OurClubs

Newcomers’ Club

The Newcomers’ Club of Conway held its monthly meeting and luncheon September 10 at the Conway Country Club. Guest speakers were Beth Goodrich, Director of Women’s Shelter of Central Arkansas, and Linda Fullerton, Coordinator of Broken China Jewelry Project. The Women’s Shelter housed 89 women and 55 children in 2008. Goodrich stated that 1 in 4 women are victims of domestic violence. The Broken China Jewerly Project helps to fund the Women’s Shelter by making jewerly from donated china plates. They sell the jewerly at church mission fairs, individually or other requeted opportunities. Dr. Gayle Seymour, Associate Dean of Art at the University of Central Arkansas, spoke briefly about the ArtsFest to be held Oct. 7-10 in downtown Conway. The next luncheon will be held at 11:30, note the time change, Thursday Oct. 8 at the Conway Country. The club is also looking forward to the November luncheon which will be our annual auction. The Newcomers’ Club of Conway is a social organization formed to help those new to Conway adjust to the area and form new friendships. Anyone living in Conway less than three years and interested in learning more about the club may contact the coffee chair at 327-0482.

Xi Master Chapter 

of Beta Sigma Phi

Xi Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi celebrated Beginning Day on Aug. 30 at Mather Lodge on Petit Jean Mountain.  The party began at 5 p.m. by observing the beautiful scenery and various surroundings.  Members and guests enjoyed the reunion and catching up on all the news concerning everything that had happened during the summer.  A wonderful buffet dinner was enjoyed by all at the restaurant at Mather Lodge. Our first official meeting was held on Sept. 8 at the home of Polly Barker.  Peggy Russ, President, conducted the business meeting and led the Opening Ritual.  She reported that Beverly Brooks, Chairman for the State Convention 2010, requested our City Council to help with the convention by doing decorations for the Saturday morning brunch.  The convention will be at the Airport Holiday Inn.  Our chapter agreed to help with this. Shirley Heffington, Sunshine Chairman, has sent a card to Beta Upsilon Chapter after the death of long time member Nancy Cunningham.  Socal Chairman, Eva Koger, announced that our chapter will entertain sister chapter Laureate Alpha Delta on Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. in the Community Room on third floor of College Square.  She has contacted their president, JoAnn Cummins. Peggy Russ reported that Roses Among Thorns will have an overnight retreat Oct. 14-15 at Mount Eagle Resort near Clinton.  She also asked that we think about having a Ways and Means project to help with our budget. Virginia Brown agreed to help any member who needs information for a program.  She read from the Book of BSP about the Dorothy and Walter Ross Scholarship. The program was presented by Margaret Shamburger on the Cross and adjacent statuary located east of Amarillo, Texas.  It was built in 1995 on donated land along Interstate 40.  It is 11 stories high and when lit at night can be seen for 40 miles. Following the Closing Ritual, the hostess served many delicious refreshments.     

Laureate Alpha Omega chapter of Beta Sigma Phi

Laureate Alpha Omega chapter of Beta Sigma Phi held their first meeting of the new sorority year at the home of Sue Goodwin with eleven members present. President Florene Phipps called the meeting to order leading the Opening Ritual. In the absence of the secretary Janet Jones read the minutes of the second May meeting and also of the executive board meeting in June. Susan Hooper gave the treasurer’s report and stated that we still need two additional workers for the fair on Friday night. We will also need to begin two shifts at 4:45 p.m. through the week and at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Florene announced that she had received correspondence regarding state convention which will be held in Little Rock June 25-27, 2010; the theme will be Adventures Around Arkansas. Vernelle Crews, social chairman, thanked her committee, especially hostess Mary Jane Moix, for their work on the Beginning Day Luau. She also informed the group that we will be entertaining our sister chapter Xi Master in March and that we will be in charge of Founder’s Day this year. She asked that members save items to be used for decorations. The chapter will send a yellow rose to Bert Lackey, whose mother passed away this week, and will make a contribution to a scholarship fund in her memory. The cultural program was presented by Sue Goodwin. She gave a brief history of the Maya Indians and shared with the group her visit to Tulum, Mexico, the ruins of one of the last Mayan cities. Following the Closing Ritual and Mizpah, the hostess served Mexican roll-ups, tamale bites, sliced jicama, guacamole dip and key lime pie.