, have qualified for the Alaska ballot by collecting petition signatures and submitting a filing fee. Additional contenders are completing the process now. The deadline for Presidential candidates to place their names on the Caucus ballot is January 6, 2008.
For more information, go to www.alaskarepublicans.com or call the Alaska Republican Party office at 276 4467.
National Federation Projects
Several community service projects that the National Federation of Republican Women encourages are programs that SUPPORT THE TROOPS, promote LITERACY, and engage in CARING FOR AMERICA. Click on the links below for a great project that one of your members may be willing to undertake.
SUPPORT THE TROOPS
http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/
Armed Services YMCA of Alaska Heroes Home Program - See the attached flier.
http://www.nfrw.org/programs/troops/index.html is the list of sites the National Federation has made available for troop projects and includes:
http://www.operationpaperback.org/
http://www.operationiraqichildren.org/
http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html
http://www.nfrw.org/documents/publications/troops_owc.pdf
LITERACY
http://www.firstbook.org
http://www.reachoutandread.org/
http://www.nfrw.org/documents/publications/MELP_2007.pdf - Mamie Eisenhower Library Childrens Book List pdf
CARING FOR AMERICA
http://www.soles4souls.org/
http://www.redcross.org/donate/give/
Adopt a Highway Program
Clubs, please let 1st Judicial VP Lureen Stedman (lureen@alaska.com) know of your activities which may support these three program areas. The 1st VP position has been tasked to compile and track club activities which further National Federation community service projects as well as provide news of projects that clubs may wish to consider. Providing numbers such as how many troop boxes sent, books donated, money raised, soccer balls collected, etc, from the various women in charge is necessary information to provide to her as well. These totals at year's end reflect efforts that our state organization has a reason to be extremely proud of; and a benchmark to shoot for next year.
Projects that you have undertaken, developed, or discovered, or ideas that you have found to make such projects successful, would also be valued information for the newsletter.
Thanks.
Around Alaska
Anchorage Republican Women – Cathy Giessel, President
The Annual Meeting of the ARWC was November 8. After the usual business of annual reports, Bylaw revision adoption and election of new 2008 officers, the Club enjoyed a great Fashion Show – “Republican Women in Style – Past, Present and Future”. The Show was organized by Judy Eledge with the support of Siri Schlief, owner of Siri’s Boutique. Several people donated door prizes and table “favors” which were given away at random times throughout the Show. Models of the beautiful clothing included Republican women Ashley Millett, Alyce Hanley, Sandy Parnell, Kris Showalter, Angelina Burney, Katherine Gill, Roberley Jacobson and Nancy Speedy.
On December 14, the Club will be having its annual Christmas party at the home of Paula Pawlowski. The new officers will take office on January 1, 2008.
Capital City Republican Women – Connie McKenzie, President
CCRW's November meeting was spent writing 180 Christmas cards to our Alaska troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Several of our women once again decorated the Governor's House for the holidays and on December 14 at the annual Open House, we will help serve punch and greet guests. Our annual Women in Red membership tea will be Sunday, December 9.
Fairbanks Republican Women - Linda Manns, President
“What you do thunders above your head so loudly, I cannot hear the words you speak.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
During a very busy Christmas season with stress and obligations, our kindness and compassion will speak more loudly than all of the Merry Christmas greetings we can articulate. As Republicans, we often do not treat each other as the friends we have become through many years of raising money, electing representation, and hard work. Let’s try to remember that this is the season of caring and helping and, as usual, we Republican Women manage to exemplify that often.
The Fairbanks Women, under the leadership of Pat Fink, raised $1000.00 for soccer balls and got them on their way to Iraq prior to the final shipment deadline. We had a very nice Christmas party at Vonna Husby’s beautiful office and a silent auction raised $490.00 for presents for children of deployed soldiers.
We had a huge demand for “quilt squares” for our AFRW project and the six that we have are being worked on now.
Our very best news is that Sue Hull has filed a letter of intent to take back the seat that Rep. Kawasaki won in 2006. We pledged our support to her, and we are proud to have a person of integrity, strength, and committed family values offering to sacrifice and serve our state. Thank you, Sue and Robert.
