"Pinkster" is the Dutch name for Pentecost, an important festival in the Christian calendar celebrated seven weeks after

Easter, in May or early June. Because of its timing, Pinkster is also often associated with the change of season, the blooming of flowers and the rebirth of life in spring. In fact, historian A.J. Williams-Myers, notes that the holiday was associated with the wild pink azalea which commonly bloomed throughout the Hudson River Valley and was often referred to as the Pinkster flower. In the 1600s, Holland established New Holland in the area now covered by the states of New York and New Jersey. The Dutch settlers brought the celebration of Pinkster to North America. They observed Pinkster by attending church services and holding important church functions such as baptisms and confirmations. Neighbors visited with one another and children colored eggs and indulged in sweets like gingerbread. Though Pinkster may have originated in Europe with the Dutch, by the 19th century the celebration had morphed into a uniquely American event, blending European and African traditions. As Pinkster celebrations were often rowdy affairs, the Albany Common Council, in the spring of 1811, banned Pinkster Day celebrations ostensibly because of rioting and drunkenness, declaring that no person shall erect any tent, booth or stall within the limits of this city, for the purpose of vending any spirituous liquors, beer, mead or cider, or any kind of meat, fish cakes or fruit, on the days commonly called Pinxter." Two centuries after the ban was put in place, in an effort to revive an important tradition from Albanys past, members of the University Club petitioned the Common Council to repeal the prohibition and the ban was lifted on May 16, 2011. This years 3rd annual celebration will honor Thomas Clingan who has served as Albany County Clerk for nearly a quarter century. During his tenure, he led efforts to protect and conserve historic documents dating back four centuries. The featured speaker for the evening will be Stephan Bielinski, the director of the Colonial Albany Social History Project, a model community history program of the New York State Museum, an agency of the State Education Department through its Office of Cultural Education. It was launched in 1981 to further understanding of pre-industrial community life by studying the contributions of those who lived in the city of Albany during its formative years.

Thomas Clingan

Tickets are $50, including cocktails & light fare from 6-7 p.m. followed by a presentation by Bielinski. Proceeds benefit the University Club Foundation. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 4631151 or online at www.uclubevents.blogspot.com.

Make plans to head down to the Grille afterward for dinner and music with Geo Doody (details on page 3).
North Pearl Street circa 1800s

Support for educational programming presented by the University Club Foundation is provided by AT&T.

The first U.S. city clubs were established in the Colonies during the eighteenth century. These were loosely formed men-only social clubs that met in lodges or taverns, where the men drank rum and other alcoholic beverages and discussed the news of the day. A wave of city-club building occurred in the mid-nineteenth century. Then as now, U.S. city clubs were organized primarily to provide a place for individuals with similar interests to dine and socialize together.1 In 1890, applying for a charter for the Philadelphia Country Club, John C. Bullitt wrote the following: Most of the [clubs] subscribers are heads of families, the inducement to whom is that they, as well as their wives and sons and daughters, can visit the club for the purpose of recreation and pleasure without encountering any person or anything which will in the least degree be inconsistent with good behavior or good manners. 2 This statement aptly describes the historical essence of what private clubs were all about. Clubs today, however, face unique circumstances that did not exist a century ago. Life is more complex and so are clubs. Traditionally private clubs were exclusive, male, reserved, and quite formal; but, John G. Fornaro, chief executive of the Association of Private Club Directors, notes that private clubs have been going through an evolution for the past 30 years. As our society has become more diverse and inclusive, so has club membership. Today clubs tend to have a varied membership, including many women, and offer a more casual, familyfriendly environment. The most successful of them have eased restrictive rules and created a casual, comfortable place for members and their friends, families and business associates to connect. The face of membership is not the only thing changing. Club boards have also become more representative of society.

In fact, in 2010, Susanne Wegrzyn, president of the National Club Association, noted that 20 percent of members and 6 percent of Club presidents were women. The University Club is proud to be among those progressive and responsive clubs that have changed with the times. A full five years before the Supreme Court upheld a law requiring that most private clubs allow women into membership, the University Club admitted the first woman, Lois Wilson, to full membership. The following year, she was elected to the Board of Directors. She served from 1984-1990. "When I was elected to the Board, Lois notes, the role of women in Clubs was a national discussion topic. My election was covered by the Times Union, and even mentioned in their 25year review of what happened in 1984. Three decades later, Lois remains a proud and loyal member of the University Club and over the years many women have followed in her footsteps, both by joining the club and by volLois Wilson unteering their unique strengths and skills to the club through the board and various committees. Today, more than a quarter of the clubs membership is made up of women and there are three women on the board of directors. In fact, on May 3, 2013, at the 112th Annual Meeting, women reached another milestone in the clubs history.

