KD Connect

KD Connect

September 15, 2009

FEATURED IN THIS EDITION:

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Making Friendships that Stick

A Conversation with Lisa Patton - Author of Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’Easter

Want an Instant Intellect?

Happy Anniversary!

Go Confidently in your Kappa Delta Letters

Helping while Searching!

RENEW, RENEW, RENEW--Wouldn't you rather have your money go to Kappa Delta?

Nu - Oklahoma State Planning Anniversary Celebration

Beta Rho - San Diego State University Planning 60th Anniversary

Gamma Beta - North Texas Hosting House Dedication and Open House

Delta Delta - Troy University Reunion Planned

Delta Gamma - Western Kentucky Planning Reunion

Save the Date! Texas State Day Being Planned

Events and Opportunities

Making Friendships that Stick

by Irene S. Levine, PhD

An old Turkish proverb goes like this, Bir Kahvenin kirk yil hatiri vardir, which translates into English: A cup of coffee commits one to 40 years of friendship. A common interpretation of the proverb is that no friendship should be taken lightly.

College campuses are fertile setting for making new friends. With shared interests, common experiences, and proximity, it’s not surprising that many of the friendships that begin in college dorms, classrooms, and social and athletic clubs last a lifetime. But many times, women don’t realize until it’s too late that without nurturance, female friendships are at high risk of falling apart.

Glenn Sparks, a professor of communication at Purdue, studied pairs of best friends over a 19-year period after graduation. On average, the graduates he interviewed moved six times after college and the typical distance between each pair was 895 miles. In addition to the challenges posed by geography, the longevity of those friendships was also affected by blossoming romantic involvements, growing families, and increasing career demands.

Over the course of a lifetime, women accumulate hundreds, if not thousands, of friends based on where they’ve been and what they’ve done: childhood friends, school chums, sorority sisters, teammates, colleagues, friends of friends, neighbors, and even Facebook friends. Friends are the living scrapbooks of the richness of our lives.

But every relationship doesn’t stick. In fact, very few of them do because it’s far too easy for friendships, even very close ones, to slip away. “Making friends is like managing a bank account,” says Sparks. “You must make investments and it is never too early to start.”

In surveying more than 1500 women for my book, Best Friends Forever: Surviving a Breakup with Your Best Friend, I tried to identify a few of the qualities that make some friendships last forever, and to determine why some women have the unique ability to maintain a supportive circle of friends while other don’t. It became clear that to sustain these life-affirming relationships that are so essential to our physical health and emotional well-being women need to make friendships a priority in at least three ways:

Contact

In case it isn’t obvious, to keep a friendship alive there needs to be sustained mutual contact. With cell phones and the Internet, there is no reason to be cut off from a good friend. Carving out time and creating opportunities to share experiences and feelings enhances the intimacy and reciprocity of a relationship. Whether it’s a brief phone call, e-mail, or cup of java, make time for friends in a way that is comfortable and doable for both of you. It’s an investment that will yield short- and long-term returns.

Communication

No friendship is perfect and every friendship ebbs and flows. Being able to express oneself with authenticity and candor transforms good friendships into better ones. Good friends need to be willing to be talk openly about their disappointments so misunderstandings aren’t magnified over time. They also shouldn’t be shy about expressing the warm and fuzzy sentiments—expounding on the qualities and virtues they value in each other.

Concern

Close friendships flourish when people care and show that they do in big ways and small. Friends listen to each other, remember milestones, and celebrate each other’s successes. They are ready to extend a hand whenever there is a need.

While it isn’t realistic to expect all our friendships to last forever, it’s important to remember that any friendship that isn’t nurtured is vulnerable to loss. If there are miles between you, make time for a periodic girlfriend getaways. If you are fortunate enough to live close to your friends, establish rituals (like a Friday afternoon lunch or Sunday walk) that bring you together. Our girlfriends bring us pleasure, comfort, support and understanding. That’s enough reason, at minimum, to make time for cup of coffee.

Irene S. Levine, PhD is a psychologist, journalist and author who is also a professor of psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine. Her latest book, Best Friends Forever: Surviving a Breakup With Your Best Friend (Overlook Press), will be released on September 20, 2009, coinciding with Women’s Friendship Day. She blogs as the Friendship Doctor on The Huffington Post and on her own blog: www.TheFriendshipBlog.com.

Enter the drawing to win a FREE copy of Best Friends Forever. We’ll be giving away copies to five lucky Kappa Delta members. Provide your name, mailing addres, e-mail address and chapter/school name in the body of your e-mail.

A Conversation with Lisa Patton - Author of Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’Easter

Lisa Patton, Zeta-Alabama is a writer, special event director, single mom and animal lover. Not necessarily in that order. She has two wonderful sons, Michael and Will. Her first novel, Whistlin' Dixie In A Nor'easter is being published this month by Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press!

What was the inspiration for Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’Easter?
I really was an innkeeper in Vermont. Even better, a Southern innkeeper in Vermont! After surviving three sub-zero winters and discovering Vermonters don’t bury their dead in the winter, suffering from vampire bugs bites on the back of my neck, and enjoying a four-week summer where I still had to wear a coat at night, I knew I had a story to write.

