The Pierian Study Club met September 10, 2009 for their Annual Fall Luncheon at the First Presbyterian Church fellowship hall with the Yearbook Committee acting as co-hostesses: Kathleen Hawkins, Millie Burnham, Sandy Kuykendall, Joycelyn McRorey, Dorothy Miller, and Jane Randolph, who was absent, but fulfilled her duties as co-hostess. Other members in attendance were: Ann Allison, Donna Baker, Paula Barrier, Loy Nell Behrens, Sharon Clawson, Barbara Gilger, Barbara Hardy, Jeri Jones, Zolly Jones, Cherry Kay Lange, Anita Miles, Martine Miller, Susie Nettleship, Kay Nettleship, Patty Shaw, Sandy Smith, Vickie Stevenson, Martha Roe Terry, Patricia Warren, Martha Leigh Whitten, Louise Williams, Elsie Millican, and Betty Jo Miller.

Special guests were Patsy Hall who teaches English and Drama at Richland Springs High School and one of her students, Brennen McGinty. Brennen is a Junior at Richland Springs High School and is the son of Jayme and Jerry McGinty. Brenne is an honor student, plays football and basketball, is on the debate team and in the one act play. He is pursuing a college scholarship and one of the requirements is to speak at a public meeting. Therefore, the Pierian Study Club was privileged to hear his first speech. His speech was “America and the Free Enterprise System”. In his speech he emphasized how great it is to live in America and to live under a constitution which encourages freedom and we still have that great right of the ‘American Dream’ where your hopes and aspirations can become a reality. This young man was appropriately dressed and delivered his speech in a very dignified manner and it was enjoyed by all the members.

It was very fitting that the next order of business was the President’s Address given by the 2010 President, Patricia Warren, as she spoke on the constitution of the Pierian Study Club and what it means to be a member of this organization. Patricia has been an outstanding dedicated president and we look forward to her leadership for another year. She stressed her goal and our goal “Be the Best that You Can Be”! The President also welcomed the three new members, Sharon Clawson, Martine Miller, and Donna Baker.

The business meeting was called to order by the President, Patricia Warren, and the Club Collect was led by Sandy Kuykendall. The Secretary, Dorothy Miller, read the minutes and they were approved as read. The Treasurer, Louise Williams, gave the financial report and in her wit, put in a little colorful rendition of our status. She told us of how she now identifies with Irma Bombeck and passed out one of her treasured articles.

The Yearbook Chair, Kathleen Hawkin, gave a summary for the coming year. The meetings will be focused on culture and entertainment. We are in great anticipation to the programs as outlined in the Yearbook. Kathleen asked how many members still had their wedding dresses, as that is a portion of the theme for October, and was surprised as approximately nine members responded. They will be asked to bring them or perhaps wear them?

Kathleen thanked Loy Nell Behrens for setting up tables and making preparations for the meeting. She also gave a thank you to last year’s Entertainment Committee, Barbara Gilger, Chair; Liz Haug, Kay Nettleship, Vickie Stephenson, Patty Shaw, Shannon Merriweather, and Cherry Kay Lange, for the wonderful delightful End of Year Guest Party held last May at the Gazebo in the Mill Pond Park. In ending her report she gave a colorful classic demonstration with a pair of pliers of how to install the new year books into the old covers, an oft time mystery to some females.

The Project Chair, Anita Miles, also welcomed the new members and explained the annual projects: the Dove Project, the Angel Tree Ministry, and the College Scholarship award. She announced that last year the Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00 was awarded to Sara Sloan. The Project Committee had little trouble in choosing the recipient. Sara’s great grandmother, Sara Jean Cameron, was a founding member of the Pierian Study Club and a past president. Her grandmother, Linda Sloan, was a past member of the organization. Her aunt, Patty Shaw, is a present member, as is her third cousin, Martha Leigh Whitten, who has also served as president and her great aunt, Betty Jo Miller, who has served as a past president and is an associate member. Sara’s heritage as well as her achievements made her an easy choice for the Scholarship. Anita further explained how the Pierian family members, Patty Shaw, Betty Jo Miller, and Martha Leigh Whitten, presented the Scholarship Award to Sara Sloan at the graduation. Anita then read a thank you note from Sara Sloan with her appreciation. She is now attending Texas Tech University. The Chair was also happy to report that from the financial report there will be no money making bake sales or cookbook sales this year!

Martha Leigh Whitten, in the absence of Connie Adams, the Chair, gave a report for the Nominating Committee. As Elsie Millican is moving to an associate member the committee nominated Cherry Kay Lange as Historian and as the Reporter, Paula Barrier, has health issues, the committee nominated Anita Miles as Reporter. This was accepted by acclimation.

The Entertainment Chair, Barbara Gilger, gave her report for the coming year. She thanked her committee and exclaimed what a great committee it is! She announced that the Christmas Open House would be at the home of Kathleen Hawkins and the End of Year Guest Evening would be at the home of Donna Baker.

Zolly Jones, spoke for the Telephone Committee and reported they had functioned.

The Membership Chair, Susie Nettleship, reported that Betty Martin, Polly Womack, and Elsie Millican have asked to be moved to an Associate Membership. One of the qualifications to be moved to an Associate Member are you have to have been a member for at least five years. The members enjoyed the reflection of Elsie Millican who has perhaps been in the organization for more than fifty years. This vote was accepted unanimously.

Sharon Merriweather has sent in her letter of resignation. This was accepted with regrets. Susie announced that Anna Wilson and Ann McElroy request membership and they were accepted unanimously.

The Co-Hostesses decorated the church fellowship hall tables with beautiful white table cloths, gorgeous arrangements of white chrysanthemums, red roses, and greenery. Other green plants adorned the room. The ladies were served chicken salad and a tomato salad consisting of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, kalamata olives, onions, squash, and cucumbers. It was an appealing presentation complimented with an orange slice and strawberry served on china with silver accompaniments. For dessert the ladies were served ‘Cherry Berries on a Cloud’. This elegant dessert was a baked eggwhite and custard confection topped with a sauce of cherries and raspberries. It was a wonderful meeting and a wonderful way to begin our new year!

The October meeting will be October 8, 2009 with a luncheon at 12:00 PM at the Walden Planation, just outside of Llano, Texas. Please meet at the Baptist Church parking lot at 11:00 PM. The program will be on “Wedding Dresses from Yesterday”. If you still have your wedding dress please contact Kathleen Hawkins. This should be a delightful treat that you don’t want to miss!