Theta Gamma Thoughts The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Alpha State Texas Volume 43, Number 5 Theta Gamma Chapter # 195 Corpus Christi, Texas: Area V March 30, 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Sisters, As Theta Gamma Sisters, we all know we never say "NO". I think Theo has always reminded us of that. We will present our slate of officers in May for the 2010-2012 biennium. They did not say "NO". They have said "YES". But sometimes it is ok to say "NO". Brenda and Sylvia say "NO" and will continue to heal and thrive. Love, Donna April 20th Meeting Information: We will begin at 5:15 with gathering and refreshments. For a fundraiser to benefit the scholarship fund we will have a theme basket that will be raffled off at the meeting. Tickets may be purchased for $1.00. The business meeting will start promptly @ 5:30. Program Title: Passion for a Network of Mentors and Financial Planning* Theta Gamma welcomes apprentice and novice teachers to join members to form connections with our supportive network of active and retired professionals and to learn from an investment counselor about establishing sound financial planning habits early in their careers. PACE monies will be sent to the International Speakers Fund. The location is --- Jin’s Asian Buffett in Staples Center Here is the link to a map if you need it. http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Corpus+Christi&state=TX&address=4938+S+Staples+St&zipcode=784113809&country=US&latitude=27.710169&longitude=-97.369407&geocode=ADDRESS Baby sitting will be provided for $5 per family. If you need childcare for the meeting please let Donna know by Saturday, April 17th at donnarodenberg@yahoo.com or 361- 215 - 5127. Take the time to find and wear your pin to the next meeting--you earned it. Members still employed are also encouraged to wear theirs to work on the first Monday of every month. Show our organization off to others – we may pick up a new member that way. Minutes of the February Meeting Delta Kappa Gamma Theta Gamma Chapter February 9, 2010 5:15-? Visiting and snack time Donna Rodenburg welcomed everyone to the Tuloso-Midway Middle School Library. Absent members: family- Sylvia Swift, Bettie Mitchell, Laura Day Brown, Leslie Elmore, and Kim Picozzi Illness-Rose Gungi, Susan Peeples, and Iris Estrada Professional-Janice Doughty, Susie Lafevere, Angela Steagall, and Jennifer Krnavek Members present: Beth Adams, Kimberly Brumley, Valarie Buhidar, Shannon Clubb, Margaret DeVille, Angie Flores, Shayla Floyd, Sylvia Gonzalez, Norma Janice, Sheila Jenkins, Brenda Machen, Libby McGee, Kristi Nix, Connie Seago, Nancy Shaheen, Beverly Tackett, Linda Uballe, and Theo Wagner    The minutes from the January 12, 2010 were approved. Nelda Adams was absent, so we did not have a treasurer’s report. The Convention wants us to commit to an amount to help make baskets. Sylvia Gonzalez moved that we pledge $30.00 from Theta Gamma.  Kay Schroeder told us to go see the movie “Dear John”. Her cousin, Marty Bowen, is the producer.  The Convention is in Waco. If you plan to go, make your reservations soon.  MS Walk is March 13. Beth Adams was taking donations and you got a pin if you made a donation.  Cynthia Besosa sent 12 of her decorated forks for door prizes at the Joint Luncheon. They will be put with a jar of homemade pickles, made by Neva Gentry. Members were asked to sponsor a fork for $8.00 each.  Initiation for new members ~ maybe in April.  We collected $68.00 from members to sponsor the forks. We need $96.00 for all 12 forks. [Editor’s note: Only 8 forks were used to match the number of jars of pickles so the collection covered the cost of those forks used and the rest were returned to Sylvia.]  Libby McGee won a key lime pie made by Kay Schroeder.  Beth Adams won the basket, which was a Visa gift card. The basket raffle earned the chapter $83.00.  The Pink Pig in which PACE monies are collected netted $11.76 that will be sent to the Golden Gift Fund. Program - 3 rotations to discuss citizenship and Legislation that affects teachers. 1. Kimberly Brumley discussed the TRS website-www.trs.statetx.us. You will find items of interest before, during and after you retire. There are 5 options to choose from when you retire. There is a calculator to help you decide which plan is best for you. 2. Theo Wagner had a question and answer session. She is a member of Retired Teachers Association. Tim Lee is working for us. He expects Congress to be more open. There is lobbying for us to get our spouse’s social security. 