PAK Sorority Keynote

From the National President Josephine Peterson - April 2011

Dear Sisters,

Spring is finally here with all the azaleas beginning to bloom.  I hope everyone is planning to attend our convention on June 4 at Mansell Hall in First Presbyterian Church.  The convention committee is hard at work on plans to make this year's convention productive and fun.  We need each of you there, so please make your reservations NOW!  (The form is included in the Keynote).

The scholarship applications have been delivered to the four schools and the Scholarship Committee will be meeting later in April to choose our recipient.

I hope each of you will have a joyous Easter celebrating the resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Love in PAK,
Josephine

Thanks to Frances Koury for once again spearheading "To Vicksburg With Love,"  The concert by Michael Gibson and Betty Jean Patterson was a huge hit.  We began to get a little nervous when the stars did not arrive on time, but Michael had undergone and emergency major dental procedure before making the trip to Vicksburg and still performed beautifully.  Frances ended the show with a special presentation to Father Michael Nations prior to his departure from Church of the Holy Trinity, Vicksburg.  Thanks to all those sisters who helped and attended!

2011 PAK National Convention

June 3-4, 2011

"PAK Salutes Our Rising Stars"

Friday, June 3, 5:30 - 7:00 PM -  Reception

Georgia Turnage's home - 11 Lakewood Lane

Saturday, June 4 - Mansell Hall, First Presbyterian Church, 1501 Cherry St.

*  8::30 AM  Registration, Refreshments by Alpha Beta Chapter

*  9:00 - 10:30 AM  First business meeting

* 10:30 - 10:45 AM  Break

* 10:45 - Noon  Second business meeting

               * Memorial Service

               * Election of officers

*  12:00 Noon -  Luncheon - Decorations by Omega Chapter

*Salad plate with chicken salad in a tomato, pasta

salad, tomato sandwiches, stuffed eggs, dessert, tea and coffee

*  Entertainment

*Scholarship presentation

*  Installation of officers

Delta Chapter is in charge of publicity and the program.

The registration form is attached - please return it with your check to your chapter treasurer before May 15!

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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

President Elly Dando experienced several health problems earlier in 2010 but her health seems to be back on track and she had a great fall and winter.  Her children surprised her with tickets to a play and concert in December.  She hopes to stay well so she can visit her German homeland once again this year.

Betty Shay is still worried about her son's condition after the horrible accident which caused him to lose one of his eyes.  He is still in the hospital under doctor's care and our thoughts and prayers are with him at this difficult time.  Betty continues to work with her church on several projects: garage sale, bake sale, and making blankets for the poor.  Betty still finds time once a week to visit Gennie McCloskey, one of our former members.

Walburga Salazar still feeds and cooks for the ill in her apartment house and is always on call to hlep when needed.  Her cat "Frisky" had to be put down as he became aggressive toward people and begin making messes in the house.  No more cats for Walburga - that was number three!

Isolde Meyer recovered from her back injury and promised her daughter Melissa no more snow shoveling, sweeping, raking, or stretching to reach things.  She was fitted with a brace to help strengthen her back.  In December, Isolde and daughter Heidi attended the madrigal; this is a yearly tradition to start the holidy season.

VICKSBURG ALPHA BETA CHAPTER

The combined Alpha Beta Chapter has continued to enjoy their expanded fellowship.  Members have enjoyed learning decorating tips by chapter member Toni Stanchfield which she presented at the past two monthly meetings.

Kathryn Chaney enjoyed a lovely family wedding when granddaughter Ashley married Sam Berryhill in a lovely outdoor ceremony at the home of her parents, Kay and David Chaney.  Sam is a lieutenant in the Air Force who will be stationed at Columbus Air Force Base for flight training.  The couple will make their home on Columbus.

Pam Gee has been traveling - again!  She has visited son Scott and his family in Atlanta and made a couple of trips to Iowa to visit her brother who is under hospice care.

"It was great having Kathy, granddaughter Dayna and friend James Fletcher "home for the holidays".  Christmas that is!!!" writes Frances Koury.  "Those that missed the "To Vicksburg, with Love" PAK program really missed a great program and fellowship.  When you see the commercial for Hometown Medical (yes that's me in the seat lift chair) but the voice-over is that of granddaughter Dayna!  Proud Grandmother! Time has flown and now it is Easter!"

VICKSBURG DELTA CHAPTER

For our February meeting we gathered at Harris Anthony's home and presented him with a Fringe Tree, in memory of our dear Sister, Merrilyn.  We provided the sweets and soft drinks, while Harris had hot coffee to take the chill off a cool afternoon...a reminder of how much Merrilyn enjoyed a cup.  We had mixed emotions a we shared wonderful memories of Merrilyn:  times spent at their Lake Bruin Lake cottage and in their home...Founder's Day Tea and Chapter meetings there.  We collected and delivered food to the Community Cupboard.  Chapter members served a variety of delicious salads for the March Pot Luck luncheon at Joan Morgan's home.  A list of potential candidates for National Offices was drawn up.

