Cape Girardeau FCE Council

The quarterly FCE Council meeting of Cape Girardeau County was held Dec. 3 at the Missouri University Extension Center in Jackson. The theme of the meeting was the meaning of the poinsettia and the candy cane, and decorations, table favors and door prizes were reflected by the hostesses, the Oak Ridge Homemakers.

Shirley Palen, president, called the meeting to order. Agnes Wachter of the Cheerful Country Doers gave the devotion.

Roll call showed a total of 35 in attendance: Cheerful Country Doers, four; Kage, five; Town and Country, nine; Lamplighters, five; Oak Ridge Homemakers, nine; Members-at-large, two; and Extension representative, one.

Mary Klaproth read minutes, and Jean Rehak gave the treasurer's report. Both were approved. It was reported that the next state meeting would be at Osage Beach, Missouri, in September. Marilyn Rutherford gave a report on literacy, and Dortha Strack gave one on scholarship.

A committee consisting of Barbara Barks, Palen and Klaproth was appointed to work on revision of the constitution. Each club will receive two votes and results will be brought back to the council meeting in March.

JoAnn Hahs discussed the weighted blankets for autism, and the council voted to continue with the project this year. It was announced that revisions need to be made for the blankets made for veterans since they may not weigh more than 5 pounds. All were asked to seek donations of materials to make the blankets.

The Joy Choir from the First Baptist Church in Jackson sang Christmas carols. The choir director is Jean Schwain.

Presentation of the FCE scholarship was made to the mother and grandmother of Josh Walthers. He read his winning essay at a later time in the meeting. Members were then granted the period before dinner to make their bids on items in the silent auction.

Dinner was served at noon. The hostesses, the Oak Ridge Homemakers, provided meat and drinks with members from other clubs bringing salads, desserts, breads and vegetables.

The afternoon program began with Barbara Popp of the Oak Ridge FCE Club sharing the story of her 50-year friendship and correspondence with a pen pal from New Zealand.

Mary Gosche, a human development specialist from the Extension Center, conducted installation of officers.

Silent auction winners were announced and door prizes were awarded.

-- From staff reports