Preceptor Pi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met March 18 at the home of Janis Link with Jeanne Schmitt acting as co-hostess. President Cindy Meitler led the meeting.
Judy Krebaum presented the program, “Seven Fun Facts about St. Patrick’s Day.” Facts are: St. Patrick was not Irish, but British; he died on March 17, 461 AD, thus the holiday celebration on that date; he did not chase snakes out of Ireland because there were no snakes in Ireland, but it is suggested that the snakes were symbolic of the old, evil, pagan ways; St. Patrick’s Day and its celebrations were invented in America, not Ireland, by Irish-Americans.
Chapter members reviewed plans for participating in the Beta Sigma Phi Founder’s Day celebration set for April 22. They also discussed a “Light Up Your Garden” activity planned for the May 6 meeting. Members will bring small potting plants along with flower pots and potting soil to the meeting for the program on planting spring flowers.
As their March social, chapter members and guests had attended the Barton Community College musical, “Sweet Charity.”
When the chapter met March 4, member Janice Walker introduced John Makings, Drum Circle facilitator, who presented a program on the Drum Circle, explaining how it works to help people of all walks of life to learn, work and live together to reach a goal that rewards cooperation over competition. He gave each member a drum or other rhythm instrument and instructed them to beat the drums in rhythms that come naturally to them.
Makings, who works at the Center for Counseling and Consultation, leads Drum Circles involving people in prisons, state hospitals, mental health centers, schools and communities at large. Benefits of the Drum Circle can include renewed spirituality, team building, relaxation, stress reduction, renewed energy and improved self-esteem, anger management, cooperation and listening. The Drum Circle also can help people with problems related to Alzheimer’s Disease, cancer, depression and mental illness.
The next meeting of Preceptor Pi will be at 7 p.m. on April 1 at the home of Susan Coulson. Co-hostess will be Lois Johnson. Cindy Meitler will present the program. Members will elect officers for 2014-15.
In May, members will honor Cindy Meitler, chapter president, with the Silver Circle Ceremony, recognizing her for 25 years of membership in Beta Sigma Phi.