Note from Nan Stearns (16 Jan 2013)

Dear WMD,

Pete and I have just made donations to both Gabby Gifford’s PAC and The Brady Campaign – - we simply used the email Jeanne sent yesterday, where we found so much to give us a nudge.  We had turned on the President’s event just at noon; how many moments we found ourselves with tears in our eyes or goose bumps on our arms.  Why has it taken us SO long to act?  Was it that we simply could never imagine sending a first grader to school and never seeing them alive again.  

 

Our baby, our Heidi, celebrated her 49th birthday this week, just a day before Michelle Obama celebrated her birthday.  Michelle, we believe, is just about the same age as our Heidi.  Heidi started first grade in Fairbanks, Alaska.  I would drop her off at the elementary school on base at Fort Wainwright, then drive the 20 some miles to North Pole, Alaska, where my first grade class of around 30 youngsters kept me “on my toes”.  To even imagine someone harming a hair on any of those little heads never was a part of my thinking.  How glorious it was to grow up and to raise a child never worried about gun violence or school shootings.

 

Thanks, Jeanne, for sending so much good information.  Thanks, Christy, for taking a stand and reminding us of our standing up and speaking out on Friday afternnons – - and any other time we have an opporknockity to do so.  It is obvious we have an issue for 2013!  

 

Please join us on Monday to celebrate the Inauguration of Barack Obama.  Let us please be a part of the solution he seeks.  Let’s use our heads, donate our funds and help our President get something done this time.  Our voices need to be heard.

 

Best,

 

Nan

Note from Nan Stearns (02 Jan 2013)

Dear WMD,

 

Happy New Year to ALL!

 

How blessed we feel on this second day of January, 2013!  Obama has four more years in the White House, we have avoided the fiscal cliff, and our Grandson has been accepted to a school that is probably his first choice.  Now we realize that these things are not connected, but they are things we are thrilled about today.  We hope you too feel blessed, happy and looking forward to 2013.  We hope our good feelings find a connection with our Jeanne Ludt, who had a third surgery today.  Please join us in sending loving thoughts to Jeanne and her dear family.  She will be sending this out when she feels up to it, so we’ll be optimistic regarding her recovery.

 

To celebrate the re-election of Obama and Biden, we are staying home on Inauguration Day and inviting WMD members to an Inauguration Brunch on Monday, January 21, 2013.  We have reserved the Club House at The Fells for that day, so please put this event on your calendars in ink.  Please plan to bring something brunchy; we did the same thing four years and it was great fun.  There is a large TV so that we can watch it all as it is happening in DC, while saving on gas, hotel, food, etc., in the Nation’s Capitol.  This is also the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, so take the day off and celebrate with us.  We’ll have something appropriate to drink to include coffee, orange juice and champaign (combines the words campaign and champagne).  We look forward to seeing you there.  To let us plan logistics, please let us know if you are coming.  Give me a call at 673-3730, or send an email to peteandnan@comcast.net.

 

And now what shall we do?  What issues shall we work on, or shall we cease to be?   A number of suggestions are simmering here and there.  Ruth Heden is asking us to be on the Oval on Fridays speaking out for gun control following the tragedy in Connecticut.  How can we help those who have lost everything in New Jersey and vicinity from Hurricane Sandy?  Who will be running for office in 2014?  It is doubtful we will be bored in this new year.

 

Please let us hear from you; please join us on the 21st.  For now, warmest new year’s greetings to each of you.

 

Best,

 

Nan   

I AM – Wilton Town Hall Theatre

Sunday, February 19 at 4:30 pm: The local premiere of “I AM”; Wilton Town Hall Theater, Main Street, Wilton

 

Directed by renowned director of several Hollywood blockbuster films, Tom Shadyac, after his near-death experience – a truly inspiring, “must-see” film for our time. 

There is no charge for admission. Co-sponsored by The NH Green Coalition, Granite State Guardians, and Women Making a Difference.

 

Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeqB8JwpdE4

Message from Nan Stearns

Dear WMDers,

Thank you SO! On Saturday, January 14th, I was elected to be a delegate at the National Democratic Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, in September. There were so many friends at the Caucus; it is impossible to thank each of you who supported me, and I know someone would be left out if we listed you. You know who you are, and I appreciate your help more than I can attempt to say. It was such a joy to look around and see encouraging faces – - many of whom I would never have known had it not been for WMD – Women Making a Difference. I also had the advantage of sage advice from friends who helped me with a strategy. My handouts were done by our web mistress, and they were dandy. Pete and I are thrilled at the prospect of attending the convention, and we are also thrilled with the diversity of the delegation elected. There will be more delegates added in April, so those not selected this time still have another opportunity.

Something went unsaid on Saturday, but now I can add it to my thanks. It was Heidi’s birthday on Saturday. Our Heidi was 48 years old, which seems quite impossible. Tomorrow, the 17th, is Michelle Obama’s birthday. She will be 48 years old. Heidi was in high school at Punahou in Hawaii for two years, her freshman and sophomore years. Though she knew him not, Barack Obama was a junior and senior at the same time. So we can honestly say,”Oh yeah, didn’t you know, Heidi was in school with Barack.”

Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Nan

And, a different matter. Our second candidate for Governor will be speaking to WMD on Sunday, January 29th, at 4:30 in the afternoon, at The Fells Club House.
More to come – - but save the date! Maggie Hassan has been booked and the club house reserved. Hope to see you there.

Message from Nan Stearns – 6 Jan 2012

Dear WMDers,

When I read this request from Graham Smith something happened – - it must have been something we ate or drank over the holidays. We said, wicked cool!

Yesterday Pete and I drove to Concord to drop off my papers in the office of the NHDP. I too have filed to become a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, which will be held the week of September 3rd. It just so happens we will be on our way to Oregon for Pete’s high school reunion, so it would be fun to drop south to North Carolina.

To ask for your vote is gutsy, as you will first have to vote for President Obama on the 10th and then attend the caucus in Concord on the 14th. Please do just that. That would be so nice of you. It has never occurred to either of us that we might have such an opporknockity, but we do. If elected, I will be the delegate; Pete, as always, will be my political advisor. We would do our very best.

It occurs to me now that it should have been Pete who filed, as they will elect five men and only four women in Congressional District 2.

Here are a few points that will, we hope, give you reasons to turn out and vote for me in the delegate caucus:

Fearless Founder, WMD – Women Making a Difference
Homemaker for 54 years, married to the same man
Homes made – - 32, as Pete was in the Army Corps of Engineers for 30 years and we lived in strange and wonderful places
Mother of 1 Heidi is an OB/GYN Physician and delivered Drew Bledsoes three sons
Grandmother of 1 – Christopher plays saxophone in the Wellesley High School 2 o’clock Jazz Band which competed twice in New York City in 2011
Elected member of the Souhegan High School Community Council
Activist, empowered by Howard – - Howard Dean
Proud supporter of Barack Obama

Thanks to each of you willing to perform this greatest act of kindness and friendship. Pete and I join in wishing each of you a splendid 2012; we have great expectations for the new year!!

Nan

Message from Nan Stearns – 12 Jan 2012

Dear WMD – - All of you Women Making a Difference,

As I announced earlier, Saturday is the day to present myself before the caucus goers in Concord. I am running to be a delegate to the National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, in September. My opposition is worthy and overwhelming! I NEED YOUR HELP.

The doors open at 9:00 in the morning for registration. You must be a registered Democrat, a resident of New Hampshire, and you must have voted in the Primary for Barack Obama in order to participate in the caucus. In CD2 (Congressional District 2) you may vote for as many as five men and four women. In CD1 it is just the opposite: four men and five women.

Pete and I intend to get to Concord by 9:00 to pass out the “flyers” prepared by our Web Master, Susan Fischer. We are so pleased with them. If anyone would like to join us in that operation, we would be delighted.

Nancy Iannuzzelli is bringing our banner. If anyone would like to volunteer to help her move through the group with the banner, we would be grateful.

The only way I can win a seat at the delegation is to have your help. A number of my opponents have names far better recognized than mine.

The address is the IBEW Building at 48 Airport Road, in Concord. The time is 9:00 registration and 10:00 caucus on Saturday, Jan. 14. If you can come, it will be a joy to see you.

THANK YOU SO MUCH

Nan

Two Chances to Hear Jackie Cilley

Two chances to hear Jackie Cilley — former District 6 senate rep. and potential gubernatorial candidate. WMD has invited her to meet with us and others at The Fells on Sunday, Nov. 6. (details to follow in a future email) and she will be a guest speaker at the next potluck supper of the Amherst Democrats. See details below:

Subject: Jackie Cilley to Speak at Potluck on Oct 26, 2011

Jackie Cilley to Speak in Milford, October 26th

Jackie Cilley, who represented District 6 in the NH Senate from 2006 – 2010, will be the guest speaker at a potluck supper meeting hosted by The Amherst Democrats, on Wednesday evening, October 26th, at The Unitarian-Universalist Congregation in Milford, 20 Elm Street, just west of the Milford Oval. The potluck supper begins at 6 PM, and speaker program starts at 7 PM.

A native of Berlin, NH, Jackie graduated from Berlin High School and entered The University of New Hampshire, completing a BA in Psychology. She then went on to earn a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics at UNH, where she also taught for 20 years. She served one term as a State Representative, prior to winning her Senate seat, where she served on the Commerce, Labor and Consumer Protection, and Energy, Environment and Economic Development committees, and was Chair of the Executive Departments and Administration committee. She also operated a marketing research firm for 15 years and now conducts marketing for a family-owned small business. Jackie and her husband Bruce have lived in Barrington for 19 years. They have five sons, twelve grandchildren, and two dogs.

Please join us for a report on Jackie’s experience serving in the NH Senate and on today’s issues in the NH Legislature, followed by a lively discussion period. There will also be plenty of good food for those who arrive at 6 PM.

RSVP is not required, but questions about the programs of The Amherst Democrats or about the meeting on October 26th, contact Graham Smith at 603-673-6629, or via email at g_v_s@mac.com.