How has your personal life experience influenced this book? What similarities do you have with Leelee Satterfield?
The first thing that comes to my mind is the way Southern girls are brought up, at least in my era. We were taught to be agreeable and polite. I’ve heard people criticize Southern women for not saying what’s on their mind. That’s because we are taught from a young age to be great hostesses and make everyone feel comfortable. It might not be the best way, but it’s what we’ve learned. Sure, there’s a bit of me in Leelee. I get caught up in the same trap of sacrificing my needs for everyone else’s and wanting people to like me. Like Leelee, I’m a work in progress. Then again, so are most of my closest friends. The best thing about Leelee is her fun side. Leelee gets herself into all kinds of messes – largely because of the choices she makes. She’s Lucy Ricardoish. I’m the same way and while that sometimes makes for a crazy personal life, it sure produces some rich scenarios for writing.

Are any of those crazy characters (such as Helga) based on people you know?
No doubt the characters in Whistlin’ Dixie are an amalgam of all kinds of people I’ve known - Leelee’s three best friends from Memphis in particular. I named all of them, Leelee included, after sorority sisters of mine from Kappa Delta at the University of Alabama. Helga is fashioned a little bit after an old spinster piano teacher I had in grammar school. She’s also part Wicked Witch from Wizard of Oz and a lot Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians. I just love a villain, especially a funny villain. Glen Close is my dream choice to someday play Helga. And I’m dang good at dreaming; it’s gotten me this far!

What other strange things happen in Yankee territory, and how is that different from life in the South?
Oh my. To be Southern and living in Yankee territory is quite an ordeal. Not only does one experience culture shock but the thermal shock is brutal. Southerners have this idyllic image of the Currier and Ives picture of winter up North. We have no idea what it’s like to actually exist in it. We see heaps of snow and think, “How perfectly beautiful!” Actually, shoveling snow and rearranging your life to exist in it is another thing all together – for a Dixie chick anyway.
I remember having to see a counselor four months into living in Vermont. He sympathized with my inability to connect right away and explained how the subtle cultural differences would make it hard for me. He was right. Southern women are generally bubbly and very friendly. Certainly, the people up North are more direct and they take longer to get to know, but once a friendship is formed it’s there for life - without pretense.

What are some of the positive things that Leelee experiences in the North?
Leelee is forced way out of her comfort zone. Nor’easter is a metaphor for the storm in Leelee’s life. While living in Vermont, she learns that she can survive any storm physical or mental. Leelee develops self-confidence in her ability to earn her own living (without the help of her husband). Several real friendships develop for Leelee in Vermont - unlikely ones at that. I don’t want to give away too much here, but Leelee gets to experience some Northern wildlife that she’s only dreamed about in the South.

Can you explain the significance of the song “Into the Mystic” in your book?
First of all, it’s my favorite Van Morrison song, bar none. Romance oozes from each note. Leelee declares it’s her favorite song, too, so there’s another similarity between the two of us. When romance finally touches Leelee again, I thought it would be the perfect song to set the mood for this climactic moment in the story.
I was working for Michael McDonald around the time I wrote the scene with “Into The Mystic” and when he read it he was inspired to record the song on his next CD. He covered it on his 2007 Soul Speak record in honor of Leelee’s romantic dance. Michael’s version is quite dreamy, by the way.

How does Leelee grow and change in your novel? Is she a “Southern Belle”—and is that a positive or negative thing?
When someone first reads Whistlin’ Dixie, they might be perplexed at Leelee’s inability to consider her own needs. As the book develops, though, Leelee’s metamorphosis is becoming evident to everyone. Her girlfriends from home are shocked by her newfound ability to say no and stand up for what she needs. Even Roberta, her housekeeper in Vermont, has been secretly watching Leelee’s inner strength and true grit develop.
Leelee is a Southern Belle but that’s a good thing. The dictionary.com definition of a Southern Belle is a beautiful and charming woman from the southern US. Leelee is beautiful, inside and out, but her charm is the most endearing thing about her.

Can you discuss the role of friendship in Whistlin’ Dixie?
Friendship equals family to Leelee. Having lost her parents at an early age, and as an only child, Leelee relies on her friends to be a substitute for that sense of belonging and love. Despite her insistence to the contrary Leelee is definitely naïve. Her entire life, prior to Vermont, has been spent inside a reinforced bubble. Her friends from home, including her childhood nanny, are not only her family but also her advisors. Much to her surprise, Leelee’s time in Vermont produces three more dear friends who become her Vermont kinfolk.

Where did you get the ideas for the new menu at the Peach Blossom Inn? Do you have a recipe for any of those dishes?
I’m a sucker for fine gourmet food and I get many of my recipes and ideas from the Fine Cooking Magazine. Most of the menu items in the book were taken from my own restaurant in Vermont. One of the appetizers, Crabmeat Henry, came from an old historic restaurant in Memphis called Justine’s. I do have many of the recipes and they’ll be available on my Web site, www.lisapatton.com. White chocolate mousse is available now.

Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’easter is a fish out of water story. One can’t help but think of another fish out of water - Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Helga and Leelee are obvious parallels to the classic tale, are there others?
Many. If you are an “Ozzy” the likenesses are easy to spot. If not, they might be subtler. Instead of a tornado, Leelee gets caught up in a Nor’easter. Leelee befriends three unlikely characters in her own Land of Oz. There are even a couple of lines of dialogue very similar to the movie. Of course there's Leelee’s beloved dog, Gracie. The only thing missing from Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’easter is an actual wizard. But Leelee’s survival symbolizes the wizard inside her. I wasn’t intentional with the obvious similarities, it just happened that way.

