Spell-ebration is in the air

Talk around town is buzzing (pun intended) with information and general chatter about Spell-ebration! It's coming up on March 8 at 7 pm at the Kelso Theatre Pub.

Teams are being formed, costumes are being planned, team names are being created --- you need to get in on it, too. Prizes are awarded not only for the best spellers, but for best costumes, most team spirit (loudest cheering section), most creative spellers, and most original team name. In other words, we're there to have FUN!

Today our members Susan and Gail were guests on Dave Whittacker's KEDO radio program, "Entertainment on the River." Our description of the event sounded like so much fun to the program hosts that when we left they were talking about forming a team to compete!

Of course, none of this would be possible without the help of our sponsors. Rightway RV is our major sponsor again this year. Thank you. (Their spelling team has come in 2nd the last two years so they're out for blood this time.) We also thank Pacific Tech Construction, Lower Columbia College, Red Canoe Credit Union, Fibre Federal Credit Union, Reprographics, and Country Village Nutrition for their support.

All this fun and support from sponsors allows The Breakfast Bunch to continue our service in the community. Get this on your calendar! It's a fun way to do your part to help those in our area who need it most.

Spell-ebration is Coming - Are you READY????

Join the fun at the Altrusa Breakfast Bunch 5th Annual Adult Spelling Bee on March 8 at 7 pm at Kelso Theater Pub. Teams consist of three or less people, 18 years or older. This is great fun for the whole family. Pick up registration forms at KTP or call Joyce at 360-673-1983. Team registrtion fee is $75 and includes pizza; audience tickets are $8 and also includes a slice of pizza.

There are prizes for not only the best spelling teams, but for team costumes and best cheering section, too. Here's a picture of last year's costume-winning team from the Emergency Support Shelter:

This event is made possible in part by the following sponsors:  Rightway RV, Lower Columbia College, Pacific Tech Construction, Ted Canoe Credit Union, and Fibre Federal Credit Union.

Scholarship Winners!

We had such fun at our program meeting this month! Maranda Erhardt and Brittany McNally, our scholarship recipients, came to have breakfast with us and share a little about their nursing studies.

Here are Maranda and Brittany

Maranda shared that she entered the nursing program at LCC when she was laid off from her state job. She's in her second quarter now, is getting married this summer, works part-time at the college and volunteers at the hospital emergency room! Wow! She plans to graduate from in December 2014.

Brittany is in her 6th quarter of the nursing program and will graduate in June. She told us she married last summer so she could empathize with Maranda's crazy schedule! She isn't sure yet which area of nursing she will pursue upon graduation - she says she's looking at the job market.

Our member Sue Yarbrough is an instructor in the nursing program at LCC, so she added to the girls' comments since she has had them both as students.

It's so wonderful to be able to meet the people our scholarships benefits. They were both delightful, and were both very happy to have the scholarship help.

It's Coming ... Spell-ebration!

It's time to start thinking about Spell-ebration, The Breakfast Bunch's Annual Adult Spelling Bee. It's coming up on Friday, March 8 at the Kelso Theater Pub @ 7 p.m., and promises to be a lively evening for both contestants and audience members.

Team registration costs $75 for the entire team (1 to 3 members) and includes a slice of awesome Pub pizza! Team members must be 18 years or older. Bring your co-workers, friends and family members. Audience tickets are $10 for reserved seating or $8 general admission, which includes a slice of pizza. Yum!

Here's the entry form:

Registration forms can also be picked up at Banda's Bouquets - 1414 Commerce, Longview, or you can register by phone with Joyce Leitner - 360-673-1983 or by email - jleitner@kalama.com.

It's the Holiday Season!

The happy rush is on and Altrusans are doing their part, as usual. We have a few projects going that will help you - you can decorate with gorgeous poinsettias, you can cover your gift list with a quality afghan specific to our area, and you can become the Santa the kids in your life have always dreamed of by buying some raffle tickets and winning our Radio Flyer Wagon Full of Toys! How's that for covering the bases?

Here's a picture of the afghan, called Jewels on the Rivers. It's a large 51" x 71" tapesty picturing each of the rivers, towns, and their "jewels" in our area. Afghans cost $55, and they come with a booklet with historical information reflecting the images. Afghans are available at Banda's Bouquets in downtown Longview (check out Banda's new storefront at 1414 Commerce). They're also at the Cowlitz County Hisorical Museum and at the Merk Deli.

The Radio Flyer Wagon (donated by Bob's Sporting Goods) is heaped with toys suitable for school-age kids, a $375 value. You can purchase raffle tickets for $2 each at Cowlitz Credit Union on Nov 30, Dec 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15; at Bob's Sporting Goods on Dec 1, 7, 8, 14, 15; and at Banda's Bouquets, open Monday through Saturday. 

And of course, our GORGEOUS poinsettias are on sale - $13 each or 3/$35 for the 6 1/2-inch potted plants. Call Joyce Leitner at 360-673-1983 to place your order. Special colors and sizes are also available. Plus, you get the warm, fuzzy feeling that your money is being kept right in our community and will be used to help those in need.

October News

Along with fall weather, October is always the start of lots of Breakfast Bunch projects and activities. Make a Difference Day is coming up on October 27. It's a day of community service projects celebrated by our parent organization, Altrusa International, as well as many other service groups and citizens all over the US. Here's how we're participating this year:

Organized by our member Winona, we're planning a Scavenger Hunt! Club members are collecting several items with point values. On October 27th we'll get together and tally up our collections, determine winners, and best of all, we'll be redistributing these items to the places they're needed in our community. Here's the list of things we're collecting.

If you'd like to contribute, please contact one of our members or email us at Altrusa-CowlitzCounty@hotmail.com

The Help

The latest in our club's zany and fun adventures was the end of September when several members volunteered to be "The Help" at member Debbie's home for her son's wedding rehearsal dinner party. Since Debbie was expecting guests from out of town as well as the wedding party, she asked if any of our Breakfast Bunch members would be interested in helping out at the party so she could be free to enjoy the evening. Turned out there was a lot of interest, beginning with member Krista's great idea to craft some appropriate uniforms for The Help. Several members got together at Krista's and sewed up a storm.

Once properly attired, a group of six Altrusans put on their best manners and arrived at Debbie's to await their instructions.

They set up the buffet tables when the wedding party was out rehearing, they replenished food items as hungry guests appeared, they waited tables, cleared and cleaned up, too. Word has it they provided a bit of entertainment for the guests, although that part may not have been planned!

The end of the evening found them in the kitchen, tired but still smiling.

Thanks, gals, for working hard and doing a great job. Plus, Debbie made a donation to our club's treasury in thanks for their efforts. What a team!