The Pierian Study Club met February 11, 2010 at the stately elegant home of Bebe Bagley with the Membership Committee and Telephone Committee, Susie Nettleship, Clione Rochat, Sharon Clawson, Zolly Jones, and Geanne Taylor, serving as co-hostesses.

The following members were also present: Ann Allison, Donna Baker, Paula Barrier, Loy Nell Behrens, Millie Burnham, Barbara Gilger, Barbara Hardy, Kathleen Hawkins, Jeri Jones, Cherry Kay Lange, Joycelyn McRorey, Anita Miles, Dorothy Miller, Patty Shaw, Sandy Smith, Vickie Stevenson, Martha Roe Terry, Patricia Warren, Martha Leigh Whitten, Martine Miller, and Ann McElroy and Debbie Shahan were welcomed as two new members of the Club.

Upon arrival the ladies were served, in a very fitting Valentine tradition, a beautiful "Strawberry Delight" confection, chocolate bon bons, a chocolate covered strawberry, and coffee on elegant china appointments.

The speaker for the day was Jan Kirkman, who with her husband of 52 years, owns Travel Ezee, a full service travel agency in Marble Falls, Texas. Bebe Bagley has been friends with Jan for several years, as well as a client, and she gave the introduction. Jan was raised in Indiana and met her husband in college and they made their way to Texas. She speaks fluent "Hoosier." She was first a mom with four children and now has eleven grandchildren, but has been a professional speaker, a CPR instructor, co-owner of five Pearl Vision stores and co-owner of KHLB radio stations in Marble Fall. She explains that she and her husband, Bill, "flunked retirement" and became travel agents 12 years ago. She has led groups to 50 different countries, including four trips to China and three to Australia and New Zealand. They host day trips, theater excursions, land tours, cruises, and international destinations.

She began her talk with a cute quote from Elizabeth Taylor saying to her husbands, "Don’t worry - I won’t keep you long," which set the scene for a delightful presentation of her many travels, as well as interesting memorabilia she has collected along with amusing stories. One of her favorite places is Canada and of course, Van Couver, which is hosting the Olympics at this time, is a beautiful site. She also recommends visiting Australia and one of the interesting facts about Australia that many do not know, is they have seven hundred thousand camels. She recounted many interesting things about England. The Waterford crystal is all handmade and if there is an imperfection it is crushed and the process begins anew. She spoke on the wonders of China and actually had a silkworm for a demonstration. And you can’t speak on traveling without touching on Hawaii and Alaska, two of our most beautiful states. Her most memorable trips were visiting the IwoJima statue, Groundzero, taking a friend with cancer in her last days to the Rose Parade, and walking on the Great Wall of China. This was an informative presentation, as well as humorous. She concluded with she would take you on the trip of your choice, but would never take you to "Someday Island." Ending with the joys of traveling and putting off such adventures by saying "Someday" is not in your best interest. The ladies thoroughly enjoyed this program.

The President, Patricia Warren, opened the business meeting and Zolly Jones led the Club Collect. The Secretary, Dorothy Miller, gave roll call and read the minutes from January. They were approved as read. Joycelyn McRorey gave the financial report in the absence of the Treasurer, Louise Williams.

Barbara Gilger presented the Membership Committee report. The club accepted Nancy Oliver’s resignation, with regrets, and it was approved to transfer Martha Roe Terry to an Associate Membership. Becky Whitley was submitted for membership from the waiting list and was unanimously approved by secret ballot. Patty Shaw submitted Linda Sloan for the waiting list and this will be voted on at the March meeting.

The proposed amendment, with regards to an ex-member being allowed to rejoin the club as an associate member, was discussed but there was no motion made for this proposal.

It was announced that there will be an important meeting February 16, 2010 at the Courthouse to discuss the need for a taxing entity to support the EMS. All members were encouraged to be present.

The meeting closed with a very inspirational presentation on love by Trish Warren from First Corinthians, which was most timely as a special Valentine from our Club President.

The March meeting will be held March 11, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. at the High School Cafeteria where the High School One Act Play will be presented with Cherry Kay Lange, Gail Bruner, Jeri Jones, Zolly Jones, and Susie Nettleship acting as co-hostesses.