Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
“The Alpha Tau Talk”
“Moving Forward with Vitality, Relevance and Sustainability”
2024-2026 Missouri State Theme Volume 7 Issue 2
www.dkg.org –International
Myrna Walker—Newsletter Editor Alpha Tau Facebook: Alpha Tau MO of DKG
mailto: myrnaLwalker@gmail.com MO State Facebook: DKG Missouri
Jessie’s Journey
Happy Fall! This time of year is always full of busy
schedules, changing weather, and some of my favorite
holidays! As I was thinking about what I wanted to
share with you all this newsletter, I realized that I
have been reflecting recently on how I can be more
present with my family and friends, and that I want to
strive to create memories with them this holiday
season.
So, I decided to set aside writing about school,
work, or even ways to stay motivated, and focus my
writing on the many wonderful things our local
communities have to offer in terms of creating some
amazing memories during this festive season!
Below are the top 5 places on my “I Want To Visit” list
with my little family and maybe even some places for
friends and family to go!
1. Elf The Musical (Located at Landers
Theater, Downtown Springfield): I cannot wait to
take the girls to this one! Plays and musicals put on by
Springfield Little Theater never disappoint, and I just
know this one will get us all in the Christmas spirit! If
you haven’t had the privilege to attend a show here,
make sure to take some friends and go this season.
You will not be disappointed.
2. Branson Scenic Railway: Polar Express
(Downtown Branson, MO): This has been on my list
since I had the girls. They are finally both old enough
this year that I think this will be a fantasist memory to
make with them! Take a train ride on the Scenic
Branson Railway while being entertained with
Christmas delights and even a visit with Santa!
3. Enchant Christmas (Legends Field, Kansas
City, Kansas): Enchant Christmas is a magical set up of
a walk-through light display at Legends Field in Kansas
(cont. on p. 2)
Fall, 2023 p. 1
dkgmissouri.org–State
Next Meeting Information
Our next Alpha Tau meeting will be Saturday,
November 4, 2023
Place: Sweet Kayle, Bolivar (on the Square)
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Cost: $13 (Breakfast Charcuterie boxes)
Program: Basket Fundraiser
*each member must donate or obtain a
donation worth $5 or more for their team's
basket
*please sell or purchase 3 tickets ($5 each)
by the November meeting, indicating which
basket on the ticket, and place tickets and
money in an envelope
*bring envelopes and donated items to the
November meeting or get it to President Jesse
before the meeting
*monies raised by the auction support our
scholarship and grants-in-aid programs
Be sure to let Jessie Gray know by Sunday,
October 29, 2023, that you are coming to this
meeting. Email Jessie at jgray@phr6.org
IN THIS ISSUE
President’s Message---------------------------- p. 1
Next Meeting Information -------------------- p. 1
Previous Meeting Minutes ---- --------------- p. 2
Alpha Tau’s Officers---------------------------- p. 2
Dates to Remember ----------------------------p. 2
Legal Brief --------------------------------------- p. 3
Upcoming Conferences ------------------------p. 4
What’s News in MO Education---------------p. 4
MO State Officers -------------------------------p. 4
Sister Fun News---------------------------------p. 5
Sister Chat----------------------------------------p. 5
Queen for a Day ---------------------------------p. 6
Sister Professional News----------------------p. 6
A Private Tour of The Peoples’ House -----p. 7
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
The Alpha Tau Talk
Fall, 2023 p. 2
Alpha Tau Officers for 2022-2024
President—Jessica Gray
First Vice-President—Jessica Sergent
Second Vice-President—Kay Otterness
Secretary—Debra Agee
Treasurer—Cay Sergent
Parliamentarian—Rhonda Voris Agee
Immediate Past President—Karen Gorden
DATES TO REMEMBER
All DKG meetings start at 9:30 a.m.
*Nov. 4, 2023 DKG Mtg. Sweet Kayle
Basket Auction for Scholarships
*Jan. 15—Scholarship applications due
*Feb. 10, 2024 DKG Mtg. Location TBD
*Slate of officers presented and voted on
*World Fellowship Donation taken
*Work Smarter, Not Harder Activity with
Myrna Walker
*Apr. 13, 2024 DKG Mtg. Location TBD
*New Officers installed for 2024-2026
*Scholarship awarded
*Project Honor –(Bring a guest)
*Cay Sergent and Jana Siefkas in charge
Jessie’s Journey
(cont. from p. 1)
City. They transform the ball field into a wonderland
of lights that you can take a stroll through. There is
also a Christmas Village with local vendors selling
specialty items and handmade crafts. If you or your
loved ones enjoy ice skating, there is also a rink
inside the light display where you can skate while
viewing the beautiful lights. Make sure to find their
website and grab your tickets. This one is at the top
of our list for places to visit!
