An observer would think the group hadn’t met for months, but Alpha Gamma members had met in October. There was lots of excitement, some hugging, and everyone was filled with the holiday spirit. The meeting took place in Food & Friends on Saturday, Nov. 14, with 19 members present and three guests. Guests were Catherine Allen, Ann Smith, and Suzanne Stewart.
An agenda, minutes, the treasurer’s report, and “Recommendation for Membership” forms were distributed. The Delta Kappa Gamma song was sung. Roll call was taken by Donna Jackson and was quite interesting. Each member shared information about her favorite holiday recipe and some had recipes to distribute. President Mali Mentor plans to send copies of the recipes to members by e-mail.
The meeting was opened by Mali. The first order of business was the initiation of Angela Parker as a new member. Angela teaches in Monroe County and was named “Teacher of the Year.” The initiation service was conducted by Barbara Beard, Barbara Holesapple, Donna Jackson, and Mali. The initiation table was decorated with a bouquet of red roses and candles. Angela signed the membership book and pictures were taken of her and those conducting the initiation. Margaret, a charter member, of IOTA and Alpha Gamma chapters donated her 10 carat gold pen to be given to someone in the chapter and Angela was the recipient of the pen. Margaret has been a member for over 50 years.
There were several items of business. Nancy Ratliff reported that she had visited Margaret Clark. Members were reminded to pay dues, there was a request for corrections to the updated list of members and their addresses, and Mali said that a member who had dropped out and wished to return may do so. There was a thank-you note from Cassidy Rao, a Pocahontas resident, who is the recipient of our scholarship. Cassidy plans to be an educator. Lois McCutchen and Mali attended the state convention. Plans will be made to send e-mails or mailed copies of the agenda and minutes to absentee members to keep them informed and involved. Members were encouraged to think about candidates who might be the recipient of the next scholarship. We were proud to hear that Glee Nutter had written a children’s book, ABC Land. The book can be purchased on line. Glee also gave bookmarks to the members.
There was a break for lunch and the Christmas gift exchange took place. Members enjoyed seeing all the gifts and some tasted the baked items they had received as part of their gifts.
The theme for this meeting was “Christmas Memories.” In keeping with that, the program for the meeting was a “Remembrance of Noreen Young and Mable Sarver.” The tribute, “In Memory of Our Sisters Who in Their Time, Taught Us,” was given by Barbara Holesapple, Nancy Ratliff, Teresa Allen, and Pam Echols. Noreen and Mable had been in Delta Kappa Gamma for 50 years. The lovely tribute was informative, memorable, and it brought tears and special personal memories of Noreen and Mable. The singing of “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” completed the tribute.
The silent auction was for a wall hanging with a beautiful Christmas tree that was won by Mali. She also won the door prize. The basket raffle was a large container of Christmas bows won by Katy Montgomery. The meeting was adjourned by Mali.
The next meeting will be on Saturday, Mar. 19. Future programs will be about “Schools for Africa” and “Fraud Protection.”
