CALENDAR OF EVENTS

*Events are at the Community Center unless otherwise noted. (If the Community Center is closed due to a holiday, the indoor playgroup will not be held.)

6/5     CPRC Planning Meeting: 7:00 p.m. at Community Center
6/7     Playgroup Potluck: 11:30 - 1:30, See article
6/8     Cheverly Day
6/21    CPRC Potluck at the Pool: See article
7/13    CUMC Flea Market

NOTE: Weekly playgroup session will begin again in September.

From the Coordinator ....

This is the final Newsline of the 2001/2002 year.  The CPRC follows the school year, so we are inactive during the summer.  The next meeting will be in late August, and the next Newsline will be in September.

Wow!  What a great year for the CPRC.  We have had many new members join us, and many of those have become quite active, coming to planning meetings and helping out with events.

Morning playgroups have been very successful this year.  We have had great fun together and will have a "year-end" picnic on June 7.  Don't miss it!  See the playgroup article for details.  In other playgroup news, two new playgroups were started this year: an afternoon playgroup and a homeschoolers playgroup.

We have had many fun events during the past year.  We had a movie night in November (organized by Tracy Hartman); a potluck dinner (at Mary Ali's) and a Caroling Party (at my house) in December.  In February we had a parent workshop (organized by Jennifer Allegro) on the topic of drawing up a will.  Thanks go out also to Lisa Lincoln and Elizabeth Bou, who worked to get the Kid's Stuff Sale going in April, but there just wasn't enough interest.  We had a hugely successful "Spring Fling" in May (organized by Ruby Stemmle).  And of course, we have big plans for Cheverly Day (headed up by Julie James).  These events cannot happen without a member (or members) who lead the event, and the participation of our members in helping out and attending these events.  Thank you to all of you!

We have also sponsored and delivered many "welcome baskets" to families new to Cheverly, and families with new babies.

I would like to express a big thank you to all of the CPRC officers; without these people, the CPRC would not be able to thrive.  Thank you to: Jennifer Allegro (Newsline editor), Erin Castelli (Treasurer), Melanie Hartwig-Davis (Welcome Coordinator), Tanya Marshall (Webmaster), Randy Zuwallack (Database Coordinator)!

We have one more meeting this year, on June 5 at 7pm.  The meeting is in the Community Center conference room.  It's a very important meeting, because we will discuss plans for next year, and we will finalize officers for next year.  Please join us!

Although we are inactive in the summer, we will continue to maintain our membership list and keep a list of new babies to congratulate and "welcome" in September.  If you have a new member to refer, please send that info to database@cheverlyparent.org.  If you have a new baby (a neighbor's or your own) to announce, please send that info to welcome@cheverlyparent.org. Have a wonderful summer!

-Tammie Nelson-Stringer, coordinator@cheverlyparent.org, 301.386.3782

is almost here......

If June 8th is not marked on your calendars....where have you been ???  Cheverly Day is almost here and the CPRC is looking for ward to participating.  We will be hosting a bake sale.  We'll raffle off some gifts from ESPN Zone, and we will participate in the parade.  Here's how you can join with us in this family and community-oriented celebration:
 Bake Sale: We need volunteers to bake things for the bake sale and to stand at the table and sell the goodies on Cheverly Day.  The more people who volunteer to take a shift during the day, the less time each person will need to spend at the table.  Please contact Julie James at (301) 773-5530  or JulieAndMike@att.net

Parade:  The CPRC has about twelve families who have committed to walking in the parade.  Let's make it 20!  We will carry CPRC balloons and the banner we made at the Spring Fling.  If you bring a stroller or wagon, decorate it!  We are also recommending that people bring bubbles to blow.  And, if you ordered a yellow tie dye shirt, WEAR IT!  If not, wear something yellow.  Please contact Julie James at (301) 773.5530 if you intend to walk with us.  It will help us know how many balloons to bring.  You can email Julie at JulieAndMike@att.net.

Our first CPRC Spring Fling was fantastic! On Saturday May 11th about 40 Cheverly families got together to enjoy a marvelous time at the Town Park. A very pleasant afternoon, a spring like setting, lots of food, space for an art project, the playground and fields, games and live music made this event a wonderful experience. Thanks to the enthusiastic participation and help of volunteers, the event was a total success and will now be run annually.

