“Intentionally Serving Our Community”, the 2011-2012 theme, rang clear as the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club gathered for an end of the year banquet on May 14 at the beautiful Shoppes on Main. It was an evening of celebrating scholarship winners, new members, awards presentations and new officers.
Elizabeth Dustin, Sallie Southall Cotton Scholarship nominee, entertained with a flute solo. Club member, Patty Byrne, winner in poetry at the NC Woman’s Club Arts Festival read her sonnet to the group. At that event, Patty also won first place in overall clubwomen’s literature.
Special guest was Sharon Greeson, president of the North Carolina Federation of Women’s Clubs. Her cheery message of encouragement gave new insights as to ways this club contributes to GFWC. Congratulations were given for the 2012 State Awards this club received. They were: Public Relations (1st place) and runner up in Arts (Collaboration and Partnership), Education (Collaboration), Membership Matters, Clubs with 10% or Greater Increase in Membership, Greatest Net Increase in Club Membership.
Frances Senter was honored for her dedicated service, having been an active member of the Woman’s Club for 64 years. She is the longest serving active member having surpassed the years of Mrs. Myrtle Hopson. The presentation was made by Shirley Simmons and the award was presented by Polly Sheets, president.
Scholarship winners were introduced by Education Chairpersons Shirley Simmons and Dorothy Mays. They presented gifts to Elizabeth Dustin, Sallie Southall Cotton nominee and Shannon Desrocher, Kaitlin Barnes, and Sharrie Judd, technical scholarship winners.
New members were introduced by Anne Moell, membership chairperson. They were installed by State president, Sharon Greeson. New members are Becky Alexander, Diane Baldwin, Beth Barlow, Nancy Broadwell, Grace Grant, Celena Grey, Kim Johnson, Donna MacDonald, and Tammie Stagnitta.
Anticipation grew as the group prepared for presentation of club awards by Pollyanna Sheets, president, and Beverly McDougall, vice-president. Perfect attendance certificates were given to all who had attended every meeting. They were Patty Byrne, Barbara Kennedy, Anne Moell, Nancy Randolph, Jean Seabrooke, Polly Sheets, Martha Smallwood, Christine Taylor, Joyce Wagner.
Winners of Silver Awards were Barbara Kennedy (Friendship Award and Inspiration Award), Kim Breivogel and Jennifer Fortunato (Challenge Award), Martha Smallwood (Horizon Award), Chris Blackmon, Frances Senter, Anne Moelle, Marilyn Gardner, and Nancy Broadwell (Membership Award), Vickie Cardin and Stephanie Wallace (Outstanding Department, Arts), Victoria Currin (Distinguished Service Award). The most coveted award is the Clubwoman of the Year Award, which went to Shirley Simmons.
New officers were installed by State President Sharon Greeson. They are Marilyn Gardner, president; Emily Cox, 1st vice president; Patty Byrne, 2nd vice president; Anne Moelle, 3rd vice president; Amy Massingill, recording secretary; Vicki Currin, Corresponding Secretary; Jean Seabrooke, treasurer.
The meeting ended with the passing of the gavel to the new president, Marilyn Gardner, and the reciting of the Clubwoman’s Collect.


















