Gloria called the meeting to order. She welcomed Sherry to her second meeting. Tatiana's friend Dawn, and Ari (Cheryl's daughter) were also welcomed.

 Last Sunday a group committee meeting was held. Gloria would like to have one of these meetings every three months. The next group meeting will be in August. The Financial committee found the books to be in order.

 TREASURER'S REPORT: In the checking account there is $2,933.17. In the charity and library fund, $228.00. Petty cash $50.00

 COMPUTER COMMITTEE: Diane Brennen reported on the progress she and Lisa have made. Debbie is viewing the video tapes of our chapter. Part of these tapes may be used on our Web page.

 We are trying to contact the Drew Carey Show to let them know there are two cross dressing groups in Cleveland. The guy who plays Drew's brother on the show plays the character of a cross dresser.

The tentative date for the Church to move to the new building is November. Lori has talked to the new woman minister.

Next month's meeting will be June 13^th. The meal will be pizza. Marla will bring relishes. Gloria and Kathy will be snacks.

Gloria thanked Peggy, Laura, and Cheryl for tonight's meal.

Debbie read part of an article in the Gay Peoples' Chronicle, Gender Pak.

Cheryl moved we adjourn the meeting. Tabitha seconded.

Respectfully Submitted,

Elaine Benton

Secretary/Treasurer

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Okay. . .it wasn't an evening that would make the folks at Sotheby's of London green with envy. . .but the Alpha-Omega Clothing Auction at the May meeting was something to behold. Well, at least Olena and Marla weren't pelted with rotten fruit (some of the girls thought they should have been!).

Numerous items were auctioned off by chief auctioneer Olena-Maria. That gavel-wielding gal was dangerous as she hiked up those prices. Olena (or was that Monty Hall?) was ably assisted by "model" Marla, doing her best Vanna White impression displaying items to be auctioned. Together, that terrible twosome managed to raise $84.00 for the club treasury. . .some gals got some GREAT buys on previously-owned togs. . .and most would agree that all in attendance had a good laugh or two during the good cause.

Thanks to Olena for suggesting this idea and seeing it through to implementation. We'll be sure to make this an annual event. Look for a bigger and better event next year! Olena and Marla were seen at Legends later that evening plotting the next A/O Auction. . .something was reportedly said about Olena getting a bigger auctioneer's gavel. . .and about Marla getting some better one-liners to hype the merchandise.

A B I G thanks to all who donated. . .and purchased items!

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 By Gloria Sue Fenton

The May meeting marked a very special time for me, because three women who have been very important in my life were all at that meeting.

First of all, there is Kathy. For nine years this remarkable, and wonderful woman has made every day with her a blessing, because she chooses to share her life and love with me. I keep telling her that I'm glad she has stayed too stupid {Thank you, Darlin'. Ed Elf.} to realize that she deserves far better than me.

She has put up with Martin and me, and given caring, understanding, friendship, love and acceptance in spite of the occasional flaws in my character. She has seen beyond clothes, and given the human being I am the freedom to be who I am, without question.

As with any two human beings, there are those times we do have our differences, and may be less than perfect. I'm sure that I prove this fairly often to Kathy. But, somehow we always gives me the benefit of the doubt and gives of her heart to me. I wish she could see how beautiful she really is in my eyes.

Next, there is Cheryl. Every so often in our lives we meet someone, and a unique bond of friendship and respect is created. Somehow this bond developed between Cheryl and Gloria, and to a very real sense we became "sisters" to each other.

There is an emotional bond that is more than words, and for me as "Gloria", I gained a feeling of family, and being a part of something more than just myself. Cheryl may call Marty a dear friend, but I am so glad she calls me "sister".

And, lastly, there is Ari. Ari is Cheryl's daughter; and I first met her about six years ago. Or, I should say, Marty did, because it was just over three years ago that she finally met "Gloria".

During that time we have talked many times, and she has always given me respect as Marty and as Gloria. We have written to each other, and she has even borrowed some of my clothes.

We share similar tastes in movies and books, and have both played the clarinet. One of Ari's goals is to update my wardrobe so I am more 90's. She says I'm usually a little too "dressy" casual for her taste.

In a sense she has become like a daughter for Kathy and me, and that makes her very special.

Whether as Martin, or as Gloria, I am so fortunate to have these three women as a part of my life because each of them gives me a special place in theirs. Because of them, my life is so much more than I could have dreamed of years ago. Each of you has given "Gloria" a reality as a human being, and I am so proud of the three of you.

You give me Life.

I give you Love.

My Love Always,
Glo

PS: Last month was Ari's first meeting as she recently turned 18. I'm glad you wanted to share your time with us, and that others will get to know your friendship as I have. The women who attend our meetings are all very special, and I hope we all let them know that.

