Volume 15, Issue 8
December 2010
WAC on Track
Womenâ€&#x;s Activity Club The Club is a multifunctional organisation whose purpose is to meet the social, educational and personal needs of its members. The Club is designed to encourage international friendship, support and sharing.
Winterthurerstrasse 18 8610 Uster 043 305 9250
www.wac.ch
Editor‟s Note
Nancy Dodds
WAC Board of Directors Dear Readers, Good
communication
between
the
board
members and the membership of the WAC is important
for
the
continued
improvement of the club.
growth
and
If you have any
concerns or questions, please feel free to contact President Sharon Warthmann
043 497 8366
president@wac.ch Vice President Jessica Bachofen
043 366 0712
Secretary Carol Conzelmann
044 940 02 93
Treasurer Susan Keller
Having worked as WOT editor since March, it's been amazing to observe at close quarters the high degree of efficiency, like a fine piece of machinery, at which the Club (you) operates and is respect of the magazine the terms of the informative and punctual articles that are submitted, our computer fairy who updates the newsletter on the website as well as the mailing and copying pixies.
044 822 3246
All this helps to serve the functioning of the WAC as "a place where good friends meet" and our Children are educated.
044 915 4962
Wishing you all our best wishes for the New Year ahead.
Activities Chairperson Helen Mylius
The holiday season is a time of thanks, retrospection and planning for the coming year ahead. I think you will find a lot of that in this edition . Our cover showcases some of the nice crafts of our decoration committee, following our revamped Halloween (p9 ), we have now prepared for our club Xmas party ( p.5).
Marketing Chairperson Nicole Bell
043 819 1460
Nancy Dodds
Membership Chairperson Yvette Muggli
043 497 0678
membership@wac.ch
WAC Office Club Office Manager Judith Winkelman office hours:
043 305 9250 com@wac.ch
Tue & Thur: 9:15-12:15
Learning Tree School School Director Ida Imbach
043 305 9250 Full page ad: LTCSchool@wac.ch or Half page ad:
imbach@gmx.net office hours:
Advertising Rates
Mon - Thurs: 9:00 - 12:00
150 SFr 80 SFr Quarter page ad: 50 SFr
Inserts: 150 SFr WAC Notice board (one month / max. A5 / members: free*
“WAC on Track” Deadlines and Contributions The “WAC on Track” is also a means for members communication. If you have a story to share, a fun experience, a recommendation, a joke, or anything else you would like to share with other members, please email it to
dodds@dodds.ch You can also place ads, classifieds and use notice board (free one line ad for WAC members) in the WAC on Track.
the
WAC
Deadline for the December 2010 edition is November 20th 2010. Page 2
WAC on Track
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President’s Note
Sharon Warthmann
Dear WAC friends
Movie night
I can‟t believe that this year is nearly over. Winter is just about here, and once again we have to plan for the snow holidays. Skiing is almost a must in Switzerland, so I did want to mention, for the benefit of our new WAC members, that if you still need ski equipment for yourself or your children, Time Out Sport Shop in Uster offers a 10% discount to WAC members. I hire my girls‟ skis and boots every year there. For 6 month‟s rent, Oct – April, I pay Fr. 70 per child (skis and boots). But they also offer 10% discount on anything you buy at their shop, from ski socks, to ski suits or ski helmets etc. A very spooky THANK YOU goes to Nilsa and Ana on a superb Halloween party this year. I heard it was the best in years! You and your team spent hours and hours organising, constructing and recruiting, and the result was awesome! Well done! Don‟t forget our lovely cosy Christmas party coming up on Sunday 12th December. Details are in the WoT and on our website. Speaking of our website, Barbara and Angie who (wo)man our WAC website are doing a marvellous job. Take a peep and see for yourself. All our latest events and details are there, so if you have any
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questions or want to see what is happening in the next few months, this is the place you should look first. We also have a Facebook page – see “The WAC”. And lastly, a plea to help keep WAC costs down and be environmentally friendly: We would be so grateful if you would rather read our WoT online. The advantage is you can read it in colour and at your leisure, but also means one thing less for a WAC volunteer to do (printing and posting) and of course, no printing and postage costs. Also, people who do not come into the WAC that often, and hence don‟t volunteer for the club, and yet request a paper copy of the WoT, it would be really nice to see an effort to receive the online version as opposed to a hard copy. Please let Yvette Muggli know: yvettemuggli@bluewin.ch, and she’ll make sure you receive an email every month informing you when the WoT has been uploaded. You will be able to read it fresh on your screen, in colour, with your biscuit and cup of tea, and you will mostly likely be reading it before the first hard copy is even off the copier machine. Wishing you a wonderful, very blessed Christmas season, and all the VERY best for 2011. Kind regards Sharon
Sat. 29th Jan, and
Sat. 26th From 5.45 - 8PM For 3 – 10 year olds
Fr. 7. per child Includes: hotdogs, popcorn, drinks & movie! … all while mom and dad go and paint the town red :-) !
