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j You have reached the Newsletter Archives of the Alpha Omega Society. To browse through different years, click on button labeled "Up". To explore our website click on the button labeled "Home". If you want to search our website for something in particular, click right here to be taken to our search page. Alpha Omega Minutes December 5th, 1998 Marla thanked everyone for coming. She thanked Peggy for the meal and everyone else who contributed. January Lisa will show us our web site. We will also have our Chili cookoff. The Alpha Omega Choir sang Four unique variations of The Twelve Days of Christmas , O Christmas Tree, Deck the Halls and Jingle Bells. Diane Vernon sang a song. Gloria thanked every one for coming. She turned the program over to the awards committee. Cheryl presented three member with a certificate for $5. Off a meeting fee. Gloria, Kathleen and Elaine had prefect attendance. The Kindred Spirit award went to Cheryl. She received a free meeting fee certificate. The Rising Star award went to Marla . She received a free meeting fee certificate. The Lady of the Year award went to Lisa. She received a plaque and her dues paid for next year. Gloria thanked the officers and the girls who contributed to the news letter.
Respectfully Submitted Elaine Benton Secretary/Treasurer REACH FOR THE STARS By Marla Wow.....what a surprise to have been named alpha omega's rising star at the december christmas party!! This honor was truly a surprise to me....and i thank all the a/o sisters who voted. But in reality....the award should go to many of the girls who help make the club what it is today. ....like lori whose diligence in preparing our meeting place and leading our interview process for prospective candidates. There's olena who adds so much life and spice to our organization just by her mere presence. Could we even think about having a meal without peggy's tireless (and i might add, tasty!) Efforts. Elaine keeps our monies in line....and debby has contributed countless hours to a/o and has been there from the very beginning. What i'm saying here is that we can all be rising stars within the organization.....and we'll need more efforts from more of the sisterhood if we are to continue to grow as we have. Like the bible says....we are one body, but many different parts. We are a collective collaboration of diverse talents. It takes all of our efforts to keep alpha omega the vital organization it is today. While i thank the sisters again for this recognition, I challenge other members to reach for the stars and help the organization in whatever ways possible....be it with a newsletter article, volunteering for outreach...bringing a side dish to a monthly meeting meal....or just helping a new or prospective member feel welcome at our meetings. We're all made of star material. I ask all members to reach for it within and share it. Make it a 1999 resolution. Happy New Year!!! Do you remember the first A.O. meeting you attended? I know I do. I was wondering what in the world I was getting myself into. And now I have found out. It has been a wonderful time, full of great people, wonderful experiences and a fantastic learning experience. It has also meant a little work, but not the bad kind. It has been work that I truly enjoy. It has been something that I can do to help the group, that once, and still does, help me so much. When I began helping with with some of the groups various activities, I had no thought of being the Lady of the Year. I just wanted to help a little. I am very flattered and honored to have been graced with the Lady of the Year award by the group. It will be proudly displayed on my bedroom wall. I will continue to serve the group in ways that I am able to, and at the same time, would dearly love to see others step forward and use their talents and abilities to assist the group and perhaps share in the honors as well. We all have the ability to do so. Just look for what ever you can do to help, and do it! It really doesn't take that much. Thanks again for the honor of being voted Lady of the Year. I am very touched be this, and look forward to the coming year to see who will receive it next. : ) Huggers Lisa Ann THANK YOU! At last month's meeting I was honored to receive the Kindred Spirit. To say I was astonished would be putting it mildly. I felt then as I do now that I really have done nothing to earn it. However, I have been reminded by several of our "ladies" that although for the past few years I was not attached to a particular CD I was and still am the "SO" of the group (does that make me mascot? If so, where's my lettered t-shirt?) I've tried to have a listening ear and an