Welcome to Hamilton House, a community center for active adults 55+ located in Providence, Rhode Island. Our organization provides various and enriching social, recreational, educational and travel activities to over 400 people who live throughout Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, as well as being a resource center for information that addresses senior needs and issues. Hamilton House provides a gracious and elegant setting where new friendships are formed and old friendships flourish.
Director's Column
Happy New Year - 2012! In this new year we will be celebrating our 40th Anniversary. We are planning many festivities throughout the year. I hope you will join us for these events that reflect the dedication of our volunteers, the many friendships formed here, and the endless enriching classes that have been held at Hamilton House.
I am presently looking for new areas of interest for classes and would appreciate your input. I would like to offer more lecture series. Please give me a call or stop in the office to share your ideas. The educational programs at Hamilton House are based on the interests of our members. Toba Weintraub is back for another stimulating art appreciation series, and the Round Table participants continue to debate current issues of concern.
On Wednesday, January 18th at 2 pm, we will be hosting an informal social hour to meet with members who have recently joined and for fellow members to come and bring a guest. I hope you will put this on your calendar.
Lastly, the New Year brings us to the renewal of membership dues for 2012. Please look for your renewal letter and application in the mail. I hope you will renew so that you can continue to enjoy all the classes and programs at Hamilton House.
Please remember to let others know about us!
Warmest wishes for a peaceful and healthy New Year!
Jessica Haley, Executive Director
Message from our President
Greetings Everyone,
I am very excited about the start of a New Year in our community! I hope to get to know more of you as the year progresses and we cross paths at some of the many events our "house" has to offer. If you don't recognize me as President of the Board, just ask for "Gloria Gianola's daughter"...I answer to that "title" as well. As I told those present at our Annual Meeting, the membership of Hamilton House is an impressive group - a brain trust that I want to draw on with two major goals in mind for this year. The first goal is fiscal. We must be willing to explore every opportunity to set our financial house on a solid footing. This means renewing our commitment to our extraordinary "home". It may mean the challenge of moving out of one's comfort zone, assuming a more active role in the life of our community. The second goal is to raise awareness in the public sector regarding Hamilton House, spreading the word about what a vital and necessary part of the landscape is represented in our population.
I believe that once a problem or challenge is identified, then the very next step is to seek solutions. To that end I would ask you to look carefully through the Courier. In January there is an opportunity to bring in guests and potential new members. A newly formed Development Committee is looking "outside of the box" for fund raising, new programs, and new ways to bring the amazing experience of Hamilton House to the public. What I hope is that when you see a notice for a "Community Meeting" you will take advantage, sit in and join in the discussion. THIS IS NOT A COMMITTE...so those of you who would enjoy the idea of chatting with fellow members about what's happening need not feel that there is any further obligation. This is meant to be a cordial, informative gathering and perhaps a chance for you to bring any questions or ideas that you might have to the gathering. Oh yes! If you need further incentive to come and join us in community, there's the promise of baked goods to promote a welcoming atmosphere for this occasion!
Best Wishes,
Joan Mekrut, President
Get-Together
The Membership Committee and Staff Invite you to an informal Get-Together on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, at 2pm to welcome our new members and offer an opportunity for members to bring a guest who may be interested in joining Hamilton House. All are invited to come.
Light refreshments will be served.
(Snow date: January 25, 2012, - 2pm)
THANK YOU
Members, Eastside Marketplace,and Whole Foods Marketon Waterman Street for your generous support of our Holiday Open House.
Giving a Helping Hand!
We could not accomplish the work we need as a thriving community center without the help of so many volunteers. If you have some time or interest in serving on a committee or would like to volunteer on a particular job or event, please see Jessica or Anna. Stop by the office and we will gladly talk to you about volunteering at Hamilton House.
Every other month, the Development Committee and several Board members will be holding a Community meeting opened to the entire membership. This is a chance to bring your ideas, suggestions, but most of all to help in some way to promote and keep Hamilton House successful. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, January 26th at 10am. Great refreshments are served!
We need help with the following:
Evening Program - We need volunteers to help at our evening program for adults. The Evening Programs will be held on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6:30-8:30pm. The first Evening Programs will take place on Thur. March 8th and Thur. March 22nd. We need approximately 8 volunteers. If you are interested in helping please attend an informational meeting on Thursday, January 19th at 10:00am.
Special EventsThis committee plans two fundraising events a year and also plans small fundraising projects. The next meeting is Tuesday, January 17th at 1:00PM.
Membership - This committee promotes ways to increase new membership by developing ways to market for new members. This committee acts as an ambassador of Hamilton House.
Travel - We want to revive our travel program. We need creative ideas for planning day, overnight and international trips. We will also need input for planning successful financial trips.
Woodworking Shop - Reliable and trained persons to work with machinery. Our woodworking shop needs volunteers to man the shop and fix small repairs brought from our members.
Newsletter Folding - We need a "captain " for the folding that occurs once a month. We need that person to work with volunteers and organize the folding. We need at least 8 people to fold. We cannot do this job with just the helping hands from our staff. Our next folding will be on Tuesday, February 21st from 9:30 - 11:00AM.
