Beta Sigma Phi Cyber Council

Sharing Reports - Nov/Dec - 2015

On Line Delta

Cyber Council Sharing Report from OnLine Delta for November 2015

President's Report
Australian’s, the British and Italians do not celebrate Thanksgiving. I do hope all our Canadian Sisters are in a very happy space after their celebrations with family and friends. To our American sisters may your celebrations on 26th November help to create many happy memories.  Val

Programs

October
Each chapter Sister was asked to write something about Friendship and having Friends Forever.

November
One of our new Sisters, Joanne, told us about Lancaster, UK where she is presently living. "Halloween is a poignant time of year in Lancaster due to the Pendle witch trials and the people who were hung for acting differently or due to ill will between themselves and their neighbours. For Lancaster UK, Halloween is a time not just for traditions and superstitions but for a message of tolerance and understanding."  She also told us about a romantic place where she is to be married in April of 2016, at  the Ashton Memorial built by James Williamson, the 1st Baron Ashton, in 1907 as a monument to love.  We were asked to describe our own city of occupation for what it is best known, our favorite place, and where would we take her if she came to visit us.

Service
September
These nine nutritious snacks will look after your waist and satisfy your hunger, as well as please your taste buds:  Crunchy baked peas, natural yogurt with fresh fruit, a piece of fruit and a handful of nuts, apple slices or celery boats with a nut butter,  cottage cheese and fresh fruit, blueberry smoothie and chia seeds, hummis and veggie sticks, Trail Mix, and a  banana  blended until creamy.

October
The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling operations.  You should know that Mobile Phones can ignite fuel or fumes of Mobile phones that light up when switched on or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition.  Mobile phones should not be used in filling stations, or when fueling lawn mowers, boat, etc.  We also became  aware of  Windows 10  recording every single key you press on your computer. But is this a cause for concern? Learn more about Microsoft’s invasive technology and how to turn it off at microsoft.com.  We were then treated to a recipe for a Chocolate Peppermint Mug Cake made in a few minutes and cooked in a microwave oven.

Membership
Two members went MAL but we gained a new member, Trish, another Australian who lives in the Queensland area who is a friend of our Australian Sister and VP Lucille.

Socials
Our October Social  also included a service project as we helped decorate a home in Hawaii that was built by "Habitat for Humanity."  Each of us was assigned a room in the house to decorate in partnership with other chapter sisters—such a worthy and rewarding project.

Book Club
From  Chair Bobbi:  How many of you are like me and find a series and can’t stop reading that author’s books until you read all the series?  I’ve read lots of series – Tracie Peterson, Karen Kingsbury, Colleen Coble, Jan Karon, Janet Evanovich, Annette Blair, Catherine Coulter, Tamera Alexander, Samantha Jillian Bayarr, Lawana Blackwell, Nora Roberts., and more.   Can you share some of the series you have read? Our August/September book was "Blackberry Winter " by Sarah Jio.  " This story intricately weaves the events surrounding the disappearance of a 3-year old boy (Daniel Ray) in 1933 with a journalist's (Claire Aldridge) search for answers in present day. There's a somewhat mystical element in how seemingly unrelated situations converge to help unravel the mystery…." 

Koffee Klatch 
October
We were questioned about our favorite type of brew in the morning when we start our day along with some interesting history on coffee and tea.

OLD Website
Visit:  http://www.onlinedelta.weebly.com

Your Sister In OLD,
Submitted by Evelyn—Cyber Council Representative for OLD  2015-2016

On Line Eta

We had a sister go on leave of absence since she is studying very hard in England.
Our October program was pretty special and something to think about year-round and not just during the holidays.

OCTOBER PROGRAM:
Well for this month's program I wanted to talk about how you can help people in your community. Service is an amazing thing and even young kids can do it!  There are many ways you can help your community and there are ways that don’t even need you to give funds!

Many hospitals are now starting cuddling programs for babies in the NICU. New parents of kids sick in the hospital may not have time to be with them while taking care of their other kids. 

