By TERESA ATKERSON
Family Editor
The McAlester Fortnightly Club, GFWC-OK, began its celebration of Oklahoma’s Centennial during a general meeting held at the First Presbyterian Church.
President Dot Thompson’s theme was “Celebrating Oklahoma’s Centennial: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”
She explained the state’s name comes from two Choctaw words, “Okla” meaning people; and “humma,” meaning red. “So the state’s name literally means ‘red people’,” she said.
“In the early days, Oklahoma was a mass of prairie grass but the American Indians found ways to live on roots, herbs, wild berries, fruits, birds, eggs, wild animals and fresh fish.”
She noted one of the first plants the Indians cultivated was the Jerusalem artichoke.
She explained the Indians knew to eat only the plants eaten by wild animals or birds.
“They divided plants into four classes: poisonous, medicinal, food all the time and food that didn’t taste good but could be eaten in desperate times of famine.”
Thompson presented several facts about Oklahoma today.
The present state flag was adopted by the state legislature in 1925 and is the 14th flag for the state. The state seal’s central figures and wreath come from the Oklahoma Territory seal while the five rays of the main star feature the official seal of each of the Five Civilized Tribes. There are 45 smaller starts around the central star representing the states that made up the union when Oklahoma became a state Nov. 16, 1907.
Thompson noted Oklahoma has been the home state for six Miss Americas including the ones for 2006 and 2007. “That puts us in a tie with California and Ohio as having the most Miss Americas,” she said.
A quiz followed with members asked to name official state icons including the bird, flower, animal, fish, game bird, furbearer, tree, rock, wildflower, butterfly, folk dance, musical instrument, game animal and waltz.
Looking to the future, Thompson read the words to the official children’s song for Oklahoma, “Oklahoma, My Native Land,” by Martha Kemm Barrett.
Thompson also talked about the Fortnightly Club’s history and future.
The club was founded in 1898 and became a federated club in February 1904.
Today, the club has 102 members with five departments.
Last year, Thompson said members turned in 46,031 volunteers hours with $72,701 in donations and a total of 34 service projects.
“Our club continues to grow and be successful because of all of you,” she told the group. “Keep up the good work.”
Two deceased members were honored with memorials. Angie Sellmeyer presented a memorial for Betty Hackman while Celia Scherman presented a memorial for Betty Karr.
Thompson announced the deadline for the Bobbye Schumacher scholarship is March 26. The scholarship is for $500. The recipient must be a graduating senior in Pittsburg County. There is also an Alene Puterbaugh Scholarship that will be presented in the future when enough interest accrues to date.
Several bylaw changes were presented by Rita Sanders, bylaw committee chairman; and her committee, Zoe Duran and Kay Grumbine. These were approved.
The GFWC convention is set for April 20 and 21 in Oklahoma City. Thompson is the general delegate with Grumbine as the alternate.
The next general meeting will be the group’s annual spring banquet May 17 at 11:30 a.m. at the McAlester Country Club.
The Ceramics and Crafts Department will provide the program with Casual Gourmet providing the decorations.
The meeting closed with the group singing “Oklahoma” with Scherman as the pianist.
Contact Teresa Atkerson at family@mcalesternews.com.
Club News
Fortnightly has general meeting
- Club News
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Rotary
Gary Boyd, left, congratulates Lynn Edwards after Edwards won a card drawing worth over $700 at the Rotary meeting. Rotary meets every Tuesday at The Meeting Place at noon. For more information, visit Rotary Club of McAlester on Facebook.
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Kilihoti
Nancy Downing, left, presents Tylor Zane Killingsworth, with a Five Hundred Dollar Scholarship by the Kilihoti Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution. His entry was chosen as the winner from the thirty-one applications received from graduating seniors from area high schools.
Zane attended Checotah High School and was one of six valedictorians in the Class of 2012. He was a member of the Student Council, the National Honor Society, State Honor Society, Member of the Business Professionals of America, Spanish Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a delegate to Boys State. He was also a contender at the State Power Life Meet in 2011 and 2012, and member of the Checotah football team. Zane is also active in his church and a member of the Masonic Lodge of Checotah.
