Members of the Chester Women's Club gathered Sept. 27 for the annual Officers' Tea, which opened the 82nd season of the organization. An hors d'oeuvre buffet, provided by the officers, was served from tables displaying an Autumn theme. Serving were Christine Bowles, Nikki Aubuchon, Joyce McGee, Jane Stallman and Cathy Sauer.
The guest speaker was Melissa Gross, secretary of the board of directors of the area Lifesavers Training Corp. Lifesavers is a peer-support, suicide and crisis prevention program, created to help adolescents and young adults cope with suicide and depression, aggression and violence, drugs and alcohol, peer and family relationships, stress and academic problems and sexual issues.
In Randolph County, there is a Lifesavers chapter at Sparta High School.
A business meeting was conducted by President Chris Bowles. Club members Mary Ann Stumpe and Tammy Grah reported that the summer story hour at the Chester Public Library was very successful. Grah, the library's executive librarian, also reported on various activities that are taking place at the library.
Members were reminded to bring monetary donations to the October club meeting to be given to the Chester Fire Department.
Three guests were introduced, who are new members of the club, Carla Draves, Nancy Rock and Melanie Johnson.
The next meeting of the Chester Women's Club will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at the fellowship hall of the First United Methodist Church. The guest speaker will be Courtney Wilson of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who will discuss the Flood of 2019.
Hostesses will be Joan Derringer, chairman; Andrea Costilow, Collette Powley, Carole Abernathy and Patty Dean.
