Newspaper Articles
Alpha Beta Meeting May 7, 2024
Early Career and Future Educators Celebrated by Chapter
by Carol Hughes
Alpha Beta Chapter members of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society met at the Chenoa United Methodist Church on May 7 to celebrate the accomplishments of early career teachers and future teachers with awards.
Louann Harms presented Early Career Educator awards of $100 each to four teachers. April Worner who teaches 7th grade English Language Arts at Eureka Middle School will improve her classroom library with new books and purchase candy rewards for those who read extra books. Mollie Baner who teaches 5th grade ELA at Eureka Middle School will buy updated books that students have requested for her classroom library. Chapter member, Kendall Fulop, who teaches at Low Point-Washburn Elementary will use the grant for student rewards, art supplies, and classroom library books.
Brandi Edwards who teaches Family and Consumer Science at Eureka High School says the grant will help the program between her students and children (ages 3-10) along with their teachers and parents who are invited three times a year, two days each (Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, spring) to her classroom. Her students create engaging hands-on-culinary arts/cooking lessons along with other types of lessons involving art, science experiments, full-body movement station, and games. At every two-day event 270+ children have been served.
The College Recruitment Grant of $300 was awarded to Ashlyn Kratochvil who is majoring in elementary education at Illinois State University. As a senior, next term she will be doing her student teaching. Ashlyn was in a 4-week Education Immersion Study Abroad Program in Spain, assisting in a bilingual children’s college helping them practice English. In her clinical experience she spent 2 days a week in a 2nd grade classroom leading small groups and teaching mini lessons. She was also a supplemental instructor for the Julia N. Visor Academic Center where she tutored students in math.
The other Recruitment Grant of $300 was awarded to a Pontiac High School graduate who plans to be a teacher.
Pres. Marcia Wahls recognized the members who attended the Virtual Illinois State Convention and expressed a hope that others would involve themselves in future zoomed opportunities to hear great speakers, take workshops, and experience many activities.
In other business Sara Kaufman (Eureka) reported that the Illinois Board of Education plans to discontinue the video presentation required of student teachers and allowing them more time to teach and work with their cooperating teachers during their student teaching.
Conducted by Bert Kinate (Forrest) the 2024-2026 officers were installed: Louann Harms (Fairbury), president; Marcia Wahls (Chenoa) and Jan Liston (Bloomington), Co-1st Vice-Presidents; Carol Hughes (Eureka), 2nd Vice-President; Lou Ann Jacobs (Bloomington), Recording Secretary; Jan Liston, Corresponding Secretary.
Marcia Wahls encouraged all members to attend the planning meeting for next year’s programs to be held on June 6 at her home in Chenoa. On September 14 at the Pontiac Bible Church, the program will be a book review of Last Letters from Attu by Mary Breu presented by Alpha Beta member Sue Schoenherr.
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG) and Illinois State Organization promote professional and personal growth and excellence in education. The Society has chapters in 17 countries and provides grants for educational projects, scholarships, leadership training, mentoring, and global networking opportunities. For more information, visit DKGIL.COM or DKG.ORG.
Photo 1: April Worner and Mollie Baner celebrate
their receiving Early Career Educator grants.
Early Career and Future Educators Celebrated by Chapter
by Carol Hughes
Alpha Beta Chapter members of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society met at the Chenoa United Methodist Church on May 7 to celebrate the accomplishments of early career teachers and future teachers with awards.
Louann Harms presented Early Career Educator awards of $100 each to four teachers. April Worner who teaches 7th grade English Language Arts at Eureka Middle School will improve her classroom library with new books and purchase candy rewards for those who read extra books. Mollie Baner who teaches 5th grade ELA at Eureka Middle School will buy updated books that students have requested for her classroom library. Chapter member, Kendall Fulop, who teaches at Low Point-Washburn Elementary will use the grant for student rewards, art supplies, and classroom library books.
Brandi Edwards who teaches Family and Consumer Science at Eureka High School says the grant will help the program between her students and children (ages 3-10) along with their teachers and parents who are invited three times a year, two days each (Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, spring) to her classroom. Her students create engaging hands-on-culinary arts/cooking lessons along with other types of lessons involving art, science experiments, full-body movement station, and games. At every two-day event 270+ children have been served.
