beta theta chatta and news

DELTA KAPPA GAMMA
11/9/2013
EDITION 16, VOLUME 2
BETA THETA CHATTA AND NEWS
What: November Meeting
Where: Ronald McDonald House
community room
When: Saturday, November 9,
9:00AM
Fall is here and it is time for our second business
meeting of the year! Come for a light breakfast at
9:00 and socialize with us all. Then be ready for a
jam packed business meeting and delightful
speaker.
This is the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Our speaker
will talk about the involvement of women in the Gettysburg battle. Be sure
that you don’t miss this one. See more information about our guest
speaker on page 4.
Found in this
issue:

Everybody Please Come!

View from the Barn

Beta Theta Shares

November Guest
Speaker

Beta Theta Projects

Ronald McDonald
House

Bon Ton Community
Days
Thanksgiving is the holiday that inspires our basket
raffle this Saturday. Anyone can donate a basket full
of goodies to raffle and/or be ready to purchase
chances. Remember if you won a basket last year,
you need to fill it again and bring it along. The proceeds benefit the scholarship fund.
Our Books for Foose program continues. Thanks to Sue Bay for collecting and
distributing those books for us. Also, new teachers in Elizabethtown will be our special
friends this year. Bring along some goodies that an early career educator would enjoy
and we’ll put together a lovely bag for each of them. Thanks to Julie Ditzler for being
our contact there.
We have Cottage meetings and Field Trips planned. See how you can be Engaged,
Equipped and Empowered!
We are looking forward to seeing you Saturday.

Websites to Remember

A Fashion Show
Invitation

SEE

Four Chapter Meeting

It’s a Wrap!

