Omega Chapter September Meeting @ Senior Center

Joan Donovan with Laura McCallum in the background setting the table.

Laura McCallum and Nancy Lucchesi preparing the meal to serve.

Alice Hebler ~ Mayor of Washington Street

Alice will be closing her business, Paper Plus, after 25 years.  There was a very nice write up in The Vicksburg Post, September 10, 2013, about closing her business and here is what was written by Terri Cowart Frazier - terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com 

Alice Hebler, a petite little spitfire, has been a mainstay of the downtown community for 25 years. Now, the owner of Paper Plus says it's time to retire.

"It's time, all my friends have retired and they are having so much fun and I want to travel more," Hebler said.

With seven brothers and sisters all living in desirable destinations, Hebler said she has already planned her first trip in January to visit a sister that lives in Fort Lauderdale.

But as Hebler makes preparations for her future, she said the decision has been bitter sweet.  With tears forming in the corners of her big blue eyes, she said she might be retiring, but plans to remain the "Mayor of Washington Street", an honor that was bestowed upon her by Ellis Koury, a former downtown merchant who served in the capacity before her.

The job has no real duties other than to make sure everybody in downtown is OK. 

"I'll still have a large presence downtown," Hebler said.

"I plan on volunteering to help our Main Street," she said, adding she would even consider being a merchant substitute if any of her friends needed help.  

Hebler said she began her career in the retail market after a conversation with a close adviser.

"I stayed at home with my kids for 12 years and my son John said, 'Mom, why don't you get a job and help Daddy pay bills like everyone else,'" Hebler said.  With his 8-year-old advice, Heblere said she opened up Paper Plus.  

Hebler said her kids loved the store and would come in after school and help work.

"John was my Halloween buyer and he was good.  He told me what gruesome stuff to get and it would sell," she said.

Hebler said starting out she just rented half of the building from Max and Slyvan Klaus and later was given the opportunity to spread out and rent the entire 1318 Washington St. property.

"Klaus always wanted me to buy the building." Hebler said, but since the rent was only $350 she said she never felt the need to buy.

"Why would I want to buy when my rent was so lo?"

After about 10 years of just renting. Hebler said Klaus came to her and said he had an offer on the property.

"I bought the building the next day," she said.

Hebler said she loves visiting and meeting all the people that come into Paper Plus and said, "you just never know who you are going to meet."

She shared a story that she said she will always remember.

"One of the Delta Queens was in and they were having a problem.  A man came inside in overalls and he needed to use my phone.  He said he needed to call City Hall and about two hours later an entourage came in with a big thank you cake and four bottles of champagne," Hebler said.

It turned out the visitor had been the president of the Delta Steam Boat Company.

She confessed that she and her sister had enjoyed the cake and libations so much they had to call in reinforcements to help them finish out the work day.

The building is in good shape and in a great location, Hebler said.

Hebler said she plans on closing her doors for good in January and said it has been her original goal to stay open for 25 years and added, "I made it."

"It's across the street from the stage and you can sit outside and solve the problems of the world.  We call it the porch of wisdom.  It's great."

Hebler said it would be nice to see another paper store open up in the space.

"I would like to see someone come in and reinvent it and do it better - someone young with technology skills, and they could make a lot of money," she said.

Pam Melsheimer as a hostess with the mostess!

Katie Hossley looking on while Myrtle Curro and Alice Hebler chat.

All the lovely Secret Sister's presents.

Ina Lott Whittington, Laura Love Ables and Vera Marshall Brown.

Everyone catching up on the news.

Janey Seaburgh, Anita Hossley and Alice Hebler.

Meeting getting ready to start...and close to 30 members attended.

My gift from my Secret Sister.

Laura Love Ables looking over her Secret Sisters gift with Vera looking on.

Laura admiring her two cute turtles!

Joan Donovan received a beautiful silver tray from her Secret Sister.

Our September Meeting

Our first meeting of the new year will be next Wednesday, September 11, 2013, at the Senior Center, downtown Vicksburg.  We look forward to seeing and visiting with our Omega Chapter sisters again.  The meeting will began at 7:00 p.m. 

Denver Delta Chapter

PAK KEYNOTE NEWS FROM DENVER DELTA CHAPTER

I was relieved to get this letter from Isolde Meyer updating us on our Denver sisters and wanted to pass on their news:

Some time has passed since we were all able to get together for a formal meeting, however when I received the May 2013 Keynote from Pam, I decided to make a call to our Chapter President Elly Danko to get an update on our group since we are less mobile these days.

