Kappa Alpha Theta
Miami Alumnae Chapter
Newsletter
March 2007
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Letter from the Prez
Christina Walker
Dear Miami Thetas,
Thank you! What a gift you have given me by allowing me to be your President these past two years. I
have loved every minute and, of course, my job was made so much easier because of my wonderful
board. Many of us have been on the board together four years and yet it seems like we were just sitting
at The Palm at Founders Day 2002 meeting for the first time. Whether it was an emergency planning
session over cocktails at Jake’s, bowling strikes at Lucky Strike or laughing on the floor over “envelope
stuffing” dinners, we always had a terrific time!
When I pass the gavel on Tuesday night at the White Elephant Sale (after we vote!), I know how lucky
we Thetas will be to have Tracy Regan and her capable new board taking the helm. They will guide us
as we prepare to help host the KAθ Grand Convention in our own backyard at the Doral in 2008.
Thank you for all your support, encouragement, kind words, and most of all, your friendship these past
two years. I know I’m lucky to be a Theta!
Loyally in Theta,
Christina
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Past Events:
From left to right: Meg Wright, Christina Walker, Tracy Regan, Lisette Betancourt, Meg, Christina, Lisette, Molly Osendorf,
and Tracy
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
What: The annual 5k run/walk to benefit the fight against breast cancer
Where: Bayfront Park
When: October 21, 2006
From left to right: Shannon Gibson, Kristen Chaney, Carolina Pedroletti, Adele Neumann, Cheryl Akerman,
Shannon, Marty Mang’s guest and Marty herself!
Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner
What: Our annual early-Thanksgiving feast
Where: Gayle Bainbridge’s charming home. Thank you for your continued hospitality Gayle!
When: November 14, 2006
From left to right: Christina Walker, Meg Wright, Kimberly Topping Morris, Meg, Betsey Hoover-Thomas, Margot Mankes,
Mickey Maracini, Susie Vessels, Jayne Cody, and Betty Wiliamson.
Founders’ Day
What: A brunch celebrating 137 years of Kappa Alpha Theta!
Where: The Riviera Country Club. Many thanks to Meg for organizing such a lovely event!
When: January 20, 2007
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Friendship Fund
™ What: “Theta for a lifetime”—a phrase heard at the beginning of membership in Kappa Alpha
Theta. The Friendship Fund is a tangible demonstration of the idea that the care and support of
Theta members does last a lifetime. The Friendship Fund was established in 1926 to help Theta
alumna sisters in need. These thoughtful contributions have enabled the Foundation to distribute
thousands of dollars to Theta sisters experiencing severe financial distress, catastrophic illness,
natural disaster, and urgent family crisis.
™ Who: For those that could not attend Founders’ Day…or who forgot their checkbooks, please
help us raise money for the Friendship Fund. The suggested contribution is $1.00 per year of
Theta membership. This year at Founders’ Day we collected over $500—a significant increase
from last year. But, our commitment to raise more funds is not over. If you wish to contribute to
the Friendship Fund please send a check payable to Kappa Alpha Theta Miami Alumnae
Chapter. Checks can be sent to: c/o Sarah Woods, 6905 Almansa St., Coral Gables, FL 33146.
The deadline is March 15, 2007 so don’t delay.
™ Thanks for your continued generosity and support of this program!
Voices for Children Holiday Toy Drive
™ What: Our annual philanthropy that collects gives for children in need over the holiday season.
™ Many thanks to our contributors—Gayle Bainbridge, Lisette Betancourt, Carrie Cleland,
Meg Daly, Kelley Divetto, Melissa Meyers, Adele Neumann, Carolina Pedroletti, Tracy
Regan, Christina Walker, Sarah Woods, and Meg Wright
™ Thanks to Lisette Betancourt, our philanthropy chair, for coordinating this worthy event.
Four Decades of Theta…
Tiffany (Davis) Gershen ‘02
™ College: Beta Nu chapter at Florida State University.
™ Most favorite Theta memory: Initiation. I thought it was truly a memorable
experience...something that you only share with your other Theta sisters!
™ Favorite book: Marley and Me (by John Grogan).
™ Favorite movie: Goonies.
™ Favorite dessert: Yellow cake with chocolate icing.
™ Years in Florida: I’ve lived here all my life.
