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GAMMA CHAPTER, XI STATE, THE DELTA KAPPA GAMMA SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL

NEWSLETTER, FEBRUARY 12, 2011

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! I wish I could send each one of you a red rose or a box of chocolates but instead I will send my best wishes. You don’t know how much I appreciate all you do for those you are responsible for and for those you love. It’s been a long time since we met with just our chapter in November but it won’t be long until we meet on March 10. Thank goodness, it looks like we’re going to have warmer weather for at least a few days. I’m counting on the groundhog’s prediction of an early Spring and that February came in like a lion and is certainly due to go out like a lamb!

REPORTS AND APPLICATIONS FOR CHAPTER AWARDS: I think that in large measure thanks to Holley we have reported the things that we have done for various awards or will have them sent by the deadlines.

HIGH SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST: Dr. Norma Morrison sent information to all area high schools last Fall. The deadline for entry is March 15. Please encourage your students to enter if you teach English and, if not, please ask your English teacher friends to encourage their students to participate. We’ve had winners in the past and they receive a nice prize as well as being honored.

CONVENTIONS: As I have mentioned over and over the Xi State Convention will be June 9 to 11 at the University of the South, affiliated with the Episcopal Church and Southeast Regional will be July 13 to 16 in Louisville. How I wish you would plan to go. I think our chapter will be able to help a little with expenses and your transportation will be at my expense. (I like to report it as a professional expense on income tax and would love to have company on the drive.) Until you have attended one of these conventions, you really don’t appreciate the full worth and contributions of Delta Kappa Gamma AND you meet many, many outstanding women. The University of the South has a beautiful Gothic campus with an atmosphere like no other. Legend has it that angels protect you. To greet a special angel. we put our hands on the ceiling of the car as you drive in and they go with you when you leave. There are workshops where you can receive academic credit, business meetings, lots of good food and wonderful fellowship. There is a beautiful chapel where a ceremony of remembrance is presented to commemorate those members who have died during the year. A ceremony is presented with beautiful music and inspiring words. A candle is lighted for each one who has died and members of her chapter stand. There are beautiful stained glass windows. After the ceremony, all gather in a big circle outside and The Delta Kappa Gamma song is played on the carillon. I still get choked up every time. You will, too. There’s time for fun at the convention, too.

LITERACY: We’ve been asked to bring children’s books to Xi State for a Tennessee elementary school in need. If you can’t attend the convention and have extras you don’t need, we would like to take them to help. Please be in touch. We will also discuss the possibility at our next meeting of having the chapter contribute to the Imagination Library project where children who register receive an age appropriate book each month from birth to age five. It’s a state project.

NOMINATIONS: Do check the Xi State News. Holley has been nominated for the Nominating Committee! Please send her your congratulations. This is an important honor!

SILENT AUCTION: Be thinking of suggestions for something for our chapter to donate. One of you will be asked to shop for it. Last year, five thousand dollars was raised for Leadership Management Seminars which are free to participants. Individual items or baskets will be gratefully accepted.

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS: All chapters are invited to make a reservation to participate. Be thinking of what we could do or show. We’ll talk at the March meeting. The deadline is April 5.

DEADLINE FOR XI STATE NEWS: The next deadline is March 1. If you think of something we should send, please call me as soon as possible so that we won’t be late! The article about Charlotte Ryan mentioned in the last Newsletter is to be printed soon.

EMAIL: PLEASE let me know if your email address changes or if you have trouble downloading this. It would probably be best to call me at 928.5138 or email me at willenepj@charter.net

NEXT MEETING: We will meet at 6:00 at the Downtown Christian Church. Turkey, dressing and all the trimmings was selected as the main course. The meal, catered by Jane’s Lunch Box, is always delicious and the cost of $9.00 is reasonable for an entrée, two sides, rolls, dessert and coffee or tea. There sometimes is enough for people to take some home for another time. The program will either be Shelley Stahlman telling about ways to use the Appalachian Trail in your teaching or a naturalist from Bays Mountain telling about how she and volunteers socialized the wolf puppies when they first came to Tennessee. They ate and slept with them and even went without showers so the puppies would recognize their scent! How would you like THAT teaching assignment? Either one will be fascinating.

Please don’t heseitate to call or email me if you have suggestions. Be thinking about new members. We can initiate again this year if you wish. It is also easy for former members to be reinstated. Now, be good to yourselves and have a Happy Valentine’s Day. May the spirit of love and fun which so permeates this season be with you now and always. My best to you always, Willene

Dr. Willene Paxton, 1203 Lester Harris Rd., Johnson City TN 37601, 423.928.5138, willenepj@charter.net