Town & Country FCE

Town and Country FCE Club met March 10 at the home of Sue Jones. Darlene McCain, president, opened the meeting. Jones gave the devotion titled "After the Winter God Sent the Spring" by Helen Steiner Rice. Mary Klaproth provided a game on "Books of the Bible."

Pennies for "Coins for Friendship" were collected.

Lois Seabaugh, Klaproth and McCain reported on attending the FCE Council meeting held March 3. A review was given of the All Clubs Achievement Awards score system and discussion followed on how best to score and judge yearly club work, with this to be brought back to the June council meeting.

The following announcements were made: Reservation for space to set up a booth display at the SEMO District Fair was mailed in; leader training will be at 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. Monday at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Jackson, with Linda Thompson, McCain, Seabaugh and Klaproth registered to cover all lessons.

Members should bring to the next meeting food pantry items along with goodies to fill Easter treat bags for Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center children for the April projects.

The program was given by Klaproth on "Women and Money," along with Hearth Fire Series No. 25, "Someone's in the Home Asking What Records Should I Keep," assisted by all members.

Refreshments were served by the hostess following a St. Patrick's Day theme.

John Guild Chapter DAR

The John Guild Chapter, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution met March 16 at the Gordonville Grill in Gordonville.

Janett Miller portrayed special guest speaker, Caroline Harrison, wife of President Benjamin Harrison and who served as first lady from 1889 until her death in 1890. She died while still in the White House. Caroline became the first president general of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution while serving as first lady. Miller is national co-chairman of the Timekeepers Committee, NSDAR Speakers Staff, MSSDAR co-chairman of the Bluebird Transportation Committee. She is from Lee's Summit, Mo., and a member of the Prairie Chapter in Lee's Summit.

Four women were approved and a woman was proposed for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Also represented at the meeting was the Byrd Settlement Society, Children of the American Revolution and the Allan Laws Oliver Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution

Ross Gartman, founder of the Heroes Way, presented a video of those who have lost their lives in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. He is raising money to place more signs of heroes along the interstates.

Oak Ridge FCE

The March 18 Oak Ridge FCE Club meeting was held with 11 members present and was hosted by Lee Anderson.

Club president Jean Rehak called the meeting to order. Betty Dellinger gave the devotion "Just Socks" by Mary Watson.

A donation to American Legion's Boys State was the project for the month of March.

All Clubs Days will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Jackson with Oak Ridge serving as hostess.

Leadership Training was help at Missouri Extension Center on March 21 with members attending, Nelda Crader, Barbara Barks and Dellinger.

Child Advocacy Day will be Friday.

March's program from Hearth Fire Series No. 18 "Diabetes Prevention & Control" was given by Anderson.

St. Patrick's Day games were played and enjoyed by all.

Lamplighters FCE

Lamplighters FCE Club met March 19 with 15 Lamplighters FCE members and 10 spouses attending the club's original circus, "the brawns and beauties big top." An overview of the evening included pennant-defined circus tent area, brightly decorated tables, complete with peanuts, animal crackers, cotton candy, Cracker Jack, and circus peanuts, monkeys in the windows, lions, tigers, bears, and elephants in cages, barbecue sandwiches, potato salad, slaw, ice cream bars, clowns in person, the Ring Master, tight rope walkers, jugglers, ring toss game, and a dog act, written by Terry Meyer.

After the entertainment, club members met for an abbreviated business session. During this time, a report was given about happenings at the County Council meeting held on March 3. It was reported that 15 weighted blankets and 15 lap pads had been completed on the March 14 "Love given by the pound" work day and then delivered to the Touchpoint Autism Center the next day. Members were reminded of the Spring Leader Training to be held Monday at the Extension Center: Jackie Kurre, diabetes; Roberta Allen, hazard of new technology; Gayla Volz, stay strong/healthy bones; and Verla Mangels, calcium and vitamin D.

Members Judy Myers, Karen Eakers, Teresa Hinkebein, Linda Freeman, Mangels, and Kurre volunteered to read at the Oak Ridge Elementary School.

It was announced that Dorothy Hahs and Volz will be recognized for 45 years of FCE membership and Mangels will receive her 50-year recognition at all Clubs Day on Monday at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Jackson.

Members were given information about the revised 2012 All Clubs Day Achievement Score Card and asked for input about it.

The club will help provide refreshments for the invitation only reception of the "Missouri Survivor's Memory Quilt" at Riverside Regional Library on April 4. Plans were made for attending the Conservation Cafe with Dave Walers on April 26, at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Center. Plans for participating in the Annual Oak Ridge Garage Sale on April 30, were made.

The club voted to co-sponsor an Oak Ridge High School Student to Boys State.

Jo Ann Hahs, Mangels, Freeman, and Hinkebein volunteered to be responsible for the SEMO District Fair booth.

Reminders and announcements were as follows: Free chronic disease self-management program April 14, 21, and 28, May 5, 12, and 19 at 1:30 p.m. at the Extension Center. For more information, call 243-3581. Step-Up! -- A 10-week walking program sponsored by SEMO Area Agency on Aging (335-3331 or 800-392-6771). Learn safe home canning from 7-9 p.m. on May 3 -- Canning salsa; May 10, jelly, jams, and spreads; May 24 -- pressure canning, costs $12 each or all three for $25. Deadline is April 25. Call Extension Center at 243-3581. April 11, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., workday for the Autism Weighted Items at the University of Missouri Extension Center.

Lamplighters' April meeting will be at the home of Linda Sebaugh.

-- From staff reports