Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year Sorority Sisters Plus Keynotes

Happy 2013 Sisters!


Christmas Party photos from Omega (top) and Alpha Beta (bottom)




Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority
Keynote


Christmas Party photos from Omega (top) and Alpha Beta (bottom)
News from the Chapters……

I haven’t heard from our sisters in Denver Delta.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.  I hope this finds you well and happy and perhaps too full of Christmas cookies to get around to writing!

Vicksburg Alpha Beta
Toni Stanchfield is an assistant den leader for the Cub Scouts and went on an Outdoor Wilderness Leader training at Camp Wilkerson here in town.  This training Taught her how to safely and efficiently choose a camp site and get set up.  There were demonstrations on how to cook outdoors, breakfast, lunch and dinner for a den group.  Being responsible for a group of scouts while camping is a huge responsibility and hopefully after this adventure I will have passed the training with flying colors.  Maybe the ladies from PAK would like to do a camping outing one weekend........just kidding!  That definitely would make for some fun Keynote stories though for next time!  Her only request when camping is a place to shower off at the end of the day. 

Tracy Trichell writes that Thomas and James have started basketball.  This year they are on different teams.  Both teams are doing very well.  It is going to be an exciting game when they play each other.  Alexandra has just finished up her college session for this semester and is ready for a break.  We are all looking forward to spending Christmas with Tommy's and my families.  Happy New Year to all of you! 

Margharita Davis's family came home for Thanksgiving. All but their two grandsons gathered around the happy little table this year. Thankfully, the guys will be home (on leave from the Army) for our Christmas celebration at their home in Brandon.
She had fun playing hostess again at Rosalie Mansion in Natchez during their fall pilgrimage.  Again everyone was able to attend the November wedding of nephew Bryan Green in Southaven. The reception was at the Memphis Train Terminal. Really nice and different.  Bill and Margharita celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in December with much love and dismay that all those years had passed so fast. Feeling really blessed.

Pam Gee just returned from a trip to Germany and the Christmas Markets.  It was a festive time with lots of snow which really enhanced her Christmas spirit.  She and her traveling buddy, Meredith Mahalak, visited the markets in Munich, Wurzburg, Nuremburg, and Rothenburg, as well as Innsbruck, Austria, and Strasbourg, France.  The food was fabulous and all the handmade items were a shopper’s dream!  The highlight was a small candlelight Christmas concert in an old church in the Black Forest. 

Vicksburg Delta
Along with four carloads of Openwood Garden Club members Joan Morgan traveled to Crystal Springs for their Fall Truck Garden event in mid October.  The weather was perfect for wandering around the lush fruit, vegetable, and flower beds.  It made them want to start spring all over again and put their green thumbs to work.  In mid October she and Hal flew to Washington DC on an Air Force C 17.  They celebrated their 46th anniversary touring the National Air and Space Museum by Dulles Airport, Naval Museum, parts of Smithsonian, World War II Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, etc.  Hal's great nephew is stationed at the Pentagon, so he gave them a tour, including the chapel inside the building and the memorial garden on the outside.  Joan wrote, “I can see where it could be true, that someone could live in the building, as they have every conceivable shop or facility for its employees.  We again visited one of our favorite statues, that of Albert Einstein.  Our return flight was delayed a day, so we went with Plan B and headed for Williamsburg for a visit with my brother and sister-in-law.  On our return trip through the Shenandoah Valley we stopped at the Edelweiss, a Black Forest style Restaurant for a typical German meal.  When we stopped for the night, we found a Mexican bakery and enjoyed some breads and sweets.  In November, we spent 6 days in Huntsville AL to help Michelle after her carpal tunnel surgery.  A few days after returning, we went to Madison to take care of the grandchildren for five days.  Part of the time they were on Thanksgiving vacation, so we got to do plenty of fun things with them....bowling, movie, lunch, shopping, soccer practice.  Our Thanksgiving celebration adjusted to our sons' schedules.  What could be better than two days of turkey and dressing?”

