Club news 3-23-14

Cape Girardeau County FCE

Cape Girardeau County FCE Council met March 6 at the University of Missouri Extension Office in Jackson. There were 11 members from the individual clubs present.

The meeting was conducted by Mariesa Lesch, vice president. Mary Klaproth, secretary, read the minutes from the December 2013 meeting and the treasurer's report was given by Jean Rehak. Motion was made by Dortha Strack and seconded by Barbara Barks that the council establish a petty cash fund to keep on hand to take care of small bills incurred by the council. the motion carried.

JoAnn Hahs read a thank-you letter from the Autism Center for the donation of blankets, lap pads, and neck "snakes" and also announced that the name of the Autism Center in Cape Girardeau had been changed to Easter Seals Midwest Disabilities Services.

Leadership training classes will be conducted April 14 at the extension center. Registration is at 9:15 a.m. with classes beginning at 9:30. Topics will include Eating Better for Less Dollars, Safe at Home, Gluten Free Foods and Green Cleaning Solutions for a Healthy Home. Presenters will be Bethany Schindler, specialist at University of Missouri Extension in Perry County, and Rebecca Blocker, housing and environment design specialist at University of Missouri Extension in St. Francois County.

The United Methodist Women of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson attended the 42nd annual legislative training event recently in Jefferson City, Mo. Shown from left are, Mary Klaproth, Julie Combs, Shirley Patterson, Rutn VanZee, Donna Lichtenegger, state representative for District 146, Doris Dace, Tina Crites, Eglenna Davis and Sue Jones. The theme was “Opening your minds and understand hearts. Listen, for I have worthy things to say, I open my lips to speak what is right.” Proverbs 8:6. Participants had the opportunity to attend issue forms including achievement gap in education, bullying, food safety and identity theft. The keynote speaker was Devin Dollinger, CEO of Epworth Children and Family Services. Also, George Lombardi, director of Missouri Corrections, spoke about the prison system. Lichtenegger joined the group for breakfast and she answered questions on upcoming bills to be voted on. Theresa Thomas, Missouri Conference UMW Social Action coordinator, was the morning speaker. An Ash Wednesday service was led by Pati Tynes. (Submitted photo)

It was announced that the council would conduct the annual literacy essay/poster contest for fourth-grade students in Cape Girardeau County. More information about the contest will be given at a later date.

Klaproth announced that Child Advocacy Day will be held April 1 in Jefferson City, Mo. Members of the county clubs were requested to bring dolls for the legislators to the All Clubs Day meeting on Monday.

For All Clubs Day, all members are asked to bring a covered dish and $5 registration fee. Cheerful Country Doers Club will be hostess and provide the meat. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. with the meeting starting at 10:30. Program chairs are Agnes Wachter and Lesch. A representative from the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department will present a program on Safety Tips and All You Wanted to Know About Law Enforcement. Members to be recognized for numerous years of membership include Agnes Wachter, Jane Lungwitz, Barbara Marshall, Inez Statler, JoAnn Hahs, Karen Eakers and Barbara Popp.

A report from the tour committee was given by Klaproth about this year's tour. Members will see "Hello Dolly" Aug. 11 at The Muny Opera in St. Louis. Cost will be $98, which includes transportation, the show and dinner in the Hill area.

Spring district meeting will be April 22 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mary Martens, state president, will be the morning speaker.

Mary Gosche provided copies of a letter received by the extension center from the county commission informing them that future contributions by the commission will be reduced $10,000 per year for the next five years beginning in 2015. She encouraged each member to contact the commission to request reinstatement of the contributions to the center.

The meeting was adjourned.

Cape Girardeau County FCE members met March 11 at the extension center to participate in making weighted blankets for autistic children in the Southeast Missouri area.

There were 19 members from the five clubs in Cape Girardeau County -- Cheerful Country Doers, Kage, Oak Ridge Homemakers, Town and Country, and Lamplighters -- plus several members-at-large who took part in the day-long workshop. The group produced 33 weighted blankets, 12 lap pads and three neck "snakes" which was a record number for the group for one day. All but three blankets, which had been requested by specific groups, were presented to the Easter Seals Midwest Disabilities Services in Cape Girardeau. They will be distributed to schools, families with autistic children and other organizations in Southeast Missouri.

The next workshop will be at 9 a.m. June 3 the center.

Town and Country FCE Club

Town and Country FCE Club met March 13 at the University of Missouri Extension Center. Karen Murphy was hostess.

The meeting was called to order by Linda Thompson, president. Two devotions were given by Murphy entitled, Give it to God and Turning Darkness Into Light.

Minutes from the February meeting were read by Darlene McCain. Also, thank-you notes had been received from Cottonwood Treatment Center thanking the club for Valentine treat bags given to residents and from the Lutheran Home thanking the club for the donation of bingo prizes. Mary Klaproth gave the treasurer's report. Both reports were approved as read. Pennies for Friendship were collected.

