Published: October 29, 2009 08:13 am      

Auxiliary gifts to cancer research at OMRF top $125,000

OKLAHOMA CITY – At its annual statewide fall conference on Saturday, the Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW presented the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation with a donation to fund cancer research for the 43rd consecutive year. With its gift of $2,000, the group has now given more than $125,000 to OMRF since 1965.

The Ladies Auxiliary has chapters in more than 80 Oklahoma Cities and towns. Its members raise funds for OMRF through bake sales, garage sales, bingo games and individual donations.

“The Ladies Auxiliary’s gifts have provided valuable support of OMRF’s efforts to fight cancer through the years,” said OMRF director of development Will Merrick, who accepted the check. “We’re honored to have them as one of our philanthropic partners.”

Scientists in OMRF’s research programs are making crucial inroads toward developing not only a deeper understanding of cancer but also new ways to diagnose and treat the deadly disease.

Rheal Towner, Ph.D., and Robert Floyd, Ph.D., have discovered a novel treatment for glioblastoma, the brain cancer that took the lives of Sen. Edward Kennedy and Oklahoma native and former New York Yankee star Bobby Murcer. Their work has shown promising results in preclinical research, and they hope to begin clinical trials in humans next year.

In another OMRF project, a research team led by Linda Thompson helped create the first genetic-based risk assessment test for breast cancer.

“Cancer is one of America’s leading killers, and helping to stop it is a key priority of OMRF,” said Merrick.

The Ladies Auxiliary counts more than 767,000 members nationwide and has chapters throughout Oklahoma, including Ada.



College Heights

Ladies of College Heights Baptist Church hosted their monthly breakfast, Saturday, Oct. 17 with 18 in attendance.

The devotional was given by Pat Anderson. Her title was Stewardship and her text was I Corinthians 4:2. She pointed out that everything that we have comes from God and we will give an account for how we use them, whether it be money, talents, time or even our body. The door prize (a framed picture with scripture) was won by Doris Brooks.

The next breakfast will be at 10 a.m., Nov. 21 at College Heights Baptist Church located at 927 East 7th Street. Ada. The meeting is open to all ladies of the community.

Those attending the breakfast were Mary Holman, Leona Holman, Norma Southerland, Carol Dilbeck, Alex Binge, Nina Lynch, Betty Foster, Louise Ferguson, Doris Brooks, Laverna Chandler, Wanda Clevenger, Rita Branscum, Luisa Summers, Amy Sluder, Ellene Meek, Delores Foster, Carol Treet and Pat Anderson.



Rho Chapter

Rho Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International met at 9 a.m. at Ada High School, in the classroom of teacher Pam Wakefield. She prepared a lovely buffet table setting, with breakfast foods provided by members Donna Large, Mary Scalf, Kay Gamble, and Patsy West. Judy Hanson offered the invocation, and attendees visited as they enjoyed cinnamon rolls, muffins, assorted fruits, and an egg casserole, accompanied by a selection of breakfast drinks.

Kris Earle, who teaches French and Spanish at Ada High School, presented the program. Her slide presentation of pictures from her trip to France and Spain last summer was accompanied by stories of her experiences, while riding a horse seven to eight hours each day, through the Pyrenees Mountains from France into Spain. Her adventure included encounters with the cultures of the two countries, their languages, arts and architectures, and foods, as the trek carried her group through old towns and villages along the route. The trip was made possible by a $10,000 grant from the Fund for Teachers established by Raymond Plank several years ago. The presentation included tips for writing a grant, and connecting teacher studies back to the classroom to align with Priority Academic Student Skills (P.A.S.S.). Kay Gamble, a former grant participant, and Mrs. Earle offered their assistance for others interested in applying for grants through the Fund for Teachers program.

President Large led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag to open the business meeting. Minutes were approved, and the treasurer’s report was accepted. Members were reminded to check contact information and make any needed changes. At the request of President Large, Kathleen Lehman accepted the assignment of completing a two year scrapbook page for the state organization.

Jo Ann Hefley reported that Kay Gamble had won a “Scrapbooking” basket, and Ms. Hefley won a “Made in Oklahoma” basket in the raffle at the state convention in June. Ms. Hefley awarded door prizes from her basket to Pam Wakefield, Kay Gamble, and Harriett Demere.

Information about the local essay contest for seventh and eighth grade students was shared. The topic for the current contest is “Why ___ is my best friend”, and the deadline for entries is October 22. Cash prizes for first and second place winners at each grade level will be given, and all participants will receive certificates.