Community Project

Checklist

Book Club

Christmas Get Together

Grant-In-Aide

Basket Raffle

Calendar

Where I’m From

September Minutes
Are we all too busy to get involved with our support organization?
Are we burnt out? Are we bored? Does it take to much energy? Is
it too complicated to schedule all of the events in our lives? Is it no
longer important to us?
I’m feeling like Carrie Bradshaw as she sits at her laptop in her NYC apartment as I pose these questions. I remember
about 8 years ago when Marlene approached me about becoming a part of Delta Kappa Gamma (I must admit that
remembering the Greek words took me a good 3 years or more to remember them) . I felt so honored to be asked to be
a part of this society. To be considered a “key” woman educator was a distinction that filled me with such pride. I was
thrilled that I would be able to “give back” to the occupation that had provided me the funds to take care of my family
and the work that forged my adult identity. After all, I have been a teacher for the majority of my life: longer than being
a wife or mother. As I traveled through different positions in Beta Theta and discovering what this organization does and
aspires to do, it became apparent to me that active members are the lifeblood of any organization. It doesn’t matter if
the purpose of the group is business, social, political, advocacy, religious or any other goal. Without active members, the
organization will die a natural death.
I have spent a lot of time thinking about why there are members of Beta Theta that have apparently lost interest in
keeping our chapter vital. Have we (the officers) not communicated what our goals are? Are our actions not aligned with
the words that we say? Do we all have the same idea of what our goals should be? Is it communicated to our
membership how Beta Theta as an organization adds value to our community? Is there a lack of relationship between
our membership and the organization? Do our members feel like they are a part of Beta Theta and Delta Kappa
Gamma? Or do most of us not make the connection with ourselves as individuals?
We have established goals and programs that benefit our community, our members and the education of our area. Is
this enough? Is it too much? Are the results of our activities communicated clearly so the membership knows that we
are moving towards the goal in question?
Do we have an organized plan to keep our members engaged? Organizations that do not plan for retaining members
likely lose members faster than any other group. Member retention requires planning and action! Do our members
know that they matter and someone cares enough to tell them? Do you feel like you are a part of a larger cause in Beta
Theta? Is there a better way we can have you feel more involved? If the officers are not doing what you feel we should
be so that you want to take a bigger part in Beta Theta activities, please let any of us know! We are doing our best to
embrace the new technologies of communication: email, internet, our very own website (have you checked it out?), and
to remain connected to all of our members through mailings also. Is it easier to forget to look at the newsletter when it
comes as an email attachment than when it comes in the mail?
DKG’s Mission Statement is: The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal
growth of women educators and excellence in education.
Are we staying true to our ideals? Can we all work on them…together? We have an organization of very special and
talented women. What each of you brings to the table is always astonishing and often, jaw-dropping! I say, let’s spread
the wealth!
Beta theta ShareS….”What I dId
over my summer vacation!
Went to Alpha Alpha State Convention and NE Regional in Portland, ME. (Rosemary)
Vacationed at the beach with my grandchildren. Lots of camping on our 5th wheel. Fun in the sun… (Kathy Dunn)
I attended my husband’s (Corry, PA) and my own (West Chester, PA) 50th HS class reunions! Great
reminiscing! A week at the shore with all of my children & grandchildren. Lots of golf with great
friends! (Stephany)
Knited scarves, cowls and ONE sock! (Louise)
Made several trips to the Deleware Beaches. Visited family in New York’s Southern Tier. Kept the family zoo supplied
with bird seed & hummingbird nectar. (Linda)
Family Reunion at my house. A Backyard Open House for 100 people! DKG Convention in Portland, ME and welcomed
Hospice of Central PA. (Norma)
My “Drag Queen” summer! Saw a Drag Queen show in Key West and then saw “Kinky Boots” on Broadway.
(Donna)
Had hip replacement surgery in June and spent July & August doing PT. Did attend State Exec. Comm.
Meeting in Aug. at State College. (Suzanne)
Took care of my husband. (Marlene)
Went to Raystown Lake with family for presentation of award to my mother
for over 40 years of service to Job’s Daughters. And then to Deep Creek
Lake, Ocean City, MD twice and for our 7th Anniversary to Detroit to see
the Phillies play! I’m going to be a Grandma!!! (Cristal)
