Club news 1/8/12

Lamplighters FCE

The Lamplighters FCE December meeting and Christmas party was held Dec. 13 in the home of Jo Ann Hahs. As the 14 members arrived, the hostess placed a Santa's hat on their heads to set the tone for the meeting. Then Hahs read the book "A Gift from St. Nicholas" as a devotional thought. Members found a copy of this book under their plates as they gathered to begin their meal of soups and drink provided by the hostess and sandwiches, salads and desserts provided by the other members.

Following the meal Karen McLane, president, called the business meeting to order. The following reports were given: The Christmas display in Cape County Park was put in place by Bill Kurre, Hahs and Matthew Conrad, Hahs' grandson. Nine members attended the December council meeting where Hahs was installed as the county president. Members were reminded that now would be a great time to purchase dolls for Child Advocacy Day, which will be held at the end of March. The club voted to give $10 to the scholarship for state conference fund. A discussion was held about the possibility for holding afternoon meetings during the winter with the final decision left to the program committee. Gayla Volz reported she had another correspondence from her 1960s English pen pal and they are finding their lives had lots in common through the years.

Volz used the theme of "pots and pans" as she installed officers for 2012. They are: Jackie Kurre, president; Sharon Bogenpohl, vice president; Verla Mangels, secretary; Linda Sebaugh, treasurer; Hahs, public relation; Bev Meyer, game leader; and Roberta Allen, song leader.

Members were reminded that the next autism workshop is set for Feb. 1 at the MU Extension Center in Jackson. Karen Eaker will be the hostess for the club's January meeting.

To begin the party segment of the afternoon, McLane presented each member with an ornament. Meyer led members in playing "Dirty Santa" and the "Night Right Before Christmas Left." Secret pal gifts were exchanged and names revealed. Names were then drawn for next year's secret pals.

Oak Ridge FCE

Marilyn Retherford was hostess Dec. 20, in her home for the Oak Ridge FCE Christmas meeting where secret pals were revealed and new ones were drawn.

Jean Rehak, president, opened the meeting with 14 members present. Roll call for members was the theme the "best Christmas ever received."

Nelda Crader, secretary, read the minutes from November's meeting and Billie Criddle gave the treasurer's report. Both were approved.

Rehak gave a report of the Dec. 1 meeting at the quarterly meeting at MU Extension Center in Jackson.

Pat Hecht gave a program called "Domestic Violence (The Child)."

Christmas with the Oak Ridge FCE, Jackson Elk Lodge and Jackson Police Department was discussed and the club's contributions were December's main project.

It was reported that Melva Floyd's husband passed away Dec. 20, and the club decided to order a garden steppingstone in his memory and present the stone to her.

Coins for Friendship were collected.

Bingo at the Missouri Veterans Home was held Dec. 26, with Barbara Barks and Rehak attending. Also, Barks' grandsons, Jacob and Garrett, from Sedgewickville, Mo., and her brother, John, and sister-in-law Brenda from Oklahoma City, Okla., attended.

Lee Anderson will be hostess at the Jan. 17 meeting to be held in the lower level of the Elks Lodge in Jackson.

SE B&G Chapter of MAA

The Southeast Black & Gold Chapter of the Missouri Alumni Association met Monday at the MU Extension Center in Jackson. Three board members were present -- Tom Frasher, Roger Guyot and Larry Simon.

Guyot gave the treasurer's report. The account values are unchanged from last month.

The diversity project was discussed. The chapter will treat the Big Brothers Big Sisters group to the movie "Rango" at the Cape West 14 Cine at 6 p.m. May 2. One hundred tickets will be purchased for the event from funds in the MAA allotment and regular chapter account. The Diversity Grant Program that previously helped to finance such projects has been suspended.

The Founder's Day event was discussed, which will be held Feb. 9 at Dexter Bar-B-Que in Cape Girardeau. Simon reported that he entered this as an event on mizzoualumni.org. Items for the silent auction are still needed. Frasher will follow up with Donna Lichtenegger to ensure that she is still on board to be the guest speaker. Carol Simon has volunteered to provide table favors for the event. Frasher will purchase some items for the auction when he next travels to Columbia, Mo. Simon presented Guyot with a check donated by the Bank of Missouri to cover some of the silent auction expenses. The check will be deposited in the chapter scholarship account. Recognition will be given to the bank at the event for the donation.

The group briefly discussed the planned student picnic, which is scheduled for June 14 at shelter No. 4 at Cape County Park North. The chapter will again ask Knights of Columbus Council 11205 to provide the food.

It was decided that the chapter will sponsor an MAA membership for Richard Proffer of the MU Extension Center. Proffer attends most chapter meetings and has been generous with both his time and talents in support of the chapter, as well as making the Extension Center facilities available to for meetings and events.

The MAA column's requirements required to achieve Capstone Status were discussed. The chapter will stay focused on the requirements. To fulfill one of the requirements, Frasher will ask Kyle Thompson to become a new board member.

The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 6 at the MU Extension Center in Jackson.

Xi Nu Phi

The Xi Nu Phi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi meeting was held Tuesday at the workplace of member Sandy Ross. The group discussed their upcoming bowling and pizza social to be held Jan. 15.

A program was presented on how to fit in exercise while at work.

The next meeting will be held at the home of Cathy Pancoast on Jan. 17.

-- From staff reports