April 2026
Women empowering women through personal growth, friendship, volunteerism and service
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Announcements
GT - promo image will be available on 3/30
Newsletter Editor Plea - The language is intentionally strong. Dina, feel free to edit.
President’s Message
As April arrives, we are reminded of the beauty and renewal that Mother Earth offers us each day. With gardens beginning to bloom and longer, sunlit days ahead, this season invites us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the natural world around us.
In celebration of Earth Day this month, the Kalmia Club honors the enduring relationship between women, community, and the environment. Just as those who came before us worked to preserve and protect the places we cherish, we too have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to care for our shared home. Whether through small, mindful choices or collective action, each of us plays a role in nurturing the world for future generations.
As we gather this spring, may we be inspired by Mother Earth’s resilience and beauty, and continue to cultivate a spirit of stewardship, connection, and growth within our club and beyond.
AND.....Just a few weeks to go before our inaugural Gala! A big thanks to our committee members for their creativity, time, talents, enthusiasm and energy. Prepare to be WOW'd!
Please continue to help spread the word about sponsor opportunities and ticket sales.
Warmly,
Dina
Announcements
Get Ready for Membership Renewals
NEW PROCEDURE - begins May 1
Due to high demand, membership renewals will be processed earlier this year. Mark your calendars, look for instructions in your email inbox, and be prepared to renew during the dates below to ensure your continued membership. Dues will be $65. The renewal process for 2026-2027 will take place as follows:
May 1 - June 15 → Renewals for Full-time Members. Payment due by June 15.
June 16 - June 30 → Renewals for Friends of Kalmia. Payment due by June 30.
After July 1 → New Member registration will be open to the public, pending capacity.
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Help the Garden Tour Committee by becoming a docent. As docent, you would confirm tickets and watch over the gardens. Three shifts available (10am-12pm, 12-2pm, 2-4pm).
All docents will receive a complimentary garden tour ticket for the Saturday tour.
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Sincere thanks to those Kalmia members who helped provide and serve a delicious meal for the Community Meal Program on March 25! Please mark your calendars for the next upcoming meals that we will be providing. Come and join the fun! June 24, September 23, December 23. We will provide a new sign-up in our May Edition.
12:00 noon–1:30 pm, Lambertville Presbyterian Church, 31 N. Union Street.
Questions: Lillian Laney (lillian.laney@gmail.com) and Nancy Campbell (nmcmom16@aol.com)
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After five years of dedication to the newsletter, Nancy Campbell and Birsu Bascillar are stepping down as of June. We have been advertising this position and contacting members directly since early February without any success. We will offer instructions and move the newsletter to a simpler DIRECT EMAIL format for ease.
Please contact Dina Fanelli if interested in this very important position. Thank you dinafanelli39@gmail.com
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The first Kalmia Club Adult Continuing Education Scholarship is being offered to any woman over the age of 22 who lives within the South Hunterdon or New Hope Solebury school district (so basically Lambertville/New Hope area). This scholarship will be for up to $10,000. Spread the word.
Deadline to apply is April 17, 2026.
The application can be found at kalmiaclub.org/scholarship-adult-continuing-ed
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Here is the slate of candidates. A vote will be taken at the April Meeting. Officers and Trustees will be installed at the June Meeting.
SECRETARY: Lisa Marin
TREASURER: Laura Peretson
TRUSTEE (vote for 2) - Larysa Bemko | Kristine Wojnovich
PRESIDENT-ELECT: Lynne Hutchinson
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The Program Committee will be distributing voting ballots at the April meeting for anyone who did not vote on the 2016-27 Programs at the March meeting. Our slate for next year’s programs will be finalized once the April ballots are collected.
A Night at El Morocco
Wed, April 22, 2026 | 6:30-9:30 pm
River House at Odette’s
Join us for an evening inspired by the legendary New York City nightclub where Hollywood icons, jazz greats, and socialites once gathered.
