Women’s Club Of Farmingdale News

Written by Madeline Bondietti Friday, 16 November 2012 00:00

Now that fall is here it’s time to get back into the swing of things. Hope everyone had an enjoyable summer. The Women’s Club of Farmingdale had their first meeting of the club year on Thursday, Oct. 4 at Allen Park with a new President Maria Ortolani and the new executive board: 1st Vice President Ann Lomonte; 2nd Vice Presidents Anna Ievolo and Lynn Connolly; Recording Secretary Cheryl Parisi; Corresponding Secretary Rosemary Emigholz; Treasurer Dru Brem; Auditor Madeline Bondietti and Immediate Past President Barbara Hoerner.  

This will be an exciting year as our 100th anniversary is fast approaching in March 2013. Many exciting events are being planned. Cookbook chairperson Loda Romanelli and her committee have put together a wonderful cookbook Recipes of Remembrances-The Women’s Club of Farmingdale 100th Anniversary 1913-2013. It contains recipes from club members and friends and also past presidents through the years. It is a treasure to own. If you would like to purchase a cookbook, please contact Barbara Hoerner at (516) 799-6245. The cost is $15.

Fran Rotondo gave an interesting talk on Abigail E. Leonard, the founder of the Women’s Club of Farmingdale. Miss Leonard was born in Woodstock, Vermont in 1852.  She became a teacher there and later taught at Erasmus High School in Brooklyn. When she retired in 1912 she moved to Farmingdale and was very much involved in the community. She saw the need to form a club to bring about change and improvement and thus the Women’s Club of Farmingdale was born on March 7, 1913. She became president and served for 10 years. Among her many accomplishments was the establishment of a free library for the Village of Farmingdale, a parent-teachers association, the position of a school nurse, also, business courses at the high school level and much more. Today, we take these things for granted.

Each year our club offers an Abigail E. Leonard scholarship award to a worthy high school student. Dr. Benjamin Giminaro was a recipient of the award upon graduation from high school, then known as Main Street School. Miss Leonard passed away at the age of 93 in 1945.

The club meeting opened with a prayer by Bea Ferrari followed by the pledge of allegiance. President Maria Ortolani greeted members and guests. The usual order of business followed. Budget chairperson Elena Guercio presented the proposed and philanthropic budget, which was approved by the membership. Remember, all our profits from our fundraisers go toward awards to worthy Farmingdale High School students, community improvements and various charities.

Judy Masino and her committee, Madeline Bondietti, Nancy Giminaro, Elena Guercio and Katie McKeveny, prepared a delicious luncheon.