Skidaway Abigails l January 2022 |
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Hello Everyone:
I hope that you were able to celebrate in-person with family and friends during the holiday season. We all treasure these moments given the uncertainties associated with the appearance of new variants of the COVID-19 virus.
On a positive note, we were very pleased to offer our first in-person meeting since 2020 and to return to our home in the Messiah Lutheran Church. Mal Welch, Blake Caldwell, and Diane Thompson from the Sustainable Skidaway Steering Committee, were joined by Dylan Till, the TLA Environmental Manager, to present a wonderful program entitled ‘Deer and Digs.’ We look forward to presenting two exciting programs in January. On January 13 the afternoon Abigail program will focus on the legacy of the Gullah-Geechee people and the link to local anti-racism efforts. On January 25 the evening WAG program will feature Kate Daley of Planned Parenthood describing their mission to defend reproductive rights and ensure the availability of reproductive health services. We look forward to seeing you in our 2022 programs.
I am sending my best wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. Susan Terrio Interim President Skidaway Abigails |
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The History and Cultural Legacy of the Gullah-Geechee People
January 13
3:30 PM
Hybrid meeting:
Messiah Lutheran Church and by Zoom
We welcome all vaccinated members and guests to the in-person meeting.
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Coordinated by Shanti Stone and Susan Terrio
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Dr. Cloughtery, founder and Executive Director of the Nobis Project, a local NGO, will present her work with schools and educators in understanding current and past systems of inequity. One of the Nobis Project's community partners, Dr. Jamal Touré, a descendant of the Gullah-Geechee people of the low country of South Carolina, will present the history and cultural legacy of his ancestors. The presenters will discuss the link between the current racial justice movement and the social and political impact of Amhaud Arbery's murder - himself a Gullah-Geechee descendant from Sapelo Island. The program focuses on the value and contributions of early African Americans, such as the Gullah-Geechee, to the fabric of America. For more information, please read this article from the Savannah Morning News: click HERE. |
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The Uncertain Future of Reproductive Rights |
January 257:00 PM
Hybrid meeting:
Messiah Lutheran Church and by Zoom
We welcome all vaccinated members and guests to the in-person meeting. |
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Kate Daley, Director of Development
Planned Parenthood Southeast
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In light of the numerous legal challenges to abortion access and women's health services, Kate Daley will speak to the Abigails about what Planned Parenthood is doing to further its mission to continue to provide reproductive health services and defend reproductive rights.
Kate Daley began volunteering for Planned Parenthood in 2009 and has been employed by Planned Parenthood Southeast in Savannah since 2017. She is also a 2020 fellow of the YWCA of Greater Atlanta’s Georgia Women in Policy Institute and deeply committed to social justice advocacy in the South. Kate brings years of fundraising and community organizing to Planned Parenthood of the Southeast. |
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Deer & Digs: A Look Behind the Scenes at Community Sustainability Certification
Mal Welch, Diane Thompson, Blake Caldwell, Dylan Till
December 9
Coordinated by Shanti Stone and Susan Terrio
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On December 9 we were very pleased to offer our first in-person meeting since 2020 and to return to our home in the Messiah Lutheran Church. Mal Welch, Blake Caldwell, and Diane Thompson from the Sustainable Skidaway Steering Committee, were joined by Dylan Till, the TLA Environmental Manager, to present a wonderful program entitled "Deer and Digs". They detailed ongoing efforts to document the remnants of past inhabitants and to ensure a sustainable future for the community, the land, and the wildlife on our island. Some of the participants at this meeting asked for contact information from the presenters: Mal Welch: meredithwelch@gmail.com; 912-508-5887 (c)
Blake Caldwell: blakecaldwell110@gmail.com; 404-964-8409 (c)
Diane Thompson: DPJLTHOMPSON@gmail.com; 912-598-0242 (h)
Dylan Till: dylant@landings.org; office is 912-598-5509 (o)
