Ladies of the Household,
Christmas 2009 is almost here. The stores are filled with Christmas décor already, even though Thanksgiving is hardly here. I for one can't believe it. But the stores remind me every time I go shopping. It seems as I grow older, everything comes and goes much too fast anyway.
I was very glad that four of our ladies from our Makere #99 were able to travel up to Marquette for the Supreme Queen visit there on October 29th. Past Queens Sharon Pequinot, Elizabeth Hussey, and Ellen Zirkle were able to go, as well as Princess Tirzah Amy Hussey. The temple in Marquette (Nefretete #110) was short a couple of officers, so two of our ladies helped out: PQ Elizabeth as Princess Attendant and Princess Amy as Princess Zuliema. They said they had a great time. Thank you to all of you for going up and representing our Temple.
Just to let you know, the 4-Star Bazaar on November 7th was a success again this year. Thank you to everyone that helped to make it so and all the people that helped work. The homemade noodles and homemade peanut brittle were a hit at our booth. Thank you to the expertise of the Nile ladies that came out and made those things. Also thanks to PA Helen Robinson for sharing her delicious recipe for the peanut brittle. We also had some mighty fine baked goods that went over very well.
Past Queen Sharon Pequinot did a beautiful job giving the history of our founding fathers at our November session. This has been a tradition shared by all Daughters of the Nile all over the country and in Canada the month of November or December every year since our founding. Thanks again, Sharon.
Remember, we will be having our in-gathering in January before our regular stated session. Please bring a dish to pass for the pot luck and your own place settings and have some good food with some good friends.
ILLNESSES: I was out of commission for a couple of weeks. Somehow I contracted the H1N1 virus and was very ill. Thank God I'm ok now. I just have to take it slower for awhile; and I'm trying.
I've been informed that PQ Mary Alice Parcell has been under the weather. Please keep her in your prayers. Also, Princess Ida Marie McInnis is having some serious surgery on November 10th.
I have received news from Gail Stoutenberg, president of the Alpena Nile Club that Princess Mickey Towlerton is doing much better following her arm surgery. She said that Mickey was able to attend their meeting in October and that she is doing great. Glad to hear se is on the mend.
President Gail also informed me that the Alpena Nile Club will be making the dinner on December 8th for the installation of the new president of the Alpena Shrin Club, Wayne McWilliams. We wish the ladies well in their endeavors and president Wayne good luck in the following year as president.
I am enclosing the following excerpt from a news article about one of our other princesses of the Alpena Nile Club. I think it is wonderful, and it reminds us of the wonderful ladies we have in our Nile and the good work they do. Princess Cheryl, I know your Mom and Dad (Donna “Mickey” and Art Towlerton) and your ladies in Alpena are very proud of you. So are we and so is Michigan. Congratulations.
“Cheryl Lemke – School Nurse of the Year
Cheryl Lemke, Alpena Public Schools nurse since 1985, is this year's Michigan School Nurse of the Year!
Superintendent Brent Holcomb said, “We are fortunate to have such a wonderful, caring nurse who serves not only our 4,400 students, but our 500 staff members as well. Cheryl goes above and beyond to make sure students and staff are taken care of in many ways. Her dedication shows she truly loves her job.”
Lemke is responsible for 11 schools spread out across the entire county. Her duties include caring for medically fragile students, responding to emergencies, heading the student immunization program, training staff to assist in a variety of medical situations, and writing protocols that inform substitute teachers and staff about what to do when help is needed. Lemke is also the school district’s representative to the medical community, collaborating with the District Health Department Number Four and Alpena Regional Medical Center.
Off-duty, Lemke sews hospital burn gowns and toy bags for children who require extended hospital stays. She is also an accomplished photographer who won first-place in the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary River Center photography contest.
Lemke and her husband, Ron, a retired Alpena Public Schools counselor, reside in Alpena. They have a daughter, Ashley.”
Just an added note from president Gail Stoutenberg: Princess Cheryl is the hospital chairperson for the Alpena Nile Club. She is the wonderful gal who purchases all the gifts for the hospital with the money we share with them each year. Even her husband helps he shop. He just purchased an entire rack of children's clothing for next year. Since the outfits were on sale, they bought them all. That's how they shop for our kids. Thanks from us to princess Cheryl's husband for helping, and thanks to princess Cheryl!
I hope and pray that you and your families all have a blessed Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year!
Nile Love and hugs, Yvonne Szagesh, Queen
