Club news 6/26/05

Excelsior Chapter DeMolay

Excelsior Chapter, Order of DeMolay of Jackson participated in the Missouri DeMolay Conclave at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City, Mo. Those present were T.J. Bodenstin, Christopher Bonner, Andy Cannon, Aaron Delph, Adam Delph, Travis Dickerson, Gabe Eggers, John Free, Drew Hinkle Aaron McElrath, Josh Niswonger, Rodny Reihn, Stetson Sander, Dustin Sanders, Andrew Scholl, Jacob Scholl, Keith Totty, Michael Watwood and Bobby Williamson. Caitlin Burress represented the chapter in the state Sweetheart Pageant and was chaperoned by her mother, Crystal Burress, accompanied by Debbie Reihn and Shyanna Reihn.

Advisers who attended were Rodney Pensel, Brian Lape, Tim Lieneke, Randy Sander and Joe Bellis.

Excelsior Chapter placed fourth in team competition in basketball. In individual ritual competition, Sander placed third in individual obligations, and Eggers placed first in the seventh preceptor portion of the degree work. Eggers was also selected as the Area 5 Regional Master Councilor to represent the Southeast Missouri Jurisdiction. Sander was also recognized as a fourth-generation DeMolay with an honorary members to the Mother Chapter.

Rodney Pensel was named teacher of the year for the state of Missouri and was honored with an Eagle Award given by the executive officer of Missouri DeMolay for meritorious services. This award represented the work involved in institutuing a DeMolay Chapter with six advisers and 15 members within a 45-day period. Bellis was also presented an Eagle Award for his long-term service to the fraternity.

This chapter is sponsored by Excelsior Lodge 441 and meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Masonic Temple in Jackson.

Church Women United

The Church Women United met at Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson for Bible study and a business meeting. Joyce Zschille led the Bible study.

Michele Moon, president, presided over the business meeting. The minutes from previous meetings were read and approved, as was the treasurer's report. Vera Koen, treasurer, reported the group has 93 paid members for the year.

A report was given on May Friendship Day, held at St. James AME Church in Cape Girardeau. The program "Living in the light" was presented by Meta Siemers, Barbara Yallaly, Barbara Swan and Debby Thornton. Rhonda Zellinger led the singing.

Carol Kranawetter presented the annual scholarship to kathy Michael to help defray her school expenses. Kathy Heckman spoke on "Being the salt of the earth."

Dolly Jewell and Carol Simon are chairwomen for the 36th annual CROP sale that will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 15. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the proceeds going to the scholarship fund for a young woman attending the Career and Technology Cneer, a scholarship to Young Life camp and Church World Service projects.

Deb Tracy is the chair for the Awareness Luncheon that will be held Sept. 23 at Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. Hazel Blank and Marilyn Fronabarger are wokring with her on the program.

Moon proposed a project for the group to spnsor a round-table discussion on communion in the different denominations and how it is observed. She will ask several pastors to present their church traditions. A date will be announced later.

CROP Walk will be on Oct. 2, at Cape County Park North starting at 2 p.m. A group of representatives from several churches are working with a representative from CWS to finalize plans for the walk. Monies received wil a local agency as well as CWS projects.

Joyce King gave out posters and booklets for "The festival of sharing" which will be held Oct. 15 at the Sedalia, Mo., fairgrounds. The Bootheel Mini Festival will be held on Oct. 8 at the Dexter, Mo., fairgrounds.

-- From staff reports