Published: May 12, 2008 06:21 pm            

Club news

Local sororities install officers for 2008-10 biennium, celebrate Founders Day

Members of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma met at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, at the Jacksonville Middle School library.

President Susan Vierkant welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order.

Delicious refreshments were served as well as decorated cupcakes to celebrate the 74th birthday of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, which was organized on April 17, 1934.

In the business portion of the meeting, the minutes were approved as presented by Dianna Smith with a correction made concerning the location of the April meeting, which was held at JMS instead of Nichols Intermediate library.

Treasurer Sandra Slawson gave the financial report for the chapter.

Susan Vierkant will serve as chapter president for the next biennium. Shannon Hansel volunteered to be the chapter photographer and work on the scrapbook.

The last meeting of the 2007-08 school year will be the Founder’s Day Brunch to be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at The Woods in Jacksonville.

Jane Smith suggested “Heart to Heart” to provide the entertainment.

President Vierkant distributed pin ribbons to the Beta Alpha members who had previously ordered them.

She also told members about the upcoming state convention to the held at The Woodlands, June 19-21.

Aug. 16 is the date set for the Area I Workshop in Athens. All members are encouraged to attend this informative meeting.

The collect was read by Selena Earle. A wonderful initiation ceremony was held for Beta Alpha’s two new members Jane Smith and Kathleen Glidewell.

President Vierkant led the ceremony, assisted by Sandra Slawson, Judy Gibson and Linda Brown.

They explained the colors and symbols of the DKG society and had all the Beta Alpha members renew their dedication to the ideals of the society. The two new members were presented with their pins and signed the book of membership. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the Delta Kappa Gamma song.

A fun-filled birthday party was celebrated with members exchanging gifts and trying to guess which member brought each gift.

The meeting was adjourned by Vierkant.

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Members of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma met with the Lambda Phi Chapter at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at The Woods at Jacksonville for their Founder’s Day brunch and installation of the 2008-10 officers.

Beta Alpha President Susan Vierkant welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. The collect was read by Judy Gibson.

“Heart To Heart,” a wonderful group of ladies, entertained the chapters with their singing, followed by the brunch.

Beta Alpha member Linda Brown led the group in a tribute to the founders of Delta Kappa Gamma.

Dr. Kay Steelman, a Lambda Phi member, installed the newly elected officers for the 2008-10 biennium.

Beta Alpha officers are President Susan Vierkant; Co-First Vice Presidents Linda Brown and Judy Gibson; Second Vice President Renee Todd; Recording Secretary Dianna Smith; Corresponding Secretary Tonya Watson; Treasurer Sandra Slawson; and Parliamentarian Linda Granberry.

Officers for the Lambda Phi chapter are Elizabeth Halpain, president; Melissa McIntyre, first vice president; Jennie Mae Phifer, recording secretary; Joyce Folden, corresponding secretary; Patricia Perry, treasurer; and Gay Lynn Brines, parliamentarian.

Four members of Beta Alpha were recognized for perfect attendance at the meetings during the year. Eight members of Lambda Phi were awarded gifts for perfect attendance.

The chapter achievement award for Beta Alpha went to Susan Vierkant and the chapter achievement recipient from Lambda Phi was Lyn Ousley. Scholarship recipients for the two chapters were named.

Carmen Carroll, who attends UT Tyler, will receive the Lambda Phi scholarship for the next school year.

Amanda Chandler, who attends SFA, will receive the Beta Alpha scholarship.

Both students majoring in education.

The presidents of the two chapters — Susan Vierkant of Beta Alpha and Gay Lynn Brines of Lambda Phi — rewarded their outgoing officers with the President’s award.

Certificates recognizing Beta Alpha members for 25 years of service in their chapter were given to Sue Dublin, Loma Dudley and Dianna Smith.



County SCV camp holds military marker dedication

On Sunday, May 4, the Sons of Confederate Veterans Cross of Saint Andrew camp No.2009 of Cherokee County held a double military marker dedication ceremony in Anderson County at the historic Old Pilgrim Cemetery in the Elkhart area.

Assisting them were their Southern Belles, members of the Johnson-Nettles SCV camp No.1012 and the Jefferson Davis-John Reagan Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

The event was a combined effort with the 2nd Texas Frontier SCV Camp No. 1904 of Comanche County, whose Commander Thomas Harrison is originally from the Elkhart area and has many ancestors that served buried in Anderson County.

The ceremony was for Private Russell Goodson, who served in Company A, 36th Mississippi infantry and moved to Texas after the war and for Sgt. John Parker, who served in Company G, 1st Texas infantry of Hood’s brigade.

There were more than 200 descendants of both of these soldiers in attendance to pay tribute to their service in the Southern army from 1861 to 1865.

The ceremony included an opening prayer, a tribute to Southerners, the salute to the Confederate flag and life histories were read on both men which also included their military service as well.

