A semi-annual publication of the Pi Beta Phi St. Louis Alumnae Club

Wing TipsWing Tipswww.pibetaphi.org/stlouisac

Winter 2017

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Letter from the PresidentHappy New Year, St. Louis Pi Phis!

I hope everyone had a happy and healthy 2016, and are looking forward to this next year. The upcoming 12 months are set to be an exciting time for our alumnae club. We have lots of fun and memorable events planned, and I’m excited for all of them. Since our last WingTips newsletter, our club members have celebrated some pretty great accomplishments. Here are just a few of them:

• Our Programming Committee and club officers planned some unique and interesting club events, such as our potluck kickoff meeting in September, a ghost tour of the historic Laclede’s Landing, a movie night with the Missouri Beta Chapter at the Hi-Pointe Theatre, and seeing the gorgeous holiday lights at Tilles Park in an open-air coach.

• Members have been so generous and philanthropic in our literacy efforts. Books have been collected for Ready Readers, a nonprofit dedicated to getting children from low-income communities prepared for kindergarten and inspiring a love of reading. Members volunteered their time at the Scholastic Book Fair to earn more than 100 new books for The Little Bit Foundation’s reading program.

• Sign of the Arrow continued to flourish, thanks to the shop’s volunteers and staff. Another Philanthropy Brunch took place, where grants were awarded to a variety of local nonprofit organizations. Club members lent a hand during and after shop hours to keep things running smoothly. And most exciting of all, the shop turned 50 years old this fall!

Over the next few months, there are even more ways to celebrate being a Pi Phi. I hope you’ll all save the date for the weekend of June 23–27, 2017 for when Pi Phi convention will take place here in St. Louis! This convention is especially memorable as the Fraternity will be turning 150 years old. More information will be coming about all of our fun events and celebrations, so I hope you’ll consider joining in on the fun.

Here’s to another great year of being a Pi Phi in St. Louis! Ring Ching! Illinois Iota ‘02 | kdmass@gmail.com | (630) 640-1120

Kristen Massey Jones

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InspIrIng a LIfeLong Love of readIng

The St. Louis Alumnae Club has been very busy with our value of Philanthropic Service to Others this past fall. In October, we donated books to Ready Readers, a St. Louis-based nonprofit dedicated to inspiring preschool age children from low-income communities to love books and to have the emergent literacy skills necessary to become readers when they enter kindergarten.

In December, club members volunteered at the Scholastic Book Fairs Warehouse book drive. For each hour worked, our alumnae club earned $20 in book credits to donate to a local organization of our choice. We were able to donate 102 books to The Little Bit Foundation, which removes obstacles standing in front of the greatest opportunity students have to end the cycle of poverty: their education. The Little Bit Foundation provides basic needs such as shoes, coats, underwear, socks, books and school supplies.

Lastly, our Young Alum Interest Group collected books at their holiday gathering for the Humane Society of Missouri’s program “Shelter Buddies Reading Program.” This program helps dogs that are nervous around kids by having children come in and read animal themed books to them.

Thank you to everyone who donated their time or gave a book to these important literacy organizations. We are one step closer to impacting one million lives in honor of Pi Beta Phi’s 150th anniversary this year.

Save the date for the St. Louis Alumnae Panhellenic Scholarship Brunch, recently renamed “Panhellenic Spirit Celebration,” at Greenbriar Hills Country Club, 12665 Big Bend Road, Kirkwood, 63122, on Saturday, June 3, 2017, starting at 10:30 am. Cost is $30.00 per person. All are welcome to attend as we celebrate our undergraduate and graduate scholarship recipients. For more information, please visit www.stlpanhellenicalumnae.org.

save the date: panheLLenIc

spIrIt ceLebratIon

coLLect Your spare change and “feed” pennY!

At every club program, we have a special guest: Penny, the Pi Phi piggy bank! Grab your spare change before you head out the door! All Penny piggy bank donations collected by the alumnae club will go directly to our service partner, The Little Bit Foundation, to benefit underprivileged schoolchildren throughout the St. Louis area. Remember, Penny will also gladly accept paper bills and checks!

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Shop & Stitch at Sign of the Arrow Jan. 25

Date: Wednesday, January 25 Time: 6:00–8:00 p.m. Location: Sign of the Arrow, 9814 Clayton Road, Ladue, 63124Cost: No charge RSVP: By Jan.18 to Maggie Skeffington.

