Club news 4/18/07

Alpha Mu Master

The Alpha Mu Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met in the home of Dixie Jones, with the president, Vicki McKinney, presiding. "Review and Test" pledge training was held prior to the meeting. The Ritual of Jewels for Martha Slaten and Jones will be held at the May 7 meeting.

An invitation was received from Epsilon Epsilon Chapter for the All Chapter Founder's Day dinner to be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Family Life Center at Centenary United Methodist Church.

Tickets were distributed for the Southeast Missouri State University production of "42nd Street" on April 26 at Rose Theatre. This girls' night out will include dinner at 6 p.m. at Bella Italia.

Reservations also were made for couples to attend the River City Players dinner theater, "Driving Miss Daisy," on May 4.

Bernie Gardner and McKinney will attend the next Beta Sigma Phi city council meeting May 2 at the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

A Beta Sigma Phi piggy bank was presented to Linda Metheny. She will give this to her newest great-granddaughter.

Margaret Little presented the program "Reversing Osteopenio."

The next meeting will be Founder's Day on Monday, and the next regular meeting will be May 7 in the home of Gwen Nussbaum.

Kage FCE

The Kage FCE Homemakers Club met at the Cape Girardeau Senior Center. Joan Meyer was hostess, and Dortha Strack, president, conducted the meeting.

Jo Daume reported that items collected for FISH Food Pantry last month totaled about $150.

A report was given about the annual All Clubs Day held March 26 at the Extension Center. The Lamplighters Club and Home Schooled Jump Ropers were sent thankyou cards.

It was decided to have a booth at the SEMO District Fair in September. Linda Farrow, Barbara Marshall and Meyer will work on the project.

Farrow reported that she donated a keyboard to the Extension Center in the name of the club.

Plans were finalized to attend the FCE Spring District Meeting on April 26 in Doniphan, Mo. Six members from Kage will attend.

Participating members signed up to read to a kindergarten or first-grade class at Jefferson Elementary School for the "Reading is a grand thing" program sponsored by the club. Members also signed up for the "Crystal Club" at The Lutheran Home.

Opal Collins reminded members of the June 22 and 23 educational two-day trip to Springfield, Ill. Also, there are still available tickets for the bus trip to the St. Louis Cardinals baseball game on May 24.

Final plans were made to help with the Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Program's barn dance to be held April 28 at Dr. Michael Jessup's barn. Tickets for the dinner/dance are $15 per person. There will also be an auction and a silent auction.

Collins gave the program "Mental Fitness" based partially on the book "Boost Your Brain Power."

The next meeting will be hosted by Marshall on May 10.

American Legion Auxiliary

The American Legion Auxiliary met April 11. A lunch was prepared by Vergie Templeton and Gladys Lawrence. President Patsy Kimbrel presided over the opening ceremony.

Barbara Yallaly, children and youth chairwoman, said that the American Legion Family signed on in 1999 as an organization sponsor of Children's Miracle Network. There are 170 children's hospitals nationwide, with two in St. Louis. Bingo cards were passed out, and members were asked to donate $2 each with the collection going to the Children's Miracle Network.

Frieda Howard reported on membership and also announced the memorial service for Fallen Away Law Officers will be held May 11 at the Conservation building. The public is invited.

Templeton sent out a number of cards to the auxiliary's membership and families.

Marilyn Ritter worked with the American Legion in selecting the American Legion teacher of the year. Ritter delivered scholarship forms to schools.

Myrna Powers, community chairwoman, sent around her community volunteer hours books. Her report was due Sunday.

Yallaly thanked those who have been clipping coupons for military families. A donation will be made to the Sons of the American Legion to help fill "hero packs," which are given to children of active duty military personnel. "Hero packs" contain a hand-written note of encouragement and thanks for their family's sacrifice in addition to stationary, pens, pencils, rulers, etc. The "hero packs" will be put together at the department convention in July.

A blue star banner with an inverted blue star surrounded by a red ring is on the cover of "The American Legion" magazine. This symbolizes the capture of Keith and Carolyn Maupin's son. A blue star banner will be given to Julie Klob so she can put this in her window while her husband is in Iraq.

Powers was nominated as American Legion Auxiliary woman of the year. The winner will be announced at the convention in July.

Iola Amelunke and Coline Heisserer brought quilt blocks for the Comfort Quilt Project. Kimbrel will be going to a Girl Scout meeting this month to give each girl a small flag and stand. The auxiliary is sponsoring a poppy coloring contest within this troop.

On May 4, American Legion men and women will be giving out poppies to the public to wear in honor of veterans.

The May 9 meeting will be a luncheon honoring women veterans. The 14th district meeting will be 2 p.m. May 20 at the Jackson American Legion Post.

-- From staff reports