Update from Anne

There were eight of us MPE alums who met last Saturday at Jane Yelton's Christmas House to celebrate Christmas, renew friendships and to have a VERY GOOD TIME. Looking back, we were not only the oldest (age-wise) and smartest sorority at GSU and KSU, we knew how to enjoy our time together. That achievement continues. We welcomed a long lost member, Kathryn Offenhauer who has returned to Atlanta area and moved in at Park Springs where Alice Young lives. Caroline Wilson, in true sisterly spirit brought them to the brunch since neither of them are driving now.

Another attendee significant to our group was Christy Eckoff, who, in addition to being Director of Planned Giving at GSU, is our liaison with the GSU Foundation for our Mu Rho Sigma Scholarship. Our recipient this year is Ilona Prisacaru who may have set some achievement records in pursuit of becoming a Registered Nurse. She graduates tomorrow, 12/15/10. We congratulate Ilona and wish her well. The amount of her gift was $1,000. With tuition going up, we have hoped to have an award of $1,200. Christy answered our question by saying we would need a balance slightly above $25,000. LaVerne Miller, treasurer reported a balance on hand of close to $5,000. We voted to send $100 now in memory of our two who were deceased during this year, Anna Harrison Lindgren and Mary Childs.

We heard from several of our alums expressing regrets that they could not attend; an email from Kathleen Carey had special news to share--She and Sam are married now!! Kathleen is a person of no extra words so she did not give the date of the marriageCONGRATULATI or Sam's last name. We'll get all that later. They had been dating for quite a while. CONGRATULATIONS!

Each year we think the food can't get any better, and yet it does! There was sliced turkey, casseroles, salads and little quiches and Jane's pistachio cake as well as an assortment of cookies and candy. Most Christmasy thing were two platters of vivid green corn flake/marshmallow candies accented with brilliant red cinnamon candies. They were almost too delectable! The ten dollar gift exchange was a nice surprise--members knew where to snag marked down beautiful merchandise. As a THANK YOU to Jane, we say that every year we find happiness just being with her (and each other) in her home.

Please remember our contributions to Atlanta Day Shelter. Also, remember that we no longer pay dues, so maybe we can be a bit more generous. We are off to a good start, but deadline is December 20. Send a check to Anne Larcom, 244 River View Trail, Roswell, GA 30075.

First MPE Scholarship Recipient

Remember Sherry Shipskie, our first MPE Scholarship recipient? Actually, she was our first and second recipient--well, there have been some changes in her life which Anne wants to share with the blog--She and her husband were divorced a couple of years ago, as she said, "after 10 hard years together." She moved to Marietta, joined a church and began attending their Divorce Recovery Program, where, as she said, "I found amazing healing." Later she joined their singles ministry and somewhere along the way met a wonderful man named Chad. They dated for almost a year, then last July they were married. Now she is Sherry Coleman Collins, MS, RD, LD, Sherry continues to work as a dietitian for the Cobb County School District.

Prior to the marriage, Sherry had gone on a mission trip to Karima in Kenya--a life-changing experience. She wrote an article about the journey which she titled, "Finding Abundance in Africa," and forwarded a copy along with her email. Sherry's new email address, dietitiansherry@gmail.com, will be added to Atlanta Alums so we can stay in touch. Anne invited her to our Holiday gathering. If she can make it, it will be quite a reunion. Also, she writes a blog--http://sherryrd.blogspot.com. Anne gave her our blog address.

Update from Kathy White

It's nice to read about everyone along with sorority news--thanks to Anne and BeBe! I talked with Jane yesterday and have considered flying up for the Christmas party but I guess that I'm getting too old and cranky to deal with the ever-changing security rules and regs. Would anyone be interested in a lunch get-together sometime next summer? That way I can drive from Va. to Atlanta. Kathy White

Update from Anne

THIS AND THAT--

Caroline Wilson has had a busy fall--went to CO to help when daughter Elizabeth had hip replacement surgery...then returned home to go on a tour of China. She will leave soon, going back to CO where Elizabeth will have replacement surgery done on BOTH KNEES at the same time! Surgeon says she is a good candidate. It should help having mama as a care-giver.

Jane Yelton has had a busy time recently but her tour was of the hospital! Seems that Jane inherited high blood pressure; when it spiked, it was off to the hospital for a week so it could be stabilized and brought under control. When she returned home, she was taking B/P meds 4 times a day which resulted in B/P being too low! Adjustments have been made and she is doing much better. Jane will, again, host our Holiday gathering on December 11th. Soon you will get an e-newsletter with details, but it is not too soon to locate and air out your Christmas sweater!

Susan Bennett has made a good recovery from rotator cuff (shoulder) surgery. However, she found that she did not get as much reading as she had planned--she couldn't get comfortable...bummer.

Our MPE Scholarship recipient is Ilona Prisacaru, a senior nursing student, who will graduate Dec. 15th. We have not been successful in arranging a date for getting together so that some of us could meet her, but it was her busy schedule and not for lack of trying that kept us apart. She will not be able to attend our Holiday luncheon but we hope that the "girls in the office" Christy Eckoff and Molly Shepherd will be available because we are looking forward to meeting Molly (who tried diligently to arrange a time for a get-to-gather) and to seeing Christy again.

The Booth Western Art Museum

Click on picture for museum link.
Please mark your calendars for the next adventure for The MRS Group:
On Saturday, September 25, we are going to the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville. We are planning on being at the museum at 10:30. Directions at a later date.
*Seniors $8.00; Adults $10.00
*The fees need to be collected in advance in order to present one check to the museum.
*Wheelchairs are available upon request.
*Plans are being made for lunch.
*Call Jane Yelton for more information: 770-427-0533.
Link to the Booth Western Museum: http://www.boothmuseum.org/index.html
Directions: http://www.boothmuseum.org/visitor/visitor_home.html

Update from Anne

This is to let you know that we received a message this evening from Kathleen Carey that her mother, Virginia Carey died last Tuesday. A funeral mass was held today; she will be buried with her husband later but Kathleen did not give that information. Virginia had made her home with Kathleen until about three years ago when she needed to be in a personal care facility. It was there that she celebrated her 90th birthday.

Maybe some will remember her because she attended several of our sorority meetings and at least one of our annual meetings. She had been in a wheel chair for some years but she didn't let that get her down. She was self-sufficient and spent her days in painting and reading. You are encouraged to send a note or card to Kathleen--she has been stressed out at work from added responsibilities, with just enough energy to check on her mom. We need to let her know that we are thinking of her. Mailing address: 3154 Thornbush Court, Powder Springs, GA 30127.

Note to Susan

Hi Susan, Thank goodness your surgery is over and you only have to recover. Just follow your surgeon's suggestions and don't do too much too soon. I have had several in my staff who had the same operation and all three recovered beautifully and do whatever they want to. I fractured my back in two places in January, had surgery and am much better. Just takes time.

Darlene McCarter Whitetree