New Women's Guild members share stories of togetherness

Ann-Marie Thompson and Cheryl Mulherin, attendees at the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild new members luncheon on Jan. 29, applaud the soon-to-be-outgoing board members.
Ann-Marie Thompson and Cheryl Mulherin, attendees at the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild new members luncheon on Jan. 29, applaud the soon-to-be-outgoing board members.
Photo by Dana Kampa
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From stories of hiking the mountains of Tanzania to artistic passions to generational family ties, attendees at the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild new members luncheon offered insights into why they joined.

The Jan. 29 meeting at the church offered new and longstanding members a chance to connect and plan for an exciting agenda of upcoming events.

Women's Guild President Kay Kochenderfer took the opportunity to celebrate that the scholarship endowment fund members started about a year ago has raised over $102,000 to support area students.

She also shared that she, along with several other officers, will be looking to step down from her post soon.

The guild welcomed about 35 new members to start the season, bringing total membership up to about 250.

Those interested in learning more about the guild can email [email protected].

Jennifer Mott-Mueller, Karen Geck, Pam Bradley and Betsy Bauernschmidt join the Jan. 29 Women's Guild new members luncheon at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
Jennifer Mott-Mueller, Karen Geck, Pam Bradley and Betsy Bauernschmidt join the Jan. 29 Women's Guild new members luncheon at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
Photo by Dana Kampa
St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Father Robert Dziedziak and Women's Guild President Kay Kochenderfer share a laugh at the beginning of the new members' luncheon.
St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Father Robert Dziedziak and Women's Guild President Kay Kochenderfer share a laugh at the beginning of the new members' luncheon.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Teresa Cannon, Kathy Doyle and Mary Schultz
Teresa Cannon, Kathy Doyle and Mary Schultz
Photo by Dana Kampa
Susan Gilmore-Clarke and Cindy Noble
Susan Gilmore-Clarke and Cindy Noble
Photo by Dana Kampa
St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild President Kay Kochenderfer
St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild President Kay Kochenderfer
Photo by Dana Kampa
Liz Kolber shares what motivated her to join the Women's Guild at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
Liz Kolber shares what motivated her to join the Women's Guild at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Mary Del Pup, corresponding secretary of the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Women's Guild welcomes new members.
Mary Del Pup, corresponding secretary of the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Women's Guild welcomes new members.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Jonell Yoeckel, Ellie Alpers and Gene Susi McClain
Jonell Yoeckel, Ellie Alpers and Gene Susi McClain
Photo by Dana Kampa

 

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Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.

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