Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority
Keynote
From Your National President……Josephine Peterson.....February 2011
Dear Sisters,
I hope everyone had a happy holiday season. Hopefully the chilly temperatures will help us appreciate spring when it comes.
I look forward to seeing many of you at “To Vicksburg With Love” on February 8th. I hope some of you will call me to join you for one of your meetings if I haven’t had the opportunity to be with you.
Plans are being made for our national convention this summer. Convention has been set for June 3-4. A reception will be held on Friday evening. Our meeting and luncheon will be at First Presbyterian Church on June 4. The convention committee will be meeting soon. Convention committee members are: Josephine Peterson, Georgia Turnage, Jane Brock, Helene Benson, Beth Haskins, Joan Morgan, Janie Curtis, Ginny Horvath, Pam Gee, Anita Hossley, and Janie Seabergh.
The Scholarship Committee will be meeting to prepare and deliver applications for our scholarship. The committee includes Josephine Peterson, Ginny Horvath, Alice Hebler, Pam Gee, and Beth Haskins.
Our sister Linda Christian has been moved to Methodist Rehab in Jackson. Tommy Trichell, husband of our sister Tracy and Linda’s son-in-law, underwent quadruple bypass surgery on January 24. Please keep this PAK family in your prayers.
Our deepest sympathies are extended to the family of Velda Buchanan, long-time Beta Chapter member, who passed away recently.
Love in PAK,
Josephine
To Vicksburg With Love
Tuesday, February 8, Noon
Southern Cultural Heritage Complex
Tickets: $12; Reservations: 601-631-2997
Proceeds to PAK Scholarship Fund and SCHC
Musical guests: Michael Gibson, soloist with First Baptist Church, Jackson, and Betty Jean Patterson, accompanist for the Reflection Senior Choir of FBC, Jackson. Michael has performed with the
Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Opera Memphis, and
the Capitol City Stage Band.
Come and bring a friend! This will also serve as our Founder’s Day.
2011 PAK National Convention
Save the dates – June 3-4, 2011!
Friday, June 3 – Reception
Saturday, June 4 – Convention meetings, memorial service, luncheon, and scholarship presentation
The convention committee is working out the details. More information will be available in the April newsletter and in mailings to come.
NOTE TO ALL CHAPTERS FROM SECRETARY JANE BROCK:
I need all the chapter secretaries to please send me the minutes from 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. This is especially important as we approach convention and our memorial service!
DENVER DELTA CHAPTER
Isolde Meyer reports, “2010 certainly has been a trying year for our aging chapter. Our best attempts to hold regular meetings were often thwarted due to illness or uncooperative weather. We are hoping for a better 2011.”
Elly Danko kept her doctors busy with a myriad of ailments. Elly’s year started with mysterious nosebleeds that occurred every day, causing much concern for her doctors. She then had leg pains which proved to be a blood clot, and then she was stricken with shingles – a very painful form of chicken pox. Despite all that, she still made plans to visit her homeland with grandson Daniel and his new wife. They enjoyed visits with Elly’s relatives and school friends, strolls through the Bavarian woods, and a river tour on the Danube to Vienna. Elly also spent considerable time this summer in her bountiful vegetable garden. She also helped her local German Club with its annual Christkindl Markt.
Betty Shea and her husband, Dwight, traveled to see their son and grandsons families in Chicago, and her sister, Luise, who once also was a member of this chapter and still lives in Grand Junction. Betty’s son, Barry, recently had a terrible motorcycle accident. After making some repairs, he took it for a short test drive, hit a patch of gravel, lost control, and tumbled, bike and all, down a small hill. Betty’s daughter, Penny, is helping out his family by running errands. We are all praying for a speedy recovery.
Walburga Salazar has kept busy this year helping others – as usual. She spent a tough five weeks housesitting for a friend in Evergreen. It was tough because Wallburga never figured out how to turn on the furnace, nor how to work the new stove. Right after she returned home, she received some scary news from her son, Richard. A routine doctor visit revealed that he was severely anemic and needed an immediate transfusion of two pints of blood. Wallburga has decided that next year she is going to slow down a bit and take care of herself. She hopes to save enough money for a trip to Germany.
Isolde Meyer spent three wonderful weeks in Germany with her daughter, Melissa, in March. They visited friends and family, and even went sightseeing to Rothenburg on the way to an old school friend’s home. They spent most of their time with Isolde’s sister, Doris, who spoiled them with delicious German dishes. Back home, Isolde tried to shovel snow off her sidewalk and severely injured her back, sending her to the hospital and then to live with Melissa for eight weeks. After her recovery, her daughters, Melissa and Heidi and their families spent a week on Lake Powell on Heidi’s houseboat. Later in the summer, Melissa and her husband, Ron, purchased land in Creede and spent many weekends enjoying the quiet in their 5th wheel.