The seniors centres are always looking for people to come in and visit. Just to come in and talk to the Seniors, read them a bit of a story, or to do a craft with them. It is amazing to hear the stories they tell you. 

Schools are always looking in lower grades for people to help kids read, to lines to them read and to help out with the PAC with fundraising, or helping with activities! Many schools have breakfast programs that they can use help at. Call the admin and ask if there is any way you can help those families that may need help in your community. There are students that may need shoes, or winter jackets, or boots that can’t afford it. Schools also have funds for kids that can’t go on field trips, But some schools do a special hot lunch day, you could ask the admin staff if you could buy hot lunch for a few kids in the school who can’t afford it. Give them a surprise! Some school have started an awesome program, if it's not in your local school you can help start one! It's called the Starfish Backpack! Kids who are in need that may not have enough food on the weekend are sent home on Friday with a backpack filled with food. It will have 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners and a few snacks! Great way to help bless your community!

Another thing you can do you help out the homeless in your community is to create a few blessings bags to keep in your car. Very easy, grab a gallon size Ziplock and put a few things in it that you can get at the dollar store. Hat, mittens, Socks, tooth brush, tooth paste, soap, face towel, and hand warmers, and a mini deodorant. Toss in a few granola bars or meal replacement bars and some hard candy.

  With Christmas coming up many places are doing shoe boxes for kids around the world! Its a great way to get involve and to help bless others around the world. 

I was very lucky in August my children (ages 6,7,7) asked if instead of Christmas gifts if we could go on vacation. They wanted to go back to Mexico. So we are going as a family to a lower priced resort and are going to be blessing a local orphanage. We have shopped the school sales and picked up school supplies, books, crayons, felts, and we bought a mix of clothing, as well as toys.  My kids are brining 3 suitcases of things for the orphanage. The one we chose gets no help from the Mexican government and they are funded all by fundraisers from a local church. They try to reunite the kids with their parents or extended family at age 14/15. Many are sent there as they come from homes where one parent has passed away and they can’t take care of them and work. 

I hope this has given you some ideas about how to help people over the holiday season and beyond! even with Christmas being a time of sharing and caring, remember to care about our fellow man over the rest of the year too! 

Your Sister!

• Kutrina

Follow-Up

• Got loads of donations for the Hurricane victims in Mexico! Got on our plane and left!  Can't wait to meet up with the lady who runs the food bank here and give them the donation! had 2 boxes of sandels dropped off!

The chapter wishes our Canadian's a Happy Thanksgiving and our US sisters as well. Have a Happy Veteran's Day today! Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to one and all no matter what is on the Starbuck's holiday cups. I am drawing my own ornaments on them.

Karen, Rep for Online Eta

On Line Kappa


Sisters had to believe it is November already, where has the year gone. Online Kappa has continued our sharing of children and grandchildren going back to school, starting school, and soon to be graduating.  We also share our sad times of losing a treasured pet and illness in families.  We also have wonderful meetings as well as socials and programs so let me briefly share those with you. September we went to Fort Bayard New Mexico for a weekend of learning and sharing the history plus the great food in this wonderful southwest New Mexico community; our sister Billie lives in New Mexico and we enjoyed this visit so much.  For our program our sister Karen talked about Steve Tobin, a steel sculptor in her community of Quakertown, PA - this man has quite a career including a work displayed at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City.

October we visited another sister Nancy in Lake Village, Arkansas at a Mule Barn which once upon a time housed mules and now is used as a lovely meeting area filled with old cooking utensils.  We had a wonderful time exploring and enjoying lunch and refreshments.  Our sister Jeanette presented an interesting program about Mo Willems a children's book writer and animator who worked on the show Sesame Street.

We always have such fun and interesting places to explore and learn something too at each of our meetings! Regarding the question about whether our chapter has gotten together, I turned to one of our founding members Carrie and she sent a great response which I am sharing with you. OLK was formed in 2000, and in 2003, we had our first "Gathering" - We had our full compliment at this time of 25 members, and felt it amazing that 11 attended - several with their husbands!  We met at The Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas, and our most junior member traveled all the way from England!  We read her Ritual of Jewels to her in one of the couple's hotel room and she was thrilled beyond belief!  

