The Spotlight

WCOEP President Message, October 2026

Hi Everyone! The weather is getting a little cooler so that means Fall Festival!

The teams are working hard to get everything set up for this annual event. Ivette Champion and her master cooks are preparing the kitchen for our Tea Room; Frieda Voeks is setting up Grannie’s Attic for our gently used, new, unwanted treasures; and J’me Phelp has vendors galore to tempt all our customers. Rhoda Tillman is ready to receive your baked goods for the Bake Sale and needs your goodies as early as Friday.

This is a fun time of the year. Please call one of them to see how you can help.

We need to sell our tickets and get the word out about how much we have to offer during Fall Festival. Lynn Cordova has the building looking beautiful and has banners and signs outside to advertise our event.

Stay healthy and I’ll see you there, 

Jennifer Favor Howell

A Call to Action

Our Fall Festival is fast approaching, and we need donations for Granny’s Attic, as well as volunteers to sell tickets, organizing Granny’s Attic, assisting vendors, waiting on tables in the Tea Room, and lending a hand in the kitchen. This is a great time of the year for decluttering and finding those new or gently used clothing items, household goods, home décor, art, jewelry, and anything else someone else would consider a treasure. We also need homemade baked goods for our highly anticipated Bake Sale. The clubhouse will be open our regular hours  Monday – Thursday 9:00am – 2:00pm to drop donations off. If you have questions, please contact Frieda Voeks for Granny’s Attic at (915) 373-5415, or for general Fall Festival volunteering and info or vendor inquires please contact J’me Phelps at (516) 500-7674. For questions about baked goods contact Rhoda Tillman at (915) 260-3966. Let’s make this year’s Fall Festival the best one ever!

Fall Festival Coming Up on September 26 & 27

Be sure to spread the word to all your friends and family to join us for our annual Fall Festival on Saturday & Sunday, September 26 & 27 from 10am – 5pm! We need you to sell tickets for this amazing event and they will also be available at the door.

Tempting bake goods from our Bake Sale, incredible bargains in our highly anticipated Granny’s Attic, a wonderful array of vendors filling our ballroom, plus sweet and savoy treats in our Tea Room where you can take a well-deserved break all await you for the admission price of $5.

 Please support this traditional fundraiser that the whole community loves. Our patrons get the jump on all the other Halloween and Christmas fairs with the best selection, so it’s a win/win for everyone!

*Special Sneak Preview exclusively for Members! Come get first dibs on Granny’s Attic and vendor items Friday, September 25 from 5pm-7pm!

Auxiliary Activities

Arts & Crafts

The Arts & Crafts Study Club will meet on Monday, October 12th at 10:00 am at the Club. Lynn Cordova will be demonstrating and teaching kumihimo,  an ancient Japanese art of board braiding that translates to “gathered threads”, used to create intricate, sturdy, and colorful cords.

Crafters will have a kit consisting of a kumihimo disk, a weight and a keyring. Members can choose the colors of braid and their pattern. $5 donation. Open to all members- dues are $10 per year.

Book Club Auxiliary

Pam Round reports the club will discuss The Mirror , the 2^nd in The Lost Bride Trilogy by Nora Roberts at their September 28^th meeting and continue reading the 3^rd book, Seven Rings for their October selection. They meet Barnes and Noble Booksellers at The Fountains. October’s meeting is on Monday, October 26^th  at. Please feel free to come by to check it out!  All members may join- dues are $10. See Pam Round for more details.

Advisory Committee Change of Date for First Meeting

A reminder, The Advisory Committee,  comprised of the Past Presidents, voted on a few changes for the coming year. The time and place have also been changed. The committee will meet at 9am at The Podium, 1400 Texas Ave., El Paso, TX 79901 in the Library Room on November 6^th so not to conflict with PEO, January 22^nd, and May 14^th.  If you have any questions, please text or call Jody at (915) 590-5762. The Podium website: https://podiumfinishsportcafe.com/

Exciting things for the upcoming month!

