Published: August 18, 2009 11:58 am      

Prime Timers, Xi Gamma Delta meet

Ada Prime Timers met at JD’s Café June 16 for a buffet dinner with President Elvin Jaquess presiding.  Jaquess led the Pledge of Allegiance and George Seaton gave the invocation.  Members with June birthdays and anniversaries were acknowledged and reports were given of members who were ill.

Andy Hood introduced the speaker, State Senator Susan Paddack, who has been a resident of Ada for 29 years. She is married to Dr. Gary Paddack, and they are the parents of two children.  Sen. Paddack was elected in November 2004 as the State Senator for District 13, which includes Pontotoc, Hughes, and portions of Garvin and Coal counties. 

Sen. Paddack was accompanied by her intern, Ashley Green, who is a student at East Central University studying political science. She reported on the highlights of the legislative session. There was a significant shortfall in the budget, but because of the federal stimulus package, the cuts were not so severe and some budgets were in fact increased.  She placed emphasis on education, the REAP program, health care, and a particularly exciting bill to her, HB 1483, called the “water bill.” 

Sen. Paddack made mention of the CLEET facility here in Ada.  CLEET is a law training facility. The program was informative and Sen. Paddack gave a delightful presentation.

Minutes from the May meeting were read and approved.  Bryna Lane, treasurer, gave the financial report.

There were 47 members, four new members, and five guests in attendance.  Members present included Leland and Mary Helen Newton, George Seaton, Mary Sue Roberts, Sue and Elvin Jaquess, Juanita Sutton, Carol and Tommy Vass, Ruth Ann Taylor, Lanny Sliger, M. E. and Mary Lou Carr, Duane Doane, Betty Parham, Bryna Lane, Ginger Adair, Alma Hogan, Ted and Jackie Savage, Bette and Vestal Cole, Mildred and Kenneth Clinton, Derrelyn Metz, Margaret and Paul Sandmann, Kathy and Bill Adams, Treva and Wendell Gurley, Pat and Floyd Gurley, Joann and Andy Hood, Willie Mae Williams, Ella Mae Todd, Gerri and Tom Stephens, Peggy Bagley, Patsy and Neal Beasley, Betty and L. T. Williams, Dorothy and Roberto Escamilla; guests were Senator Susan Paddack, Ashley Green, Charles Barrick, Taylor Flowers, and Linda Stephens; and new members were Betty Rigsby, Z. D. and Oliver Parker, and Pat Bonar.



Ada Prime Timers (July)



The July 21 Ada Prime Timers’ meeting was held at JD’s Cafeteria.  President Elvin Jaquess presided at the meeting and led in the flag salute.  Ted Savage led the invocation.  Guest, Mary Stanford, was welcomed.  July birthdays were acknowledged and reports were given regarding members who were ill.  Lanny Sliger reported that Ruth Ann Taylor is currently spending two weeks in China working with public school teachers as well as doing mission work. 

Sue Jaquess called attention to the fact an article recently appeared in the Senior magazine about two of our members, Mary Sue Roberts and Ruby Firshing, who were recognized and pictured in the magazine for their many years of service as volunteers at the state’s oldest auxiliary, Valley View Regional Hospital Auxiliary.  Ms. Roberts was recognized for 20,000 hours and Ms. Firshing for 19,000 hours of service.  The article was made available for members to read.

The June minutes were read by Secretary Treva Gurley, and Treasurer Bryna Lane gave the treasurer’s report.  A contribution was made to the Valley View Hopistal Foundation.

After Mary Sue Roberts told humorous stories, she introduced Dr. Darryl Fisher of Oklahoma City, who is Chairman of the Board of Oklahoma Heritage Banks in Byng, Roff, and Stratford.  Before introducing the principal speaker for the evening, Dr. Fisher spoke of his growing up in Ada, graduating from Ada High School and East Central University before moving away.  Dr. Fisher was a heart surgeon for many years and felt it particularly appropriate to stress to this group the importance of two things.  They were: 

1. Seek a second (and maybe even a third) opinion for a major illness or surgery.

2. Know the symptoms of a stroke.  Dr.Fisher stressed the importance of getting to the emergency room immediately if you experience one of these symptoms:

A. weakness in the face, arm, or leg

B. sudden blinding headache

C. inability to speak

D. difficulty walking

E. difficulty with balance

F. change in consciousness.

Within the past 10 years there have been new clot-bursting drugs available so that the quicker to the hospital, the more likely the stroke may be stopped and reversed.

Dr. Fisher introduced Grant Ward, president and CEO of the Heritage Banks for the past three years.  Ward grew up in Purcell and received a degree in agronomy from OSU in Stillwater.  After graduation Ward was employed by the Federal Land Bank in Durant.  Since coming to the bank one of Grant’s  primary goals for the employees of Oklahoma Heritage Bank is to have a personal relationship with their customers.  The bank has implemented the service theory: Positively Outrageous Service, which emphasizes personal service, greeting with a smile, calling customers by name, establishing a one-on-one relationship with customers, and providing any service they can to their customers.  Ward attributes this relationship with customers to the assets of the Oklahoma Heritage Banks have doubled since 2006.  A newsletter and a brochure was also instituted that has been helpful.  

The newsletter is guided by Mary Sue Roberts and keeps clients informed about what is going on at the bank.  The brochure relates to the 30 Year Jubilee of the bank and introduces the bank staff to their clients so that they have a name  for the faces of employees.  

Along with the three guests mentioned the following twenty-nine members were present: Mary Helen Newton, Leland Newton, Mary Sue Roberts, Sue Jaquess, Elvin Jaquess, Andy Hood, Joann Hood, George Seaton, Carol Vass, Tommy Vass, Kenneth Clinton, Mildred Clinton, M. E. Carr, Mary Lou Carr, Wendell Gurley, Treva Gurley, Ginger Adair, Bryna Lane, Tom Stephens, Gerri Stephens, Jackie Savage, Ted Savage, Lanny Sliger, Patsy Beasley, Neal Beasley, Betty Williams, L. T. Williams, Duane Doane, and Betty Parham.



Xi Gamma Delta

The final meeting of the year for the Xi Delta Gamma chapter of Beta Sigma Phi was held May 4 in the home of Pamla Armstrong. Members came together to enjoy a pot luck meal of delicious dishes. Following the time of eating and visiting, President Mary Story led the meeting.

She thanked outgoing officers Cindy Keefer, Brenda Hall and Shelley Hamby for the help they have given her throughout the year.

Chapter awards were announced and gifts presented to the winners. They were Miss Sunshine Lani Vasconcellos, Miss Congeniality Sherry Barnes, and Miss Ready, Willing, and Able Pamla Armstrong.

Vice-President Cindy Keefer presented out-going President Mary Story with the Woman of the Year Award.

Following the presentations, members drew the names of their secret sister for the 2009-2010 year. The yearly “Revealing” was held as members opened gifts from their secret sister for the current year revealing the identity of the sister who has showered them with gifts throughout the year.

Attending the meeting were Belinda Runnells, Holly Sewell, Mary Story, Debby Wallace, Pamla Armstrong, Sherry Barnes, Cindy Beasley, Sharon Beasley, Vickie Bess, Stacie Briley, Sandra Dixon, Brenda Hall, Cindy Keefer, and Robin Nelson.

Officers, led by incoming President Cindy Keefer, will work during the summer to prepare for the start of the 2009-2010 year in September.