Dear Fellow Questers: I am sitting here on a day where the temperature has reached 114 in Phoenix, trying to wrap my mind around where the time has
gone since our successful Spring meeting and International Convention in Grand Rapids! Thank you to all who attended the Spring
meeting and supported our Opportunity Ways and Means auction! A special thank you to Debbie Ittel, our former Second Vice
President, who planned this great meeting and program!
We are a little over two months away from our Fall Council meeting, which will be in a new location this year —-The Carefree Re-
sort & Conference Center on November 14th! Be sure and plan on attending —- details are contained in the flyer included in this
newsletter, and also check out the details from our P & R Chairmen on the Opportunity Drawing!
It is exciting to inform you we have another new Chapter in Prescott — YAVAPAI #1506 …. And also to note all of the activity
among the Chapters with their P & R projects …. I am sure when you all start up your Fall Meetings and activities, there will be
even more requests for project approvals and fundraising activities to fund those projects! Just a reminder that it is not permissible
to use the official name of “Questers” when promoting yourself or personal products, since it jeopardizes our non-profit tax status.
See Fundraising article on Pg 4 clarifying Bylaws Requirements.) If you have any questions in this regard, please contact me.
Be sure to check out the International Summer Issue of the Quester Quarterly for a full review of the Grand Rapids convention, plus
contact information for International Officers, info on various awards, etc.
On February 18, 2015, we will hold our bi-annual Antique Fair at the Tempe History Museum, so mark this on your calendars!
I want to thank the 2012-2014 officers who completed their terms this past June and provided such fine service and dedication ….
Debbie Ittel, Second Vice President; Gene Serbus, Treasurer; and Judy O’Donnell, Recording Secretary. And a big welcome to the
new officers who begin their term: Daphne Davis, Second Vice President; Gene Serbus, Treasurer, and Sandy Nagy, Recording
Secretary. A Nominating Committee will be meeting soon, and contacting members to serve on the State Board. I urge you to con-
sider these opportunities …. This is a truly rewarding experience, valuable in so many ways!
Also, CONGRATULATIONS to the following Chapters who received Certificates for number of years of organization at our
Spring Meeting: Granite Mountain #1250 - 20 years; Hayden’s Ferry # 1245 - 20 years; Lost Dutchman #1244 - 20 years; Pres-
cott Pines #1345 - 15 years; Sedona #1337 - 15 years
Yearbook Winners: Yucca #0826 - FIRST Place: Verde Valley #1467 - Second Place; Sedona #1337 - Third Place.
I would like to close off by sharing with you John Wooden’s 16 Building Blocks to Success —— Even though these relate closely to
business situations, many of them also apply to our Chapters’ members and activities.
1) Industriousness 2) Friendship 3) Loyalty 4) Cooperation 5) Enthusiasm 6) Self-Control 7) Alertness 8) Initiative
9) Intentness 10) Condition 11) Skill 12) Team Spirit 13) Poise 14) Confidence 15) Competitive Greatness 16) and the
pinnacle is SUCCESS!
The Cactus Bloom
Arizona Questers
Greetings From Your President, Betty Hartnett
“It’s fun to search and a joy to find.”