Some of the profits of your book go to help single moms. In what way, and why?
Single moms have my heart. Having been one for such a long time I understand fully just how difficult the job really is. Single mothers have all the same expenses as two-parent families and unfortunately, even in 2009, don't have the same earning power as that of men. Financial strains largely contribute to the every-day stress encountered by single mothers along with not having enough hours in the day to accomplish the necessary A-Z. We pay the same premiums for health insurance and if our sink backs up, the plumber's fee is still outrageous and there's no one that could have fixed that relatively simple issue in the first place. (I realize I might not speak for everyone here. I happen to be severely handy-handicapped!) There is a ministry associated with my church in Franklin, Tenn., called Grace Extended. They help to meet the financial burden of people in need and single mothers are their biggest customers. Single moms need to know that they are loved and cared for and Grace Extended does a great job.

How do you balance being a single mom with two sons and the full career that you have? Are there days you just want to throw your arms up and run away and how do you deal with that?
If you only knew how many days I want to throw my arms up and run as far away as my legs can carry me you'd wonder how in the world I ever wrote the book in the first place. Balance is the key word here. One of the biggest obstacles single moms face is obtaining balance in their lives. I don't do it very well and that's the unfortunate truth. But I'm a big dreamer and I keep hoping and praying that I'll get better.

What have you learned from Kappa Delta that has helped you in your career and your life?
Life as a Kappa Delta instilled a sense of structure into my life. My nature is to fly by the seat of my pants. (If truth be told I'm A.D.D.!) Back in college, we had organized study halls, grades to maintain, dinner at a certain time and standards to uphold. That sense of organization has stayed with me always. And now I've defied my nature and written a novel. I'm working on the sequel, and I can't do that without daily structure.

Can you share a couple of KD memories?
Sharing only a couple will be the hard part. One of my most fun memories is the Halloween party that two of my other KD sisters and I started our senior year. We named it the Black Widow Blast and from what I hear it's still going on today. The first Black Widow Blast was back in 1979 so this year is its 30th anniversary. I wonder if the Zetas even realize that! I think I still have our first T-shirt somewhere in all my "stuff." KDs might find it fun to know that four of my characters in the book are named after Zeta Kappa Deltas! Leelee, Alice, Virginia and Mary Jule were all KD sisters with me at Alabama and now live forever in Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter.

To find out more about Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter, visit Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter or www.lisapatton.com.

Want an Instant Intellect?

by Michelle Cubas, Gamma Omicron - Wayne State

One aspect of an Instant Intellect is its attention-getting power. It is the cure for shallow conversations. It attracts people to you.

Many clients have shared with me a social anxiety or disdain about "small talk" and what I call "social conversations." Read on and you may change your mind.

Small talk sprinkled with active listening and Instant Intellect is sure to make you memorable. Here’s what happens:

1. When you listen, you can mimic the pace of the speaker. That reveals their comfort pace.
2. While listening you’re assessing the vocabulary so you can echo back in similar terms.
3. Your conversation partner walks away thinking, “She understood me.” That’s an instant emotional connection when you make your follow-up contact.

These types of interactions are intended to teach us about others' observable styles as well as provide clues for further engagement. One such benefit is to understand what interests someone or your ability to authentically offer information without appearing to be a "know-it-all."

So, what will you do with it?

How can it serve you?

Until one sees the value in developing such an asset, then the resources required to obtain it won't be justified. It's that simple.

7 Steps to Acquiring an Instant Intellect:

1. Pick a topic you want to learn more about. Select something that stimulates your curiosity.
2. Take five days and gather as much information you can from a variety of sources (Internet, publications, trade associations, archives).
3. Commit to scanning the materials you've collected and select three points that interest you from the “compost pile.”
4. Use or refer to the three points daily in some aspect of conversation. For example, “How many times have you wondered about the colors in a rainbow? I did. Would you be interested to know what I found?”
5. Attend a seminar, lecture, or class on one of the three items you selected. (Consider non-traditional places like churches, mosques, synagogues and organizations conducting courses.)
6. Write a journal entry (one page single-spaced) on where this exercise took you—boosted curiosity, added conversation starters. Did you meet interesting people? Did you impress someone with your curiosity? How can you use this information in your personal and professional endeavors?)
7. Submit your thoughts to a local media outlet, publication, newsletter, blog, etc. You will now be on the record with your intellectual pursuit.

Who knows? You may discover an avocation, a passion, a pathway you didn't acknowledge before.

Michelle Cubas is an Enterprise Business Coach, CPCC, www.positivepotentials.com.

Happy Anniversary!

Congratulations to the following collegiate and alumnae chapters that are celebrating anniversaries during the last half of 2009:
105 years: Kappa Alpha – Florida State University; 100 years: Epsilon Omega – University of Kentucky; 95 years: Mu – Millsaps College; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Greater Cincinnati, Ohio; 90 years: Nu- Oklahoma State University; 85 years: Spokane, Washington; Fargo, North Dakota; Memphis, Tennessee; Alpha Alpha – Michigan State University; 80 years: Oklahoma City/Edmond, Oklahoma; Greater Kansas City, Missouri; Alpha Rho – University of Maryland; Alpha Sigma – University of New Hampshire; 60 years: San Mateo Peninsula, California; Beta Tau – Vanderbilt University; 55 years: Gamma Delta – East Tennessee State University; 50 years: Muscle Shoals Area, Alabama; 40 years: Demopolis-Linden, Alabama; Midland, Texas; Bryan/College Station, Texas; Delta Upsilon – Tennessee Tech University; Delta Phi – Georgia Southwestern State University; 30 years; Epsilon Sigma – Wofford College; 10 years; Eta Alpha, Texas A&M University.

