April 2010

Henrietta Menzies, Stephanie Hainley Henrietta Menzies tied with Stephanie Hainley as Young Careerist(s) for 2010-2011 at the YC Competition at the March 10 BPW Business and Dinner Meeting.
Shortly after the YC Competition, Henrietta learned that she would be receiving an Outstanding Social Justice Activist Award for 2010 at the UVM Women's Center's Women's Awards Banquet.

March2010

Kim Odachowski Kim Odachowski HAD HER BABY!!!!! Martha Jean Odachowski was born on…get this…February 11 (2-11). She was small but feisty. Mom and baby are doing well (dad too). Mom will be home Monday and baby MJO will follow in March after a stay at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Fletcher Allen.

February 2010

Diana Whitney
Diana Whitney was diagnosed with breast cancer in January. It is in the very early stages, most likely still confined to the ducts (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ – DCIS), which means that it is NOT life-threatening. In late-November I had core needle biopsies that confirmed the cancer. In mid-December I had surgery to remove 2 lumps from my left breast. The hope was that the surgery would remove all of the cancer and eliminate the need for further surgery, but it didn’t quite work out that way. They didn’t get it all. Consequently, she had a mastectomy (with simultaneous reconstruction) on January 19. This will require a 3 – 4 day hospital stay; recovery should take 6 – 8 weeks. If all goes well, no additional treatment will be necessary after the surgery.
She is blessed with much support, her sisters and parents come from Michigan in shifts to provide moral support and any help I might need getting around after the surgery. She said, “It is going to be kind of yucky, but I will get through it and I will be strong, especially if I know you are out there rooting for me.”
Immediately after the surgery, her friend Debbie reported that, “Diana is doing well, and was able to walk a few steps yesterday. She's having a little issue with some of the pain meds making her itchy, but the nurses and docs seem to be finding a mix that works. The plastic surgeon came by for a visit yesterday, inspected the incision sites and said everything looked very good (she had a minor concern earlier, but said it had not materialized as a problem).”
On January 26th, Diana’s husband Jim reported, ”We heard from Diana's surgeon last night. The pathology report came back CLEAN! That means no radiation or chemo (just a prolonged recovery from the surgery itself). Thanks for all your prayers and support -- they have been a tremendous boost to Diana's spirits, and she has drawn strength from all of you.”

January 2010

Barb Swinton Help cook Sunday dinner at Hope Lodge! Volunteers needed to cook Sunday dinners for those staying at Hope Lodge during cancer treatment. Barb Swinton is coordinating a team to cook dinner January 10, she needs three volunteers to work with her preparing and serving that evening. Volunteers are asked to join the lodgers at the meal. Barb believes you would need to be at Hope Lodge by 5 PM.
Barb would like to continue this effort throughout the year, so please let President Leslie Higgins 951-5889 or Barb Swinton 864-7859 know if you are interested.

November 2009

Lula Ducas Lula Ducas, a very long standing BPW Burlington member passed away in October. This follows the death of her dear sister Angie just a few weeks prior. According to Pat Nowak, “The two were loyal members and never missed BPW meetings. Lula was with the Professional Placement Division for Employment and Training in Burlington for about 40 years - ultimately as the Director. When she "retired" she and Angie opened the first Kelly Services in Burlington and it was a huge success due in large part to Lula's incredible background and her knowledge of all companies and HR heads in Chittenden County.” The wake was held October 13th at Corbin and Palmer in Burlington. The funeral was the following day at the Dormition of the Mother of God, Greek Church in Burlington.

Brenda Fodor Brenda Fodor lost her brother on Wednesday, October 14. He died at home. Please send her thoughts and prayers.

October 2009

Angelique O'Keefe Burlington BPW has a new Secretary. Angelique O'Keefe accepted the position and is very excited to be serving in this role for our organization. Angelique is a Patient Account Representative at Fletcher Allen Healthcare in Burlington. Please welcome her as our new Secretary

Kathryn Dunham Parker Kathryn Dunham has a new career. “I am still working with Williston Mortgage here and there when I get mortgage business but am not actively pursuing it,” she explained, adding, “I accepted a great position with American Income Life as an agent, in Williston on Blair Park Road. I just got my life, accident and health insurance license last week and am very excited to try something new and hope for much success.”