$140 Members
$150 Non-members
28th Annual Hidden Gardens of Lambertville Tour
Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 10 am - 4 pm
A self-guided walking tour that explores the private gardens of our charming community. Tickets will be available at kalmiaclub.org or via cash/check at Bucks on Bridge (25 Bridge St.)
⭐Be a Garden Tour Docent. Sign up here→
This Month’s Meeting
Monday, April 13 at 6:30 pm
Tips for Planning Your Next Big Trip
Program Coordinator: Maria Souza
Local resident and traveler Erin O’Leary came from another career before becoming a travel agent. She will share how this change came to be, and some of the hotspots she has visited over the years. And for those of you who have trouble booking your own trips, she will share why a travel agent may be more helpful in planning a trip than doing searches online.
Meeting Reminders
Click here to review the minutes from the previous meeting for approval.
Sign up for the Refreshment Committee here or sign up at the Membership Desk when you check in.
Gather items in advance for this month’s Outreach initiative (details below)
Wine is always appreciated.
April Outreach → Anderson House | Girl’s Career Institute (GCI)
Anderson House
Anderson House is a halfway house in Hunterdon County for women of all ages who have completed rehab for substance abuse dependency. The focus is on helping women, children and families transition successfully by providing skills, including budgeting, interviewing and job counseling.
Requested items, newly bought:
Hair dryers, umbrellas, alarm clocks with radio, journals, day planners, water bottles, coffee tumblers, mini first aid packs
Hair gel, hair straightener for African American women, deodorant, razors, shaving gel, tweezers, combs and brushes
Gently used items:
Books, toys for family visits, puzzles for all ages, sports balls, outdoor games
Weather resistant outdoor furniture greatly appreciated - email hollyhavens@comcast.com for outdoor furniture pick up.
Monetary donations appreciated as well. There will be a donation jar on the stage.
Sizes 10-14 and 18-20 are currently needed for interview clothes
Please note: Donated items must not contain alcohol as a primary ingredient. If it is a 5th ingredient that is fine.
Girl’s Career Institute (GCI) Donations:
We are collecting items for the GCI program during April and May. The GCI program is staffed by volunteers. These items are needed by the NJSFWC. Our member Jiondae Dewald will be collecting these items at SHRHS and the Kalmia Club. Please mark your bag with GCI - Thank you
Dunkin Donnut $5 gift cards
White copy paper
Cannon 220 ink black and 221 ink colored
Large adult scissors for fabric cutting
Tampons and pads
Small sized water bottles
Committees & Membership
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The Grantwriting Committee is hard at work putting in the time and teamwork to bring a new grant application across the finish line. We’ll once again be seeking support from the NJ Historic Trust to help fund the development of construction documents that will address the most urgent priorities identified in phase one of our new Preservation Plan.
We’re excited to preserve the integrity of our historic clubhouse so it remains a safe & welcoming place where women can continue to connect, grow & make a difference to our community.
We’ll keep you posted as we move through the application process.
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Thank you to all who contributed to the NJSFWC Duffel Bag Collection in March! We packed and delivered approximately 8-10 duffel bags filled with donated items. Mission accomplished! 😊
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On March 18, from 9-2, The Elks Club was a bustling hub of activity made up of ARC staff and volunteers from the Elks and Kalmia Clubs. There were 32 units/products collected which far exceeds the goal for a typical blood drive. Thank you to the many who donated and for your encouragement of others to do the same and members who assisted. Kalmia's blood drives are an example of impactful community service!
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What a delight to see over 60 people come together on Wednesday, March 25th for The Bridge Lambertville Community Meal. This month The Kalmia Club provided and served the meal. And wow! What a meal it was! Thank you to all who showed up!