Members attending the council meeting were Sue Jones, Thompson, Klaproth and McCain.

All Clubs Day will be April 24 at the extension center. Registration will be at 10 a.m. and each member will pay $5 at the door. Cheerful Country Doers will be the hostess and Town and Country will have the devotion. The meat for the noon meal will be provided by the host club. Side dishes will be supplied by members. Members are to bring a generic doll to be delivered on Child Advocacy Day April 1 in Jefferson City, Mo.

The Spring FCE Leader Training will be April 14 at the extension center with registration at 9:15 a.m.

Town and Country members are to bring treats to fill Easter bags for residents at Cottonwood Treatment Center to the April meeting.

Jones reported she had received a letter from a young serviceman stationed at Osan AFB, South Korea. She had mailed a Christmas card to anyone serving our country during the clubs annual "Friends of our Troops" campaign in December 2013.

The program, "Herb Gardening," was given by Donna Woolsey. Hearth Fire #26 "Woman to Woman,Celebrating YOU!" was distributed to members.

Club out will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Chinatown Buffet in Cape Girardeau.

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 1 with McCain serving as hostess. The program will be given by Jones on "Chronic Pain."

American Legion Auxiliary

Linda Nash, executive director of C.A.S.A., presented a program to the 22 members in attendance at the meeting of American Legion Auxiliary, explaining the purpose and duties of her organization. C.A.S.A. is run by volunteers and works with young adults and the court system.

Fern Schlimme and Vergie Templeton served as hostesses.

Membership stands at 130 members, just shy of goal.

Patsy Kimbrel made a motion to give $100 to the Kenny Rogers Center in Sikeston, Mo., seconded by Reba Strayhorn and passed.

The money donated for new flags for the district was not needed and a motion was made by Shirley Young and seconded by Catherine Allison to contact Sikeston for a refund.

The next district meeting will be held in May in Sikeston. Details will follow in the April Post Peep. The June meeting will be held at Arena Park in the conservation area.

Please continue to bring non-perishable items for the Amen Center.

The next meeting will be lunch at noon April 8 with the meeting to follow at 1 p.m.

John Guild Chapter, NSDAR

The John Guild Chapter, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated its 100th anniversary March 15 at New Mckendree United Methodist Church South Campus in Jackson. About 100 people attended.

Chapter regent, Pamela Johnson, served as emcee. State regent, Patsy West, brought greetings and introduced her state board. Southeast District director, Debbie Dollar, was introduced as well as chapter regents and members of other chapters. Matthew Stroder, state president of the Children of the American Revolution, brought greetings. Steve Pledger brought greeting from the Sons of the American Revolution.

A slide show of the John Guild Chapter history was running continuously throughout the evening.

The chapter has a membership of 83.

The chapter was organized March 16, 1914, at Jackson. The name was changed from Guild Chapter to John Guild Chapter in November 1949.

The Rev. John Guild was an ordained Presbyterian minister. During the Revolution, John Guild was "hated" as a true patriot. His home was entered by British soldiers, his papers destroyed, and his books torn to pieces. The Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Pennington, N.J., where he was pastor, was used by the British soldiers for barracks.

New McKendree UMW

The New McKendree United Methodist Women met in the fellowship hall March 11 with 32 members and a guest present. The meeting was called to order by Mary Klaproth, president, after which the group recited the UMW Purpose.

Minutes of the last meeting were read by Pam Buck, secretary, and approved as read. Marilyn Fronabarger, treasurer, gave that report.

The Hope Circle was in charge of the program. Kara Westrich announced that a concert would be held at South Campus at 6:30 p.m. March 30 to raise funds for Old McKendree. She then introduced the speaker for the evening, Nancy Hartlein, a member of the Old McKendree board who shared how the funds from the concert would be spent.

Chairperson reports:

Program resources: Tina Crites asked if we have any books from past UMW Reading Program lists to bring them to share.

Spiritual growth: Julie Combs gave a Lenten devotion.

Social action: Donna Mason reminded us the April collection will go to Jackson School fund.

Membership: Inez Statler reported that Tandy Wendel visited Monticello last week and Anna Wannamaker took communion to her shut-in list. Statler will go to The Lutheran Home and Chateau Girardeau.

Supportive community: Elwanda Corbin reported no meals had been served.

Ribbons: Jan Birk has new ribbons and gave a report on the history behind the Mission Ribbon.

Klaproth reported that eight attended legislative training in Jefferson City, Mo., and hopefully will be giving a report to their circles. Handouts were available.

The spring district meeting will be held Saturday at Hayti United Methodist Church in Hayti, Mo.

Circle attendance was taken and the Mary and Martha Circle won the attendance ribbon.

The Mary and Martha Circle is scheduled to serve the birthday party at Jackson Manor April 1.

The spring apron event will be at 2:30 p.m. April 13 at South Campus.

Julie Combs reminded members to spread the word about the 100-mile yard sale and to remind people that it will be held at the High Street location.

-- From staff reports