Thanks to Myra Cushman for running all over Cheverly getting coolers, drinks and ice and a last minute first aid request. Thanks to Alex Carter and Betty for helping with the wonderful decorations you made for the park. The big daisies on the trees, balloons and streamers looked so seasonal and festive! Thanks to Anna and Andy Lovejoy for taking on one of the hardest job of all, the grill!  The kids went for those hot dogs right away! Thanks to the Lincoln family and Tracy Hartman for the games that brought all the kids together at the field. Thanks to Daphne for your help setting up and Tammie for the clean up after. Thanks to Mary Ali for starting the invite on the internet and helping me to take over. The Evite really worked passing the word around and keeping us all in touch. Thanks to Jim and Jack Stemmle for the musical touch, maybe we were kind of shy to sing along this time but the music was great. We will make sure that next time you won't be alone.

A very special Hip Hip Hurray! and CONGRATULATIONS! to Julia James and the tie dye project. What an exceptional and creative idea! The "art gazebo", gave the kid's an opportunity to do a  hands on project, and the pretty shirts hanging in the woods, made the Spring Fling complete. A definitely keeper for the following years. Thank you Lance Davis for the help with the banner. And last but not least I'd like to thank  all the Cheverly parents for responding to the call and coming to participate. The attendance was amazing and with your presence the CPRC effort to put an event like this together is highly compensated. I hope we will see you all again next year!

We will once again have our annual June Potluck at the Cheverly Swim and Racquet Club.  This is a chance to have some dinner, enjoy each other's company, and get in for a swim or some tennis.  All families are welcome; if you are not a member of the swim club you will come as a guest of Tammie Nelson-Stringer.  Guest fees after 6pm are only $1 per person.  See you on Friday, June 21 at 6pm.  (This is a different date than original tentative date.)

I'll be sending out an e-vite or you can RSVP to me directly (see end of Newsline for contact information).  We'll have tables reserved in the snack bar area.  See you there! If you would like to help out with this event or have any questions, please contact Tammie Nelson-Stringer.

We want to do some database cleanup over the summer.  Here's what you can do to help:
 

• Send in your membership form for the 2002-2003 year.  That helps our bank balance as well as giving us your most up-to-date information so that we can double-check our data.  Please be sure to include your email address on the form.
• If you can't pay the dues now, but want to make sure we have valid contact info, just email that info to database@cheverlyparent.org with the Subject line "CPRC Database Update".
• If you would like to stop getting the newsletter please send email to database@cheverlyparent.org with the Subject line "CPRC Database Removal Request".  Remember, however, that Jennifer is planning a new "pre-adolescent" section to start in September.

We have two officer positions open for the coming year: Treasurer and Playgroup Coordinator.  If you want to learn more about either of these positions, please contact Tammie or Erin (see end of newsletter for contact information).  If you are interested in the position, please let Tammie know and plan to come to the June 5 meeting if at all possible.  Thank you!

I'd like to take this moment to thank Erin Castelli, our outgoing Treasurer, as she moves on to an officer position in the P.T.A.  Erin has been very active in CPRC for many years, and has held the posts of Newsline editor, Co-coordinator, and Treasurer.  The CPRC thanks you for many years of great work; you will do wonderful things for the P.T.A.!

Anyone who wants to be involved in planning next year's events should come to the June 5th 7pm planning meeting at the Community Center.  We will also have a meeting in August, to finalize the calendar of events to be published in the September Newsline.  I will be setting the date over the summer and will e-mail that date to all the e-mail addresses in our database; yet another reason to make sure we have your up-to-date info! (See the "Spring Cleaning" article).
 

....Coming July 13th, 2002

Cheverly Methodist Church is beginning to make preparations for our upcoming flea market.  Please keep this in mind as you are discarding unwanted items.  Donations can be made to the church office or by arranging a delivery time.  Doantions will also be accepted at the parking lot entry from 9-9:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings as well.  If you have any time that you can spend assisiting in the preparation or execution of this exciting event, please contact Melanie Hartwig-Davis at 301.386.5387 or at hd.squared@verizon.net. Don't forget to join us on July 13th for great buys!!!!!!

It was a great year for playgroup!  I have made so many new friends this summer through playgroup, and have watched their babies, toddlers, and preschoolers growing up.  It's so much fun to see the babies learning to crawl and walk and talk, and to watch the bigger kids learn to play together.  And it's great to have time to spend with other moms and dads . . . talking, comparing notes on parenting issues, and just having fun.

