(Photo credit: Angie Werner)
September 27, 2019 â Presidentâs Message
- Veteran’s Clothing Drive Prequel on Monday, Sept. 30
- All Hand’s On Deck: Clothing Drive on October 19
- Javelina Hoedown Coming October 13Â
- Website Sidebar Gets a FaceliftÂ
- Membership Updates; Member Spotlight on Bonnie Hyra
- Exciting *New* TWOQC Merchandise
- Kino Lecture Series Kicks-Off on November 18Â
- Community Connections: VA Donations @ Monday’s Program; Honor FlightÂ
- Upcoming Programs & Events – Save These Dates
Monday’s Program: Veteran’s Clothing Drive Prequel
Join us Monday, September 30 at 6:30 for an informative program about the Southern Arizona V.A. Healthcare System with a focus on homeless and hospitalized veterans. It is a prequel to the Community Clothing and House Goods Drive, October 19. All Quail Creek residents are invited to attend, with a special welcome to veterans and men. Please help spread the word.
The program will begin with a special tribute to the Armed Forces provided by the Quail Creek Mixed Chorus, directed by Cyndy Gierada. To get in the spirit, Monday’s program theme will be red, white and blue.
A panel of four from the VA will trace what happens after our donations arrive at the Center in Tucson. They will share how decisions are made about what items are most needed (Menâs clothes only this year), and how they are distributed to needy veterans. Members Angie Werner and Peggy McGee will speak briefly about Quail Creekâs and TWOQCâs involvement. Lists of most needed items will be available.
ALERT: Donât forget your checkbooks/cash for Mondayâs program
- Membership: renew dues or join
- October Brunch tickets
- TWOQC preorders for vests and jackets
- Javelina Hoedown scholarship merchandise
- Lecture tickets
All Hands On Deck!
It is count downtime for the amazing team of the Quail Creek community-wide VA Clothing and House Goods Drive.
Since 2009 TWOQC has organized and coordinated the event to serve the homeless veterans in Tucson. What makes this different from our other charities?
- First, it involves the largest number of volunteers for a single day event. This year 115 Â workers from TWOQC and Quail Creek community at large, and the JROTC from Sahuarita School District will deliver a well, choreographed event.
- Second, the Drive is TWOQCâs longest-standing charitable endeavor.
- Third, this is the opportunity to recycle gently used goods. Most of the work in preparation for the event is behind the scenes and involves spreading the word about items needed, collecting boxes, planning a secure site for the event, organizing pick-up and delivery to the VA.
On the third Saturday morning in October a legion of volunteers gather to collect, sort, box items and pack vehicles for delivery on Monday. A longtime volunteer described it as very fast-moving, organized and safe.
By 11 it is over, there are cheers and many retire to the lounge for something cool to drink. Another volunteer mentioned the Clothing Drive is a great place to test the waters for volunteering in TWOQC. If you are uncertain how much time you can give, the committee relies on only a few meetings organized by a number of leads and the grand finale on the third Saturday of October.
October 19th is the date for this yearâs Drive.
We will be collecting items from 9 â 11 am. So, gather all those new and gently used Menâs fall and winter clothing and household goods and bring them to the parking lot between the Madera Clubhouse and the Arts/Technical Center. Check out the Clothing Drive page on TWOQC’s website under the Charitable Committees tab for a complete list of items being accepted and a printable version of the tax receipt to be completed and brought with you. For questions email clothingdrive@womenqc.com.
Y’all Going to the Hoedown on October 13th?
Thars’ goin’ to be dancing, food, and lots of fun (tickets are $35 each).
We will have tickets to the Javelina Hoedown Benefit; 50/50 raffle; and raffle tickets for our incredible baskets at the Grill September 29 from 9:30-1:30, and at the back of the ballroom on at the TWOQC VA program on the 30th from 5:30-7:00. Find more information about the great merchandise for sale to support scholarships:
- In stock for purchase @ $5 each are cute little quail flashlights (variety of colors)
- Lighted magnifying glasses in blue and black @ $5
- Thermal totes @ $7
All items will make great holiday gifts and support a worthy cause, so start on your shopping now.
Website Sidebar Gets a Facelift
We have recently revamped the website Sidebar (right margin area). For the convenience of our members and other viewers, a *new* section has been added to streamline “Announcements, Links, and Reminders“. Visit womenqc.com to view the Sidebar changes.
Members Corner
Itâs time to JOIN The Women of Quail Creek. Let 2020 be your year of networking, having fun, enjoying new friends and giving back to others. Our Membership Drive runs from September 30 through December 31. At our events, beginning with the September 30th program, we will have volunteers available to help you check your information in our database and collect your 2020 membership dues of $25. We appreciate checks made payable to TWOQC.
Please think about the following items to improve our database. Information we would like to update may be found via this link.
Member Spotlight: Bonnie Hyra
Bonnie grew up in West Los Angeles. While still in high school she met Ron Hyra, who was a sailor. Ron returned to his hometown in Wisconsin but came back to California where Bonnie was attending college in Santa Barbara. In her senior year, they were married. Bonnie earned a BA in Education and later added an MA.

