Grand Terrace Woman's Club Welcomes Special Guests

GRAND TERRACE>> The Grand Terrace Woman’s Club held their monthly meeting Wednesday, Feb. 15 and featured keynote speakers Margie Miller, publisher and editor of City News Group, Inc., and Mike Kovack, executive director of the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House. After a lunch and dessert, Penny Radtke, president of the Grand Terrace Woman’s Club, introduced Miller who Radtke said is a true friend and advocate in the community. Before Miller began her presentation about the newspaper company, she gave special recognition to many of the women in the room, including: Betty Daniels, who Miller worked with for many years on the Grand Terrace Woman’s Club Directory; Jane Doll, who she said has a big heart; Kim Hathaway who was one of the first friends she made at the woman’s club and Vicky Doyle, who she served with on numerous committees, including founding members of the Grand Terrace Foundation along with Mayor Darcy McNaboe. Miller also said she considers Radtke a very dear friend and said she would do anything for her, as many of the women’s club members would. “She serves our community so well and works so hard,” Miller said of Radtke. “She puts all of her energy into it.” Miller continued to recognize some of the other women in the club including: Francis Carter, who Miller said she has known for a long time and has never met a classier woman than Carter; Pat Nicks, a former president and parliamentarian, who Miller said she has learned a lot from; Leilani Benson, Miller’s pinochle partner, who she referred to as her lucky rabbits foot who always helps them win; Nancy Austin, a person with a big heart and who is always there for everyone; Peggy Reagan, who Miller said has always been there in times of trouble; and Sandy Anderege, who has been a true friend. Miller also gave special recognition to Susie Wilhide, a woman who knew Miller when she was 19 years old, selling title insurance. During the meeting, Miller thanked her for her friendship and gave her a New Testament Bible. "She always let me know that God had me in His hands,” Miller said of Wilhide, owner of Chic Boutique at Honey Hills in Grand Terrace. “I love her dearly.” As the presentation continued, Miller spoke about the newspaper company that publishes six weekly city newspapers, including the Grand Terrace City News. “One of the things God blessed me with was this group of newspapers and we want to serve Him and these communities,” Miller said. “We do our best, and hire the best and amazing people. We highlight the good things that the community does.” Miller has published the Grand Terrace City News since 2006, and she presented a book filled with archives that included previous articles that featured the woman's club. “The Grand Terrace Woman’s Club has always done so much for Grand Terrace and its residents,” Miller said. “I am proud to have been a member since 1997 when I moved to Grand Terrace.” The purpose of the woman’s club is to promote education, industrial, philanthropic, literacy, artistic and scientific culture. The Grand Terrace Woman’s Club has done many things to help those less fortunate, especially children. Through their fundraising efforts and big hearts, the women seek to help those in need. During her speech, Miller also encouraged the Grand Terrace Woman’s Club to share their stories and news with the local newspaper to help shout out their accomplishments. “Don’t hide your candle under a bush,” she said. As she continued, Miller explained one of the honors she values is serving as a board member for the Ronald McDonald House. “This organization and facility really touches people at a time that they need it the most,” Miller said. “You're at the most devastating time of your life and where do you go? Who do you turn to?” Miller then introduced Mike Kovack who spoke about the newly expanded Ronald McDonald House and the mission it serves for families across the Inland Empire. First, Kovack said it is nice to have City News Group, a newspaper that can shout out the positive and good news in the community. “I really want to thank Margie for putting the word about the Ronald McDonald House forward and into the community,” Kovack said. The last time Kovack was at the meeting to speak, he had talked about the need to grow and expansion of the Ronald McDonald House. Since that time, the house expanded and has gone from 21 guest rooms to 54 rooms in a 45,000 square foot space. When asked how the women could help, he encouraged them to give donations that may be needed, including toiletries, canned food and other items. He also encouraged them to tour the Ronald McDonald House. “Until you actually walk through the halls and see the families, you can't understand the miracle of the Ronald McDonald House” Kovack said. Vicky Doyle also took a moment to tell her story of the Labrador dog she had as a registered therapy dog. Doyle and her dog would go to the Ronald McDonald House to help bring comfort to the families. The Grand Terrace Woman's Club meets the third Wednesday of the month from September through May. Meetings begin at 11 a.m., where lunch is served, followed by an educational or entertaining program. “We are women of all ages, interests and experience and a member of the largest and oldest non-profit, non-denominational, non-partisan, international service organizations of women in the world,” the Grand Terrace Women’s Club website states. Meetings are held at Azure Hills SDA Church, located at 22633 Barton Road in Grand Terrace, CA 92313.