Join us for a private shopping night at Sign of the Arrow! Members will be treated to a 20% discount on all regular-priced items purchased (custom designs, special orders and finishing services excluded). Learn the basics to needlepoint a key chain or belt or learn a few decorative stitches at our demonstration stations. Appetizers and desserts will be served. Surprise drawings throughout the night!

Love in The Lou’ Feb. 16

Date: Thursday, February 16 Time: 1 p.m. Location: Home of Tracy Holtzman, #6 Hortense Place, Central West End, 63108Cost: $5 RSVP: By Feb. 9. Mail check to Maggie Skeffington.

Join us for delicious desserts and tasty tidbits about Love in Old St. Louis! We will participate in a talk by Joan Husinga, one of St. Louis’ leading historians. Not only does Joan give the facts, but she’ll also share the sensational scoop behind the stories.

A St. Louis Sipping Soirée March 9

Date: Thursday, March 9 Time: 6:00–8:00 p.m. Location: Grapevine Wines, 309 S. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, 63122Cost: $20 per person RSVP: By March 1. Mail check to Maggie Skeffington.

Mingle at this lovely local wine shop while tasting a variety of wines from around the world at the club’s NEW fundraiser — that puts the emphasis on fun! Learn about vino as you sniff, swirl, swish and savor; enter to win raffle prizes; and raise a glass to friendship, all while raising money for Pi Phi’s literacy efforts. Spouses, significant others and friends are welcome.

Frat. Day of Service March 25

Date: Saturday, March 25 Time: 9:00–11:00 am Location: The Little Bit Foundation, 2300 Clark Avenue, St. Louis, 63103Cost: None RSVP: By March 21 to Maggie Skeffington. Limit 20 volunteers. St. Louis Pi Phis look forward to getting together each March for our Fraternity Day of Service event. Get set for another fun hands-on warehouse project with our partners at The Little Bit Foundation! Please wear casual clothes: jeans or sweats and tennis shoes.

Pi Phi Birthday Party April 22

Date: Saturday, April 22 Time: 10:30 a.m. Location: Racquet Club Ladue, 1600 Log Cabin Lane, Ladue, 63124 We’re celebrating Founders’ Day and Pi Phi’s 150th birthday with a party to remember! Invitations will be mailed to dues-paying members with more details. Don’t miss this momentous occasion!

Books & Bevies May 9

Date: Tuesday, May 9 Time: 5:30 pm Location: Rooftop Terrace Bar at the Moonrise Hotel, 6177 Delmar Blvd, The Loop, 63112Cost: New children’s book to donate. Refreshments on your own. RSVP: By May 4 to Maggie Skeffington. Join us in The Loop for a Monmouth Duo happy hour with the Kappa Kappa Gammas. Please bring a children’s book (any age group — young readers through high school). Donated booked will be shared with both clubs’ local philanthropies: The Little Bit Foundation (Pi Phi) and Reading is Key school in Ferguson (Kappa). Come donate a book to a good cause and toast to celebrate our literacy efforts!

Winter/Spring Events 2017: “Meet Me in St. Louis!”

How To RegisTeR FoR evenTs

All RSVPs and payments should be made to:St. Louis Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi

c/o Maggie Skeffington1362 Woodbridge Crossing Dr, Chesterfield, MO 63005

cell: 217-433-3550email: mskeffin11@gmail.com

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Interest group updates

The Young Alum Group is for alumnae in their 20s and 30s to explore St. Louis together! Be sure to follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stlouisyoungalums for event information. Contact Young Alum Chair Brieanna Hodskins with questions or suggestions at brieanna.hodskins89@gmail.com.

Pi Phi Young Alum Group

Alumnae of all ages helped us get this fabulous new interest group off the ground this past fall, and you should too! Never played bunco? No worries, it’s an easy game of chance that you’ll pick up in no time! This group is planning to meet just a couple times this year, so sign up for more information on joining the fun. Email Jenny Pratt at jennymillerpratt@gmail.com.

Bunco Group (NEW this year!)