Relaxed on the beach, helped daughter move to Ohio, spent 2 weeks helping her unpack, then to Orlando for a week with my grandchildren,
returned to find our pool VERY green & spent 2 weeks cleaning the pool! Canned tomatoes and froze spaghetti sauce, many times. (Nancy)
Remodeling projects with my newly retired husband!(Julie)
Went to Wildwood & Ocen City, MD, worked at Theater Harrisburg, went to NYC to see “Newsies” on Broadway, lots of gardening, 2 Beta Theta Book Club
meetings, cared for my Dad and his house. (Gaye)
Recovered from knee surgery, attended State & NE Regional (Portland, ME), and GOLFED! (Shirley N.)
Our guest speaker for our November meeting is an expert in Gettysburg history. Mrs. Joann Lewis is a
featured speaker with the National Park Service. She is well known for her exposes on the" Women of
Gettysburg during the Battle of Gettysburg.” Since this is the 150th-year anniversary of the Battle, we are
very fortunate to have this program presented just for us during this busy Gettysburg Park season. Joann lives
in Hagerstown, Maryland. You won’t want to miss this!!!
Don’t forget our Projects!
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Little dresses for Africa
Books for Foose
SEE: Support for new teachers (this year: Elizabethtown SD)
Literacy training for parents of young children in SteeltonHighspire SD
Grant-in-aide: Lauren Denk: supporting the future of
teachers in Central PA
Raffle Baskets
Don’t forget! This is the meeting where we raffle off some baskets
At Hershey, PA
Toys & Recreational Items:
NEW toys and games for children of all ages (i.e.
Barbie dolls, Lego kits, hand-held electronic toys,
and infant toys. Coloring books, adult
crossword/game books, passes to local attractions,
& family DVD’s (G to PG-13 Rating).
Please NO Playdoh, chalk, foam stickers or used
stuffed animals or toys. 
Gift Cards for Purchase of Food & Supplies:
Giant, Karns Quality Foods, KMart, Sheetz, Turkey
Hill, Wal-Mart, Weis, and prepaid long distance
telephone cards.
Meals and Baked Goods:
Our families are grateful to have meals provided
for them. Families, groups of friends, clubs, civic
organizations, and church groups prepare meals at
Food Items:
Single Serving foods: cereal, microwave
the House each day for our families. All meals and
foods/entrees, breakfast bars, and healthy snacks;
the Ronald McDonald House®. Please call (717) 533-
i.e. trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, etc. Pretzels,
4001 Ext 158 to schedule a breakfast or dinner for
crackers, toaster pastries, juice boxes, fresh fruit,
our families.
slice & bake cookies. Non-dairy creamer. Please NO
baked goods must be prepared commercially or at
popcorn or gum. 
Cash Donations:
For general day-to-day operations of the Hershey
House Supply Items:
Corelle “Winter Frost White” dishes, large
Family Room®.
Tupperware or Rubbermaid food storage
containers, disinfectant spray, toilet bowl &
bathroom cleaners, high efficiency (HE) laundry
detergent, dryer sheets, durable paper towels,
napkins, 13-gallon trash bags, resealable or zippered
snack and sandwich bags, gallon freezer bags, 13,
19, & 26-watt compact fluorescent bulbs, night
lights and bulbs, disposable “to go” containers,
disposable gloves, and hair nets.
Hygiene Items:
Travel-size shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, body
wash, deodorant, shaving cream, etc. Hairbrushes,
lip balm, adult toothbrushes & toothpaste, men’s &
women’s disposable razors.
Volunteer:
Our Volunteers are vital to our day-to-day
operations. Please consider becoming a Volunteer
at the Ronald McDonald House or the Ronald
McDonald Family Room. Contact Pam Vesce at
(717) 533-4001 Ext. 158.
Gift Registry:
www.kohls.com and www.jcpenney.com First name
(Ronald) last name (McDonald). Any questions,
contact Deb Stegall at (717) 533-4001 Ext 152. Gift
Cqrds are also welcome!
SERVICES NEEDED:
Licensed plumber or deeply discounted labor on
plumbing services.
Office Items:
1st Class or Forever stamps, 8 ½ x 11” copy paper,
Staples or Office Max gift cards.
WE CAN ONLY ACCEPT NEW/UNUSED ITEMS AND NON-EXPIRED FOOD PRODUCTS - THANK YOU! For more
information about our organization, or to donate online, please visit our website at: www.rmhc-centralpa.org 745 West
Governor Road Hershey, PA 17033-2304 Phone: (717) 533-4001 © 2012 McDonald’s Rev. 2/20/12
From the Bon-Ton!
November 15 & 16: Community Days
WEBSITES TO KNOW & REMEMBER
BETA THETA WEB SITE
http://betathetaharrisburg.weebly.com
ALPHA ALPHA STATE WEBSITE
http://www.alphaalphapa.com
DELTA KAPPA GAMMA INTERNATIONAL WEBSITE
http://www.dkg.org
Exciting NEW Idea for
Raising!!! A Fashion Show!!!
Fund
Who: Beta Theta and Beta Iota Together
When: March 29 (Saturday) @ Lunchtime
Where: Colonial Country Club
With: Fashions of Coldwater Creek and Pegona
Designs
What: A Luncheon and Show and extras
We need to create a committee with Beta Iota to
put this all together. Planning begins after the Nov.
9 meeting. This should be a lot of fun.
SEE: Support for Early Career Educators