open heart for each and every one of the group. (Now the open heart is limited to one. Sorry girls, Lisa is possessive!) Through my newsletter articles and my special baby "The Rainbow Trail" web pages, I've tried to increase SO awareness and reach out to those SO's in need. By volunteering for the Finance Committee, General Affairs and of course the Christmas Banquet Committee I've tried to show other SO's that we can be an active, important part of Alpha Omega. If I have indeed accomplished a small part of these goals, I am happy and that is reward enough for me. But I'm not giving the award back!! It looks nice next to Lisa's! Geez, all this just to say thank you from this "kindred spirit"---Love, Cheryl The future isn't what it used to be. Attributed Yogi Berra, baseball great EDITORIAL PERSPECTIVE Our Alpha Omega 1998 Awards Ceremony honored three very outstanding individuals, and we can and should as a group be very proud of them. The awards were as follows: KINDRED SPIRIT: CHERYL RISING STAR: MARLA LADY OF THE YEAR: LISA SEYMOUR Cheryl is not only my dear friend, but is as a sister to me. Our friendship started about six or seven years ago when, as the wife of a new member (Megan), she attended her first meeting. Somehow, we just hit it off, and the bond of friendship became closer. During the last few years we were there for each other during some very tough times in our lives. After her divorce, I slowly say her find strength in herself and decide to continue to be a part of Alpha Omega. Cheryl is a friend to all of us, and has always been willing to speak with other women, help on interviews as needed, help set up meetings, has set up the web page for wives and partners, has served on several group committees, and is the Official Alpha Omega Cheesecake Maker. Congratulations, Sis! I am so happy for you. I am very pleased to see Marla, our Vice President, recognized as a Rising Star. In order for any group to function and grow, it needs leadership to fulfill its commitment to its membership. There is always a need for someone to step forward and accept a responsibility for making things happen. I have been proud to serve with Marla, because I know she does care about the group, and seeing the group move forward. I also enjoy her sense of humor and wit. Congratulations for a job well done, Marla. I am proud to serve with you. (How about "One More Time?") And, lastly, my respect for the 1998 Lady of the Year, Lisa Seymour. Your efforts on the computer committee, the web page, and now the newsletter have been of great service to each of us who is a part of Alpha Omega. I am pleased you have stepped forward and given of yourself for the betterment of all of us and for those we have not met yet. Take pride in your accomplishment, my friend. You have earned the honor. And now it is the start of next year, and next December we will once again select people to honor. I encourage all of you to do whatever you can to make Alpha Omega the best it can be. It really can give you a great feeling inside when your efforts help another. Let's make 1999 a really fantastic year. Respectfully Submitted, Gloria Sue Fenton
President, Alpha Omega
Why do they call it evaporated milk if it's still there when you open the
can?
Walking On Fire By Marla It's been an interesting year for your truly. I've had the good fortune to share in many wonderful experiences, including a fabulous ocean cruise, a visit 2,000 feet underground and a mile and a half under Lake Erie to view the salt mines, and the joy of completing a graduate degree. Perhaps the most profound experience however was walking of fire. Yes-You're reading correctly. I traipsed with my tootsies across burning coals. No doubt, some of you are wondering why anyone in their right mind would dare to expose their flesh to 1,200 degree embers. I can only answer such a query with e response.. "Because the opportunity presented itself for a life-enriching experience." And that it was! I came across and article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer a few months ago describing firewalking and the accompanying spirituality seminar that prepared participants to face their rears. In a moment, I knew I had to experience this! With a mixture of trepidation and anticipation, I arrived at Angel House, a modest, spiritual structure neat the Strongsville entrance to the Metroparks. 