This group is open to all even if you haven’t had time to read the book. But, please RSVP to the hostess if you will be attending so that we may have enough refreshments and chairs. If you are interested in being added to the book club email list, please contact Bonnie Freeland at (314) 993-2551 or (314) 520-4363 or bonnie.freeland@gmail.com. Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. Hostess: Linda Bryant, 110 N. Newstead Ave, 63108. RSVP by January 30 tobullmarket@sbcglobal.net.Book: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane AustenDiscussion leader: Alexis Fulkerson

March 2 at 12 pm Hostess: Hostess: The Egg & I, Des Peres, 63131. RSVP by February 28 to bonnie.freeland@gmail.com.Book: BEAUTIFUL RUINS by Jess WalterDiscussion leader: Mary Gordon

April 6 at 7 pm Hostess: Barb Zenser,1200 Dunloe Road, 63021. RSVP by April 3 to zenser@sbcglobal.net.Book: SISTERS IN LAW by Linda HousemanDiscussion leader: Bonnie Freeland

May 4 at 12 pm Hostess: The Egg & I, Des Peres, 63131. RSVP by May 1 to bonnie.freeland@gmail.com.Book: THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristin HannahDiscussion Leader: Maurita Stueck

June 1 at 7 pm Hostess: Peg Sant’Ambrogio,1428 Fawn Valley Dr., 63131. RSVP by May 28 to pegssant@aol.com.Book: RANDY’S RIDE by Barbara T. BlomquistDiscussion leader: Peg Sant’Ambrogio

Pi Phi Book Club

There are more than 1,700 Pi Phis in the St. Louis area, but we are missing email addresses for more than half of you! The ever-increasing cost of postage makes sending hard copy mail throughout the year too costly for our club, so our monthly email update is an essential way to keep you informed of the latest updates on Pi Phi events and club activities. To update your email, visit www.pibetaphi.org/updatemyprofile.

do You receIve our MonthLY eMaILs?

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9814 Clayton Road St. Louis, MO 63124

(314) 994-0606 contact@signofthearrow.com

www.signofthearrow.com www.facebook.com/Sign.of.the.Arrow

check out What’s neW at the shop

Sign of the Arrow, celebrating its 50th Anniversary, awarded grants to 25 St. Louis area nonprofit organizations at the annual Philanthropy Brunch at Ladue Chapel on October 20, 2016. A wide variety of agencies and their programs benefiting the St. Louis community were selected by the Philanthropy Committee. These programs include: supporting a Client Assistance Fund to help pay for mental health care; funding for the “Space Academy” summer enrichment program for children and Genetic Counseling program for cancer patients; helping to outfit a new kitchen and food pantry servicing the Webster Groves area; and more. Many thanks to ALL Sign of the Arrow volunteers and customers for helping us to achieve more than $3.6 million in grants to date!

Beautify your front step with this Creative Co-op natural fiber doormat. It’s decorated with three arrows

and is a subtle Pi Phi touch for your home decor.

Yours in Wine and Blue, Pam Wingbermuehle Sarah Mudd President, Sign of the Arrow Chairman, Sign of the Arrow

Aim HighAlzheimer’s AssociationThe Big Muddy Dance CompanyCardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation Care and CounselingCentral Institute for the DeafEpiscopal City MissionEpworth Children & Family ServicesGateway Greening, Inc.Gifted Resource CouncilThe Haven of GraceKidSmart, Inc.

Kingdom HouseLife & Hope Fund of St. Luke’s HospitalMarian Middle SchoolMost Holy Trinity School & AcademyOpera Theatre of St. LouisPi Beta Phi FoundationPlaces for People, Inc.The SoulFisher MinistriesSpecial Education FoundationSt. Louis Alumnae Panhellenic AssociationThe St. Louis Children’s ChoirsWebster Rock Hill MinistriesWyman Center, Inc.

Get ready for spring with this needlepoint Pi Beta Phi Greek letters baseball cap.

These cute arrow measuring spoons, cheese markers and bottle stopper make

the perfect hostess gift or the perfect addition to your own entertaining supplies.

St. Louis Alumnae ClubPi Beta Phi Fraternity9814 Clayton RoadSt. Louis, MO 63124www.pibetaphi.org/stlouisacwww.facebook.com/PiBetaPhiStLouisAlumnaeClub

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

P A I DSt. Louis, MO

Permit No. 1170

This year, Pi Beta Phi is celebrating 150 years of sisterhood! Mark your calendars for the 2017 Pi Beta Phi Convention, June 23–27, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch (the old Adam’s Mark Hotel in downtown). St. Louis Pi Phis are welcome to attend all weekend, for a single day or even just one meal. The official 150th Celebration is taking place Saturday night, June 24, at the Scottrade Center. To learn more about convention and to register to attend, visit www.pibetaphi.org/convention. If you would like to learn more about volunteering on the planning committee or on-site during the event, email Local Committee Chair Renee Mercer at reneepiphi@aol.com.

Celebrating 150 Years Together