We continue into an unknown future with 'pandemic fatigue’ affecting all of us, even as we understand that just because we are over it, it isn’t over. I am also suffering from ‘election fatigue’, tired of the vitriol and negativity that confronts me every time I turn on the television, coming from candidates of all parties and persuasions. All of this makes me even more grateful for the Skidaway Abigails. We support causes that are in alignment with our mission, not candidates or parties; we strive to be responsive rather than reactive, and we look for ways to stay engaged with each other in these trying times.

I, for one, will be happy to celebrate getting through this election season, and I look forward to seeing you at our Zoom gathering at 9 PM on November 3^rd. I hope you continue to find ways to engage and stay connected through our programs and activities.

There will be an end to all of this, and I hold onto the hope that it comes soon. In the meantime, I am so very grateful for all of you and our wonderful organization.

Warmly,

Betsy Beekman

Upcoming Events

We Got Through It!

Election Night Zoom Meeting

Tuesday, November 3

9 PM to 10 PM

Coordinated by Social Chairs:

Nikki Berdy and Sue Kantor

Before we know it, the November 2020 Presidential Election will be upon us. We know that not only is there a lot riding on the outcome of this election, but it also might take longer than normal to have certifiable results in many of our states due to the extraordinary number of mail-in ballots.

While we may not have a final outcome that night, we would like to offer our members, and the Hamiltons, the chance to get together via Zoom that evening from 9pm - 10pm, to share reactions to the election and to celebrate that WE GOT THROUGH IT! Pour yourselves a glass of your favorite beverage and let's all take a deep breath together!

Please let us know if you want to meet with fellow Abigails and Hamiltons on this momentous evening and we will send you the link and necessary information to join us for this virtual gathering. Just click on the link below to register. We hope to see you then, and please ... REMEMBER TO VOTE!

The Most Important Election in American History: Three Pivotal Presidential Elections That Didn't Feature Donald Trump

Dr. Stan Deaton

November 12

3:30 Zoom Meeting

Program Chairs: Pat Wallace and Betsey Andersen

The focus of this program will be on three pivotal 20^th century elections – the reasons they were pivotal, the issues at stake that fueled deep political divisions, and the aftermath.

Stan Deaton is the Senior Historian and The Dr. Elaine B. Andrews Distinguished Historian at the Georgia Historical Society. He holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Florida, a Masters degree in history from the University of Georgia, and a Bachelors degree in journalism from UGA. He is the Emmy-winning writer and host of Today in Georgia History, jointly produced for TV and radio by GHS and Georgia Public Broadcasting.

At the Georgia Historical Society, Stan is a public speaker, teacher, and writer. He loves his job because he gets paid to read, write, think, and talk about history, which is why he went to school all those years in the first place.

On his website, Off the Deaton Path, Stan writes a blog, records podcasts, and produces short videos called "Dispatches from Off the Deaton Path" on everything from the Black Death, the Spanish Flu pandemic, Hank Aaron, and The Twilight Zone, to Stone Mountain and the Rolling Stones. You can find it at deatonpath.georgiahistory.com.

Recap of October Program

Fake News: Fact, Fiction, and (Real) Fakery

Paul Lieberman

Program Chairs:

Pat Wallace and Betsey Andersen

On October 8 by Zoom, Abigails, Hamiltons, and their guests were treated to a presentation by Paul Lieberman, veteran of 40 years in the media and current Landings resident, on finding our way through “Fake News: Fact, Fiction, and (Real) Fakery”. Paul pointed out that reporters have long been used by politicians to get their views out, and then accused of bias by politicians who are not pleased with the resulting stories. This harkened back to when Thomas Jefferson said he would pick the press over government if he could only have one, but later, while in office himself, declared that, “Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper.”

While we are all familiar with the tactic of attacking the press, Paul pointed out that even the “elite” media that strive for objectivity, face challenges that can skew their coverage – from their own coziness to power, to their tendency to bend over backwards to combat their own natural biases. The last few years have put them in the lose-lose situation of opening themselves to further charges of bias if they straight out call a lie a lie.