We instituted a "designated mom" program this year, so that each playgroup had a "mom in charge" to make sure there was someone there from start to finish and to meet&greet new playgroup moms and dads.  This worked out wonderfully.  Thanks go to Jolene for the idea, and to all the designated moms for pitching in. And a special thank you goes to Nancy Gant, who surprised us all with a "Mother's Day brunch" on May 17.  A nice tablecloth, flowers, bagels, fruit salad, coffee cake and juice.  It was a nice treat and much appreciated. Playgroup is winding down, as we look forward to the summer.

We do not officially meet during the summer.  Folks tend to be busy with family vacations and other summer activities, and many moms also have older kids who will be home from school to (happily) complicate the days' routine.  Of course, if you want to arrange a get-together yourself, that is encouraged!  I'm planning to email the group to have a gathering at my house in July (details to come over email; if you aren't on the playgroup list be sure to email or call)
Our final "official" day of playgroup is Friday June 7.  We'll be marking the date with a fun potluck lunch.  We will not meet at the usual time; we'll meet from 11:30 - 1:30.  I will bring a tablecloth, drinks, plates, cups, flatware.  Each person should bring something to share.  "Fingerfood" or other easy-to-eat foods are recommended.  Bring a beach chair or a blanket; this will be a picnic-style potluck.

Whether you want to see what playgroup is all about, have always meant to go to playgroup, occasionally come to playgroup, or are a "regular", please try to make it on June 7.  It will be a lot of fun!  We'll hope for good weather and plan to meet at Gast Park.  But if it rains we'll meet at the community center gym.  See you there! I'll be sending out an e-vite or you can RSVP to me directly (see end of Newsline for contact information).  And if you decide last minute to come and haven't RSVP'd, please come anyway!!

The Cheverly Swim and Racquet Club offers a ladies tennis program on Tuesday mornings from 9:00 a.m. till noon.  The program will start on June 18th and provides free babysitting for your children.  All levels of experience are welcome.  If you would like to participate and will need babysitting please contact Jennifer Allegro at 301.322.4952 or allegroblue@aol.com  by the 15th of June to reserve a spot.

Actually, we're making several lists.  As coordinator, I get many calls and emails from
folks who want to know about babysitters, home daycare providers, local pediatricians, doctors
and dentists that other families in Cheverly use.  It would be great if CPRC could maintain a list
to give out.  These lists would be especially useful to new people moving into Cheverly or
families with babies on the way.  Help us to create the lists!

If you are a babysitter or a home daycare provider, we would like to have you on our list!
If you would like to see your babysitter or home daycare provider added to our list, ask them to
contact us.

If you have a pediatrician, OB/Gyn, dentist, or doctor that you like, please forward their
information to us.

Of course, inclusion of someone on the list does not imply endorsement or recommendation by
CPRC.

Please e-mail submissions to coordinator@cheverlyparent.org with "Submit to CPRC List" in the subject line. If you are
interested in receiving the list once it is compiled, please e-mail coordinator@cheverlyparent.org with "Request
CPRC List" in the subject line.

The Cheverly Parent Resource Center is collecting dues for September 2001 through August 2002. These dues will help us continue our regular activities such as the twice-weekly playgroups, educational seminars, and new initiatives. To continue receiving Newsline and to support CPRC's efforts to make Cheverly a great place for children, please send your $10.00 check made payable to CPRC using the CPRC Membership Form. If you're not sure if your paid up or not, check your label on the newsletter.  The last two digits reflect the last year you paid your dues.  XX means we have no record of payment.

Tammie Nelson-Stringer, Coordinator, (301) 386-3782, coordinator@cheverlyparent.org

Erin Castelli, Treasurer, (301) 773-1642, treasurer@cheverlyparent.org

Tanya Marshall, Web Page Coordinator, (301) 772-4025, webmaster@cheverlyparent.org

Randy Zuwallack, Membership Database Coordinator, (301) 772-4025, database@cheverlyparent.org

Melanie Hartwig-Davis, Welcome Coordinator, (301) 386-5387, welcome@cheverlyparent.org

Jennifer Allegro, Newsline Editor, (301) 322-4952, editor@cheverlyparent.org

Deaphne Felton Green, Newsline Entertainment Editor, (301) 772-1041, entertainment@cheverlyparent.org