Front Desk Receptionist for Wednesdays from 9:30am—12:30pm Greet people, answer the telephone, sign members up for classes and sell lunch tickets
Present Committees: Board of Directors, Finance, Personnel, Special Events, Development, Membership and Travel
Garden Walkway
In 2002, Hamilton House created and installed a brick Garden Walkway in front of our house. This gave members and supporters a chance to be remembered or to engrave a message. It also benefited us financially. This is an opportunity to remember a friend, loved one, or fellow member. Often a class will dedicate a brick to a teacher. Many creative sayings have been engraved, such as ,"Save the day, or savor the day", "In nature's "ealm" or remembrances of family members, particularly for one member who lived to be a 105. Each engraved brick is $100. You may also purchase a greystone ( 12"by 24") for $1,000. Enclosed is a form for the Garden Walkway, You will see three lines for the brick, 15 characters per line. Please see Jessica if you are planning to have a bluestone engraved. We hope you can support Hamilton House in this thoughtful and lasting garden walkway. All donations are tax-deductible. Please send in the form included in this newsletter.
New!
Check the Schedule, News and Events, Fitness, Art Classes and Games pages for new activities and course offerings.
Note from our Dining Room
A New Year brings changes, and Hamilton House will now be offering a new luncheon service. Volunteers and Johnson and Wales students will be serving home-made soup and sandwiches daily. We will continue to sell desserts, yogurt and beverages. You will not need to pre-order. We still need a volunteer to serve lunch on Thursdays from 11:00AM to 12:30PM.
PLEASE NOTE
If we don't yet have your email address, please send it so we can provide you with important notices, timely announcements, and updates. Our email address is Hamiltonhouse276@hotmail.com.
Annual Giving Appeal
We have received donations from 130 out of 300 members. Our total of contributions is $23,535 towards our $40,000 goal. Please send in your donation or pledge as soon as possible. We rely on the generosity of our members to cover our annual operating expenses. If you give between March1st through April 30th, a percentage of our total will be matched by the Feinstein Challenge. Thanks for your support! All donations are tax-deductible.
We need your support!
ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTABLE
Matching Donation to Support our Educational Programs Fund
One of our members has given $100 to the Educational Programs Fund, and is encouraging other members to give to this fund as well. Your donation will assist with the costs of qualified instructors, presenters and materials.
-House Rental-
Hamilton House is a beautiful setting for a party (birthday, christening, anniversary or small wedding).
We also rent rooms during the day or evening for business meetings.
Call Jessica at 821-1800 for further information or to book a reservation.
Wish List
- Wrapped candy for the front desk
Member Suggestions
If anyone would like to form a group to work on The New York Times Crossword Puzzle on Mondays at 10:00AM please register at 831-1800
You Can Help!
Many times friends and family members don't know what gift to give you for your birthday, anniversary, holiday, etc. Why not suggest that they make a donation to Hamilton House in your honor? They simply make a donation and we will send a card to accompany the notification of their donation. Another option is to purchase a brick or stone that will be permanently engraved for our Garden Walkway located in the front of the House. Bricks and stones are available for a donation of $100 per brick (4" x 8"); $1000 per stone (12" x 24"). Each brick can be engraved with three(3) lines of thirteen(13) characters
and two(2) spaces per line – Please see Jessica or Anna for a form 80% of your donation is tax-deductible. For further information, just speak to Jessica or Anna. All donations are tax deductable. Visit the "Support Hamilton House"page.
Our newly designed Hamilton House donation cards are now available in the office or at the reception desk. It is a great way for someone to remember you during the holidays or for a special occasion. This is another way to help Hamilton House. All donations are tax deductible.
Give someone a gift membership for 2011 put one of our newly printed bumper stickers on your car; pass out Hamilton House business cards; distribute newsletters in your community, tell a friend how much you enjoy HH. Remember how you heard about Hamilton House and do the same for someone else. Your help is appreciated
Rhode Island Food Bank
Thank you for bringing in non-perishable items during the year. Please remember the Food Bank during the holiday times. Our collection box is located next to the office.
Committee Meetings
- Development Tue Jan 17th 11:00 AM
- Special Events Tue Jan 17th 1:00 PM
- Finance Thurs, Jan 19th 10:00AM
- Board Mon, Jan 30th 1:00PM
- News Letter Folding Tues. Feb. 21st 9:30 AM
Handicap accessibilty
Hamilton House is handicap accessible. The ramp is located in the parking area at the rear of the building.
Parking
Please note: As a courtesy, the staff is more than willing to move cars in the back lot, but please remember that the staff is not responsible for any damage to your vehicle while parked in the lot. Anyone given permission to park in the lot for an extended amount of time must sign a waiver. Please place car keys in the bucket at the front desk. Out back lot is primarily for members who are handicapped, unable to walk long distances, and for teachers.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Parking Decals can be purchased for $1.00 for members only. This permits you to park in designated areas on Angell Street between 9:30am and 3:30pm. Place decals on outside for vehicles with tinted windows.
Updates
Please see the Schedule, News and Events, Fitness and Art Classes pages to see new program offerings, classes and fun events.