PROGRAMS & EVENTS FOR 2025-2026
SEPTEMBER
GENERAL MEETING
❖ Thursday, September 25, 2025
Fellowship Hall of the Bedford Presbyterian Church
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Business Meeting
Yearbooks will be distributed and we will vote on the budget.
CHARITY: Fueled by Kids COORDINATOR: Carol Conti
Bedford based organization committed to ending childhood food insecurity in the Manchester School District, serving approximately 900 Students at 21 schools. Items Requested: Boxes of graham crackers; 24 oz. Peanut butter; Nature Valley granola bars; Oatmeal-especially flavored ones! Pudding cups. Please no glass containers. Monetary donations (checks made payable to “Fueled by Kids”)
OCTOBER
MEMBER MIX & MINGLE
October 15 and October 20
GENERAL MEETING
❖ Thursday, October 23, 2025
Fellowship Hall of the Bedford Presbyterian Church
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
PROGRAM: Chair Yoga, Sandi Powers
Chair yoga is a modified form of yoga where poses are performed while seated in a chair or using the chair for support. It is a gentle and accessible practice suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels, especially those with limited mobility, injuries, or those who spend long hours sitting. Chair yoga offers many of the same benefits as traditional yoga, including increased flexibility, strength, balance, and improved mental well-being.
A Certified Yoga Instructor Sandi Powers will discuss and demonstrate how to stay in shape and safe using chair yoga.
CHARITY: The Bedford Food Pantry COORDINATOR: Carol Conti
The Bedford Food Pantry helps provide nutrition to food insecure families in our community on a weekly basis. Items Requested are Holiday focused: Stuffing; Cranberry sauce; Green beans; Also baking items: Flour; Sugar; Baking soda; Cake mix; Brownie mix.
NOVEMBER
ROAD Rally - Ready, Set, Solve!
Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Buckle up the legendary road rally is back!
How it works:
We’ll start at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, where each team will receive clues and instructions. The rally is confined to the Bedford town limits — so you won’t need a passport, just your wits and a full tank. Solve each clue to make your way through the course, then head back to the Church for a chili and cornbread dinner. Adult beverages (BYOB) are welcome to toast the winners and soften the blow for those not in the top three.
GENERAL MEETING
❖ Thursday, November 20, 2025
Fellowship Hall of the Bedford Presbyterian Church
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
PROGRAM: Currier Art Museum, Women in Art
Speaker Dr. Jordana Pomeroy, Currier Museum Director and Author
Dr. Pomeroy is director and CEO of the Currier Museum and former chief curator at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. She received her B.A. from Bryn Mawr College and holds a Ph.D. in art history from Columbia University. Her book, a biography for YA readers on the 18th-century painter Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun was published in July 2025 by Getty Publications and is widely available.
For much of history, women artists were constrained by societal norms that restricted access to formal training, dictated which subjects were appropriate to depict, and limited their ability to promote and sell work. While gender inequality in the art world is less explicit today, women continue to encounter challenges and inequities. Dr. Pomeroy will offer a brief presentation to set the stage, followed by an open discussion with the members.
CHARITY: Liberty House Coordinator: Betsy Stull
Liberty House provides a substance-free transitional program to help Veterans get back on their feet, regain their independence and build stable futures.
Items Requested: Non-perishable food items (pasta & sauce, canned meats, beans, canned stew etc.) can openers. Men’s ankle socks; white tee shirts (M – XL). Monetary donations are also welcomed.
DECEMBER
BWC FESTIVAL OF TREES AND HOLIDAY MARKET
❖ Friday, December 5, 2025
Bedford Presbyterian Church
Set Up: 12:00PM - 4:00PM
Open to the public: 4:00PM - 7:00PM
BWC FESTIVAL OF TREES AND HOLIDAY MARKET
❖ Saturday, December 6, 2025
Bedford Presbyterian Church
Open to the public: 1:00PM - 5:00PM
Clean up & tree distribution: 5:00PM - 7:00PM
Co-Chairs: Becki Kuhns, Eilene Kane
Experience the magic of Bedford’s most anticipated annual tradition! The BWC Festival of Trees and Holiday Market is free to the public and has quickly become a must-do for locals and visitors alike. We offer dozens of beautifully decorated trees, available for raffle, each with its own unique and captivating theme. Attendees will enjoy a visit from Santa Claus, a free craft area for children, fantastic door prizes, and exciting raffles. Local artisans will provide an array of handcrafted items available for purchase at their tables. We welcome the participation of local businesses and nonprofits, whether by displaying their own trees or contributing funds for BWC members to create stunning decorations. All proceeds from the raffle benefit our scholarships and charitable donations, making a positive impact in our community.
HOLLY LUNCHEON
❖ Thursday, December 11, 2025
Bedford Village Inn
2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford, NH 03110
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Chair: Linda Moreau
Let's all kick off the holidays together at our annual Holly Luncheon! Come and enjoy the festive atmosphere in the Great Hall at the beautiful Bedford Village Inn! In addition to a lovely meal, there will be entertainment and prizes. You will also have a chance to pick up some holiday gifts for your friends and family (or even yourself) at the Silent Auction. As always, guests are welcome. Tickets will be on sale at our October and November meetings, and will be available for purchase until November 25th.
CHARITY: Bedford Community Food Pantry (BCFP)
The BCFP provides food insecure residents and students of Bedford, NH with healthy food on a weekly basis
SILENT AUCTION at the Holly Luncheon
Chair: Bobbie Gibbons, Betsy Stull
The Silent Auction takes place during the Holly Luncheon and is a fundraiser for our scholarships and charitable donations. Items for this auction are obtained through donations from our local businesses. As a BWC member you are asked to approach local businesses and services providers for donations of goods, time and/or gift cards. A letter to introduce yourself and the purpose of the auction is available for you to give to each establishment and explains our 501(c)(4) tax status. A “where will you go” list will be available at the monthly meetings prior to the auction. Items should be given to Betsy Stull or Bobbie Gibbons as they are obtained.