Paul urged us to beware when a politician makes the media the issue, and when media screams headlines such as, “Now It Can Be Told,” and “What Really Happened.” While reporters do make mistakes, Paul reminded us, the responsible media admits them. The “elite” traditional media, such as the New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN, are still our best sources of fact-based news, but we do need to evaluate with a skeptical eye.

Member Spotlight

Cubby Plonchak

The Skidaway Abigails is pleased to feature Cubby Plonchak in our November Member Spotlight. Cubby calls herself a "Bronx girl” but over the past 25 years she has lived at the Landings. She received a B.S. in Education, taught physical education, and coached in schools on the East and West coasts. She became interested in progressive causes starting with concern over girls' and women’s places in the sports arena, pay inequality and reproductive rights.

She is currently serving on the boards of Skidaway Abigails, WAG, and Skidaway Island Democrats. Cubby has coordinated "Get Out the Vote" postcard initiatives to increase voter turnout in the 2020 election with the League of Women voters of Coastal Georgia for Abigails and our WAG advocacy group. She has participated in many advocacy activities, ranging from marches to letters to the editor of the Savannah Morning News.

Cubby has generously opened her home for WAG meetings and dinners (as long as she didn’t have to cook!). She welcomed overnight guests, when five undocumented students from Freedom University in Atlanta, spoke last year to the Abigails. She also held "meet and greet" sessions in her home with Georgia political candidates.

After Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away, Cubby created the opportunity for 140 members of the Skidaway Island community to come together in the Village Square to honor her life and mourn her death.

Cubby is one of the most stalwart activists and enthusiastic contributors to Skidaway Abigails and WAG.

Thank you, Cubby, for your passion and commitment!

She is currently serving on the boards of Skidaway Abigails, WAG, and Skidaway Island Democrats. Cubby has coordinated "Get Out the Vote" postcard initiatives with the League of Women voters of Coastal Georgia in coordination with Abigails and WAG, to increase voter turnout in the 2020 election. She has participated in protests ranging from marches to letters to the editor of the Savannah Morning News.

Cubby has generously opened her home for WAG meetings and dinners (as long as she didn’t have to cook!). She welcomed overnight guests, when five undocumented students Freedom University in Atlanta, spoke last year to the Abigails. She also held "meet and greet" sessions in her home with Georgia political candidates.

After Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away, Cubby created the opportunity for 140 members of the Skidaway community to come together in the Village Square to honor the life and mourn her death.

Cubby is one of the most stalwart activists and enthusiastic contributors to Skidaway Abigails and WAG.

Thank you, Cubby, for your passion and commitment!

Membership

Hello to all Abigails! It’s encouraging for me to report that we have 12 new members and 189 have renewed. Hopefully those of you who have not renewed, will consider doing so. Although we have not had the opportunity to meet in person, that has not deterred the Abigails from participating in the various events offered via ZOOM!

During these “unusual” times, it’s important to keep connected and share our experiences. Our book clubs, discussion groups, and weekly video chats offer that comradery. Here are a just a few things that are on the horizon:

October 28^th – The Reel Time Film Group will be discussing the episode “Payday” from the Netflix series Dirty Money.
November 3^rd – Election Night 9 PM ZOOM Meeting. On this important night, check in with the other Abigails to celebrate the fact – We Got Through It!
November 12 – our Abigails program featuring Dr. Stan Deaton from the Georgia Historical Society.

You won’t want to miss these exciting and informative opportunities, with more to follow. So, be sure to join or renew your membership, so you can be part of what the Abigails have planned. It is vital that we progressive women find a place to relate, communicate, and stay in touch. We all need a place to feel welcome with our ideas.

If you know of anyone interested in joining, they can always give me a call or email me to find out more information.