ALL OUR TRIUMPHS

KENTUCKY - Six members of the class of 2013 University of Kentucky College of Medicine are Kappa Deltas. They are Brooke Ginter, Alpha Xi - Louisville; Jessica McQueery, Epsilon Omega - Kentucky; Rebecca Crutcher, Epsilon Omega - Kentucky; Danielle Conner, Epsilon Omega - Kentucky; Jacquelyn Smith, Epsilon Omega - Kentucky; and Elaine Patterson, Epsilon Omega - Kentucky.

MINNESOTA - Members of the Twin Cities, Minn., alumnae chapter held their annual summer picnic on August 4. Members enjoyed a potluck picnic supper, heard the lastest KD Convention news and had the chance to catch up with each other. Members donated crayons and markers for the Child Care Center, the groups local philanthropy. (submitted by the Twin Cities, Minn., alumnae chapter)

MISSISSIPPI - Governor Haley Barbour recently signed a National Women's Friendship Month proclamation, proclaming September as National Women's Friendship Month in Mississippi. Elee Reeves, Mu - Millsaps and Bonnie Tucker, Mu - Millsaps, were on hand for the proclamation, along with First Lady Marsha Barbour, Alpha Mu - Mississippi. (submitted by Elee Reeves)

TEXAS - Members of the Northeast Texas alumnae chapter got together for a night of fun at a Frisco Rough Riders baseball game. Buffy Hanson, Em Johnson and Kathryn Wisdom were just a few who enjoyed a great night with their KD sisters. (submitted by the Northeast Texas alumnae chapter)

Helping while Searching

Do you spend a lot of time on Google or Yahoo searching for information on the Internet? Now there is a place you can go to search the Internet while helping the Kappa Delta Foundation. www.GoodSearch.com is a new search engine, which donates 50 percent of its revenue to charitable organizations and schools that its users designate (the other 50 percent is what it uses to run the company day to day). You use GoodSearch.com like any other search engine - the site is powered by Yahoo! - but each time you do, money is generated for philanthropic causes, such as the Kappa Delta Foundation.

Here's how it works:

1. Go to www.goodsearch.com (which is powered by Yahoo!)
2. Type Kappa Delta Foundation into the "I support" box and click on "verify"
3. Since GoodSearch shares its advertising revenue with charities and schools, every time you search the Web at GoodSearch, you'll be earning money for the Kappa Delta Foundation.

Organizations earn an estimated penny per search. Hence, if 500 people searched four times a day on behalf of one organization, it would earn $7300 in a year. Think how much we could raise if we all used it!

The company launched in November 2005 and has been covered by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Variety and other publications: www.goodsearch.com/Press.aspx. GoodSearch does not require that users sign up and does not collect any user information. They only ask that organizations and supporters help spread the word.

GoodSearch was founded by a brother/sister team, both of whom have extensive and successful Internet company experience, in memory of their mother who passed away from cancer. They wanted to create an organization which gave back to the community in her honor. Their dream is to write millions of dollars worth of checks every year to good causes.

Take advantage of this very simple way to give back to the Kappa Delta Foundation. Every search will help to continue to provide leadership opportunities for collegians and alumnae and help children across the country. Every penny counts!

Go Confidently in your Kappa Delta Letters

Click here to shop the Kappa Delta Boutique!

RENEW, RENEW, RENEW--Wouldn't you rather have your money go to Kappa Delta?

This year the focus in the magazine agency is going to be renewals. When you renew your existing subscription through the Kappa Delta Magazine Agency, nearly 50 percent of the proceeds of your subscription money goes to the chapter house fund. If you renew directly with the publisher, all of the money goes to the publisher, and Kappa Delta gets none of it. If you are paying the same amount of money either way, wouldn't you rather have your money go to help Kappa Delta?

Studies show that the average household spends $200 per year on magazine subscriptions. If every KD alumna renewed her subscriptions through the Kappa Delta Magazine Agency, it would help Kappa Delta immensely.

Important point: You did not have to purchase the initial subscription through the Kappa Delta Magazine Agency in order to renew through the Kappa Delta Magazine Agency.

QSP has a wide selection of magazines. They have over 750 magazine, book and music titles to choose from and accepts Master Card and VISA. Because QSP is the largest publisher clearinghouse in the United States, it can offer more choices and lower prices than any other vendor.

Follow the instructions below to take you to the QSP Web site dedicated to Kappa Delta Sorority so you can process your renewal.

Ready to start shopping? 1. Go to kd.efundraising.com
2. Type the name of your collegiate or alumnae chapter.
3. Click on the “Find” button.
4. When "Search Results" are displayed, click on the name of your chapter.
5. This will take you to your chapter’s personalized Web page.
6. Click on “Shop for Magazines” to access the online store.
7. Choose the magazines you want (be sure to check renewal) and proceed to checkout.

Visit kd.efundraising.com and have a fantastic time choosing your favorite magazines while helping Kappa Delta.

If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Mize at 901-371-6357 or by e-mail at magazineagency@kappadelta.org.

Beta Rho - San Diego State University Planning 60th Anniversary

Join members of the Beta Rho -San Diego State University chapter as it celebrates its 60th anniversary. The event will take place on October 17, 10 a.m. until 12 noon at the Beta Rho chapter house. Join your sisters for refreshments as members look back on the past 60 years with memorabilia and a slide show. The founding members of the Beta Rho chapter will also be honored. RSVP to Marissa Johnson at marissa.johnson33@hotmail.com.

