A-J Women's Club welcomes exchange student from Germany

The General Federation of Women's Clubs, GFWC, Illinois Anna-Jonesboro Club met Monday, Jan. 7, at the United Methodist Church in Anna.

The meeting featured an international theme with German exchange student Anna Offen as guest speaker.

Offen is a student at Anna-Jonesboro Community High School for a year with the Rotary International Exchange program.

Her local host families are Scott and Mary Nash-Swink and Jeff and Lisa Scherer. Jeff and Lisa's son Eli went to Germany last year.

The talented young woman speaks fluent English as well as several other languages.

She participates in area plays and musicals and maintains a high academic standard.

She told the group about her family, her school, life in her country and her future expectations.

Deb Rossberg had the devotion. Lillian Milam did current affairs.

In keeping with the German theme, hostesses Barb Bauer and Clara Nell Butler used German china and linens, and served food from a family German recipe.  

Deb Rossberg made and presented dozens of crocheted slippers and small blankets for the club to distribute.

The items are being given to the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna and to area children's health agencies.

Martha Ann Webb presided over the club meeting and business session.

 Current business was addressed and plans were made for future events.

Webb presented a certificate to conservation chairperson Barbara Bauer on behalf of the GFWC Illinois Federation of Women's Club.

The recognition cited the club's donation to the planting of trees in conjunction with the reforestation of Shawnee National Forest. The project is a joint effort  of the GFWC Illinois and the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

On Feb. 4, the A-J club plans to visit the Shawnee Development  Council on the grounds of Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna.

Guest speaker Paula Stairs will share information about Shawnee Development Council's contributions to area public affairs.

For membership in or for information about the women's club, call  Martha Webb at 833-5717.