4. Taylor Swift Era’s Tour Movie (Located at a
theater near you): Now, just hear me out….maybe
you don’t listen to her music or even know who she
is (although she is even more in the spotlight now
that she is known as Travis Kelce’s girlfriend), BUT
her concert is AMAZING. I can’t imagine anyone
being able to walk away from it without an
appreciation for the artist she is and the incredible
show she has created. Kami and I already tested this
one out and it was WELL worth our time and leaves
you feeling peppy and inspired! So, grab your
(cont. on p. 3)
If You Missed the September Meeting . . .
President Jessica Gray called the September meeting of
the Alpha Tau Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma to order on
September 16, 2023 at CHM Community Room 1.
Members enjoyed a brunch prepared by CMH.
The meeting began with a live Zoom meeting with
Connie Rensink from North Richland Hills TX and other
DKG sisters on Leadership Development. Ms. Rensink had
members identify their strengths, knowledge, passion and
what they need/want to learn. She encouraged members
to find opportunities for growth and connections based
upon what they identified, build their own personal board
of directors, and invest time in self-improvement. She
explained DKG can serve as one of those opportunities for
self-growth through leadership opportunities, developing
friendships, grants, etc. and our investment in DKG helps
it grow. She recommended the books Strength Based
Leadership and Define Your Why.
President Jesse Gray welcomed 16 members and led
the pledge to allegiance followed by the Singing Grace.
Jesse provided each member with a Rebus Puzzle and
explained how she used it in the lunchroom. Members
were allowed time to work on it.
Minutes of the April 15, 2023 meeting were presented
by Debra Agee, Recording Secretary. Cay Sergent moved
to accept the minutes as read. Motion seconded and
passed.
Treasurers Report was presented by Cay Sergent,
Treasurer. Karen Gorden moved to approve. Motion was
seconded and passed. Cay presented the 2023-2024
budget. She indicated she did not budget funds for the
Convention since there was not one this year, added funds
in case it was needed to pay for meeting space (since we
will not be able to meet at CMH), and did not budget funds
for Schools for Africa as it was changing and if we needed
to we could amend the budget and add it later. Magda
Neill moved to approve the budget, it was seconded and
passed.
Cay will confirm dates for Conferences and send to the
membership. The Basket Fundraiser was discussed.
Groups are to determine the nature of their basket and
what items it will contain. Jessi provided a handout
members can use to solicit donations. Jessi will be
emailing members a list of the baskets, an estimate of
their worth (baskets are to be worth at least $25) and
items in each basket. She will also email the tickets;
members can print the tickets to sell. Tickets are $5 each.
(cont. on p. 3)
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
The Alpha Tau Talk
Fall, 2023 p. 3
LEGAL BRIEF
“The Devil is Going to be in the Details”
Maria Benevento writes that it is not going to
be easy to teach the Bible in schools, even though
MO lawmakers made it legal in July. Lawmakers
stressed that the courses should be unbiased,
BUT they didn’t mandate teacher training.
So far Monett, Poplar Bluff, Ozark, Fair Grove,
Willow Springs, and West Plains have offered an
elective course in Bible, but the problems seem
to center on what biblical translation is being
used, how the course is being designed, the
accidental bias of the instructor, which books are
included, etc. The question is asked, “How do
you determine whether an individual course is
constitutional?”
The quote in the title is asked by Steven
Green, a law professor and affiliated professor of
history and religious studies at Willamette
University in Oregon. Some try to teach the Bible
only as literature and focus only on elements like
setting and narrative. Some do not teach the
New Testament to avoid questions of faith. Some
stress offering Bible classes can help students
better understand society and culture.
Others say teaching the Bible may get the
teacher in trouble legally, and students may
worry about having their beliefs rejected. But
David Calloway, a religious freedom specialist,
says if the teacher creates a safe space that is
constitutionally friendly, real learning can
flourish. However, he adds that it takes a lot of
background to know how to do both.
Since the course is supposed to have a social
studies basis, one writer suggests focusing on
how Bible stories function within various
religious communities. Another suggestion was
not to use a Bible with commentary, and another
was to have students bring their own Bible. (The
Missouri law does require teachers to allow
students to choose which Bible they use.)
