October 2001

Masthead 2001

Karen's Korner
September Minutes
October Meeting Announcements
Our October Speaker- Jane Ellen Fairfax
Costume Suggestions for October Meeting/Halloween Party
Rainbow Connection
September 11, 2001
About Taking Pictures at Meetings
Calendar

LETTER FROM KAREN ON UNITY:

Hello members and guests. I like to thank everyone for their help in this get together. We are a small group but we do have a large following and we can help a lot of people in trouble, with under-standing themselves and others. By having all groups talking to other, we can direct people to the appropriate groups or organizations in their area serving their specific needs. But we need as much information about others as we can. They also need as much information about us as well.

As our groups work more together we can help each other. Not every group or organization is the same, but our goals are similar. By getting all of us together we can make more friends, have a better understanding of each other, what to do in life, and with our lives.

When we are together, we can share our experiences that may help others learn about aspects of our alternative lifestyles. Although some experiences may have been good in your life you may have had problems. You can discuss these problems of relationships,

lifestyles, legal issues, and medical with professional counselors . We have information to give to others about seeing the listed professionals.

In the past few months, I have learned a great deal. I've never run such a large organization before. I was mostly the "sit in the back and not do much as a whole." When I went to meetings, it was only a "stepping stone" to going out. As time passed, I began to become friends with all of the people and get an understanding of the group's causes. I also learned that one person can make a difference on what happens to others. Now I have learned that everyone needs to take part, and when they do we get better meetings and improved friendships.

I like to be the organizer of this group and having the help of other members in organizing the meetings. I've also learned how to run the meetings correctly and how things need to be done, in the correct order. So, please use your patience and let me know when I make mistakes and I will do my best to avoid or correct those mistakes.

I'd like to say to new members that I enjoy having you come to the

meetings, but I may not have the time to speak to you direct. When you feel it's appropriate, come and talk to me. We all care about everyone else, and we should be trying to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible. I will try to speak to all new members at each meeting if possible.

Karen

President

Have you selected your costume yet! Lisa and Ari have compiled a list of ideas!

Prizes for the best costume, the most original costume, and the best couple/team costume. Judges will be (once Karen asks them): Jane Ellen and Mary Frances Fairfax, Rev. Nicole Kirk, and Randi Barnabee. Alpha Omega has gone to no little expense to select prizes that are sure to excite each and every one of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TO DO OUR PART –

September 11^th is a day none of us will ever forget. America is in the process of recovering and Alpha Omega can do its part to help. At this meeting we will be raffling off Red Cross Bear. Please dig deep and help us show how much we also care. (and fly those flags high!)

The food is ordered. We’re having Italian. However, we need help in two areas: Snacks and desserts! We are asking everyone to bring either a snack or a dessert. This month promises to be a huge meeting and we need lots of treats. At last count we had 75+ people coming. So bring on those snacks and desserts. We’ll be sure they all go to waist or is that none will go to waste????????

Return to Top

Jane has been an active member of Tri-Ess for over 16 years. Since 1990 she has served as Chair of the Tri-Ess Board of Directors. She is a founder and former President of Tau Chi Chapter in Houston, Texas. She has served as Co-Coordinator of three Holidays En Femme and together with her wife, Frances, hosted the 1990 Holiday En Femme in Houston. She was instrumental in developing the Big Sister Program, the Chapter Formation process, and the Tri-Ess online forums. She considers her proudest accomplishments: the securing of full Tri-Ess membership privileges for spouses and partners and the creation of SPICE. She has always been particularly interested in family and religious matters.

Jane has attended every Holiday En Femme since the 1985 event in New Orleans. Jane made her radio talk show debut during the 1990 Holiday En Femme and has since appeared in television and newspaper features on crossdressing. Jane strongly supports IFGE’s work for the happiness of all crossgendered people. She was the recipient of an IFGE Trinity Award in 1993 and jointly with her wife, Frances, received the Virginia Prince Lifetime Service Award in 2000. She is a past member of the IFGE Board of Directors and currently advises that Board as an Honorary Member. Over the years she has attended most gender community conventions and has visited many Tri-Ess chapters.

Jane’s many interests include sports, music, bridge, medieval English history and Sherlock Holmes. Jane and Frances are the parents of two teenage sons who have known and loved "Aunt Jane" from birth. Jane most enjoys helping newly emerging crossdressers and feels a particular burden for their wives. As Chair of the Board of Directors, Jane’s goal is to make Tri-Ess more responsive the needs of all its members. Jane’s personal mottos are "She leads best who serves best" and "I will accomplish while I live." She asks your prayers as she carries out her responsibilities as Chair.

-from the 2001 National Directory

Return to Top

Costume Ideas

With the impending Alpha Omega Halloween Party looming before us all, I thought you all might like some costume suggestions. I hear that Uncle Sam is big this year and of course, so is Lady Liberty. That’s actually a pretty good idea for a couple. Here are some more:

Bride & Groom, Wizard & Sorceress, Antony & Cleo, Romeo & Juliet,King & Queen

For couples who want to come both in fem mode, the Queen and Queen Mother. How about a Maid & Butler or as a Serving Wench. Watch the skirt length please, we wish to have fun, not offend.

