Sharing Reports - July, 2010

OLD has been quite busy the last two months. Our programs this year are on National and State Parks. We visited Great Smokey Mountain National Park in June and Yosemite in July. Yosemite's program included pictures of Evelyn,our president in the park with two other members Hilda and Donna. She also visited with Lee in San Jose

We all took a virtual trip to Alaska for our social in June. Our social theme this year is Sports and Leisure. We attended the Midnight Sun Baseball Game in Fairbanks on June 21st, the longest day of the year, with Ann and her husband Stoney. The game was lots of fun and the food was fabulous.

We had a discussion about which Conventions we might attend next year. The two most popular ones were Redding CA and Texas State Convention. There will be several of us at each one by the looks of things.

Linda shared with us her trip to Alaska in June on a cruise ship plus a bus trip. Unfortunately she was unable to meet up with Ann.

Lee shared a Smilebox of her Grandson Blake and the fun he is having this summer.

Susan
OLD Rep

On Wednesday, June 30, we had a joyful celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Online Kappa chapter. It was held from sun up to sun down! This was what was sent to our members - Please take a moment--at your convenience--to join the fun. Simply log on and post a favorite OLK memory or a kind wish for a long and happy future. Also, let us know what "food" or "treat" you're bringing in coordination with the time of day that you arrive. For example, if you come to the party in the morning, describe a breakfast casserole or danish. Coming for an evening visit? Maybe share a snack or "special" drink. Be sure to read the contributions of your OLK Sisters.

At our July meeting our two programs were regarding Alabama and Blackberries; here's a portion of those programs: Alabama is unofficially nicknamed the Yellowhammer State, after the state bird. It is also known as the "Heart of Dixie". The state tree is the Longleaf Pine, the state flower is the Camellia. The capital of Alabama is Montgomery. The largest city by population is Birmingham. The largest city by total land area is Huntsville. The oldest city is Mobile, founded by the French in 1702. Southern Alabama was French from 1702 to 1763, part of British West Florida from 1763 to 1780, and part of Spanish West Florida from 1780 to 1814.

In 2004, Alabama designated the blackberry as the state fruit. For the second part of the program on Alabama , here are some facts about blackberries. In the Us, blackberries typically peak during June in the South, and in July in the North. Crops are ready at various times of the month depending on which part of the state you are located. In order to produce good local blackberries, producers depend on ideal spring and early summer weather conditions.

Our social for July was a "virtual" weekend trip to Old Town San Diego. We visited some of the historical buildings and did lots of shopping. We ate mexican food and had margaritas at Casa de Reyes. The mariachis sang to our group. We all had a great time in Old Town before heading to our hotels for more fun....

>From July 28th to August 3rd, many of our OLK sisters will be in the Medford/Gold Hill area of Oregon for our Northwest Gathering. I had "planned" to go to the Oregon convention in Salem this next weekend, but my plans changed. Just as well, since I will be in Oregon from the 29th to the 3rd. The Gathering will be comprised of 6 sisters living in the Medford area; one from California (ME), two from Arkansas, one from Kansas, and one from Florida, for a total of 11 this year. There are lots of things planned for the week including seeing Thoroughly Modern Millie at a local playhouse.

Marilyn
OLK Rep

On July 12, 2010, we celebrated our landmark 10th Anniversary with a virtual trip to Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco: http://olp10th.webs.com/ After an elegant dinner, we indulged ourselves with a Swiss chocolate cake filled with fine candies. As we wined and dined, a special message was given by President Cheryl Krantz, a brief history was presented by VP Rose Keefe and special congratulations were offered by our Advisor and Moderator Kandy Lewis. Our on-line celebration ended with the clicking of glasses as our members made individual Anniversary toasts.

SOCIAL: In an effort to keep our 10th Anniversary alive, plans are being made for OLP members to host land celebrations in their local areas. Parties will be held throughout the 2010-2011 sorority year. OLP's and area BSP's will be invited to attend.

PROGRAM: The June program was presented by Beth Flowers on Inspirational Wisdom for Women. The July program will be given by Carole

BOOK CLUB: Vikki and Jean asked that we read EAT, PRAY, LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert . We'll discuss it after the July Meeting closes.

RECIPES: Beth Flowers posted two great recipes - BEER CHEESE SPREAD and WATERMELON PIE.

(1) BEER CHEESE SPREAD

1 lb each natural Cheddar and Swiss Cheese
1 tsp dry mustard
1 small garlic clove, mashed
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 c beer (about)

Grate chese finely. Add mustard, mashed garlic and Worcestershire sauce. Add beer until mixture is spreadable. Can be stored covered in refrigerator for a long period.

(2) WATERMELON PIE

1 9 inch graham cracker crust. Chill while making filling.*

Filling
2 1/2 c watermelon juice 2 egg whites, beaten stiff
2 envelopes Knox gelatine 1/8 tsp salt
2/3 c sugar 1 c heavy cream, whipped
1 T lemon juice

Cut watermelon (1/4 of melon will equal 2 1/2 to 3 c juice) into cubes and rub through strainer to remove seeds and membrane. Sprinkle gelatine over 1 cup watermelon in saucepan. Over low hear, stir constantly until gelaine dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat: stir in 1/3 c sugar and salt. Stir, then add 1 1/2 c more juice and lemon juice. Chill, stirring occasionally until mixture mounds slightly when dropped from a spoon. Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry; gradually add 1/3 c sugar and beat until very stiff. Fold into watermelon mixture. Whip one cup heavy cream until stiff; fold in. Turn into pie shell. Chill until set, several hours. If desired, garnish with watermelon balls and mint sprigs. Makes 8 servings.

