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ECHOES
Epsilon Sigma Alpha in South Dakota Fall 2021
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Sheba’s Theme - 2021-2022 Empower Your Journey with ESA My goals this year are to celebrate Sisterhood and Empower Your Journey with ESA. I think it is more important than ever to reach out and stay connected with our members. We have found that we can do that with Virtual meetings, social distancing, and other creative ways to get together. Sustainability will be my key goal with our chapters. I encourage members to get together just to socialize with minimal meeting agendas. Spend your time visiting, catching up with each other and being in the moment. Most of our ESA projects are well organized and ready to go without spending hours in meetings getting ready. And if you have to wing it, then wing it!! It will be fine ☺.
Enjoy this beautiful Fall weather we are having, and I will see you at Fall Council.
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I have had the pleasure of visiting with the following chapters so far:
Alpha Lambda with Maryln Harnois and Sisters in July. They were celebrating their 75
thAnniversary and it was pleasure to be able to join them for supper and friendship. Lambda Lambda with Shelley Huber and Sisters, Crave in Sioux Falls.
We enjoyed a wonderful meal and dessert. Of note, our server Ashley received an ESA Scholarship from our Chapter many years ago. Alpha Chi with Lori Morris and My own Chapter sisters celebrating the end of summer with friendship, wine and great conversations. I am looking forward to meeting in person or virtually with Alpha Alpha, Beta Alpha and Theta Omega in the future.
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Fall Council Request – Please be sure to bring a written or typed copy of your report. Ashley our State Secretary will not be attending so this will help with recording keeping. Thank you, Sheba
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SHEBA’S LIST OF
Dates to Remember and Plea and Miscellany
Fall Council, September 25, 10:00 to 2:00, Trinity Lutheran Church Vermillion.
Sally Schmitz, Chair
MARC Conference, October 8-9, 2021. Wichita, KS
Vice-President position still open. Please contact Sheba if you or someone you know would be interested in this position.
Membership
Do you know someone who is ready to change their life while helping others?
Do you know someone who wants to make their community a better place to live?
If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then it is time to ask that person to join ESA!
E-mail Sheba or Shelley or call 970-223-2824 to speak with an ESA representative.
[email protected]
[email protected]
Excellent sources for information:
South Dakota ESA website: www.sodakesa.org Midwest Area Regional Conference: www.marc.org
ESA International Council: https://www.epsilonsigmaalpha.org/about/ic-council
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3 WELCOME TO THE ESA SOUTH DAKOTA FALL COUNCIL MEETING
HOSTED BY THETA OMEGA - VERMILLION
When: Saturday, September 25
th10:00 am to 12:30 pm Where: Trinity Lutheran Church
816 E Clark St.
Vermillion, SD 57069
All events will be held in the Askeland Lounge
(west end of the church)Sheba is making arrangements to offer the meeting virtually for anyone not able to personally attend.
There will be round tables with only 4-5 people per table.
9:30 am Continental breakfast 10:00 am Meeting
12:30 pm Salad Luncheon-coffee, iced tea
If you have dietary limitations please feel free to bring your own sack lunch and/or beverage.
No Registration Fee BUT
we are asking Chapter Presidents to please provide an attendee count by September 17
thSally Schmitz - [email protected]
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MARC Conference – “A Medley of Leadership, Lyrics and Laughter”
Claudia Hatton, President = She is a HOOT!
October 7 – Tour Wichita KS ahead of Conference
October 8 – Leadership and Laughter, Passageways, Heartsprings,
Fire Prevention, “Notes to Self” Keynote speaker, Grease Sing-Along October 9 – Business and Installation
Visit www.esamarc.org for more information and registration form.
Registration must be in by September 9
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$150 for Conference and Leadership
$109 rooms, plus tax. Hyatt Regency Wichita. 316-293-1234
Barb Campbell and Luann Ouellette will be our representatives with Emmy Neustrom as President’s alternate.
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Report on the 74th IC Convention
“Talk Derby with ESA”. LeAnn Wray, IC President and “Wray’s Rockettes”
July 28
th, Louisville, KY
Thanks for the privilege of attending the ESA International Council Convention.
The last time I attended was in 2004-05, 17 years ago with Rosalie Griffin as IC President.
Of course, there were several fun workshops, ESAer’s Crazy Derby Hats and Kindness Rock Painting.
The keynote speaker, Kim Michele Richardson, gave her presentation virtual on the book she had written, “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek”. LeAnn and committee did an awesome job asking questions and entertaining the crowd. The book is an excellent read and I would recommend it.
The St. Jude Race Challenge was well attended as was the Horse race event. None
of my horses won but it would be a fun event to sponsor. There will be more
information to share on Easter Seals and Hope for Heroes at a later date.
