American Legion Unit 63 Auxiliary

The American Legion Unit 63 Auxiliary met Dec. 7 with 13 present. Everyone enjoyed a lunch of pizza, salad and Christmas goodies.

Linda Kern reminded members to bring winter caps, gloves and socks for the Jefferson Elementary School children to the January meeting. Also on the first and third Fridays in January, members will be working on quilts from 9 a.m. to noon.

Those of us old enough to remember the bombing of Pearl Harbor told of what it was like living during the war years that followed.

Barbara Yallaly challenged us with 25 questions about Christmas songs. Vickie Watling, Donna Hinze and Shirley Young each had 17 right answers. Donna won the tie-breaker.

Next meeting will be on Jan. 11.

Torchbearer Iota Chapter

The Torchbearer Iota Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met on Nov. 14 at the home of Marsha Parrish in Cape Girardeau with 14 of the 17 members present.

A trip to Kimmswick, Missouri, was scheduled for Nov. 18 with seven members signed up. After the meeting, the program given by Parrish was patriotic. It was about a 90-year-old man who received his high-school diploma this year. He had left for the World War when he was only 18, and it had disrupted his education. The second part of her program was about the origin of the words to "America."

The next meeting was to be held at the home of Judie Herbst for a Christmas meal and gift exchange on Dec. 12.

Cape Girardeau County Quarterly Council News

The Cape Girardeau County Quarterly FCE Council met on Dec. 1 at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Jackson. Barbara Barks, president, presided over the business meeting. The Town and Country FCE Club was in charge of the arrangements with a theme of snowmen. Mary Klaproth, member of the Town and Country FCE Club, gave the devotions, "Isn't it Strange" and the "Twelve Days of Christmas." Klaproth did the roll call with a total of 30 members and Mary Gosche, FCE consultant, for a total of 31 at the meeting. Jean Rehak gave the treasurer's report with a balance of $2,153.80, which will be placed on file.

During the business meeting, Peggy Barks gave a report on the MAFCE Annual Conference held in Osage Beach, Missouri, in September.

Alene Hamilton gave a report on the fall district meeting held in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on Oct. 18. Programs were given on human trafficking and living a life of gratitude.

Certificates were given to clubs for reports that had been completed for 2015. A meeting is scheduled at 1 p.m. Jan. 27 at the extension center to decide what reports to do for the work done in 2016.

Jackie Brandtner, member of the scholarship committee, reported only two applications have been received. Therefore, the deadline has been extended.

It was approved to continue making weighted blankets, snakes and lap pads in 2017. A work day has been scheduled for 9 a.m. on Feb. 27 at the extension center.

The group voted on the recommended proposal to combine the March council meeting and All Clubs Day into one meeting to be held the fourth Monday of March. This was approved to eliminate the March council meeting. The group voted on the recommended proposal to hold all meetings in the daytime. This was not approved. The June and September meetings will continue to be held at 7 p.m.

The following announcements were made by Barbara Barks, president:

Barbara Barks asked for the Cape County FCE Club presidents to assist in decorating and attending the guest book for the retirement party for Gosche held Dec. 9.

Child Advocacy Day in Jefferson City, Missouri, is April 6.

The spring district meeting is to be held in Cape Girardeau County with the date to be announced later.

The MAFCE Annual Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, Missouri, on Aug. 29 and 30.

The fall district meeting will be held in Ripley County with the date to be announced later.

The morning entertainment was provided by the Joy Choir of First Baptist Church with Jean Schweain the director. They entertained with Christmas songs.

The noon prayer was voiced by Linda Thompson, Town and Country FCE member. A catered meal by Beverly Nelson was enjoyed by the group.

After lunch, a skit entitled "Cinderella in Four Minutes" was presented by members of the Town and Country FCE Club.

The program was presented by Jamie Koehler, employee of the Missouri Conservation Center. She spoke on native edible plants and nuts, such as elderberry, hazelnut, sassafras and others. She demonstrated how to make a Christmas wreath out of native materials.

Gosche installed the following officers with a theme of prescription for success: Barks of the Oak Ridge FCE Club , president; Klaproth of the Town and Country FCE CLub , president-elect; Darlene McCain of the Town and Country FCE Club, vice president; Agnes Wachter of the Cheerful Country Doers FCE CLub, recording secretary and reporter; Jean Rehak of the Oak Ridge FCE Club, treasurer; and Sarah Ross of the Kage FCE Club, corresponding secretary. They will assume their duties on Jan. 1.

A total of $228 was made on the silent auction.

Door prizes of poinsettias were given out by the Town and Country FCE Club. The next county meeting will be on March 27, which will be All Clubs Day at the Extension Center in Jackson with the Lamplighters FCE Club in charge of arrangements.

-- From staff reports