GREAT START IN SEPTEMBER! First meeting is complete success.

How exciting it was on September 22 to see our ladies entering the community room… and it seemed like you just

kept coming. I applaud you and am grateful for your show of support, and your willingness to get in there and roll

your sleeves up and get to work. And a standing ovation for Marcy and Anna with their entertaining and informative

presentation, which not only was a “refresher course” for all Beta Theta members, but

also for their creativity in presenting this possibly very dry material. Their plans to

expand our membership are

very exciting as well. Stay

tuned.

Preparation for November Meeting: Our November Meeting is Our Giving Meeting, which has been put into place instead of a

Christmas December Meeting. So, instead of exchanging gifts with each other, we are

asking our members to bring $10 worth of items to give new teachers. We will then be

putting these together to give to new teachers in the Steelton-Highspire SD. The Cottage

Meeting to do this will be on Dec. 6 at 6:30 at my home. Also on the agenda will be a panel

discussion entitled “Alternative Education Opportunities in Central PA”. We will have a

few experts representing Cyber Charter Schools, a charter school and home schooling.

This should be very enlightening and informative. Be sure to have your questions and

concerns at your fingertips. Our hostesses are the ladies of the Music and Fine Arts

Committee. Also, ladies that are providing the Raffle Baskets: don’t forget!

The view from the barn: Eight gifts that don’t cost a cent!

1. The gift of listening – no day dreaming, just listen! 2. The gift of affection – be free with your hugs and pats on the back!

3. The gift of laughter - clip cartoons, share funny stories. 4. The gift of a written note – a brief handwritten note may be remembered for a

lifetime or even change a life. 5. The gift of a compliment – can make someone’s day. 6. The gift of a favor – Go out of your way to do something kind for someone. 7. The gift of solitude – Be sensitive to your need to be alone, as well as giving

the gift of solitude to others. 8. The gift of cheerful disposition – extend kind words, cherish your friends.

22 in attendance mark a recent history!

high!

DELTA KAPPA GAMMA 10/1/2012 EDITION 15, VOLUME 2

BETA THETA CHATTA AND NEWS

Found in this issue:

Great start in

September

Nominations for

State Achievement

Award and offices

Women’s History

Museum

Beta Theta to turn

50!

About November

Use the web site

Summer news

What your sisters

are up to

Upcoming events

Beta theta ShareS….”What I dId over my Summer vacation!

Painted rooms and helped my nephew into his new home. (Rosemary)

Traveled to New England (Cape Cod) area. Still enjoying our RV! (Kathy Dunn)

Nothing exciting! New furnace and air conditioner. I shall keep warm in winter. (Helen)

4 generations of family at the Rehoboth seashore with 5 of my 9 great-grandchildren. Performed with the Sentimentalist Chorus. (Merle)

This summer … painted, planted and worked on finishing the outside of our home! (Anna)

Traveled though New England and Canada. Also, went to the beach with family. (Louise)

Traveled to Tampa. Visited son. Visited Flight 93 crash site. (Marcy)

Santa Barbara: visit to my son & wife. (Norma)

Went to Northern Ireland, Wales and England with 7 McCarthys. We left London 4 days before the start of the Olympics. (Barb M.)

The Gladhills took a cruise to Bermuda, where Wally & I were married. We were thrilled to visit the church of our nuptials…30 years later. (Donna)

10 days on Galveston Island, TX with my 2 sisters and our mother. 7 days in Port Orange at my son’s new Florida

home – a Granddaughter fix! (Suzanne)

Spent 2 weeks with grandchildren (who live out of town). (Jeannette)

Took care of my husband. (Marlene)

Sat by the pool with grandchildren, teaching grandchildren to swim, babysitting and reading books. (Kathy Davis)

Babysat my Grandson. (Jan)

“Recover and Recuperation”: Finally seeing some light at the end of my very long tunnel. (Sue D.)

International Convention in NYC. Settling into my new home at Masonic Village. (Margaret)

Volunteered several times on my daughter’s farm. (Sue B.)

Visited Savannah, Georgia with my husband and daughter. (Julie)

To see the results of a storm in my yard – it was blocked. The house was NOT touched. Another blessing to count. (Roberta)

Attended the DKG International Convention in NYC and performed a duet with Cristal Sheaffer during the opening session. (Shirley N.)

Share Beta Theta Sister News!

Shirley's daughter, Hillary, moved into her own apartment recently…first time on her own ~ Shirley and husband Bob are excited for her! (Shirley N.)

Ethel Yeager is recuperating at the Thornwood Nursing Center in Carlisle

Celebration: Birth of new Granddaughter: Sydney Rebecca! (Marcy) Volunteering at Hospice and Music Therapy (Mystery woman)

Became a true “empty nest” parent. Son is in Maryland due to job relocation. Daughter moved

to San Diego because she wanted to! (Sue D.)

