View
photos and videos from previous Gamma Chapter meetings
on our NEW "Meeting
Archives" page! Photos and video from the
past 12 months will be displayed on this Announcements/News
page.
NOTE:
Photos and videos that appear on this page are the original
work of Ellen Clark or other Gamma Chapter members,
and have been posted with Gamma members' permission.
No copyrighted images have been used without express
written permission from their owners/creators.
2022
SATURDAY,
APRIL 30, 2022: MY VERY OWN BLANKET PROJECT
Due
to limitations on our in-person meetings due to Covid-19,
we decided to complete our individual blankets at home
and bring them to the April 30, 2022 Gamma Meeting so
that we can then donate them to the My
Very Own Blanket organization.
Gamma
Chapter has participated in this group effort for the
past couple of years, and we are proud to have provided
children in need with these soft, warm bundles of comfort.
Thank
you to each Gamma member who participated in the project
this year! Pictured below are many of the blankets
we made for area children this year. Please click
photo to enlarge it.
SATURDAY,
APRIL 30, 2022: MARC & MARY SCHROEDER: BEES
On
Saturday, April 30, 2022, we gathered at the home of
Michele and Tim Koenig to welcome Marc and Mary Schroeder,
who presented a very informative and interesting program
about bees and beekeeping.
Marc
and Mary have kept bees for several years, and they
discussed their experiences and taught us about the
importance of bees in our ecological community.
Their
focus was on the role of bees as critical creatures
in the maintenance of a balanced environment, as well
as the ways in which responsible people can ensure that
these hard little workers thrive.
Below
are photos of some of Marc and Mary's beekeeping equipment,
including the hood that they wear when working with their
bees. Please click each image to enlarge it.
SATURDAY,
MARCH 12, 2022: MICHELE MANGIONE: "FOOT REFLEXES"
On
Satrurday, March 12, 2022, we met viz Zoom to work with
Michele Mangione, PhD, who instructed us in methods
of stretching, exercising, and foot replexology.
Michele
used interesting imagery, such as pretending that we
were cats, waking up and stretching, and then pouncing
on prey. She also talked about classes she holds to
benefit the mind/body connection.
Michele's
company, Ageless
Ways, targets anyone who is participating in
the aging process!
These
chapter members attended the March 12 meeting.
JANUARY
12, 2022: E.J. THOMAS: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY MID-OHIO
On
January 12, 2022, we were treated to a discussion with
EJ Thomas, the CEO of Habitat
for Humanity Mid-Ohio via Zoom meeting.
Mr.
Thomas informed us of the many ways in which Habitat
for Humanity helps families acquire their first homes,
and he answered several questions from our chapter members
regarding the operation and the people who benefit from
the group's work.
EJ
Thomas is a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives,
serving from 1984 to 1999. He concluded his tenure as
State Representative for the 27th District in north
Columbus, having been elected a total of eight terms.
The
chapter members met online via Zoom to listen to E.J.
Thomas, who also answered our questions about habitat
for Humanity Mid-Ohio.
2021
MIDSET
RESET WITH NEMA SALEEM-GREEN
During
our November 8, 2021 Zoom meeting,our speaker, Nema
Saleem-Green led a presentation called "Mindset
Reset." She guided us in finding activities
that we enjoy doing, and that assist us in truly taking
care of ourselves.
Her
presentation included many practical tips for self-care.
She encouraged the chapter memebrs to participate by
offering their own tips for self-care, and the activities
that they find rewarding, as well as goals they have
for self-care.
Above
is a screenshot of Gamma members who were present for
the November meeting. Please click the photo to enlarge
it.
OCTOBER 2, 2021: INDUCTION OF NEW MEMBER EMERI FERGUSON
We
are pleased and excited to welcome a new member to our
Gamma Chapter!
Emeri
Ferguson, a graduate of Ashland University,
is a first grade learning guide and reading support
specialist at Wellington School in Upper Arlington.
Emeri
became aware of our Grants-in-Aid program and attended
a Zoom meeting earlier this year. We are delighted that
she chose to join Gamma Chapter!
When
Emeri is not teaching, she is very busy at home with
her husband and three young sons.
Welcome
to Gamma Chapter, Emeri Ferguson!
