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POSTED: Monday, Oct. 05, 2009

Sudden Valley club provides activities, friendship for women

It's no surprise that Carolyn Leeper wound up being president of Sudden Valley Women's Club.

Since moving to Sudden Valley six years ago from California, the retiree has learned to love the place.

"One of the things that makes Sudden Valley so interesting is the geographical diversity," she said. "Michigan, California, Florida, Kansas - you name it, we have it. ... A great many people are relatively new to the area."

About the club: The club is an umbrella organization for several interest groups, said Leeper, who founded Out to Lunch, a group of women who have tried more than 20 restaurants for monthly meals, and the Mystery Book Club. Leeper, who writes for the monthly Sudden Valley Views newspaper, say the names of two other lunch groups reflect the members' sense of humor.

"Sue Murphy leads The Lunch Bunch, which meets monthly to explore new recipes and the tastes of other cultures," Leeper said. "So many women wanted to join that they formed another group called, of course, Second Helping." It's run by Vel Hayden."

Other groups include a Bible study, the Off the Shelf Book Club, two bridge groups, the Valley Arts Group, and Needlework and Nonsense, a handiwork group.

Major events: An annual trip to the Alderwood Mall Nordstrom in Everett, this year scheduled Nov. 5, is always a highlight, along with the Holiday Gala and Gift Exchange, scheduled Dec. 9.

"Nordstrom makes space for our bags, coats and even our tired feet," Leeper said, "plus free cookies and coffee."

The club is also holding a special Italian luncheon Oct. 14 at Tino's Pizza & Pasta Co., in Sudden Valley.

"This would be a great chance for interested women to visit and get to know us," Leeper said. "All we need is an RSVP to me."

Why she joined: When she moved to Sudden Valley, Leeper wanted to become acquainted with her neighbors and the community, so she joined the club.

'It seemed like a great way to make new friends," she said.

Member stories: "Evette Parham began a business last year called Colorful Flowers and people love it," Leeper said. "Evette is the club's hospitality chair. She makes gorgeous table centerpieces for raffle prizes."

Sara St. James established a business known as Kitty Kare. She'll care for cats in Sudden Valley, Geneva and other eastside areas. "She really knows how to give cats the love they need," Leeper said.

"Karen McGuinness just moved her a year or so ago, but she's a retiree who never stops learning," Leeper said. "She's thrown herself into a lot of adult-education courses at Western. She loves the history classes."

Michelle Nolan is a freelance writer.

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CLUB GLANCE

Name: Sudden Valley Women's Club.

Purpose: Promote friendship and social activities among Sudden Valley women, and acquaint newcomers with local services.

Meets: 11 a.m. on second Wednesdays, September through May, at the Sudden Valley Bob's Burgers & Brew.

Year started: 1991.

Number of members: About 100. Dues: $20 a year.

Contacts: 714-8901 or cdleeper@hotmail.com. Online: suddenvalleywomensclub.org.

Leadership: Carolyn Leeper, president; Sue Parsons, secretary/membership; Clairene Almond and Karen McGuinness, co-treasurers; Evette Parham, hospitality; Pommie Soroka, historian; Yvonne Bryant, daytrips and excursions.

More: If you know of a club to be profiled, contact Dean Kahn at 715-2291 or dean.kahn@bellinghamherald.com.