Kessto Kreatures – An Anansi Experience, October 10th at 6pm

Michael Anthony Stokes returns with his fabulous life-size puppets, imaginative staging, and beautiful singing voice presenting An Anansi Experience for Kessto Kreature’s Fall Gala. In May Michael performed his original show at the conclusion of the Jewel Box series at the Philanthropy Theatre downtown at the Plaza. Recipient of the Jim Henson Foundation Grant, Anthony Michael Stokes is an artistic powerhouse whose influence spans multiple disciplines, from music and theatre to education and puppetry. His journey from an ambitious student at UTEP to an award-winning educator and nationally recognized puppeteer is a testament to his resilience, talent, and vision.

Tickets only available and more information at: 

https://ticketscandy.com/e/an-anansi-experience-gala-21066

Casino Night 2026 on October 17th from 6pm – 9pm

Spread the word and sell as many tickets as you can to friends, family, and all acquaintances for one of our biggest fundraisers of the year! Join us for exciting table games of Blackjack, Roulette, Texas Hold’em, and Poker vying for funny money to win prizes and bragging rights. Great food, company, surprises, and more will make a memorial and fun evening. Look for your tickets in the mail or pick them up at the club beginning in October. Call the club at (915) 532-6131 for extra tickets and more information.

Plan for Guest Day on October 21st

Celebrating Country Music Appreciation Month, WCOEP will be welcoming El Paso Ballroom Dance group for Line Dancing Lessons! Cowboy boots and hats optional, but bring your Trailblazing spirit and a friend to kick up your heels. Watch for the invitation going out the week of October 12^th.

Artist of the Month

October Artist of the Month, Leticia Luevanos, is the current President of the Board of Directors of the El Paso Art Association, as well as a respected ceramic artist. After balancing creating art while teaching others, she is now pursuing her artistic passion full-time. Be sure to check out her wide variety of art works on the walls and tables of our ballroom after Fall Festival. Her work can also be found on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/LeticiaLuevanosArt

Jazz Night with Soulful Sounds- Wednesday, October 28th at 7pm

A DIFFERENT KIND OF NIGHT OUT IS COMING!

For people who crave something beyond the usual dinner-and-drinks routine, step into the candlelit world of Soulful Sounds, a Harlem Renaissance-inspired evening of music featuring the Music & Comedy of Acute Inflections. This couple from NYC has entertained more than 50,000 guests across the U.S. and abroad at their sold-out shows. As seen on HBO and Amazon, and backed by more than 1,000 five-star reviews, Soulful Sounds has become a favorite among audiences who believe a night out should feel special. As a special gesture, there will be complimentary wine and snacks to enjoy throughout the show! 

For tickets: https://acuteinflections.com/product/10-28-2026/   or call (212) 729-8372 **WCOEP members include the promo code SOULFUL10 for a special discount. 🎟️💰

The timeless elegance of Billie Holiday with the soulful spirit of Erykah Badu creates an experience that feels both classic and refreshingly original. Whether you arrive in Gatsby-inspired glamour or your own personal style, you’ll be surrounded by people who appreciate soulful vibes and meaningful moments.

Important dates to remember:

Friday, September 25^th, Fall Festival Preview for Members and their Special Guests

Saturday & Sunday, September 26^th & 27^th– Fall Festival Open to Public, 10am-5pm

Wednesday, September 30^th , Board Meeting, 9:30am–

Please come early to enjoy refreshments and chat with friends so we can start the meeting at 9:30.

Wednesday, October 7th, Members Only Meeting, 12pm

Monday, October 12^th, Arts & Crafts Study Group, 10am at the Club

Monday, October 19^th, Book Club, 10am at Barnes & Noble

Wednesday, October 21^st, Guest Day Luncheon, 12pm

Wednesday, October 28^th, Board Meeting, 9:30am – 

Please come early to enjoy refreshments and chat with friends so we can start the meeting at 9:30.