Sharing Reports - Jan/Feb - 2014

President's Report

In November we learned about the history of "Taps" on Remembrance Day. OLD's December Meeting 2013 began with an insightful message from our President, Karon Cowan "to remember the reason for the season and approach all that we do in that spirit."

Program

Our December Program followed this year's International theme of "Light Up Your Life" with questions about the colors of lights we used on our Christmas trees. Most responses appeared to favor the clear transparent lights that allowed the colorful ornaments and trimmings on the tree to "shine" through.

Service

An article and survey data from a Wall Street journal article was shared on the generosity of american charitable giving both internationally and domestically and how those donations contribute to the improvement of our general well-being, making us healthier, happier and better looking too! Our Service chair also informed us of how to protect your wallet from identity theft while shopping during the holiday season.

Membership

The degrees of progression were reviewed by our Vice President, We have four Sisters eligible for progression in the new year with rituals to be held in late January.

Socials

The December Social took us on a tour of Washington DC on a Hop On Hope Off bus to see the sights of the Mall, with visits to the Arlington Cemetery, the DC memorial, Iwo jima Memorial, Korean War Memorial and the Washington and Jefferson Monument. We made our own choices as to the museums we wished to visit, sharing our exeriences with one another later at our hotel. Did you know that the Smithsonian alone has 15 museums and art galleries? Another gem to add to your knowledge: the White House Christmas tree came from Colville National Forest in Washington state. It is the first time that a tree from Eastern Washington had been used. 7000 ornaments were made by Washington schoolchildren and sent with the tree. They were made of lentils, wheat and other local products which reflect the state of Washington.

Koffee Klatch

Thanksgiving or a similar holiday of giving was questioned as to the types of meals we served,including any untraditional dishes, whether we regarded it as a religious holiday and gathered family and friends or merely one of relaxation. In December we were invited to a virtual celebration at a member's home to celebrate the birthday of Christ.

Book Club

We were prompted to remember the benefits of reading: it improves your memory and you always have something to talk about even in embarrassing situations. "The Lost Wife" by Alyson Richman was reviewed in November. It explores the lives and loves of those imprisoned in the Nazi war camp of Terezin where the art that the prisoners produce become a means and reason for their survival, to be protected as a testament to the cruelties of the Holocaust. Our December-January book is to be "Crow Lake" by Mary Lawson. Lawson delves into the family relationships of four orphans in rural Ontario, interwining the present with the siblings rivalry and expectations of the past.

OLD Website

President Karon continues to keep our own OnLIneDelta website http://onlinedelta.weebly.com updated.

Best wishes for a bright, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Once the business portion of our meeting was done, we had a program on memories and friends. A sister shared her mother’s memories on volunteering for USO during the war. Another sister shared meeting a couple on train when she was young and they were going to same destination but didn’t speak the same language. But through picture sign language they knew what each other were discussing and remained friends for years after they arrived at their destination.

Please step into our kitchen, which is decked out with yellow roses. The yellow roses are in vases surrounding the room. Their fragrance is divine. Furthermore, the yellow roses are on the tablecloths and napkins as well as on the dishes and glasses and much more. The program was on Ways to Read. Very interesting with most now owning some form of E Readers. Our December meeting was presented by sister Mollie again Mollie chose to be our Hostess, present the Social portion and Gave the program. Here is the December social: I'm sure you've heard of "Christmas in July". Well, with all this cold weather we've been having, I think "Tropical Fun in December" might be a nice virtual getaway!

Aloha--welcome to our Hawaiian Luau! First, kick off those boots and slip on a pair of bright flower adorned flip flops. If you like, I have some Hawaiian muumuus for you to slip in to and don't forget to grab a beautiful lei or two! Also, there is a bowl of flowers on the table in the dressing room--choose one to put behind your ear. If you're single, put it behind your right ear and if you're married put it behind your left ear.

Now time for my favorite BSP activity--eating! The table is covered with bright tablecloths with grass skirts around the perimeter. There is a beautiful tropical flower centerpiece with plumeria petals all over the table. The Program Was on the history of Hawaii Here is a travel site of Hawaii. Click on the tabs at the top to see the different islands: Hawaii's Official Tourism Site -- Travel Info for Your Hawaii Vacation

That's all for now Sisters
Beta Hugs
Deb Wilson
OnLine Sigma

On November 1st, the chapter had an appreciation day for our Advisors. It was decided by the chapter that we should move forward on our own and we had a 3 part “graduation” for the chapter. Without the wonderful training the advisors did for the chapter and helping every step of the way, Online Xi would not be what it is today. In November the chapter had an Ice Cream social. A great time was had by all and it was a barrage of emails flying all over the internet. The social ran for a whole week which gave everyone a chance to log in when possible. During the last couple months, we had a wonderful program from Elaine on finances. She did a lot of research and talked about everything from beginning a small fund for emergencies all the way to planning for retirement. She put a lot of work into it and answered questions that sisters had along the way.

Many of our members signed up to be special sisters. Being online, the sisters know who is giving to them and who they give to. (of course). Sisters filled out forms and sent them off to the person who is buying for them. It will be a fun year. During December, we held Chrissy’s Ritual of Jewels degree and afterwards virtually visited the Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta for a social.

The following week, we welcomed Toni, Katie and Queneka with their pledge rituals. Emails filled the internet as we discussed our thoughts in Rose, Bud and Thorn posts each week and our Xi Chit Chats. Prayer/Thought lists go out weekly. During December, we also discussed our favorite Christmas movies and cartoons along with the most special gifts we have given or received. Then, we all discussed resolutions or plans that we may have for the coming year. Most of the women are working on organization and financial goals.

