Kneeling Gardeners 

KANNAPOLIS — The Kneeling Gardeners met on May 25 at Trinity United Methodist Church for a field trip to the home of Carlotta and Kenneth Powell to visit their garden. What a wonderful afternoon it was to visit their home and tour their yard. From the Japanese Dapple Willow at the driveway entrance to the Lamin with variegated leaves and purple blooms at the front door to the smoke bush in the side yard. The front yard was landscaped with scrubs, birdbaths, and planters with every plant and bulb imaginable. When we thought we had seen all we could possible enjoy, we were invited to Grumpy’s backyard. The agave plant at the side of the house along the pathway was huge, probably 5-6 feet tall. The fenced yard was adorned with beds of flowers, trees, scrubs and planters single and tiered with beautiful annuals. Clumps of spider wart, foam, a Judas tree with pods, and Mexican sage just to name a few. Planter boxes adorned the garage and storage shop just like it was a home. On this hot humid day, the best was the koi pond. Large koi swam in a hand dug pond of rock and a beautiful tiered rock waterfall had us all intrigued. Water pickles and a huge banana tree along with water lilies adorned the surroundings of the pond. We traveled the grassed area as well as the slate walkways around the pond and patio. What a perfect place to entertain and enjoy the peacefulness of the waterfall. Grumpy’s backyard was a wonderland to behold. Ice cream sandwiches and water were served as we visited and a short informal business session was held.

We anticipate the June meeting being a trip to Karriker’s Daylilies Farm on June 22. Confirmation will be just prior to the meeting. Anyone interested in gardening is invited to attend.

 

AKA 1908 Playground Project

GRANITE QUARRY — On Saturday, May 16, Delta Xi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. hosted the chapter’s first AKA 1908 Playground Day at the Geneva I. Oglesby Community Center from noon to 2 p,m. Chapter members welcomed the community to view and admire the improvements completed at the Center. The Geneva I. Oglesby Center is the first playground members of Delta Xi Omega chapter adopted to restore, refresh, and renew under the sorority’s international program. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. recognizes that improving the usability of playground environments encourages all segments of the community to become more actively engaged in physical and recreational activities. Nationwide, sorority members are committed to help restore, refresh, and renew 1,908 playgrounds over the next four years.

In association with Youth Development Initiatives, a non-profit enrichment organization for at risk youth, chapter members repainted the merry-go-round, the see saw, jungle gym climber, trash can container, and benches located at the playground. Rodney Nunn, owner of R & R Painting, along with crew members, volunteered to provide a course on sanding and the correct way to paint the equipment. In addition to painting the equipment, Nunn also pressure washed all the equipment at the playground.  Alston Lawn and Landscaping mowed and weeded the lawn prior to the community event. On the day of the event, Jimmy McCullough, an avid and knowledgeable gardener, and chapter members planted rose plants at the front entrance of the community center. The event featured music by DJ Neak (Shenita Russell) and food provided by Livingstone College School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management and Chick-fil-A.

To recognize this occasion, Delta Xi Omega’s president, Lillian L. Morgan, presented a plaque to Dock Corpening, board member of the community center, in honor of the chapter’s first annual 1908 AKA Playground Project Day.

Community donors supporting the event were Chick-fil-A, DJ Neak, Food Lion (Derrick Freeman), Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, Hairston Funeral Home, J.M. Alston, Jimmy McCullough, John Ford (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.), Livingstone College School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Noble & Kelsey Funeral Home, R & R Painting, Ronald Alston, Wal-Mart, and Youth Development Initiatives. Community volunteers were Devan Corpening, Kathleen Corpening, and Quaamekia Shavers.

Chapter members hope that the new inviting colors at the playground will encourage children, families, and the community to gather and use the playground. Members Brenda J. Alston, Sarah Lightner and Sh’Myra L. Moore coordinated the playground project. Lillian L. Morgan is the chapter president.

 

Beta Sigma Phi ritual and degree awarded by Xi Beta Theta

The Xi Beta Theta held their monthly meeting at the home of Mary Mitchell. Lisa Morrison, assisted by all chapter members, performed the following yellow rose and candlelight ceremony. The following chapter members received their degree pins, yellow roses, and a certificate from the international office located in Kansas City:

Frances Cook- Master degree, Janice Hancock- Master degree, Ann King- Exemplar degree, Lisa Morrison- Preceptor degree, Karen Smith- Laurette degree (degree was redone).

A porch swing (cedar) was donated by Envoy member Fred L. Mowery and was raffled off. The chapter sold raffle tickets to help raise money for their local service projects that the chapter undertakes during the upcoming year. They also held their in-house auction at this meeting for the same purpose.

The chapter also celebrated the birthday of member Lisa Morrison and the recent graduation of Karen Smith from Rowan Cabarrus Community College.