Fall 2014
President - Betty Hartnett Desert Sage #1287 3030 E. Ocotilla Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85028 cell 602-317-4438 Email: [email protected]
First Vice President/State Organizer - Arlene Bright Yavapai #1506 35 Wildwood Drive, Prescott AZ 86305 928-443-1862 Email: [email protected]
Second Vice President - Daphne Davis Yucca #0826 23255 W. Lasso Ln, Buckeye, A 85326 507-829-5526 Email: [email protected]
Recording Secretary - Sandy Nagy Ho Ho Kams Chapter #0622 13221 N. 94th Pl, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 480-661-8075
Email: [email protected]
Corresponding Secretary - Susie Harris Desert Sage #1287 6815 E. Bonita Dr., Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 480-946-2285 Email: [email protected]
Treasurer - Gene Serbus Lulu Belle #1124 1111 W. Latham Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007 Temporary: 602-710-0088 Email: [email protected]
Past President - Essie Mae Allbritton-Thomas Kachinas #1502 Temporary: 15041 W. Yosemite Dr, Sun City West, AZ 85375 623-933-9338, cell 623-810-3222 Email: [email protected]
Preservation & Restoration Chair - Essie Mae Allbritton-Thomas (See prior contact info) Parliamentarian - Lois Newton Ho Ho Kams #0622 8420 E. San Candido Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85258 480-991-3933, Email: [email protected] Finance (Ways & Means) - Phoenix Firebird #0629 - Marcia Nix/co-chair 215 W. Roma Ave., Phoenix AZ 85013 602-272-8992, Email: [email protected] - Isabelle Diller/co-chair 815 W. McLellan Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85013 602-246-9928, Email: [email protected] Historian - Phyllis Sylvester Yavapai #1506 31 Wildwood Dr., Prescott, AZ 86305-5094 928-778-6418, Email: [email protected] Newsletter Editor - Betty Hartnett Desert Sage #1287 3030 E. Ocotilla Lane, Phoenix 85028 602-317-4438, Email: [email protected] Newsletter Circulation - Arlene Bright Yapavai #1506 35 Wildwood Drive, Prescott AZ 86305 928-443-1862, Email: [email protected] Credentials - Phyllis Gass Hayden’s Ferry #1245 5114 N. 78th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85250 623-203-7196, Email: [email protected] Communications Chair - Doris Palmer Kachinas #1502 10317 West Andover Avenue, Sun City, AZ 85351 623-815-8143, Email: [email protected]
State Officers 2
Committee Chairpersons
Re: Your Chapter News to the Cactus Bloom
Editor reserves the right to edit all copy. Due to limited
space, we regret that occasionally submissions must be
shortened. To submit info and photos for future edi-
tions, contact Betty Hartnett. Please include your
Chapter name & # in your submission.
For problems receiving via either email or US Postal
Service, contact Arlene Bright, Circulation Editor.
(Contact info above for both editors)
***************************
The Cactus Bloom is the newsletter of the Arizona State
Questers Organization, published in the fall and spring.
Remember our Email Alert System for those of you who would to
like to receive an email whenever the Cactus Bloom and the
Questers Quarterly are available online! Save a tree and postage
costs by NOT having a printed copy mailed to you. Contact
Arlene Bright to opt in to this program!
Chapter News
The Cactus Bloom 3
Kachinas #1502 Activities
The newly organized chapter met at the home of Essie Mae Allbrit-
ton-Thomas in February. She gave a program on "Wedding Cake
Toppings".
In March the meeting was at the home of Doris & Ralph Palmer,
who presented the program on "The History of Hoosier Cabinets".
Two of the cabinets were available for inspection & comparison.
Members were requested to wear an apron. Only one member failed
to do so and was "fined" one dollar. This will be an ongoing humor-
ous method to gain money for the treasury.
The April meeting was held at Linda Kollar's home and she gave
the program on "Restaurant China". Each person brought their fa-
vorite cup and told why they selected it.
Members were anxious to have funds in the treasury. At the March
meeting, a white elephant sale, among members, began the fund-
raising. In April, a garage sale was held. Since the public partici-
pated, the proceeds went into a separate fund for the future P & R
project.
In May, 100% of the membership went to Wickenburg, AZ to tour
the historic Henry Wickenburg house and learn about the town's
history. This was followed by a guided visit to the Henry Wicken-
burg Historic Cemetery, located on one of the hilltops in town.
Members of Wickenburg Pioneer #1416 joined them for the tour
and lunch afterwards. Three Kachinas members, Essie Mae, Linda
and Doris, attended the International Questers convention in Michi-
gan in April.
Kachinas #1502 voted to adopt the Henry Wickenburg House as
their P & R project. This is a joint project with the Wickenburg
Pioneer #1416 chapter. A cooperative effort by both chapters made
it possible to purchase a vintage iron cook stove for the house.
Essie Mae is in charge of compiling and publishing a chapter year-
book to be distributed at the September meeting. The historian,
Patricia Bates, is carefully preserving the history and is including
New Arizona Chapter Chartered -
Kachinas #1502
A meeting, at the home of Millie DeJong in Sun
City, was held in January, with the purpose to provide
information, regarding Questers, to a group of interested
people. It was planned and promoted through personal
contact, phone calls and emails by two Questers, Millie
DeJong and Doris Palmer, who live in Sun City. They
were surprised (and very pleased) when the informational
meeting turned into an organizational meeting. Before
long, the prospective members were paying dues and
some were volunteering to serve as officers and setting
the next meeting date. Wow! Eleven (11) charter mem-
bers selected the name Kachinas (#1502). Seven live in
Sun City, three in Sun City West and one in Surprise.