Next month The Lambertville Historical Society will be assisting with the Community Meal. The meals take place in Lambertville at the Lambertville Presbyterian Church's gym. Please contact Nancy Campbell, Non-Profit Meal Coordinator, if you wish to be a part of this growing effort to serve our community. All are welcome. nmcomo16@aol.com. scription
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Members Michelle Farro and Lauren Rosenthal McManus were both mentioned in Lambertville Matters as two of five winners from Lambertville!
“Last month, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts announced the NJ Individual Artist Fellows and Finalists for 2026. Of the 198 New Jersey artists selected, 5 are from Lambertville.
The New Jersey Individual Artist Fellowships are granted based solely on an assessment of work samples by an independent peer panel. The process is anonymous, with panelists receiving no names or biographical information to go with the art they're evaluating.
In other words, the NJ Individual Artist Fellowship program is focused on artistic quality, and it turns out that this year 2.5% of that quality was found in a town where just 0.04% of New Jerseyans live.”
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NEW - Music Mountain Theater Cluster
Ready for a little theater, laughter, and a night out? Join your fellow Kalmia Club members for recurring outings to Music Mountain Theatre! We’ll attend a variety of shows together, enjoy a group discount, and support local arts— a win all around! This cluster is all about enjoying lively performances, sharing laughs, and making fun memories together. Whether you’re a theater lover or just in it for good vibes, come along for entertainment and connection.
Book Club Selections:
Book Club #1 - Heart the Lover by Lily King
Book Club #2 - The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Book Club #3 - Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
Photos: See Photo Gallery below.
The Garden Field Trip Cluster visited the Philadelphia Flower Show
The Country Line Dancing Cluster gathered on March 18 for a fun evening of dancing and laughter. Spots still available for the May 20 and June 17 sessions!
Please send your photos to Nancy Campbell at nmcmom16@aol.com.
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A great way to make friends, Kalmia Clusters are small interest groups who get together for activities beyond our monthly meetings. Visit the Clusters page to sign up and for more information.
Want to start a new cluster? Email Cluster Coordinator, Nancy Campbell at nmcmom16@aol.com
Photo Gallery
Committees: Outreach Committee fills duffle bags | Annual Blood Drive
Clusters: Garden Field Trip Cluster at Phila. Flower Show | Thurs. Morning Walking Cluster | Country Line Dancing Cluster
Membership: Community Meal | Phillis Wheatley, Portrayed by Dr. Daisy Century (Lambertville Library Event)
Federation News
The Kalmia Club is a member of the NJ State Federation of Women's Clubs (NJSFWC) and the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC)
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This year's GFWC Women's History Month celebration at Headquarters was a great success! The program featured two local historians, Kristy Huettner of the Office of Historic Alexandria and Samantha Dorsey of Heirloom Consulting, who discussed their work researching, preserving, and sharing women's stories from the Revolutionary War era. Their talks will help shape our thinking as we gear up for America's 250th Anniversary this summer.
The event also featured recognition of five prominent organizations whose mission and work align with GFWC. International President Suellen B. Brazil presented the GFWC Women's Legacy Award to:
Women's Suffrage National Monument Foundation for Excellence in Championing Women's Legacy
National Center on Sexual Exploitation for Excellence in Advancing Safety and Dignity of Women
National Conference of State Societies Cherry Blossom Program for Excellence in Leadership, Service, and Cultural Understanding
Military Women's Memorial for Excellence in Honoring, Preserving, and Celebrating Women Veterans
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution for Excellence in Preserving History and Heritage.
Following the program, attendees enjoyed a delicious reception prepared by the President's Assistants, the Jubilees.
For those unable to attend yesterday, we hope to see you at next year's GFWC Women's History Month Celebration on March 3, 2027!
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General Federation of Women’s Clubs
New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs
Hope to see you soon!
Dina and Ree
Dina Fanelli- President
Ree Gallagher - Vice President
Contact Us
kalmiaclub@gmail.com | Facebook | Instagram | kalmiaclub.org
The Kalmia Club, 39 York Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530