Club news 12/15/04

American Legion Auxiliary

Members of the American Legion Auxiliary met Dec. 8 for the annual Christmas party.

A donation was made to Navy Mother to purchase calling cards for Christmas. Education chairwoman Marilyn Ritter took apples to schools in appreciation during National Education Week Nov. 15 through 19. Monetary donations were accepted for the Veterans Association Hospital in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

Betty Cato, vice president, appointed a committee to contact local nursing homes who may have veterans who would like a visit throughout the year as well as at Christmas. Gerri Stone and Edna Smith will serve on the committee.

Gifts were brought for Jefferson Elementary School Christmas store and food was donated for the Red Star Baptist Church food pantry.

Frieda Howard, membership chairwoman, reported the auxiliary has 148 members. She also serves on the Seniors and Law officers Together, which will sponsor a tour of lights at 6 p.m. Thursday at Cape Senior Center.

Christmas songs were sung and Barbara Yallaly read an article "How did Christmas start?" Peggy Blaylock played Santa Claus and gave each member a fresh rose and a gift, with Cato assisting her.

The Post Christmas dinner will be today. Ham and turkey will be served with members bringing a covered dish.

Xi Nu Phi

The Xi Nu Phi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met Dec. 7 at the home of Debbie Balsano. Members who attended the shopping trip to St. Louis on Dec. 4 reported that they had a good time.

A "bunko night" is scheduled for Jan. 8 at the home of Sheryl Smith.

The scrapbook committee will begin working on the scrapbook after the first of the year.

The next meeting will be held Tuesday at the home of Renee Hesselrode. This will be the Christmas party. Members are asked to bring their secret pal gifts, a swap gift and a finger food. Also, pictures will be taken of officers and committees for the scrapbook.

Smith presented the program on Pearl Harbor.

Town & Country FCE

The Christmas meeting of Town & Country FCE was held at Illmo Bakery and Cafe in Scott City on Dec. 9.

Darlene McCain, outgoing president, installed officers for 2005. They are: Shirley Heise, president; Lois Seabaugh, vice president; Mary Klaproth, secretary; Margie McAnally, treasurer; Sue Jones, reporter; Norma Schrieber, songs and games; and Linda Thompson, cards and flowers.

A thank-you note was read from the Lutheran Home for bingo prizes donated.

Yearbooks for 2005 were distributed. All members brought toys for Toybox.

Secret pals for 2004 were revealed in a gift exchange and names for 2005 were drawn.

The next meeting will be Jan 13. This will be the club's birthday party and pound auction. Seabaugh and Klaproth are in charge of arrangements.

American Legion Post 158

Commander Gary Kamp presided over the Nov. 9 meeting of the Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158.

Ken Koehler introduced Lt. Col. Virgil Green of the Civil Air Patrol and Capt. Neil Lavanchy and three cadets. Each described their qualifications and training. The Civil Air Patrol is looking for support and sponsorship.

Minutes for last month's meeting were approved as written. Richard Aguilar gave the financial report, which was also approved. Jack Latimer gave the club room report.

Bill Poe reported on service. One request for money was turned down. Poe reported hospital equipment was given to the post by Teresa Scowden of Whitewater.

Bob Hartle reported on the honor guard.

Jim Nelson reported contributions to the post memorial scholarship fund were: Friends in Post 158 club room in memory of Joe Haupt; and from Jim and Evelyn Nelson in memory of Joe Haupt.

David Ludwig reported on events for Veterans Day.

Motion was made to give a $50 U.S. savings bond for a band and choir student each month for a total of $450. Motion was seconded and passed.

Kamp announced that the post received an Americanism Citation from the American Legion National Americanism Commission. Latimer announced the post received a Certificate of Meritorious Service for fifth place in the Eastern Division from the Department of Missouri.

Poe made a motion that $350 be made available for the children's Christmas party. Motion was seconded and passed.

Charles Hutson made a motion for the first vote on providing $1,500 to be a corporate sponsor for the Veterans Home golf tournament. Motion was seconded and passed.

Thank-you notes were received from the Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H Club.

-- From staff reports

Kage FCE

The Kage FCE Club met on Thursday at Dexter Bar-B-Que for the Christmas luncheon. Linda Farrow and Joan Meyer served as co-hostesses.

Contributions will be sent to the Salvation Army Tree of Lights, Teen Challenge, Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly.

Reports on club activities for 2004 are to be submitted to the county by Jan. 2. Program books for 2005 were distributed.

Verna Vogel installed officers for 2005. They are: Dortha Strack, president; Martha Slaten, vice president; Opal Collins, secretary/reporter; Judie Herbst, treasurer; and Barbara Marshall, game and song leader.

The final activity was a Christmas gift exchange.

The next meeting will be held on Jan. 13 with Collins as hostess. Barbara Schaffner will present the program on medication side effects.

Cape Girardeau County AARP 4041

The Cape Girardeau County Chapter of AARP 4041 met Dec. 6 at Grace United Methodist Church.

Officers were installed for 2005. They are: Laverne Nothdurft, president; Grace Hoover, vice president; Betty Wilson, secretary; and Bob Harper, treasurer.

AARP members will help Blanchard Elementary School students wrap Christmas gifts today and Thursday and will help Jefferson Elementary School students on Friday.

Laureate Alpha Rho

The Laureate Alpha Rho Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi held their annual Christmas party on Dec. 2 at the Cape Girardeau Country Club. Dorothy Miles and Edna Hey were hostesses for the meal.

Members received Christmas gifts from their secret sisters and names were drawn for next year's secret sisters. Each place setting had treats from Rosanna Whitnel and Norma Schrieber.

A monetary gift has been sent from the chapter to the Salvation Army for the Thanksgiving meal and a monetary gift will be sent to Christmas for the Elderly.

The next meeting will be held Jan. 6 at a restaurant to be announced later.

New McKendree UMW

The United Methodist Women of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson met in the fellowship hall on Dec. 7. Marilyn Fronabarger, vice president, opened the meeting with a reading. The program was presented by the Mary and Martha Circle.

The Mary and Martha Circle had the most members in attendance with 11. Mary Klaproth, chairperson, received a mission ribbon.

The mission team meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 4 in the fellowship hall.

Jan. 8 and 9 is United Methodist Women weekend. The UMW will provide ushers for all three services. Violet Reynolds is in charge of the 5 p.m. service on Saturday, Edith Eggers will be in charge of the 8 a.m. service on Sunday and Tandy Wendel will be in charge of the 10 a.m. service on Sunday. Liturgists will be Shirley Patterson at the Sunday 8 a.m. service and Amy Cook at the Sunday 10 a.m. service.

Jan. 23 will be Church Women United Hospitality Day at Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville.

The next meeting of the UMW will be on Feb. 1 in the fellowship hall with a stone soup luncheon. It will begin at 10 a.m. The local mission collection is for the Safe House for Women.

Wendel presented a gift to out-going president Barbara Burnette. Fronabarger was the recipient of a special membership pin for serving over and above the call of duty.

-- From staff reports