ALPENA — Alpha Xi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a society of women educators, met on May 13 for a dinner meeting at 19th Hole, Twin Acres. The purpose of the meeting was to announce the 2026 recipients of our grant-in-aide award, install new officers for the 2026-2028 biennium, recognize the years of service of several members, discuss chapter business and celebrate the 69th birthday of our society.

Grace Ryan was awarded $1,000 to continue her education at Central Michigan University and is planning to enter the teaching profession. Cassia Marcinski received $100 to put towards her college education at Saginaw Valley State University and is also planning to teach.

Each year we recognize members for their years of service to Alpha Xi. Receiving a pin for 35 years of service was Ilene Larson, Jan Melville was presented a pin for 30 years as a member, Sara Jayne Winter, Beverly Slayden and Michelle Ilsley joined 25 years ago, Debbie Wojda has been a member for 20 years and Marty Cantleberry joined 15 years ago. Lifetime Service Awards were presented to Ilene Larson, Beverly Slayden and Julie Usher.

Betty Masters, Chairperson of the Green School Committee, brought us up-to-date on repairs needed at Green School and asked for volunteers to be at the school for the upcoming Log Cabin Days on June 29.

Later the members present voted to write a grant for Green School improvements including the repair of the windows, replacing the furnace so that the school can be used to host school groups during colder weather and paint the outside of the building.

Officers were then installed for the next biennium. Co-Presidents are Beckie Thomson and Melissa LaCombe, First Vice President is Melissa LaCombe, Second Vice-President is Karen Kowalski, Co-Recording Secretaries are Sara Jayne Winter and Allison Woods, Treasurer is Carol Kindt and Parliamentarian is Sandy Kindt.

Our next meeting will be a picnic on August 5 at noon at the St. Paul Campgrounds on US 23 South in Ossineke.