Joan Morgan enjoyed the company of her Grandchildren during their Spring Break.  Although the weather didn't cooperate, she had a wonderful time with indoor activities.  Late winter has proven hard on husband Hal, as he has been hospitalized with asthmatic bronchitis and again with pneumonia.  Spring should bring brighter days!

Josephine Peterson took an early spring trip to see Richard's family in South Carolina.  She babysat the four children for the weekend while Richard and Jill celebrated her birthday in a bed and breakfast inn near Asheville, NC.  Josephine returned to MS for the christening of Will's baby on March 13 in Meridian.  Nora is a precious baby who has her daddy's eyes and her paternal grandmother's dark hair and coloring.  Josephine is now busy with the convention committee planning the convention in June.

VICKSBURG OMEGA CHAPTER

Myrtle Curro Alvarado recently went to the spa in Mexico along with her sister and niece from Alabama and niece Joanne (Beta).  They've been going since 2006 and always enjoy their time together.  The weather was perfect, accommodations very nice, and the food beautifully presented and absolutely delicious.  All of this and with great hopes of coming home a little lighter.  Myrtle and Bobby also had a short trip to New  Orleans for a documentary on Mart Crowley's "Making the boys."  While there they enjoyed a wonderful meal at Vicento Italian Restaurant.

Connie Greer fell in March and had a hairline fracture on her right hip.  She is now home and healing nicely.

Laura McCallum's son Ryne is on the Honor Roll at school and has perfect attendance.  He has done this for this entire elementary career thus far!  Yeah Ryne!

Joan and Mike Donovan traveled to Tucson, AZ, March 12-21 to a model airplane contest (Vintage Stunt Championship).  Mike flies in the competition.  Contestants come from all over the world.  This year there were some from Brazil.  They also enjoyed visiting with friends they have made over the years that come from different states to the contest.  The went to two parties and ate some good restaurants.  This is an annual event and their seventh time to go.  Tucson is a great place to visit.  They have been on vacations there, and there are a lot of beautiful and interesting thing to see and do.

Vera and George Brown were honored with a joint birthday party by their children on March 12.  The party was held at St. Michael Church Parish Hall.  Vera notes, "The Birthday Party was a huge success and well attended.  My children did a very good job and I was very proud of each of them.  The food and decorations were wonderful and the pictures brought back many memories.  My grandson, Patrick Francis, son of Andrea (Brown) and Owen Francis was made an Eagle Scout Saturday March 19th at a court of Honor and Reception at St. Paul's School Chapel in Covington, LA.  We went to Covington for this.  He also performed in Guys and Dolls in Covington.  We attended this.  He will graduate this year and will come to MS State in the fall, his daddy's Alma Mater.  Nora Francis will be singing The National Anthem at the New Orleans Hornets' Basketball game on Friday April 1st.  We wish we could have been there."  Hunter Walker, Son of Julie and Bill Walker was named to the State Honors Choir.  He is a Junior at Clinton High School.

Anita Hossley went to Orange Beach with her daughter and family during Spring Break.  They stayed at the Caribe Resort and had a wonderful time enjoying the beach, delicious food, swimming, and relaxing.

Frances and Chuck Miller along with Frances' son Eric Holland enjoyed a short vacation in New Orleans.  They particularly enjoyed going to Cafe Due Monde for coffee, shopping, and eating at the Court of Two Sisters.

Chris and Tom Patin's son, Benjamin, graduated from nursing school on December 8.  After passing his state boards, Ben was employed by UMC.

Marian Phillips has been suffering the effects of a spider bite she received on February 19.  After a lengthly hospital stay, Marian is recuperating and receiving therapy at Shady Lawn and has hopes of going home soon.

Our own Alice Hebler has been designated as the new Mayor of Washington Street.  Before he died, Ellis Koury told his wife that "Alive is the only person who can take my place."  This was one of the highlights of the two series articles Gordon Cotton wrote about Alice and her wonderful personality and contributions to our city.  Alice brings her attitude of happiness to everyone she meets.  Omega Chapter is glad she is one of us and our friend.

Ina Whittington is recuperating at her son David's home after hip surgery.

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AT NOTE FROM CHAPLAIN - CHRIS PATIN:

I am getting ready for the memorial service to be held at convention.  Each chapter needs to appoint someone to speak for the deceased for about 2-3 minutes in remembrance.  This should also include the "Rats".  I also need the birth and death dates of each deceased to  make a token of remembrance.