In the early fall, Josephine Peterson’s son John invited her for a visit in Arizona.  As usual, she saw many sights.  On their first day trip, they rode the Apache Trail, a two-lane road (mostly dirt) on the edge of the mountain to Roosevelt Dam.  They were close to the Tonot Memorial Monument, so they hiked a half mile to the 14th century cliff dwellings of the Salado Indians.  She has pictures to prove she made that climb!  The Space Shuttle Endeavor made a low flyover in Tucson.  The last commander of Endeavor, Mark Kelly, requested the flyover in honor of his wife, Gabby Gifford, the former Arizona Congresswoman.  Josephine viewed the flyover and got great pictures.  She and John drove to the White Mountains for a weekend getaway.  The scenery on the highway to Globe was breathtaking.  They rode rugged mountain trails in John’s 4Runner and saw a herd of elk near Pinetop/Lakeside.  Saturday they rode horseback on a trail at the X-Diamond Ranch.  At Greer Resort, they took fly-fishing lessons.  Josephine caught Apache Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout.  The trip was a fun adventure with spectacular scenery.  In early November, she traveled to her son Richard’s in South Carolina to attend granddaughter Ella’s 11th birthday party, a cookout, and sleepover at the other grandparents’ log home.  Josephine’s new neighbors have twin boys, so she got to help celebrate their second birthday with all their extended family.  This brought back lots of memories.  Josephine celebrated Christmas in South Carolina and wishes each of you good health and happiness in the new year. 

Delta Chapter held their annual potluck Christmas dinner at Josephine Peterson's home.  Her home was well decorated and put us all in the holiday mood.  Delta certainly has good cooks as the meal was delicious.  We played "Dirty Santa" but it was a more subdued game this year.  We wish all our Sisters and their families Peace, Hope, and Goodwill in the New Year.

Delta Chapter has had several members on the "sick list".  Helene Benson remains on a walker since she broke her hip in a fall.  Sally Riddle is out of the hospital and nursing home after a long bout.  She has returned to the meetings and looks great and is in equally high spirits.  We are delighted to have her back.  Mary Lee was in Florida visiting her husband who is working there.  She got sepsis and was in the hospital for two weeks.  She recovered at home.  We hope to have both Helene and Mary back in January.

Vicksburg Omega
Marian Love Phillips’ youngest daughter, Marian Suzanne (Suzi), 40 years old, will be having a baby girl on April 2013.  She will be welcome by her big sister, Emma, who is five years old.  They reside in Fredericksburg, VA, where Suzi’s husband, Dennis, works for the FAA in Washington, D.C.  They also drove home for the Thanksgiving holiday and enjoyed visiting with families in Louisiana and Mississippi.  While here Suzi was given a baby shower and was held at the Pecan Ridge Apartment’s Club House and she received so many nice gifts for the baby-to-be. Marian’s grandson, Michael “Ethan” Kelly, graduated from basic training in San Antonio, TX, at Lackland AFB.  Marian’s daughters, Kathy (Ethan’s aunt) and Debra (his mother), Jay (his dad) granddaughters, Lucy (his sister), Stephen (his brother) and Sonya (his cousin) attended the graduation on Dec. 1st.  Airman Michael Kelly has been transferred to Fort Lee, Virginia to continue his military duties.  He wasn’t home for Christmas but was there in spirit.  Our family is so proud of him serving his country.

Joan Donovan and her husband, Mike, went on weekend trips to Memphis, TN, Baton Rouge, LA, and El Dorado, AR, attending the Control-Line Model Airplane contests and visited with friends they made.

Ina Lott Whittington’s daughter, Rhonda, is attending the Addie McBryde Rehabilitation Center for the Blind on the campus at The University Medical Center, Jackson, MS.  She is being trained to learn Braille, adaptive equipment, handwriting, keyboarding, and use of the personal computer utilizing both magnification and screen readers.  She lives in a dormitory during the week and tries to come home on weekends.