20 strangers came together, all with something we needed to accomplish- Something spiritual we needed to overcome-. Something we needed for our spiritual growth. Continued Page 8 The follow letter came in on the Alpha Omega E-Mail. Hello, If I may take just a few moments of your time, I would like to let you know of our availability to serve your organization. Spokesman For Jesus Ministries, based out of southern New Jersey, is a non-denominational Christian ministry which has a great deal of experience working with transgendered people. Our desire is to see those who are TG experience freedom from the heartbreak that so often can do tremendous harm to them. Through this ministry many have found out that there is nothing wrong with them, that they aren't "freaks", and most importantly that there are people who will love, accept, and cherish them just for who they are. We do not try to change anybody, or make them ascribe to "our" beliefs. We are simply an ear to hear them, a shoulder to lean on, and open arms to welcome them. We offer counseling at no charge to any who request it, and we are always available to do whatever we can for anyone that is in eed. We counsel in person, via e-mail, Internet Phone, ICQ, group counseling, and even good old Ma Bell. We are here to help in any way that we can. We would like to invite you to stop by and check out our website located at http://www.sfjm.org If you would like to do so, we would welcome and greatly appreciate your linking to us from your page(s). Thank you so much for your time, may God richly bless you. Pastor John Calise Spokesman For Jesus Ministries WHAT IS A GIRL TO DO? A Certain Green-eyed Blonde is strolling past the food court at the local Mall one day when one of the individuals sitting at a table getting ready to eat their lunch sprinkles large amounts of pepper on their chocolate covered French fires. The girl, who passes by at that exact moment, is suddenly overtaken by an incredible need to sneeze because of all the pepper in the air. She reaches frantically into her purse, and realizes she forgot to put a hankie in with all her other necessities that day. What is a girl to do? Allow yourself to sneeze and hope Your wig doesn't fall off. Do an imitation of a choo-choo train going ah-choo, ah-choo, ah-choo until you finally do sneeze. Pretend to look for something at the bottom of your purse and sneeze into your purse. Knowing the force of a sneeze is about 600 mph, you try to out race it to an exit. The answer is: Of course the answer is E: Quite casually she pretends to adjust her bra strap, but she discreetly reaches inside her blouse and deftly removes a Puffs tissue that she had padded her bra with that morning. Taking the tissue, she is able to stifle the sneeze just in time tosave the situation from disaster. How To Look Like A transvestite! (The proper way to dress wrong) by Wendy Parker 1. Make your bustline as large as Possible. Pad it out to about a DDDD cup, preferably using something with no appreciable weight. Balloons are best, followed by tissues or shredded foam. 2. If you do spend your money an silicone breast forms, be sure they have nipples the size of your thumb. Wear them with a tricot bra and white silk blouse. Complain a lot about how cold it is outside. 3. Buy a bra that is much too small, since 38 is the largest size at the dime store. Remember, the look you want is a pair of ice cream cones set about three inches apart and about two inches below your collarbone. 4. Don't Pad your hips. Just because they throw your figure totally out of proportion and emphasize the masculinity of your walk is not enouqh reason to forgo the feelinq of your dress sliding over your panties. Ideally, your hips are slightly smaller than your waistline. 5. Forget foundation garments. Corsets are uncomfortable when laced tight enouqh to simulate a woman's waist. Besides, they push so much flab up over the top they displace your ultra-light balloon bra padding. Heavy elastic qarments from the department store catalogs are almost as bad. 6. Make sure the sleeves of your dress or blouse are nice and tight around your muscular upper arms. If someone giggles, crush his skull with your biceps. 7. Get one of those cute little wiqs that hangs smoothly and just brushes your shoulders. Add a high lace collar and choker necklace. It took years to develop the muscles in that bull neck - let others appreciate it'. 8. Never wear false nails or shave your hands. Someone might notice nail-glue residue on Monday morning or count the hairs on the backs of your hands. Your best bet is a pair of white gloves, size 12, with wide finqers. To display an enticing bit of flesh, simply make sure the gloves don't ouite reach the ends of your sleeves. 