Don’t forget to bring your donated “teacher” supplies to the Nov. 9 meeting! They will be given to new
teachers at Elizabethtown School District. Last year, we filled 9 BIG bags for teachers at
Steelton-Highspire! Let’s show our support and enthusiasm for these newbies!
Assembly will be at Donna’s house after we go to dinner at Isaac’s at TecPort to support our Grantin-aide. A percentage of those dining at Isaac’s who be donated to our Beta Theta Chapter.
Four Chapter Meeting
Our semi-annual meeting which is visited by the Alpha Alpha President is approaching! It
is on April 12 at Rillo’s in Carlisle. Our job: provide the music (entertainment), of course. So
Performing Arts Committee, get your thinking caps on! More details later.
The Premier Jewelry Party was a great success! We had around 16 of our
members participate in this fund raiser for our Grant-in-aide. The jewelry will be
delivered at the Nov. 9 meeting. It is really lovely stuff! Our thanks to all who
ordered. Our profit will be announced at the meeting also.
Our Community Project:
Beta theta members have been trying to organize a project in
conjunction with Mary’s Helpers and the Steelton-Highspire School
District to set up a kind of reading literacy/”teaching your child to
read” program. We have found a wonderful program to help us with
this. It just needs to be organized. We do know that MANY of us will
be needed to carry this out. I hope you are as excited about this as
we are. More at the meeting on Saturday!
Checklist for the November 9 Meeting:
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Wear your pin
Bring your Beta Theta Yearbook
Bring your book and Mini Pages for Books for Foose
Donations for Mary’s Helpers (for Norma)
Old State and International Publications
Donations for McDonald House
Bring your soda can tabs
Like to read? Join the Beta Theta Book Club!
Beta Theta Book Club met on Friday, October 18th at 2:00 pm for fellowship and discussion of Light
Between Oceans by M L Stedman at Shirley’s home.
Our next book will be Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and we’ll meet on Friday, January 10 at
2:00 pm for another lively discussion, snacks and beverages at Shirley’s home, 921 Butler Ct.,
Hummelstown. Please email Shirley ([email protected]) by January 3rd if you plan to be present.
When: Tuesday. Dec. 10: 6:00
Where: Warwick Hotel, Hummelstown
What: Just a time to celebrate the season together
Grant-in Aide Selection
Lauren Denk, our present Grant-in-aide will be graduating to fulfill her goal in acquiring a teaching
job. That means we will be in the position to find another young lady pursuing her degree in
education. Please check your network so we can help a quality candidate!
Basket Raffle!
Don’t forget! The November Meeting is our “Giving” Meeting! We will have
beautiful baskets to raffle off that will benefit our Grant-in-aide! Which one
will YOU try to get?
EVENTS TO MARK IN YOUR CALENDARS!!!
 Meeting: Sat., Nov. 9 @ 9:30
 Isaac’s Dinner Fund Raiser: Tues., Nov. 12 (any time) @ Tec Port
 Putting together of gift bags to new teacher at E-town SD right after @
Donna’s house: Tues., Nov. 12
 Christmas Dinner Social: Tues., Dec. 10: 6:00 @ The Warwick House in
Hummelstown
 Wellness Meeting (with Visit from Lauren Denk, our Grant-in-aide): Mar. 8
 Fashion Show, with Beta Iota: Mar. 29 @ Colonial Country Club
 Four Chapter Meeting: April 12 @ Rillos’ in Carlisle
Remember our “Where I’m From” Project?
Have you completed yours yet? Please contact Donna so she can plan for your addition to the
agenda!
This will be cool way for us to leave our legacy, please get yours done now! Go to
http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html for more info.
If you need the template, here it is:
The WHERE I'M FROM Template
I am from _______ (specific ordinary item), from _______ (product name) and _______.
I am from the _______ (home description... adjective, adjective, sensory detail).
I am from the _______ (plant, flower, natural item), the _______ (plant, flower, natural detail)
I am from _______ (family tradition) and _______ (family trait), from _______ (name of family member)
and _______ (another family name) and _______ (family name).
I am from the _______ (description of family tendency) and _______ (another one).
From _______ (something you were told as a child) and _______ (another).
I am from (representation of religion, or lack of it). Further description.
I'm from _______ (place of birth and family ancestry), _______ (two food items representing your family).
From the _______ (specific family story about a specific person and detail), the _______ (another detail,
and the _______ (another detail about another family member).
I am from _______ (location of family pictures, mementos, archives and several more lines indicating their
worth
Delta Kappa Gamma
Alpha Alpha State, Pennsylvania
Beta Theta Chapter – September
14, 2013
The September meeting of Beta Theta was held at the Ronald McDonald House Community Room in Hershey,
PA. Seventeen members were in attendance.