Please submit pictures to be included in the slideshow to Marissa Johnson at marissa.johnson33@hotmail.com. Kappa Delta memorabilia from throughout the years will be displayed at the event. We would love for you to bring something to contribute and share with your fellow sisters.

Gamma Beta - North Texas Hosting House Dedication and Open House

Join members of the Gamma Beta - North Texas chapter for its house Dedication and open house on October 17 at 3 p.m. National President Beth Martin Langford will be the honored guest. For more information, contact Kerri Morris at gkmorris@sbclgobal.net.

Delta Delta - Troy University Reunion Planned

A Delta Delta - Troy University reunion for pledge classes from 1970-1974 is being planned for October 24, time and place to be announced. Come together for tailgating, football, a house tour and loads of laughter! For more information, contact Melinda Goode at melgoode@comcast.net.

Delta Gamma - Western Kentucky Planning Reunion

A planning committee is in the early stages for reunion festivities for Delta Gamma - Western Kentucky Homecoming 2010! If you pledged from 1993-2003 and are interested in helping us plan for next year, please contact Lauren Brindle Singdahlsen at brindlewku@yahoo.com or Bonnie Holt Logsdon at bonnieholt78@hotmail.com. This will be an every five year event during Homecoming weekend at WKU. More information in coming months as the 2010 Homecoming date is TBA.

Save the Date! Texas State Day Being Planned

SAVE THE DATE! TheTexas State Day 2010 will be held on March 6, 2010 at the Gateway Center at University of North Texas. More details to follow in the coming months! For information, contact Patti Roberts Smith at prsmith@live.com.

NATIONWIDE - Events and opportunities are now being posted for September, October and November. Send your information directly to Kappa Delta by the 15th of each month for inclusion in the KD Connect.

ALABAMA

ALABAMA - Join the Delta Sigma - University of South Alabama chapter for its 2009 Shamrock Event. The chapter will start off the weekend with a Pancake Dinner on Friday, October 23. There will be a 5K Run on the morning of Saturday, October 24, followed by a Bingo Tournament later that day. Time and places for this events will be announced later. Please contact Christina Smart at cas607@jaguar1.usouthal.edu for more information.

ARKANSAS

ARKANSAS - Join the Central Arkansas alumnae chapter as members have fun and raise money for one of KD's national philanthropies, Girl Scouts, at the Diamond Council's 5th annual S'mores in the City event on September 17. Tickets are $15 each, and can be bought either directly through the Girl Scout Council office, or you can contact Rachel by 9/1 and she will order your ticket for you (and you can pay her back at the event). The event is from 5:30 - 7:30 PM at the River Market Pavillion (400 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, AR) For more information, contact Rachel at centralarkansaskd@hotmail.com.

ARKANSAS - Join the Central Arkansas alumnae chapter on September 25as members help out the KD Extension Team by preparing a meal for 25 colonization team members and Zeta Omega sisters during recruitment weekend at UALR. CAKD is going to provide a BBQ dinner this night, and would appreciate your help in providing part of the meal. E-mail Rachel at centralarkansaskd@hotmail.com if you can help out.

ARKANSAS - Join the Central Arkansas alumnae chapter on September 27for Bid Day with the new members of the Colony at UALR. Alumnae are invited to attend at 3 p.m., and more details TBA. E-mail Rachel at centralarkansaskd@hotmail.com for more information.

ARKANSAS - Join the Central Arkansas alumnae chapter along with the new members of Eta Sigma colony (UALR) for a Founder's Day celebration on October 23, iime and place TBA. For more information, contact Rachel at centralarkansaskd@hotmail.com.

ARKANSAS - Join the Central Arkansas alumnae chapter on November 16, time and place to be announced as members put together Christmas gifts for the women and children at the local Women's Shelter. For more information, contact Rachel at centralarkansaskd@hotmail.com.

CALIFORNIA

CALIFORNIA - Join members of the Beta Rho -San Diego State University chapter as it celebrates its 60th year anniversary. The event will take place on October 17, 10 a.m. until 12 noon at the Beta Rho chapter house. Join your sisters for refreshments as members look back on the past 60 years with memorabilia and a slide show. The founding members of the Beta Rho chapter will also be honored. RSVP to Marissa Johnson at marissa.johnson33@hotmail.com. Please submit pictures to be included in the slideshow to Marissa Johnson at marissa.johnson33@hotmail.com. Kappa Delta memorabilia from throughout the years will be displayed at the event – We would love if you could bring something to contribute and share with your fellow sisters.

CALIFORNIA - Join members of the Long Beach, Calif., alumnae chapter as they celebrate NWFM on September 20, time to be announced with a BBQ at the home of Shirley Girardin Gibson. For more information, contact Harriett at hbjotto90740@yahoo.com.

FLORIDA

FLORIDA - Join the Jacksonville, Fla., alumnae chapter on October 16 from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. as they celebrate Founder's Day at the University Center on the Campus of North Florida. For more information, visit www.jaxkdalum.shutterfly.com.

GEORGIA

GEORGIA - Join the Greater Atlanta Day, Ga., alumnae chapter on September 21 at 10:30 a.m. at the home of Fio Crockford. Get your school colors ready for the kickoff meeting. For more information, contact Dot at jmclendon@mindspring.com.

