Alpha Chi Omega Founders’ Day Luncheon

On October 13, 2018, members of Delta Pi Delta Alumnae Chapter met in the Community Room of Bayview I at Bonita Bay Condominiums in Bonita Springs, Florida.   This was the first meeting of the 2018-2019 season, and Marjie Taggart was our hostess. Members brought their favorite salad or dessert, and the lavish buffet had something for everyone.

Bayview Condominions porte-cochères

The Bayview I Condominions North entrance is on the right

Upward view of Bayview I Condominions

Tropical garden in front of the Bayview porte-cochère

Location of the luncheon in the Bayview Community room

Alpha Chi Omega sisters gather mid-October each year to recognize the fraternity's fall founding at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, on October 15, 1885.  Alpha Chi Omega's Founders chose "Alpha” because they were forming the first fraternity in the school of music and “Omega,” since they thought it might also be the last such fraternity.  The lyre was chosen as their official symbol since it was the most important instrument played by the Greek gods on Mount Olympus. 

Some symbols and traditions remain rooted in our founding, like our colors and the lyre, while others have been adopted and refined as the fraternity has grown. The mission of Alpha Chi Omega is to enrich the lives of members through lifetime opportunities of friendship, leadership, learning and service; and our primary philanthropy, adopted in 1992, is Domestic Violence Awareness. In honor of the seven original Alpha Chi founders, our chapter will give $7 on behalf of each of our members of Delta Pi Delta to the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation.

New member Mary Booth (Beta Eta at FSU), Mary Bradley & Kaley Lather (Kappa Xi at U of West Florida and Advisor to the Kappa Chi Chapter at FGCU)

Phyllis

New member Carol (Gamma Lambda at Kent State) and Pat

Carol (Delta Mu at U Mass) & Johannah (Alpha Delta at U of Cincinnati and daughter of Delta Pi Delta founder, Wilma DeCamp) 

Valary & Donna

Brenda, Phyllis & Carolyn

Julie, Betsy Opyt (Gamma Mu at Ball State and our speaker today)  & Pat

Margi & Kaley

Hostess Margie & Ann

Carol, Valary & Johannah

Shirley 

Buffet table

Buffet table with salads

Betsy's Nut Butters are across the table

The buffet line begins

Betsy Opyt is a registered dietitian, entrepreneur, spokesperson, and President/CEO of Betsy's Best, a line of gourmet nut and seed butters featuring food ingredients for a healthy lifestyle. She brought along some of her nut butters for us to sample.

Betsy graduated from Ball State University, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She then went on to become Miss Indiana, 2000. After winning Miss Indiana,  Betsy took her platform for a healthy lifestyle to many schools and communities working with the Indiana Department of Education. The Betsy's Best Brand has created a scholarship for the Miss Indiana program that will give back to an organization that helped Betsy begin her career. 

Betsy described to our group how her product began with her homemade peanut butter, which she made to appeal to her daughter’s discerning taste buds. Then she made enough to sell  at the local Farmer’s Market, and so began Betsy’s Best Gourmet Nut and Seed Butters. Famous for their outstanding taste and light, crunchy texture, Betsy’s Best Healthy Nut Butters are now available in almost 2,000 stores nationwide and on Amazon.

Betsy, an Alpha Chi at Ball State in Indiana, became an official member of our alumnae group, 

Delta Pi Delta.

Birthday Girl Marcia

Kaley on her way home after the luncheon

Brenda, Shirley & Marcia leaving the building

Good-bye Until We Meet Again

For the  last meeting of the 2017-2018 season, members of Delta Pi Delta met at Brio Tuscan Grille in Naples, Florida, on May 12, 2018. Brio offers indoor and outdoor seating, which many people enjoyed on this warm day in May. Our special treat after lunch was the “in-character” performance by Jacquelyn Pierce.

Our distinguished guest speaker, Jacquelyn Pierce, has been a life-long educator who entertains communities throughout the country with her vignettes of famous women. As a portrayer of historic figures, Jackie especially likes to depict well-known women who have overcome great obstacles. At the Delta Pi Delta luncheon, Jackie  portrayed Jacqueline Kennedy and one of her favorites to perform, Mary Todd Lincoln. Jackie spoke in the first person, relating an imaginary conversation between these two women meeting at the Pearly Gates. She used two different-colored fans to indicate in which woman’s voice she was speaking. There are many similarities between these First Ladies: both women were socially prominent, twenty-four-year old women who spoke French fluently; they both married a future President in his thirties; and both were close-by but uninjured when their husbands were assassinated. Interestingly, the coincidences don’t end there, as Jackie informed us. 