*You may make the shell using 1 1/3 c graham cracker crumbs; 1/3 c sugar and 1/3 c melted butter. Mix then press in bottom and sides of a 9 inch pie pan

Rose
OLP Rep

We had an election of officers and the new officers were installed. Pres- Arlene, V Pres-Billie, Corr Sec- Viv M, Rec Sec- Carolyn W, Treas- Krissie

For our chapter birthday, we invited some former members to visit us again: we were happy to have Juanita, Melissa, Lisa, Christina and Alyce visit us. Lisa has decided to re-join the group and we are happy to have her back with us.

We also had 2 new members join us- Mair and Kat. They both make a great addition to our chapter.

May was a busy month for our Book Club. Some of us have been reading books by new authors, plus our old standards. We have been reading both fiction and nonfiction. We are all excited that Billie attended a class, where she was able to get a list of new authors which she has shared with us with Sheri V's help. It will keep us all busy with our reading for quite awhile. Also, our programs this year will be about books and authors which our Program Chairman, Sharon, is starting to organize. How great is that?

Since we all like to read a lot and love books, the new programs for the year will be sharing your favorite book.

May: This month we had a total of one thousand nine hundred thirteen (1,913) clicks. Eight (8) sisters clicked all six (6) sites thirty (30) times. Thank you everyone!

June: We had a total amount of one thousand nine hundred twenty (1,920) clicks. We had eight (8) clicks each site thirty-one (31) times. This includes Sheri V.'s sister.

We had our new drawing for special sisters, which is like secret sisters, except that they aren't a secret.

The constitution, bylaws, traditions, standing rules special sister criteria updates and proposed changes will be presented and shared at the June 2010 meeting.

Our new President Arlene was busy with Online Xi, which she helped friendly venture.

On Saturday, May 29, 2010 Marti lost her mom this afternoon. Everyone was there. Her mom went very peaceful. She wanted to tell all of you how much your prayers, love and caring thoughts have helped so much.

Vivian M called on Sunday, May 30, 2010 . Her niece's husband passed away yesterday evening. He was only 51.

We had 2 visitors at the June meeting: Sandy G and Mary B.

Joan's dh foot injury is not doing great and the doctor wants them to stay where they are instead of going home. He will also do his physical therapy there. I think that they are in Louisiana. Joan is going on a three (3) month leave of absence and will be on no mail.

Carolyn W's son is on a mission to the Ukraine and arrived safely.

Vivian
OLT Rep

The sisters in On Line Eta hopes their US sisters had a Happy 4th of July!

Amy G. was excited to announce the Austin, Texas 2011 convention on facebook in June.

Ann - Is looking for a place to stay in New York City, NY during Thanksgiving holiday. Her son's high school marching band will be in the Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade. If a Beta Sister cold help her out--she would appreciate this very much. She would be staying three days.

Susan V. enjoyed a Baltic Sea cruise and stopped over in Berlin.

Our current president - Marion's husband passed away from cancer on June 15th. She'll be moving and relocating where her former chapter is currently. We ask that you all keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Cyndi enjoyed visiting her son in Missouri and in-laws in Michigan.

Judy and husband have become quite the pros in the housing market as they are working on buying house number 11. Dubuque is her next point of residency as IBM brings in 700 more people.

Margaret went to Quebec to put together her daughter's wedding and all. They had guests from the US, Canada and Australia. Margaret is from Canada and resides in GA.

Trish is selling her home and putting her house up for sale.

Karen's daughter was in a car crash and is doing fine with just a wrist brace now. She totaled her car and the other car. Karen and family enjoyed the graduation of her brother's daughter and a whimsical vacation in Brady, TX.

The Floridian sisters have not enjoyed the newly acquired heat.

Sandi's good friend and former boss died recently in a medical plane crash transporting a patient. Her boss was an EMT. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E91TDCAozR4 - Her husband put together and posted this tribute for his deceased wife, Sharon. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Our prayers are with the Helen Pepper family as they loss their mother and our sister (1st Alpha member) this past June. She had received from you over 100 cards, notes & letters from 18 different states wishing her a happy birthday. Jeanne said Helen loved, read & re-read each one many times. Tears came to Jeanne's eyes when she told of this. She said she knew her mother was special, but had no idea how much the members themselves revered her......even now. Thank you.

On Line Eta received a 4 star rating on the chapter yardstick for 2009-2010

JUNE'S PROGRAM - Flag Day by Karen

No one knows for sure who designed the U.S. flag or who created the first one. Today, most experts agree that Francis Hopkinson, a delegate to the Continental Congress from New Jersey, designed the flag. But, in 1870, William J. Canby claimed that his grandmother, a seamstress from Philadelphia named Betsy Ross, made the first U.S. flag.

Karen
OLETA Rep