The College Recruitment Grant of $300 was awarded to Ashlyn Kratochvil who is majoring in elementary education at Illinois State University. As a senior, next term she will be doing her student teaching. Ashlyn was in a 4-week Education Immersion Study Abroad Program in Spain, assisting in a bilingual children’s college helping them practice English. In her clinical experience she spent 2 days a week in a 2nd grade classroom leading small groups and teaching mini lessons. She was also a supplemental instructor for the Julia N. Visor Academic Center where she tutored students in math.
The other Recruitment Grant of $300 was awarded to a Pontiac High School graduate who plans to be a teacher.
Pres. Marcia Wahls recognized the members who attended the Virtual Illinois State Convention and expressed a hope that others would involve themselves in future zoomed opportunities to hear great speakers, take workshops, and experience many activities.
In other business Sara Kaufman (Eureka) reported that the Illinois Board of Education plans to discontinue the video presentation required of student teachers and allowing them more time to teach and work with their cooperating teachers during their student teaching.
Conducted by Bert Kinate (Forrest) the 2024-2026 officers were installed: Louann Harms (Fairbury), president; Marcia Wahls (Chenoa) and Jan Liston (Bloomington), Co-1st Vice-Presidents; Carol Hughes (Eureka), 2nd Vice-President; Lou Ann Jacobs (Bloomington), Recording Secretary; Jan Liston, Corresponding Secretary.
Marcia Wahls encouraged all members to attend the planning meeting for next year’s programs to be held on June 6 at her home in Chenoa. On September 14 at the Pontiac Bible Church, the program will be a book review of Last Letters from Attu by Mary Breu presented by Alpha Beta member Sue Schoenherr.
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG) and Illinois State Organization promote professional and personal growth and excellence in education. The Society has chapters in 17 countries and provides grants for educational projects, scholarships, leadership training, mentoring, and global networking opportunities. For more information, visit DKGIL.COM or DKG.ORG.
Photo 1: April Worner and Mollie Baner celebrate
their receiving Early Career Educator grants.
Photo 2: Mother Angie and sister Ainsley are so happy that Ashlyn Kratochvil received a College Recruitment Grant as is her grandmother Karen Harms.
Alpha Beta Meeting, March 23, 2024
Alpha Beta Members Enjoy Book Discussion
Alpha Beta Chapter met at the Maple Lawn Social Center in Eureka on March 23. Carol Hughes led the discussion of The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. All agreed that it was a captivating mystery. Owen smuggles a note to Hannah, his wife of one year, which says, “Protect her”. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah knows the note refers to his daughter Bailey whose mother died when she was a small child, but Bailey wants nothing to do with her stepmother.
As Hannah keeps calling her husband with no answer, Owen’s boss is arrested, a US Marshal shows up, and federal agents arrive. Then she realizes Owen isn’t who he said he was. Author Dave reveals clues at a brisk pace. Hannah takes Bailey to Austin where together they seek to unravel Owen’s past and begin to realize they need each other. Readers want to keep reading and find out how the mystery involving Owen is going to be solved.
Pres. Marcia Wahls congratulated Sara Kaufman for receiving the 2024 Mary Lou and Keith Hauge Retired Award as IEA Member of the Year for her leadership and service at the IEA Representative Assembly.
Corresponding Secretary Jan Liston reported that many thank you notes have been received from the organizations and endeavors that the chapter supports with contributions.
Louann Harms asked members to distribute applications for the $100 Early Career Teacher grants that are awarded at the May meeting. She also shared that four high school senior women wanting to be teachers have applied for the Alpha Beta Grant of $300, and one has been selected to receive the grant at the May meeting.
The Illinois Women in the Arts Committee is having a virtual, live auction on April 10 from 6:30-8 pm. Alpha Beta is donating three items of varying quantities from the Olive Bin located at College and Towanda in Bloomington-Normal.
The Illinois State Convention via Zoom will take place at different times on April 17, 18, 19, 20, and the morning of April 21. The novel The Last Thing He Told Me will be discussed on the evening of April 19.
Officers who will serve for the 2024-26 biennium are as follows: President – Louann Harms (Fairbury), 1st Co-Vice-Presidents – Marcia Wahls (Chenoa) and Jan Liston (Bloomington), 2nd Vice President – Carol Hughes (Eureka), Recording Secretary – Lou Ann Jacobs (Bloomington), and Treasurer – Janet Kilgus (Fairbury).
