“God’s Blessings in the New Year. My way of Thanking You!!!”

    When I got my Christmas decorations out last week I could hardly believe how fast this year has flew by, it seems like I just put them away. 
    Before I get started on this letter of Thank You, When Chairlady Linda Burke, Co-chair Donise Pick and I agreed to do USO for our Caring for America two year project, Linda said our goal is $10,000., I thought, that is really a high goal.  Well, they DID IT! Many  serving in the military certainly appreciate it .Remember, too, this serves Ohioans.
    I wish to take this opportunity to ‘Thank’ each and every one of our 2010-2011 elected officers and all the committees, they have given so much of their time and knowledge to the OFRW. It is fitting at this time to give them credit and let you know only a smidgen of what they have done.
 Small recap  of our 2010-2011 year:
    #1. First V/P: Carol Salmon,  OFRW are so proud to have our 1st Vice President Carol Salmon now be ‘Member at Large’  on the NFRW board. ‘Again Carol, Good Luck from all of us’.  So happy for you! And see you at all the board meetings and NFRW functions.  Carol, a Thank You for the hardcopy newsletter that went out to ALL OFRW members also.
    #2.Secretary:  Peg Rettig, you did such a GREAT job as secretary and the minutes were always to us on time and correct.  Glad you will be with us as the N/W district V/P 2012-2013.
    #3. Treasurer: Karen McTague, your job is one of the more difficult ones, you do such a GREAT job and glad to have you back on board for 2 more years. It has worked out so well living close together to work on books.
    #4. Six District Vice-presidents: Each one of you did such a fine job getting the goals met.
    Donnna Thatcher (North West): you worked to get the new club in Hancock County, and they ended the 2011 year with a remarkable 30 or more members. GREAT!!!
    Jewette Toney and Shawn Priest (South and East): The first county to add  a new club in 2010 was Shawn's South area, with Belmont County from the south area also joining.Then again in 2011  the new club in Hocking County. WOW! Good job!!
    Edwina Wolcott (Northeast): Your willingness to always be there for the OFRW with the delicious chocolates for the tables or anything we ask is greatly appreciated,  Edwina is there for us, and has given much in her four years as Northeast District Vice-president, visiting clubs and doing her part. See you on a committee for sure in 2012-2013!
    Kathy Wise (Central): Bless your heart Kathy, you just jumped in as Central Vice-president. Several times I called on you to go out of your district and you were right there for me. Marilyn asked for your help with the fundraising silent auction, and your reply was always.. ‘Oh yes, I will help do that.’ You were asked to help the East and South  get their new clubs going, reply: ‘I can do that too.”
    Lyn Bliss (Southwest):  You reached out to visit so MANY of your local clubs, sometimes visiting many times. It means so much to the clubs to have their OFRW officers showing interest in them. You not only did this, but spent endless hours working on the OFRW website, ending the year with a NFRW honor for having one of the BEST!!! “One more Congratulations”.
#5 Membership Mary Anne Christie: put so much energy, time, and work into the first ‘Online Club’ in the United States.  We certainly give you a Big Thank You, and certainly appreciate it.  WOW! Another big accomplishment for OFRW!
#6 Political Education Sharon Gingerich: Your articles on the website were the kind that once I started looking at them, I spent a long, long time reading all the interesting facts. Thanks for doing a fantastic job.The facebook was interesting to many, also. Thanks so much!
#7 Program Anne Patram: You will be missed with your precise time schedule, the speakers, and all of our many emails, phone calls and office work back and forth with the office. We wish you well, and the much needed rest in this coming year. Our phone calls are on-going though……….. ring, ring, ring (good thing we both have the same carrier).
#8 Finance Lois Allen:  What would OFRW do without Lois?  We are so glad to have you returning in 2012-13.  It means a lot to have the Treasurer and Finance Chair work well together and keep us all informed, as they have.
#9 By-Laws and Parliamentarian Ann Brown: There is only one that can do the job and know the by-laws like Ann. Thanks for all the years of service you have given us.
#10 Past-president Karen Skillings: You have been an inspiration to all of us, for your guidance, my mentoring, and your soft spoken knowledge and demeanor inspire all of us. Thank You, for just being you!
    The other committees have just been awesome in all their jobs, too.
    As Stated above: Caring for America: Chair Linda Burke  and Co-chair Donise Pick did the job up right ─ with honors going to all the clubs and individuals that made this dream come true. They also won an award from NFRW for their hard work on this program..
    Cardinals: After a rough beginning, Chair Joanne Arndt pulled us through with a fantastic event at the Governor’s Residence. We knew it would all come together. Thank you!!
    Fundraising: Marilyn Clark does two outstanding jobs, so has her hands really full with the GREAT job she does getting baskets donated form individuals and the clubs for our conferences. Marilyn is also chair of Tribute to Women, with many hours of putting this all together, we know what your line of work has been for many years by the good job you do on both of these. Thanks to you and your hubby Warren for the music too!!!
    Awards: Chair Helen Balcom and Co-chair Rise Roach have done great with this difficult job to make sure that everything is correct and gone over, and over. Rise you will be back in 2012-13 as our East Vice-president and also finish out as chair for the 2011 awards. Thanks to you for that.
    Leadership: Jayne Neal did a great job with a program that was new this term. She put forth a great effort in what the NFRW asked. Thank you, too, Jayne!!
    Women in Business:  Dori Howdeshell, this also was a rather new committee, with our ties to the NFRW book, you came through to get what names you could in short time.
    Chaplin: Anna Caldwell, We so appreciate your prayers before all meetings and conferences. Sometimes a tear, sometimes a time to reflect; but, always what we need to hear. We will need many of your prayers for our Republican Party in 2012-13.
    Lastly, our dear Judy Bolin in the OFRW office ─ she does the copies, files, puts all info into the NFRW eguard and the list goes on and on. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, JUDY!
    And to every club president, and OFRW/NFRW member in the state of Ohio: Thank you, too, for making 2010-11 a  great two years. We could NOT do it without you!!!!
    I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and hope to see all of you in the New Year!
God bless every one and God Bless America!

Best Regards,

Jean Turner

2012 and 2013  OFRW  Officers

Front Row (L to R): President Jean Turner (Sandusky County RWC), Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine, First Vice-president Lyn Bliss (Darke County RWC), Secretary Lauri Hart (Hamilton County RWC),.     Back Row (L to R): East District Vice-president Rise Roach (Muskinghum County RWC), Southwest District Vice-president Linda Burke (Warren County RWC), Central District Vice-president Kathy Wise (Licking County RWC), Northwest District Vice-president Peg Rettig (Sandusky County RWC), Northeast District Vice-president Anita Hall (Holmes County RWC).     Absent from picture are Treasurer Karen McTague (Ohio Republican Women On-line) and South District Vice-president Marilou Clouse (Hocking County RWC).