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Presentation
Mary Herandy, made a presentation to Faith, Family and Community Builders Saturday at their monthly meeting held at Northtown Church of Christ. Herandy is the First Vice President of the Department Executive Board of Blue Star Mothers of Oklahoma, as well as the President of Pittsburg County, Chapter 14's Chapter Executive Board. She shared the mission of the organization as well as some of the benefits offered to our military personnel. She also shared the training that the members of Blue Star Mothers go through so that they may better help the returning veterans as well as the active military. Blue Star Mothers are also trained and equipped to help out in disasters that happen in our area such as tornados and fires. At the end of the presentation, FFCB presented a check to the Blue Star Mothers for $20 and a box of items that they have been collecting for military boxes. Herandy is pictured holding a photo of her son and son-in-law who are active military.
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Fine Jewelry
The Pittsburg County Oklahoma Home and Community Education group held a Make n Take, Saturday at the Northtown Church of Christ. Pictured left is Debbie Walters being showed how to fix her jewelry. The class was taught by Nancy Hamilton of Fancy Nancy Jewelry. The next Make n Take is scheduled for, Saturday, June 9 at 10 a.m. - noon at the Pittsburg County OSU Extension Center, 707 West Electric Avenue. The class is open and free to the public. For more information call the OSU Extension Office at 918-423-4120 for a list of supplies that you may need for this class.
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Beta Iota
The McAlester chapter of Beta Iota of Epsilon Sigma Alpha recently installed its new officers for 2012-2013 during their annual banquet at The Whistle Stop Bistro. Pictured from left are, Lori Few, president, Tawanna Cathey, vice president, Cindy Pingelton, treasurer, Brenda Beed, recording secretary, Polly Shoemake, Margaret Kramer, educational director, Amber Alexander, parliamentarian and Tina Davenport McKamie.
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Rotary
The Rotary Club met at Rotary Park this week for their weekly lunch and meeting. Bob Saunier presented a history of Rotary Park and Rotary House followed by a tour of the park and house. Pictured from left during lunch are, Tom Condict, Wayne Hanway, Stephanie Shafer, Karl Scifres, Bill Dickson, Sayre Brenner and Jim Thompson standing. For more information about Rotary, visit Rotary Club of McAlester on Facebook.
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McSherry
Oklahoma Writers Federation Inc. awarded certificates for their outstanding skills to three members of the McSherry Writers. Winners pictured from left are, Sharon Ervin, Mary Ann Kerl and Nita Beshear. If you have a photo you would like to see published in the McAlester News-Capital, send it in a high-resolution jpg format to photo@mcalesternews.com. Be sure to tell us who and what are pictured, where and when the photo was taken, and who took the photo. Also, check out our reader photo galleries online at www.mcalesternews.com.
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Rotary Good Citizens
Pictured from left are Rotary Good Citizens, Dakota Mercer and Skye Cashmere, as the two enjoy their lunch at Rotary Park during this week's Rotary meeting. For more information about Rotary visit Rotary Club of McAlester on Facebook.
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Rotary
The Rotary Club presented 10 scholarships to local High School Seniors this week. Pictured front row from left are, Rotary Scholarship Chair Lois Washington, Delaney Edwards, Ani Kirkes, Ally Edwards and Nicole White; and back row, Michael Million, Robert Wiser, Calvin Boyle, Devon Leone, Lane Brock and Adam Boyd. The Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at noon at The Meeting Place. For more information visit Rotary Club of McAlester on Facebook.
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Elks Award
CASA receives The Ernie Smart Award from the Oklahoma Elks Lodge. Pictured from left are, Elks Lodge 533 Exsaulted Ruler Chris Sutterfield,
Aaron Williams, Executive Director of CASA of Southeast Oklahoma and Wayne Grann Chairman Elks Trustee Board . Each year the Elks fines someone in the community that is worthy of the award. Ernie Smart was a longtime Elk lodge member and Secretary, after his passing in his honor they created the Community Service Award.
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