In 2005, our second Gathering was held in Nashville.  Only five members attended, but there were four guests as well.  It was disappointing that more could not come, but traveling expenses, hotel rooms, etc. are difficult for many to deal with, and though others WANTED to come, it just wasn't affordable. In 2007, several members went to Gold Hill, OR to stay at the home of one of our members, and though there were even fewer at this event, the members had a fun time visiting a neighboring town in southern Oregon, and three husbands also attended this event.

In 2009, another "Gathering" was held at this same member's home was held, and at this point, we had six members from southern Oregon in OLK, as well as the hostesses' daughter (who had joined a local land chapter), so members stayed at each of the two homes, and this was the most organized of the "home" "Gatherings".

In 2010, these two members were asked to have ANOTHER "Gathering", and they graciously did so.  This was the longest yet (five days), but the group enjoyed one another so much that we hated to say our "goodbyes". I believe there were 12 at this function! At each of the last three, one evening the husbands were invited to have dinner with the members.  All of the husbands were "locals" so there was no problem with sleeping reservations.  While in southern Oregon, the members shopped at the various unique shops in the area, spent LOTS of money at "Harry & David's" (this is where all of their pears are grown and all of their packaging is done), we attended a matinee at one of the local theater's ("Thoroughly Modern Millie Junior") starring teenaged professionals studying at the Conservatory of the theater; each member brought something handmade from their state to give to the other members, and another highlight was that of strolling through a local park on Sunday after church, where local musicians from Oregon State University sat in different areas playing their musical instruments.

After each of our "Gatherings" we had our Closing Ritual (starting, of course, days earlier, with our Opening Rituals) and we discussed the benefits of the "Gatherings", getting to know one another face-to-face, etc.

From our chapter to you sisters, have a wonderful rest of November and a beautiful December!

Respectfully submitted, Mary Cyber Council Rep Online Kappa

On Line Upsilon

This month Wendy shared a lovely program on the history of aprons.  She shared memories of her mother's work in the kitchen and house with her apron. Others shared family memories of dinners and cooking with Grandma.One sister shared about how many outfits would have been saved if they wore an apron today!  Carrie shared a program about a family Silver Bowl that was used for Halloween candy, Thanksgiving stuffing, potato salad, and family memories she shared with her siblings.  She asked if any of us had any family item that was passed through the family.  

Wendy also hosted a rush, and two sisters are interested in joining. We are in the process of welcoming them into our chapter.  This will happen next month.

Our secret sisters activity was to share memories of our favorite costumes, if we celebrated Halloween.  I know I had fun reminiscing!  

Our book club Beta Bookers is currently reading Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave. 

We have had Executive Board meetings each month.  The officers are a tremendous help in keeping everything running smoothly!

I shared with Madonna that my Father in law passed away Tuesday in Houston. He was sick, in the hospital, and knew he was not well. His wake is Sunday on Long Island (New York), and burial on Monday (in Brooklyn, New York). I cherish the comfort of my sisters.  This gives me strength to take care of my lovely family.

Respectfully submitted,
Joanie  .

Toni, Rep

On Line Psi

The sisters from OLP wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and hope that our Canadian sisters had a great Thanksgiving in October. Here's what has been happening this month:

Sunshine:
Several sisters fell ill and were in need of sunshine: Carole, Adrienne and Krissie were in the hospital at different times of the month. Karen had a series of cardio tests. Please keep our sisters in your thoughts and prayers.

Membership:
It's official..... Ann and Bliss received their rituals and are now Ritual of Jewels members of Beta Sigma Phi. Leslie Anne and Chrissy S have been visiting our chapter and are invited to join us. Ann E is a new guest this month.

Programs:
Carole presented a program about a memorable Beta Sigma Phi moment.

Social:
Krissy took us on a getaway to Transylvania over the Halloween weekend. We viewed the architecture of local churches, took a horse-drawn carriage tour of Maklasvar and had dinner at the Count's estate. That part of the world is unexpectedly beautiful, nothing like Hollywood's portrayals in the horror flicks.

