Chester Women's Club to meet Nov. 19

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Fall was the theme when the Chester Women's Club met Friday, October 22 at the First United Methodist Church in Chester. The guest speaker was Paul Wreford, SWIC Dean of Liberal Arts, who expounded on the "History of Halloween". His program was informational and entertaining as he discussed the establishment of Halloween, from the beliefs and superstitions of the ancient Romans, through Celtic lore, on to the beliefs of the Puritans and into the meanings of our own festive traditions today.

The Club's hostess committee for the day consisted of Linda Sympson and Bertha Mae Blechle, co-chairmen; Omega Reeder, Sandra Starr, Marlene Seymour, Tonya Robbins, Vickie Geisen, Toni Hosick and a guest of the club, Carol Abernathy. Tables were adorned in Fall fare and dessert was apple cake.

The meeting was conducted by First Vice President Sharon McMath, in the absence of President Louise Liefer. She thanked the membership for bringing food donations for the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry and members were encouraged to assist the pantry with collections for Thanksgiving.

New club members for the year are Frances DeRousse, Rebecca Browning, Jane Hettesheimer, Toni Hosick and Pam Sheely.

Secretary Tammy Grah announced that correspondence has been received from the registrars at Murray State University and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, confirming that the Club's 2010 scholarship recipients, Chad Koenegstein and Aaron Grah, have begun their educations at those schools respectively. It was announced that a memorial had been sent from the Club to Hospice in memory of deceased member Faye Magers.

In addition to Carol Abernathy, another guest was welcomed, Patty Wester, daughter of member Roberta Mueller.

Attendance prizes were won by Mary Ann Koeneman, Dottie Witbart, Jean Link, Betty Wagner, Norma Baughman, Carol Abernathy, Roberta Mueller and Vickie Geisen.

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the Chester Women's Club will meet one week early in November, on Friday, November 19, beginning at 1 p.m. in the fellowship hall o the First United Methodist Church. The afternoon program will be a "recipe swap". Each member is asked to provide a copy of one or more favorite recipes. Members will be asked to discuss the recipes and any interesting story that may accompany them. Program Chairman Wilma Whittenberg will collect the recipes and prepare them for a booklet that will be distributed at the Club's Christmas luncheon in December.

At the November meeting, tickets will be available for the Christmas luncheon. Hostesses for November will be Carolyn Schwent, Chairman; Vickie Geisen, Lorna Eggemeyer, Marlene Seymour, Alice Reid, Barbara Kittell, Barbara Welge, Mary Ann Stumpe and Mildred Dial.