™ Daytime Job/Activities: I’m a buyer for Burger King. When I’m not working I like watching
TV, jogging, playing tennis, boating, being out on the beach.
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Alice Mensch Raval ’96 and Avinash Raval
™ College and Chapter: Gamma Theta chapter at Carnegie Mellon University.
™ Most favorite Theta memory: I was Booth Chair for Spring Carnival in 1996. (Booth is a
competition on campus among the various sororities and fraternities – each group builds a
structure based on a theme.) The theme that year was board games and we built a larger than
life Connect Four game. Everyone loved the booth; the local kids especially enjoyed playing
the game with the oversized game pieces. We won first place, but the best part of the
experience was working as a team with my entire sorority. Everyone one was so committed
and having so much fun – girls were working through the night together to complete the
booth. We all had such a great time working together and reaching our goal together.
™ Favorite book: I love reading, so there are so many books I have enjoyed. Right now I am
reading Ceasar by Colleen McCullough. It is fascinating.
™ Favorite movie: Don’t have one.
™ Favorite dessert: All of them – but most of all mint chocolate chip ice cream.
™ Years in FL: I grew up here and lived here until university. I have been back (and don’t plan
on leaving) for 4 years.
™ Daytime job/activities: I own and operate Palm Bay Gifts. We provide high-end gift baskets
for corporate and personal clients. I have both local and national clients, most of them
corporate. Many of my clients find me through my online advertising campaigns. I am also
the mother of a beautiful 1 year old named Avinash. I spend as much time with him in the
mornings, evening and weekends as I can. He is so much fun!
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Meg Daly ‘83
College and Chapter: Alpha Eta at Vanderbilt University.
Most favorite Theta memory: Bid Day.
Favorite book: Whatever I read last.
Favorite movie: Room With A View.
Favorite dessert: Crème Brule.
Years in FL: 46.
Daytime job/activities: I retired from my marketing company of 13 years in 2005. Since I don't
have a knack for golf and never excelled in crafts, my husband and I are starting a web-based
company and will kick off our product beta testing April, 2007.
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Mickey Maricini ‘73
™ College and Chapter Beta Nu at Florida State University.
™ Most favorite Theta memory: Initiation. The energy and dedication that all of the members
put into making it such a beautiful event was truly evident. Love was all around!
™ Favorite book: This is a toughie. Apart from law treatises and self-improvement books, I
haven’t read anything of mainstream interest in years.
™ Favorite movie: Out of Africa.
™ Favorite dessert: Flourless chocolate cake with warm chocolate fudge in the middle that
oozes with the first forkful, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and raspberry sauce!
™ Years in FL: 40 total: 1950-68 and 1985-present.
™ Daytime job/activities: Attorney by day/yoga teacher by night!
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New Additions…and Subtractions
™ Please help us congratulate Molly Osendorf and her husband, Doug Eaton—they have a new
addition to their family. Jack David Eaton was born Jan. 17, 2007at 9:57pm. He was 6lbs. 3 oz.,
19.25” but keeps growing!
™ Please help us say goodbye to Melissa Lowry and her family who will be relocating to
Minneapolis. You will be missed! Safe travels and stay warm.
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Important future dates:
White Elephant Gift Exchange
™ What: Everyone brings a wrapped “treasure” from home that is new or “like new” for the sale.
This is the ideal opportunity to “regift.” The sale is conducted similar to a Christmas ornament
exchange. Draw numbers, select a wrapped gift and open it (gasp or oooooooooh and
ahhhhhhhhhhh!). The next person either takes that treasure or selects a wrapped gift from the
pile. After an item is exchanged 3 times it is “dead.” Of course, the more outrageous or desirable
the item, the more entertaining!
™ When: March 6, 2007 @ 7:00pm
™ Where: Meg Daly has offered her home (1010 Hardee Road, Coral Gables, FL) to host the event.
She has asked that we park on the grass across the street between the homes at 1001 and 1009
Hardee Road. There is also better street lighting on that side of the street. Then simply walk
across the street to her house.
™ Please bring along an appetizer or dessert to share with your fellow Thetas.
™ Questions? Please contact Meg at 305-665-3098 and check out the evite.
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Any questions or comments? Please contact Tracy at [email protected]
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