We had a holiday vacation to New York where we stayed at the Ritz-Carlton. We took virtual tours of everything from the Statue of Liberty to the New York Library. We rang the New Year in at Times square with the dropping of the ball.

Respectfully Submitted, Sheri V.

OLAP chapter meets on the last Friday of each month with our business meeting the first week and program, 2nd week, emails throughout the month.

November

Our chapter business meeting included having members fill in the months where a program is needed. With only 9 members, a few have to do a couple each year. We still need a volunteer for program chair. The program for the month was on WWII memories, and honor for Veterans Day and D-day. Members shared what family members who served have told their stories and we have a one member who remembers when WWII started and the time when it ended. Through online links, we saw several memorials and one link that shows how a place in California was transformed and looked like a community neighborhood from the sky but was really an airplane factory under the false roof. Social was the favorite food items for a Thanksgiving meal.

December

Chapter business was just the usual items. Our program was based on our BSP theme, by discussing ‘star lights’ or sharing favorite movies and the stars in them. Also members were to pick the movie star they think they most closely resemble in appearance or personality. The social this month was to rent a home movie, watch one on TV, or go out to see a newly released one.

OLAP chapter rep

Cathy

The Sisters of On Line Psi wish all of you a Happy New Year. We hope your area is enjoying the warmer weather now that the "vortex" has passed. I'm a little late with this report because so much has been happening around here. SOCIAL: After our December meeting, Kathy took us on a hayride to do some caroling and look at Christmas lights. Each member was asked to describe a part of their Christmas decorations and their favorite carol. We went to pick everyone up in our hay wagon pulled by a wonderful semi truck. We started in the Phoenix area where most houses were decorated with lights - some with lights that went around the cactus. Then we went through the Sierra Nevada mountain passes where it was chilly and admired the snow on the mountain tops. As we headed North the weather got colder and we arrived in Washington State just in the nick of time! Once there, our sisters warmed us up with some Christmas cheer - hot chocolate, egg nog, rum etc. :) Then we headed to the balmy West Coast and enjoyed the hospitality of our sisters in that part of the country. After a festive visit, we hopped in the hay wagon and headed cross-country to the Northeast. On the way there, we saw some beautiful sights and had a great time singing carols.. The traditional carols were beautiful and the variations that we came up with weren't too bad either. :)

It was Christmas Eve when we arrived in the Albany area to visit with our NY sisters. There was snow on the ground and it looked a lot like a Norman Rockwell Christmas. Then someone noticed a fat man in a red suit..... and ..... we realized that we should head back so we could be home in time for Christmas. ;) PROGRAM: Marcia presented a program about her Christmas stainglass project. It's a work in progress and is almost completed. The main window, a stainglass scene about the first Christmas is finished, and is really beautiful. Marcia was still working on the side windows - scenes of shepherds and sheep and angel telling about the child of the City of David, Bethlehem. She hoped to get it finished before Christmas and promised to send us all a photo when the project is completed.

BOOK REVIEW: Our chapter shared our favorite holiday stories in December.

CRAFTS: Kathy's craft for December was Whisk Presents. You take a whisk and fill it with paper covered candies. (I used various Christmas candies.) Tie a Bow where the handle meets the whisk. Then tie a tag on it that reads: Whisking you a Merry Christmas. They are easy to make and friends and neighbors love them.

Respectfully submitted,

Rose , On Line Psi

OLT has been doing many varied things. We continue to click at the breast cancer site and click all of the tabs. We enjoy our daily literary and historical notes and word of the day. We have read them since 1999.

Carol L visited to OLT . We enjoyed meeting Carol but she decided on line wasn't for her. In December several of our sisters and their family members were dealing with illnesses and hope that they start on the road to recovery soon. Heartfelt sympathies are extended to Carolyn on the loss of Jim's father and to Mair on the loss of her sister and continued prayers are with them and their families.

Weather conditions throughout the USA and Canada have not been as normal nor expected so we pray that everyone stays safe, warm and as healthy as possible!

We also look forward to the release of Marti's (rather Stephanie Michels') next book!

We had a short executive board meeting to review and discuss the current criteria for our Special Sister exchange This month we will be selecting our Chapter Sweetheart.

In March we will present our slate for election of officers for 2014 - 2015 will be held via poll concurrent with the April meeting, and Installation of Officers will be held at the May meeting or at the Founder's Day Celebration.

Our December book selection:

A Sparrow Falls Christmas

Overview
Christmas Eve, the night of the most prestigious event of the year in the tiny southern town of Sparrow Falls, North Carolina. Morwenna Goss, the mysterious story keeper of the old Scottish burying ground, invites guests to dine at the beautiful old family manor house. Guests vary from the proud to the humble, the wealthy to the poor, and as one visitor puts it, "something is bound to happen!" On this night, all eyes are upon a rare and valuable emerald necklace desired by every guest, but for very different reasons. When the priceless gem vanishes right before their eyes, who among those present could have dared to steal it? Spunky senior sleuth Tilda and irrepressible young Addie set out to find the answer before the clock strikes twelve in this short story based upon the Sparrow Falls Mystery series. This is a stand-alone short story featuring characters from the popular Sparrow Falls Mystery series of cozy mystery novels.

Respectfully submitted:
Arlene Fox, OLT cc rep

We added 3 new members in 3 months.
Installation of Officers is in January
All Programs have been signed up for the new year.
Everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and looking forward to the new year.
The chapter would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Karen, Online Eta Rep