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Ann moved to The Landings from Northern Virginia almost 20 years ago. In VA, she supported her two children’s activities as Girl Scout Leader, Girls Varsity and JV Lacrosse coach, and football, basketball, and boys’ lacrosse mom. Her daughter’s post college work, removing invasive species in the Grand Canyon, sparked her crusade to control the proliferation of Chinese Tallow trees on Skidaway Island. She organized the “Hack and Squirters” and the “Tallow Terrors" to kill and remove thousands of invasive Tallow Trees over 10 years. The Landings Association Architectural Design and Development Guidelines now prohibit Tallow Trees. For her work protecting the Native Maritime Forest in The Landings and Skidaway Island, she was awarded the TLA 2014 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Ann co-hosted the Re-naming the Talmadge Bridge Symposium, in 2017, which led to the Savannah City Council sending a resolution to the General Assembly requesting the bridge be renamed Savannah River Bridge. The Eugene Talmadge Bridge is named for a 3-term Governor and one of Georgia’s most extreme white supremacists. Republican GA Representatives Ben Watson and Jesse Petrea prevented the bill from leaving committee to be voted on. Ann enlisted the help of WAG to assert pressure in the on-going effort, however the issue remains unresolved. Ann serves on the Board of Directors of Hello Neighbor Savannah, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization connecting neighborhoods committed to fair and equitable outcomes for all residents. She is a member of CURE (Connecting and Understanding Racial Equity) and JUST (Justice Unites Savannah Together). Ann belongs to the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and is an advocate of SCI’s Learning Center, where she served on the Advisory Council. Ann was the 2009 9-Hole Golf Landings Champ, is a member of the “Fugettabocce” team, and plays Liberal Ladies Bridge. Her Abigails activities include the Morning Abigails Book Club, Reel Time and America We Need Discussion Groups, and Abigails Video Chat. Thank you, Ann, for your enthusiastic participation in Abigails, and your tireless work in the broader Savannah community.
Sheila Stallings grew up in North and South Carolina. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and later a Masters of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner. For the last 16 years of her career she was on the faculty of UNC-Chapel Hill School of Nursing in an administrative role. She has three daughters, three sons-in-love, and 7 grandarlings (all girls!). She has recently become engaged to a wonderful man with 4 grandsons (finally some little boys!).
In NC Sheila enjoyed several volunteer activities. She was a member of the North Carolina Public Health Reserve Corps and was a volunteer nurse working in the Red Cross Shelters after floods. She was a nurse with Project Homeless Connect and worked as a volunteer nurse with the county health department to administer H1N1 flu vaccines in mass clinics and in the community. She was a Certified Special Olympics Equestrian Coach and was so proud that her athlete and Sheila's horse won first place two years in a row. She trained two of her dogs to be Therapy dogs and worked with children with reading difficulties and paraplegia with her dogs. An animal and people lover, she served on the Board of Directors for a service dog organization that trains and places service dogs to assist individuals with mobility impairments and to alert to medical emergency conditions, such as diabetic hypoglycemia.
After moving to Savannah in 2015, Sheila enjoyed volunteering with New Neighbors activities, Wine for Wheels, Special Pops Tennis, and Landlovers. She enjoys bocce and has been the capo for an all women bocce team for 6 years. For the past two years Sheila has been a part of the Diamondback Terrapin Rescue Project and the Bluebird Trail. When Village Walk Pharmacy and Coastal Care Partners combined efforts to start a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, Sheila volunteered to help give injections and organized medical professional volunteers to staff the clinic. Now that the clinic has opened up again she is doing the same again.
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It was so good to see everyone in person at out December 9 event featuring Sustainable Skidaway. We were lucky to have great speakers that offered a wealth of knowledge about our community and what has been done to preserve the nature and history of this special place. I hope we can continue these events in person as we have many interesting speakers and topics scheduled for the next few months. If you have fallen behind on your renewal, make sure you get it done soon so you can attend our upcoming events. It only takes a couple minutes by logging onto our website at www.skidawayabigails.org and viewing your profile. However, if you encounter difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you know of anyone interested in joining, please refer them to our website or have them contact me to learn more. In the meantime, I wish you all a happy holiday season in the company of family and friends. Elizabeth Cowell Membership Chair
elizcowe@gmail.com |
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Please Help Inspiritus Help Afghan ImmigrantsCoordinated by Sandi Parshall |
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INSPIRITUS, formerly the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services is responsible for the resettling of Afghan immigrants in Savannah. By the end of December, they will have resettled over 50 individuals and are expecting even more in the new year. The refugees are in need of housing, furniture, household goods, gift cards, and clothing (men and children clothing). Any DONATIONS will be appreciated!
