Club news

Town & Country FCE

The Town & Country FCE Club met Feb. 11 at the home of Mary Klaproth. Carolyn Thompson, president, called the meeting to order.

Klaproth read three poems titled "Homemade Valentines, calmness in your life, and best prayer."

Roll call was answered by all nine members.

Earlier that day, cupcakes and soda were taken to Cottonwood Treatment Center for their Valentine party.

Next month, the club will host a St. Patrick's Day party for the students at Parkview State School. Members will also bring items for the food pantry to our monthly meeting.

Plans were discussed for All Clubs Day on March 22 hosted by Town & Country FCE.

The quarterly meeting of the FCE County Council will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Jackson.

Spring leader training will be held at 9 a.m. on March 29 at the Extension Center.

Judy Niswonger presented a program on Tai Chi. She demonstrated how it can help one's balance and strength, as well as be beneficial for individuals with arthritis. She also used the "Hearth Fire Series #7, Woman to Woman ... Searching for CHOCOLATE."

Members exchanged secret pal gifts for Valentines Day and Klaproth served Valentine's Day treats.

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on March 11 at the home of Darlene McCain.

Oak Ridge Homemakers FCE

Oak Ridge Homemakers FCE met in the home Carole Jo Byrd, with Jean Rehak, president, presiding. Lee Anderson gave the devotion, "A prayer for luck." There were 12 members present.

Several members responded on a sickness and health report.

Rehak reminded members of the county meeting for those willing to write a summary for the State FCE on Cape Girardeau County Achievement. Reports to be on environment, education, public policy, health, and international.

Byrd presented the club her book of Oak Ridge FCE Achievements in 2009, a book complied including the naming of events, pictures and newspaper items of FCE work. Five clubs in the county will compete for the honor of Top Club of the Year at All Clubs Day to be held in the University of Missouri Extension in Jackson on March 22.

Marilyn Retherford reported the treasurer had mailed the club's donation to the Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Program.

Betty Dellinger reported she had purchased enough gloves and sock caps for the Christmas 2010 Giveaway. She mentioned the need of more underwear and socks, and that donations continue to come in for purchasing these items.

Retherford reported on the Literacy Project she conducts each year with Cape Girardeau County fourth grade students and is most pleased with the participation she receives.

Rehak brought information about a recent community house fire occurring and that a need for clothing had been observed. The club decided to reimburse Rehak $50 for this need. The club thanked her for her early work on this good deed.

A report was made that member Nelda Crader had been elected as one of eight chosen for the University of Missouri Extension Council from the Cape Girardeau County. Crader thanked the group for their support in the election.

Rehak and Crader had prepared a news item for the FCE Publication, "The Messenger," telling of the success of the Christmas Giveaway in the Jackson area. FCE joined the Elks Lodge and others providing food, clothes and toys at Christmas time.

Bingo assistance for veterans at the Missouri Veterans Home was provided by Barbara Barks, Rehak, and Dellinger. Others were encouraged to also participate next month

Mariesa Lesch gave an excellent program on "Autism." This is a required program for the club's 2010 programs and the County's club project of the year.

Lamplighters FCE

Lamplighters FCE February meeting was held in two parts. Part A was held Feb. 18, at Macy's in Cape Girardeau. 12 members assembled for a combination Estee Lauder skin care demonstration with make-up tips and an abbreviated business session.

Karen McLane, president, called the business meeting to order. During this time, members approved the club's by-laws as written.

It was also decided that February 25, 2010, would be a work day for the March through May aprons and props for the "Storybook Tails" project.

Members were reminded about these upcoming dates: March 4, quarterly county council meeting, Teresa Hinkebein and McLane will be the official representatives; March 22, All Clubs Day will be held at the Extension Office; and March 29, will be Leader Training with Linda Freeman, Linda Sebaugh, Karen Eaker and Jo Ann Hahs attending.

FCE Tours for 2010 were announced: St. Louis Cardinals' baseball game in June; Muny Opera in St. Louis to see "Showboat" in August and to Stages in St. Louis to see "State Fair" in September; and Alton, Ill., Scenic Drive in October.

Members then received individual skin tone analysis and were given coordinating make-up tips.

On Feb. 20, Part B of the February meeting was held in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church in Oak Ridge. Sharon Bogenpohl was hostess for the evening's Winter Follies. The menu consisted of belly warmers (soup), belly bombers (sandwiches), hot cross buns (crackers and chips), s'mores (desserts), and sliders (drinks).

All 14 members and guests participated in the Olympic inspired competitions: snowman building, a snowball fight, ice skating, Iditarod racing, and a chorus line performance. Gregory the Groundhog was the master of ceremonies and sports commentator. An awards ceremony culminated the evening's activities that had been planned by Jackie Kurre, Freeman and Hahs.

The March 18 meeting will be held in the home of Karen Eaker.

-- From staff reports