WAC on Track
The WAC 2010
Christmas party Sunday, 12th December, 1.30 to 4 p.m. Join our traditional family Christmas party. Give the children the chance to visit Santa in his Grotto, enjoy seasonal stories, crafts, games and Carol Singing around the Christmas tree. Then round off the afternoon with GlĂźhwein and cake, (perhaps juice for the children). We have limited space available as Santa is known to be extremely busy at this time of year. Tickets are only on sale from Monday 22nd November until Wednesday 8th December. (At the office or from your playgroup leader.) Adult/ child Sfr. 6.- (2 years and under are free) Every adult ticket will be entered into the prize draw. Any queries, please contact: Mirjam Egli-Rohr: m_eglirohr@yahoo.com or Monique Shroff: moniqueimba@hotmail.com
You will be asked to contribute to the afternoon tea and volunteer for the event when you are buying your ticket. Volunteering as little as about ½ hour of your time will make the party successful and ensure everybody enjoys their time with their family too.
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Membership Reminder
Yvette Muggli
Dear WAC members I would like to remind you that your 2010 WAC membership will be automatically renewed for 2011 - unless we receive a written cancellation from you. Any cancellation or query may be sent via email to Judith Winkelman com@wac.ch, and must be received by Monday December 13th 2010. If Judith does not hear from you by this date, you will receive an invoice (Einzahlungsschein) for the 2011 WAC membership fee (Sfr 160.- full membership). Finally, the WAC membership fees are non-refundable. Kind regards Yvette MUGGLI WAC Membership Chairperson
Lunch-Club A supervised 2-hour break for you and your kids Mon, Tues & Thurs: 11.45 – 13.45h The WAC offers a supervised lunch break for WAC children, three times a week. The cost Fr. 15.- per child, per day and is payable monthly in advance to the office. Every parent is responsible for their own child‘s sack lunch. Please fill in a registration form at the WAC or visit our website for more info.
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WAC on Track
Dear Parents, As you may already know every school year at the WAC, there are two teachers‘ appreciation periods, the first one for Christmas and the second time at the end of the school year in June. Our devoted class reps will start card signing and money collection for the Christmas period the week of November 29th until December 10th. Cards and gifts will be given to the teachers the week of December 13 th. If you want to show your appreciation for the work done by all the teachers, please look for your class rep who will be outside of the classroom at the beginning and/or the end of your children‘s class. Please find hereafter the list of class reps by class. We will also have a card and collect money for Sharon (lunch hour) since she is part of the school day. Please contact Iris Zeiter for Sharon (iriszeiter@hotmail.com).
Class
Day
Teacher
Class Rep
Explorer
Monday PM
Kathy, Caryn, Sangeeta (assistant)
Elisabeth Romei
Tuesday PM Thursday PM
Monday PM
Yvonne
Iris Zeiter Elisabeth Romei, Barbara Blasko Elke Leser
Friday PM
Heather
So-Young Hechler
Monday PM
Bettina
Maria Kralj
Friday PM ESL Wackelohrli
Thursday PM Preschool
Monday AM Tuesday AM Wednesday AM
R & W 13:30 to 14:30
Carolyn Unger
Susan Junod Mahjabeen, Sangeeta, Heather, Sarah (assistant)
Kalpana Jaiswal Chaissy Murugan Rebecca Kaenzig
Thursday AM
Gwen Guichebaron
Friday AM
Gwen Guichebaron Swapna Patil, Raquel Billiones Kate Taylor, Eleonore Jacobi Jennifer Langkjaer
Wednesday PM
Ida, Sarah, Yvonne
R & W 14:45 to 15:45 R & W 16:00 to 17:00
Thank you in advance for your contribution and have a great holiday season! Gwen Guichebaron On behalf of the PTA (Parent Teacher Association)
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WAC members: Fr. 30.Non members: Fr. 50.Course offered by Dr. Giovanna Ales
Learn or brush up on basic life-saving first aid skills, specifically on children. Learn how to protect your child, & what to do in an emergency. Sign-up on notice board. (Pls
bring your own sacklunch for the break)
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WAC on Track
WAC in Motions
Nilsa Stettler-Padilla
The Power of Being a Kid Again Halloween We all know that feeling when laughter is belly deep and tears run down your face. The look of surprise, of wonder that a child has when playing pretend is the gift of being young. Adults don’t actually lose that gift it just goes to sleep. How to wake up the child in you? Well if you came to the Halloween party this past October you certainly had the opportunity to be a kid again. The party was completely “re-Vamped”. A new decorative
Christmas
theme was in place, a haunted library, a hor-
At the time of this deadline the Christmas
ror hut of movies, gremlin games, stories from party has not yet taken place. Judging from the rich colors of red, gold, silver and green, the dungeon and crafts. There was a bit for every age group and every degree of wanting to be scared. The haunted library had two parts; scary and scarier which accommodated
the many stockings, ribbons and bows, candy canes, Frosty the snowman and Santa flying over the moon we are in for a classy Christ-
mas party. Your help, before in putting up the for the age differences. Our beloved pumpkin decorations, during to run the party areas and carving contest, photo shoot and Trick or after to return the WAC to its business look Trunk added that special touch. Such an event can only take place when the imagination runs free and the will exists to
will be greatly appreciated. Instead of waiting for the review in February get your tickets early and be part of the fun!
make it happen. The party was rated outstanding!