Inspiritus has an Amazon wish list you can find HERE.
Volunteers are NEEDED NOW to assist in the resettlement process. Volunteer opportunities include the following:
-Refugee escort/ transportation to appointments, shopping, and assisting with applying for Social Security cards etc.
-Collect donations of furniture and household items, stock pantries, organize donations.
-ESL tutoring either one on one or for small groups.
-After school virtual tutoring for children
-Refugee apartment set up in moving furniture and household items prior to their arrival
-Temporary housing hosts
-First friend cultural mentors assisting refugees in assimilating to their new life in Savannah.
Please contact Lindsey.grovenstein@weinspirit.org to donate or volunteer.
The Hamiltons will have a program February 15 featuring Lindsey Grovenstein of Inspiritus explaining their work with immigrant refugees in more detail. We hope many of you will be able to attend. |
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Abigails Pot Luck DinnerFebruary 6, 2022 At Members' Homes
Coordinated by Pat Wallace |
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Happy New Year, Abigails!
The first round of Pot Luck Dinners since our Time of Social Distancing is set for Sunday, February 6. These are fun, small group gatherings (fully vaccinated only, please!) in which we get to enjoy delicious dinners and convivial conversations with fellow Abigails.
We will have a host and 6 or 7 guests at each home. (No big crowds!) The host will prepare the entree, and guests will bring an appetizer, salad, or dessert, as requested by the host. These are events in which "Plus Ones" are welcomed and encouraged - but not required! (In the past, 60% of Abigails brought a husband or friend, and 40% came by themselves.)
If this sounds like fun to you (it is!), please register below by January 23rd to let us know if you would like to attend, if you'll be bringing a "Plus One," and if you can host one of the dinners. We need 3 vaccinated hosts to accommodate 24 vaccinated Abigails and their guests.
When we get the names of willing hosts, the chair will match the Abigails and their guests to each home. The host will then contact them with inquiries about food allergies, information about start time, menu contribution requests, and the host's address.
As we say in the South, "Y'all come!"
Pat Wallace, Pot Luck Dinner Coordinator |
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Abigails Video ChatDecember 28, January 4, 11, 25 3 PM Zoom Meetings
Coordinated by Sheila Grossman |
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Welcome to 2022. Wouldn't you like to begin the year chatting with like-minded women who can be a vital lifeline that keeps the us sane in these tumultuous and crazy days. Our conversations tend to be free-wheeling and profound and we learn from each other about what is going on in our community, locally and nationally. Please consider joining us for our next Abigails Video Chat. It's great to be able to talk openly about what we are learning and how we are feeling. |
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The America We Need Discussion Group
Friday, January 21 9:30 am Zoom Meeting
Led by Annette Carnow |
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Happy 2022! Here’s hoping to a better New Year. On many days during the pandemic, hope and optimism has been hard to come by, even on our island paradise. So as we start the new year, it might be a good idea to look at how Covid is changing our society.
Please read the following articles: New York Times, November 18, 2021 Mid -Covid Modern: the design legacy of the pandemic by Rob Walker Where it went: How the unprecedented flood of relief money is a boon to science and technology by Charley Locke New York Times, December 18 Generation goes from ‘Play Bal’ to Play Station by Joe Drape Hope you will join our Zoom conversation, 9:30 AM Friday, January 21, 2022! |
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Reel Time January 26 at 4:00PM via Zoom
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Coordinated by Annette Carnow |
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Mark your 2022 calendar for January 26th at 4 pm , when Reel Time will hold its first discussion of the year. This Changes Everything, is a piercing expose by actress/ producer/activist Gena Davis. In this documentary she looks at the gender disparity in the Hollywood film industry and how women today are trying to challenge and change historic norms. This important documentary is available for viewing on Netflix or for a small fee on Amazon Prime or Apple TV. Hope you will Zoom in to discuss how this influential industry treats women in front of and behind the camera.
