May 19, 2009

Happy New Year ALTRUSIANS

Can you believe half of our year 2009-2010 is behind us?  We have had many adventures and loads of fun.  Starting an informative website for Sherman Altrusa.

July

• We explored the early days of our Past with Slides by Sarah Hagberg.

• Also acknowledged our tenured members with certificates of appreciation and dedication.  Totaling 300 years.

August

• Busy Month

• Friendship Tea honoring “Mary Mosses” 50 years in Altrusa at Sarah Hagberg’s home.

• Sue and Dick Mallory presented a wonderful program on “National Wildlife”.

• Barbara Sloan and I woke up at dawn to appear on Channel 12 TV at 6:30 am News.  Talking about the Teddy Bear Parade.

September

• Teddy Bear Parade was fun and handled well thanks to Barbara Sloan and her committee.  “Way to Go”.  Also thank God for a beautiful day.

• Fantastic membership Drive “Champagne Brunch”.  Thanks to Rita Baker and Sylvia Wynn.  It was special and Food was great.  Go Girls!

• Greg Pittman’s program on Meals on Wheels was very informative.

• Work night at my house making cute, cute Halloween bags for the Veterans Hospital in Bonham.  Many thanks to Belinda Sakowski for her Artistic talent.  Also to Hope Waller for sponsoring Belinda as a New Member.

• Scored again on Service Committee and Membership Committee.  Outstanding.

October

• CASA Program, Jana Garner, Executive Director.  CASA is Court Appointed Special Advocate.      They are always looking for volunteers to investigate child abuse.  Thanks Finance Committee for a great program.

November

• Our own, Dr. Tamy Rouqe, talked to us about “Cancer Specifics for Women”.  It was very informative.  Good Job service committee.

• Had work night at the library making ornaments for nursing home shut-ins.  Great fun and the ornaments are very pretty.  Thanks Belinda.           

• Also Belinda and I braved the early morning to talk about the Pilgrimage to channel 12 audience at 6:30 am.  Ugh!

December

• This month found us gathering auction items and selling tickets for “Altrusa Pilgrimage” on December 13, 2009.  We had 5 wonderful houses and the tea at Texas Star Bank.  Tea was outstanding thanks to Teresa’s early planning and Sherry’s dish washing. Lana and Cynthia handled the auction items like true Altrusans.  Good Job.  Thanks to Pat Falk for her diligence in ticket sales for the Pilgrimage.

• Thanks to the great work and dedication of our members.  As a result we will have funds to make our community contribution this year.  Margaret kept her pencil sharpened.  Also thanks for all the auction items.

• We wind up December with our Christmas Party at Woodlawn Country Club.  During the evening we recognized the Homeowners of our Pilgrimage Houses.  Food was great and a lovely time was had by all.  Thanks Mary and Sarah for all your help.

• The news is not all good.  In December we were saddened by the loss of a SUPER STAR.  During Virginia Morris’ 84 years.  Virginia was not only a local President but, also Governor of District 9.  We will miss you Virginia.

Those newsletters Lana puts out each month have been great.  They are also posted on the web. “Great Work Lana!”  Nancy Hampton has been doing a great job on Newspaper reporting.

The small contributions we have made to our Troops overseas the last six months have been heart warming.  Thanks to Martha Neyman who is a “Soldiers Angel” for getting us started.  We have sent candy, popcorn, coupons, in December, a request for chocolate candy was made and we delivered.  Hopefully the small amount we do is helpful and brings a bit of cheer. 

Thanks to Carol’s Red Apron Restaurant, for the great food each Tuesday when we meet.

The Board members deserve a big “Thank You” for their support.  I am quite proud to say “I belong to Sherman Altrusa.”

Keep up the Good Work! Bea Harmon President