Of special interest to Alpha Chis is Jackie’s dedication to the fight against domestic violence. She has served for six years as a Trustee for the Shelter for Abused Women of Collier County and is now on the Board of Directors. Our chapter has visited this shelter and were greatly impressed with its facilities and operation. We also remember the shelter with an annual gift and presents at Christmas time.

Entrance to the mall at Waterside Shops in Naples

Brio Tuscan Grille on the right, with indoor/outdoor seating

Patio dining at Brio

Rosemary, Donna & Nancy, Panhellenic President

Sandi, Recording Secretary

Julie & daughter Whitney

Judy, Esther, Sandi, Shirley & Brenda

Carol, Brenda & Julie

Julie, Whitney & Jackie

Valary & Nancy

Susan, Phyllis, Sue, Ann & Nancy

Carol & Marcia

Darlene, Jane, Rosemary, Carolyn, Linda & Scottie

Pat conducting the meeting

Corresponding Secretary Judy

Esther & Pat after the meeting

Donna & Margi

Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad, one of three salad choices.The other two were Pasta Pesto Chicken and Chicken Limone.

The Dolchino Trio--three petite desserts: Key Lime, Caramel Mascarpone Cheesecake and Crème Brulée

Jacquelyn Pierce

Jacquelyn Pierce as Jacqueline Kennedy

Jacquelyn Pierce as Mary Todd Lincoln 

Leaving Brio

Delta Pi Delta Alumnae Chapter celebrates Hera Day, 2018

On March 10, 2018, members of Delta Pi Delta Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega  gathered for Hera Day, a special day for Alpha Chis because it celebrates the altruistic tradition that has guided its members ever since the founding of the sorority in 1885. Ann Farrell was our hostess at Bonita Bay  Club in Bonita Springs, Florida.

The porte-cochère of the Bonita Bay Club

The well-tended flower beds at the entrance to the club

Marjie, new member Jackie, & Valary

Marsha & Brenda

Carol & Mary

Guest Dorothy & America

Proud Minnesotans

Hostess Ann & Mary

Darlene, Jane & Susan

Darlene gave a presentation on the current status of Alpha Chi Omega nationally and outlined long-term goals for the sorority. Alpha Chi is adapting to the changes in demographics of young women attending a university and is defining how our sorority can contribute to the overall goals of  the university.   

Esther & Phyllis

Esther received a gold medallion from the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation for her support of the educational and philanthropic purposes of Alpha Chi Omega. 

New member, Lisa, & Jackie

Carolyn, Rosemary & Sandi

Ronda & Jennee

Debbie, Sue & Zarie

Today was a very special day for Donna. It was the occasion of her ninetieth birthday. She received a very special birthday cake, which was shared with everyone present for dessert.  Some very special family members came to share Donna’s birthday party. The youngest member was great, great niece, Skylar; great niece Karla was there; and niece Colleen was also there. Jennifer is Donna’s granddaughter, and Karen, a lifelong friend of Donna’s,  also came to share in the celebration.

The centerpiece on Donna’s table

Skylar, Karla, Donna & Colleen

Jennifer, Donna’s granddaughter

Donna & her good friend, Karen

Donna’s birthday cake

Cake Boss Robert Meyers & Donna

Donna with her birthday cake

The installation of officers for 2018-2020 took place: Co-Presidents Pat Jolly and Margi Shostedt are continuing in their office for another term; Co-Vice Presidents in charge of Programs are Julie Blanton & Marjie Taggert; Vice President in charge of Membership is Jackie Francis; Corresponding Secretary is Judy Anderson. Mary Bradley, Treasurer, and  Sandi Chetwynd, Recording Secretary, are continuing in the offices they presently hold for 2018.   

Installation of officers

Delta Pi Delta officers

Officers receiving carnation bouquets

In the name of our patron goddess, Hera,  members of the alumnae chapter who have contributed to the welfare of others are honored with a red carnation.  This year, Delta Pi Delta members have amassed over 10,000 volunteer hours. Three members received their fifty-year pins: Marcia Fink, Zarie Jones and Debbie Armitage.  These three members were all initiated together into the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at Michigan State in 1968.

Marcia receiving her 50-year pin from Margi

Zarie receiving her pin

Debbie receiving her pin

Marsha, Zarie & Debbie

The meeting on this day closed with the recitation by members of the “Rededication Bond,” and the “Symphony of Alpha Chi Omega,” as a reminder of the spirit of Alpha Chi Omega and in celebration of forty-four years of sisterhood in Southwest Florida.

Brenda, Susan, Phyllis & America leaving Bonita Bay Club

On their way home after the luncheon