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Canasta Coordinated by Sue Kantor |
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We are happy that Abigails Canasta is thriving. Our group has become quite large and is now closed. However, if there is enough interest, we can start a second, separate group. This new group is welcome to set themselves up to suit their players. Playing whatever day and time works for them, as long as it does not conflict with other ongoing Abigails activities. Please remember, all members of Abigails Canasta groups must be members in good standing. If you would like to play or help organize this group please email suegkantor@gmail.com |
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The AM Book Group currently has 9 members and is looking to add one more. The group meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 10 am. Each month one member chooses a book they have read and would like to share with the group. The recommending member then facilitates the discussion of the book. The book choice rotates among all the members and is usually announced 2-3 months in advance to give everyone time to read the book. If you would like to join this group please contact Sheila Jannino at sjannino11@gmail.com. |
The PM Book Group will be meeting on January 19 at 3:30 pm. They will be reading A Promised Land by Barack O'Bama. The reviewer will be Kathy Dole. If you would like to join us please email paaron@comcast.net. |
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Message From Your Board of Directors |
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Your 2021-2022 Board of Directors, like you, are proud Abigails members. We are committed to serving the mission, and the members, of Skidaway Abigails. We look forward to a great year with our Abigail friends and sisters in action! |
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The Skidaway Abigails is a nonpartisan organization of progressive, liberal women whose purpose is to provide engagement opportunities for social, educational and advocacy activities to its members. We welcome women who support our values to join us, regardless of residence, race, ethnicity, age, religion or gender identification. What We Value
A strong commitment to women's health and safety including family planning; health education, screening and research; and protection from domestic abuse and the full range of offenses against women, from harassment in the workplace to sex trafficking.
A society that provides services for its poor and its children including basic shelter, food, physical and mental healthcare, quality fact-based education, childcare, pre-K development and college opportunity.
Fair and equitable treatment for the working class including a livable minimum wage; pay equity for women; reducing the gap between the average employee's compensation and corporate executives'; affordable health care; a future in our country for working immigrants; and equitable treatment under the criminal justice system.
Fair and equitable treatment for our Lesbian/Gay/Bi-sexual/ Transgender population in all aspects of our society. We support their right to marry and create a family,
Regulation that respects individual freedom while protecting the community including the licensing and control of firearms; and eliminating unwarranted surveillance, personal data collection and criminal profiling.
Protecting our planet from mankind's impact on earth's climate and precious natural resources ranging from fresh water to the honey bee. We want to better understand opportunities to enhance sustainability.
Being informed and represented on political issues related to our values including voter registration and the right of citizens to vote; the stated positions of local, state and federal candidates; and access to articles and subject-matter-experts on value-related issues. |
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Current Elected Officials Contact Information |
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Governor Brian Kemp
206 Washington St, 111 State Capitol. Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-1776
https://georgia.gov/contact-georgiagov
US Rep. (Dist. 1) Earl "Buddy" Carter
6602 Abercorn St, Ste 105B, Savannah, GA 31405
(202) 225-5831
http://buddycarter.house.gov/contact/
US Senator Jon Ossoff
Hart Senate Office Building, Suite 825 B&C
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3521 (DC)
https://www.ossoff.senate.gov
US Senator Raphael Warnock
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Suite B40D
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3643 (DC)
https://www.senate.gov/senators/117thCongress/warnock-raphael.htm
State Senator Ben Watson
320-B Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg, Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-7880
ben.watson@senate.ga.gov
State Senator Lester Jackson
110-B State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 463-5261
lester.jackson@senate.ga.gov
State Representative Jesse Petrea
408-B Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg, Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 657-1803
jesse.petrea@house.ga.gov |
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