Club news 6-7-15

Southeast Missouri District of FCE

The Spring 2015 meeting of the Southeast Missouri District of Family, Community, and Education was held May 7 at Cape Girardeau County University of Missouri Extension Office in Jackson. The host club was Cape Girardeau County FCE. There were 61 members of Southeast District clubs (Bollinger, Cape, Ripley, Butler, and Perry), plus members-at-large and other guests in attendance.

Shirley Palen, president, called the meeting to order. JoAnn Hahs, director for the Southeast District, led the group in a game called "How much are you worth?" Hahs gave the highlights of the state board meeting, which included the establishment of a new scholarship for new members who were attending for the first time. Packets of new information about tax exemptions. There were five scholarships of various types available.

Guests were Lynn Maples, new president of National FCE; and Edna Crain, new state president. Other state officers also recognized were Betty Shalk and Mary Klaproth.

Crain spoke on a walk around the world. Proceeds are sometimes earmarked to aid in stopping the human traffic problem in some areas where even babies are being sold for use in sex trafficking. They related that items for the girls (and boys) who have been rescued are to be collected at the national convention. She also read a letter from Gov. Jay Nixon thanking us for all the dolls sent to the Capitol on Dolls for Literacy Day.

Certificates were presented to Hahs and Verla Mangles for 50 years in FCE. State awards presented were: The Golden Bookmark Award was presented to Jean Rehak, president of Oak Ridge Homemakers; and Mary Klaproth was presented the Community Success Award. The winners of the essay contest read their winning entries on "Responsibility," Autumn Maness, second place, and Erin Urhahn, first place for district, and honorable mention for state.

Crain gave out pens shaped like syringes which were filled with a "Cure for Rudeness." She spoke on how rudeness could be cured with a good dose of civility. Liz Fish recited several items we need to place in our toolbox of cures. They include kindness, generosity, respect, decency, courtesy, politeness, integrity, moral development, and listening with our hearts.

After lunch, Jackie Brandtner introduced Taylor Crowe, author and cartoonist, who gave a most interesting presentation on "autism." He spoke from the perspective aspect of a person who has autism and gave many helpful ideas on helping those who have been diagnosed with autism take their rightful place in society. He stressed that autism is not a disability, but is an inconvenience instead.

The fall meeting will be Oct. 13 in Brazeau, Missouri, and the spring 2016 meeting will be in Ripley County.

After silent auction winners were picked up, door prizes were awarded.

Lamplighters FCE

The FCE Lamplighters Club held its May 21 meeting at BG's Olde Tyme Deli & Saloon in Jackson. Karen McLane was the hostess and read the devotion from Psalms 16:11.

Unfinished business was discussed and approved.

Members were told about registration forms and scholarships for first time attendees to state/national conferences

During past club meetings, books for newborns and books/games for pediatrics were donated by club members. The decision was made that four members would deliver 30 books for newborns and 22 activity books for pediatrics to Southeast Hospital.

The other four members would deliver 32 books for newborns and 20 activity books/games for pediatrics to Saint Francis Medical Center.

June's club meeting or the birthday meeting will be held June 18. Members planning to attend should meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of First Baptist Church in Oak Ridge. From there, members will travel to the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary near Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, and then on to Sirro's Family Restaurant in Ste. Genevieve at 12:30 p.m. for lunch.

The meeting was adjourned; lunch was served.

John Guild Chapter, NSDAR

The John Guild Chapter held its regular meeting and brunch May 20 at My Daddy's Cheesecake in Cape Girardeau.

The meeting was the official visit of State Regent Morgan Lake. During her two-year term of office, she will visit every chapter in the state. The chapter was especially excited as Lake is a member of John Guild Chapter.

Lake reported on the progress of updating the kitchen at the DAR State Headquarters in Boonville, Missouri. The new cabinets are made of cherry and the door and drawer pulls are made of pewter with a stem of three cherries embossed on them. This is the state regent's project for 2015. All chapters in the state support this project.

The state headquarters is a three-story Queen Ann house and known as the last of the Main Street Mansions.