James Blair Chapter, DAR

James Blair Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met Feb. 24 at Kinsloe House for the George Washington Tea. The tea honored new members. New members present were Frances Walker, a transfer from Trinity Star Chapter; and Dortha Bergey, Frances Walker, Diane Armer, Martha Chilbert, Lisa Overstreet, Sarita Simpson and Billie Sheppard. Guests from other chapters included Carolyn Cooksey Duckworth, TSDAR state treasurer; Sundra “Sunny” Hall, TSDAR state curator; Sandra Carter, Piney Woods regent’s council treasurer; Cheryl Vaughn, Neches River Chapter registrar; and Linda Mays, Neches River Chapter member. Hostesses for the meeting were former James Blair Chapter regents Janie Clark, Ava Nell Stewart, Jane Taylor, Mary Love Sanders, Linda Green, Betty Partain, Margaret Thomas, Gelene Simpson, Mellie Howard and Donna Ingham and current regent Geneva Davis.

Beautiful music for the afternoon was provided by local talented harpist Jeff Walters. He played a number of pleasing melodies during the tea and all attendees were impressed by his talent and selection of pieces.

The next meeting will be held at 3 p.m. March 11 at Kinsloe House. The speaker will be Jane Routt Power, Texas State DAR state chairman for chapter achievement and a professional lecturer listed in “Whos’ Who In Hereditary Societies” and in “Hereditary Society Blue Book.”

Hostesses for the March meeting will be Theresa Orn, Billie Sheppard, Lisa Overstreet and Cindy White.

The Daughters of the American Revolution is an historical genealogical heritage organization open to female descendants of American patriots who served or gave service to the American government during the American Revolutionary War. For more information regarding membership, contact chapter registrar Barbara Shore at (903) 872-9529 or go online to the James Blair Chapter Web site at www.geocities.com/jamesblairtxdar.

Corsicana Noon Lions Club

Trish Wilson, development director for Texas Lions Camp, spoke at the Corsicana Noon Lions Club Feb. 24. She spoke about the programs that are offered at the camp.

Texas Lions Camp has been providing free outdoor camping experience to handicapped and diabetic children since the early 1950s. While at the camp, campers have the opportunity to enjoy any activities including swimming, horsemanship, ropes course, arts and crafts, nature studies, animal science and horticulture, music, drama, recreation and athletics, shooting sports, and overnight-outdoor camp outs. This one-week camp is free to all handicapped and diabetic children in Texas. The camp for handicapped children has five sessions, May 31 through July 4; and two sessions for diabetic children, July 19 through Aug. 1. If you have or know of someone that has a child that meets these requirements and would like to attend the camp, contact any member of the Corsicana Noon Lions Club or call Debbie Hanks at (903) 872-6661.

At the Feb. 24 meeting, Vicki Gray, president of the Corsicana Noon Lions Club, presented the Jack Wiech Progressive Fellowship Level 2 to Mrs. Robert Gladney for her husband’s 50-plus years of service with Corsicana Noon Lions Club. His loyalty to the Lions Club was demonstrated by his constant participation in all activities of the club.

The purpose of the Jack Wiech Fellowship is to pay tribute to the founder of the camp while providing material support for the ongoing operations of Texas Lions Camp. Wiech served as president of the board for the camp’s first five years and was a permanent member of the board of directors.

Robert Gladney left this Earth this year, but his memory stays with all that knew him and loved him. The members of the Corsicana Noon Lions Club miss him.

Also, Sgt. Ken Authier, member of the Corsicana Noon Lions Club, was the winner of the Century Club drawing. The Century Club is a donation program for the Texas Lions Camp. Once you become a Century Club member, you are asked to donate $100 toward the Lions Camp in Kerrville every year.

Authier is also a member of the Coyote Squadron that donates its time and money to fly children to Kerrville to participate in the week-long camp for handicapped and diabetic children.

Woman’s Club House Association

Policy committee chairman Betty Partain has announced the March 11 program luncheon at Kinsloe House will feature the talented and popular Shirley Nussbaum reviewing the book “Who’s the Dummy Now?” This review will explore the life and successes of former Corsicana resident Terry Fator. Fator is the extremely gifted ventriloquist who won the “America’s Got Talent” TV show and is now a featured performer on television and in Las Vegas, Nev. Nussbaum is recognized for thoroughly enjoyable book reviews, and members of the Woman’s Club House are encouraged to make reservations for themselves and guests to attend this program. Reservations must be made no later than noon March 9 by calling (903) 874-5791. Other members of the policy committee are Carolyn French, Myra Lanier, Corinne Lee, Gayle Steed, Margaret Thomas and Carlene Woolf.

Purple Passion Ladies

Purple Passion Ladies of the Red Hat Society went to the Black-Eyed Pea restaurant in Hillsboro on Feb. 14. February’s hostesses were Joyce Chandler, Nancy Coyle, Mary Jo Middle and Billye Hicks. Purple Passion Ladies were asked to re-do a hat from dressy to casual or a crazy hat using certain items, but they had to use red and purple on the hat somewhere. The ladies participated in one or both categories. They were also asked to name their created hat as “Red Fox” or “Madame Dupree’s Sunday Hat.” Prizes were given in each category. The Purple Passion Ladies enjoyed a delicious dinner and had a wonderful fun day. The ladies are looking forward to their March activity or event.