Entering my 52nd

year of teaching: now as a substitute at St. Joan of Arc. (Barb)

Had a great time being the “Science Gal” at Vacation Bible School at the Presbyterian Church of

Middletown (Anna)

Backyard improvements: ponds and labyrinth. You are all invited! (Norma)

Received 2nd Master’s Degree with Principal’s Certification from Cabrini College. First Master’s was a Master of Science Education from Lebanon Valley College in 2008. (Janice)

Marlene & Rosemary are traveling with 2 other friends to Colonial Williamsburg where they will be staying in one of

the actual Colonial homes in the historic area.

My husband is retiring in November. Any suggestions from anyone with retired husbands? (Julie)

I’m a new Nana! Sydney Rebecca, born September 10. (Marcy)

We are celebrating my parents 65th Wedding Anniversary in October. (Sue B.)

Sewing, sewing, sewing, singing, singing, singing, settling down with my crossword puzzles. (Merle)

Book Club

Join us on Thursday, January 10th at 1:30 to discuss our next book, Double Cross, by Brian MacIntyre. This is a

fascinating look at the clever ruses used by the Allies to defeat Hitler. Ask Rosemary about the pigeons. Read the book,

gather a snack or a bottle of wine and join us at Shirley Newhart’s house, Butler Court, Hummelstown. There might even

be some gingerbread made by Suzanne this time.

Anna and Marcy present the race for membership!

Timeline for prospective nominees!

Tea invitations mailed October 1 RSVP due. October 22 The Tea @ The Hummelstown Historical Society on October 28 Recommendation forms due to Anna. October 9 Chapter vote. Send Invitation letters. Written acceptances. Orientation. Initiation.

Longwood Gardens and Brandywine Come on along!

We’re going on Tuesday, Nov. 27! Sign up at the November Meeting!

Think about Spring!

The membership committee is thinking ahead to spring. We are launching an idea

from the membership and creating a Spring Initiative, but we need your help. All you

have to do is donate your "DKG News" newsletters!! Please bring them to our Nov.

Meeting and give them to Marcy or Anna. Thanks for your help.

Little Dresses for Africa

We are meeting to sew up dresses for orphans in Africa on Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. That continent

has been ravaged by AIDS and there are unprecedented numbers of uncared for children. These

girls need dresses so they can attend school and to show that someone is watching over them. It

helps protects them from many possible abuses. Little Dresses for Africa is a non-profit 501c3,

Christian organization, which provides relief to the children of Africa. Simple dresses are made

out of pillow cases, and distributed through the orphanages, churches and schools in Africa to

plant in the hearts of little girls that they are worthy!

We will have several more cottage meetings at Norma’s home to continue creating the dresses.

All are welcome even if you aren’t a seamstress. We need cutters, ironers, packagers, etc. We’ll

announce our next date at the November meeting. For more information, go to

www.littledressesforafrica.org.

Wellness Meeting

Plan now to attend our March Meeting at the Ronald McDonald House on Sat., the 8th

at 9:00. Our guest will be acclaimed Reiki Master, Ricki Friedman. She will answer the

questions: “What is Reiki? How can it help me?” She will be bringing her table to

demonstrate several techniques. See you there!

MEETING CHECKLIST

Books for Foose

McDonald House items

Pull Tabs

Grocery Card Orders

Membership Pin

Grocery Store Gift Cards

5% of your grocery purchases could benefit our Grant-in-aides! Stay tuned for information

regarding purchasing gift cards to Giant, Karn’s or Weis Food Markets! What a great fund

raiser. We ALL have to buy at the Super Market. May as well get more punch out of your buck!

Marlene and Rosemary are spearheading this way to raise money. Details on Nov. 10.

Seven Beta Theta members attend the Leadership Conference in

Pottsville!

On Saturday September 22, 2012, Donna, Shirley, Sue, Marlene, Rosemary, Helen, and Jeannette traveled

to Pottsville for the Eastern Fall Area Conference. We were greeted with a wonderful breakfast and had a

chance to meet and greet our sisters from other chapters. We also had an opportunity to buy tickets to win

beautiful baskets and visit chapter focus tables. Sue and Donna manned Beta Theta's table and we came

home $90.00 richer! The morning session had us greeted by Xi Chapter president and our Alpha Alpha State

President, Louann Shrader. Dr. Lyn Schmid chaired the morning Leadership Development session for all

members. We then attended sessions presented by our state officers on the various committees. After a

wonderful luncheon and time for socializing, we gathered again for information on Strategic Planning for our

chapter and ways to support early career educators. We all came away with ideas and will be sharing some of

them with you via newsletter articles and at our meetings.