Service:
Our chapter continues to go to the free-click websites. Also, some sisters play a game for donations to the Lupus Foundations of America. mailto:info@lupus.org

Book Review:
Our October book review was presented by Carole V.H. "Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran" by Roxana Saberi. 

Recipes: 
Lib posted the following recipe, 'Basic Quiche with Variations'...

1 deep dish, refrigerated pie crust 1/2 lb. breakfast meat (cooked, crumbled bacon/cooked, crumbled sausage/diced ham) 1 small onion, diced 1-2 T. olive oil or butter 4-6 oz. cheese, grated (swiss, gouda, cheddar, jack, or a mixture) 4-6 lg. eggs, beaten 1 c. whole milk, half and half, or cream salt and pepper, to taste options: 8 oz. fresh mushrooms 10 oz. fresh spinach 1 c. frozen shredded potatoes, thawed 1-2 diced bell peppers

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place pie crust in pie pan, prick with a fork, and bake ~5 minutes until set and just starting to turn golden. Remove from oven and cool. Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees. 

2. Brown sausage or bacon over medium heat and drain well. If you are using ham, just allow it to drain on paper towels to remove any excess moisture.

3. Cook the onions in 1 T. olive oil or butter until translucent. Also brown the mushrooms, saute the bell peppers, or wilt the spinach, if desired, using the second tablespoon of butter or olive oil. 

4. If using only meat, onion, and cheese, use six eggs. If using vegetables, too, reduce to 4-5 eggs. Beat eggs and mix with milk, salt, and pepper. 

5. Layer the meat, onion (other vegetables, if using), and cheese in the pie plate. 

6. Pour the egg mixture over the layers. 

7. Bake the quiche for 45-50 minutes until firm and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Feel free to play around with this recipe using different meat and vegetable combinations. It is very versatile, and can be used for any meal of the day. It also reheats surprisingly well. Enjoy

Beta Hugs,
Rose, OLP

On Line Beta

Our October meeting was a fun one was we did  a lot of sharing concerning Halloween and food or items to share because of Halloween.  We had many ideas of food and other craft items.  Some of them were: Ghost in the Mirror, Vampire Teeth, Bloody Brains, Jell-o Worms, Spiders Eggs, Deviled Avocado Eggs,.  That was just a small sampling of all our crafts and food items that were shared during the month.

    Our program was given by Violet for the interesting September program on Parapan Games. Cyndi presented the October program on the “Origin, Customs, and Costumes of Halloween”.

  We have had some fun socials. The Cyber Convention in September was lots of fun. Thank you Valerie!  Cyndi is the hostess for the October social.

  The program and the social of October were presented by Cyndi.  We visited several haunted houses and shared our costumes and special Halloween memories.  It was a fun evening of all on the 31st of October. 

  Many of our members were very impressed with the other online chapters with the reading of books.  They have enjoyed the sharing reports from the other chapters. 

  Beta Hugs from Online Beta Sisters,

  Kandy, Carolyn & Madonna

On Line Theta

We have had 3 new members join us in the past couple of months:  Carol, Geri and Skyler.  We held Welcome Rituals to induct them into the chapter. Our prayer list is long these days and a lot of our members are experiencing personal and family issues.  Arlene is still recovering from her fall a few months ago but does hope to be able to return home soon.
The Book Club continues every month as members take turns suggesting their favorite reads of the moment.

Linda is working on a new version of our webpage and is doing an excellent job of getting all of the pages ready for the membership to view.
Linda is also working on a printed copy of our roster which has not been updated in a long time.  She is just waiting for a few more sisters to get back to her with some info. We find that a printed copy is really handy to have, even if the same information is available online.

Members continue to click away at the online charity websites that a lot of the BSP chapters support.
We are looking forward to participating in the BSP Christmas Exchange which Karen Ing has spearheaded for so many years.   It is always a fun activity to meet other sisters from different areas.
  Submitted by

  Vivian Beer Online Theta

Back to Sharing Reports
Revised November 16, 2015