JANUARY
GENERAL MEETING
❖ Thursday, January 22, 2026
Fellowship Hall, Bedford Presbyterian Church
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
PROGRAM: OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute)
Speaker, Toniann Leavitt an 11-year member of OLLI and its current Director.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of New Hampshire (OLLI at UNH) is a member-driven, volunteer-based membership organization that offers non-credit courses, social events, and opportunities for involvement to retired and semi-retired adults who enjoy lifelong learning in accessible and safe locations.
CHARITY: Bless this Home Coordinator: Gabi Maters
Bless this Home is a Bedford based charity organized to support underprivileged women and their families emerging from restorative programs. Through the generosity and talents of the local community their goal is to provide both the necessities and the niceties of living.
Items Requested: Bathroom sets like shower curtains, liners, rings, towels, bath mats; Twin comforters, twin, full and queen size mattress protectors. The other items listed like utensil sets, knife sets are also needed and useful....
FEBRUARY
GENERAL MEETING
❖ Thursday, February 12, 2026
Fellowship Hall, Bedford Presbyterian Church
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
PROGRAM: Author Shirley Phillips How Not to Fly an Airplane
Shirley M. Phillips knew she wanted to be a pilot when she was fourteen years old, thanks to an introductory flight in a Cessna that her father gave her and her twin sister at their local airport. Her decision to pursue aviation from the moment she left the ground set her on an unexpected path.
Shirley has provided expert commentary for WMUR News 9 NH on aviation-related topics and was a guest speaker at an FAA sponsored human factors conference in Dallas, TX. She is a Freelance Writer/Public Speaker; Pilot/Human Factors Specialist and was an Associate Professor of Aeronautical Science, Daniel Webster College and author of How Not to Fly an Airplane.
CHARITY: Animal Rescue League Coordinator: Gen Miller
Items Requested: Gently used towels, washcloths, blankets, and flat sheets; Gently used pet toys (no beads, electronics or hard plastic eyes); Gently used small-to-medium size machine washable pet beds; Unopened, unexpired pet food; Unexpired, clearly labeled pet medication or medical supplies. You can also check out their web site www.rescueleague.org for additional suggestions.
MARCH
WHALE OF A SALE
Saturday, March 14. 2026
Friday, March 13 - Drop off day
Bedford Town Hall
70 Bedford Center Road
Chairs: Bobbie Gibbons and Betsy Stull
This Biennial sale to benefit the BWC charitable and scholarship funds relies on member donations and is open to the public. Items may include housewares, decorative items, jewelry, handbags, coats and jackets, books, and good gently used clothing. Please no furniture or electronics. Start setting aside the items you plan to donate to the Whale of a Sale fundraiser. Please deliver all items to the Bedford Old Town Hall between noon and 3pm on Friday, March 13 so they can be priced and categorically arranged for presentation the next day.
GENERAL MEETING
❖ Thursday, March 26, 2026
Fellowship Hall, Bedford Presbyterian Church
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
PROGRAM: Julie Schappals – Bedford NH’s contribution to the American Revolution
Julie has been a member of the Bedford Women’s Club since 2005. She will share with us her wealth of knowledge regarding the history of Bedford, NH and how the community contributed to the nations fight for independence and formation of a republic.
CHARITY: A Library Book Drive COORDINATOR: Jane Cary
Items Requested: March is library month so we decided to reach out to the Bedford Library to inquire as to what books the BWC members could add to the library’s collection. In discussing this we learned that the library, very appreciative of our offer, suggested that a monetary donation would be better. The reason being that the purchased books will come already prepared to put on the library shelves. We are therefore asking for a monetary donation to the library for the purchase of books only.
APRIL
GENERAL MEETING
❖ Thursday, April 23, 2026
Fellowship Hall, Bedford Presbyterian Church
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
This is a members-only business meeting.
CHARITY: Camp Allen COORDINATOR: Betsy Stull
Items Requested: Mel Gosselin, the new Executive Director, for Camp Allen was elated that BWC had chosen Camp Allen for our April charity. She recommended monetary contributions would be greatly appreciated because they have so many needs for the camp and their campers. Money collected will help them purchase a Hoyer lift and other needed medical supplies. She also mentioned the camp is in somewhat of a tired state, so I sense any money collected will also help them spruce up the campsite. The camp is in session from June 8 - Aug. 29th.
MAY
MAY LUNCHEON
❖ Thursday, May 28 , 2026
The Derryfield
625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, NH
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Social Hour
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Luncheon, Installation of Officers, Recognition of Life Members and a Presentation from Recent Scholarship Recipients
Co chairs Jane Cary and Eileen Kane
Please join us at a lovely new location for a fun filled time to enjoy good food and good friends. It is the last BWC event of the year and we want to celebrate another successful year, 2025-2026. We will be welcoming the new officers for 2026-2027 and recognizing all those who have achieved Life Member status over the past year. We will be treated to a presentation from our scholarship recipients as well.
BASKET RAFFLE at the MAY LUNCHEON
Co chairs: Bobbie Gibbons and Betsy Stull
Celebrate the success of the year, watch the installation of our leadership team, listen to our scholarship winners, and be surrounded by beautiful May Baskets. Once again, the members and interest groups display their talent and generosity in our Basket Raffle. The money raised is held over to launch the 2026-2027 BWC year.