The next meeting will be held on May 7 at the Chenoa United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall with dinner at 5:30 pm. Featured will be the recipients of chapter grants, convention reports, and installation of officers.
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG) and Illinois State Organization promote professional and personal growth and excellence in education. The Society has chapters in 17 countries and provides grants for educational projects, scholarships, leadership training, mentoring, and global networking opportunities. For more information, visit DKGIL.COM or DKG.ORG.
Photo: Carol Hughes discusses The Last Thing He Told Me with members.
Alpha Beta Chapter met at the Maple Lawn Social Center in Eureka on March 23. Carol Hughes led the discussion of The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. All agreed that it was a captivating mystery. Owen smuggles a note to Hannah, his wife of one year, which says, “Protect her”. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah knows the note refers to his daughter Bailey whose mother died when she was a small child, but Bailey wants nothing to do with her stepmother.
As Hannah keeps calling her husband with no answer, Owen’s boss is arrested, a US Marshal shows up, and federal agents arrive. Then she realizes Owen isn’t who he said he was. Author Dave reveals clues at a brisk pace. Hannah takes Bailey to Austin where together they seek to unravel Owen’s past and begin to realize they need each other. Readers want to keep reading and find out how the mystery involving Owen is going to be solved.
Pres. Marcia Wahls congratulated Sara Kaufman for receiving the 2024 Mary Lou and Keith Hauge Retired Award as IEA Member of the Year for her leadership and service at the IEA Representative Assembly.
Corresponding Secretary Jan Liston reported that many thank you notes have been received from the organizations and endeavors that the chapter supports with contributions.
Louann Harms asked members to distribute applications for the $100 Early Career Teacher grants that are awarded at the May meeting. She also shared that four high school senior women wanting to be teachers have applied for the Alpha Beta Grant of $300, and one has been selected to receive the grant at the May meeting.
The Illinois Women in the Arts Committee is having a virtual, live auction on April 10 from 6:30-8 pm. Alpha Beta is donating three items of varying quantities from the Olive Bin located at College and Towanda in Bloomington-Normal.
The Illinois State Convention via Zoom will take place at different times on April 17, 18, 19, 20, and the morning of April 21. The novel The Last Thing He Told Me will be discussed on the evening of April 19.
Officers who will serve for the 2024-26 biennium are as follows: President – Louann Harms (Fairbury), 1st Co-Vice-Presidents – Marcia Wahls (Chenoa) and Jan Liston (Bloomington), 2nd Vice President – Carol Hughes (Eureka), Recording Secretary – Lou Ann Jacobs (Bloomington), and Treasurer – Janet Kilgus (Fairbury).
The next meeting will be held on May 7 at the Chenoa United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall with dinner at 5:30 pm. Featured will be the recipients of chapter grants, convention reports, and installation of officers.
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG) and Illinois State Organization promote professional and personal growth and excellence in education. The Society has chapters in 17 countries and provides grants for educational projects, scholarships, leadership training, mentoring, and global networking opportunities. For more information, visit DKGIL.COM or DKG.ORG.
Photo: Carol Hughes discusses The Last Thing He Told Me with members.
Alpha Beta Meeting, February 7, 2024
Alpha Beta Learns the Benefits of Using Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar
by Carol Hughes
On February 9, Alpha Beta Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society met via Zoom. Traci Myers of The Olive Bin who believes in her product did much research and travel before starting the Bin. The different flavors of oil and vinegar are shipped in large containers. When a buyer selects the type of oil and flavor of balsamic vinegar, it can be poured into different sized dark bottles which keep them fresher. Balsamic vinegar comes from grapes mainly grown in Italy.
Healthwise olive oil and balsamic vinegar are healthier than butter and other kinds of oils. Flavored balsamic vinegar is tasty in a glass of water and lessens the consumption of sugar. Extra virgin oil is first cold press, fused olive oil has lemon or orange flavor added on site later, and infused has an added ingredient. The oils can be substituted for other oils and butter. For example, in Ghirardelli brownie mix use lemon and orange olive oil and for popcorn or grilled cheese sandwiches use butter flavored oil.
Cookbooks at the Bin are available. The Olive Bin website (theolivebin.com) provides recipes that are sorted by meals, grilled items, soups, desserts, and drinks. The site has a variety of oils, vinegars, and other ingredients that can be purchased, ordered online, and shipped to the customer. Sets of items are available for gifts. The Olive Bin is located at College and Towanda in Bloomington-Normal and is open from noon to 4:00 pm.