News from Suz:

A GREAT SOURCE OF INFORMATION

A great source of information is the NBC Education Nation site on the internet, including

Interactive sites for teachers, parents, and community organizations. For the third year in a row,

NBC hosted a National Education Nation Summit in NYC. The 3 day event in Sept. 2012 brought

together more than 300 of the country's thought leaders in education, government, business,

philanthropy and media. Some of topics that are available to explore include improving students

study habits, nationwide standards of achievement, and networking with the community and

businesses. Since there are many videos and interactive sites much of the information is accessible

via the internet. For those who do not have home computers: use computers at the local

library. There are assistants to help navigate to the site www.educationnation.com . The Teacher

Wall is designed to link teachers and especially early career teachers to share information, ask

questions, and offer suggestions. Teacher Wall is partially sponsored by Scholastic and the Bill &

Melinda Gates Foundation. Website www.teacherwall.scholastic.com

A NOTE FROM WORLD FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT, via an email to Suzanne Long.

“My name is Maria Pia Gomez Laich, I am from Argentina and I am currently doing my MA in

Teaching English as a Foreign Language at Penn State. This is my third semester (I have one more

to go) and I´m loving it! I´m planning to apply for a PhD. I am taking three classes this semester

and I´m pretty busy. Lots of reading and papers to write! But I really enjoy my classes!

I always use this e-mail account - mapiagomezlaich@gmail.com - so you can send me e-mails to

this address! And of course you can share my address with the other members of DKG. I love

going to Panera. I actually do lots of reading there. It´s a block away from where I live, so I usually

go there to read.”

Maria Pia

HANDY TIP WHEN THERE ARE NO 'D' BATTERIES TO BE FOUND!!! Although Hurricane Sandy has passed, many of us were in the quest to purchase size 'D' batteries,

but to no avail - none to be found. I was one of those people. A friend posted on Facebook that if

one is in this dilemma and has size 'C' batteries, put them in your device, and add quarters to fill in

the gap to complete the circuit. C and D batteries are both 1.5 volts. They differ only in size and

energy storage.

You are now is operating mode. This may come in handy for any upcoming snowstorms!

Delta Kappa Gamma, International

Alpha Alpha State, Pennsylvania

Beta Theta Chapter--September 8, 2012

The September meeting of Beta Theta was held at the Ronald McDonald House Community

Room in Hershey, PA. There were twenty-two members present.

Hostesses were Ways and Means Committee.

President Donna Winch called the meeting to order at 9:20 a.m.

“Where I‘m From” – members, Merle Millhimes and Norma Mateer presented.

Recording Secretary Kathy Dunn passed out the minutes from the last meeting. The minutes were approved as

written.

Treasurer Nancy Thompson reported that the books were approved and found in order by the financial review

committee. The treasurer reported that we have $2,595.06 in the treasury.

Committee Reports

Ways and Means – Susan Bay is handling the Community Day coupons from

Bon Ton. Sue encouraged every member to take five booklets to add to our non-dues revenue.

Newsletter-- Kathy Woodbridge will be publishing the newsletter. She also has made a web site for Beta Theta.

The members are urged to visit the site: www.betathetaharrisburg.weebly.com

Unfinished Business

Food and Clothing Bank--Norma Mateer, our representative at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Steelton,

will continue to take clothing and household donations. Norma also brought to our attention a request for

educational aid. Parents were asking for help so they can teach their children to read. Norma, Marlene,

Jeannette, and Jan will work on the application to DKG for a grant to support this program.

Books for Foose – Roberta Frye and Susan Bay continue to read and provide books and the “Mini Page” for

elementary classrooms.

Scholarship – Susan Bay shared the resume of a perspective new recipient, Lauren Denk. The motion to have

Lauren Denk receive the Grant-in-Aid was made by Merle Millhimes and seconded by Norma Mateer; the motion

passed. Melissa Koontz is our other Grant-in-Aid recipient.

International Project –We have already given $125 to the Schools for Africa Project. We are looking at using a

cottage meeting to make dresses for needy little African girls.

New Business

Book Club –Members interested in the Book Club will be receiving information after today’s survey is evaluated.

On the Road Again –Donna Winch is willing to put together a bus trip to New York. When today’s surveys

are evaluated, information will be announced.

Cottage Meetings--Norma Mateer has some exciting ideas for our cottage meetings. When the surveys are

evaluated, a schedule of events will be announced.

Basket Raffle—At the November meeting, the following persons will be bringing baskets: Marlene Popnik,

Norma Mateer, Shirley Newhart, and Kathy Dunn. (The Pres. will also provide one.)

Program—The Membership Committee presented ways to add new members and reaffirmed why we are such an

important adjunct contributor to education. All Committees met to outline their various duties and projects for this

year.

Adjournment – President Donna Winch adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted Kathy Dunn, Recording Secretary

Calendar Notes

September 22, 2012--Fall Leadership Conference in Pottsville.

November 10, 2012--Thanksgiving/Christmas Meeting and voting on New Members