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Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority
Keynote
From your National President.....Josephine Peterson
Greetings:
Finally the long hot summer is over. Now we have the excitement of football, the expectation of cool, crisp evenings, and the changing colors of fall.
I hope each of you had a relaxing time with family and friends during the summer.
I know each of us a saddened by the death of our beloved Florence Amborn. She will be missed by all
I look forward to being with each of you at a meeting in the coming year. Please call me so we can schedule a date for my visit.
May we each become more bonded with our sisters as we work to increase our chapter membership.
Love in PAK
Josephine
I need all the chapter secretaries to please send me the minutes form all their meetings from last year as well as those for this year. Please make sure they notify me when sisters and PAK rats pass away. I have a few that I have noticed, but I want to make sure I have everyone so far. My email is: j_g_brock@hotmail.com, and my mailing address is: 460 Douglas Road, Vicksburg, MS 39183.
Denver Delta Chapter
Isolde Meyer reports, "Time is flying and we have so much to do before winter arrives. No meeting will be held in September since two of our members are out of town."
President Elly Danko is in Germany visiting friends and relatives with her grandson Daniel and his new wife. They needed to see where Grandma spent her youth. While there, brother Karl_Heinz bought them a belated wedding gift of a trip via ship down the Danube.
Betty Shay again visited her son in Illinois where he is raising Alpacas. She also visited her grandson in the Chicago area and her four great-grandchildren.
Gennie McCloskey, a former member, had visitors from Nova Scotia and Korea where her granddaughter has a teaching job. Gennie and Betty are still good friends and are both active in church. They get together for lunch or dinner every weekend.
Walburga Salazar left for Evergreen, Colorado, to house-sit and take care of her friend's golden retriever while they traveled through October.
Isolde Meyer had a big birthday party for her 85th with 60+ guests at the park near her daughter Heidi' house July. In addition the July event was to also celebrate her grandson Cody's High School Graduation. Now both boys, Tyler and Cody, are starting college. Isoide took a 3-day try to Estes Park with friends just to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Vicksburg Alpha Chapter
We deeply mourm the loss of our beloved sister, Florence Amborn, who died on August 15, 2010, as a result of injuries suffered in an auto accident. Her 90 years were filled with family, friends, and fun. She was always the life of the party and our chapter and we will deeply miss her.
Most Alpha members confessed to having very quiet summers, spending most of the days inside trying to keep cool and avoid the intense and long-term high temperatures.
Pam Gee enjoyed a wonderful family get-together this summer with her brother and his children and grandchildren and all her children and grandchildren. Twenty-nine people (14 children ages 11 and under!) gathered in a large 8-bedroom cabin in Pigeon Forge and enjoyed losts of activities and family time for a few days. In September, she traveled to Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Not only was the weather great, bu the beautify of the cities was awe-inspiring. She especially enjoyed the moonlight cruise on the Danube in Budapest.
Frances Koury said it was fun to entertain her grandson Aaron Koury and his bride Elizabeth from Dallas, Texas over the Labor Day Weekend. Ever since the wedding last October they have been planning to bring her mother and father Bev and Bob James of Dallas to visit and tour Vicksburg. She acted as tour guide and enjoyed re-discovering the beauty of Vicksburg and why people from all over come to visit our city. The park was beautiful, the weather perfect, the foliage lush, the story awesome...truly they were on hallowed ground. They also visited the Court House, Catfish Row, the unique stories of our homes and churches, our place in history. The want to come back as they didn't get to "do" everything! Frances notes that, of course, they didn't miss a meal....Jacques, Anchuca, Main Street Market, and Rusty's with some Goldies' ribs added for appetizers and Connie's beautiful cabin on the lake with family made for a perfect weekend. She hopes you will meet them when they return. She added, "A fantastic Surprise Birthday celebration hosted by my children, planned with such detail by Connie was enjoyed by some 40 family and friends. The theme Special K was carried out and individual boxes of Special K were favors, Sally and Chris of Main Street Market served the wonderful food and I appreciate their serving on Saturday (May 22). Besides immediate family, it was extra special to have my granddaughter Allison and the fiance Damon (who are planning a June 4, 2011 wedding) my brother from Washington D.C. and my nephew and his wife from Texas. It was a surprise."
Mary Lewis and her family enjoyed visiting their daughter Cynthia at her lake home near Toronto, Canada, this summer. Cynthia is in training to climb Mt. Kilimarjaro in November. Mary's grandson graduated from the University of Texas in May.
Jean McKnight's grandson, Edward McKnight IV, was married in June to Maggie Griffing at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. They will be living in Vicksburg where Edward farms with his father and Maggie is a nurse at Covenant Health & Rehab Center.