Benevento says that, for now, support from
the state to teach Bible classes doesn’t mean a
huge increase of schools will start offering
courses. But when they do, HOW they teach
them will be crucial to their success.
Missouri teaching the Bible in public schools – The
Beacon (kcbeacon.org)
If You Missed the September Meeting . . .
(cont. from p. 2)
Each member is asked to solicit (or make) a donation to
their groups basket and sell at least three tickets.
The November meeting will be November 4 at 9:30 am
at Sweet Kayle in Bolivar MO. Breakfast Charcuterie boxes
will be available for $13.
The September business meeting of Alpha Tau Chapter
of Delta Kappa Gamma was adjourned by singing the DKG
song lead by Magda Neill.
Each Alpha Tau member is responsible for:
-donating or obtaining a donation of an item worth $5 or
more for their team’s basket.
-notifying their team leader of the item by October 10
after which Jessie Gray will notify members of items in
each basket.
-selling/purchasing 3 tickets ($5 each) by the November 4
meeting. Indicate which basket on the ticket.
-place tickets and money in an envelope.
-bring the envelope with the tickets/money….. and item for
the basket…. to the November 4 meeting or get it to Jessie
Gray prior to the meeting.
The baskets will be assembled at the November 4 meeting
and winning tickets drawn. Monies raised from the baskets
supports our scholarship and grant-in-aid programs.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Agee, Secretary
Jessie’s Journey
(cont. from p. 2)
girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters and enjoy a fun few
hours.
5. Gardens Aglow (Japanese Stroll Garden,
Springfield, MO): If you haven’t, make sure to put this
close event on your calendar. They transform the
Japanese Garden into a beautiful display of lights that you
can walk through and spend an entire evening enjoying.
They often have food trucks that sell yummy treats and
warm hot cocoa for those cool evenings. This is a great
place for the whole family to enjoy!
6. Broadway Shows (Juanita K. Hammons Hall –
Springfield, MO): JKH has an amazing line up of
Broadway shows, comedians, and performances by the
Springfield Symphony coming up in Nov/Dec. Make sure to
check out their website for a full listing. Some upcoming
shows include: Jesus Christ Superstar; Annie; CIRQUE
DREAMS HOLIDAZE, Leanne Morgan, and more!
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
The Alpha Tau Talk
Fall, 2023 p. 4
What’s News in MO Education?
Claudette Riley of the Springfield News-Leader
writes that Missouri was the 3rd highest in banning
books last school year in a national battle to
remove controversial books from public schools.
The total was 333, and Missouri ranked just behind
Florida and Texas.
PEN America defines a ban as “any action taken
against a previously accessible book as a result of a
parent challenge, administrative decision or in
response to direct or threatened action by
lawmakers or government officials.” Since they
started tracking, they have recorded nearly 6000
banned books. Of the 33 states that had books
banned, 19 were Republican-leaning and 14 were
Democrat-leaning.
PEN America says the ban is encouraged partly
by legislative efforts to restrict teaching about
certain topics (race, gender, American history,
LGBTQ) and “educational intimidation” mandates
to monitor educators who may cross the lines. Also,
in Missouri, laws make it illegal to provide sexual
material to students, and educators can face jail
time and up to $2000 fines if the laws are violated.
Here are a few of the statistics that PEN America
reported:
*75% of the banned books were written for a
younger audience (young adult, middle grade,
chapter books, picture books)
*48% of the books dealt with violence, physical
abuse, or sexual assault
*30% include characters of color and themes of
race
*30% represent LGBTQ+
*6% include a transgender character
*Of the 153 districts that banned a book, 80%
had a chapter nearby of one of the most prominent
groups pushing for book banning
*52 districts removed 19 book titles (a total of
225 times) by Ellen Hopkins, whose works address
drug use and human trafficking; another author
targeted was Toni Morrison
Books banned included: The Handmaid’s Tale,
The Glass Castle, Black Girl Unlimited, 13 Reasons
Why, The Bluest Eye, and Looking for Alaska
Missouri schools banned 333 books last year, 3rd
highest in US: Report (news-leader.com)
Upcoming Conferences:
**Future International Conventions
2024—July 9-13, National Harbor, MD
2026—June 30-July 4--Aurora, Colorado (Gaylord
Rockies)
NEW STATE THEME ANNOUNCED
State President Diana Ackley has announced her
biennium’s theme for 2024-2026. It is: “Moving
Forward with Vitality, Relevance and Sustainability.” To
break that down, look at the meaning of those three
words:
*vitality: being strong, active, having energy
*relevance: closely connected to what is being done
*sustainability: the ability to be maintained at a
certain level
What a perfect theme for this new biennium!