GEORGIA - Join the Greater Marietta, Ga., alumnae chapter on September 17, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. for its National Women's Friendship Month celebration at Just Kiln Time, on Marietta Square. For more information, contact Sara at SARA_TOMBLIN@homedepot.com.

GEORGIA - Join the Greater Marietta, Ga., alumnae chapter on October 24 at 11:30 a.m. for its Founders' Day celebration at Old Vinings Inn. For more information, contact Sara at SARA_TOMBLIN@homedepot.com.

GEORGIA - Join the Greater Marietta, Ga., alumnae chapter on November 17, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m for its Shamrock - Shop for a Cause event at J. Crew, The Avenue at East Cobb. For more information, contact Sara at SARA_TOMBLIN@homedepot.com.

GEORGIA - Join the North Fulton County/Cumming, Ga., alumnae chapter for a tailgating/back-to-school event on September 24, time to be announced. For more information, contact Melissa at northfultonkdac@gmail.com.

ILLINOIS

ILLINOIS - Join members of the Epsilon Eta - Illinois State University chapter as they have a reunion on September 19 at 10 a.m. at the Fairview Park Pavilion in Normal, Ill. The pavilion at Fairview Park in Normal has been reserved from 10 am - 2 pm but there is talk of touring the campus, having gondolas at Avanti's & stopping by Pub II. The possibilities are endless! For more information, contact Annette May at ajmay1111@comcast.net.

ILLINOIS - Join the Champaign/Urbana, Ill., alumnae chapter on September 26 at 7:30 p.m. for its National Women's Friendship Month celebration at Alto Vineyards. For more information, contact Kathy at tinkerbell222@hotmail.com.

ILLINOIS - Join the Champaign/Urbana, Ill., alumnae chapter on October 25 at 1 p.m. for its planning meeting at the Atlanta Bread Company. For more information, contact Kathy at tinkerbell222@hotmail.com.

ILLINOIS - Join the Chicago Northwest Suburban, Ill., alumnae chapter on September 19 at 9:30 a.m. for its National Women's Friendship Month event at Chicago Botanical Garden's. For more information, kdcnwsaa@gmail.com.

ILLINOIS - Join the Chicago Northwest Suburban, Ill., alumnae chapter on October 12, time to be announced for its Founder's Day event. More details to follow. For more information, kdcnwsaa@gmail.com.

IOWA

IOWA - Join the Central Iowa alumnae chapter and the Sigma Sigma - Iowa State chapter for a Homecoming tailgate party on October 17, time and place to be announced. For more information, contact Nicole at nscott24@gmail.com.

KENTUCKY

KENTUCKY - Members of the Delta Gamma - Western Kentucky pledge classes of 1974-1979 are planning to attend WKU’s Homecoming festivities Nov. 7, 2009, and are looking for Delta Gamma KDs to join in the fun. The chapter hosts an annual alumnae brunch at the house on Saturday morning and a tent for tailgating before the game. A block of rooms is available at the Candlewood Suites for Nov 6 and 7. For hotel reservations, call 270-843-5505. For more information and/or to RSVP for the alumnae brunch, contact Cathy Tench Murdock at cathylee11@gmail.com or Tricia Smith Roca at troca@kemi.com.

KENTUCKY - A planning committee is in the early stages for reunion festivities for Delta Gamma - Western Kentucky Homecoming 2010! If you pledged from 1993-2003 and are interested in helping us plan for next year, please contact Lauren Brindle Singdahlsen at brindlewku@yahoo.com or Bonnie Holt Logsdon at bonnieholt78@hotmail.com. This will be an every five year event during Homecoming weekend at WKU. More information in coming months as the 2010 Homecoming date is TBA.

KENTUCKY - Sisters of Delta Omicron - Eastern Kentucky University will have a reunion of the earliest members of the chapter October 9 and 10, 2009. A luncheon will be held at the Arlington Country Club on October 10. A dinner will be held the night before at the Julep Cup in Lexington, Ky. Sisters of classes 68-74 will gather, share and reconnect of experiences and life lessons learned over the last forty years. A silent auction is being held to benefit the chapter. A memorial service will be held for those sisters whom have passed on. For more information, contact Linda at linda_r41042@yahoo.com.

MARYLAND

MARYLAND - The Baltimore, Md., alumnae chapter invites you to celebrate NWFM with us on September 19 at 11:30 a.m. with a potluck lunch in Catonsville. For more information contact Cydny at kdcydny@hotmail.com.

MARYLAND - Join Baltimore and Annapolis, Md., area alumnae for a Founders' Day celebration on October 24. The event to be held at an alumna's home in Severn will include a potluck lunch. The collegians from Zeta Mu Chapter at Towson University have been invited to join us. For more information contact Cydny at kdcydny@hotmail.com.

MARYLAND - The Baltimore, Md., alumnae chapter will be celebrating the holiday season with a lunch on December 3. For more information contact Cydny at kdcydny@hotmail.com.

MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN - Join the Detroit, Mich., Tri-County alumnae chapter for its NWFM celebration on September 19 at 1 p.m. at the home of Terry Margolis. This "Kappa Delta Day at the Spa" is the chapter’s kick off for the year and promises to be a great day of sisterhood, pampering and fun. For more information, contact Gloria at squeeker_007_01@yahoo.com.

MISSOURI

MISSOURI - Join members of the St. Louis, Mo., alumnae chapter on September 27, time to be announced for its NWFM celebration at the Best Nails. For more information, contact Sharon at skauf84@sbcglobal.net.