Adele Packert

Membership Chair

702-445-5790

apackert@aol.com

Click to Join or Renew

Activities

Abigails Video Chat

October 27 at 3 PM

November 3,17 & 24 at 3 PM

November 10 at 3:30 PM

Zoom Meetings

Coordinated by Sheila Grossman

Are you missing being able to connect with other like-minded women? Please consider joining us for our next Abigails Video Chat. With everything that is going on locally and in the world, it's great to be able to talk freely about what we are learning and how we are feeling. The group continues to explore how we are dealing with the unique and stressful time in which we are living.

The America We Need Discussion Group

Friday, November 20

(and 3rd Friday each month through February 2021)

9:30 am Zoom Meeting

Led by Susan Terrio

Beginning in November and continuing through February, this monthly group will discuss the international bestseller by Ibram X. Kendi, How To be An Antiracist.

This book has been described as a 21^st century manual of racial ethics and a critical guide at a time of persistent racial injustice in employment, schools, housing, policing, and government. Dr. Kendi is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities and Founding Director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research. He is the youngest recipient of the National Book Award for his 2016 nonfiction book, Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America. In 2020 Time Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Reel Time Film Group

Monday, November 23

3:30 pm Zoom Meeting

Coordinated by Annette Carnow

The startling fast development/adoption of smart phone technology with its incredibly powerful, addictive social apps has had unsettling affects on all aspects of society across the globe. The Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma, explores the problems of unfettered “surveillance capitalism”, artificial intelligence, and persuasive technology. Watch the film at home at your own convenience and then join in the Zoom conversation. This film should provide lots to talk about, so please plan on joining us.

On the Local Environment

Thanks to all WAG members who actioned on the recent Advocacy Alert in the hope of defeating the building of a 500,000 ton per year wood pellet plant in Adel, Georgia. Sadly, the town council voted 3-2 in favor of rezoning an area currently zoned “agricultural” to “heavy industrial.” The 3 “yes” votes came from council members who, according to a local organizer, do not live near the proposed facility. The community is getting ready for the next round in this fight. We’ll keep you posted on the next action steps. It ain’t over till it is over!

The Dogwood Alliance, our community partner in this alert, thanks us for caring so deeply about our forests and communities! Check out dogwoodalliance.org for more information.

Thanks for all you do! Betsy McCullar

Canasta

Coordinated by Sue Kantor

Over the last year or two we have gathered a great group of women for Abigails Canasta. Our lives are different now. Five of us have formed a group and we have been playing online for the last few months.

If forming a group sounds good--—gather your own group of Abigails and/or send me your names, and as soon as there are 4 or 5 women, I will form the group and you are off and running. Each new group will function autonomously. Choose your own day and time; no shopping for snacks or wondering if you have the cards, the shuffler, the tray or the extra table!

If any of you are interested in playing virtually please feel free to contact me and I will be glad to help with the process and share what we have learned from using Canasta Junction. suegkantor@gmail.com.

Book Clubs

The Abigails book clubs are currently full but we would be happy to start a new one if there is member interest. If you would like to participate in a book club, please email us at chair@skidawayabigails.org. The presenter for the November Afternoon Book Club will be Virgina Marcotullio.

Message From Your Board of Directors

Your 2020-2021 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!

President

Betsy Beekman

elizbeek@gmail.com

Vice-President

Susan Terrio

terrio.susan@gmail.com

Secretary

Susan Kurtain

skurtain@aol.com

Treasurer

Iris Dayoub

iris.dayoub@gmail.com

Programming Co-Chairs

Pat Wallace

Bruceandpat71@aol.com

Betsey Andersen

betsey.andersen@gmail.com

Social Co-Chairs

Nikki Berdy

nberdy@aol.com

Sue Kantor

suegkantor@gmail.com

Membership

Adele Packert

apackert@aol.com

Activities Chair

Bonnie Kelly

bonniekelly47@gmail.com

Communications Co-Chairs

Anne Boynton

boyntonstudios@comcast.net

Sheila Stallings

cookiestallings@gmail.com

IT Chair

Sheila Grossman

sheilagrossman@comcast.net

Advocacy Chair

Cubby Plonchak

Cubbyplonchak@gmail.com

Ex-Officio/Advisor

Sheila Grossman

sheilagrossman@comcast.net

Mission Statement

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.