2008-09 officers announced at Perceptor Omicron Epsilon

During the month of April, Perceptor Omicron Epsilon chapter Beta Sigma Phi participated in two events. On April 8, 2008, the chapter met at the home of Annette Morgan. President Marcella Harkrider presided, calling the meeting to order and leading members in the opening Ritual. Secretary Jennie Daigle read the minutes of the last meeting and The First Lady Banquet and treasurer Yvonne Kennedy reported on club finances.

During the meeting, social chairman Janis Slayter discussed plans for the sweetheart luncheon on April 29 at the Potpourri House in Tyler, and reminded members of the Founder's Day dinner on April 21. Nominees for chapter Perceptor of the Year were made. The winner of this honor will be announced at the Founder's Day banquet.

President Harkrider presented a slate of officers for the 08- 09 year, beginning in August. Those nominated and elected were: president, Annette Morgan; vice president, Debra Albertson; recording secretary, Jennie Daigle; corresponding secretary, Deana Covin; treasurer, Yvonne Kennedy; exemplar, Janis Slayter; city council representatives, Jennifer Utzman and Debra Albertson.

Service chairman Dimples Burns announced a collection of $28 for Helping Hands. Frances Adams invited the chapter to her home for the May meeting. Opal Stewart moved that we honor those members who were cancer survivors with a donation to the Relay for Life. Those members are Dimples Burns, Yvonne Kennedy, Janis Slayter, and Opal Stewart.

Annette Morgan was introduced to give the program. Mrs. Morgan chose as her subject Ruth Bell Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham. Mrs. Morgan used a dvd recording of her life.

The story began with Mrs. Graham's childhood in wartorn China, where she lived with her missionary parents. She witnessed many horrors that only wars can produce. She determined that she was called to be a missionary to Tibet and to remain unmarried. Her parents, nevertheless, sent her off to boarding school an then to college. Fate also had a different plan for her. For here she met, dated -- reluctantly at first -- and married a young Billy Graham. Thus began a lifelong journey that few could imagine.

It has been said that there would have been no Billy Graham as we know him today had it not been for Ruth Graham. The couple had five children, and since Billy was away much of the time with this crusades, she raised them by herself. Her children and others testified that life was her gospel -- she didn't preach, just lived.

Those present were Jennifer Utzman, Debra Albertson, dimples Burns, Opal Stewart, Vivian Patton, Deana Covin, Janis Slayter, Barbara Mabery, Pudge Griffin, Yvonne Kennedy, Marion Dovel, and Annette Morgan.

On April 29, 2008, Perceptor Omicron Epsilon chapter Beta Sigma Phi met at the Potpourri House in Tyler for a luncheon to honor their chapter sweetheart Marcella Harkrider. Members enjoyed lunch and fellowship, and then serenaded Mrs. Hardrider with "Let Me Call You Sweetheart," followed by a comical version of the song by Opal Stewart. Last year's sweetheart, Vivian Patton, presented Mrs. Harkrider with a gift. Those present were Marcella Harkrider, Yvonne Kennedy, Janis Slayter, Frances Adams, Dimples Burns, Vivian Patton, Roberta Boggs, Marion Dovel, and Opal Stewart.