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New Year„s Resolutions
The time between Nov 1st and December 31st feels many times like a slide that has been iced over. The ride down is hard and all too fast creating for January 1st that desire to get control of our lives. We are bound and determined to have the New Year be on our terms. Some more experienced types choose simply to say “Why bother resolutions don‟t last”. This is also true they don‟t necessarily last especially if one forgets what those resolutions were. What are resolutions worth keeping? Striving to improve health is not the same as a furious diet plan to just lose weight. So start with drinking more water. The resolution is: I want to cleanse my body to help decrease some of the work it must do. Decrease conflict or “noise” in the family. Children learn by imitating. They learn to speak and enrich vocabulary through practice. Take every opportunity to teach them respect for themselves and for you as a parent. Through respect kids learn to discuss not manipulate decisions, they might not like a choice but they learn to think through the reasons for those choices without turning it into an ugly battle of words aimed at the parents. The resolution is: Speak to me with respect and I shall respectfully listen. Learn the language of the host country. If your children are attending the open school system learn with them. It will be one less barrier between you and them. How can they want to learn if they see that you don‟t? I learned recently that the German language uses filler words “Modal Partikel” to add flavor and meaning to the sentence. Instead of raising their voices and using intonation like more Mediterranean cultures they simply add a “doch”, “eben”, or a “ja schon”. Surprise, agreement or even aggravation are expressed with less “stress” to the body. Imagine the look on our kids faces when we actually understand the subtleties of the German language. The resolution is: I‟m able to follow and respond to what you say in German. Cherish friendships. The WAC can many times be a place of constant movement and hurry. It can just feel like something to get done with. Perhaps your family will be in Switzerland 1 year, or 3 year or maybe 10 years. Each year is a special and very memorable step in your and your children‟s lives. Cherish those preschool years, the ballet classes or those fun parties. They will carry you to the next place where ever that maybe. Hitting 40 and 50 years of age comes quicker than you think. The resolution is: Every day I cherish and hold friendships. What are your thoughts for the New Year? How can we as families enrich and help each other? Let‟s resolve to have 2011 be the year we find out.
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WAC on Track
Chairs announcement THANK YOU’s A big thank you to our WAC course teachers!! You do a great job for the WAC and their members. You are dedicated, motivated and knowledgeable!!! Thanks a lot and enjoy the Christmas season with your families!! A big thank you as well to my WAC course class reps! You make the course admin job a lot easier – it is great to have you supporting us!! A big thank you to Helen and Angela for making our team such a good and enjoyable one to work in!! And last, but not least: a big thank you again to my COM counterpart – it is great having you there in the office being supportive, responsive and straight forward!! Andrea Metz Course administration person
Marketing wishes you all a very Happy Christmas! Dear members of the WAC, Thank you all very much for your great support and your dedication to the club and the school. It is a great pleasure to work for you and it is even more fun to tell everybody out there, what splendid events, courses and classes you managed to create in the past years. The goal of the marketing department is to let everybody in and around Uster and Zurich know what great fun it is to be a member of the WAC and what benefit everybody who joins the WAC will achieve. We will not stop to spread this information for a long time. Enjoy your Christmas holidays wherever you will spend them, have a great New Year and may all your wishes come true. If you have any wishes the marketing department can help to make them come true, do not hesitate to contact us, we will do our best! Again thank you very much, Nicole Bell
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Interior / Exterior ins and outs! (Yes, I have been waiting to make that pun since I started) So, the end of my first six months in this position is fast approaching and so is Christmas! A fitting time for me to think of the people around me, and especially those that have reached out to be helpful, considerate, reliable or just plain friendly!! I have, however, been lucky enough to encounter so many helpful and friendly people that I am left with the rather embarrassing problem of not knowing where,how or who to start thanking. So, I am sending a heartfelt, festive, and sincere "Thank you" to all the people I have enjoyed sharing my time and tasks at the WAC with. OK, I better take this opportunity to also summarise what so many of you have helped me accomplish! Firstly, I organised the "spring clean" of the Club Room which resulted in laying to rest some pretty ancient and defunct toys and equipment, leaving a more hygienic and functioning set of equipment for our Playgroup leaders and attendees. I also organised the installation of the
new sign jutting out of the side of the building, proving useful for all those trying to find us for the first time. The audit and re-laying of the cellar storage room then followed resulting in a more pleasant and efficient experience for all its' users. I also carried out a similar audit and re-organisation of the "Caretakers" cupboard which again has proved helpful in times of repairs or painting and decorating. I have lately been dealing with the repair of the mysteriously cracked mirrored door in the Clubroom, the cost of which will "fingers crossed" be covered by one of the WAC Insurances. This leads me to point out to all members that it would be appreciated if any breakages or accidents made by them or their children were reported to myself or anyone from the board or the school, as the more information we have the more chances we have of making a successful insurance claim where necessary. I wish you all health and happiness in this festive time! Maria Wightman
School News
Ida Imbach
I can‘t believe another year is nearing its‗ end and a new year is just around the corner. Time flies by so fast when you’re having fun! Regretably, the end of the year also means that some families will be leaving us. We (the teachers and I) are sad to see you go. We do hope you‘ve enjoyed the time you spent with us and that we shall see you again. For those of you who have children in the school, please don‘t forget to fill up your child‘s withdrawal form by the 10th of December. Please also note that a withdrawal from the school is not an automatic membership withdrawal. Fortunately, most of you will be staying and we look forward to the new families coming in the new year. The teachers and I are quite happy to start the new year full of fun and activities with all of you. The WAC Christmas Party is coming and it is a fun way to end the year with friends and family. Don‘t forget to get your tickets and sign up to spread your Christmas spirit on this day. So, from all of us at the LTCSchool, we wish you HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! See you all in 2011!
