Use the “Zoom Highway” to connect with WCA North and WCA South

(Part Two)

By Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Coordinator

It has been impressive to peer into the wide variety of activities offered by WCA’s two satellite groups, WCA North and South. As I shared in last month’s article, WCA North has successfully been using Zoom for months and WCA South began programming through Zoom in October. Even though we are still required to be physically apart, the WCA events provide all members additional opportunities to stay connected. With a simple click onto Zoom, women can see one another and feel part of our welcoming WCA community.

WCA South

WCA South was formed in spring 2015 as a result of both the huge success of WCA North and the interest expressed by women who live in the southern and eastern sections of Naples, along the East Trail down to Marco Island. WCA Board Member Lenore Greenstein became the coordinator of WCA South, spearheading this new group. From its inception, WCA South focused on offering programming year-round. This past spring, after Lenore had served as coordinator for five years, Leslie Wasserman and Cathy LoneDawson became co-coordinators and honored Lenore with the title “Coordinator Emerita.”

WCA South has approximately 240 members and continues to grow. When the pandemic hit, all the programs planned for March and April were canceled. Co-coordinators Wasserman and Lone-Dawson held special meetings with their WCA South Board — Cheryl Abrams, Barbara Chester, Enid Dairman, Arlene Greenberg, Linda Hyde, Alice Licker, Bobbi Morein and Coordinator Emerita Lenore Greenstein — to prepare to transition to the new Zoom platform.

The board planned a full season of Zoom programs, including a virtual “Inaugural Luncheon,” speakers, other virtual luncheons, meetings for two book clubs and more.

“The creative and intelligent women who serve on our board came up with ideas to make WCA South’s sixth season fun through Zoom. We have so much going on — it is very exciting,” says Wasserman.

WCA South held its first Zoom event, a joint program of the Fiction and Jewish Experience Book Clubs, on Thursday, Oct. 8. The members had a lively discussion of The Button Man by Andrew Gross. Many women were eager to read it after hearing the author at last year’s Jewish Book Festival.

Bobbi Morein, the liaison for the Fiction Book Group, comments, “I was a little apprehensive about a Zoom book club, but our discussion exceeded my expectations.”

Beginning in November, each book group resumed its separate monthly meetings. The Fiction Book Group discussed Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano on Nov. 12 (the second Thursday of the month); the Jewish Experience Book Club discussed Gateway to the Moon by Mary Morris on Nov. 20 (the third Friday of the month).

Greenstein comments, “Meeting through Zoom gives more women a chance to join — and to relax in their own homes!” (Reading lists for both book clubs are on the sidebar of the WCA e-blast.)

New members of WCA South participated in the two WCA new member coffees held via Zoom in October and facilitated by WCA Membership Director Harriett Kleinman.

“The New Member Coffee was a huge success. We socialized virtually and learned about the many opportunities for us to become more involved. It was a great way to connect! We left with bated breath,” comments WCA South member Barb Murray.

Nineteen women Zoomed in with their own homemade lunch for WCA South’s “Inaugural Luncheon” on Oct. 21. Friends reconnected and shared their favorite activities during COVID19, including making “crazy quilt” kimonos, writing a Jewish etiquette and cookbook, watching Netflix and reading. One member relayed her experience dancing to Broadway show tunes with her daughter!

Jane Linderman comments, “The luncheon was a great way to visit with each other and have some laughs with our WCA friends!”

Each month, WCA South will host either a lecture or a virtual luncheon. Lone-Dawson and Linda Hyde will oversee the lecture series. The topic of the Nov. 18 lecture, the first one in the series, was “Dr. Richard Conrath: A Renaissance Man.” Dr. Conrath, husband of WCA member Karyn Conrath, discussed his former life as a priest, his family’s nomadic lifestyle and how his experiences have become fodder for his crime mysteries.

“Richard proves to be a true Renaissance Man in every way,” says Hyde.

The next lecture will be held Dec. 16 and will feature Dr. Carolyn Daitch, who will speak on “Taming COVID Anxiety.”

The January lecture, which will be presented by talented artist Dr. Paula Brody, will address the topic “Creation & Creativity: Finding Your Inner Artist.”

In December, members will have the opportunity to watch the film “Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers — The Greensteins of Marco Island,” which was produced by The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida.

“We are excited to show this film, as it features our wonderful WCA South Coordinator Emerita, Lenore Greenstein,” says Lone-Dawson.

2015 WCA South Board of Directors (l-r) Sandy Schulman, Leslie Wasserman, Lenore Greenstein, Alice Licker, Pat Sutker and Leda Lubin

Although South’s Canasta Chair Enid Dairman explained that canasta is on hold for now, WCA South is certainly taking advantage of Zoom to continue to provide other programming important to members.

“When social distancing was first required, we were concerned about what we were going to do – but Zoom has made it possible for us to continue to hold the activities that we did before. We are very excited about the coming season, and although it will be different from the past, it will be just as creative and fun,” says Wasserman.

No need to feel left out! All WCA members are invited to attend any WCA North or South program. Information about many of the programs appears in the new WCA Program Guide and will be posted in the WCA weekly e-blast.

Members of WCA South Zoomed into the WCA New Member Coffee.