Lions Club

The Lions Club District 26D held its district convention on March 20 at the Sikeston Country Club. District governor Larry Tetley presided.

During the afternoon meeting, there were guest speakers from the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation, Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing, Lions World Service for the Blind and District A-1 Bionic Eye Project.

Michelle Quinlon of Park Hills, Mo., thanked the district for her new home, made possible by the Lions Clubs of Bonne Terre, Farmington, Park Hills, and District 26D, along with a grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation.

At the close of the meeting, delegates voted for new district officers. Bob McKiln of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., will be the new district governor and Murray Dunn of Patton, Mo., will serve as vice district governor.

A tour of the Kenny Rogers Children's Center was taken after the meeting before the banquet. At the banquet, Steve Taylor of the Sikeston club was master of ceremonies. Guest speaker was international director Jim Sherry of Nova Scotia.

Those attending the convention from Cape Girardeau were Allen and Laurie Taylor, Dorothy Cox, Annette Shoulders, Ed Tilley and Mary L. Estes.

The Lions State Convention will be held in Joplin, Mo., April 30 through May 2.

Zonta Club

The Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau Area met April 6 at Francine's Gardens. The club recognized its 2004 Young Woman in Public Affairs award recipient, Candace London, who was present along with her parents, Mark and Carrie London.

Members elected 2004-2005 officers: Marcia Southard-Ritter, president; Cheryl Hill, president-elect; Terri Foley, vice president; Dianne Gammon, secretary; Marsha Haskell, treasurer; Kimberly Price, fund-raising director; and Reagan Holliday and Sherry Persinger, service directors.

In March, members painted and wallpapered at a Habitat for Humanity house.

The following upcoming projects were discussed: Zonta's annual flea market on April 24 at Centenary United Methodist Church Family Life Center, a work day in May for a Habitat for Humanity house and participation in the Friends of the Library Foundation Spring Book Sale in May. The club also discussed plans for the Women of Achievement Luncheon scheduled for Sept. 30, which will honor two women in the region for their professional and community service. The luncheon chair announced that Linda Bloodworth-Thomason has agreed to be the guest speaker and will receive the Celebration Award.

TOPS No. MO259

Take Off Pounds Sensibly met at Grace United Methodist Church to hold an election of new officers. They are: Dee Niswonger, leader; Dorothy Jones, co-leader; Gwynne Jacobsen, secretary; Vada Smart, treasurer; LaVerne Van Weelden, weight rec; and Gail Fletcher, co-rec.

TOPS No. MO259 meets at 9:30 a.m. every Friday at Grace United Methodist Church, at the corner of Broadway and Caruthers in Cape Girardeau. For more information, call 339-7022.

Retired Teachers

Missouri Retired Teachers met April 7 at Chateau Girardeau. The program on Air Evac Lifeteam was presented by Debbie Monroe and Roger Luer.

The next meeting will be May 5, at 9:30 a.m., at Chateau Girardeau. The program will be "Mission to Africa."

Cape County AARP

The Cape Girardeau County Chapter of AARP met April 5 at Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Ruth Knote, board member of the River Campus, told about plans and construction of the River Campus.

Senior Information Day will be held June 4 at St. Mary Cathedral. New members are Paula Salmann and Anna Smith.

VFW Ladies Auxiliary

The VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 3838 met April 8 at the post. Debbie Griffin presided. The meeting was opened with committee reports being read. There are two new members, Mayami Rampley and Vanita Mueller.

It was announced that Judy Biester won the Campbell Soup Label Contest. Ladies are still collecting the labels for a new contest starting this month. You may leave them at the post or bring them to the ladies meeting. Donations were made to Southeast Missouri Hospital's Pennies from Heaven Auction and to the Missouri National Guard Support Family Group.

Bingo will be held at the Missouri Veterans Home on April 24. Volunteers are needed. Hospital chairman Brenda Turner announced the Missouri Veterans Home will be holding their annual appreciation dinner for volunteers at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at the Veterans Home.

The Ladies District Meeting will be held at noon on May 2 in Doniphan, Mo. Proceeds from Steak Nite, set for May 2, will be donated to the Stars and Stripes Museum in Bloomfield, Mo.

Election of officers for the 2004-2005 year was held. They are: Judy Thrower, president; Sarina Webb, senior vice president; Brenda Turner, junior vice president; Debbie Griffin, conductress; Jane Jenkins, secretary; Glennetta Vogelsang, treasurer; Pearline Kruse, chaplain; and Dorothy Points, guard.

A discussion was held on the Little Mr. and Mrs. Buddy Poppy Contest to be held at noon Saturday at the post.

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 13 at the post.

Xi Nu Phi

The Xi Nu Phi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met April 6 at the home of Sheryl Smith. The chapter voted and approved the four grant proposals for the Beta Sigma Phi Endowment Fund.

A list of items needed for the local Humane Society was distributed. Members will bring items to the next meeting and these will be presented to the Humane Society along with a monetary donation from the chapter. A variety of logos for the 2005 state convention, to be held in Cape Girardeau, were shown. They were designed by Sandy Ross and will be presented to the convention committee.

Plans are being made for training sessions and the pledge ritual for new members. Literature was passed out on the third annual Community Benefit Wine Festival to be held Friday at Deerfield Lodge. Proceeds go to the Community Counseling Center.

Members signed up to attend the Founder's Day Banquet to be held April 27 at Centenary United Methodist Church. The chapter will attend the Nashville Flea Market on May 22.

A committee will be formed to plan for the Beginning Day Banquet which the chapter will host.

A program on dollhouses was presented by Linda Biri who brought her childhood dollhouse along for display.

The next meeting will be April 20 at the home of Ross.

New Salem UMW

The New Salem United Methodist Women met in the fellowship hall on April 7. Jackie Kurre, president, called the meeting to order. Margie Roberts served as hostess. There were 19 shut-in and sick calls made.

Final plans were made for the breakfast following the Easter sunrise service.

Each member brought a paper product and a can of food which will be taken to a family in the community.

A card was signed by all present and will be sent to a former member who is in a nursing home. A committee will make plans for the Mother-Daughter Banquet set for May 5.

Two from the church will be going to camp this summer.

Kurre presented the program, "The women looked on from a distance." Betty Hahs, Betty Henry, Shirley Grebe and Verla Mangels helped her.

Kage FCE Club

Dortha Strack presided at the meeting of Kage FCE Club held at Cape Girardeau Senior Center on April 8. Shirley Ruehling, hostess, gave the devotional titled, "Leave the Clouds Behind."

It was noted that nine members attended All Clubs Day on March 22 at which time Joan Meyer and Neva Jackson were recognized for their years of membership.

Barbara Marshall stated that the club obtained 543 pledges to "tune out violence" on television.

Several members have made reservations to attend the spring meeting of the Southeast District in Doniphan on May 4.

The club will prepare a basket of items to be auctioned at the May 1 benefit barn dance for the Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship program. On May 15, the group will celebrate "Day of the Family" by donating books to newborns.

Marshall presented the program on healthy quick cooking, giving many suggestions and some recipes.

The next meeting will be at the home of Shirley Palen when the program on low maintenance landscaping will be given by Inez Statler.

-- From staff reports