Club news 3/24/04

New McKendree UMW

The Wesleyan Circle of New McKendree United Methodist Women in Jackson hosted the general meeting in the church's fellowship hall on March 7.

Barbara Hartle, chairwoman of the Hope Circle, opened the meeting. Stacy Dotson, volunteer with the American Red Cross, presented a program on dealing with crisis situations, such as choking, drowning and other accidents with infants and children. Using life-size models, she demonstrated proper techniques for removing foreign objects from the throat and restoring breathing, and invited the group to practice the appropriate methods.

Barbara Burnette, president, conducted the business meeting. Mission ribbons were awarded to the Mary-Martha and Wesleyan circles for the greatest number in attendance. Amy Cook, treasurer, reported that the $491.95 of the Call and Self-Denial offering has been forwarded to the district treasurer.

A thank-you note was read from Safe House for Women for items donated in February and a letter of appreciation from a bereaved family for a meal served.

The president announced that Pat Lynn, Shirley Patterson, Burnette and Cook attended the two-day Legislative Event in Jefferson City on March 6 and 7.

Wilma Wilcoxson, social needs coordinator, announced a bereavement meal was served in February and a Stone Soup meal was served to the congregation following the Sunday morning service on United Methodist Women's weekend. She expressed appreciation to those who assisted in the preparation and serving of these meals.

The next meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. on April 6 in the church fellowship hall. The Esther Circle will host, and the Dorcus Circle will have the program. The local mission project will be collection of items for the Wesley Foundation House on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

Wonderworkers FCE

The Wonderworkers FCE Extension Club met on March 11 at the home of June Landgraf.

Margie E. Reisenbichler and Nelda Starzinger attended the leaders' training workshop on March 8 at the Extension Center in Jackson.

A report was given on the council meeting that was held March 4 at the extension center.

The Girardot Center for Youth and Family will be sponsored for the year's project. Refreshments will be provided by the club members for a concert to be given by the group on April 7.

Volunteer hours were given on various projects. The program was given by Margie W. Reisenbichler on landscaping.

The April 8 meeting will be hosted by Nell Kieninger. The program on "Creating a healthier home" will be given by Nell Starzinger. Each member is encouraged to bring flowers for a flower exchange.

Roberts Homemakers Club

The Roberts Homemakers Club members gathered at Riverside Regional Library for their March meeting following lunch at Delmonico's Restaurant in Jackson.

Judy Bryant, president, opened the meeting. Pat Terry gave the devotional. Donations were received for the Helping Hands project and the local food pantry.

Jean McDowell presented the program using spring colors and a demonstration on the many uses of colored paper for craft projects.

American Legion

The American Legion in Cape Girardeau celebrated the legion's 85th birthday on March 17. Members and guests gathered for a covered dish dinner. The color guard posted the colors and before dinner Chaplain John Ferguson offered prayer. Guests came from Sikeston, Mo., Jackson, Advance, Mo., Perryville, Mo., Imperial, Mo., and Cape Girardeau.

After dinner, Megan Kistner thanked the auxiliary for allowing her to go to Girls State in June 2003. Certificates recognizing 50 years of membership in the American Legion Auxiliary were presented to Alberta Heimbaugh and Mary Penrod. A 55-year certificate was presented to Muriel Day. Each lady received a tie tack bearing the auxiliary's emblem and the number of years of membership. Corsages made by auxiliary member Darlene Williams were given to the three women. Robert Harper was presented a 55-year certificate of membership. Not present to receive 50-year membership certificates were Ivan Hobbs, Leon Jansen and Harold Werner.

Annually a teacher is picked to receive the American Legion School Teacher of the Year Award. Post member Russell Grammer was chosen as the teacher of the year because of his love of children and his deep desire to teach each child. Commander John Powers presented Grammer with a plaque. Grammer is a veteran, having served in Desert Storm.

Post adjutant Burt Lehman spoke of the legion's involvement in the community and his reason for belonging to the legion.

Guests and members toured the new legion building located at 2731 Thomas Drive in Cape Girardeau. An open house is being arranged for the public to see the new building.

The planning committee for this birthday dinner was Tom Giles and Lehman.

St. Mary CCW

The St. Mary Council of Catholic Women met on March 18 in the Monsignor Huels Room of the parish office building.

The Rev. Tom Kiefer, spiritual moderator, told of upcoming events in the parish. The club is joining other churches on the Habitat for Humanity house. Canned goods will be collected for the Salvation Army at the next meeting.

Nancy King, vice president, sent 13 birthday cards. She showed items for the Spring assembly grab-bag auction. The assembly will be held April 30 and May 1, at Drury Lodge in Cape Girardeau. The club will provide fruit for the Hospitality Room on April 30.

The January, May, July and September circles are sponsoring a bake sale/white elephant sale and community garage sale in the St. Mary School gym on Saturday and Sunday.

After an Irish sing-a-long, the group enjoyed green refreshments furnished by the March Circle. A number of memory books were shared and Kate Schaefer gave ideas for making scrapbooks.

Kiefer will lead the group in a dreaming session for the next 10 years at the next meeting on April 15. It will be held in the Monsignor Huels Room.

Laureat Alpha Rho

The Laureat Alpha Rho Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met March 18 at the home of Marion Miles Edwards. Communications from the International were read by Erma Vaughan, president.

The 2005 convention committee reported on its most recent meeting held on March 15. Laureate Alpha Rho is in charge of the hospitality room for the convention, and that committee will meet within the month to discuss budget and food. Rosanna Whitnel passed out preregistration forms for the convention. These must be completed and returned with a deposit by the next meeting.

An invitation to the Founder's Day Banquet was received from the host chapter, Xi Epsilon Nu. This banquet will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church Family Life Center on April 27.

Slate of officers for the 2004-2005 year will remain the same: Vaughan, president; Whitnel, vice president; Norma Schrieber, treasurer; Mary Ann Nenninger, recording secretary; and LaRue Brown, corresponding secretary. Bonnie Hennessy was chosen to be social chairman for the Christmas party, and Edna Hey agreed to be program chairman.

The hostess presented a cultural program, "Making a House a Home." She also presented the program in 1954, and it seemed to fit in well with today's homes.

The next meeting will be an Easter champagne brunch to be held at the home of Hennessy on April 1.

Eastside Homemakers

The Eastside Homemakers met on March 17 at the Branding Iron Restaurant in Jackson. After lunch, the club had a short meeting.

The FCE Council has an ongoing project, "Tune Out Violence," which the club will commit to.

The next meeting will be at Dairy Queen in Fruitland at 11 a.m. on April 21.

-- From staff reports