Club news

Alpha Mu Master

Alpha Mu chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met at the home of Mary Schwab with Marilyn Schwab serving as co-hostess.

Lt. Col. Chris Mickham of the Missouri National Guard, spoke on his experiences in Iraq. He spoke of the three main groups there who do not get along with each other and how that causes many problems. He also spoke about their customs. He is the nephew of Marilyn Schwab

Carole Calvin read information about the next state convention to be held at the Lodge of the Four Season at the Lake of the Ozarks on Oct. 1-3. Registration deadline is July 19.

St. Mary CCW

St. Mary Council of Catholic Women met on Jan. 21 at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. Judy DeClue opened the meeting with prayer. Pat Eftink distributed copies of the treasures report. It was voted to send a donation to Voice for Life.

Dolores Gibbar reported two bereavement dinners were served.

Betty Martin, library director, gave a description of the architecture of the new library which was inspired by the Mississippi River -- browns and blues used throughout the building. She then gave us a tour of the library.

Refreshments were served and the meeting continued.

Kate Schaefer, legislative commission chair, explained how to access the Missouri Catholic Conference on the Internet.

American Legion Auxiliary 63

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 63 met Feb. 12 for lunch and their meeting. Door prizes were awarded to Gladys Lawrence and Barbara Yallaly. Juanita Cook and Mildred Varvell prepared the lunch.

Patsy Kimbrel, president, called the meeting to order. Catherine Allison, chaplain, offered the opening prayer.

Dorothy Klein, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilition chairman, asked for help with the birthday party the auxiliary sponsors for the veterans the second Monday of each month at the Missouri Veterans Home.

Members were asked to meet at the Legion Hall Monday and March 22 to help with the quilts we are making for the homeless.

An article on the origin of the first Ronald McDonald House was read by Yallaly. A donation will be given to the local McDonalds Restaurant for the two houses in St. Louis. These houses can be used at Cardinal Glennon Children's or St. Louis Chidren's Hospital. A donation of $5 is asked but no one is turned away.

Klein brought a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article announcing the groundbreaking of a Fisher House on the grounds of Jefferson Barracks. The home is free to family of vetersns who are hospitalized. A donation will be sent to the Fisher Foundation.

Old greeting cards were brought by members to be sent to St. Jude's Ranch for children, an organizaion for abused, abandoned and neglected children. The children earn money by removing the fronts of donated cards to make new ones and sold in packets of 10.

Edna Smith, Girl's State chairman, is working to select six girls to attend Missouri Girls's State in June.

The next meeting will be at noon on March 10,

Xi Nu Phi

The Xi Nu Phi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met Feb. 16 at the home of Debbie Balsano.

The chapter delivered Valentine baskets to nine retired Beta Sigma Phi members at various homes. The ladies were very surprised as well as delighted to be recognized.

A number of chapters attended the Valentine Banquet held Feb. 12 at the Jackson Senior Center. Valentine queens, represented by several chapters, were acknowledged and crowned at this celebration.

Future activities were discussed.

The main conversation was the Progressive Dinner plans to be held Saturday.

Balsano presented a program on "going green" with very fascinating findings.

-- From staff reports