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WAC on Track
READERS GONE WACky
Alice Knöpfel
The Readers Gone WACky For the October meeting, the Readers Gone WACky read and discussed Christos Tsiolkas‘ The Slap. In the opening chapter, at a barbeque, a man slaps a child who is not his own. This event reverberates in the circle of friends and family and provokes a questioning of not only parenting styles but also family values, friendships, cultural traditions and marriage. The narrative consists of eight chapters in the distinctive voices of eight people who were at the barbecue, four men and four women, ranging from a gay student to a 72 year-old Greek grandfather. The breathtakingly diverse cast of characters also includes a handsome Greek womanizer, a ―childless by choice‖ screenwriter, an abusive alcoholic, an Aboriginal Muslim, AIDS infected hippies, a plump and flaxen student, a beautiful Indian veterinarian, and the under-educated breast feeding mother of the four year-old who was slapped. With all these varied and extreme perspectives, which are brought to life in lively dialogue and tight prose, the novel exposes many themes for examination and suggests provocative ideas for debate. All-in-all, the novel is a brutal examination of contemporary suburban middle-class in Australia. Through the multiculturalism of the characters, the novel demonstrates the success of blended families and integrated cultures, yet also brings up questions about the loss of traditional values and respect for the older generation. The Readers Gone WACky enjoyed discussing the unusual structure of the novel, its colorful characters and charged, yet non-judgmental themes. On November 24 members will discuss We Are All Made of Glue by Marina Lewycka. Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh will be the topic of the December 8 meeting as well as the annual WHITE ELEPHANT HOLIDAY CELEBRATION. All meetings are at 20:00 in the WAC Lounge. NEW MEMBERS WELCOME! Please call Alice Knöpfel 044 912 2326 aknoepfel@swissonline.ch for more information.
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WAC on Track
Girls Club News
Nilsa Stettler
Girls Club; Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year! November This month the Diamonds headed to the Verkehrshaus (Transportation) Museum in Luzern, to check out their Planetarium exhibit. We had great parental support for all 9 of the girls who were able to attend and many of them made new or closer friendships during the drive to Luzern. At the museum, we enjoyed seeing the space shuttle exhibit and thinking about how the astronauts have to be bound into one position when they sleep and how they eat leaning on a platform with their feet secured down. For many girls the idea of what life means without gravity had never crossed their mind. We saw 2 shows in the dome shaped Planetarium room. The first was on how the sun and moon follows the path of the Zodiac constellations and the second a more child friendly explanation of the 8 planets. The girls also enjoyed playing on the boat at the Verkehrshaus along with learning about different types of cars and being "workers" at a gravel site. All in all, a great opportunity for these girls to learn about the world around them while making close friends in an English speaking environment. The Stars are off to see Harry Potter’s last episode. The movie critic will follow. December Both groups Ice skating on Dec. 4th 2010 January The Diamonds; visit Jana and the new addition to her family. The Stars; no meeting. Feb/March Both Groups Plans are underway for an excursion and possible overnight stay at a husky camp. Learn about sleigh dogs and hopefully enjoy a lot of snow
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Library News
Kadi Sutter
My first full year as a library chairperson draws to an end, and as December is generally the time to look back, I will use my allotted space to summarize the past year in the library. Most of the work done has been going on behind the scenes, so to say, but there were also some visible changes. One of the biggest projects carried out was the reorganization of adult fiction shelves. All the books on these shelves have been alphabetized, categorized and marked with a respective color sticker. We also got rid of endless piles of books, which were in bad condition or in double-triple-quadruple copies. We have made space for new acquisitions and donations. The same labor of love went on for junior readers, and currently work is in progress with the adult non-fiction shelf. We aim to make it less intimidating (as in, you can now actually pull out books without the fear that the whole shelf will come tumbling down on your head). DVD shelves have also been reorganized and hopefully made more user-friendly. We have started a CD and game rental, and introduced take-away boxes for discarded books. If that all sounds nice and neat, in reality it has meant tedious hours of lugging piles of books around, organizing, reorganizing, and re-reorganizing, dusting, gluing, scrubbing, some more reorganizing – even my visitors from Estonia were not spared! My pet project is something the wider WAC membership can possibly benefit only in the (hopefully not too distant) future – the valiant attempt at creating a database of all our prized possessions. As of now, a DVD database exists and is complete; junior reader database exists and is basically complete, save for some stragglers; adult fiction database exists, and only needs finishing touches. My hope is that when our IT department gets things running and finds some time, we can figure out a way to make these databases also accessible to all WAC members. As for our plans for the future, we'll try to keep up the good work, maintaining the library as a welcoming place for everyone, with a constantly increasing and improving supply of entertainment. The autumn is finally here, and the winter is not too far , it seems to be the perfect time to catch up on reading. We have a marvelous eclectic selection of fiction from classics to contemporary hits. Alternatively, when the weather is too lousy to go out, how about bringing cinema to your own home – rent a DVD or two from the library, cuddle up on the sofa with the whole family, and let the fun begin. And be sure not to miss our pre-holiday special offers! Despite your personal religious inclinations, or lack thereof, Christmas is a time of goodwill. While fighting your way through the throngs of holiday shoppers, smile! And show your gratitude to all the people who have done something nice for you during the year. I would like to cordially thank my husband, who didn't complain once, when I disappeared into the world of books for hours on end; my little daughter, who is almost as permanent a fixture in the library as I am, who has incredible resources of patience in her, and who is better at systematizing than anyone (at least according to her own system); and finally – A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL MY VOLUNTEERS, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE, without you, the library just wouldn't be possible, AND TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS – YOU make it all worthwhile. Happy holiday season to everyone!