VICKSBURG ALPHA BETA CHAPTER
This fall Alpha and Beta Chapters joined forces to reenergize their chapters. Members have enjoyed several joint meetings including a wonderful Christmas party at Roca in December. Members presented gifts to their secret sisters and the group played a lively round of “Dirty Santa.”
(Pictures coming at a later date)
Alpha Beta Christmas Party at Roca
Kathryn Chaney says, “I think most know that husband, Mark, had colon cancer and had surgery in late August. The prognosis is good, but as a precautionary measure he is going through radiation treatments...almost finished! We have felt the prayers and appreciate all of them! Then, on a happier note, our son, Carl, has been in the news lately....He is President and CEO of Hancock Bank (Gulfport) and they have just bought Whitney Bank out of New Orleans...a really big deal...made headlines of Clarion Ledger.”
Leigh Cook has been on several trips over the past few months. On Thanksgiving Day she attended the Saints/Cowboys game in Dallas. In December, she went to the Hard Rock Biloxi and saw Brandon Bennett , an Elvis impersonator, in concert. She also attended the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville Florida on New Year’s Day. Mississippi State beat Michigan 52 -14.
Bill and Janie Curtis had wall-to-wall company for Christmas. Sharon and Charles Winfield, daughter and son-in-law, from Franklin, TN; grandson Corey and Teva Winfield from Lakehills, TX, and their children Andrew, Anna, and Elijah; Ryan Winfield from Washington, D.C., and Blair Cook, granddaughter, from Highland, MD. They joined the three children who live in Vicksburg: Beth Maggio and David, Justin, and Amanda Maggio; Leigh Cook; and Mike, Denesha, and Cameron Curtis. “We had a great time being together and bonding with family,” added Janie.
Margharita Davis attended her 50th Baton Rouge High School class reunion this year at historic Magnolia Mound Plantation pavilion. She first joined fellow classmate and her childhood friend Bette and husband Emile Vidrine in Lafayette. While there, she enjoyed watching Bette’s grandson Samuel pick fresh eggs which they later ate at breakfast along with their very own homegrown honey from their bee hives. Also fun was attending husband Bill’s 50th class reunion in Water Valley that was held during the annual Watermelon Festival. Having the old family home for their children and grands able to join them made this a really special reunion.
Pam Gee spent a lot of time driving in the snow these past couple of months. In early December, she drove to Iowa to visit her brother and enjoyed daily snowfalls. On Christmas Day, she drove through the snow to Atlanta to spend a few days with her son Scott and his family. It was much more fun to watch the snow falling than to drive in it!
During Thanksgiving holidays Marie Hernandez was delighted to welcome son Bob Hernandez from Birmingham along with grandson Robert and his wife Carrie from McLean, Virginia. The star attraction was Marie's great granddaughter Helena Marie who will be celebrating her first birthday Feb. 16. Marie is looking forward to son Bob and his wife Joy to visiting in February to celebrate her birthday.
Three cheers for Mary Lewis’ daughter Cynthia who climbed to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. What a feat! (Will Mary accompany her on her next climb?!!)
Sue Rowlett must feel like she just climbed a mountain after months of physical therapy following her October 18 knee replacement surgery. She did get out to play bridge for the first time in mid-January.
Lois Waldbauer’s Christmas was marked by daughter Wendy’s stay at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Suffering from heart issues, Wendy had a defibrillator put in. She is back in Starkville and already back running.
VICKSBURG DELTA CHAPTER
The October meeting was held in the home of Joan Morgan. Her husband, Hal, presented a program of their trip to Germany, with numerous photos of the gorgeous displays of flowers everywhere.
Mary Lee provided material for everyone to make a Christmas wreath for themselves and some to be presented to nursing homes. For our annual November philanthropic project, members brought wrapped gifts for the CAP center. It was voted that we would change our meeting time to afternoons. Mary served a delicious stroganoff meal with several desserts to choose from.
(Pictures coming at a later date)
Our annual pot luck Christmas dinner was held at the beautifully decorated home of Josephine Peterson. Following the delicious meal, everyone played Dirty Santa. We met at Joann White’s home and she and her co-hostess, Beth Haskins, served a delicious quiche luncheon at the January meeting. Joann’s coconut cake (to die for) and Rosemary’s old fashion jelly cake (yummy!) rounded out the relaxed meal as everyone caught up on news. Rosemary Murphy, of “Parsley, Sage & Thyme by Rosemary” told us of the evolution of her company. She provided samples of her products and generously presented members with a jar of her jellies. Plans were made for the memorial for our dear member, Merrilyn Anthony, who died March 9, 2009.
In October, Joan Morgan traveled to Memphis with her daughter-in-law Jeanette and grandchildren to see Wicked. Her daughter, Michelle, from Huntsville and a friend, joined them for lunch and the performance. It was fun to share the day with all of them. Hal and Joan attended Veterans’ Day patriotic programs at their grandchildren’s respective school. Veterans and their “sponsors” were recognized individually, students presented a musical play, and the staff held a reception for the guests. Granddaughter Adia, join her grandparents for the Jackson Symphony concert Cirque de la Symphony, for an evening of music and gymnastic and agility performances on high wire ropes, balls, and humans. In December we spent two weeks in “frigid” Huntsville, AL, helping Michelle while she recovered from surgery, arriving back in Vicksburg just in time for Christmas. Our granddaughter, Adia, a student at Madison Crossing in Madison MS, won the Book Fair for the 4th Grade and now heads to the District level.
