Laureate Alpha Omega Beta Sigma Phi
Laureate Alpha Omega chapter of Beta Sigma Phi was entertained this week by sister chapter Beta Upsilon with a Game of Chance party held at the Trillium Park community room. We were welcomed by Beta Upsilon president Peggy Hill, who also led the Opening Ritual. Pat Williams was in charge of a multiple choice game of “Doo Wop” trivia which was won by Janet Jones, Pam Rawls and Vernelle Crews who received chocolate prizes.
We dined heartily on taco soup, a special recipe of our late sister Nancy Cunningham, including additional ingredients to be individually selected. A variety of brownies and cookies were available for dessert with drinks of tea and coffee. The serving tables were covered with Mexican style blankets and brightly colored straw mats with decks of oversized playing cards scattered about.
After dinner Sandra Holmes gave brief instructions on how to play the card game “31” and everyone enjoyed the lively game of chance. Table winners were Sondra Pugh and Pam Rawls. Door prizes of candy filled margarita glasses were won by Mary Jane Moix, Vernelle Crews and Sondra Pugh. As our party favors, everyone received a copy of the special taco soup recipe.
The meeting adjourned with the Closing Ritual and Mizpah.
Also in February, our chapter entertained Judy Schultz, our 2013 Valentine Queen, with dinner at Michelangelo’s Italian Restaurant and members exchanged secret sister Valentines.
Beta Upsilon Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi
On Tuesday, Feb. 12, we were one of the five chapters that attended the sorority council sponsored Valentine Coronation Dinner chaired by Laureate Nu. The event was held at the Golden Corral. After being welcomed, the BSP grace was said and we enjoyed a buffet dinner on tables decorated for the occasion. Beautifully wrapped gifts on the tables as center pieces also served as door prizes. Three out of the five in attendance won a door prize. Friends of the Conway Animal Shelter had their calendars on sale for their fundraiser.
The 2012 Queens each announced and crowned their new 2013 Queen and presented her a yellow rose along with a gift. Our president, Peggy Hill, was chosen our queen, however was unable to attend. The evening ended with all repeating the Closing Ritual and joining hands for the Mizpah.
Also in February, Laureate Alpha Omega accepted our invitation to be entertained with a light meal and a card game of chance. It was the night of Feb. 26, as we all felt the chill and blustery wind in the air upon coming to Trillium to entertain our sister chapter.
Upon our guest’s arrival of nine members, each was given a playing card as their name tag. Three cards were chosen and matched to their name tag as door prizes; winners were: Mary Jane Moix, Sondra Pugh, and Vernelle Crews. Peggy Hill, our president, welcomed our guests and led the Opening Ritual. Sarah Rivers said grace prior to a delicious hot meal of chicken Mexican tortilla soup with all the trimmings. A most appropriate meal on such a bitter cold night as it warmed our bones as we prepared to be among friends, play games, and have some fun. Hot coffee and desserts were also enjoyed throughout the evening which kept us from being grumpy.
An unsuspected game called “Doo Wop” dealing with music trivia was played first. The two winners, Janet Jones and Pam Rawls, each received a large Hershey’s candy bar. Next the directions to play the card game “31” were instructed and a practice hand played. It is a rather fun card game where one tries to get three cards in the same suit with the most points, 31 points being the highest, and hardest to get. One starts out with three cards. You draw a card from either the face up stack or face down stack in hopes of getting the suit you are collecting.
When one thinks they have a good hand, they can knock instead of drawing, best done early in the game. Upon a knock everyone has one more chance to get a better hand. Person with the lowest points pays the kitty. Upon being lucky to get 31 points, call it out immediately then everyone else pays the piper. Being there were 15 of us, we were in two groups. We were really into the game, when the time issue became apparent. The winners of 31 were Pam Rawls and Sondra Pugh. Judy Shultz did get a hand of 31. We were graciously thanked for a wonderful, enjoyable evening, and enjoyed entertaining them.
Faulkner County Retired Teachers Association
President Hervey Galloway called the February Faulkner County Retired Teachers Association meeting to order and introduced guest Joe Heird from AARP. Mr. Heird encouraged members to participate in “a day at the State Capitol” on March 7.
Peggy Sturgis introduced Joan Hanna, Director of Faulkner Academy of Arts and Conway Women’s Chorus. Joan introduced a group of her students who performed a delightful musical program entitled “Around the World in 30 Minutes.”
Florene Phipps read the minutes of the December and January meetings. Betty Stevens gave the February financial report. The treasurer will begin taking dues for the 2013-14 year at the March meeting. Elizabeth Rose Black reported 45 members present. Charlotte Bell announced a total of 1,155 member community service hours for the month of January.
President Elect and hostess chair Polly Bakker thanked the February host/hostess committee for the beautiful table of Valentine goodies: Ben Bakker, Charlotte Collier, Pat Cullum, Aleene Henson, Shirley Pratt, Denver and Freda Prince, JoAnn Ratliff, Edna Rives and Virginia Spurrier. Janet Burks, Chair of Scholarship/Grants, introduced scholarship recipient Cheryl Burt.
Hervey Galloway presented the check to Cheryl who is a student at Hendrix College and a swimmer.
Doretta Bright reminded members of the Spring UCA student teacher mock interviews on Feb. 25 at the UCA Brewer-Hegeman Center.
The Nominating Committee of Julia Fraser, Sandra Bradberry and Kathryn Starr reported that there are still officer positions to be filled. Elections will take place at the April meeting.
The Spring ARTA Area VI Meeting is May 15, at Woodland Heights, Little Rock. Local officers and leaders interested in leadership roles at both the local and state level are encouraged to attend.
Members may sign up at the March 19 meeting for committees and host/hostess opportunities. The meeting was adjourned to food and fellowship.
Mary Place Chapter Colonial Dames XVII Century
Members of Mary Place Chapter Colonial Dames XVII Century Cay Jones, Jo Kilduff, Fern Taylor, Shirley Ann Barham and Sarah Richardson attended the Arkansas Society Colonial Dames XVII Century Sixty-Fourth State Conference March 1 and 2 at the Holiday Inn Presidential in Little Rock.
Colonial Dames XVII Century is an organization of women who honor their ancestors who contributed to the building of the colonies during the 1600s.
“The Object of the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century shall be to aid in the preservation of the records and of the historic sites of our country; to foster interest in historical colonial research; to aid in the education of the youth our country; to commemorate the noble and heroic deeds of our ancestors, the founders of our great Republic; to maintain zealously those high principles of virtue, courage and patriotism which led to the independence of the Colonies and the foundation of the United States of America; to maintain a Library of Heraldry and preserve the lineage and Coats of Arms of our Armorial Ancestors; and to develop a library specializing in the 17th century American colonial data.”
Our Library of Coats of Arms is considered one of the best in the nation. Our national headquarters in Washington, D.C., also houses a museum. On the state and national level many scholarships are given each year. You may contact Jo Kilduff, 822 Donaghey Ave., Conway, AR 73034 for scholarship information and application papers.