Two of these Questers are former state presidents, Essie
Mae Allbritton-Thomas, Arizona &Linda Kollars, South
Dakota. Linda had recently moved to AZ and was anx-
ious to become involved in Questers in AZ. Linda is the
new president of Kachinas & Essie Mae is the treasurer.
The women who joined the new chapter were amazed
and delighted that two men volunteered to join also, Dan
Jilka and Ralph Palmer. The chapter will meet at 9:30
a.m. on the 3rd Wednesday, September through May.
AZ Qs: Things You Need to Know
Our AZ Website is undergoing a “Renovation”
There are new treasurer forms which are fillable, so now
you will be able to fill out the form on your computer or
tablet and then print! Please contact Gene Serbus, State
Treasurer, at [email protected] to get the form(s) you need.
These are not yet uploaded on the website, but will be
soon, so give them a try. This will save us from printing
out hundreds of forms to be placed in the President’s
packet and then few ever used. Let’s go green!
ANTIQUE FAIR & Appraisal Event
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Tempe History Museum
809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe A
HOURS: 10:00 am—2:00 pm
General Public
Set Up—9:00—10:00 am
Break Down—2:00—3:00 pm
Watch for a flyer with more details to be
distributed at the Fall Council Meeting!
Co-Chairmen: Doris Palmer & Essie Mae
Allbritton-Thomas
Chapter News
The Cactus Bloom 4
FUNDRAISING INFORMATION
There are many bylaws governing fundraising by
Quester members and chapters. We would like to clarify this matter
for Arizona Questers.
First of all, our bylaws specifically state that chap-
ters “may raise funds exclusively within the chapter membership to
supplement its treasury”. Our bylaws further state that a chapter
“shall use all profits from fund-raising activities where financial sup-
port is solicited from outside the chapter membership for preservation
and/or restoration projects”.
Arizona State Bylaws further state that if a chapter
solicits support from the public for preservation and/or restoration
projects they first must obtain written approval for each scheduled
fundraiser and each specific preservation and restoration project from
the State Executive Board. The forms for seeking this approval are
available on the Arizona State Questers’ website and are entitled
“Request for Approval of Chapter Preservation and Restoration Pro-
ject and/or Fund Raising Project.”
If the members of a chapter wish to raise funds for
any reason whatsoever and solicit support from outside the chapter
they may do so under specific conditions. According to the Interna-
tional Parliamentarian, “…they may not use the name of The Questers
in any way, whether it be the chapter name, The Questers, or the Q
logo. In this way they do not fall under the umbrella of the organiza-
tion and are just a group of individuals raising money, and may do
whatever they please with that money. As long as the fundraiser can
in no way be associated with The Questers through advertising, in
print or by voice, whatsoever, it is not a Quester activity, just a group
of people holding a fundraiser (who all may happen to be Questers).
No Quester brochures or information can be handed out, or the recruit-
ment of members; leave all Quester logo’d items at home…” Under
these conditions the chapter does not need approval of the Arizona
State Executive Board.
International: www.questers1944.org
Choose: JUST for MEMBERS
Login AND Password: Heritage
Arizona:
www.azquesters.org
Choose: Member Login
Login: Arizona
Password: Quester1
These are ALL case sensitive so remember to
capitalize words.
How to log onto Questers websites:
MAY BAKER
A good friend and Quester, May Baker, passed from this life, but not
from our hearts on June 25, 2014. Born in Texas and raised in Okla-
homa, May also lived in Louisiana, Mexico and Michigan.
A seamstress, interior designer, award winning quilter, lecturer and
collector were but a few of her accomplishments. She was a devoted
Quester in Michigan for many years, and belonged to several chap-
ters in Arizona since moving here in 1987. May enthusiastically
shared her knowledge and collections with all.
She served as Arizona State President 2005-2007, 1st Vice President,
2nd Vice President, P & R Chairman, as well as chapter president.
May was a member of Ho Ho Kams #622 and an Associate Member
of Four Peaks #1207. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Pat Rinebarger, Four Peaks #1207
In Memoriam
Penny McKinley (Charter Member)
Guess Birchett #1442
May Baker (Past State President)
Chapter News
The Cactus Bloom 5
Phoenix Firebird #0629
Donna Wisnoski, member of this chapter, gave a pro-
gram on quilts for their April meeting. Donna, an ap-
praiser and restorer with amazing credentials, is an
award winning quilter and a member of the American
Quilt Study Group.
