Club news

American Legion Auxiliary

Twenty-one members attended the Jan. 12 meeting of the American Legion Auxiliary. Members read their 2012 predictions from fortune cookies.

Fern Schimme and Barbara Yallaly served lunch before the meeting.

Tina Bill won the attendance prize, and Arlinda McElreath won the 50/50 drawing.

Yallaly, president, and Cathryn Allison, chaplain, draped the charter in memory of longtime member Maxine Heuschober, who recently passed away. A memorial was sent to St. Mary's Cathedral in her memory.

Thank-you notes were read from the Boys and Girls Club in appreciation of the auxiliary's support at their spaghetti supper in October as well as the use of the post home for the supper. A donation will be given to the Boys and Girls Club toward their activities. A thank-you note was also received from Jefferson Elementary School for providing gifts for the students' gift shop.

A contribution will be given to Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship.

Yallaly received a $100 check from Modern Woodmen of America as a Home Town Hero, which she in turn donated to the auxiliary.

Linda Kern reported current membership is 127 with 26 needed to achieve goal.

Dorothy Klein was chosen to represent SALT. Frieda Howard has been the representative but elected not to continue.

The next meeting will be Feb. 8 at the post home.

New Salem UMW

The New Salem United Methodist Women met Jan. 4 at the home of Verla Mangels for their monthly meeting. Margie Roberts, president, presided. Roberta Allen led the group in prayer. The purpose was read by the nine members present. The minutes were read by Mangels, secretary, and were approved. The treasurer reported the balance for the end of the year 2011.

The group gave $500 to the youth of the church for their mission trip next year, and a larger microwave was bought for the kitchen at the church.

Roberts read a newsletter from the district stating the new shepherdess for 2012 will be Allison Shrum of Millersville. Articles for the newsletter need to be in by Feb. 1. She announced that the spring district meeting will be March 24 at Sikeston United Methodist Church; Day Apart on June 23 at Old McKendree United Methodist Church; and the fall district meeting will be Oct. 13 at Kennett United Methodist Church.

The sampler packet that had been ordered was received, but a program booklet and "Response" magazine renewal were not. The prayer calendar, date books, reading program brochure and pamphlet "Why Should I Get Involved in Social Issues?" were received. Roberts asked if the club wanted to start a "Festival of Sharing" program for the church, and it was tabled until the board meeting.

Mangels gave a short program titled "The Seed Jar." Next month valentines will be sent to senior friends of the church and community. Roberts will pick up the supplies. Date books for 2012 were filled out and the meeting adjourned, followed by refreshments. Next month's hostess will be Roberts.

Town and Country FCE

The Town and Country FCE Club met for its annual birthday party at the Grecian Steak House on Jan. 12, with a gift exchange. Joyce King and Mary Klaproth were in charge of arrangements.

After members enjoyed dinner, a brief business meeting was held with Klaproth, president, presiding. The meeting opened with members saying the pledges to the U.S. flag and Missouri flag and the National FCE creed. Roll call was answered with how you spent New Year's Day. Pennies for Coins for Friendship were collected.

Sue Jones was thanked for taking down the Christmas displays in the parks. Members discussed projects for the coming year, and it was decided to basically participate in the same projects as in previous years. In addition, Darlene McCain will obtain information on the Hope House in Jackson and the club may assist the Hope House in 2012. The February project will be giving a Valentine's party for the students at Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center and bringing bingo prizes to the February meeting to be delivered to the Lutheran Home. Linda Thompson will purchase large-print word-search books that will be given to the Lutheran Home.

All members participated in the reading and discussion of Hearth Fire 26, "Woman to woman ... celebrating YOU!" A pound auction was enjoyed as a money making project for the club. The door prize was won by Jones.

The next meeting will be Feb. 9 at the home of Klaproth with Lois Seabaugh and Jones presenting the programs.

Oak Ridge FCE

Oak Ridge FCE met on Jan. 17 at the Jackson Elks Lodge with Lee Anderson as hostess.

President Jean Rehak opened the meeting with pledges to the flags. Pat Hecht led the group with singing "I Love to Tell the Story."

Devotion was given by Mariesa Lesch with a poem, "Harvest."

Roll call with 14 members present was "share an idea for saving energy."

The secretary's and treasurer's reports were read by Nelda Crader and Billie Criddle, and both were approved.

Marilyn Retherford gave a report on the winners of the Cape County literacy and essay and artwork with 88 fourth-graders participating from Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Oak Ridge schools.

Retherford also reported that she mailed 375 Christmas cards to service military men and women in December. Criddle reported and read the letter she received from one military personnel and how grateful he was for the support of the American people.

A flower fund was voted on and approved to set aside a certain amount each month for members' family who passed away. Betty Dellinger was voted to handle the project.

The FCE County project on autism will begin on Wednesday at the Jackson MU Extension Center to make blankets, lap pads and neck snakes for the autism center at Southeast Missouri State University.

January's project was a donation to the American Red Cross.

Crader gave a report on the Missouri Association for Family, Community & Education Inc., where she won second place in state,

Members welcomed back former member Lesch.

The next meeting will be Feb, 21 at Dellinger's home.

Young Americans 4-H Club

The January 2012 meeting of the Young Americans 4-H Club was called to order by Tricia Kirchdoerfer on Jan. 19 at Grace United Methodist Church.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Grant Schaefer and the 4-H pledge by Danielle Ehlers. Roll call was "name an animal that hibernates in the winter."

Present were 19 members and visitors Jackie Poole, Josie Poole and Frankie Poole.

January birthdays were recognized, and "Happy Birthday" was sung.

Demonstrations and illustrated talks were as follows: Tricia Kirchdoerfer on forms of identification of animals; Gary Schweer on shotguns; Tyler Kirchdoerfer on how to tattoo dairy animals; Lydia Cameron on how to make basic muffins; Belinda Strack on canine arthritis; Haley Ehlers on how to keep you horse properly groomed; Anthony Strack on different gauges of shotgun; and Alex Eftink on testing corn moisture.

Cort Hutchason was the winner of the "guess how many candies in the bag."

The meeting was adjourned by Gary Schweer with a second from Alex Eftink.

-- From staff reports