At the business meeting, Louann Harms (Fairbury) announced that Ashlyn Kratochvil, a former recipient of the chapter Collegiate Recruitment Grant, and a student at ISU, has submitted her application for the ILSO (state) Grant-in-Aid.
President Marcia Wahls (Chenoa) reminded members that the DKG Illinois Convention will be held virtually from April 17-21 with a variety of activities to be held each day and evening.
Barb Baumann (Minonk) announced that Women in the Arts will hold a Live Facebook Auction on Wednesday, April 10, from 6:30-8:00 pm. Each chapter is asked to contribute at least one item. Some members volunteered to contribute.
Janet Kilgus (Fairbury) shared that member Sara Kaufman (Eureka) is the 2024 recipient of the IEA Retired Mary Lou and Keith Hauge Award for her outstanding leadership and service to members. She will receive her award at the IEA Representative Assembly in Rosemont in March before all the delegates at an awardee reception.
The next meeting will be on March 23 at the Social Center at Maple Lawn in Eureka. Member Carol Hughes (Eureka) will lead a discussion of The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave.
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG) promotes professional and personal growth and excellence in education. The Society has chapters in 17 countries and provides grants for educational projects, scholarships, leadership training, mentoring, and global networking opportunities. For more information, visit www.dkg.org or contact Carol Hughes at [email protected].
Photo: Traci Myers pours a tasting cup of one of her products at The Olive Bin.
by Carol Hughes
On February 9, Alpha Beta Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society met via Zoom. Traci Myers of The Olive Bin who believes in her product did much research and travel before starting the Bin. The different flavors of oil and vinegar are shipped in large containers. When a buyer selects the type of oil and flavor of balsamic vinegar, it can be poured into different sized dark bottles which keep them fresher. Balsamic vinegar comes from grapes mainly grown in Italy.
Healthwise olive oil and balsamic vinegar are healthier than butter and other kinds of oils. Flavored balsamic vinegar is tasty in a glass of water and lessens the consumption of sugar. Extra virgin oil is first cold press, fused olive oil has lemon or orange flavor added on site later, and infused has an added ingredient. The oils can be substituted for other oils and butter. For example, in Ghirardelli brownie mix use lemon and orange olive oil and for popcorn or grilled cheese sandwiches use butter flavored oil.
Cookbooks at the Bin are available. The Olive Bin website (theolivebin.com) provides recipes that are sorted by meals, grilled items, soups, desserts, and drinks. The site has a variety of oils, vinegars, and other ingredients that can be purchased, ordered online, and shipped to the customer. Sets of items are available for gifts. The Olive Bin is located at College and Towanda in Bloomington-Normal and is open from noon to 4:00 pm.
At the business meeting, Louann Harms (Fairbury) announced that Ashlyn Kratochvil, a former recipient of the chapter Collegiate Recruitment Grant, and a student at ISU, has submitted her application for the ILSO (state) Grant-in-Aid.
President Marcia Wahls (Chenoa) reminded members that the DKG Illinois Convention will be held virtually from April 17-21 with a variety of activities to be held each day and evening.
Barb Baumann (Minonk) announced that Women in the Arts will hold a Live Facebook Auction on Wednesday, April 10, from 6:30-8:00 pm. Each chapter is asked to contribute at least one item. Some members volunteered to contribute.
Janet Kilgus (Fairbury) shared that member Sara Kaufman (Eureka) is the 2024 recipient of the IEA Retired Mary Lou and Keith Hauge Award for her outstanding leadership and service to members. She will receive her award at the IEA Representative Assembly in Rosemont in March before all the delegates at an awardee reception.
The next meeting will be on March 23 at the Social Center at Maple Lawn in Eureka. Member Carol Hughes (Eureka) will lead a discussion of The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave.
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG) promotes professional and personal growth and excellence in education. The Society has chapters in 17 countries and provides grants for educational projects, scholarships, leadership training, mentoring, and global networking opportunities. For more information, visit www.dkg.org or contact Carol Hughes at [email protected].
Photo: Traci Myers pours a tasting cup of one of her products at The Olive Bin.
Alpha Beta Chapter Update Newsletter
