Round the World Women began the year as usual with a Welcome Event at the beautiful Amherst Woman’s Club. By February 2020, we had 70 members from 24 different countries.
Average attendance at programs was about 30 international women. We average 6 to 8 children at each meeting. Pre-school children were always welcome!
In September we decorated cookies at the Sunderland Library, went apple picking in Colrain, and walked the Silvio O. Conte Fort River Trail in Amherst. In October we made apple pies in the UMASS bake shop and had a delicious buffet lunch at one of the UMASS dining halls. We visited a family farm of volunteer Jamie Barber and carved pumpkins in volunteer Carol Waskiewicz’s large barn. In November we visited the home of volunteers for some group conversation. We visited the UMASS police station and learned how laws and practices are different or similar to our home countries. We also had a delicious Thanksgiving sampler of foods prepared by the volunteers.
In December we made wreaths of wild evergreens and pretty items for brightening the dark winter months. We started the new year the fun of making greeting cards and a visit to the Beneski Natural History Museum. February started at the home of volunteer Betsy McInnis for a “wrap and roll” cooking session and another coffee with drivers at volunteer homes.
In March our lives changed in an unexpected way with the arrival of the Corona Virus to the U.S. as well as our home countries. Public gatherings were no longer wise so we found ways to be in touch with each other through ZOOM, emails, and phone calls. Members offered help to volunteers and volunteers offered help to members. Some members were quickly returned to their home countries while others had to stay longer in the U.S. For a final meeting, we shared our pictures and experiences through ZOOM and looked forward to new experiences in the coming year.