Theta Mu Visions

Theta Mu Visions The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Alpha State Odessa, TX Area XIV Chapter # 204

Volume XXIX February, 2010 Number 5

February 18, 2010 6:30 P.M. Pam’s Ponderings

Karin Carlson’s Home The month of February always sends me thinking 7045 Tobosa 366-7311 of connections. Memories of close ties between family members and friends always seemed to be cemented with Valentines and happy gatherings Program Title: “Silver Sneakers” during the month. Connections. Cherish your By Karin Carlson connections. Build strong connections. Help others to become connected. DKG is a society that Program Summary: The speaker will share is based on connections. We have a family bond with sisters in our chapter. We stand up for each information about a physical activity with other and help to carry one another through the muscular resistance program. She will good times and the rough times. Our connections engage members in physical activity through as sisters within the chapter are strong and lasting. learning the basics of the “Silver Sneaker” It hurts our hearts when one of our sisters is hurting program. or when one is not able to join us for our monthly meetings. Music: “Stand Right Up”, “YMCA”, and “The Delta Kappa Gamma Song” Area XIV sisters are connected though our Area Coordinator, Jody Braswell. We hope Jody will be Committee Reports: Nominations able to stop by next Thursday while we are meeting Scholarship at Karin’s so you can get to know her better. Her chapter meets at the same time ours meets, so

timing is difficult. Hostesses: Karin Carlson, Chairman Merita Hart Alpha State sisters are connected across the miles. Carol Horton This week I received a card from my secret pal. It Janette Miller honors me and perplexes me trying to figure out who she might be. I guess that connection will Contact Karin if you will not be able to attend. draw me to Waco in June. International sisters immediately feel the bond when they meet. Be Project: Diaper Brigade: Bring diapers or connected. Come join in the fellowship as we build baby wipes for babies who receive assistance connections with one another. from the Rainbow Room through CPS. February Birthdays

Mary Neff February 4 Delta Kappa Gamma International Sherry Hunter February 8 Convention Betty Tollin February 14 Where: Spokane, Washington Pam Hicks February 18* When: July 20-24, 2010 *meeting night What: Challenges, Empowerment, and Enrichment February Meeting – At Karin Carlson’s house on February 18 This is the 80th birthday for the Society and there as she will give a program on are plans for lots of business and speakers, tours, Fitness and wants everyone to fun and fellowship. You can go to the DKG website come dressed relaxed and very and watch a video of the current International comfy! Her address is 7045 President with sights in and around Spokane. You Tobosa and her front door faces can also find registration forms and other Ratliff Stadium. We hope to have information on the website or in the International very good attendance for this meeting. Bulletin.