9. For daytime shopping, you'd best wear a leopard print Lycra exercise suit and glitter eye shadow. Later in the evening, you can switch to something laud. You may prefer micro-miniskirts and patterned hose with rhinestones, especially if you have knobby knees. The essential thing is to wear what you'd like to see on Madonna, not what looks right an you. (Also, like Madonna, those with bushy black eyebrows will want a platinum blonde wig.) 10. Show the versatility of your taste by buyinq your clothes in isolation. Get a blouse that looks good on the mannequin, a skirt because it reminds you of one your big sister wore in 1962, the tallest shoes in the store regardless of color and so on. Try to qet something in fuchsia or purple to highlight your bright red lipstick. Taking time to find out what complements your figure and color. then building coordinated ensembles, is much too boring! II. Don't EVER study your movements in a mirror or, worse yet, with a video camera. The reactions of others are your best guide to femininity. Remember, practice is for dopes who can't do everything perfectly the first time. (Courtesy Transpitt's RHAPSODY) [And now some hints I'd like to add:] A. NEVER practice your makeup techniques at home. You'll do fine applying makeup once a month at meetings. Anyhow, you've always admired Tammy Faye Baker's look! [Your eyes are the hardest to get riqht but the reat thing is you don't have to give yourself a super shave to practice on them!] Always dress as if you're doing to the prom. Never dress for the occasion or the weather. So what if the GG's attending are in tank tops and shorts! You must never be seen in anything less than a satin dress and spike heels. Truth is, you love sweating in satin or having your heels sink into the lawn at a picnic! Conversely, a micro-mini and 5' spike heels are the only thing to wear during blizzard conditions' Continued From Page 4 Our seminar leader, Bobby Diaz, guided us through an evening of preparation which included quieting our minds and finding our "centers." We then began bonding as a team-20 strangers- Sharing our collective energies-.. Willing to support each other in our individual quest to face and overcome our fears. We grew in strength and unity as we learned how to overcome our limitations. We passed our hands through wooden boards. We shattered arrows in the fleshy recesses of our throats, much the way young Indian men did in their passage to brave-hood. We prepared the fire- Tossed in our intention candles-. And anxiously awaited the moment of truth. Hands joined in a circle around the fire, our leader again reminded us to share in each other's love and energy and most importantly, to listen to the voice of the fire. If the voice told us not to walk- we shouldn't. This is not something to do filled with doubts- For certainly, then one could expect to be burned- Rather severely. Bobby spread the coals, offered a prayer, and did something that was unbelievable. He walked across 12 feet of burning coals, unscathed!! He did it! I listened intently for the voice within. It sait to me clearly- "Do it! Face your fear. Walk on the fire." I paused in front of the fir, feeling the love, energy and support of the group- And I took the steps. I did it!! I faced my self-limitations and overcame them- Walking across twelve feet of red-hot coals.. To be greeted by Bobby at the other end with a hug of unconditional support and congratulations. The feeling was unbelievable (just one small "fire-kiss" on my left big toe). I felt as if I were floating on a cloud. The spirit was definitely with me that evening. Tears of joy welled up in me as I rejoined the circle and watched and supported my fellow firewalkers as they, one-by-one, faced the fire- And walked. We came as twenty individual strangers- And left as a tem of friends. Why firewalk?? It's about accessing the highest potential that lies within each of us- To embrace the powers with. Through myth, ritual and process, we can explore the incredible life-enhancing power that we are all gifted by GOD to possess. It is a learning process to use and incorporate in life, enabling one to accomplish more remarkable endeavors. It has already done that and more for me- And it can for you. Interested?? For more information, contact: Two Times The Spirit C/O Bobby Diaz 12020 Lake Avenue, Suite310 Lakewood, OH 44107 TwoTimeTheSpirit@Juno.com 1-888-449-0645 UPCOMING EVENTS
January: Web Site Demonstrations by Cheryl & Lisa.
The Alpha Omega Great Chili Cookoff
February: Open.
Nominations for Officers for the coming year.
March: Open.
Final nominations and election of officers.
ELSEWHERE
Ø 17th Annual BE ALL
Cleveland, OH
June 2 – 6, 1999
www.beall.net
Ø S.P.I.C.E. Convention
Minneapolis, MN
July 14 – 18, 1999
www.firstnethou.com/brenda/spice.htm
Ø Holiday en Femme
Houston, TX
Nov. 10 – 14, 1999
www.firstnethou.com/brenda/holiday.htm
Brochures for these events are available at our meetings.
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