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The workshop on membership was excellent! The website is new and improved with links to all projects we are affiliated with. I always enjoy the Flag Ceremony and Circle of Life service, all well done.
Robin Bussey of South Carolina along with Robin’s Wings were installed on Saturday night. Robin is the 2021-22 IC President.
I can’t share everything now – so stay tuned for more exciting news that will be shared at Fall Council in regard to South Dakota’s achievements during Shelley Huber’s year – “On the Move”. I will have the Convention booklet with
information at Fall Council for those who are interested.
IC Convention is always fun to attend as you meet new people, connect with old friends, learn new things and celebrate the past years success.
IC Convention Report by Sheba
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ALPHA LAMBDA Celebrated the 75th Anniversary of their June 24, 1946 Chartering SD ESA President Sheba joined the girls for dinner on June 24th. Candles on cupcakes were lighted and pictures were taken to preserve the memory.
Alpha Lambda first chartered with 28 members in 1946. Today the chapter has 10 active members and one associate member. Most of the ladies are nearing 80 or are over. We have three members who have each served ESA over 50 years. The chapter remains very active in the Vermillion community.
No-more large Bazaars, or bike rides…Yes, we have slowed down. But our spirit is still there as we support Domestic Violence Safe Options Services, Civic Council, Vermillion Grade Schools, Food Pantry, Saint Jude’s, Evan’s Diaper Project as well as other projects with special needs.
It has been an honor to serve our community and SD ESA.
Maryln Harnois
Alpha Lambda President
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7 FROM OUR CHAPTERS
ALPHA CHI …
As I’m sure is the same for most chapters we’ve had a quiet year in our ESA group. We decided to forgo
monthly meetings throughout the winter and instead corresponded via texting and email. We certainly missed the monthly gatherings with each other that we were used to!
This past June we once again organized a 5k race in conjunction with our local Quarry Days celebration in Dell Rapids.
This was the 15th year for the run/walk.
Most of our participants are local, how- ever we always have a few from sur- rounding communities as well. It is always fun to see many ages for our early morning event. We cheered runners from ages 5 to 65. All participants receive a t-shirt and top
finishers of each age group receive a medal. Proceeds from this event are given back to various community projects/groups each year.
A couple of members have hosted deck nights so we could enjoy the beautiful summer weather and enjoy being
together like ‘old’ times. We look forward to meeting as usual this coming year.
Our next project is Christmas For Our Kids. We will begin the planning for this at our October meeting.
I hope you all enjoy the last few weeks of summer!
Lori Morris, President
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ALPHA LAMBDA …
Despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic, our chapter has met every month, either virtually or in person.
At the virtual April 1 meeting the
following officers were installed: Maryln Harnois, President; Dorothy Wright, Secretary; and Samantha O’Kelley, Treasurer.
The following members celebrated service years: Audrey Gillen, 50, Dorothy Wright, 40 years, Thelma Raines, 25 and Maxine Rogers, 10. We continue to present philanthropic funds to various community entities and schools. By-Laws and Standing Rules were updated by Maryln and Samantha and approved by the members.
8 The first in-person meeting was held
May 6 at El Fredo with Carol as hostess.
Roll call was answered by a one-word reply ‘What is your favorite flower?’ All members were present. It is planned to celebrate our chapter’s 75th anniversary with dinner out on June 24. Maryln gave the chapter a great account on the virtual state convention. Carol gave the educational on how COVID has
impacted her life.
Our June 3 meeting was held at Dorothy’s house. Roll call was answered with ‘What is your favorite animal other than one’s pet?’ Sharon reports on the Civic Council (thrift store), and the Food Pantry each month.
Luann reports on DVSOS. Maryln reported our philanthropic figures:
Hours, 1860; Monies, $928 and Miles:
708. The educational presented by Dorothy was her thoughts on how COVID had affected her life.
The July 1 meeting, hosted by Audrey, was held at the Pizza Ranch. Roll call was answered by ‘What location have you always wanted to visit?’ Sandie Sullivan (DVSOS) provided us a list of items needed for people using DVSOS services. Audrey gave the educational on COVID’s effect on her and the com- plex where she lives. We were honored to have our State President, Sheba, attend our 75th anniversary dinner held at Hartford Steak Co. on June 24.
On August 5 our meeting was held at the City Library with Luann has hostess.
Roll call was answered with ‘What is your favorite dessert?’ Sharon D
reported drop-off donations at the Civic Council are accepted on Wednesday and Saturdays. She reported the Food
Pantry needs volunteers. DVSOS:
Luann reported they are always busy and need basic personal items.
ECHOES first issue is due September 1.
Luann reminded us to update our philanthropic hours. Plans are being made for our Christmas Brunch. Luann gave the educational on how COVID affected her personally.
You see the educational answers… the members selected how COVID
impacted you for the year’s theme.