Vera Marshall Brown sang in The Forgotten Carols, a magical family musical stage play by Michael and Scott McLean about the hope and promise of Christmas.

Our Second Vice President, Sorority Sister, Cathey Lee, fell on November 15th and broke her hip. She had a total hip replacement at Baptist Hospital the next day.  We are all wishing Cathey a speedy recovery and will be keeping her in our prayers.  If anyone wished to send a get well card her address is:  2737 Burnt House Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180.

Last summer was "the summer of the music festival" for Becky Towne and her husband Scott. They started with the blues festival in Rolling Fork in April (best barbecue). Then they spent three days at The Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores in May. They returned to the coast for Bayfest in Ocean Springs (her favorite). Of course they attended Riverfest here in Vicksburg. They wrapped it up in June with the 40th anniversary Bentonia Blues Festival, a historic event where they were able to hang out with the musicians and met people who had been coming to the festival since it began. 

Omega Chapter Rush:  We had our Chapter Rush on October 27, 2012 at the lovely home of Connie Greer and husband, Homer, on Longview Street, Vicksburg, MS.  We are proud to present 10 new members to our chapter.  They are Brandie Lee, Dinnie Johnston, Emily Wolfe, Ellen Moomaw, Becky Artz, Ginger Berney, Lucy Spangler, Shawn Mitchell Lee, Laura Love Ables and Glenda Betts LaGarde.  You can view this joyful occasion on our blog at:  http://pakomegachaptersnapshots.blogspot.com/2012/10/an-omega-chapter-rush.html
One of our newest members, Glenda LaGarde, sang in two Christmas Concerts with The Vicksburg Chamber Choir and the Mississippi Chorus’s concert with members of the MS Symphony orchestra and brass ensemble in Jackson, MS. With her husband, Victor, they traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia for the Baptism of the latest grandchild – Ambrose Stanley Linderman, by her daughter Glynnis and her husband, Aaron, with relatives and friends celebrating this blessed occasion.

Laura Love Ables, newest member, oldest daughter, Sherri and family recently moved to San Antonio, TX, to start a new life.  Laura’s oldest sister is Marian Love Phillips.
Shannon Curro has moved to the coast and will be missed by her sisters in Omega Chapter.

On December 5, 2012 our PAK Omega Chapter held our Christmas Party at Roca’s Restaurant and everyone had a wonderful time.  We found out who our Secret Sisters were for the past year and drew names for our “new” Secret Sisters!  A good time was had by all and you can view pictures of our party on our blog at:  http://pakomegachaptersnapshots.blogspot.com/2012/12/our-omega-chapter-christmas-party.html

DEADLINES FOR THE NEXT KEYNOTES:
Monday, March 18, 2013

Mark your calendars – the Convention will be Saturday, June 1, 2013!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas Sorority Sisters

Great is His love toward us, and the 
faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
PSALM 117:2 NIV

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Our Omega Chapter Christmas Party

Sweets of assorted Lemon Bars, Cookies and Petit Fours!

Our PAK, Omega Chapter Christmas Party was held on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at Roca's Restaurant party room at 6:30 p.m.  Heavy Hors d'oeuvres was on the menu of Canapes and dips of Bentons Prociutto and Smoke Gouda Fritters with Rosemary Honey Mustard Spinach and Artichoke dip with Crostini;  Meat trays of Herb Roasted Beef with Au Jus and Horseradish Spread, Citrus Brine Turkey Breast Served with Cranberry Chutney and Whole Grain Mustard served with warm yeast rolls that could be made into sandwiches.  Platters of assorted fresh fruit with sour cream strawberry basil dip; tomato and black pepper sandwiches with basil pesto mayonnaise, artisan cheese platter and crispy catfish nuggets.  Sweets of assorted lemon bars, cookies and petit fours.  Beverages was iced tea, coffee and water.  We also had a cash bar of premium brands of wine by glass, domestic beer, imported beer and soft drinks.  