Bonnie and her giraffe collection
Bonnieâs joy of voluntarism led her to be active both locally and nationally in the American Association of University Women, where she championed womenâs rights, supported equal pay and equal opportunities in the â70s and â80s. She organized a new Womenâs Program at Everett Community College and a Job Bank at the YWCA in Bothell, WA. Bonnie returned to teaching Special Education at the high school level.
Ron and Bonnie have traveled all over the world exploring, often volunteering to teach English or work on construction projects in faraway places like Haiti, Taiwan, Colombia, Lesotho. The couple enjoyed teaching for an academic year at a university in Chengdu, China, where they still have many friends. Bonnie also enjoyed being at home with their two sons while Ron worked for the National Park Service.
Married for 50-plus years, the couple moved to Quail Creek in 2010, from Seattle, where Bonnie jumped into volunteering. She formed the TRIPS committee, providing day trips for residents to explore the Tucson area. Bonnie is involved in the TWOQC Scholarship Committee and QC Education Committee, which has provided two years of lecture programs raising funds for womenâs scholarships.
Bonnie also enjoys pickleball and Dancersize. Ron is a golfer and volunteers at the White Elephant. The couple is active in their local church, where Ron leads an evening Bible study. They are very happy in Quail Creek with all of the activities offered and new friends. PREVIOUS MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
Exciting New TWOQC Merchandise: Jackets & Vests with Logo
We are offering members a chance to order fleece jackets and vests embroidered with the club logo. Samples will be available at Monday’s program.
- Available sizes are XS-4X (no extra charge for larger sizes).
- Items must be prepaid when ordering.
- The cost is $25 for vests and $30 for jackets.
- Cash or checks payable to TWOQC. Receipts will be provided.
- Merchandise will be delivered in November.
“Safely Back” Lecture
The 2019/2020 Kino Lecture Series kicks off with Dr. John Klein relating his experiences of his second trip to Mt. Everest, in a lecture titled âSafely Back from the Death Zoneâ.
- The lecture is on Monday, November 18 at 7 pm in the Madera Clubhouse Ballroom. It is open to all residents and everyone is welcome.
- In discussing his Mt. Everest experiences, Dr. Klein will primarily focus on climbing safety. He will also share his experiences of summiting the highest peaks on six of the seven continents.
- Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at Mondayâs Program, at the Concierge Desk (check only) and at the door (cash or check – payable to TWOQC)
- All proceeds benefit the TWOQC Scholarship Fund.
Connecting With Our Community
VA DONATIONS – Please consider bringing unopened travel-sized toiletries that you may have accumulated during summer travels, 2020 calendars, note and playing cards, board games, and paperback books on Monday. Paper plates, cups, napkins, and plastic utensils are always in demand. There will be a VA table at the program for donations.
HONOR FLIGHT – Thank you for the abundance of notes and letters written for the September Honor Flight. The outbound flight from Tucson International Airport will leave very early tomorrow morning. The return flight is scheduled to arrive Monday evening (Sept. 30) at 7:18 pm. It is always recommended to check the So. Arizona Honor Flight website for details and any last-minute changes that may occur.
SAVE THESE DATES!
(âŠ) public event
- Sept. 28-30âHonor Flight #28 (âŠ)
- Sept. 30 â 6:30 p.m.âVeteran’s Clothing Drive Prequel (âŠ)
- Oct. 13 âJavelina Hoedown (Scholarship’s western-themed benefit) TICKET SALE DATES (âŠ)
- Oct. 19 âVA Clothing Drive (âŠ)
- Oct. 28 â 11 a.m.âMembership Gathering: Brunch – Music by Amber Norgaard RESERVE TICKETS NOW
- Oct. 26-28âHonor Flight #29 (âŠ)
- Nov. 11 â 6:30 p.m.âLadies Night Out: Travel Extravaganza
- Nov. 18 â 7 p.m.âLecture Series: Dr. John Kline “Safely Home from the Death Zone” (âŠ)
- Dec. 9 â 11 a.m.âHoliday Luncheon: Musical entertainment by AztlĂĄn Mariachi
Coming in 2020!
- Jan. 20 â 7 p.m.âLecture Series: TBA (âŠ)
- Jan. 27 â 10 a.m.âReid Park Zoo: Animal Handler, Zeb
- Feb. 13 – 7 p.m.âLecture Series: Crocodiles, Turtles, & Fish, Oh My (âŠ)
- Feb. 18 â (time: TBA)âRelay For Life – Fashion Show & Luncheon (âŠ)
- Mar. 16 â 7 p.m.âLecture Series: 500-Miles in 34-Days: One Woman’s Camino de Santiago Journey (âŠ)
- Mar. 30 â (time: TBA)âField Trip: Reid Park Zoo
- Check the Online Calendar for general & committee meetings, events reservation dates, ticket selling dates, & other deadlines (as they become available)
- Programs & Events (topics, dates, & times) are subject to change. Topic details will be posted as the information becomes available.
- Questions? Contact: programs@womenqc.com
Thank you! FMM CONTRIBUTORS: Becky Ashin (membership), Marilyn Beim (scholarships), Tessie Hagerich (clothing drive), Yasmin John-Thorpe (member spotlight) Peggy McGee (community relations), Julie Woodard (lecture series). PUBLISHING TEAM: President, 1st Vice President, and Webmaster.