Editor's note: Please submit your club news information either typed or printed. It is sometimes very difficult to make out people's names. Please use members' first and last names instead of formal titles. For instance, Jane Smith, not Mrs. John Smith. Thank you.

Missouri Retired Teachers Association

The Missouri Retired Teachers Association met March 5 at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

President Al Mason announced that the Southeast District meeting will be March 21 at Centenary Methodist Church.

Mark Bowles, superintendent of Cape Girardeau public schools, gave the program on the interests of the Cape schools.

The next meeting will be April 2.

Xi Nu Phi

Xi Nu Phi of Beta Sigma Phi met March 3 at Southeast Missouri Hospital, hosted by Beverly Compas.

The program was given by Barb McKeon, employee counselor with the hospital. She spoke on pre-menopause.

Renee Hesselrode was the club's Valentine queen.

In April, the club is planning a girls' day out at the flea market.

The next meeting will be March 18 at the home of Tammy Monia.

Progressive FCE

The Progressive FCE Club met Feb. 25 at the home of Dorothy Pensel. Ten members attended with each member bringing items for the Safe House for Women.

Jane Boren, president, presided over the meeting. Pensel gave the treasurer's report.

Shirley Cracraft attended the "Tune Out Violence" meeting held at Reflections Restaurant in Jackson. The committee is asking that two members from each club staff a table in front of Wal-Mart and/or Country Mart from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 22. These volunteers would be asking people to sign a petition stating that they will not watch any violence on TV on April 5. The collected petitions will be sent to government leaders, from state to national, then to a Congressional committee on violence on TV.

Here is a list of upcoming meetings and events: All Clubs Day, March 24; RSVP by March 18; Spring Leader Training and district meeting in Poplar Bluff on May 2; and council meeting on June 5.

The next meeting will be March 25. It will be a round robin card party at Boren's home with spouses and guests invited.

Cracraft gave a mini-lesson on "How Good is Your Balance." She led the group in a test of balance and then demonstrated exercises that could help improve it.

Laureate Alpha Rho

The Laureate Alpha Rho chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met March 6, at the home of Erma Vaughn.

Vaughn conducted a review of the rituals of Beta Sigma Phi.

Edna Hey reported receiving answers from servicemen the sorority had written to at Christmas.

Bonnie Hennesy, president, announced a contribution had been made to the Kidney Foundation in memory of Rudell Childers, a member who passed away recently. Loretta Atkins reported on her visit to former member, Bunny Harris Smith, who is now living in Sarasota, Fla. A letter was read from Billi Whitnel, daughter of a member, thanking members for their kindess during her illness.

Hennesy and Norma Schriber were given the Ritual of Jewels Degree by Vaughn. Following the meeting an executive board meeting was held.

The next meeting will be March 20, at the home of LaRue Brown. It will be a St. Patrick's Day party.

FCE Council Meeting

The Cape Girardeau County Family and Community Education Council Meeting was held March 6 at the Jackson Extension Center.

Ruth Pohlman, president, announced that Pennies for Friendship and Nickels for Leadership will be collected in September.

On June 25, Cape County FCE Council will sponsor a Red Cross blood drive at the Cape Girardeau Senior Center. Opal Collins will chair the event.

A quilt pieced by Agnes Wachter and raffled in December netted $1,090 with $545 going to the Cancer Fund and $545 to the council treasury.

It was announced that Cape County FCE sent 13 dolls to Jefferson City for Child Advocacy Day.

Mary Klaproth explained plans for "Tune Out Violence" day on April 5. It is a program against violence on TV. FCE members will be at Wal-Mart in Cape Girardeau on March 21, at Wal-Mart in Jackson and Sav-a-Lot on March 22, to get signatures from people pledging not to watch violent TV shows on April 5.

Mary Gosche discussed leaders training which will be held March 31 at the Extension Education Center. Training on the following subjects will be held: soap making, financial planning in later life, hormone replacement, experiencing chocolate and honey.

Information was passed out on a citizens' preparedness guide. Information was also distributed on the Visiting Nurse Association's teleconference, "Living with Grief: Coping with Public Tragedy" to be viewed via satellite from noon to 3:30 p.m. on April 30 at the Extension office in Jackson.

Committee assignments will be made on All Clubs Day, March 24. A silent cookbook auction will be held.

A reception for the new president of University of Missouri was held March 7 at the Extension Center.

Klaproth announced the following tours for 2003: Kentucky Opry for the Braschler Music Show on March 28, deadline for reservations to Marjorie Swan by March 14; The Muny in St. Louis to see "South Pacific," on Aug. 5; a cruise on the river to commemorate the Lewis and Clark Expedition on Oct. 18; Christmas tour to Branson, Mo., Nov. 14 through 16; Ozark Folk Center with no date set yet.

Marilyn Retherford announced that 250 essays were entered in the FCE-sponsored essay contest in which 4th grade students wrote about the meaning of family. Taylor Thompson won first place; Megan Hagedorn won second place and John Little won third place. Five "I Can Do It" awards also were presented.

FCE clubs will prepare booths for the Southeast Missouri District Fair in September.

All Clubs Day will be held March 24, at the Extension Center in Jackson. Town and Country FCE will be in charge.

The Spring district meeting will be at Poplar Bluff, Mo., on May 2, at First United Methodist Church.

The next council meeting will be held June 5.

-- From staff reports