Ocotber 2025 October 2025 | Page 8

A tea-themed lunch is upcoming
8 October 2025 Charbonneau Villager

Women’ s Association

By BEE BENESH

A tea-themed lunch is upcoming

I think everyone had a fun time getting back together on Sept. 8 after the summer pause in CWA events. Phillip Margolin was a very
BENESH entertaining speaker and
it was fascinating to hear about his journey from a very successful law career to an equally acclaimed career as a novelist. The emphasis was on reading that day with the tables decorated with Phillip Margolin titles as well as other literary-themed items.“ What are you reading?” was the topic of the day as the CWA ladies enjoyed their buffet lunch. Afterward speaking to the group, Mr. Margolin was most gracious in staying to chat with the members and sign a few books. To thank Mr. Margolin for visiting Charbonneau, CWA made a donation to Chess for Success, a nonprofit which promotes teaching the game to elementary and junior high students in Title I schools. Mr. Margolin has been
From left: Author Phillip Margolin speaking with CWA members Dianne Reiter, Joyce Bowden and Kristie Keil.
very active in supporting this organization for many years.
We have a full season of luncheon events and programs planned for our members. Membership is open at any time. Forms are available on our website or in the book in the Activity Center closet. The fee is $ 35 and payment should be made in the lock box on the Activity Center closet wall. You may attend one CWA event before paying dues.
Coming up next on Monday, Oct.
13 is a tea-themed lunch along with the second part of the program by Mary and Mike Hutchins portraying Georgiana Pittock and her chauffeur. This will focus on the later part of her life and the building of the Pittock Mansion, which is a treasured landmark in Portland. Last year the Hutchins told the stories of Mrs. Pittock’ s early life and her arrival in Oregon. That was most interesting and it gave us insight into her background and how she became such a
From left: Joanne Stuvick and JoAnna Sawyer attended the September luncheon.
hardworking force in the early Portland community. Do you remember that she was captured and held for ransom when she was a young girl traveling the Oregon Trail with her family? The Hutchins’ program was enjoyed by so many members of CWA that we are bringing them back to complete this wonderful story.
Reservations will be taken up until noon on Tuesday, Oct. 7. The sign-up book is in the Activity Center closet. The cost is $ 32 for members and $ 37 for non-members.

Arts Association

By CATHI MCLAIN

Getting ready for art festival

As we gear up for the 41st annual Festival of the Arts( see cover article), I’ m reminded of the classic children’ s book,“ The Little Engine
MCLAIN that Could.” When you consider our tiny eight-member board, and the fact that in 2025, we have sponsored and organized significant events for the
community of Charbonneau and the neighboring areas, it does feel like an uphill climb. Here’ s a small list:
■ Five Music Stage @ Charbonneau Events. VoxaNova Trio, Life in Hollywood & Beyond, Stephanie Schneiderman, and coming up, Lloyd Jones Nov. 23rd, playing blues for dancing, and Vocal Summit acapella group, Dec. 14.
■ The first Wilsonville Festival of Music, Blues for Schools, Aug. 2-3, with six world-class bands playing on two stages.
■ And of course, the 41st Wilsonville Festival of the Arts @ Charbonneau, Oct. 10-12, with 61 artists and artisans exhibiting in the Booth Show and Fine Art Gallery, plus the Student Art Gallery and Gala reception and Silent
Auction fundraiser.
All of these activities are designed to raise funds for performing arts and fine arts at Canby and Wilsonville schools. And just as the little engine chugs up the mountain, saying“ I think I can. I think I can,” CAA is chugging along to build world-class events with a small board and an amazing cadre of volunteers who help to make it all happen. As president of Charbonneau Arts Association and festival organizing chair, I can feel the supporters pushing behind me as I chug up the hill to another successful Charbonneau Festival of the Arts.
Please mark your calendars for the upcoming festival Oct. 10-12, and the three remaining Music Stage concerts, Sept. 24, Nov. 23 and Dec. 14. With
your support, especially during the Silent Auction on Friday, Oct. 10, we hope to repeat our record 2024 donations of $ 10,000 each to Canby and Wilsonville High Schools.
Welcoming Dick Spence to association board
We are pleased to welcome Dick Spence to our board of directors. Dick brings a wealth of experience to everything he does, from greeting guests at Wilsonville Subaru to being involved with most local organizations, including the Rotary Club of Wilsonville, the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce and the community at large. We are looking forward to taking advantage of his expertise and wealth of contacts in our community.