NEW HAMSHIRE

NEW HAMPSHIRE - Join the New Hampshire Seacoast alumnae chapter on September 28 at 2 p.m. for a Pampered Chef party to celebrate National Women's Friendship Month. Bring all your friends! For more information, contact Claire at clairemurdough@gmail.com.

NEW JERSEY

NEW JERSEY - Join the Central New Jersey alumnae chapter on September 19 at 12 noon to celebrate NWFM at Winberries in Princeton. Please bring a friend and join us to make new friends and keep the old! For more information, contact Becky at bmeacham@att.com.

NEW JERSEY - Join the Central New Jersey alumnae chapter on October 24 for a trip to NYC to see the Georgia O'Keeffe: Abstraction at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Plan to meet at 1 p.m. at the museum, 945 Madison Avenue at 75th Street. For more information, contact Ann Miller at amillerkd@aol.com or Becky at bmeacham@att.com.

NEW MEXICO

NEW MEXICO - Join the Albuquerque/Santa Fe, N.M., alumnae chapter for a wine tasting celebrating NWFM on September 26, 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Quarters Westside in Albuquerque. In honor of National Women’s Friendship Month you are invited to bring a friend to this event! For more information, contact Shannon at bayshan@gmail.com.

NEW MEXICO - Join the Albuquerque/Santa Fe, N.M., alumnae chapter for a movie night on October 9 at 7 p.m.. Location to be announced. For more information, contact Shannon at bayshan@gmail.com.

NEW MEXICO - Join the Albuquerque/Santa Fe, N.M., alumnae chapter for its Founders' Day celeberation on October 24 at 11 a.m. Members will take a tour of Girls Inc and then enjoy a Founders' Day luncheon. For more information, contact Shannon at bayshan@gmail.com.

OHIO

OHIO - Join the Columbus, Ohio, alumnae chapter on October 23 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. for its Founders’ Day celebration with an evening of Sheer Bliss, a Wine and Chocolate tasting event at Sheer Bliss in Gahanna, Ohio. Please RSVP to dconway6@columbus.rr.com.

OHIO - Join the Columbus, Ohio, alumnae chapter on November 19, from 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. at Ferns and Flirtinis, an evening at the Franklin Conservatory. Cocktails and strolling through the beautiful conservatory. This is your chance to see the new Chihuly works on display. Please RSVP to dconway6@columbus.rr.com.

OHIO - Join the Columbus, Ohio, alumnae chapter on December 5 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. for Decorating Party with the Women of Sigma Kappa Chapter and a local Girl Scout troop at the Kappa Delta House at OSU. Please RSVP to dconway6@columbus.rr.com.

OHIO - The Dayton, Ohio, alumnae chapter will celebrate National Women's Friendship Month on September 26 at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, in Kettering. Kappa Delta alumnae are asked to provide brunch food. Invite all your friends! We will also collect women's and children's underwear and socks for the area women's shelter. Please RSVP to Linda Petersen at lankd75@yahoo.com with the number of friends you will be bringing.

OHIO - Join the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio, alumnae chapter for its NWFM celebration on September 18 at 6 p.m. at Brandywine Inn. For more information, contact Beth at bethmoore@cinci.rr.com.

OHIO - Join the Omega Xi - Cincinnati chapter as it celebrates NWFM on September 20 from 12 noon until 5 p.m. at the KD House (2661 Clifton Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45220). Feel free to stop by for a few minutes or the whole day as we’ll be celebrating women’s friendship through painting picture frames and scrap-booking together. Materials will be supplied; all you need to bring are your favorite pictures! For more information on the event please contact Kaylee at jacobkd@mail.uc.edu.

OKLAHOMA

OKLAHOMA - Join members of the Oklahoma City, Okla., alumnae chapter on October 8 at 6:30 p.m. for Bowling in Bricktown. Meet at the Redpin Bowling Lounge. For more information, contact Susie Tallent at stallent@arvest.com.

OKLAHOMA - Join members of the Oklahoma City, Okla., alumnae chapter on November 12 at 5:30 p.m. for its Thanksgiving philanthropy event at the Regional Food Bank. Members will meet for dinner first at Louie's Grill then caravan to the food bank. Meet at the Redpin Bowling Lounge. For more information, contact Susie Tallent at stallent@arvest.com.

PENNSYLVANIA

PENNSYLVANIA - The Erie, Pa., alumnae chapter is holding its inaugural event on September 24 at 6:30 p.m. at The Cove (2 State St., Erie, PA, 16507; 814-454-7160; www.rumrunnerscove.com). If you plan on attending, please RSVP by contacting Kristy Berg at Kberg@nwbcorp.com. If you cannot attend this event but are interested in being a part of this new alumnae chapter, please e-mail or call Kristy with your contact information.

SOUTH CAROLINA

SOUTH CAROLINA - Join members of the Florence/Palmetto, S.C., alumnae chapter on September 26, time and place to be announced for its National Women's Friendship Month celebration with Epsilon Psi. For more information, contact Maggie at palmettoaaofkd@hotmail.com.

SOUTH CAROLINA - Join members of the Florence/Palmetto, S.C., alumnae chapter on October 16 at 7:30 p.m. for a wine and cheese social at the home of Chasity and Trey Humphries. For more information, contact Maggie at palmettoaaofkd@hotmail.com.