President Elly Danko has been very busy getting her yard and garden ready for the growing season.  When we spoke she said she had a brief update on the other ladies in our group so I wanted to share what I learned.  Elly is also getting ready for a trip to Germany in early July.  She will be returning with a young neighbor boy who has always wanted to come over to see the United States.

Betty Shay, who was diagnosed with MS, has her son and grandson living with her to help with the daily chores.

Gennie McCloskey is still sharp as a tack, but her mobility at age 92 and a recent fall keeps her from attending face-to-face meetings, but I understand she is doing well.

Walburga Salazar had a wonderful birthday party in April and has been busy packing because her apartment building is going to be remodeled so they all have to relocate while the work is being done.  She is also not driving far distances anymore so getting together is also much more difficult.

Isolde Meyer is now living with her daughter Melissa and her husband Ron since November 2012.  Her new address is 15652 W. 79^th Place, Arvada, CO 80007.  Phone: 303-423-8622.  She is also not driving anymore and has sold her car and is working on selling her house.  On May 20^th in Estes Park, CO, she enjoyed the magical wedding of her granddaughter Jennifer and her new husband Lee.  Grandsons Cody and Tyler both graduated with two-year Associates Degrees and will continue their studies.

Cathey Lee's Mother

Cathey Lee's Mother passed away Saturday afternoon.  She was 100 years and 8 months old.  

Please keep Cathey and family in your prayers! 

Our Spring Omega Chapter Party

This past Friday our Spring Omega Chapter party was held at Jane and John Laboda's lovely home on Yorktown Road.  All sorority sisters and guest/husbands had a wonderful time visiting and enjoying a delicious meal together. We will be back together again in September.  Have a wonderful summer!

 

George Brown and Willie Hughes enjoying the screened in back porch.

 

Everyone having a great time!

 

Fred Lee and Homer Greer

 

Vera Marshall Brown, Chris Patin, Joan Donovan and Tom Patin a-swinging.

 

Chris Patin, Joan Donovan, Tom Patin

 

June Emerson, Alice Hebler, Nancy Lucchesi and Pam Melsheimer.

 

Alice Hebler with a doxen in her lap.

 

Vera Marshall Brown looking great in her blue spring outfit.

 

June Emerson, Alice Hebler, Nancy Lucchesi, her husband Bobby, Pam Melsheimer and Jane Laboda's son.

 

Looking down towards a lake in the backyard.

 

An old, old birdhouse.

 

Their huge swimming pool!

 

The back of the house.

 

Chris Ables, my brother-in-law and Homer Greer.

 

Pam Melsheimer and Jane Laboda, lady of the house.

All these people scared me so bad that I had to get on top of the roof!

This is my house....not your house!

 

My sister, Laura Love Ables looking at some orchids that she got from her secret sister.

I will be so glad when all these people go home!

 

Anita Hossley, June Emerson and Louise Herrod.

 

Katie Hossley and Ginger Berney.

 

 

Laura Love Ables and the Lady Of The House, Jane Laboda.

 

My sister, Laura Love Ables and myself.

 

Pam Melsheimer, Myrtle Loviza Curro and Louise Herrod.

 

Connie Greer with my sister, Laura Love Ables.

 

Chris Patin being funny with Andrea Hughes and Nancy Lucchesi.

Spring Chapter Party Postpone

After giving this much thought, Jane Loboda decided to postpone the End of the Year Party until next Friday, May 17th at 6:30 pm.  The weather is going to be so bad.  The following week the sun is suppose to shine every day (maybe).  We hope this will work well with everyone. 

 

Thanks so much and I hope to see you on the 17th.

Nancy Lucchesi 

 

Keynote - May 2013

Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority

Keynote – May 2013

Convention details are still in the works – thank you, Jane Brock!  Here is the news from the chapters.  We will be letting you know when the convention details are set.

News from the Chapters….

I hope our sisters in Denver are doing well since I haven’t heard from them in some time.  Remember, you are in our thoughts and prayers!

  

Vicksburg Alpha Beta

Pam Gee was delighted to have her sister-in-law from Iowa, Marilyn Emerson, come for a short visit in early April.  What a perfect time for a visit – azaleas and dogwoods in bloom and lots of great events as part of the Vicksburg National Military Park Sesquicentennial.  She even got a photo of Marilyn with Abe Lincoln (her children noted that they hadn’t realized she was THAT old!)  Pam continues to lead a couple of Weight Watchers’ classes in Madison each week and has visited children and grandchildren in Atlanta and Richmond, VA.

Joanne Wright celebrated the wedding of her daughter Valerie (and great-niece of Myrtle Curro Alvarado) to Joshua Brunt in Fairhope, AL, April 20. 