Harriet Weber taught the group a new song about fall, then led the singing of “Happy Birthday” to honor Sue Jacques, Mary Scalf, Judy Hisaw, Stacy Oakley, and Harriet Weber, who had birthdays in September, and Paula Kedy and Susie Stevens who have October birthdays.

After a reminder about the silent auction for Nov. 7, the meeting was adjourned.

Those attending were Edna Mae Cooley, Jill Brown, Harriet Weber, Judy Hisaw, Donna Large, Kathleen Lehman, Marg Blake, Harriett Demere, Kay Gamble, Mary Scalf, Susie Stevens, Judy Hanson, Jo Ann Hefley, Pam Wakefield, Chris Earle, and Patsy West.



Fine Arts

The Fine Arts Department of Tanti Study Club met on Tuesday afternoon October 13 at 2:00 in the home of Z. D. Parker. Aggie Allen was welcomed as a new member. The club collect was led by Myrna Glance. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and the following correction was made: Bryna Lane’s resignation was not accepted as the club encouraged her to participate when she is able which Bryna agreed was acceptable.

The treasurer’s report was given. Reports were also given regarding members who were ill or otherwise unable to be present. There was no unfinished business to address.

Announcements were made regarding the Russian Folk Festival at the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center at ECU on October 28. Tickets are $7.00 and $5.00 for children and seniors. The production of the Nutcracker will also be held at the same center on December 5th and tickets will be available at Gem Jewelers.

The program was presented by Treva Gurley on the process of decision making in creating quilts. Several quilts were displayed illustrating how a particular quilt came into being. Ideas may come from various sources such as classes, guild or quilt group participation, challenges, mystery quilts, blocks-of-the-month, books, magazines, found needlework, memory quilts for family events such as births, graduations, or anniversaries, or from the quilter’s interests and creativity.

The November meeting will be held in the home of Sandra Haney on Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. with Myrna Glance serving as program leader and co-hostess.

Refreshments were served to the following members by the hostess and co-hostess, Treva Gurley: Myrna Glance, Sue Asklund, Jane Adair, Martha Sweatt, Norma Underhill, Aggie Allen, Sandra Ingram, Delores Moore, Carol Davis, Sandra Haney, Anita Miller, Pat Bonar, Sammy Edwards and Zelmadean Parker.



Diamond “K”

On Sept. 8, Mark Bratcher and Will Boggs presented a program describing the background and showing a DVD of the infamous hanging that took place here in Ada in April 1909.

“Death of the Old West” was the title given to the DVD which has been aired locally and was featured on OETA describing the background, the lawlessness of this area and the prominent people involved in the activities of this area during that time. Although four men were hanged by a well orchestrated group of citizens, no one has ever stepped forward to indicate who planned or was involved in this vigilante act which actually drastically changed the attitudes of the small frontier town forever and drove the outlaw element out of town.

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President Dan Zimmerman called the Oct. 20 Diamond “K” Kiwanis meeting to order and led flag salute. Eldon Billings led prayer. Juanita Sutton introduced three representatives from HealthBack Home Health Care organization to give the program.

Rae Smith, RN, gave information from the Center for Disease Control concerning the flu season. The CDC is recommending the seasonal flu vaccine for all ages, and the H1N1

Vaccine for individuals ages 6 months through 25 years of age. It is especially important for those with health problems to get the seasonal flu vaccination. Smith went on to review a common sense approach to avoiding the flu; such as, washing hands, avoiding sick people, stay at home if you have flu symptoms, and the use of alcohol hand sanitizer.

Persons who are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that they stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone.

The HealthBack representatives distributed handouts covering information on the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu.

After the program members voted to give $200 to the Salvation for their Christmas fund raiser and $100 to the Ada High School Mock Trial Team to help with expenses for their trip to Harvard.

Present for this Oct. 20 meeting were Bob Ardiana, Charles Barrick, Jerry Barrett, Neal Beasley, Patsy Beasley, Eldon Billings, Doc Bowen, JW Brown, M.E. Carr, Betty Childers, Glen Childers, Bob Cristelli, Gene Evans, Jim Green, Marlene Green, Andy Hood, Joann Hood, Elvin Jaquess, Ron Keltner, Lou Moehlman, Sharon Myers, Billy Rice, Juanita Sutton, Linda Wells, LT Williams, Corky Wilson, and Dan Zimmerman.