Getting creative with paint pouring
Sharon Pulcinella
In a year dominated by the challenges of the COVID virus, The Women of Quail Creek (TWOQC) found ways to keep their members connected, learning, and sharing.
The beginning of 2021 saw the birth of TWOQC’s small interest groups initiative, which proved to be a lifeline for many. In-person gatherings were at first limited to five (masked) participants and were held outside on patios, taking advantage of our beautiful Southern Arizona winter weather. Other outdoor events included hiking, birdwatching, a visit to Desert Meadows Park, and pickleball lessons.
The new reality of life with COVID also meant that many needed to learn more about technology. Zoom became the format of choice for virtual meetings and programs, and after several fits and starts, the first Zoom program was hosted on Feb. 16 featuring Charlene Westgate’s presentation titled “Pruning Desert Plants.” Forty-one women tuned in. From that day forward, Zoom became a vital piece of TWOQC’s programs planning, with five other virtual presentations on a wide variety of subjects, trivia competitions, and monthly book groups.
The first full-membership program of 2021 was held on July 26. Following CDC guidelines, 35 ladies came out to hear Debra Kabinier, a professional genealogist. Other programs and luncheons followed right through the fall, culminating with the annual holiday luncheon in December.
The popularity of the new small groups led to the emergence of several ongoing interest groups: On-the-Go, In My Kitchen, Rock Painting, Gardening, Genealogy, the Third Friday Book Group, and the Monthly Book Discussion Group. None of these groups would have gotten off the ground without one of TWOQC’s 335 members stepping up with enthusiasm and a willingness to lead. All of the groups are now thriving.
In total, TWOQC’s Programs Committee put together 88 events for its members in 2021. If you were to ask someone who attended any one of them what they liked best, they would almost certainly tell you it was the opportunity to meet new people and the special friendships that they now enjoy as a result.