Lois Waldhbauer's son Walter and his wife, Jennifer, of Ohio will be visiting Lois in October.
Vicksburg Beta Chapter
The Beta Chapter first meeting and Initiation Ceremony for new members was held Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at the home of Georgia Turnage - the following new sorority sisters were inducted: Lee Cook, Beth Maggio, Amy Jackson, Toni Stanchfield, and Joanne Wright. MiHyang Faulks, a member for two years was inducted as well since the Beta Chapter was unable to hold a ceremony when she joined due to the time scheduling conflicts.
The Beta and Alpha Chapter will start meeting together and will be merging into one group.
Margharita Davis, her daughter Margaret Smith, grandson Hunter and 2 other l35 year old friends from Brandon vacationed over the 4th of July week at Ober Gatinburg; tubed down the Dan River, Dansbury, NC, amongst thirty foot rock cliffs in unbelievable clear water (with some rapids whereupon the grandmother needed a little help portaging). Then on to Greensboro, NC for a day at Wet & Wild (major water slides). In September, Margharita celebrated with son Lee on his 35th birthday in Austin, TX checking out possible sailboat purchase to enjoying Austin's city front with Lee and girlfriend Rachel Micklethwait from the paddle boat "Long Star" on Lady Bird River. Watched & videoed St. Al parade where granddaughter Megan Key Davis, daughter of son Key, marched with the St. Al Color Guard. Bill and I are enjoying all the fall vegetables from our gardens.
Please, keep the following in your prayers Mark Chaney, Marie Hernandex, Bonnie Bruce, Shirley Summers, and other loved ones that we may not be aware of that need our prayers.
Vicksburg Delta Chapter
Jane Brock's son, Chris Brock, got married this weekend, September 25th, to Amanda Nevels at Crawford Street United Methodist Church. There reception was in Floral Hall at the church. Chris received a bachelor's degree in construction and land management from Mississippi State University in 2007 and is project and safety manager for Fordice Construction. Amanda received an associate degree in business management from Hinds Community College and is store manager at Perfumaria in the Vicksburg Outlet Mall. They will be making their home in Vicksburg.
After a Western Caribbean cruise this past spring, Beth Haskins spent the summer traveling in MS between Oxford and the Coast. Daughter, Mary Amanda is attending Ole Miss working on her Ph.D. in health promotion and son Josh is an MSU Bulldog majoring in journalism. He has had several articles published in The Reflector, the student newspaper of Mississippi State. Beth is very proud of both of her children. Husband Phillip retired from the Corps of Engineers in December, 2009, after 49 years of service, but was rehired in January. (Two kids still in school) Beth has returned to teaching 3-year-olds after taking a year break and has gotten back into the routine and is enjoying her class.
Mary Lee spent a great deal of time visiting their son and daughter in law in Colorado in May, June, July and September. It is always wonderful to be with family! The other reason so much time in Colorado is they purchased 5 acres of beautiful mountain land just west of Denver where they will build their retirement home in a few years. They are thrilled and excited. Their Bed and Breakfast has kept her hopping this summer and they feel blessed to have hosted so many fascinating people from all over the world, but have to say, their favorite guests are good old Mississippians! She has also started selling Premier Designs jewelry part time. She has a really had a great time doing home shows and meeting wonderful women who love jewelry. So look out PAK sisters, she will be calling you!!!
This summer has been busy with travel and grandchildren for Josephine Peterson. In May she visited with son Richard's family in South Carolina. Anders, her 4 1/2 year old grandson, accompanied her home for a visit. He loves Mississippi and enjoyed his time here. In late May, son John ha a business trip to Dallas. He surprised her with a quick visit on Memorial Day weekend. In July, Josephine's granddaughters came from South Carolina. This was their first trip to Mississippi, so they enjoyed touring the park, seeing a magic show, and having a delightful evening cruise on the Sweet Olive. They loved being with their MS relatives, too. Josephine and the girls returned to South Carolina to celebrate their baby sister Aspen's second birthday. In August, Josephine visited a friend in Atlanta. They enjoyed sightseeing, having dinner on the lake at Stone Mountain, and seeing an amazing laser show. In late August, she attended her class reunion. She saw many of her high school friends she hadn't seen in 20 years. She said, "It was a fun weekend reminiscing about our days at Yazoo City High." She concludes, "The big news in our family is that Will and Karie are having a baby girl. We're all excited! I'm looking forward to cooler weather, club activities, and some college football games."
