Women's Club News for May 11, 2008

BLOUNT COUNTY FCE COUNCIL: Met at 9:30 a.m. April 20. The meeting was called to order by President Debbie Hodge. Faith Boring, vice president, led the FCE Creed and the Pledge to the U.S. flag. She gave an inspirational talk on the significance of the flag and closed with a prayer. Julia Ernst, secretary, called the roll with 10 members present, and read the minutes of the last Council meeting with one correction.

Hodge announced that each club should bring display materials to the library at 3 p.m. June 1. She will ask Chris Sneed to plan an Open House to be held at the UT Extension building in Maryville. FCE members are asked to give Toby Reynolds some recipes for this event.

TACE Conference in Greeneville. Applications and information about Camp May 27-29 were given to the club presidents. May 5 is the deadline to register.

A pressure gauge clinic will be held at the UT Extension Office on May 23. Rocky Branch will take the morning shift from 10-noon. Carpenters will provide volunteers from 1-3 p.m.

2008 State FCE Convention will be held in Knoxville November 9-12. May 15 is Celebration Day of the Family.

The meeting ended with the reciting of the pledge. Velma Bobo then led a workshop showing how to enhance a T-shirt by cutting and weaving.

Any person in Blount County is eligible to join an FCE club, allied with the UT Extension. Contact Chris Sneed at the office or call 982-6430,

SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER, AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION: Met April 22 at the TNBank. President Millie Stoutt led the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance and introduced the head table: Gladys Waters, vice president; Millie Stoutt, president; Melba Bruce, treasurer; and Myra Hood, secretary.

A motion was made to approve the minutes of the March 25 meeting. The motion was seconded and carried. A motion was made and seconded to accept the treasurer's report as written in the newsletter. Motion carried.

Praise/prayer requests were shared.

Gladys Waters performed the roll call; 14 members were present.

East Tennessee Area Council will meet July 10. Sevier Chapter will have its basket auction in May. Knoxville Charter Chapter will celebrate its 50th anniversary (seven members) on Sept. 21.

Election of officers will be in May.

The Education Committee reported that 11 applications were received for consideration, and recipients of the scholarships will be decided at the May meeting. Program Committee reported that Emily Hyden, of Joshua House, will be the speaker for the May meeting.

Forum Committee reported that 130 tickets had been sold and the event would include about 45 exhibitors.

Linda Davis won the 50/50, and the door prize was won by Gladys Waters.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. after the ABWA Benediction was given in unison.

ALCOA GARDEN CLUB: Met at 1:30 p.m. March 13 at Sullivan's Restaurant. There were nine members present.

President Elaine Kant called the meeting to order and Chaplain Evelyn Ousley led the devotional. Barbara Folkes gave the treasurer's report. Pat Landry read the minutes of Feb. 14. Minutes approved as read.

No meeting was set in April but membership would meet at New Midland Plaza April 26 for the annual plant sale.

National Garden Week will be observed the first week of June.

The slate of officers for 2008-09 was presented as follows: president, Dee Lidvall; secretary, Pat Landry; vice president, Elaine Kant; treasurer, Barb Folkes; chaplain, Evelyn Ousley.

Elaine Kant recited a poem entitled "Always the Rose" and presented a beautiful fresh rose and a garden-themed placemat to each member.

Pat Landry presented "A Year in Reflection 2007-08."

Persons interested in attending a meeting of Alcoa Garden Club may call Dee Lidvall at 982-7734. Meetings are held at 1:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month.