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WAC on Track
WOMEN’S ACTIVITY CLUB MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM 2010/11 Welcome to the WAC.. You have indicated a desire to be a member of this cooperative club which provides families with social and educational outlets. Please fill out the entire form .
1.
Personal Information
Your Last Name __________________________
Partner’s Last Name __________________________
Your First Name __________________________
Partner’s First Name __________________________
Your Nationality __________________________
Partner’s Nationality __________________________
Current/Previous Occupation ________________
Partner’s Occupation __________________________
Children: Their Last Name: _________________ First Name: __________________ Birth date_________ First Name: _______________ Birth date__________ First Name: __________________ Birth date_________ First Name: _______________ Birth date__________
Street Address ___________________________________________________________________________ Postal Code _________ Town _________________Phone# __________________ Fax# ________________ Cell phone __________________________ Email ______________________________________________ How did you hear about the WAC? ____________________________________________
2.
Membership Fees* (non-refundable): please tick the appropriate box:
WAC Full Membership WHOLE year (1st January— 31st December)
SFr. 160.-
WAC Full Membership HALF year (Jan—June, OR July—Dec) 90.WAC Associate Membership full year (Library use only)
SFr. SFr.
90.-
*Note:
The Membership fees are neither prorated nor refundable. A payment slip (Einzahlungsschein) will be sent to you. Please use this, as it allows our data system to accurately identify your payment. Membership is automatically renewed unless a written cancellation is received. cancellation is received by
Cancellation or queries must be received by 10th December, via email to our Club Office Manager com@wac.ch. If no this date, your membership will be automatically renewed for the following year. Cancellation from the school is not an automatic cancellation from the Club. Contact com@wac.ch or write to: Women’s Activity Club Winterthurerstr. 18 8610 Uster
Tel.# 043 305 9250
Membership at the WAC allows for:
participation in our club activities ranging from a Preschool, Reading and Writing after school programs to kids social as well as educational programs. Depending on member requests and staffing, there are also adult education, social events and community activities*.
Newsletter 10 X year
Rental of designated club rooms
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RECIPE
GrittiB채nz When the weather turns cold, and dark, this is one of our favourite vieri so simple to do " Gritti Binz". The recipe makes for 10 little man. 500 g plain white flour 2 Tsp dried yeast 2 Tsp Castor sugar 250 Ml Milk, lukewarm 20 g butter , softened at room temperature 1 1/3 Tsp Salt 1 Egg beaten 1 Egg yolk + 1 Tsp Water chocolate square for face/ body decoration
Sprinkle sugar , yeast and milk in a bowl. Leave for 5 min stir to dissolve. Sieve flour in a big bowl, make a well in the centre and pour yeasted milk. With a wooden spoon, mix to obtain a soft paste. Cover with a towel 20 min, time for rising Now, add the beaten egg, salt and creamy butter. Mix in the flour to form a soft dough. Turn the dough on well floured surface and knead till smooth and elastic ca 10 min. Put dough in buttered bowl, cover and leave rising for about 90 min. knock back dough.. divide it in 10 piece . Roll each piece in a thick sausage. Shape head use index and thumb to pinch both side of sausage. Cut with scissor to create arms and legs. Use chocolate pieces to create a mouth, nose and eyes. Preheat oven to 180 c. Brush little men with egg wash and bake for 20-25 min. Und Guete.
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WAC on Track
Playgroup News
Carol Conzelmann
Our 3 playgroups, Minimunchkins on Tuesday afternoons, Coffee Tots on Thursday mornings, and 3 Little Monkeys on Friday mornings, continue to pull in quite some crowds every week. It‗s wonderful to meet new moms and also see the same faces turning up every week. Our little ones become quite firm friends as well and we had lots of fun a couple of weeks ago at Coffee Tots, when we had two birthdays to celebrate. Linus, whose mom Mirijam is from Germany, had his very first birthday and Aryana, Swapna‗s daughter and little sister to Arnav, turned 2. We all enjoyed some delicious home-cooked cakes and sang Happy Birthday. It‗s always such a joy to see the kids sitting around the table enjoying some of their first social experiences—and they‗re so happily entertained us moms have chance to drink a cup of coffee or tea in (relative) peace!