Members brought a quilt to share. We learned pattern
names, approximate age, type of fabric and importantly,
how to care for and store our treasures. Thank you,
Donna, for another perfect day of friendship and learn-
ing!
Cholla Y Saguaro #0537 On April 17, 2014, Members drove to Tempe, to tour the
Petersen House, and to meet members of Hayden’s Ferry
Questers on the tour. They presented Hayden’s Ferry Quester
Chapter with their P & R gift of $200.00 as assistance in their
continuing support of the Petersen House. Hayden’s Ferry mem-
bers, Ginny Fisher and Pat Fisher met with them representing
their chapter.
Cholla Y Saguaro held a festive “in House’ auction at the home
of Regna Powell in March, in which they auctioned off personal
antiques, and what a trade it was! We were able to add enough to
our treasury to gift $200 to Hayden’s Ferry Chapter for the Peter-
sen House.
The picture below is President, Ginny Martin, presenting the
check to Hayden’s Ferry member, Ginny Fisher, who represented
their President, Mary Miller …. Ginny on the right and Ginny on
the left …. Can’t get it wrong! In the other picture are Jean
brown, Helen Billmayer, President Ginny Martin, Vickie Smith,
Jean Swanson & Regna Powell.
Fall Council Meeting Info
Chapters Catalina Timewalkers #1389, Estrella #1292 and
Peridot #1175 are looking forward to hosting you at the
Fall Council meeting which will be held at the Cave
Creek Resort and Conference Center in Cave Creek, the
second Friday in November. It is going to be an exciting
meeting because we are attempting to do several different
things.
First, we will try to accommodate those in a chapter who
wish to be seated at the same table during the luncheon.
The registration form will ask for the names of the mem-
bers who wish to be seated together. For example, if
there are six from your chapter attending and you wish to
be seated together, six seats will be reserved for your
chapter at a table. Please note that the reserved seating
will be towards the back of the auditorium. Those wish-
ing to sit with and to meet other Questers will be seated at
the tables nearer to the front of the auditorium. So if you
request reserved seating, please look for signs on the ta-
bles to identify your chapter name. We are attempting to
satisfy everyone’s wishes at this meeting. Please be pa-
tient with us as we refine the process.
The second thing we are doing at this meeting is having a
brief introduction on the life of Grace Voss Frederick as
the program after lunch and then we will be leaving the
resort to tour the Grace Museum. Besides touring the
Grace Museum, you will be able to tour the Cave Creek
Museum. Because both museums prefer to accommodate
smaller groups at one time, we may assign you to visit
one museum first and the other museum second.
Remember to be sure to print the museum flyer (attached
to the Cactus Bloom) so you will have it for the day.
We are looking to a fun day of business and learning!
See you in November!
Daphne Davis, Questers State 2nd VP
Chapter News
Four Peaks #1207 (Fountain Hills & Rio
Verde) With programs ranging from Aprons, Presidential
China, and Mourning Jewelry to Faberge Eggs, and
Dolls, our Chapter topped off last season with a visit
to the Peterson House Museum in Tempe and lunch
at the House of Tricks. In June, we were all sad-
dened by the loss of our Associate Member, May
Baker whose friendship, knowledge and enthusiasm
will be greatly missed.
Looking forward to our 2014-2015 season of inter-
esting programs ranging from Pulp Fashions
(Clothing from paper), a program by a Top Gun and
Last Commander of the U.S.S. Midway, to Legal
Liquor during Prohibition and a Garage Sale P & R
Fund Raiser of Ladies Glitz, our Chapter is antici-
pating a busy and exciting year of Questing.
The Cactus Bloom 6
Sedona #1337 Sedona Questers have been busy being educated and entertained by pro-
grams on “Minnesota Pottery”, Valentines and their social implications,
Staffordshire dogs, and the fantastic invention of Lucifers and other
matchbooks. The highlight of our year was the annual fund raiser for the
Sedona Heritage Museum.
Each year the Sedona Questers pick a theme and then plan an
appropriate celebration around that theme. This year it was “The Harvey
Girls” with a luncheon menu taken from the Harvey House cookbook.