Coffee Table

Lovely Christmas centerpieces adorned each table.

Beautiful Christmas tree with lots of unopened presents.

Bill Seabergh, husband of President, Janey, talking to Katie Hossley.

Becky Towne in a holiday mood.

President, Janey Seabergh, ready to enjoy our Christmas Party.

Anita Zorn Hossley and Olivia Lee looking on.

Ina Carol Lott Whittington

Newcomers in our sorority talking to Joan Donovan.

Willie and Andrea Hughes

Anita Hossley, myself, Marian Love Phillips, Andrea Kelly and my sister, Laura Love Ables.

A Southern Staple ~ Tomato Sandwiches

Fresh Fruit with Sour Cream Strawberry Basil Dip.

Artisan Cheese Platter

Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Crostini

Citrus Brine Turkey Breast Served with Cranberry Chutney

Herb Roasted Beef with Au Jus and Horseradish Spread

Crispy Catfish Nuggets

Bob and Myrtle Alvarado

Chuck and Frances Miller

Glenda and Vic LaGarde

Charles and Cindy Calais

Everyone enjoying a great meal.

Ina Lott Whittington and Pam Melsheimer

Newcomers getting ready to draw for their very first Christmas present.




Katie Hossley with my sister Laura Love Ables in the background.

Opening their gifts!

Walter and Laura McCallum

Vera Marshall Brown with her new Christmas scarf.

Jane Loboda, Laura Love Ables and Cindy Calais.

Tom and Chris Patin

Omega Chapter Sisters in PAK with our newcomers. Sisters missing our Christmas Party were, Connie Greer, Nancy Lucchesi, June Emerson and Cathey Lee.

Bobby getting in the spirit and fun with a holiday bow on his forehead.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Goodnight!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

PAK Alpha Chapter Sister Dies


Elizabeth C. Melsheimer ~ Elizabeth C. "Libby" Melsheimer died Wednesday, December 5, 2012, at the Vicksburg Convalescent Home.  She was 90.

Born in Vicksburg, Mrs. Melsheimer was the daughter of the late John Ira Cronin and Harriet Katherine Metzger Cronin.

She was active in community service, including serving as chair of the Arthritis Foundation of Vicksburg, chair of the Vicksburg-Warren March of Dimes and other service organizations.

She was a longtime "Pink Lady" with the Mercy Medical Center and ParkView Medical Center Auxiliary. 

Mrs. Melsheimer was a past member of the Mother's Club of St. Francis Xavier Academy and St. Aloysius.  She was a member of the PAK Alpha Chapter Sorority and the Green Hills Garden Club.  Mrs. Melsheimer was an avid bridge player and the last surviving member of the "Twenty Dinner Club."  She as a communicant of St. Paul Catholic Church and a member of the St. Paul Altar Society.

She is survived by a daughter, Jacqueline "Jackie" Melsheimer Doiron (Class of 1959) of Vicksburg; three grandchildren, Julie Lizabeth Doiron Sosebee (Craig), Jacqueline "Danielle" Warnock (Brad) and Phillip L. Doiron (Kara); and six great-grandchildren, Jack Sosebee, Elizabeth Sosebee, Mary Bradley Warnock, Wes Warnock, Anna Kate Doiron and Ally Doiron.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Julius Daniel Melsheimer; and a brother, A. J. Cronin.

A funeral Mass will be at 11:00 Friday at St. Paul Catholic Church with Monsignor Patrick Farrell, pastor, as celebrant.  Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of Riles Funeral Home.  Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 a.m. Friday until the hour of the service.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Vicksburg Convalescent Home, 1708 Cherry St., Vicksburg, MS  39180 and to the Vicksburg Catholic School, 1900 Grove St., Vicksburg, MS  39182.

Pallbearers will be Craig Sosebee, Jack Sosebee, Mike Jackson, Philip Doiron, Brad Warnock and Jerry Cronin.
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