Texas State and International Offer World Fellowship Report: Scholarships to Members Theta Mu members are to be The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International commended for donating $73 to the promotes many programs to enrich the lives of World Fellowship fund which helps women around the world by promoting personal women educators who are not DKG members and professional development. Following is a list of to complete their educations. international programs. State organizaions and chapter have many similar programs. International News: The slate of officers INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS of $6,000 are for International which will be voted on in July awarded to members who are enrolled in advanced study programs. Since 1940 more than 800 at the International Convention is: members have received these scholarships, many President – Dr. Jensi Souders from Tennessee of which honor Society founders and outstanding st 1 Vice President – Alice Carrier from Vermont members. Visit the international website nd 2 Vice Pres.– Beverly Helms from Florida www.deltakappagamma.net for details and Nominees for Regional Directors are listed in application procedures. the DKG News. Check out our own Dr. TEXAS STATE SCHOLARSHIPS – The Texas Barbara Baethe from Texas who is the State Organization offers a variety of scholarship nominee for Southwest Regional. opportunities for members, and a special grant-in- aid award for aspiring educators. These vary from Deepest Sympathy is extended to $5,000 scholarships for doctoral study to $500 Theta Mu’s former president, awards for special studies, including elderhostel programs. Details on scholarship requirements are Cynthia Calloway. Her husband, available on the Texas State website Gary, passed away at their home in www.alphastatetexas.org. Application forms are Gordon, Texas. Cynthia is spending also available. The deadline for all Alpha State some time with her son, Shawn, and his family. scholarships is March 1. The scholarships for special studies has a special second chance Report from the Nominations Committee: deadline of Oct. 1. The Nominations Committee has met and has THETA MU offers scholarship awards for members decided on a slate of officers which they will and grant-in-aid awards for well-qualified women present at the February meeting. You don’t studying education. Members are encouraged to want to miss this. ask for information and application materials. A friend who’s also lots of fun, Getting to Know Sylvia Feil But I've already got one--you! Sylvia Feil lives at 6904 N. Huber, Odessa, By Joanna Fuchs 79764. Her phone number is 432-352-1726 and her News from Theta Mu email is [email protected]. Members: Sylvia has been in the teaching field for 17 years minus 3 for service overseas. She has Sherry and Eddy Pomroy just returned taught third and fourth grades, but is eligible to from a Southern Caribbean Cruise which included teach up to eighth grade….scary!! San Juan, St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire, and Aruba. The rain forests in Dominica She went to Alpine after graduation to attend and Puerto Rico were the best sites. Excitement abounded among the eight friends with a lost Sul Ross State University where she was on camera, lost luggage, lost and found belly bag, the cheerleading team for 3 years. Her father missed flight, fouled snorkeling trip, and a returned said that she only had 4 years to complete plane due to loss of cabin pressure (not Sue’s college…so she graduated in 1992 with a airline!) Bachelors in Education. Karen Telck spent the week of January 25 in She got her first teaching position in Fort Greenfield, Missouri, population 1358. She was Stockton teaching 3rd grade bilingual. Her busy getting her dad out of the nursing home, younger sister thought she would be an old settled back in at home, taking him to the doctor’s maid if she stayed in “little ole” Fort Stockton, appointments, the pharmacy, the grocery store, the so she moved in with her sister in 1999. She bank, etc. She even got to shovel 6 inches of snow off the walks and from around the cars – but she was content teaching until 2004 when she got thought this was fun. The snow did extend her a call to deploy overseas on the last day of visit by one day because all roads were closed school at about 2:45. Her world changed and because of the snow and ice. she deployed with a laundry, shower, and clothing renovations unit out of San Antonio. Pam Hicks celebrated her mother’s 86th birthday on She was the executive officer of 125 soldiers. January 18th here in the Permian Basin with her They landed in Kuwait on Halloween for a mother’s 97-year-old aunt, Pheobe Waltrip, several month’s worth of training and got to their base of Marilyn’s cousins, and Pam’s friends. A good in Iraq on Thanksgiving Day. time was had by all! Pam and Marilyn Hicks are really enjoying the opportunity of sharing family She met her lovely husband, history and pictures through “MyFamily.com” this year. The joy of family history comes to life as Dean Feil, in Iraq and they were octogerarians share memories. married on July 1, 2006. They just purchased a new home, new Barbara Foster reports that their son, Craig, is to them, but a fixer upper, and coming from California for Zaro’s 80th birthday on spend their weekends putting up sheetrock and March 13. mudding. She says that they are having a great time, but are ready to get the work done. Your newsletter chairman, Jennifer, will not be at the February meeting. She is going to Dallas to see “Phantom of the Perfect Valentine Friend If I could create the perfect friend, Opera” at the Dallas Summer Musicals with her One of my own design, daughter, Leighann. A friend to be my companion, A friend for a Valentine, George Washington was born February 22, 1732 I’d build her with a giving heart and died December 14, 1799. He was president for Filled with kindness, too, two terms from April 30, 1789 to March 3, 1797. Abraham Lincoln was born February 12, 1809 and The State convention will be in Waco in June. died April 15, 1865. His term of office was March 4, 1861 to March 3, 1865. The garage sale will be held the first weekend in April. Money raised from this sale will Minutes partially cover expenses for members to attend Theta Mu Chapter the convention. The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International January 21, 2010 Our May meeting will be combined with Delta Iota and Zeta Kappa when new officers will be The meeting was called to order by President inducted. Pam Hicks. Sherry Pomroy had words to share via Jennifer Askew. The February meeting will be at the home of Karin Carlson. Minutes that were printed in the Newsletter, were approved as printed. Pam thanked the hostesses for the sandwich meal, Sharon Bishop who also opened her The treasurer’s report was given by Frances home for the evening, Mary Jane Hannon, Warner. The total expenses for January were Barbara Foster, Kelly Morris and Mary Neff. $148.00 and a balance as of January 21, 2010 is $4631.08. The report was approved as The meeting closed with the singing of The printed and submitted for audit. Delta Kappa Gamma Song.

The initiation of Sylvia Feil was conducted. Carol Horton, Secretary

Glenda Sickles presented information on World Fellowship, how that women from other countries may apply for fellowships from Delta Kappa Gamma International to complete an advanced degree. She passed a “wise owl” to collect donations from the members.

Guests were introduced, Helen, Sharon Bishop’s sister, Betty Damron and Evelyn Stroder.

Evelyn was introduced by long time friend and Theta Mu member, Mary Jane Hannon. Evelyn presented a program on “Mr. Pat.” about Paul Patterson, who taught journalism at Crane High School for many years. “Mr. Pat” served as a mentor to Mrs. Stroder, providing great help to her when she became the journalism teacher at CHS.

Announcements:

Pam reminded the group that the Nominations Committee will be making a report at the February meeting and encouraged members to be willing to accept the responsibility of leadership when asked.