Aided and abetted by Palatki #1406 with strong support from Verde Val-
ley #1467, we planned, cooked and served lunch to 100 paying guests.
Each table of eight was hosted by a Harvey Girl (in appropriate costume),
and each guest was presented with a recipe card with a Harvey House
recipe..
To add to the fun, six Sedona Questers became Harvey Girls
from the past. Real Harvey Girls were researched. How did they become
a Harvey Girl in the first place? What became of them? We told their
stories, some sweet, some sad and some showing a real flair for business.
One became a rancher’s wife and raised a family. One ended up as a cat-
tle rustler. But the most successful of all was the gal who ended up own-
ing a string of brothels from New Mexico to Alaska! Top that, if you can.
Everyone had a great time and the Museum benefitted from the event.
Chapter News
New Chapter!
Yavapai #1506 WELCOME to a new Prescott, AZ chapter, chartered
in early August with 10 members and 1 associate. The
chapter name honors the rich history of Yavapai
County. Yavapai County was named after the Yavapai
Indian Tribe and was the first county created by the
Arizona Territorial Legislature in September, 1864.
Two of our members are native Arizonans!
Officers: Pres.-Alynn Stefanko, VP-Arlene Bright,
Secy-Nancy Burgess, and Treas- Phyllis Sylvester.
Other charter members: Georgia Johnson, Joanna
Johnson, Carl Marsee, Linda Marsee, Donna Miller,
Linda Wild, and Debbie Mathern, Associate.
We would like to thank Arizona State First Vice Presi-
dent Arlene Bright for all of her help in getting the
new chapter started and Debbie Mathern, President of
Prescott’s Thumb Butte Q’s for her advice and sup-
port.
The Cactus Bloom 6
Grand Rapids International Convention
Attendees:
Betty Hartnett, Susie Harris, Toni Clark, Linda
Starr, Lucille Redman, Vera Anderson, Kitty Wil-
cox, Laurie Dunn, Essie Mae Allbritton-Thomas,
Linda Kollars, Doris Palmer, Sandra Jordan, Arlene
Bright, Daphne Davis
Is your chapter “stuck in the doldrums”? Does it
need a “shot in the arm”? Would your chapter
benefit from some energetic and enthusiastic
new members? Don’t know where to start? Not to worry …. help is
on the way!
Chapter Presidents will soon receive a “Chapter Membership Drive”
handbook that provides ideas for growing membership and energizing
your current members in order to maintain your chapter’s viability.
And it doesn’t end with the handbook! 1st VP and State Organizer,
Arlene Bright, will be contacting each chapter President offering what-
ever support may be needed to help revitalize your chapter and make
the State new member goal of 10% growth a reality.
Members & Chapters
The Cactus Bloom 7
Calendar of Events
Friday, November 14, 2014
Fall Council Meeting
Carefree Resort & Conference Center
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Antique Fair
Tempe History Museum
April 2015—date & location tba
Annual Spring Meeting
May 1-3, 2015
International Convention
Princeton, NJ
Welcome New Questers:
2015 Founder’s Award Topic
Patriots, Pirates & Paleontologists of
New Jersey
Hayden’s Ferry #1245: Kelly Rinebarger
Ways & Means Opportunity Drawing Report
Our State P & R Fund continues to be successfully funded
by our clever and resourceful members. The April 11th
Opportunity Drawing raised $1,414.00! Yeah … and what
a good time we had doing it!
We are looking forward to more fun in the Fall as we pre-
pare for the next Opportunity Drawing fundraiser. It will
be held on Friday, Nov. 11th at the Carefree Resort & Con-
ference Center. It is never too soon to begin gathering
ideas for your Chapters’ donation. Typically we think of
baskets with themes, but a single precious item looking for
a new home is equally exciting! Who would more appreci-
ate a family heirloom or antique than another Quester? In
April, we collected baskets/gifts from 24 Chapters state-
wide. We think Questers are generous, supporting Ways &
Means two ways: by the Chapter item donated, and by pur-
chasing raffle tickets. THANK YOU! Get ready, …. The
Fall Fun is coming!
Isabelle Diller [email protected]
Marcia Nix [email protected]
Desert Sage #1287 (Phoenix)
In July, Desert Sage #1287 members gathered
together for a summer luncheon at the English
Rose Tea Room in Carefree with 12 members at-
tending.
Desert Sage members will also travel to Payson to
the home of Frieda Reish for their September
meeting.
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