Colleen M. Ryan was elected President of the Board of Directors, making her the first woman to hold that position. Of this historic moment Ms. Wilson says, I am delighted that everyone is accepting Colleen's election as a logical step based on the outstanding leadership she has provided since she joined the Board. Her election as Club president is truly historic, because people are first lauding her accomplishments--and then remembering that she is the Club's first female president." Colleen was first elected, in 2010, to the position of Secretary on the Board. The following year she was elected Vice President, serving in that post from 20112013. Of her new po- Colleen Ryan sition she says, It's truly an honor to lead the University Club into a new era and I'm so grateful for the women before me who fought for Club admission, and membership, and board service. When I was in kindergarten, filling out my School Years memory book with my Mom, one of the questions was, When I grow up I want to be. I wanted to be an astronaut, but that was in the BOYS column. I'm glad to put another title in the GIRLS column, but I'm also looking forward to the day when we're no longer celebrating 'firsts' because gender, race, and creed don't figure into decisions like these."
1

Ted E. White and Larry C. Gerstner, Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Motel Association, 1994. David Falchek, Times-Tribune.com, February 17, 2013

The Club is the place to be on June 7th. First Pinkster, then Geo Doody in the Grille Room! Join us for classic rock, R&B, and Irish Pub standards. The performance is free as part of the Foundations participation in First Friday. Ala Carte dinner available until 9 pm. Reservations Please! Call 463-1151.

*The fine print: Price includes light hors doeuvres, salad bar, a 1 pound lobster, sides and dessert; beverages, tax and service charge additional. Filet mignon instead of lobster available upon prior request. Additional lobsters also available at market price, upon prior request. Please let us know your entre choices when making reservations.
Donations keep coming in for the Chair Drive. We are SO CLOSE! Many thanks to those who have donated (double thanks to Ed Wutzer who donated AGAIN this month!):
Warren Abriel Sylvia Barnard Brian Bush Jim Davies Bruce Dix Jason & Meredith Helgerson David Hochfelder & Ann Pfau Michael Hurt Jack Ingels Amy Hines-Kramer Ken and Ursula MacAffer Carol Mattozza Donald Meserve Tom & Peg Monahan Sam Ostroff Harold & Ruth Rubin Colleen Ryan & Eric Hoppel Kathy & Bob Sheehan Jim Sheppard Mary Sullivan Gene Tobey Gloria Vanderpoel Harold Williams Ed Wutzer

Summer dining hours begin July 1st: Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:30-2:30 p.m. Dinner: Friday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Yoga will be on Mondays at noon. Tuesday evening classes will resume in September.

Welcome to the Beverage Buzz, a new spot to keep you informed of happenings with the newly formed Food and Beverage Committee. The Committee was formed to support our fantastic Club Staff in their endeavors to provide enticing food and beverage options for you, our members. We have lots of new and exciting ideas that will be rolled out in the coming months. But to kick it all off, each month will feature a specialty cocktail for you to enjoy. The month of June will feature the Rhubarb Margarita complete with tequila, Grand Marnier, fresh lime juice and, of course, freshly pureed rhubarb. Stop in and try one (or two). To submit questions or comments to the Food and Beverage Committee, please contact Meredith Helgerson at jahmae@gmail.com Cheers!

Yes! I/we want to help the Club put its best seat forward: $250 (6 chairs) $135 (3 chairs) $50 (1 chair) Other $______

Name: ________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________

Make checks out to the University Club of Albany Foundation & return to: University Club of Albany Foundation, 141 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210. Your donation is eligible for a tax deduction.
3

Officers: Colleen Ryan, President Nate Maloney, Vice President Tim Varney, Secretary Matt Badalucco, Treasurer Warren Abriel, Past President

Directors: Mark Brogna Kevin Clancy Meredith Helgerson Jeffrey Hill David Hochfelder

Geoffrey Hoderath Amy Hines-Kramer Ken McCauley Frank Nemeth

SUNDAY
2 Club Closed
3

MONDAY
Lunch & Dinner

TUESDAY
4 Lunch & Dinner Yoga @ 4:30 pm

WEDNESDAY
5 Lunch 6

THURSDAY
Lunch 7

FRIDAY

SATURDAY
8

PINKSTER 6-8 pm
Yoga @ noon
______________________

Club Closed

GEO DOODY Grille 8-10 pm 9 Club Closed

10 Lunch & Dinner 11 Lunch & Dinner

12

Lunch

13

Lunch

14

Lunch & Dinner

15 Private Party Club Closed

Yoga @ noon

Yoga @ 4:30 pm

16 Club Closed

17

Lunch & Dinner

18 Lunch & Dinner Yoga @ 4:30 pm

19 Lunch

20

Lunch

21

Lunch

22 Club Closed

Yoga @ noon

Lobster Party 5:30-8:00 p.m. 26 Lunch 27 Lunch 28

Lunch & Dinner

23 Club Closed

24

Lunch & Dinner

25 Lunch & Dinner

29 Club Closed

Yoga @ noon

30 Club Closed

JULY 1 Yoga @ noon

2 Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch & Dinner

6 Club Closed

Club Closed Happy 4th of July!