Nancy Moreland Greetings from Florida..
The trip down was good. We had two long days of driving to get to Silver Spring , MD on Friday, 8/21 where we spent the weekend with a friend of my mother's from nursing school. We spent time on day two in northern NJ driving through my mother's home town and then had lunch with two cousins who still live/work in the area. On Monday, 8/25 we drove around to Virginia and had lunch with a cousin (same family) who lives a short distance from the Lorton Train Station where we picked up the auto train. The train left at 4PM as scheduled with the cars tucked away in separate car carriers. Each car was numbered when you entered the station and when you get off in Florida they call the number that was assigned. This process can take up to two hours depending upon when you arrived at the VA station. We actually got off the train at about 8:30 and were in the car and on our way at 9:30, the actual time the train was to arrive. The drive to The Villages took about an hour and 20 minutes and very easy.
We closed on the house that afternoon and spent the next two nights at the Comfort Suites (1.5 miles from the house) until the furniture arrived on Thursday. We have been unpacking and looking for things ever since. It is interesting that when I am looking for a particular item and I can't find it, I begin to think it didn't come off the truck, but then I open another box and VOILA, there is the missing item or items. This just happened when I was looking for the hose and beater brush attachments for the canister vacuum. I had the vacuum, but not the attachments and it would be kind of difficult to vacuum without them.
I went out today and purchased an electric lawn mower and electric trimmer to cut my lawn and trim around the house and sidewalk. It was last cut on the day I closed, 2 1/2 weeks ago. It was beginning to look a little shabby and I was afraid the "authorities" would get after me for not keeping it cut. I think I'll hire out the weeding of the garden. I didn't know whether I would hire out cutting the lawn at $45/month or do it myself. I finally decided to do it myself and I decided I wanted an electric powered lawn mower rather than gas. Easier to maintain. After I put the lawn mower together this afternoon (handle, bag catcher) I made an attempt to cut the front lawn. It seemed to work well, but I kept pulling out the extension cord. That got very frustrating. At least now no one is going to complain. What I cut was the most visible. It will be interesting to see how I manage cutting the lawn since I have not cut any lawn since 1978.
(Check out newsletter for rest of the letter.)

Wendy Webster Farrell "Wendy Webster Farrell has a spooky new project called Nightmare Vermont. The PG13 interactive haunted house is being presented by South Burlington Rotary and Wendy is the organization's board chair in charge of the event. To learn more and purchase tickets go to NightmareVermont.org"

September 2009

Maria Milikin Former Burlington BPW
President, Maria Millikin, gave
birth to Parker
Murray Millikin July
28. He had the
courtesy to be
born at 11:30am
and weighed in at
8lbs 10oz and 22
LONG inches!
Everyone is doing well and he
has lots of brown hair – so cute!
Maria and Drew are very
pleased with the new addition to
their family.

Maria Milikin Maria is a proud new Mom of Parker Murray Millikin, born on July 28. Parker weighed in at 8lbs,10 oz and is 22 inches long. Congratulations to both Mother and son.

Maria Milikin Maria is a proud new Mom of Parker Murray Millikin, born on July 28. Parker weighed in at 8lbs 10 oz, and is 22 inches long. Congratulations to both Mother and son, and best wishes to Dad from Burlington BPW!

June 2009

Kim Odachowski Burlington BPW Young Careerist Kim Odachowski recently cut off 11 inches of her hair for Locks of Love.

March 2009

Caisil Weldon Vice President Caisil Weldon had her baby this morning, March 31, (she was induced yesterday) at Fletcher Allen Health Care. Owen Francis Weldon was born at 10:30 a.m., weighing 7 lbs., 11 oz. Caisil and the baby are doing well. Congratulations to the Weldon family from VT and Burlington BPW!

Tisha Langston Slater Tisha had her baby boy this month! He is a healthy, big boy weighing 11 pounds 4 ounces, 21 inches long at birth. His name is Brendan Kier. We send congratulations to Tisha and her family.

Diana Whitney Diana's beloved brother, Johnny "Longbow," passed away at 10:45 PM, March 9, 2009. He was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in Febrary. We send our condolences to Diana in her time of loss.