As mentioned earlier, politics are always an option. How about George and First Lady, Bill & Hillary, and my personal favorite, Bill & Monica. Walt Disney can always lend a hand with Mickey & Minnie, Donald & Daisy, Beauty & the Beast, and if you can get a big group together, Snow White & the Seven Dwarves. The cast of the Wizard of Oz or Gilligan’s Island. If the idea of Jean Valjean & Cosette or the Phantom of the Opera doesn’t do it for you how about American Gothic?

For those with a little more modern taste, try Al & Peggy Bundy but leave Kelly & Bud out of it. Or for loyal Clevelanders try Drew Carey’s Brother Steve. He or She can bring Mimi along if you can get enough make-up.

For those that want to stick along the gender theme the movies will give you lots of clues with the cast of To Wong Fu, Tootsie, or Mrs. Doubtfire. Of course Scarlett & Rhett or Marilyn Monroe will be well recognized as well as Jackie Onassis.

Chapter Policy dictates that we must conform to lady-like or gentlemanly in our manner of dress, or should I say clothing. I take that to mean that a Cop & Hooker would be out. And Mistress & her Slave, a Flasher, the Village People, China & HHH, as well as the entire cast of Son of the Beach would all join them in the trash.

Hope you all enjoy these ideas.

Lisa Ann

Rainbow Connection

TEARS OF AN EAGLE

By Cheryl Seymour

I had decided to start sending articles to the Mirror months ago. I even put reminders in my calendar so I wouldn’t forget. As the deadline drew near, I still hadn’t started one, still hadn’t figured out a topic. I kept promising myself that the next weekend I would sit myself down and get to work. It just never happened……until September 11^th.

I had worked as usual the night before. Upon arriving home I glanced at my email and went to bed. In the middle of my day’s long nap, I had to get up and that’s when my daughter broke the news to me. Of course, I spent the rest of the day glued to the TV in horror – disbelieving that such a thing could happen and knowing deep down inside that it was for real. Thousands of innocent souls had been wiped out in a blink of an eye. They were no more.

For us life had to go on, changed though it may be. I still had to work, watch the CDSO, read email, and so on. I still had to deal with the issues at home. But somehow they’d changed in their priority. I looked at my husband and realized that he is more precious to me than the length of his hair, the dress he likes to wear, the makeup he uses. Why did I argue with him over growing his hair? He is able to comb it. Why did I yell about his make-up being left out, his wig lying on the bar, his clothes on the floor? He is home to wear them. He is alive and I can hold him, talk to him and tell him how much I love him. He is the man I love and safe for now. I need to treasure each moment as though they could be our last.

Can we not all re-evaluate the little things in our lives that take up so much of our energy and put them in their proper places? It is time. Our world is shaken, changed forever. It truly will never be the same. Americans will never again be able to sleep in their complacency but will have to restructure their lives. Let it begin at home for us all.

We have been touched by evil and our eagle is shedding a tear for each loss. God’s blessings upon us all and upon our wounded country.

Return to Top

Help New York City through your giving.

Mary Kay products pamper from head to toe. For all you gift-giving needs and to add

shimmer and shine to your holiday glamour look. For the month of October, Debbie is donating all her profits to the World Trade Center Relief Fund.

Contact Debbie Deamons at (440) 944-4838 or email @ TDeamons@aol.com.

Thank you for you support!

Deborah Deamons

Lost Souls
Innocent lives taken too soon,
Men becoming heroes doing what they loved.
Families torn apart by death and devastation,
Souls lost amidst ashes and rubble.

Our lives were changed that fateful day
The day when our world collapsed
And our Country taken hostage by unseen faces
And unknown people who only

Red Cross Raffle

We are raffling off a red cross bear to help the people of New York City

We are donating all proceeds from the raffle to the

Red Cross of New York City

So please get as many tickets as possible

Thank you for your support

President Karen

Note: Tickets will be available at the check-in desk and during breaks. Cost: $1 per ticket or 6 for $5.

Return to Top

Pictures

To all members and friends:

NO Pictures are to be taken without permission of any club member or visitor. Everyone must have the club photographer’s permission.

(Michelle Thomas, or Dianne Kent)

They will use your camera if you wish, or we can have pictures taken and have enlargements made a minimal cost to you.

Thank you for your support in this matter. Any questions, please ask any board member.

(The reason for this is security issues of members and guests)

Return to Top

Thanksgiving Dinner

Program – open

Christmas Party

Music, fun, skit

Discussion of Proposed Constitution

NATIONAL SO MONTH

Vote on Constitution

Nomination of Officers for Upcoming Year

Election of Officers

Formation of Committees

New Officers take Office

Program Open

Program Open

Program Open

SPICE – Richmond, VA July 10-14