Rifle volleys were fired in honor of each soldier and the ladies of the Belles, UDC and many descendants laid flowers on their new markers as a final tribute to their service.

UDC President Dolly Jeffus then read a roll call of all 22 CSA veterans at Old Pilgrim, which included her great-grandad Colonel A.T. Rainey of Hood’s brigade — the highest ranking Confederate officer buried in Anderson County.

The roll call was answered by the troops in the rifle squad and Commander Harrison fired a cannon salute in their honor.

The ceremony concluded with all 200 plus in attendance singing Dixie loud and proud and the crowd was treated to refreshments prepared by all of the lovely ladies and visitation and fellowship was enjoyed by all.



Rusk Lions Club participates in Relay for Life 2008

Rusk Lions Club member Vic Whadford opened the meeting by calling on Lion Billy Watson for the invocation, Lion Jeff Johnson for the pledges and Lion Tim Timmons to lead the singing.

Lion Vic showed a newspaper article with a picture of the Rusk Boy Scout Pack 405 carrying the banner in the walk for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Jacksonville on April 25. Other volunteers, Darline Watson and Cody Morris are shown lighting the candles in the Luminaria bags around the field. Vincent Lankford and Boots Burfoot also volunteered.

Lion Vic Whadford and Lion Billy Watson reported to the club on Friday night activities of the Luminaria program. They thanked all the Lions who served on the working crews of putting sand in each bag and placing a candle in each of them.

The sand was donated by Harry’s Building Materials. The bags were all alphabetized.

Lions who helped were Jim Cromwell, Charlie Burfoot and Lioness Evelyn Stewart and Ann Brown.

We had several volunteers also. The Rusk Leo Club moved all the bags around the area and into the stands. They also helped with lighting the candles. The lighters were donated by Discount City in Jacksonville.

Cindy Kline read the names of many deceased cancer victims and those who have cancer.

More than $125,000 was raised this year, breaking Cherokee County’s record. The Rusk Lions Club raised more than $3,300.



MOPS ends year

Wow! What another awesome meeting, held May 7, as MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) approaches the end of the school year! The meeting started off with brunch as everyone munched and mingled.

Several door prizes were handed out. Angela Hoffpauir, Melissa Johnston, and Amber Mayfield won lotions donated by May Drug. Brittni Harwell won a Memory Board from Creative Memories donated by Dawn Clevenger.

Debra White Smith was the guest speaker; she spoke on healthy friendships and then about forgiveness in marriage. Ah, what great wisdom!

After the meeting, the moms were refreshed, ready for an afternoon of lunch and naptime for their kiddos.



Career Women get program on Medicare, Medicaid

The Career Women’s Civic Club met at the HOPE Center with special guests to hear a very information program from Roger Wells, Regional Business Development Consultant with P and M Health Care.

He was introduced by Brenda Hardt, business development specialist from Gardendale Rehab and Nursing Center.

He discussed Medicare and Medicaid applications and eligibility for senior citizens.

He discussed financial requirements for the Medicare program eligibility. A question and answer session followed the presentation.



Rusk Rotary golf tourney set May 17

Whether you’re a great golfer or a duffer, here’s your chance to help deserving Rusk students further their education.

The Rotary Club of Rusk’s annual Memorial Golf Tournament, with all net proceeds going to the Rusk Rotary Scholarship Fund, will be held Saturday, May 17, starting at 9 a.m., at the Birmingham Forest Golf Club in Rusk.

As in the past, the format will be a 4-person scramble, with total team handicaps totaling 48 or more; 20 being the highest counted handicap. Entry fee is $50 per person, includes entry, two mulligans per person and lunch.

Cash prizes will be awarded to first through third places. Cash prizes will be based on full field. To round out the fun and excitement, there will be prizes for the longest drive; and closest to the hole.

For register a team for the tournament, call Mark at Birmingham Forest Golf Club, 903-683-9518.



Ladies with Hat-titude meet

Ladies with a Hat-titude met Saturday, May 3 at Stacey’s Barbecue restaurant in Jacksonville for the monthly meeting and lunch.

Red Hatters present were Queen Judy Batton, Sandra Bolton, B.J. McCauley, Jenean Phariss, Linda Jones, Vicky Brubaker, Lawanda Ellis, Barbara Sexton, Jean Allen, Chris Pharr, Mary Woolery, Polly Shofner and Mary Reynolds. Guests included Kelsi Brubaker, daughter of Vicky.

Two birthday girls, Susan Vierkant and Suzanne Hardin were unable to attend, but red hatters played “Happy Birthday” on the kazoos in their honor.

Door prizes were won by Polly, Chris, Jenean, Linda, Jean and Sandra. Barbara drew the lucky number to take the mascot home with her and bring her back on the next meeting.

Everyone was dressed in purple attire and red hats except for the guest.

Next meeting will be June 7 — location to be announced.

        

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