Ellie will be standing down early next year as her daughter Chloe is starting pre-school, but I hope we have found a replacement so that 3 Little Monkeys can continue. However, we are still on the lookout for moms to co -host all of the playgroups to ease some of the pressure on our leaders, as well as a host for Busy Bodies, our Tuesday morning group that‗s still sadly closed. We also need a Playgroup Co-ordinator. These are not difficult jobs—in fact it‗s lots of fun. Come along and see for yourself!
My heartfelt thanks go to Sandra and Ellie, the hard Merry Christmas and hope to see many of you in working and fun loving hosts of our playgroups. the New Year!
Day after day our feet carry us on our way. With little thought and seldom enough care. So…….Treat your feet and yourself to some regenerating TLC. A relaxing footbath, gentle grooming of nails and removal of all dry skin then a foot massage. Only 15mins from the WAC and it‘s not a problem if the kids come with. Lynda Emmett Lutz, Berghofstr. 55, CH - 8624 Grüt 044 / 932 4778, 079 / 387 6326
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Disclaimer: Members, their families and guests are reminded that participation in WAC activities is
Cancellation Policy:
WAC's goal is to provide as many cost
conscientious events and courses to our members as possible without incurring financial losses. Except where specifically stated, a No-Show Policy is in effect for all courses and events at the WAC. Please observe the deadline and cut-off dates before
entirely on their own discretion and/or risk. Neither the Women‟s Activity Club nor its representatives shall be held responsible for damage, injury or loss
canceling or withdrawing from such activities. Cancellations after the deadline will be charged in full.
incurred by the use of Club property or participation in club events.
Playgroups MINI – MUNCHKINS Tuesdays 2.30 - 4.30PM Come and join us for a fun afternoon with crafts, play time, snacks and singing. Moms/dads, and your mini-munchkins 0-4, are very welcome. Place:
WAC lounge
Cost:
CHF 5 per family
Contact:
Sandra Wacker, info at
Thursdays
wacker@shinternet.ch
3 LITTLE MONKEYS
9:30 am – 11:30 am FRIDAYS 9.309.30-11.30AM
Coffee Tots now welcomes kids from 0-4 years old, plus moms/dads/carers of all ages! Enjoy coffee & cake (with healthy snacks for the kids) and free play, simple activities and some singing. New members are especially welcome! Contact: carolconzelmann@hotmail.com, 079 420 1744
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Need to little monkeys
keep your entertained?
Fancy coffee, cake and a chat with some old & new friends? Come and join us for snacks, easy crafts, singing and lots of fun. CHF5 per family/CHF 10 non members Contact Elie Shepard: 043 534 9607
WAC on Track
THIS IS WHAT WE ARE ABOUT : A PLACE TO LEARN AND TO HAVE FUN
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Cancellation Policy:
WAC's goal is to provide as many cost
conscientious events and courses to our members as possible without incurring financial losses. Except where specifically stated, a No-Show Policy is in effect for all courses and events at the WAC. Please observe the deadline and cut-off dates before canceling or withdrawing from such activities. Cancellations after the deadline will be charged in full.
Disclaimer: Members, their families and guests are reminded that participation in WAC activities is entirely on their own discretion and/or risk. Neither the Womenâ€&#x;s Activity Club nor its representatives shall be held responsible for damage, injury or loss incurred by the use of Club property or participation in club events.
Welcome Breakfast for New Members If you have recently joined the WAC, and want to know more about our programs, I invite you for breakfast on Monday January 17th 2011 from 9 to 11 am. Please come and share a moment with me, and meet some of the members. Confirm to me (Yvette MUGGLI ) at : membership@wac.ch or call me . 043 497 06 78
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON COFFEE & CAKE ! A home-made cake, made by the baking talents of the WAC will be placed in the WAC kitchen on a weekly basis. Everyone can enjoy the nice taste of home-made baking for a very reasonable price while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea any time you are at the WAC and feel like it. Come and try it yourself. If you want, you can even take some home so your family can enjoy a taste too. Fresh cakes will be placed in the WAC Kitchen every Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 - 4:00pm. BAKING TALENTS NEEDED If you like baking and know some good recipes, please contact Helen Mylius 044 915 4962. The cost of baking will be reimbursed. Thank you in advance!
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WAC on Track
Courses @ the WAC
Salsa
German
Belly Dancing
Beginners / Intermediate
Swimming
Ladies
Ballet/Tap
Kids 3 – ca. 10 yrs old
Kids
Beginner / Intermediate Swimmers
Please contact Andrea if you are interested in the following new activities:
For Current Schedule check the WOT Calendar!
Salsa: Friday 7-8pm. Hip-Hop: Girls and Boys (5yrs+). Monday 4.15-5.15pm. German: Beginner and intermediate classes Wednesday Evening. English Conversation Class: Thursday 9-10.30am.
Disclaimer: Members, their families and guests are reminded that participation in WAC activities is entirely on their own discretion and/or risk. Neither the WAC nor its representatives shall be held responsible for damage, injury or loss incurred by the use of Club property or participation in club events.
