Published: March 27, 2007 10:19 am      

Fortnightly has general meeting

By TERESA ATKERSON

Family Editor

The McAlester Fortnightly Club, GFWC-OK, began its celebration of Oklahoma’s Centennial during a general meeting held at the First Presbyterian Church.

President Dot Thompson’s theme was “Celebrating Oklahoma’s Centennial: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”

She explained the state’s name comes from two Choctaw words, “Okla” meaning people; and “humma,” meaning red. “So the state’s name literally means ‘red people’,” she said.

“In the early days, Oklahoma was a mass of prairie grass but the American Indians found ways to live on roots, herbs, wild berries, fruits, birds, eggs, wild animals and fresh fish.”

She noted one of the first plants the Indians cultivated was the Jerusalem artichoke.

She explained the Indians knew to eat only the plants eaten by wild animals or birds.

“They divided plants into four classes: poisonous, medicinal, food all the time and food that didn’t taste good but could be eaten in desperate times of famine.”

Thompson presented several facts about Oklahoma today.

The present state flag was adopted by the state legislature in 1925 and is the 14th flag for the state. The state seal’s central figures and wreath come from the Oklahoma Territory seal while the five rays of the main star feature the official seal of each of the Five Civilized Tribes. There are 45 smaller starts around the central star representing the states that made up the union when Oklahoma became a state Nov. 16, 1907.

Thompson noted Oklahoma has been the home state for six Miss Americas including the ones for 2006 and 2007. “That puts us in a tie with California and Ohio as having the most Miss Americas,” she said.

A quiz followed with members asked to name official state icons including the bird, flower, animal, fish, game bird, furbearer, tree, rock, wildflower, butterfly, folk dance, musical instrument, game animal and waltz.

Looking to the future, Thompson read the words to the official children’s song for Oklahoma, “Oklahoma, My Native Land,” by Martha Kemm Barrett.

Thompson also talked about the Fortnightly Club’s history and future.

The club was founded in 1898 and became a federated club in February 1904.

Today, the club has 102 members with five departments.

Last year, Thompson said members turned in 46,031 volunteers hours with $72,701 in donations and a total of 34 service projects.

“Our club continues to grow and be successful because of all of you,” she told the group. “Keep up the good work.”

Two deceased members were honored with memorials. Angie Sellmeyer presented a memorial for Betty Hackman while Celia Scherman presented a memorial for Betty Karr.

Thompson announced the deadline for the Bobbye Schumacher scholarship is March 26. The scholarship is for $500. The recipient must be a graduating senior in Pittsburg County. There is also an Alene Puterbaugh Scholarship that will be presented in the future when enough interest accrues to date.

Several bylaw changes were presented by Rita Sanders, bylaw committee chairman; and her committee, Zoe Duran and Kay Grumbine. These were approved.

The GFWC convention is set for April 20 and 21 in Oklahoma City. Thompson is the general delegate with Grumbine as the alternate.

The next general meeting will be the group’s annual spring banquet May 17 at 11:30 a.m. at the McAlester Country Club.

The Ceramics and Crafts Department will provide the program with Casual Gourmet providing the decorations.

The meeting closed with the group singing “Oklahoma” with Scherman as the pianist.

Contact Teresa Atkerson at family@mcalesternews.com.