Luncheon Speakers to Inform Us
Looking forward, we will hear from authors and literary critics the first week of each month. As in the past we will have distinguished (sometimes Pulitzer nominated!) authors. Local authors add sparkle, and authors just beginning their careers give us a close-up look.
Visual art takes many forms that can include traditional fine art as well as the beautiful bead art of Native American peoples. The second week of the month usually has artists and art historians to guide us in furthering our understanding and appreciation of a breadth of artistic expression.
Our inclusive programing makes room for the Performing Arts during the third week. In the past we have watched scenes from Shakespeare and a ground-breaking scene from a play designed to be enjoyed by all audiences – including an audience that relies on sign language. Fascinating.
The world around us takes center stage during the fourth week. Whether it takes the form of a travel log or a history of the Northwest Passage we will open our eyes to new knowledge.
Regular Meetings to Attend
The joy of seeing old and new friends each Thursday brings us out of our regular jobs and daily to-do lists. Not to mention a beautiful lunch prepared just for us. These meetings are a luxury and happy form of self-care.
Wine Dinners to Enjoy
Part fundraiser, part wine tasting lessons, and entirely entertaining, our wine dinners attract a wide audience – often friends who miss out on the luncheons. Austin Wine Merchant, our Chateau neighbor, selects a sampling of wines and pro-vides a speaker to discuss the attributes of each.
A Beautiful Building to Enjoy
The Chateau looks incredible after its “year at the spa.” Few events last year gave the building a rest. Instead we focused on polishing, preserving, and enhancing our great building. Perhaps a tour is in order to renew our amazement at being part of something so important. A new Victorian dollhouse donation is reason enough to tour again.
Weddings and Special Events to Host
Our Club year has begun to look more normal with wedding and reception deposits increasing. Funding from events underwrites the Chateau upkeep, so getting back close to normal is exciting. Events keep us on our toes, from the kitchen to the grounds to the furniture polish.
Finances are Recovering
We can plan our new Club Year with enthusiasm because in June the fund balances will be much the same as before the pandemic shutdown.
Fundraisers to Bring Us Together
From live auctions to lavish style shows, ladies in the Austin Woman’s Club know how to raise money while keeping members and guests entertained. At our 2020 Spring Fundraiser, our very own auctioneer kept the bidding going with bids on dinners, gift baskets, and vacation packages.
Even though we were unable to attend our lunch meetings, members continued donating to keep our club afloat. To add a creative touch, we had a virtual style show with clothing provided by The Gift Solutions. Shoppers were able to preview members wearing stylish outfits and get glimpses of our beautiful chateau. Our next style show is March 31st. Make sure to sign up for a delicious box lunch and shop safely at the Chateau from 11am – 4pm.
Snowmaggeden
Advantages to maintaining a 200-year-old building include two foot thick walls! Dedicated staff, Gene Heard and Harry West prepared the building for the unprecedented freeze. An irrigation pipe near the Carriage House split, but that was the only freeze damage. Hats off to Gene and Harry and the builders from long ago. (This picture is from around 1920-1930).
Telephone Tree to Keep in Touch
Missing personal connections with one another, we created a telephone tree. Though we missed some members , many of us enjoyed a leisurely talk and visit. Perhaps we might plan more phone visits.
Lots of Preservation Took Place
Our wonderful building is anxiously awaiting our return! She will welcome us with wide, open arms as she is excited to show off this last year’s accomplishments: the last of the 48 windows being restored were installed – what an amazing difference as they really show off the beauty of our lovely home; the one door from upstairs restored by Red River was installed; beautiful carpet on the grand staircase was also installed - the colors go so well with our home!
At the top of the stairs and sitting next to our current doll house is the new magnificent doll house. It has been the pleasure of Catherine Jennings, Gene and Harry to create an beautiful and exciting Victorian House. While there have been minor hiccups this past year, the diligence of Gene, Harry and our wonderful staff has pulled us through the year amazingly well. Our Chateau has been lonely but knows very soon you all will come back, and she can hardly wait to see you!.
World Class Speakers
This year we had Pulitzer-nominated author H.W. Brands as well as Stephen Harrigan, author of Big Wonderful Thing speak to us. A fascinating presentation on luxe wallpapers took us to estates in France and England as well as Manhattan apartments. Anyone who questioned why attend a talk on wallpaper missed an insider’s look.
Prudent Reserve
We are stable financially. A great deal of credit goes to past board members. Going into the pandemic, we had an Prudent Reserve of $192,814. The Reserve allowed us to operate while we sought emergency funding. Our success with emergency relief has allowed us to replenish the Reserve completely. This is a remarkable tribute to the wisdom and generosity of past and current members.
Paycheck Protection Plan
Thanks to two Paycheck Protection Program Loans, an insurance payout for loss of business and most importantly, very generous support from members, the Austin Woman’s Club and Chateau Bellevue survived the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic. The staff created “Food to Go” and “Frozen Pantry” to keep the kitchen active, took on extra tasks, followed city protocols for safety, maintained contacts with wedding clients, and accepted reduced hours.
Because the Club had reserve funds we were able to manage cash flow challenges, despite the loss of business income, while these extra funds came in. We kept costs as low as possible, stayed open for allowable business, and maintained wedding bookings. We are now in a position of planning for the return of business with our Prudent Reserve intact. The coming year presents new challenges as we work to bring back our Dining Room activities for the Club, our regular clients, and the general public.
The outlook is promising. Thanks to all!
Maintaining Our Core Staff
Familiar faces are taking care of the Chateau and our programs. Yes, we cut hours and reduced salaries, but we kept our people employed and insured. Jeff Christianson oversees the full staff and works with board members and outside professionals to keep the paperwork flowing for our PPP and grants. Amber Pipa does outreach to potential brides and groups, and has had success retaining clients. There has been an uptick in inquiries for fall and winter 2021. Rachael Smith has kept communications going, records maintained, and phones answered. Charlie Walters keeps the frozen food pantry stocked and of course works with the events that have continued. Gene Heard and Harry West keep us running! Consistent staffing strengthens us for an improving environment.
Digitizing Archival Documents
The AWC Archives is about to take a tremendous step forward in preserving the wonderful history of Chateau Bellevue. The archives, for the first time, is going digital with a new computer complete with back-up drives, all presented to the club by Keith Essency (husband of our late member Barbara Essency). Keith is now researching the application to be used for the digital archives. We hope to have everything up and running by April.
Join Us
Membership at AWC is fun and easy! Ask a friend to join, or, if you’re not a member, ask to attend a meeting. Members enjoy fellowship, education, and preservation projects at AWC. Questions about membership? Call the office and they will send you contact information for Ann Wilhelm.
