A N E W S L E T T E R F O R M O N T G O M E R Y M O M S A N D T H E I R K I D S I N T H E S Y C A M O R E S C H O O L D I S T R I C T

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pring is here! It is so nice to finally be able to get outside and enjoy the sunshine! Spring is full of new beginnings, and as nature bursts forth with

its colorful blossoms, Montgomery Moms also begins its season of renewal.

Each Spring, we welcome our members to volunteer to serve on our board. It is full of creative, energetic women who share their time and talents with us. We currently are looking for people to chair: Advertising, Meeting Coordinator, Moms Night Out, Hospitality, Children’s Activities, and Community Enrichment. Please consider getting involved. This is a great way to meet new people and make new friendships with other Montgomery Moms.

Our board meets three times a year, in August, January and May. If you have any questions about these positions, please feel free to contact me. (Please refer to your membership directory for contact information.)

Best Regards,Regan VanKerckhove

FOOTPRINTS

2011-2012 Board

PRESIDENT Regan Van Kerckhove

VICE PRESIDENT Laura Phillippi

TREASURER Kristen Laughlin

SECRETARY Ashley Werthaiser

MEMBERSHIP Shannon Weinstein

NEW MEMBER COORDINATORS

Anissa Cundall            Jill Branam

NEW MEMBER RECRUITMENT

Chrissy KoppenhoeferLori Suffield

WEBSITE COORDINATOR

Amanda HughesMousumi Sinha

NEWSLETTER EDITOR

Shannon Gantzer

NEWSLETTER LAYOUT

Christine Katzman

COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT

Jenny Carman

ADVERTISING Erika Groppe

CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES

Gloria LinDebbie Kirby

OUTREACH Maria Hardy

MEETING COORDINATOR

Ann Uhlman

HOSPITALITY COORDINATORS

Christina Britton                                                     Kathy Mercurio                                                               

PLAYGROUPS Ruth Richter

PHILANTHROPY Pam McCallen

MOM'S NIGHT OUT

Rebekah Erck                                                                 April Voellmecke

Page 1 Montgomery Moms Newsletter April 2012

President’s NoteS

ur monthly general meetings are a great place to come and unwind with new and old friends! Each month we gather

(generally the first Tuesday of the month) at 7:30 p.m. at Terwilligers Lodge in Dulle Park. You collect a nametag, check out the tables listing the current events of the group, grab a drink and some treats, and then do a little socializing. We will begin our meetings at 7:45 with announcements/business from the Board. Presentations will begin at 8, ending with social time at 8:45. Here are the rest of our meeting dates: APR. 3—Game Night: Bring a favorite game to play with the group!MAY 1—End-of-Year Cinco de Mayo party!

General MeetingsO

Page 2 Montgomery Moms Newsletter April 2012

Activity 1: 93rd Annual Findlay Market Opening Day ParadeWhen: Thurs., April 5 at 1 p.m. Where: Meet at the corner of Race and Garfield near The Phoenix and Garfield Park in downtown Cincinnati. Cost: FreeDetails: Whether you are a baseball fan or not, the Reds Opening Day parade is a Cincinnati

tradition. Debbie Flinchpaugh-Kirby will plan on getting to the parade route between 12:00 and 12:30, parking at the Garfield Garage at 13 West 9th St. RSVP so she knows to look for you or just meet down there! If you have any questions or need to find her on the day of the parade, call or text Debbie. (Please refer to the membership directory for contact information.)

Activity 2: Gorman Heritage Farm When: TBD - a Tuesday or Friday morning on the third or fourth week of April.Where: 7967 Cincinnati Dayton Rd., West Chester, 45069Cost: $5/childDetails: Children visit the chickens, pig, goats, sheep and rabbits, as available. Time is given to allow the participants to interact and explore the lives of the animals. Tasting, touching, smelling, hearing and seeing GHF plants and animals give children a whole new level of understanding about farming and the natural world.

April Children’s Activities

Page 4 Montgomery Moms Newsletter April 2012

e will again be participating in the American Cancer

Society's Relay for Life. Mark your calendar for Friday, June 8 starting at 5 p.m.

We'll be at Loveland High School again this year. This is a FUN event, mainly geared towards adults.

Last year, our team raised

more than $3,000 to help fund cancer research and support! WOW!

We're hoping to beat that this year, and we need YOUR participation in this event to do so! Join our team and come walk around the track a few times, help raise money or simply donate to our team!

Click on this link to go to our Team Page:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?team_id=1115261&pg=team&fr_id=36905.

Contact Pam McCallen with questions. (Please refer to your membership directory for Pam’s contact information.)

Philanthropy: Relay for LifeW

Community EnrichmentCincinnati Playhouse in the Park – River Rat and Cat (recommended for ages 5+)See the “Off the Hill” series of Playhouse in the Park.

River Rat and Cat learn that they don’t need to be the same or even like the same things in order to be good friends. Their daily tiffs take back-seat importance in the face of the imminent destruction of their habitat by the over-eager Dale Beaver. This hilarious comedy about friendship and cooperation is by the same playwright who brought us The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi.

Off the Hill performances are free or very inexpensive, and take place at numerous cultural arts centers around Cincinnati. This “Off the Hill” performance can be seen from April 7 to May 18.

Below is the link for all of the various locations and times to see this fabulous play.