For Info on Swimming contact wacswimming@yahoo.com For other Info contact Andrea at business@wac.ch or 043 537 87 22
Cancellation Policy: WAC’s goal is to provide as many cost conscientious events and courses to our members as possible without incurring financial losses. Except where specifically stated, a No-Show Policy is in effect for all courses and events at the WAC. Please read the terms and conditions of your contract and only sign if you agree to them.
Page 23
English children„s books at very Mothering Matters is a non-profit, bi-monthly journal for Englishspeaking parents living in Switzerland with articles and information on child-rearing topics, suggestions and practical tips for child-related activities. A year‟s subscription costs SFr. 33. For more information, or to subscribe, go to
www.mmjournal.com
affordable prices. See the brochures in the clubroom. Orders are processed on the 10th of every month. All orders help us get free books and learning material for our School. All enquires to Helen Mylius 044 915 4962 myliushinardi@hotmail.com
ROOM RENTALS THE WAC DAY EXCURSION BOOK
For
information on renting the WAC„s facilities, please contact:
COM 043 305 9250 com@wac.ch
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For all those excursions around Zurich and beyond, don„t forget the revised WAC Excursion Book, listing great days out in and around the Zurich ar ea.
Available from the office or library for just 15 SFr.
WAC on Track
Business Update
Angela Watson
This is my favourite time of year, slushy wet shoes traipsing in from outside, endless viruses bestowing their generosity on our family, mad rush for that last jar of goose fat to make the perfect crispy roast potatoes (according to all the best TV chefs) before the shops shut for all of 48 hours, all in the season of goodwill to all – although there‘s no goodwill here in the price of a turkey! However, we are thankful for all we have in life and in the spirit of Christmas we encourage our children to understand the importance of just giving rather than receiving. You try to remind them of this when they discover that Santa has brought them that amazing toy they‘ve always wanted and you have only 4 of the 6 batteries required to make it work! In my role at the WAC I am utterly grateful to the several members who ensure that business runs as smoothly as possible, namely Andrea, my partner in ―grime‖, who not only has very efficiently been handling all the administration of the courses, but who has co-ordinated and executed a very successful IT project for the club as well – truly a remarkable lady in all she puts her hand to. We also are grateful for all the efforts the playgroup leaders, headed up by Carol, have done for our youngest club members, ensuring that a warm welcome, plenty of fun and friendship greet them on a weekly basis. Every course and class has a wonderful parent representative helping us communicate with members we may never see regularly and we are thankful for your input. Huge thanks to Anouk who has started the Kids Cooking club this year and to all the wonderful parents who have volunteered to be Head chefs each month – the next session is Saturday 11th December when Carol and Swapna will be aiding your mini-chefs with Christmas goodies. As this is a double issue a date for your new calendar is 22nd January, when Miriam will be heading up the class – please ensure you sign up as soon as possible so that we don‘t have any disappointed kids...or parents wanting that afternoon off for either Christmas or sale shopping! The 22nd January will be a really busy Saturday at the WAC as Dr. Giovanna Ales will be taking members, including the teachers, through their First Aid paces. We are delighted to be able to offer this course on a weekend date, ensuring that as many can attend, but we only have 20 spaces, so please ensure you sign up as soon as you can if you want this invaluable opportunity to have a first aid course in English for the bargain price of 30chf – I‘ve seen a similar course advertised for way over triple that amount so take advantage of this great opportunity to know more than stick a band-aid on and kiss it better.
Page 25
For those of you who would like to continue with your courses in the second semester of the year then please enrol as quickly as possible so that we can see if we can run it. If you have already filled out an enrolment form then you can even just tick and sign the 2 nd semester box on the original contracts, which are kept in the office. If you are not able to access the office to do so, then please fill out a new enrolment form and pop it into the post box outside the office door so that Andrea can process it. If you won‘t be continuing your membership next year, we are sorry to lose you, but you are welcome to attend your first semester courses up to their end dates in January/February. So onto 2011 and new year promises and fresh starts – Andrea and I will be ending our business co-chair roles in March and being such forward planners would like to start the new year by inviting you to take over from us next April. Yes its months away, but I can‘t believe as a family it‘s our 7th year at the WAC either! I know time will fly when we have so much fun doing this and we shouldn‘t be hogging all the good stuff to ourselves. So when you are making your New Year‘s resolutions, consider taking over the business chairperson role and drop us an email or talk to us. We can ensure you have the best handover ever with 3 months to go and we‘ll be there to support you in every way. We wish all our members families a wonderful Holiday season and a healthy happy start to 2011. Angela and Andrea
Farewell to Evi Pfister-Hollinger Many of you will know Evi, her husband Thomas and their lovely daughters Sophie and Mia. Evi painted a lot of faces at this year's WAC BBQ and was a long-time Library volunteer, and the girls have been regulars at the LTCS. Evi and her family are globetrotters before coming back 'home' to Switzerland, they were in Shanghai, Miami and Paris. Now they are off for a new adventure in Tokyo. We will miss you - and wish you all the very best in Japan and wherever your travels
Carol, Stefan, Matti and Lia, and all your many other friends at the WAC
take you afterwards!