Sally Riddle said she chose to stay in Vicksburg this summer instead of traveling and, as a result, got to do some special things here at home. She said it was fun getting the Delta Chapter members together for coffee when our members-at-large, Peggy Ward, visited in July. She said, " We don't usually get to see everyone in the summer." She also enjoyed helping her granddaughter, Jo Lynn, get settled in her new apartment with her sweet baby girl, Mary Ester. Mary is saying a few words, waling everywhere, and eating table food. She'll celebrate her first birthday in October. Sally closes, "I'm looking forward to traveling, now that the weather is cooler, and will visit my brother in Naples, Florida. The many local fall activities will keep me busy between now and Christmas."
Joann White shares that her foster daughter Brea Hugley married Mark Mendoza. She says, "The wedding was lovely - I enjoyed decorating and preparing with my sisters. My sorority sisters helped us celebrate." On August 5-7, she attended Water Valley's 41st Annual Watermelon Carnival. The carnival featured her sister-in-law's "Denise Brown Pottery" and her niece and her husband's band, "Busted Screen Door." All her siblings were there. Joann's grandson, Paul White, is attended Jones Community College on a choral scholarship and is studying computer engineering.
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News from Peggy Ward, our Members-At-Large, from Portland Tennessee:
"Life in the country north of Nashville gets busy this time of the year with harvest activities. A good time to get away - so a trip to Vicksburg worked beautifully into my plans. The trip to Vicksburg was busy. I brought friends from Olney, IL. (home of the white squirrels) to stay with me at the White house. The hostess, Joann White (Delta), provided great food, wonderful side trips to Natchez, Monroe, and, of course, historic Vicksburg. Did I mention Joann cooks great desserts?" Peggy says she really misses her PAK sisters.
Vicksburg Omega Chapter
Andrea Francis, daugher of Vera Marshall Brown, is recovering from a hysterectomy in Mandeville, LA. We wish her a speedy recovery.
Joan Donovan and husband, Mike, traveled to Carmichaels, PA, in June to a model airplane contest. This is an annual event and this was thier 7th trip there. Eveyone had a great time and it was fun fisiting with friends they had made. The ladies went on a shopping spree one day to Ligonier, PA. It was fun going to the different little shops. The guys had a ball flying their planes. Joan even flew a plane. On september 22, Joan and her husband left for Tulsa, OK, for a contest and will be leaving out again on October 1st for two weeks to Vermont and return on October 12, 2010.
Marian Love Phillips's husband, Bob, has been hospitalized several times in the last few months but is doing much better now. They took a trip to Water Valley, MS, to the Watermelon Carnival for the frist weekend in August. While there they had a booth at the carnival selling her husband's copper trees and Hershel Howells' two books that he wrote, Lim and Jeff's God. It wa a fun time visitng with the Howells and their friends. Marian' step-daughter, Jessica Kathryn Huckabee of Santa Fe, NM and Braddock Preston got married in Sparks, NV, on September 18, 2010. She and her husband were not able to attend the wedding. Her brother, Marion (Buster) Love, Jr., had to have both of his limbs amputated because of diabetes on September 27, 2010. Please pray for his recovery.
Ina Lott Whittington's husband, Wlliam Floyd, died on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, at the G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Veterans Administration Medical Center in Jackson. He was 73. He was born in Crystal Sprins, MS, and leave a daughter, Rhonda Whittington, a son David, three grandchildren, two brothers and numerous nieces and nephews. Floyd and Ina owned and operated the Green Thumb Nursery for a number of years and was the owner of The Hut Restaurant prior to his retirement in 2005. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 3, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Knights of Columbus Council 898, where he was a past grand knight and a former member of the Elks Lodge and the Moose Lodge. He was a communicant of St. Paul's Catholic Church.
Vera Marshall Brown's daughter Julie Walker, has been battling cancer. Please continue to keep her in your prayers also.
Anita Zorn Hossley and Chris Patin attended Glynnis LaGarde's wedding in Washington, DC on August 7, 2010. They flew up on August 6 and flew home on August 8. It was a whirlwind trip. Anita also spend Labor Day with her daugher and family in Baton Rouge, LA. Janey Seabergh, Chris and Anita are involved in the 150 celebration of Catholic education in Vicksburg. She and Janey were involved in the luncheon on September 24 after the Mercy Day Mass at St. Aloysius.
Our Omega Chapter has a new slate of officers and they are: President, Anita Hossley, 1st Vicksburg President, Vera Brown, 2nd Vice President, Janey Seabergh, Secretary, Laura McCallum and Secretary, Alice Hebler.
Circle the date of Sunday, November 14, for the Candlelight Series with the Mississippi Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Espicopal Church. This free concert has proven to be one of the most anticipated events of The Four Season of the Arts program. Please suppor this.
****DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT KEYNOTE - DECEMBER 30TH****