Dorothy Wright, Secretary
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THETA OMEGA …
We are looking forward to seeing you here in Vermillion on Saturday,
September 25th for Fall Council. Details are shared in another article in this issue of the ECHOES. We sincerely hope that Covid will not prevent members from around the state from joining us.
Theta Omega, like the rest of South Dakota’s ESA Chapters, has had a very different year. We were unable to hostess the 2019 and 2020 Tour of Tables for St. Jude nor were able to hold our She Said Yes to the Dress bridal style show in November of 2020..all due to the Covid Pandemic.
We were able have our annual Giving Tree Project for the children of Clay County thanks to the efforts of co-chairs Trudy Anthofer and Lois Nygaard and the computer skills of Bonita Manger.
They are already getting their act
together to get this year’s project up and running.
9 We are hoping there will not be a
resurgence of the pandemic so we can hold a Tour of Tables next Spring. That, of course, remains to be seen.
This summer we have been a very social group. On May 26th a group of us gathered at the Bluff View Cemetery for a walk among the graves. It was a beautiful evening and the rain held off until we were getting in our cars to leave. So much fun and good
conversation!! On June 28th we had a going away party at Prentis Park for our sister, Sue Scott. She and Bob have moved back to his home state of Arkansas. We will miss her as a
member AND a number of us are having to find new hair stylists…not the easiest task after years and years of her great service. Finally, we had a hot dog and marshmallow roast out in the country at the home of Bonita Manger’s brother on August 4th. We sat around the fire pit to eat and do some catching up with each other. We had a lot of laughs and lots of good food besides the hot dogs and s’mores.
Hoping to see many of you here in Vermillion on September 25th, Barb Campbell, President
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LAMBDA LAMBDA …
Our first Zoom meeting was July 25, 2020 for Barb, Emmy and Luann to share their experience at the 2020 Virtual IC Convention. Was great to
see
LeAnn Wray, who has visited South Dakota, installed IC President.
We’ve re-elected Shelley as President and Luann as Secretary then elected Sandie as Treasurer.
State Convention 2022 is “ours” to plan and host … certainly hope that we’ll be able to meet in person.
At a recent meeting we selected the book, THE LITTLE OLD LADY WHO BROKE ALL THE RULES BY Ingelmar- Sunberg as our READ … unfortunately we expected a Miss Julia, whom we loved, and this book was not it. We’ll look for another one that attracts and keeps our attention so we have something to discuss.
Emmy was going to report on IC
Convention in Louisville but was unable to attend our meeting.
On August 12 Shelley, Sandie and Luann entertained State President Sheba at CRAVE in Sioux Falls. Short crew for State President’s visit but Emmy had a sprain that required Urgent Care, Jess was working, JoAnn and Barb vacationing, and Kathy lives in MO. Had a great time catching up and hearing about IC Convention from Sheba.
Hope we are able to attend Fall Council in person … we are looking forward to seeing many of you there as Sheba presides.
Luann Ouellette, Secretary
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DISASTER FUND
Changes are coming for Disaster Fund and new information will be on the IC website soon. The biggest change is this; if a person has a need to apply for funds, they will send the application directly to the IC Jr. Past President, currently that is LeAnn Wray. We will not be asking the Chapter President to sign off, or the State
President to sign off. Reason being, HIPPA laws, privacy laws and it is not something anyone needs to know about except the person applying and the person determining if all criteria have been met.
If you have any questions regarding the new process, please contact me, but I do not require any personal information. I would be happy to answer questions on the process or paperwork.
Shelley
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Vice-President position still open. Please contact Sheba if you or someone you know would be interested in this position.
Membership
Do you know someone who is ready to change their life while helping others?
Do you know someone who wants to make their community a better place to life?
If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then it is time to ask that person to join ESA!
Email Sheba or Shelley or call 970-223-2824 to speak with an ESA representative.
[email protected]
[email protected]
Excellent sources for information:
South Dakota ESA website: www.sodakesa.org Midwest Area Regional Conference: www.marc.org
ESA International Council: https://www.epsilonsigmaalpha.org/about/ic-council
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From Tarah Eliason:
We have two upcoming events that I would love for you to consider
participating in. First up is the St. Jude Walk/Run on September 25th, 2021.
Remember, if you raise $100 you will receive this year's awesome t-shirt!
Register today for the virtual or in person event option.
epsilonsigmaalpha.org/stjudewalk
Secondly, is my favorite event of the year!
Did you know the St. Jude Memphis Marathon is the biggest one-day fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital? Be
a part of this awesome experience on December 4, 2021! We are celebrating 20
years of this fantastic fundraiser and this year it's also available virtually with options
of a 5k/ 10k/ 1/2 and full marathon.
heroes.stjude.org/TeamESA