2023-2025 Missouri State Officers
President: Diana Ackley
dkgmopres@gmail.com
First Vice President: Laura Scott,
dkgmo1stvp@gmail.com
Second Vice President: Wilma Harpole
dkgmo2ndvp@gmail.com
Executive Secretary/Treasurer, Paulette Fischer
deltamosectreasurer@gmail.com
Recording Secretary: Gwen Simmons
dkgmorecsec@gmail.com
Something you need to know?
Look it up at alphataumo.weebly.com
The password for our yearbook under
Resources is dkgalphatau
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Alpha Tau Chapter
Fall, 2023, p. 5
SISTER FUN NEWS
*Laurie Whitlock went with three friends in
June to visit the Ark in Kentucky. They also visited
other sights between here and there. In August, she
spent a week with friends in Branson and went to
Silver Dollar City Gospel Sing.
*Vanessa Maze writes that she is finally finished
picking and stemming elderberries and her freezer is
full! She adds that each year her production
increases! She is continuing to watch her
grandchildren, but now it is usually at the ball field!
*Joann Brown is proud to announce the birth of
a new granddaughter, Amelia, born August 25th.
Congrats, Grandma Joann and family!
*Evonne Miner proudly tells us that her
youngest son, Drake Wolfe, continues to be a high
school counselor in Orlando, Florida, but he has also
recently become licensed in private Mental Health
Counseling and is working at a practice in Orlando!
*Debra Agee took a trip to the Oregon coast in
September and says it was fabulous! She says they
also have been working on remodeling their house
this spring/summer, and hope to finish later this fall.
*Myrna Walker’s September was one crazy
month (thus, the lateness of this newsletter!) At the
beginning of the month, she and her traveling
buddies went to Ireland on a bus trip that was
absolutely wonderful! They had wanted to go since
they were 50, so it was DOUBLY wonderful! The
weather was perfect and only rained once!
Then, at the end of the month, Myrna took a trip
with her daughter Autumn to Switzerland because
that was the best time for Autumn to travel. It was
unseasonably warm. It is always unseasonably
“something” when Myrna travels! Words can’t even
describe the beauty there! Look for pictures on her
Facebook page! God’s world is amazing!
Myrna kissing the
Blarney Stone in Cork,
Ireland. Oh, no! Will
she have even MORE
of the gift of gab?!
Kissing the Blarney
Stone is said to give
you that, OR the gift of
eloquence. . . we can
only hope!
Sister Chat
We always highlight a member of Alpha Tau in each
newsletter, and this issue that member is Evonne
Miner. Evonne is a young 56 and lives in Fair Grove.
She received her BS and MSE from MO Central in
Warrensburg.
She has spent 29 years educating kids, mainly in
special education services, but she started out as a Head
Start and Adult Education Teacher. Then she moved to
Dallas County R1 where she became their SPED teacher
for 3 years, then on to Iberia for two years as their
Director of Special Services. Camdenton was lucky to
have Evonne for 2 years as their SPED teacher until she
landed in Springfield for TWENTY years as a SPED
teacher!
Now she is retired, BUT she is doing consulting work
for a law firm in Washington, DC! Wow! The things you
learn about people in these Sister Chats!!!
Evonne has been in DKG for 23 years and has held
the offices of 2nd VP and Chapter President. She says
that one thing that is different from DKG that when she
joined is that you can wear jeans at any meeting now—
not just in November!!! Something that is different in
education from when she started teaching is computers
and SMARTBOARDS! Those changed everything!
Evonne has two sons—Broc, who is a teacher and a
coach in Carthage, and Drake, who is a high school
counselor and a mental health therapist at a private
clinic. As far as her special interests, she says she
ADORES traveling nationally and internationally!
But, Evonne, if you had it to do all over again, would
you still choose teaching? She says, “I would still
choose teaching as a career. I felt so blessed to be with
my sons as much as I could by having a work schedule
that generally mirrored their school schedule.”
EVONNE MINER
Retired SPED Teacher
Mom
Faithful DKG Member
World Traveler
Consultant for a law
firm!
Kind Friend
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Alpha Tau Chapter
Fall, 2023 p. 6
Myrna’s SISTER PROFESSIONAL NEWS
favorite *Betty Glasgow did not let the retirement grass
souvenir grow under her feet long, but has started a new
while position as Registered Youth Apprenticeship
traveling— Consultant for Missouri State University—RPDC
pictures! Southwest! Congrats, Betty, you hard worker!
