Dana Point Women’s Club hosts “Butterfly Whisperer” Susie Vanderlip

Dana Point Women’s Club (DPWC) members were in for a treat last Thursday evening, when Conservation Specialist for Southern California Monarch Watch, Susie Vanderlip, regaled them with a engaging talk on “everything you wanted to know about Monarchs.” Ms. Vanderlip is an award winning Certified Speaking Professional and author who has photographed, videotaped, written and spoken about Monarch butterflies for the past 14 years. She has worked with the City of Dana Point for three years, working with volunteers to plant monarch habitats at local parks in an effort to bring monarchs back to the City.

First Vice President, Toni Nelson expressed the Club’s gratitude for a lively, interesting talk and announced that the Club had purchased Susie’s book and tape, “The Story of Chester, the Monarch Caterpillar/Larva” to donate to Palisades Elementary School. DPWC recently donated $1,000 in scholarship funds to the school's fifth grade Science class to help ensure that every student could attend its spring science camp.

The Women’s Club regular monthly meeting opened, as usual, with a little business. Nominating Committee member and Treasurer Donna Childress announced the slate of nominees for the Club’s upcoming FY 24/25 Board which will be elected at its May meeting and will be seated in June. Community House Director Jody Hughes reminded members of DPWC’S upcoming 3rd annual Cocktails for a Cause, to be held Wednesday, April 10th at Aventura Sailing Club. The annual event, which includes passed hors d’oeuvres and a full dinner this year, benefits United Way Orange County’s financial literacy program, SparkPoint. Generous Club members filled tables at the meeting with donated auction and raffle prizes for the upcoming fundraiser. DPWC President, Kathy Belanger remarked that “SparkPoint is one of our major philanthropic causes. We are thrilled to help United Way encourage struggling local families to move from “surviving to thriving”. We encourage the public to join us in this worthy cause by registering for this event, which is expected to be a sell out.”

Dana Point Women’s Club added several new members at its March meeting, bringing membership to 103. The Club's updated Community House event venue is available for meeting, party and event rentals by contacting the Community House Director via email or phoning 949-284-6415. Event proceeds help maintain and preserve the building and support DPWC’s philanthropic programs.