KIWI NEWS
This is your page Kiwis! Your place to let everyone know what is happening in your chapter.
If you have any airline-related news that you would like to share then this is the place!
Send your news to Jill Richey Rohan, Kiwi Web Master
Kiwi Convention 2026 – Fiesta Flight Royale!
"Nacho Ordinary Convention!"
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Attention Kiwis: It’s time to set our sights on San Antonio, Texas for Kiwi Convention 2026! We’re rolling out a first-class experience at Hotel Contessa, where luxury meets fiesta flair and where friends old and new will gather for an unforgettable event.
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Save the Dates: April 30 – May 1, 2026 (Pre-events begin April 28)
Location: Hotel Contessa, San Antonio, TX—located directly on the Riverwalk!
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This year’s theme, Fiesta Flight Royale, captures the vibrant energy of Texan and Mexican cultures, bringing a unique and lively touch to our beloved biennial tradition.
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And making her grand debut… Kiwi Contessa! A whimsical, one-of-a-kind logo designed by Mary Richter Thrasher, celebrating the spirit of our event.
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Your Flight Plan:
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April 28 – National Board Meeting
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April 29 – Past Presidents Luncheon, Delegates Reception
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April 30 – Opening Luncheon, Boutique, Hospitality, and Optional Special Event
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May 1 – Delegates Meeting, Closing Banquet, and a celebratory send-off
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May 2 – Departure – Until we meet again, Kiwi friends!
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More details, including hotel reservations, are coming in next month’s briefing.​
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"Your enthusiastic 'Fiesta Crew”' is so looking forward to welcoming you aboard!
From deep in the heart of Texas, and mine,"
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Sherri Engle Lowe, Convention Chair (Contessa Captain)
Denver April Luncheon
April Lunch at Julie’ Gionet's new house in Longmont, CO
Pictured from l-r are:
Paula Freeman, Julie Gionet, Melinda Leal, Lisa Linnebur, Chris Carlson, Sandy Gibbons, Nancy Uszko, Jo Sharp McFadden, Bonnie Morgan, Pam Bradley
Golden Gate Chapter Group Photo
Golden Gate Chapter Members and Guests
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1st Row-L/R: Cassandra Spittler, Joyce Adkins, Jane Wiborg, Betty Leson, Gladys Kupper, President Casey Bode
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2nd Row-L/R: Sylvia Mazzi-guest, Jo Policastro, Kay Middleton, Jane Kay, Paula Grosse, Carol von Raesfeld, Liz Hockinson, Laura Greenberg,
3rd Row-L/R: Eileen Tyson-guest, Julie Griffen Haley, Claudia Siegler, Judy Cadet, Jan Brian, Junior Turpen, Caroline Womack, Susan Crawford, Linda Lorenz and Lynne Rieger.
Atlanta March Meeting
The ATL chapter held their March meeting at the 57th Fighter Squadron which is located adjacent to the active runway of the Peachtree-Dekalb Airport. One of our favorite meeting places!
Front Row: Maureen DiCola, Carolyn Havens, Jill Rohan, and Barbara Hyland.
Back Row: Barbara Huff, Collette Samara, Pam Kuhn, Michele Caine, and Dee DiBuono.
Orange County/Long Beach March Meeting
Top Row L-R: Barbara Gray, Connie Leifheit, Judy Carroll, Karen Ford, Judy Doyle, Linda Polese, Linda Corvan, Janie Fretz, Linda Barker, Calley O’Henley, Bobbie Gulbrandson, Debbie Wilterink, Krystyna Kisting, Sandra Burns.
Seated L-R: Linda Radke, Janine Harris, Pat Jones, Eve Brumfield, Mary Lou Arnold
The Orange County/Long Beach held a Charity Auction with proceeds benefiting our chosen charities and chapter operating expenses.
Members wore green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and also added pins and even face stickers! A fun day enjoyed by all.
Judy Carroll also gave members cute Elephant and Friendship cards. So very true of Kiwis.
South Bay March
The South Bay March Luncheon was held at the Lotus Asian Restaurant.
It was a new venue and was fabulous!
Orange County/Long Beach February Meeting
Orange County/Long Beach February Meeting was held at the popular restaurant, Hanna’s, in Rancho Santa Margarita.
They have a private Wine Room that is perfect for Kiwis!
Florida Suncoast February Meeting
We met several days after Valentines Day but since February is also Women’s Heart Health
Awareness month we figured red was apropos.
Many thanks to our hostess, Marilyn Lowe, for
providing balloons and chocolate candy hearts…like we hadn’t had enough chocolate yet!
Front sitting - Sandy Pagden-Gribaudo, Vicki Kubal, Tammy MacLeod
Back L-R - Kathy Kuzminski, Stephanie Butler, Sherri Schwab, Tina McNeice, Danya Archbold,
Karen Thomas, Jane Finzer, Betsy Howlett, Mary Paulson, Bonnie Lindenberg, Marilyn Lowe
ATL Celebrates with a Galentine's High Tea.
Pictured above L toR are Barbara Huff, Barbara Hyland, Peg Crotty, Michele Caine, Colette Samara, Maryann Montigel, Hostess Maureen DiCola, Carolyn Havens, Jill Rohan and Chapter President Chris Moeckel.
The Atlanta chapter held their February meeting at Maureen DiCola's home, where she treated us to a High Tea. The food was incredible—as tasty as it was beautiful! Many choices of exotic teas were served from her extensive tea pot collection.
It was a great afternoon that culminated with our Kiwi auction. Our talented president, Chris Moeckel, provided many of the hand-made Kiwi items.
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FYI: Our hostess, Maureen DiCola was in charge of table decorations, as well as entrance decor, at the last convention in Savannah and will be in charge of the decor in San Antonio.
It's huge job. Thank you Maureen,
DCA Anniversary Luncheon
The DCA chapter's anniversary brought ten Washington, D.C. members to Anthony's Restaurant on Dec. 4th for a festive luncheon. With delicious food, shared stories, and plenty of laughter, the day was a true celebration.
Many thanks to all who played a part in creating such a fun and memorable event!
Front row: L to R.... Ann Signore Muench, Lonnie Mervis Hill, Susie Beers Clark
Standing: L to R.....Debbie Maitland Roland, Jane Mansfield Lam, Sandra Fiorini Hodges, Judy Rowe, Jennifer Bixler, Michele H. Smith, Linda Cowperthwaite Sterlacci
We Have a New Kiwi Facebook Page!
We are excited to announce the launch of our new Facebook page, The Kiwi Club! The page is a public page and was created by Kathy Minner. Thank you Kathy!! It was launched to help prospective members learn more about our club and what we offer.
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We need your support to make this page a success. Please take a moment to "Share" the page with your Facebook friends to help the page grow. We also encourage you to post interesting content related to Kiwi Club events and activities, so that our page is engaging and informative. Keep in mind that for some people this will be their first look the The Kiwi Club. So posts to let them know more about the Kiwi club and what we do are needed.
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Let's work together to make our new Facebook page a hub of activity and a valuable resource for those interested in joining the Kiwi Club.
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Here is the link for the new page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/536365985250703
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Give it a look now. Let's show off who we are!