TENNESSEE

TENNESSEE - The Chattanooga, Tenn., alumnae chapter is hosting a NWFM brunch at the Chattanoogan on September 27, time to be announced in downtown Chattanooga! For details, email the president, Amber Roberts, at ag300tazx@gmail.com.

TEXAS

TEXAS - SAVE THE DATE! Texas State Day 2010 will be held on March 6, 2010 at the Gateway Center at University of North Texas. More details to follow in the coming months! For information, contact Patti Roberts Smith at prsmith@live.com.

TEXAS - Join members of the Gamma Beta - North Texas chapter for its House Dedication and Open House on October 17 at 3 p.m. National President Beth Martin Langford will be the honored guest. For more information, contact Kerri Morris at gkmorris@sbcglobal.net.

TEXAS - Sigma Epsilon - University of Texas is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its recolonization June 11-13, 2010 in Austin. All collegians and alumnae of the chapter are encouraged to attend. We are also looking for all of the fabulous Texas alumnae of other Kappa Delta chapters who helped to make the recolonization happen back in the summer of 1980. Please contact Carol Stancil Edwards (SE'84) at csered@sbcglobal.net to join the planning committee, to help coordinate your pledge class, or if you were involved in the recolonization or have supported Sigma Epsilon over the past 30 years. We want to honor you and celebrate this chapter with you! Look for more information to follow soon!

TEXAS - SAVE THE DATE! Gamma Upsilon - Texas A&M-Commerce (formerly East Texas State University) will celebrate its 50th Anniversary with a reunion on May 8, 2010. Lunch will be held in the MSC. More news of the festivities coming soon. For more information, contact Shirley at dramamama6@aol.com.

TEXAS - Join members of the Houston Northwest alumnae chapter on September 22 at 6:30 p.m. for Margaritas & Memories at at the home of Monica Simmons. For more information, contact Monica at monica_droz@hotmail.com.

TEXAS - Join members of the Far East Dallas alumnae chapter for its NWFM celebration on September 17 at 6:30 p.m. at San Martino Winery in Rockwall. Reconnect with old friends and make new ones! Please bring: a snack to share; a little cash or credit card(MC/VISA)for drinks - wine or soft drinks; and a donation for the Pregnancy Resource Center of Rockwall - diapers, wipes or Walmart gift cards. For more information, aimeebartis@gmail.com.

TEXAS - Join members of the Houston Northwest alumnae chapter on October 27 at 6:30 p.m. for its Founders' Day celebration at the home of Marlene Graham. Celebrate KD’s beginnings and share a fabulous meal with your sisters. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and our sisters and friends who have been affected by breast cancer, please wear something pink. R.S.V.P. by October 20— dinner will be catered by Pit Masters. For more information, contact Monica at monica_droz@hotmail.com.

TEXAS - Join members of the Mid-Cities Texas alumnae chapter on October 22 at 7 p.m. for its annual Founders' Day Dinner at the Olive Garden Restaurant, 301 Hwy. 114 S. Access Rd., Grapevine, Texas. All area Kappa Deltas are invited to attend as we celebrate 112 years of sisterhood! Please call 972/724-0137 for reservation information. And be sure to visit our award-winning website, www.midcitieskd.com For more information, contact Patty at olddogcop@msn.com.

TEXAS - Join members of the Richardson/Plano, Texas alumnae chapter on September 26 at 2 p.m. as they celebrate NWFM at the Forum Retirement Community, 7831 Park Lane , Dallas 75225 (across from Northpark Center on the north side of Park Lane). Bring a friend, daughter or mother along with a new stuffed animal and a piece of jewelry that you no longer want and celebrate this KD initiated holiday with the ladies who live at The Forum! We will be having a lively jewelry exchange along with dessert and fellowship with women of all ages. Stuffed animals will be donated to the Parkland Hospital's Victim Intervention Unit and cannot exceed 18 inches in height. For more information, contact Neva at NevaCochranRD@aol.com.

VERMONT

VERMONT - Join Kappa Delta alumnae in the Burlington, Vt., area for a "meet-and-greet" on October 18 at 1 p.m. at at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library (21 Library Ln, Williston, VT 05495) in the Community Room. Once in the library, follow the long hallway to the back of the building, enter the children's area, and the room is to the left. Amy Levi is the hostess for the event. To RSVP, contact Amy at sweetpea91899@yahoo.com.

VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA - Join the Greater Fairfax/Loudoun County, Va., alumnae chapter on September 19, time to be announced as members celebrate National Women's Friendship Month at the Reston Zoo. More details to follow. For more information, contact Whitney at whitney.richardson@yahoo.com.

VIRGINIA - Join the Greater Fairfax/Loudoun County, Va., alumnae chapter on October 24, time to be announced as members celebrate Founder's Day at Lansdowne Resort. For more information, contact Whitney at whitney.richardson@yahoo.com.

WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON - Join the Greater Seattle, Wash., alumnae chapter at a lunch meeting on September 18 at 11 a.m. at the University of Washington Club. Reservations can be made directly to Lee Anne Malott at 206-399-5499. Reservations must be made by September 14. For more information, contact Joan at joanofarc98008@msn.com.

WASHINGTON - Join Kappa Delta Collegians and members of the Seattle Daytime and Evening alumnae chapters as they celebrate the 112th Founder's Day with brunch at the Overlake Golf and Country Club in Medina, WA on October 25. The event begins at 10:30am with a reception to meet our new members. Brunch will be served at 11:00 am. Pre-paid reservations are due October 10. For more information, contact JoAnn at joanofarc98008@msn.com.