The Pierian Study Club met November 8, 2009 at the lovely ranch home of Jane Randolph. Jane has been in the catering business for years and into decorating; therefore, her home is just simply a show place of excellence and unusual beauty! Co-hostesses for this event were the Project Committee: Anita Miles, Sandy Smith, Jeri Jones, Barbara Hardy, and Janiece Duggan. Other members present were: Martha Roe Terry, Geanne Taylor, Elsie Millican, Zolly Jones, Joycelyn McRorey, Connie Adams, Bebe Bagley, Vickie Stephenson, Paula Barrier, Lisa Theodosis, Dorothy Miller, Cherry Kay Lange, Sandy Kuykendall, Donna Baker, Susie Nettleship, Kathleen Hawkins, Gayle Bruner, Anna Wilson, and Patricia Warren.

The elegant dining room table was decorated with a fall flower arrangement and the refreshments were served on crystal plates. There was an array of magnificent choices. The lemon curd was served in a sweet tart shell, displayed with dainty purple violets. Phyllo shells were stuffed with dill chicken salad and garnished with dill and raspberries. There was cranberry ambrosia sprinkled with coconut and pecans and served with homemade ginger snaps. The Brie was stuffed with cranberries, pecans, and holiday spices in a baked tuff pastry served with fresh raspberries and strawberries. Toasted pecans and sparkling cider were also served to compliment these delicacies.

The Yearbook Chair, Kathleen Hawkins, introduced the speaker for the day Dee Vickery. Ms. Vickery is the founder and president of "Off the Beaten Path Ministries, Inc." which is a non-profit organization reaching out to families affected by domestic violence.

She is the mother of two sons and a grandmother of seven children. Dee has a passion for life and a passion for helping people who are hurting. Because of her personal experience with domestic violence Dee has sought insight through many hours of seminars, research, interviews, and prayer and from that personal experience God placed a vision in her heart and thus began "Off the Beaten Path Ministries". Dee had been a professional country music entertainer for ten years prior to her salvation experience and now shares her gift of music with churches and Christian organizations across the country.

Dee began the program by presenting several songs off of her new album that was recently recorded in Nashville that will be out very soon. It was such a joy and pleasure to hear this beautiful Christian music presented by Dee as she is in deed a talent!

After the musical presentation Dee explained some of the goals of this ministry and presented a video. Phase I is a plan for Abigial’s House which would be a temporary, emergency shelter for victims of family violence, to offer intervention and guidance to hurting families, as well as to offer education and insight. Phase II would be to secure funds to build a long term transitional housing facility on an approximately 100 acre ranch for victims of family violence. This ministry is a non-profit organization, gender neutral, not funded by any specific church or organization, and not state or federally funded. This was a very informative program and touched our hearts, as this is a very real issue that exists in our midst.

Following the program the President, Patricia Warren, called the meeting to order and Barbara Hardy led the club in the club collect. The Secretary, Dorothy Miller, gave the roll call and the minutes and they were approved as read. Joycelyn McRorey gave the financial report in the absence of the Treasurer, Louise Williams.

Anita Miles, Project Committee Chair, announced that the Angel Tree project has began. The tree was presented so that each member could select the angel tree child that they wanted to sponsor for Christmas and could sign up. Anita also announced that the club will continue to bring items for the Dove Project to the Christmas meeting. You may bring your angel tree gift to Sisters Country Store or Dollar General Store. Please bring the gift unwrapped by December 21, 2009, at the latest! There is a $30 limit on the gift. If you were not present you will receive an angel tree child in the mail.

Martha Roe Terry, Chair for Cards-Gifts-Flowers, read a thank you note for the Kay McKee memorial gift.

The Membership Chair, Susie Nettleship, announced that Ann McElroy has been added to the waiting list and the club voted unanimously to now add Debbie Shahan to the waiting list.

Gayle Bruner announced that sandwiches were needed for the campaign "Keep San Saba Beautiful" that is scheduled for November 14, 2009 and asked for volunteers. Gayle also announced that the Garden Club Tour of Homes will be December 13, 2009 and will be presenting homes in the Bend Community.

Connie Adams gave the club the latest information with regards to the EMS. A petition is being circulated for San Saba to become an Emergency Service District and this will save our ambulance and emergency care services.

The President presented a proposed amendment to be considered and discussed at the next business meeting, to the constitution to amend Article 2. Section 2. to read that a member that has dropped out of the club may be reinstated as an associate member if there is an associate membership availability.

The President then gave some clever words of wisdom and fun for consideration in your life as her closing remarks.

The December meeting will be December 10, 2009 at the home of Kathleen Hawkins and will be the Christmas Open House guest event at 6:00 P.M. with the entertainment committee, Barbara Gilger, Donna Baker, Loy Nell Behrens, Martine Miller, Kay Nettleship, Vickie Stevenson, and Patty Shaw, acting as co-hostesses.