I will just hit the highlights of Online Beta, I wonder if just keeping sharing reports to the basics might help, if we all contribute just a little rather than so much, would that help others share at least a little rather than being overwhelmed thinking they must write a huge article?   

Our Nov program was on "Gratitude" which seemed most appropriate as most of us celebrate "Thanksgiving".  Gratitude is a noun meaning the quality of being thankful & willing to show appreciation & return or pass on the kindness.

Our Nov Social was a History of the Smithsonian with many sharing their favorite bldgs and why they enjoyed them so much.

Our Dec program was on the History of the Advent Calendar.  Many shared their traditions and various types of advent calendars from their childhood and as their families have expanded.  We all enjoyed the photos too

Our Dec social was a Tour of Biltmore Estates in Asheville, NC & holiday decorations.  Biltmore is huge and beautiful with each season taking on its very own beauty.  Spring time is as beautiful as the Christmas season.  It truly is an "estate".

Our Jan program was on NY resolutions.  Why we make them, why we break or never even start them!!  Instead of making one that we know is about "us" like the perennial lose weight or take better care of our self, family etc.  Why not make one that will bless others such as passing on a compliment every day and many other simple things!

Our Jan social was a trip to Colorado Springs, CO.  We all hopped a virtual plane to head to the Broadmoor to celebrate our 22nd Birthday.  What a magnificent place for a great celebration!!!  Tables were beautiful with yellow roses and the food was excellent.  We even got one of their treasured recipes.

and of course, in between all of this was lots of chatter about the Super Bowl and other fun topics as well as lots of prayer requests as so many have so much serious illness themselves or immediate family.

Online Beta

Eta has added 2 new members that are twins.  The members continue to be active in travel, raising children, schooling and dedication to employment and retirement years.

There are more members awaiting to be added as the chapter transitions from one year to a new one with a continuing board and new program sign ups.

Our sisters wish one and all a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.

--

Karen - ETA Rep

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We just elected our 2020/21 officers with Cherie as our new president and Arlene as cyber council rep. All of the others stayed the same. The new officers will be installed the first meeting in May as we have several rituals to be celebrated on Founder's Day. Theta thanks Arlene for her many years of service to us.

We have really had the sickness the last month but it appears we are on the mend. It has been a rough few weeks.

We continue our service project by clicking daily at the 9 sites at the Greater Good.com. This has been our service project since the early days of On Line Theta.

Theta elected Billie as our sweetheart. We will have a tea honoring Billie the end of this month.

Several of us has been notified by International of our longevity in BSP - 25 and 50 years. We will honor them at Founder's Day.

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For our November Program, we learned all about the month of November, it’s signs, symbols, and stones.

Our December was jam packed and we missed having our program this month.

For January, our program was all about Mardi Gras. 

For our service each month, our sister go to the Breast Cancer Site to click for others to get free mammograms. 

Our sisters have begun a new year of having special sisters.  We don’t have secret sisters, but each year we have a special sister that we exchange emails and a yearly gifts with.  It is a great way for us to get to know another sister more in depth.

Beta hugs,

Chris 

Past President of Online Sigma

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Vice President Cheryl K. reported:  Our guest, Amy Miller, from last month has decided against joining us.  She said that she was having a very hard time keeping up with meeting. 

Service:  Kathy S.  suggested we continue clicking the sites we have always supported,  and  challenged us to find acts of kindness for the month of November, December & January. (Look for giving trees, work at a food bank or food kitchen) or other.

Beverly’s C. Program  I am 100% Native American.  November is National American Indian Heritage Month, This commemorative month aims to provide a platform for Native people in the United States of America to share their culture, traditions, music, crafts, dance, and ways and concepts of life. This gives Native people the opportunity to express to their community, both city, county and state officials their concerns and solutions for building bridges of understanding and friendship in their local area.

On a personal note, my parents were Odawa and Ojibwe. (Ottawa and Chippewa)  My mother was taught the Odawa language and father was taught the Ojibwe language growing up. Since both are similar, when they spoke they could understand each other.  Unfortunately my parents didn't teach my brothers (two) nor my sisters (three) our language and only spoke it when they didn't want my siblings nor I to understand what they were saying.  We were taught a few common words, but I couldn't hold a conversation in it. 

Beverly’s Social:  Was a Ghost Supper which is a Native American tradition usually held each year during the first or second week of November. It is a traditional time of remembering and honoring deceased loved ones and relatives through the offering of food and tobacco (semaa) at a community meal. 

Beverly also posted her recipe and video for Indian Fry Bread.

Krissie E. gave the following book review:  The Awakening by Angela Hunt loosely based on "Sleeping Beauty," but the author said it is more of a parable.

December

Marcia H. presented her program on a style of Stained Glass called Tiffany style or foiled, leaded together the pieces of cut glass, a beautiful Nativity scene she has made. Marcia hopes we enjoyed how her Nativity and how it came to be…she enjoys it each day and night, from the first of December to the end of the month, with the icicle lights hanging down to light the star, the Halo above Jesus’ head. So beautiful.

Ann M. invited the members to a Cookie Exchange Social at her home, where she had Christmas Bingo to play with plenty of hor-de-voures to sample along with all the cookies, homemade Egg Nog and Mulled Wine. 

Krissie E.  presented her book review as follows: I read a Christian fiction series by Lori Copeland and Angela Hunt called The Heavenly Daze Series,The Island of Heavenly Daze introduces the people of Heavenly Daze, a small island near Maine. Unbeknownst to the citizens, they are guarded by seven angels who pose as humans and live on the island alongside of them.

Grace in Autumn, A Warmth in Winter, Hearts at Home, these were the other books in the series.

Beverly shared one of her favorite recipes "Layered Angel Food Cake"! 

January

Carole V. program was on “ THIS IS MICHIGAN” and  some interesting facts about the state of Michigan.

Krissie E. presented her Book Review on the series of The Elizabeth I Mysteries by The Twylight Tower, The first book is called The Poyson Garden and is set during the reign of Mary I. The Tidal Poole, the second book, Elizabeth is now the queen.  the third book, there is a fictional mystery plot as well as the real mystery of whether or not Amy Dudley was murdered or committed suicide  The Queene's Cure, the fourth book, has a lot of stuff in it about herbal medicine and apothecaries,  The Thorne Maze, the fifth book, is actually my favorite book in the series. I think most people could relate to this book even if they aren't familiar with life during the Renaissance.  The Queene's Christmas, the sixth book, I learned a lot of things that I didn't know about the Renaissance, which is neat since that was my concentration in graduate school. In this particular mystery, someone is trying to ruin the holidays by committing a series of strange murders.  The Fyre Mirror, the seventh book in the series, is all about how someone is setting fires with a mirror.  The eighth book in the series is called The Fatal Fashione. In this book the queen must figure out who has killed two royal starchers. The last book in the Elizabeth I mystery series is called The Hooded Hawke.   It is about an archer who keeps shooting arrows at the queen.  This is a series that needs to be read in order to avoid confusion.

Cheryl’s Social was a virtual trip to St. Louis and spending time at the Arch. We’ll get on the tram to go to the top of the Arch at about 9:00AM.  We will stay as long as you like so you can get lots of pictures for keepsakes.  After we come down from the top, there are a lot of shops that you can go into.  Just beware it is a tourist trap and the prices will be higher than in town.  Upon leaving the Arch, we will head into St. Louis for lunch, and will dine at "The Old Spaghetti Factory.  It is located at 727 N 1st Street in St. Louis.  They open at 11:30.  Cheryl has been there before and says the food is great.

At the time of this report we have not chosen our Valentine Princess.  Her name will be revealed at the end of our February meeting.