Oak Ridge Homemakers FCE

The Oak Ridge FCE Homemakers Club met April 16 with Nelda Crader, president, calling the meeting to order. There were 15 members present. Peggy Barks served as hostess for the meeting.

Ruby Hitt lead the group in prayer for our U.S. Nation and the tragedy that happened in Boston on April 15.

Roll Call was given by all on a housecleaning hin. Many good ideas were very useful.

Barbara Barks, secretary, read the minutes from the March meeting and Pat Hecht gave the update on the treasurer's report. Both were approved.

"A Chocolate Life" was the theme of Lee Anderson's devotion.

Crader announced to all that several members were eligible for the FCE scholarship to attend the annual conference. Applications due by May 15th. Application forms may be pickup at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Jackson.

The National Day of the Family (Book for Newborns) is May 15 and five new babies are expected from members from Oak Ridge FCE, all of which are grandchildren or great-grandchildren. Marilyn Retherford will purchase the books and bring them to the May meeting.

Crader reported the following information concerning the Spring district meeting which will be held in Patterson, Mo., in Wayne County on May 14 at the Patterson Community Building: Registration will be from 9 to 9:45 a.m. with the meeting starting at 10 a.m. Mary Martens, state FCE president, will have a program on "What Does Spring Bring," followed by Georgia Reid, state board member and Central District director, will give the program "Stay Strong, Stay Healthy." Lunch will be at noon at the cost of $10 per person. The afternoon program will be presented by Wayne County clubs with a silent auction to follow. Each person attending is asked to bring a silent auction item and each county is asked to bring two centerpieces to be used as door prizes. Six Oak Ridge FCE members will be attending: Jean Rehak, Pat Hecht, Mariesa Lesch, Crader, Retherford and Anderson.

Benefits of production and eating your own food was the program which Hecht. Many useful ideas were given. She also noted two letters asking for donations from Red Cross were received. As part of the club's April project, it was voted to send the American Red Cross in Cape Girardeau a check.

Autism Sewing Day was April 9 at the Jackson Extension Center for Cape Girardeau FCE Clubs where 26 Blankets and seven lap pads were made for the Touch Point Autism Center in Cape Girardeau. Those attending from Oak Ridge FCE were Rehak, Barbara Barks and Peggy Barks. June 10 will be the next Autism sewing day for the county.

Lesch was in charge of the game of how many items from a list were found in your purse. Hecht won for 16 items.

Pennies for Friendship and the Flower Fund were collected.

John Guild NSDAR

The regular meeting of the John Guild Chapter, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution was held April 17 at the Branding Iron in Jackson. Guest speaker was Fred Keller who presented a program on the Civil War in our area, "Fight for control of the Rivers."

It was announced that the stateconference will be held in Columbia, Mo., May 3 to 5.

The next regular meeting will be May 15 at the Jackson City Library. There will be a report given from those attending the State Conference.

Xi Nu Phi

The meetings for the Xi Nu Phi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi have been held March 19 hosted by Cathy Pancoast, April 2 hosted by Sandy Ross, and April 16 hosted by Debbie Balsano.

Members signed up to attend the Founder's Day banquet to be held on Monday at Dexter Bar-B-Que. Members voted on the Woman of the Year for the chapter which will be announced at the banquet.

Cindy Propst distributed the chapter polo shirts.

Several members volunteered at the Special Olympics event held April 13 at the Show Me Center.

It was decided and voted on that elected officer positions will be kept the same for two years and elections will be held every other year.

Members were asked to give any ideas for the State Service Project to President Renee Hesselrode.

Vice president Kathy Kiefner will conduct pledge training for Candi Brazil.

A thank-you letter was received for the chapter donation for a brick paver at Melaina's Magical Playland.

Ross presented a program on her work as art director at Red Letter Communications. Balsano presented a program on card making techniques and members made some cards.

The next meeting will be May 7 at the home of Tammy Monia.

-- From staff reports