3. Shayla Floyd discussed TEA websites and Social Studies TEKS. They will be changed for the next10 years. They will include changes from how we were taught. All nationalities will be brought into our children’s learning. We adjourned at 7:30 PM. Eileen Rogers Secretary for Theta Gamma Joint Chapters Luncheon Meeting Minutes March 6, 2010 Desiree’s By the Bay Attendance from Theta Gamma-Beth Adams, Brandey Addison, Cynthia Besosa, Laura Day Brown, Kimberly Brumley, Valarie Buhidar, Shannon Clubb, Elnora Corbin, Margaret DeVille, Angie Flores, Neva Gentry, Norma Janice, Susie LaFevre, Libby McGee, Sarah Moore, Donna Rodenberg, Eileen Rogers, Nancy Shaheen, Beverly Tackett, Theo Wagner, Carol Walker, and Rose Gunji. Donna Rodenberg, President, from Theta Gamma gave the welcome and introduced the dignitaries present from each chapter: Kimberly Brumley, Coordinating Council Chair from Theta Gamma, Anna Hutchison, President from Beta Xi, Aneece Hughes, President from Delta Chi, and Barbara Serota, President from Delta Psi. Barbara Stroop, a member of Beta Xi, and our Area V Coordinator brought greetings from Alpha State. She gave an update on coming events. Beverly Tackett gave the inspirational thought for the day-“Helping Hands”. Everyone had a delicious lunch of chicken enchiladas or spinach lasagna, salad and peach cobbler. Kimberly Brumley introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Marsha Grace, from Texas A&M Corpus Christi. She spoke about the goals back in 1929, with Annie Webb Blanton and her eleven followers. They wanted more for women. Those goals are the same for our society in 2010. Donna Rodenberg presented Dr. Grace with three books and a gift certificate to Rainbow Books. Chapter presidents were given the opportunity to make announcements. A big thank you was given to Neva Gentry and Cynthia Besosa for the door prizes. The prizes were jars of homemade pickles made by Neva Gentry and a decorative fork for each jar, done by Cynthia Besosa. The table decorations were also done by Cynthia Besosa and were given away to the guests. We ended our luncheon with the Delta Kappa Gamma song at 1:00 PM. Eileen Rogers Secretary-Theta Gamma Chapter Project – See the Enclosed Flyer Be there at 9:30 AM. Job assignments are being assigned this week as well as handing out flyers. I (Donna) will certainly bring some flyers to the April 20th meeting. Just add a reminder to support our auction Saturday, April 24th @ Driscoll Children's Hospital Auditorium. Bring your friends! Future Meeting Information May 15th Founders and Chapter Birthday Celebration at the home of Kay Schroeder, 15357 Bowsprit which is on the Island at 11:00 AM Area Workshop Area V Fall Workshop in Brownsville, Texas September 18, 2010 "Celebrate Being a DKG Woman" The University of Texas Brownsville & Texas Southmost College Incoming officers will benefit from attending. Information will be forthcoming at our April 20th meeting. Correspondence of interest: Carol, Several people asked for the recipe for the cake I brought to DKG our February meeting. There are many variations of this cake available on Paula Deen's website www.pauladeen.com If you like pumpkin I highly recommend her Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake and her Pumpkin Bar recipe. Enjoy! Connie Seago Double Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake 1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar 3 to 4 tablespoon cocoa powder 1 egg, plus 2 eggs 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix Butter, for greasing pan, plus 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) butter, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup chopped nuts Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13 by 9-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 egg, and 8 tablespoons (1 stick) melted butter, and stir until well blended. Pat mixture into prepared pan and set aside. In a stand mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the remaining 2 eggs, and the cocoa powder. Lower the speed of the mixer, and add the powdered sugar. Continue beating until ingredients are well mixed. Slowly add the remaining 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of melted butter, and the vanilla, continuing to beat the mixture until smooth. Stir in nuts with a rubber spatula. Spread filling over cake mixture in pan. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the cake; the center should still be a little gooey when finished baking. Let cake partially cool on a wire rack before cutting into pieces. Recipe courtesy Paula Deen Servings: 20-24 servings Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 50 min Difficulty: Easy Quick Links Here is the link to our Theta Gamma website http://www.orgsites.com/tx/thetagamma/ where, among lots of other things, you will find the photos taken our meetings. Copy these into your favorite’s browser for quick reference to our society sites: http://www.alphastatetexas.org/ http://www.dkg.org --- the new International Website Educational Foundation Grant Application Deadlines Don’t miss out on money that could be yours! Professional Dev. Seminar Awards --- Nov. 1 Educational Project Grants --- January 2 Go to www.deltakappagamma.net/Foundation for information and application forms. Have You Changed Your Address/Phone/Email? If you have changed anything about your address, phone or email, please notify the following: Carol Walker at 937-3604 or walkerbc64@msn.com and International Headquarters at deltakappagamma.net , click on the for members tab, and then on change of address. Please Share your news (good or bad) with your sisters. Remember we are here to celebrate and support one another. Contact Carol Walker 937 - 3604 or 793-0472 3408 Tahiti Drive, 78418 rwalker13@stx.rr.com Please let me know if I have reported anything in error here. It will not break my heart if you have to correct me.