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WAC on Track
Giving You a Head Start with Getting Settled in Zurich www.readysteadyrelocate.com Corporate and Public Seminars, Private Consultations
CHRISTMASTIME in and around Zurich
Here are some highlights Christmas market in Zurich main station with amazing Swarowski Christmas tree and hot wine stands from November 25th to December 24th The Singing Christmas Tree at Werdmühleplatz from November 27 th to December 23rd A friend of mine recommends visiting the Christmas market in Bremgarten in Aargau from December 2nd to 5th Other Christmas markets are held in Einsiedeln from November 26 th to December 5th, in Rapperswil from December 10th to 12th and in Winterthur from December 1st to 23rd ―Fairytale Sunday‖ in Zug is on December 5 th where the whole town is bathed in preChristmas fairytale magic. It can get crowded so best use public transport to get there and back The new Christmas lights get switched on in Zurich Bahnhofstrasse on November 25 th at 6 p.m. and the shops will stay open until 10 p.m. that evening Sunday shopping in Zurich City is planned for November 28 th, December 5th and December 19th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. And one of my favourite places is the Live on Ice at Landesmuseum, just behind Zurich main station. You can ice skate in the inner courtyard or go for a drink or meal in the facilities surrounding the ice rink. There is a real Christmas atmosphere there. To get more information on what‘s on during the Christmas period, please visit www.zuerich.com NEXT EVENT: SWISS STATE SCHOOL SYSTEM - INFORMATION EVENING in English on Thursday January 20th 2011. For more information and to register, please visit my website: www.readysteadyrelocate.com Page 27
Up & coming WAC events:
Page 28
Sat 27 Nov:
Kids Christmas Crafts
Sun 12 Dec:
WAC Christmas party
Sat 29 Jan:
Kids Movie Night
Sat 26 Mar:
Kids Movie Night
Tues 29 Mar:
WAC AGM
Sat 25 Jun:
WAC BBQ
WAC on Track
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
2
3
4
GERMAN
PLAYGROUP
PLAYGROUP
TAP
6.45-8 pm or 8.15-
9.30-11.30 am
9.30-11.30 am
9.30-10am
ENGLISH
BALLET
BALLET
9.00-10.30 am
3.45-4.45pm
10-11am
9.30pm
SALSA 7-8pm 5
6
7
8
9
10
11
SWIMMING
PLAYGROUP
GERMAN
PLAYGROUP
PLAYGROUP
TAP
3-9 years old
2.30-4.30PM
6.45-8 pm or 8.15-
9.30-11.30 am
9.30-11.30 am
9.30-10am
ENGLISH
BALLET
BALLET
9.00-10.30 am
3.45-4.45pm
10-11am
9.30pm
Hip Hop
BOOKCLUB
4.15-5.15 pm
@8pm
BELLY DANCING
SALSA
6.30-7.30 pm 12
7-8pm
13
14
15
16
17
18
SWIMMING
PLAYGROUP
GERMAN
PLAYGROUP
PLAYGROUP
TAP
3-9 years old
2.30-4.30PM
6.45-8 pm or 8.15-
9.3011.30 am
9.30-11.30 am
9.30-10am
ENGLISH
BALLET
BALLET
9.00-10.30 am
3.45-4.45pm
10-11am
9.30pm
Hip Hop 4.15-5.15 pm
19
BELLY DANCING
SALSA
6.30-7.30 pm
7-8pm
20
21
22
23
24
25
The Wac is closed 26
27
28
29
30
31
For the Holiday Season Page 29
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
SWIMMING
PLAYGROUP
GERMAN
PLAYGROUP
PLAYGROUP
TAP
3-9 years old
2.30-4.30PM
6.45-8 pm or 8.15
9.3011.30 am
9.30-11.30 am
9.30-10am
ENGLISH
BALLET
BALLET
9.00-10.30 am
3.45-4.45pm
10-11am
Holiday Season
-9.30pm
Hip Hop 4.15-5.15 pm
SALSA 7-8pm 16
17
18
19
20
21
22
SWIMMING
PLAYGROUP
GERMAN
PLAYGROUP
PLAYGROUP
TAP
3-9 years old
2.30-4.30PM
6.45-8 pm or 8.15
9.3011.30 am
9.30-11.30 am
9.30-10am
ENGLISH
BALLET
BALLET
9.00-10.30 am
3.45-4.45pm
10-11am
-9.30pm
Hip Hop 4.15-5.15 pm
23
BELLY DANCING
SALSA
6.30-7.30 pm
7-8pm
24
25
26
27
28
29
SWIMMING
PLAYGROUP
GERMAN
PLAYGROUP
PLAYGROUP
TAP
3-9 years old
2.30-4.30PM
6.45-8 pm or 8.15
9.3011.30 am
9.30-11.30 am
9.30-10am
ENGLISH
BALLET
BALLET
9.00-10.30 am
3.45-4.45pm
10-11am
Hip Hop 4.15-5.15 pm
30
-9.30pm
BELLY DANCING
SALSA
6.30-7.30 pm
7-8pm
31 SWIMMING 3-9 years old Hip Hop 4.15-5.15 pm BELLY DANCING 6.30-7.30 pm
Page 30
WAC on Track