 

Vicksburg Delta

DELTA  CHAPTER  members enjoyed the lovely Founders' Day Tea in the home of Dinnie Johnston, Omega Chapter.  The ladies served a variety of delicious finger sandwiches and desserts, along with refreshing tea and green punch.  What a beautiful spring-like day to visit with PAK Sisters and remember the ladies who began our sorority.

                          

During the Christmas holidays, Hal and Joan Morgan enjoyed having daughter Michelle and her two Beagles home for a two week recovery visit following another hand surgery.  This extended stay allowed for many hours of family time with the immediate kin.  She and Hal attended a Rotary District Conference in Memphis.  They met the Group Study Exchange members from Australia and England who are here for a month to learn about our culture and professions.  They stay in Rotary members' homes throughout central Mississippi.  Some of their impressions of the South:  air-conditioning is too cold; large servings at restaurants; the lack of uncooked fresh vegetables; they have had enough fried catfish; love our shopping and prices; we drive on the "wrong" side of the road; our toilets flush in the opposite direction.  They all agreed that there truly is Southern Hospitality!  The leader from Australia has been their guest for five days. Joan and Hal will soon leave for a 22-day trip to Norway!

In early February, Josephine Peterson’s son John transferred to Nashville, TN, from Arizona.  His older brother Richard flew to Arizona to help John drive cross-country.  Josephine joined them in Nashville and enjoyed a visit with them.  The three of them did find time to take in the night life at Tootsie’s, a country music bar.  Josephine added, “It will be nice to have John back in the South and closer to family.”  She also enjoyed the Lenten series at her church, Church of the Holy Trinity, followed by a gumbo lunch.  In mid-March, she traveled to Anderson, SC, to spend time with Richard’s family.  They enjoyed a St. Patrick’s Day parade and spending time together.  John was able to join them for the holiday weekend.  During Holy Week, Josephine’s niece Sarah and her two children visited from New Orleans.  They all enjoyed the Mississippi River Museum and touring the Military Park.

Vicksburg Omega

Olivia Lee and husband, Fred, attended the wedding of Olivia’s goddaughter in Picayune, MS.  They stayed at the Bed & Breakfast – The Henry Smith House.  They had a wonderful trip and visited with Olivia’s family.  Olivia and her daughter, Anne Marie Nelson did the readings at the wedding of Rosemary Smith and Joseph Anderson. Olivia also gave a Bridesmaids brunch for Rosemary.  

Nikki Walker, Daughter of Julie and Bill Walker of Clinton, MS, participated in a Mission trip to Atlacomulco, Mexico.  She went as a volunteer to assist with some of the children who are less fortunate.  Nikki Walker is the granddaughter of Vera Brown.  Nora Francis, daughter of Andrea and Owen Francis and also granddaughter of Vera Brown was chosen as Outstanding Catholic Youth of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Mandeville, LA.  She will be honored at the Archdiocese of Louisiana with a luncheon and medal.  Vera is very proud of these two young girls.

Cathey Lee’s son, Chris, has been hired as the Site Manager for the field research station of the non-profit organization, Tropical Forestry Initiative in Costa Rica for the next two years.  He was formerly a fine arts instructor at the University of Southern Mississippi.

On March 6, 2013, at the lovely home of Becky Towne, our new members were initiated into our sorority.  Congratulations to all our new sorority sisters!  Our Omega Chapter is really growing.

Founder’s Day was hosted by the Omega Chapter at the lovely home of sorority sister, Dinnie Johnston, on March 20, 2013, at her lovely home on Chambers Street.  If you would like to see photos of the event you can go to our Pi Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter Blog and view at:  http://pakomegachaptersnapshots.blogspot.com

Marian Love Phillips harvested a 120 lb. doe at the famous Christmas Place Plantation and Hunting Club near Eden, MS, on January 5, 2013.  She was later featured in our paper, The Vicksburg Post, Sport Section with a very nice article and a picture of her deer.  Marian welcomed her 6^th granddaughter born to her youngest daughter, Marian Suzanne (Suzi) Nicholas.  Granddaughter, Katherine "Kate" Elizabeth Nicholas was born on April 10th and she weighed, 7 lbs. 9 oz., 20 inches long in Fredericksburg, VA.  She was also be welcomed by her big sister, Emma, who is 5 years old.  This will make nine grandchildren for Marian.  Daughter, Debra Ann married Matthew A. Seage on April 20, 2013 at 4 p.m. in the Chapel at the MS Agriculture & Forestry Museum on Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS.  They plan to go on their honeymoon to Orange Beach, AL, on April 29th.  Her husband, Bob Phillips, has been in Covenant Nursing Home since March 26 for physical therapy for his legs.  He has Parkinson Disease and is making progress and hopes to be returning home in a couple of weeks.