Tickets can be purchased at the door, if required, but many performances are free. Please call the specific center for ticket information.http://www.cincyplay.com/shows/Off_Hill/Default.aspx

Friends of the Public Library Book Sale Looking to get some great books at great prices for summer reading? Here is your chance! Books, CDs, DVDs, books-on-tape/CD and record albums will be sold at bargain prices. When: Thu., April 19, 12 to 8 p.m.Fri., April 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Sat., April 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.mWhere: Sharonville Branch Library, 10980 Thornview Dr., Cincinnati 45241

Linton Music – Peanut Butter and Jam Sessions – Spring SeriesIn this series, The Madcap Puppets join the Peanut Butter & Jam musicians to tell an exciting story set to chamber music. You won’t want to miss the musical magic and fun with the violin, cello, piano and furry, fuzzy friends! See below for a schedule of dates:April 14: Kennedy Heights Presbyterian Church, 6312 Kennedy Ave., Cincinnati 45213April 21: Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church, 6474 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati 45230April 28: Wyoming (Ohio) Center for the Arts, 322 Wyoming Ave.

May 5: Lakeside (Ky.) Presbyterian Church, 2690 Dixie Highway May 12: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7701 Kenwood Rd., Cincinnati 45236Times: Saturday performances at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.Cost: Tickets are $5 each; children 2 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling (513) 381-6868.

Kite Fest (all ages)Make a kite or see others fly kites and enjoy spring time in Cincinnati.

Events for kids specifically include a Kite Building Workshop, parachute run, animals from the Cincinnati Zoo and play areas.When: Sat., April 14 and Sun., April 15 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Voice of America Park, West Chester. Parking will be off site, with shuttle buses being used. Parking is located at the West Chester Medical Center, 7700 University Dr. Cost: Free, with a $2 donation recommended.http://www.wguc.org/kitefest/voa.asp

Page 5 Montgomery Moms Newsletter April 2012

Book Club We’ve decided to mix up our end of the year book club dates. Please note the changed dates. Let Lori Suffield know if you’d like to be added to the book club email list. (Refer to your membership directory for contact information)

MONDAY, APRIL 23The Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsHost: Lori Suffield

TUESDAY, MAY 29The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lack by Rebecca SklootHost: Maria Hardy

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

4/2 Molly Johnson4/3 Shannon Gantzer4/8 Kathy Mercurio4/12 Nikki Bunch4/16 Christina Britton4/18 Katherine Rapp4/20 Shannon Weinstein4/24 Gloria Lin4/29 Laura Geraci  4/30 Laura Nocito

Moms’ Night OutAn announcement about the April activity will be made at the monthly meeting, with more information to follow via email.

Our best recruiters are our current members. Please send any prospective members with questions to Anissa Cundall or Jill Branam (Please refer to your membership directory for contact information.)

New Member News

O

Page 6 Montgomery Moms Newsletter April 2012

OutreachPlease email Maria Hardy (refer to your membership directory for contact information) if you are expecting a baby, so you can take advantage of the wonderful outreach service--three meals provided to you by Montgomery Moms!

The Voellmecke family could use your help! Caitlyn is still undergoing treatment, and it would be so wonderful if people could volunteer to make their family a meal during this difficult time! The meals don’t have to be anything spectacular—simple is perfectly fine! It’s just a relief to have one less thing to think about. Please sign up on Meal Train to make the family a meal:

http://www.mealtrain.com/view/?id=ve0DXlou0GA%3d

PlaygroupsAs we are entering our last two months of the Montgomery Moms 2011-2012 year, playgroups have been established.

New playgroups will be started at the beginning of the 2012-2013 year! Forms will be collected toward the end of the summer. I will send out an email over the summer with more details on when to hand your forms in for next year!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ruth Richter, Playgroup Chair. (Please refer to your membership directory for Ruth’s contact information).

Page 7 Montgomery Moms Newsletter April 2012

Open 7 days a week, The Wild Hare Salon in Montgomery was voted “Best Hair Color Salon” by Cincinnati A- List

Magazine. The Wild Hare Salon offers organic choices for hair color, makeup, and skin care, along with standard favorites.

The Wild Hare Salon is offering Montgomery

Moms $10 off your first cut/color

combination or $5 off a shellac manicure.

Hair ~ Skin ~ Nails 9430 Loveland-Madeira Road

791-2133

Couples’ Night OutWhat: Go Bananas Comedy ClubFeatured Headliner: Roy Wood Jr.When: Saturday, May 12 at 8 p.m.Price: $15 per person

Please visit gobananascomedy.com to view a description of the headliner as well as drink and food prices.

Doors open at 7 p.m.; the show starts at 8 p.m.. Afterwards, we can go next door to McLevy’s Pub.

Please RSVP by April 29 to: Laura Phillippi (Please refer to your membership directory for contact info).

Recipe: Chia Seed PuddingIngredients: 2-1/2 cups almond milk3 tablespoons agave nectar1/2 cup chia seeds (3 ounces)1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Instructions:In a 1-quart jar, combine the almond milk with the agave nectar. Close the jar and shake to combine. Add the chia seeds and lemon zest to the jar, then close and shake well.

Refrigerate until very thick and pudding-like, at least 4 hours or overnight, shaking or stirring occasionally. Serve the pudding in bowls.

Serve with citrus sections, diced mango, almonds and extra agave nectar.