Josephine Peterson had a busy holiday season. Thanksgiving found her counting her blessings. Richard’s family was here for a Thanksgiving feast and her family joined them. It was a celebration like those of Josephine’s childhood with good food, football, and a house full of relatives and happy children. Will and Karie’s baby, Nora Ann, arrived by C-section on December 2 weighing 7 lb., 9 oz. and 20 inches long. Josephine was there for the birth and it was special to see Will come out of delivery carrying Nora. She is precious. The Delta Chapter PAK Christmas party was at Josephine’s. Everyone enjoyed the delicious potluck dinner and the “Dirty Santa” gift exchange. Josephine’s son John arrived from Arizona on December 22. John was eager to meet his newest niece so they visited Will’s family on the way to South Carolina. John and Josephine enjoyed spending Christmas at Jodi and Richard’s with four grandchildren. She had a truly blessed Christmas!
Joann White reports that she enjoyed the Christmas season with family and friends, especially the Delta PAK Christmas dinner at Josephine Peterson’s and the Singing Christmas Tree at Trinity Baptist Church. She adds, “Then 2011 ushered in a flurry of events in my family…my sister Tannie had surgery, my brother-in-law had a heart attack, and my great-niece was born and spent two weeks in a Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY. It was a welcome change of pace to host our Delta January meeting and I am looking forward to February events.”
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News from Peggy Ward, our Member-At-Large, from Portland Tennessee:
“Life is good here in Tennessee. We had a white Christmas and a white January. Many snow days have provided opportunities to sit by the fire and quilt or read novels. I send a Tennessee country wish for a Happy New Year to all of my PAK sisters.” (This was e-mailed by Peggy’s granddaughter since the snow prevented her from getting to the mailbox!)
VICKSBURG OMEGA CHAPTER
Omega Christmas Party
Myrtle Curro Alvarado and her husband Bobby went to his 50th college reunion at the CITADEL in Charleston, SC, in early November. The weather was perfectly beautiful although a little cold. On the return home they stopped for a visit with Myrtle’s brother, John Loviza, in Nashville, TN.
Alice Hebler recently returned from a Caribbean Cruise with two of her sisters, Maureen and Maggie. They went to ports of call of Costa Maya, Belize, Cozumel and Roatan. They all had a great and wonderful time.
Marian Love Phillips’ brother, Marion, Jr. passed away on October 31, 2010, from complications of diabetes at the age of 65. Marian and her husband, Bob, both harvested a deer (doe) the same day at the famous Christmas Place Plantation and Hunting Club near Eden, MS in November. Both deer were taken with a muzzleloader and weighed 120 lbs. apiece. Marian was invited by her youngest daughter, Marian “Suzi” Suzanne and her son-in-law, Dennis, to spend Christmas with them and her youngest granddaughter, 3-1/2 year old, Emma, in Fredericksburg, VA. This was Marian’s Christmas gift once again. Dennis works for the FAA in Washington, DC and Suzi is now a stay-at-home Mom and is also pursuing her Associates Degree at home online.
Pam Melsheimer made a late summer trip to Washington, D.C., with her children Ross and Tammy, grandsons, Sean (3) and Jackob (1) and Tammy’s Mom and Dad. A highlight was visiting the Spy Museum.
Roy and Katherine Turcotte celebrated their 50th wedding Anniversary on New Year’s Eve. A Mass with renewal of vows and special blessing was held at St. Michael Catholic Church with Father P. J. Curly, officiating and a reception following the Mass. All four of their sons were able to attend - Jeff, from Albuquerque, NM, Greg from Seminary, MS; Tim, from Lexington, KY; and Steve, from Vicksburg. Sorority sisters helped with the reception. Thanks! Roy, had to have a tumor removed from his bladder, which was malignant, but had not invaded bladder lining or muscle. There was a scare that he had prostate cancer but biopsy report was cancer free. He has started precautionary treatment on his bladder. God is good, as well as the prognosis. We are all pulling for you Roy!
Ina Lott Whittington had a hip replacement on Monday, November 15, 2010, at River Region Hospital and has been at Heritage House Nursing Home recovering. She is looking forward to going home by the end of January and will be staying with her son until she fully recovers in Delta, Louisiana. Get well wishes Ina!
Mike and Joan Donovan traveled to White River Junction, Vermont, in October. They caught the changing colors at just the right time and was so beautiful. They also saw a lot of covered bridges and red barns. The scenery was awesome! The trip reminded them of the wonders of God’s creation displayed for their enjoyment.
Deadline for the next Keynote – March 25
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