OCTOBER
2, 2021: NECROLOGY CEREMONY
During
our October 2, 2021 we also honored three of our members
who have passed away, and those in addendance offered
memories and stories about them. The members we honored
were: Carol Diane Kiefer, who was initiated in
1982 and who died in 2019; Miriam Hinton, who was
initiated in 1957 and who passed in 2020; and Sara
Herfel, who had been a member since 1988 and who died
in 2020. Each woman was a valued member of Gamma Chapter,
and we will remember and miss them.
Linda
Ruehrmund, new member Emri Ferguson, and Dorene Henschen
2020
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FEBRUARY 2021 MEETING
We
will be making blankets again this year, but due to
Covid-19 recommendation and guidelines, we'll each make
our blanket(s) at home and then share them during
our Saturday, February 6, 2021 ZOOM meeting,
which will begin at 9:30 am.
You
can purchase your fleece fabric at any JoAnn location
(find
a store near you here) and then make your blanket(s)
using these directions:
If
you prefer not to go into the store, you can purchase
a blanket kit online and pick it up at the Westerville
store, from their outside donation bin. (Shipping is
available ONLY to locations 30+ miles from the Westerville
store.)
Visit
the My Very Own Blanket website here to read about
how these soft fleece blankets enrich the lives of foster
childrenby giving them a feeling of comfort and security.
SEPTEMBER
15, 2020: LEADERSHIP AND GIFTED EDUCATION
On
Thursday, September 25, 2020, Gamma members gathered
online in a Zoom meeting, allowing us to be "together"
while safely staying apart.
Pat
Farrenkopf gave a presentation, and here are her
words to the chapter members:
"My
name is Patricia Farrenkopf and I love my job. Even
after 47 years of serving in education as a teacher
and administrator, I wake up in the morning looking
forward to the day - even in a Pandemic.
After
over 30 years of adjunct status with Ashland University,
I became a professional instructor for the College of
Education, Department of Doctoral Studies and Advanced
Programs. Ashland University has eight satellite locations
in Ohio and Michigan. Main campus is in Ashland, Ohio.
I
have an office at main campus at the Dwight Schar College
of Education and also at the Columbus satellite campus.
With the Pandemic, I have been teaching online courses
in Educational Leadership, Gifted Curriculum and Program
Development, and serving on dissertation committees.
I
am currently conducting follow up research on my dissertation
topic of Gifted Identity Development. I have found all
24 of the fifth grade students who were in my original
study who are now seniors in high school and freshmen
in college.
I
have served co director of the Martin
W. Essex School for the Gifted. My Ashland University
colleague and I wrote a High Impact grant to move this
summer experience to Ashland University from Otterbein
University.
Finally,
I am the owner of ProGift-ify
TM. I have written books and educational tools to support
parents and teachers as they support their gifted learners.
As
C.S. Lewis once said, 'You are never too old to set
another goal or to dream a new dream.'"
FEBRUARY
8, 2020: MAKING AND DONATING FLEECE BLANKETS
See
video slideshow below for more photos.
On
Saturday, February 8, Gamma Chapter members gathered
at JoAnn Fabrics at Polaris to participate in a project
to help MyVeryOwnBlanket.org,
a non-profit organization who provides handmade blankets
for children who are in the foster care system.
My
Very Own Blanket was started in 1999 by Jessica Rudolph,
and has been dedicated to warming the heart of every
child in the foster care system with a blanket that
gives them a feeling of comfort, security, and most
of all, a SMILE for 20 years.
Gamma
Chapter members each worked on cutting "fringe"
along opposite edges of a piece of colorful fleece and
then tying each strip of fabric in a single knot to
create a pretty edge that will be durable. We discovered
that working together allowed us to produce more blankets
than we thought possible. At the end of our meeting,
we had created more than 20 new blankets to donate to
foster children.
A
special part of the blanket is a label that is sewn
on one side. It allows the person who created the blanket
to write his or her own name and also write a short
message of hope or comfort for the child who receives
the gift. As we all know from our own childhood experiences,
a soft, warm blanket can be much more than just a piece
of fabric to keep us from being cold; it is also a source
of comfort, security, and in some cases, love.
In
2019, My Very Own Blanket set and met the goal of providing
20,000 blankets to children who need them! Congratulations
to everyone who worked so hard to achieve such a lofty
objective! Their goal for 2020 is to produce and donate
25,000 blankets.
