WOMEN'S CLUBS TO HOLD CONVENTION

Women from throughout the state will begin arriving today for the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) state convention.

The convention will be held at the Holiday Inn Convention Center through Saturday. At least 700 members of community-based volunteer clubs in Missouri are expected.

The event is hosted by the GFWC 9th District, which encompasses all of Missouri from Festus to the Arkansas border. There are 84 local members of the organization, including the Cape Girardeau Tuesday Club, Cape Girardeau Wednesday Club, Cape Girardeau Quest Club, Cape Girardeau Scope Club and the Cape Girardeau Coalesce Girls Town Club.

Ninth district president Sharon Raines of Scott City said members will attend workshops on community improvement, triad safety for older Americans, women's health and learning disabilities. She said the information will be used to help the clubs in their community work at home.

"We take information back to the community and kind of get inspired to have community projects," Raines said. "It just makes you a better citizen, a better parent and a better grandparent."

Cape Girardeau members will sponsor a convention banquet Friday night featuring the Golden Girls Senior Citizen band. Keynote speaker for the event is Judy Lutz, GFWC second vice-president from Clearwater, Fla.