Hostesses for the meeting were members of the Nomination Committee--Shirley Newhart, Julie Ditzler, Rosemary
Ruhl and Marlene Popnik.
The meeting was called to order at 9:34 a.m. by President Donna Winch. Donna reminded everyone to pick up the
yearbook and many informative handouts. Each member was asked to make corrections on the membership list.
Delta Kappa Gamma, “Queen-For-A-Day,” was Rosemary Ruhl.
Sharing the vision, “Where I’m From,” was Suzanne Long.
Recording Secretary Kathy Dunn reported that the minutes were printed in the newsletter and on the web site. It
was noted that Marlene’s last name was misspelled and the correction was made. The minutes were approved.
Treasurer Nancy Thompson provided a written report adding that a contribution to Pauline Copps’ church will be
made in her memory. The dues for this year are due by October 31, 2013. It was noted that the books are in need
of review. Volunteers will complete that task after today’s meeting.
Committee Reports
Strategic Action - Susan Dempniak, using Powerpoint, showed us what she has accomplished in scanning past
Beta Theta Presidents’ Scrapbooks. The historical records would then be available for all members on our web site.
A vote was taken and unanimously passed for Susan to continue this project.
Ways and Means – Marlene Popnik handled the 50/50 drawing; the winner was Suzanne Long. Rosemary Ruhl
was promoting the Bon-ton Community Day coupon books. Marlene is working with Isaac’s Restaurant for an
additional fundraising opportunity through a coupon-dining program.
Unfinished Business:
Community Service projects
McDonald House Contributions - A complete list of needed items was posted in the newsletter. We were
reminded that a monetary contribution could also be made. Today’s donations were placed on the shelves in the
back of the meeting room.
Books for Foose - Sue Bay will continue our reading program by taking the books and mini pages to the
Elementary School. A collection basket for the books is on the table in the meeting room.
Prince of Peace Clothing - Norma Mateer continues to take our donations for clothing and household items.
Norma encourages us to think of warm clothing to donate this fall.
Support of Early-Career Teachers – We will be collecting materials for early-career teachers at our activities and
meetings during October and November. A motion to present the materials to early-career teachers in the
Elizabethtown School District was made by Norma Mateer and seconded by Marlene Popnik. Motion passed.
Cottage Meetings - Next meeting will be held at Donna Winch’s home, November 12, 2013, at 6:30 p.m.
Organizing and packing gift bags for early-career teachers is on the agenda.
Dresses for Africa - Norma Mateer continues to ask for volunteers to make dresses. Norma is willing to open
her home if anyone is interested in sewing as a group. We have completed 30 dresses; our goal is to send 50 dresses
by the end of this year.
Literacy Grant for Reading in Steelton – Norma Mateer, Marlene Popnik, and Donna Winch (members of the
committee), are planning to attend a symposium. The topic will be “Writing and Applying for Grants.” This is
through the Dauphin County Library System.
New Business
Book Club - Shirley Newhart reports that the book club is presently reading Light Between Oceans, by M.L. Stedman.
They will meet at Shirley’s home October 18, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. The next book will be Orphan Train, by Krista Baker
Kline.
Beta Theta Buddy - President Donna is assigning the members who are present at the meeting to select a missing
member and encourage them to attend activities and meetings.
On the Road Again - On October 1, 2013, an afternoon trip to Roots Market is on the calendar. It was requested
that you invite your absent Beta Theta Buddy.
Ways and Means – An upcoming Premier Jewelry presentation will be at Donna’s home on October 24, 2013;
hosted by Suzanne Long.
Grant-In-Aid – Marlene is going to try to combine this fundraiser with the Isaac Restaurant coupon offer and hold
both events on the same evening. Keep the date, November 12, 2013; times will be announced at a later date.
Membership Committee - Gayle Hicks announced October 13, 2013, is the date for the DKG Tea. She passed
out a detailed handout with all the information to aid us in inviting prospective members to the Tea. The committee
needs each of us to invite one guest to the tea. RSVP October 6, 2013, to co-chairs Anna McDonald or Marcy
Sharpe.
50th Birthday Article - Donna Winch and Kathy Dunn will submit an article to “The Keystonian” highlighting our
May meeting and 50th Birthday celebration.
Program - “Off to Maine,” is a slide show with captions sharing the NE Convention. Rosemary Ruhl, Shirley
Newhart, Marlene Popnik and Norma Mateer were co-presenters.
Adjournment - Following the singing of the DKG song, the meeting was adjourned by President Donna Winch at
11:25 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Kathy Dunn, Recording Secretary