The *Kami Bohnstedt has moved from 1st grade to
Library Media Specialist, and she says she loves it! She
Matterhorn
gets to see all of the students and she also gets to bring
in all of its the excitement of reading to them! We are happy for
glory; often her because she is happy!
it is covered *President Jessica Gray has moved from 1st grade
with clouds! to Title Reading at Pleasant Hope. She is also looking
If you want to get into Missouri State’s website, into the possibility of working part-time (since she
(www.dkgmissouri.com), you must use doesn’t have ENOUGH to do!) as a presenter for StepUp
your membership number as your username and Curriculum Consulting! We wish her good luck with
DKG2014society as the password for the first time. that!! She would be great!
After that you can personalize it. If you do not know
your membership number, contact Cay Sergent. There JOBETH MAAS--QUEEN FOR A DAY
are many helpful resources on the website! Jobeth Maas, a member of Alpha Tau for 47 years,
has recently moved to Butterfield Residential Care
Center in Bolivar. She says it is very nice place and she
This little is glad to be there!
street in Well, evidently they are very glad to have her there
Brienz, too, because they picked her to be their “queen” and
Switzerland, represent them in their pageant among all the other
was once queens chosen from other residential homes in the
area! Her friends and her granddaughter helped to get
said to be her all dressed up and then she was interviewed, just
the prettiest as any queen candidate is! It is rumored that she did a
street in all very good job in her queenly role! We are proud of
of Europe. our Queen Jobeth!

Castles and 40 shades of green—that’s what Ireland is! A

magical land! Fairies must live there too! Picture taken by
her friend and
“dresser” ,
Magda Neill.
That’s what you
officially call the
person who
dresses the
queen, by the
way! I didn’t just
make that up!
 Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Alpha Tau Chapter
Fall, 2023 p. 7

A PRIVATE TOUR OF THE PEOPLE’S HOUSE

Magda Neill recently was honored to go with three
friends to the “People’s House” (the Governor’s First Lady
Mansion) for a personal tour in September. She says Teresa
that First Lady Teresa Parson is always the most Parson
gracious and knowledgeable hostess, and she has also
been the impetus for many renovations and and
restorations of our governor’s mansion and its beautiful Magda
original furnishings. For example, she opened the 2nd Neill at
and 3rd floor for some public viewing, which had been
closed previously. the
Governor Mike Parson was the first to call the Portrait
mansion “the People’s House” saying that “the house Unveiling
belongs to all Missourians, and we are grateful and
blessed to be here.” Pieces of furniture, like a collection Party at
from the 1904 World’s Fair, are some of the 51st First the
Lady’s favorite things in the mansion, as well as a sofa Governor’s
from the 2nd Capitol in 1911 which was carried out of it
while it was burning. Mansion
The First Lady was chosen as an Honorary DKG
Dear Sisters,
Member a couple of years ago, so it is a delight that
Please go look at the Our Members section of our
Magda is such a good friend with her and gets to visit
website alphtaumo.weebly.com and write what
the mansion and share with us her experiences!
needs to be updated about your information! There
This editor asked Magda to write about her visits to
is a way to do that on the Home page of the website!
the People’s House and the following is the result of
Thank you!!
that request:
The Alpha Tau Talk Editor
“Our governor’s mansion (the People’s House) is truly
a treasure. In the last few years, I’ve had the opportunity
to visit our capital city eight times. Those trips included
two inaugurations, a Christmas tree lighting and
Mansion open house, a Friends of the Governor’s Mansion
fund-raiser tea, the BHS class of ’71 reunion tour, and the
unveiling of the First Lady’s official portrait. The most Governor
recent was the second of two tours I arranged for friends. Mike
Teresa, the First Lady, was a gracious host as always.
Teresa has spent of good deal of time doing an Parson
excellent job of redecorating the main floor of the house admiring
with original furnishings which had been stored in
various locations all around Jefferson City. This the First
endeavor has resulted in the portion of the home open to Lady’s
the public looking much as it did when this home was
built in 1871. It is one of the few governor’s mansions in Portrait
the U.S. which still serves as the home of the governor hanging
and family while available for guided tours.
You have just a year left to visit our People’s House in the
while Bolivar’s Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Mansion
Teresa are in residence. If you are able to tour, you will
not be disappointed!”
Pictures on this page courtesy of Magda Neill