Blue Star Mothers
Jaana Vanninen was a foreign exchange student here 30 years ago. She came back for vacation and while here helped the Chapter 3 of Blue Star Mothers pack boxes to send to the troops in Iraq.
She said she remembered her mother telling her how the American people sent boxes to the Finnish people after World War II with necessary supplies much as Blue Star Mothers send to troops today. Finland had been devastated by Hitler’s Army. Vanninen also wanted everyone to know about the charity golf tournament at 11 a.m. Sept. 8 at Muskogee Country Club, hosted by Blue Star Mothers of America Chapter 3 Muskogee. The chapter is looking for team sponsors and players. Call Haskell Stephens at 869-7334 for information.
In April, the state convention of the Blue Star Mothers was held in Tulsa at the Holiday Inn Select. The meeting was hosted by the State of Oklahoma Department of Blue Star Mothers, Patsy Varnell, president. Attending from Chapter 3 of Muskogee Blue Star Mothers was Susan Hull, president; Ida Thompkins, treasurer; and associates Carolynn Stephens and Haskell Stephens. Attending the meeting were Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor, a representative from Gov. Brad Henry’s office and Sgt. LaDilvia Gregg, USMC. Gregg, 24, was getting ready to go for her third tour in Iraq.
“She was a joy to visit with and gave us many good ideas of items to send, what our troops go through there and that they serve because they know it is their duty and they want to,” Carolynn Stephens said. Lamar Ruston, WWII veteran, also spoke and showed pictures his mother had kept of him and his brother while serving in the war. She had displayed the first two- star Blue Star Banner in Tulsa.
The convention closed with the election and installation of new state officers.

Boy Scouts
Neosho District, Boy Scouts of America will hold the 2008 Fall Camporee at the Fort Gibson Stockade Friday through Aug. 24. Theme is “Huck Finn Days.” Each troop in the district will build their own raft and float the Grand River from the Fort Gibson Lake Dam to the Fort Gibson Stockade.
Upon arriving at the stockade, each troop will compete in several scouting challenges like knot tying, lashing, outdoor cooking, first aid, etc.
On Saturday evening each troop will participate in a campfire featuring skits, songs and stories performed by the scouts. Civil War enactors and other history interpreters will present programs.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 20
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 20 of Fort Gibson will meet at 6 p.m. Monday at the American Legion Building in Fort Gibson.
Delegates to Girls State and Boys State will present information on their experiences. Parents and guests are welcome to attend the presentation and reception. The agenda includes installation for the 2008-09 auxiliary officers.
Information: Kathryn Hendrix, 478-3878.

Indian Nations Audubon Society
Indian Nations Audubon Society will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at Tahlequah River Park, east of Tahlequah on U.S. 62, Oklahoma 51 and Oklahoma 10.
Bring a covered dish for the potluck picnic. INAS will provide cups, plates, eating utensils.

Tenkiller Area Community Organization
TACO (Tenkiller Area Community Organization) will hold its monthly meeting Aug. 26 at the TACO Building on Mullens Lane in Cookson. There will be a potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by a business meeting and program at 7:15 p.m.
Lynn Arter from the Tahlequah Public Library will be the speaker. Her topic will be “Free Services in Hard Times.” All TACO members are asked to bring school supplies which will be distributed to needy children in the Lake Tenkiller area schools.
The public is welcome.

Duplicate Bridge Club
Three games are offered each week by Green Country Duplicate Bridge Club at the Kiwanis Senior Citizens Center, 119 Spaulding Blvd. Newcomers are welcome at all games.
Schedule for this week:
• Monday — 11:30 a.m., board meeting; 12:30 p.m., open game.
• Wednesday — 12:30 p.m., game restricted to players with fewer than 300 master points.
• Friday — 12:30 p.m., open game.
Call Mary Smith at 682-2605 to find a partner for the Monday or Friday game. For the Wednesday game, call Velma Sweet at 682-2848.
Recent game winners:
• Aug. 4 — Ralph Parker and Joan Chapman, first; Mary Cousparis and Ralph Jones, second; Ruth Sharpe and Joan Dickson, third.
• Aug. 6 — North/South: Jean Mahan and Ann Kent, first; Minnie Sheffield and Mary Hoover, second; Sandra Cole and Santa McWilliams, third. East/West: Jack Harris and Glen Sizemore, first; Joe and Helen Richmond, second; Grace Sweeney and George Blaylock, third.
• Aug. 8 — Flo De Bartolo and Helen Dahl, first; Jean Mahan and Jack Harris, second; Ann Kent and Ruth Sharpe, third.

New Friends
Muskogee New Friends salad luncheon group will meet at noon Wednesday in the home of Dorothy Pack, 223 Bel Aire Place. Bring a covered dish. Reservations are required. Call Verna Green, 683-6431, or Catherine Bruton, 687-9757. To cancel, call Pack at 682-0230.
Cards and games group will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Cowboy’s Bar-B-Q, 401 N. York St. For reservations, call Sherry Apperson, 686-9453, or Virginia Wright, 683-2863 by noon Wednesday. Domino players should call Pat Lattie, 682-1704, or Mae Windrix, 687-5159.

Beta Sigma Phi
Lambda Master chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met for lunch Monday at Miss Addie’s Tea Room for the August social.
Catherine Bruton distributed the yearbooks for the 2008-09 year.
Arrangements were under the direction of Alberta Redeagle. The contact committee will phone members the date and location of the next meeting.