Gamma
Chapter welcomed representatives from Royal
Family Kids Camp on Saturday, November 16 at the
MCL Cafeteria in Upper Arlington. Pictured above are
Krista May, Jessica Dale, and Jessica Slone.
Royal
Family Kids Camp was founded in 2002 and creates
life-changing moments for children in Franklin County
by reversing the effects of child abuse and neglect.
Serving
children from ages 7-11 years, the camp offers swimming,
sports and games, woodworking, hiking, a birthday party
for all campers, and more.
RFK
of Franklin County is a key partner with Franklin County
Children Services.
Above:
Jessica Dale and Krista May discuss the goals of Royal
Family Kids Camp.
SEPTEMBER
14, 2019: LEAP OF FAITH
On
Saturday, September 14, 2019, Gamma Chapter members
visited the Leap
of Faith Dance Company to learn about their work
and enjoy a performance by three of the dancers.
Leap
of Faith Dance Company was established by Dave and Kelley
Haney in 2003. Their vision was to establish a family
ministry to deliver on their Mission Statement: Our
goal is to use the talents we have been blessed with
to help children have fun, learn to dance, and understand
valuable life lessons through scripture and Christian
music .
Leap
of Faith offers instruction in contemporary, ballet/pointe,
tap/stomp, jazz, hip hop and breaking for all levels
from beginner through master.
Below
are photos submitted to us by Leap of Faith, documenting
our morning with them. We thank Taiylor Preston
for the photographs.
JUNE
11, 2019 MEETING: URBAN ARTS SPACE
On
June 11, 2019, we met atUrban
Arts Space located at 50 W. Town Street.
Robert
Turrin and Lizzie Howald were our tour
guides of the gallery, garden rooftop, and the
building's history and renovation to its environmental
Gold Status.
On
exhibit in the gallery were artworks of Ohio State
emeritus faculty, H. Ike Okafor-Newsum, Robert
J. Stull, and Pheoris West. The exhibit was entitled
"Start At Home: Influence, Commitment, Integrity."
The
slideshow below features our chapter enjoying
the interaction with our guides and the beauty
of this special gallery.
GAMMA
MEMBERS ATTEND CONVENTION - APRIL 2019
The
Alpha Delta State Convention was held from
Aprl 5 -7, 2019 at the Columbus Polaris Hilton.
Several Gamma Chapter members attended.
Please
click each photo to enlarge it.
L-R:
Dorene Henschen, Katherine Wheeler, Linda
Reuhrmund, Michele Koenig, Janet Halter, Joanne
Katonak, Willa Mullins, Judy Valentine, Linda
Wright
MARCH
2, 2019: FABRIC ARTWORK WITH DKG LOGO
On
Saturday, March 2, 2019, we met at Michele Koenig's home
for a business meeting, followed by an art class, during
which Michele taught us how to create unique Delta Kappa
Gamma logo garments using fabric markers, stamps, fabric
paint, and stencils. Chapter members created shirts, scarves,
bags, and other items with the DKG rose on them. Below
you can see our Gamma Chapter members creating their masterpieces.
FEBRUARY
2: INITIATION
OF DIANE HENDRICKSON
Willa
Mullins, Reba Barney, Diane Hendrickson, Dorene
Henschen, Linda Ruehrmund
Gamma
Chapter welcomes new member Diane Hendrickson!
On
February 2, 2019, our new initiate, Diane
Hendrickson, brought her guest, Tammy Jewell,
to discuss God's
Hygiene Help Center, which is a local non-profit
organization dedicated to providing hygiene, dignity,
and hope to those in need with the compassion of Jesus.
Tammy's compelling life story inspired and educated
our chapter members, and gave us an insight into the
needs of many individuals in our area who are in need
of the most basic of personal supplies.
Through
Upper Arlington Lutheran Church and Diane's help, Tammy
established God's Hygiene as a nonprofit organization.
She collects and distributes all kinds of personal care
products to those who simply cannot afford to buy them.
God's
Hygiene is located at 3016 Howey Road, Columbus OH 43224,
and Tammy helps people by appointment. Gods Hygiene
Help Center is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization,
and your donations are tax deductible.