Respectfully and Merry Christmas, Linda Manns
Kenai Peninsula Republican Women - Carol Brenckle, President
November is the month when we remember the courageous men and women who have served our country in its armed forces. It was also a time to give thanks to God and country, a time to gather together with family. On Saturday, November 10th, the Kenai Peninsula as a community of family and friends welcomed home our National Guard troops from their tour of duty in Kuwait and Iraq. The event took place at the Kenai Armory. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski was there to celebrate their safe return, as were the members of KPRW. Senator Tom Wagoner represented the Governor at the welcome home ceremony. KPRW presented each of the returning service men with a Safeway gift certificate in "Thanksgiving" for their service to our nation.
We had elections in November. Our new officers include: Carol Brenckle, President; Diane DuPerron, Vice-President; Durainey Rawls, Leona Oberts, Asst. Secretary; Kathy Jackinsky, Treasurer; Dee Gaddis, Asst. Treasurer and Beth Meier, Asst. Treasurer. Congratulations to all.
We had the first planning committee meeting for our Lincoln Day Dinner in February. The name of our guest speaker will be announced as soon as we receive confirmation. KPRW's Membership Tea has been moved to Saturday, December 1st. Members have been encouraged to bring their daughters, granddaughters and friends. Hats and gloves are required! For those members who do not have 50's circa hats, KPRW has a collection of hats that members have donated (e-bay acquisitions all)! Hats will be available at the door and may be rented for "a slight charge".
Merry Christmas to all.
Mat-Su Republican Women - Alice Massie, President
The MRSWC had a wonderful event at Senator Green's home on the 17th of Nov. All who attended had a very nice time. A big Thank You, to our senator. The Mat-Su group also elected new officers for the 2008 in the month of October. Glenda Ledford is our new president. We are busy moving in to the next event which is our Lincoln Day event. I would at this time like to say it has been my pleasure to serve the Mat-Su group as their President for the past 4 yrs. It has been a learning experience. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. Most may God bless all of you!!!
Midnight Sun Republican Women - Holly Kelty, President
MSRWC's November meeting, held November 27th, at the Swing Bar, Chilkoot Charlie's, was a work session for our new cookbook project. Our first volume, featuring brunch recipes beyond imagine, will debut at the March 2008 Convention. If you have a fantastic recipe, or traditional family fare, please forward recipe to holly@larsen-anc.com with subject line MSRWC Cookbook. Please include a story about the recipe and/or picture.
Continuing to support our troops, we collected clothing items for Heroes Closet - After 5 Boutique; a project managed by the Armed Services, YMCA, EAFB that gathers gently used formal or cocktail dresses, shoes, purses, jewelry (costume) and other accessories made available for use for women who have served and are returning or wives of husbands returning. For more information on this project contact Cymbre Christman at Cymbrek@aol.com. Our December meeting will be our annual Christmas Party and Chinese Gift Exchange (don't forget the White House Eggnog), to be hosted by Cymbre Christman, date to be determined.
Sitka Republican Women - Karoline Beckeris, President
Sitka Republican Women will meet on Friday, December 7th at VanWinkles restaurant from 12:00-1:00PM for our annual membership drive.
Representative Wilson will join us for this special luncheon where we will invite fellow Republican women and get them signed up for this great group.
Key Web Sites
Alaska Federation of Republican Women
http://www.akfrw.com
National Federation of Republican Women
http://www.nfrw.org/a>
Alaska Republican Party
http://www.alaskarepublicans.com/a>
Statewide Contacts
Alaska Federation of Republican Women
Paulette Simpson, President
(907) 770-6797 or (907) 364-3179
Email: paulettem@gci.net
Anchorage Republican Women
Cathy Giessel, President
(907) 345 5470
Email: cgiessel@mac.com
Capital City Republican Women (Juneau)
Connie McKenzie, President
(907) 790-3321
Email: connie-mitch@gci.net
Fairbanks Republican Women
Linda Manns, President
(907) 456-0030
Email: jlmanns@acsalaska.net
First City Republican Women (Ketchikan)
Laura Antonsen, President
(907) 225-5547
Email: panhandler@att.net
Email: panhandler@att.net
Kenai Peninsula Republican Women
Carol Brenckle, President
(907) 398-8228
Email: carol.brenckle@alaska.net
Mat-Su Republican Women
Alice Massie, President
(907) 376-5667
Email: abm_51@yahoo.com
Midnight Sun Republican Women
Holly Kelty, President
Email: holly@larsen-anc.com
Sitka Republican Women
Karoline Bekeris, President
(907) 747-5804
Email: kbekeris@hotmail.com
Paid for by Alaska Federation of Republican Women, 2504 Fairbanks St., Anchorage, AK 99503
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