LUDLOW, Vt. – The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Okemo Valley Women’s Club (OVWC) met Monday, Nov. 10, at the Black River Valley Senior Center. Despite swirling snow, 19 women attended the meeting, and an additional two members attended via Zoom. The meeting began with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, then the club’s “Collect,” which was written in 1904 by Mary Stewart as a personal prayer. The “Collect” has been reprinted in many forms, in many lands, but the first organization to use the “Collect,” or to print it in its yearbook, was the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Our speaker was Linda Thomson, who presented a discussion about laughter titled “Laughter is the Best Medicine.” Gelotology is the study of laughter, and has found that laughter is beneficial to us in many ways. It can speed recovery, improve attitude, ease tension, and reduce depression. Physiologically, laughter may reduce the heart rate, reduce muscle tension and increase respiration, reduce inflammation, and reduce stress hormones. Thomson explained that in 1995, Laughter Yoga was begun in India, and that happy laughter can replace sadness in the spaces of the heart. Thomson concluded by reminding the group to “enjoy life; it has an expiration.”
Following a brief break for refreshments, the club held a business meeting to review past programs and future projects. The International Day of Service, held in September, was another great success which benefited New Story Center and The Women’s Freedom Center. The club pledged donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Operation Smile, and SEVCA.
The clubwomen will also cosponsor the upcoming Dinner to Fight World Hunger, to be held Saturday, Nov. 22, at the United Church of Ludlow. The menu includes meat, vegetarian, or gluten-free stuffed shells; salad; bread; and dessert. Preorders are available from 5-5:30 p.m.; dine-in seating by reservation begins at 5:30 p.m., and open seating is from 6-7:30 p.m. Reservations and takeout orders are available by calling 802-558-9055. OVWC has committed to providing desserts, and will also provide volunteers to help make the fundraising meal a success.
State President Darlene Remy reviewed the recent October New England Regional GFWC meeting at Lake Winnipesauke, N.H., and the GFWC state fall meeting, also in October, hosted by the Okemo Valley Women’s Club.
The annual Tree of Remembrance campaign is set to begin with a tree-lighting ceremony in Ludlow and Proctorsville on Friday, Dec. 5. This campaign raises funds to support the OVWC’s many community projects and programs by honoring and remembering friends and loved ones with lit trees at Veterans Park in Ludlow, and on the Svec Green in Proctorsville. More information will follow closer to the tree lighting.
The next meeting of the GFWC Okemo Valley Women’s Club will be held Monday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the United Church of Ludlow. Anyone wishing to attend may contact President Sally Scarp at 407-242-0901, or any member.
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.