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EAT YOUR WAY TO AN HOURGLASS FIGURE

By Tanya

In my last two articles we learned how to visually add inches to the length of our legs while subtracting inches from our upper bodies. Now we come to the "toughie," the lower torso. In such a small area (the distance from the waist to the hips is about eight inches) we must drastically trim the waistline while adding a few visual or, perhaps, actual inches to the hips.

The lower torso is the one place Mother Nature turns against us. There are plenty of females out there with short legs and many with heavy upper torsos. However, real girls who have narrow hips usually also have narrow waists. We males, on the other hand, generally have proportionally narrower hips than females but with not-so-narrow waists.

In any event, there are eleven weays to create an hourglass figure with out dieting to the point that you become a mre shodow of yuor former maleself!

1. Stand up straight-all the time! Practicing good posture can take as much as 2 inches off your waist, and will make you look better all over.

2. Buy yourself the "girl's best friend", a waist-cincher. The advantage of a cincher over a girdle is that it takes in the waist without affecting the hips, It may take some experimentation, but wear the smallest size cincher you can comfortably tolerate. You'll be amazed at the effect it will have on your overall appearance! Corselettes or bustiers are also great. NOTE: Sears waist-cincher #IBG71727F is excellent. It comes with garters for stockings (pantyhose users can snip them off), costs $14.00, and comes in even sizes 24-34. Try the size that is 4 inches less than your natural waist. At first you will swear you'll never get it hooked but, when you do, you will find it is amazingly comfortable!

3. "Blouse" your top over your belt (like a GI "blouses" his trousers over his boot tops). It creates the illusion of a waist when one isn't there or accentuates the waist you do create with your waist cincher.

4. Good dress styles are peplum, blouson, overblouse, tunic, chemise, body-skimming cut, top-to-bottom button, and surplice. Avoid belted styles that don't allow the top to "blouse" over, styles with revealing center pleats, and dark top-light bottom dresses. If you must wear an "unblousable" belted style, a narrow, matching belt is a compromise.

5. Wear lace, pointelle knit, or lightweight sweaters, also flat jersey-stitch tops. Avoid bulky or ballony sweaters., clingy rib-knits and short, tight sweaters.

6. As always, stick with straight or controlled-top-fullness ("A"-line, yoked, 4-6 gore, or wrap) skirts and straight slacks.

7. Look for smooth detailing at and below the waist of skirts and pants. Unpressed pleats should be minimal, or none at all; pockets also minimal, or none at all. Also avoid bunchy gathers and elastic, sarong-tie, or drawstring waists. If you have no tummy problem, these are the best way to create the appearance of one!

8. Handkerchief hemlines are excellent proportion correctors for lower torso heaviness.

9. Good separates combinations are as follows: Wear shirt as open jacket to top tee shirt or blouse that ends below waist. Dropped-waist or yoked skirt plus shirt worn "bloused" over. Layered blouses, both open-neck, worn over straight skirt or slacks. Wear top blouse out and belted. Open cardigan sweater over blouse and straight skirt.

10. Avoid high-waisted skirts and slacks, especially with a short jacket or vest; a fitted shirt worn tucked-in and with collar closed plus an open-pleated skirt; or a tight, waist-lenqth sweater with a full skirt or any wide-leg slacks. Also avoid horizontals in the upper torso area, stripes, boat necklines, wide belts, and pegged skirts.

11. If, even with a waist-cincher, there is still little difference between your waistline and hipline you may want to try padding your hips. Frederick's sells padded girdles and Chevalier Publications (P.O. Box 194, Tulare CA 93275) sells pads to use with your own girdle.

As always, most of these hints come from The Complete Bonnie August Dress Thin System. However, in three one-page articles I can hardly begin to scratch the surface of the information she has to give. I have tried to pass on some basic ideas to assist you in correcting those body flaws most associated with TV's. Ms. August covers many other situations concerning the body's proportional relationships and presents corrective steps to be taken with types of clothing I have not discussed, i.e., coats, suits, swimwear., active sportswear, and evening wear. I have only lightly covered shoes hosiery, lingerie, accessories, color and cloth. She studies their effects on the body's proportions in depth,

I have endeavored to pass on information to what I guess to be the "average" TV: a girl with proportionally broad shoulders and narrow hips, no obvious waistline, legs less than 3 1/2 inches longer than her torso, and a prominent (as opposed to flat) bustline. If you do not fit this description, and even if you do, I recommend you obtain Ms. August's book to see what clothing styles she recommends for you. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: If you are a male trying HIS hardest to look HER best as a woman you will search long and hard to find more useful information than that given by Ms. August. If you know what types of clothing make the most of the body you have, the appearance of that "perfect" female figure IS within reach!!

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One more thing, Marla, you make a great Vanna!!