The Pierian Study Club met September 9, 2010 at the beautifully restored Soap’s Place at the old Soap Hardaman home. Teressa and Dennis Hardaman have turned this into a beautiful facility for parties, weddings, receptions, and weekend retreats and Teressa catered the event. Soap’s Place is decorated in a western theme with magnificent yards and a patio overlooking the San Saba River. Hostesses for this meeting were the yearbook committee: Anita Miles, Chair; Barbara Gilger, Vickie Stevenson, and Jeri Jones - Bebe Bagley and Susie Nettleship were absent but did their part as hostesses.

Other members present were: Connie Adams, Donna Baker, Paula Barrier, Loy Nell Behrens, Gail Bruner, Millie Burnham, Kathleen Hawkins, Cherry Kay Lange, Ann McElroy, Dorothy Miller, Kay Nettleship, Jane Randolph, Debbie Shahan, Patty Shaw, Sandy Smith, Geanne Taylor, Patricia Warren, Becky Whitley, Louise Williams, Anna Wilson, Betty Jo Miller, Elsie Millican, and Nancy Bannister.

The guests were met by the hostesses and escorted to the beautiful tables adorned with brown floor length tablecloths with lime green overlays decorated with pink and burgundy rose topiaries nestled in lime green moss. Each member was presented the new yearbook for 2010-2011 and a book marker as a gift from the yearbook committee. These were displayed on the tables and completed the decor. The yearbook covers are a replica of a painting by Jane Felts Mauldin and is a scene of spring flowers with a small girl going up a path away from the garden. This was an inspiration of the committee to depict the club motto "Step by Step We Gain the Heights." The Pierian Study Club is indebted to Jane for her generosity in sharing her art.

After prayer led by Anita Miles, the ladies were served a beautiful chicken salad adorned with spring lettuces and tomatoes and ripe olives on plates complimented with gold leaf chargers followed by cheesecake with an assortment of chocolate, lime, and raspberry drizzles.

The new president, Kathleen Hawkins, gave her president’s address to the club. She spoke of three women who have made a difference in life for women, Margaret Thatcher, Maya Angelou, and Joyce Brothers. She also recognized all the different women in our organization who have touched the lives of others from our past teachers to our other career women in so many walks of life. Her talk was ‘peppered’ with her own life experiences and was not only inspiring but very entertaining!

The club collect was led by Kathleen and the outgoing Secretary, Dorothy Miller, read the past two months minutes and they were approved as read. The Treasurer, Louise Williams, gave the financial report and only Louise can make a financial report entertaining. Anita Miles, Yearbook Chair, presented the yearbook with references to the coming meetings. The theme for 2010 is "Music Enriches the Soul" and she recounted the various musical programs we will have this coming year: guitar, woodwinds, piano, violin, and banjo presentations. Anita thanked all of the members who are so graciously opening their homes for our meetings with special thanks to the Entertainment Committee. Members who were absent may pick up their yearbooks from Anita or at the October meeting. Patricia Warren, Membership Chair, presented Bebe Faught to be put on the waiting list and she was accepted unanimously. Debbie Shahan, related of how Bebe Faught, her mother, had been in the club years ago and had treasured that time. Patricia also welcomed our newest member, Becky Whitley. Becky will certainly be an asset to our organization with her various talents and enthusiasm. Kay Nettleship, Project Chair, announced we will continue in our tradition of the High School Scholarship, the Angel Tree, and our gifts to the Dove Project. Gail Bruner, the Nominating Chair, reported that she is already in line with her committee for the future. Millie Burnham, the Telephone Committee Chair, reported that her committee will be functioning and as a second reminder there will be an email sent out to the members with email addresses each month.

The October meeting will be October 14, 2010 at the home of Debbie Shahan with the program presented by Stephen Goacher of Brownwood, Texas who will be performing on various woodwinds. It will be a beautiful enriching musical experience that you won’t want to miss!