President's Message
Dear Sisters,
I bring greetings from Dr. Molly Helmlinger- our new State President. The initiative Dr. Molly is addressing this biennium is that of “Mental Health Awareness”. Because of this, you will see that our calendar of scheduled meetings will reflect ways to educate ourselves around this topic. We are also planning some less formal events that we hope you will be able to attend. We hope these activities will be of interest to many of you and provide a positive outlet for our own mental health in such trying times.
Last year we covered topics around that of “Domestic Violence”. We also offered meetings to just enjoy each other. I hope you were able to attend our Initiation and Membership Appreciation event last February. Lots of fun was had by all. The Tri-Chapter, hosted by Gamma Omega, was lovely at the St. Noel Banquet Center. This meeting gave us time to enjoy time with other DKG Chapter members. Our trip to WomenSafe, a domestic violence shelter in Chardon as well as our presentation on Identity Theft and Credit Union Opportunities rounded out our year.
We want to celebrate with the classroom teachers that received the $500.00 Classroom grants. Please apply again this coming year! We would also like to send a shout out to Jacinta Bertone who received a $500 classroom grant from ADSOEF. Jacinta was brave enough to have a group of her hula hoopers in the Madison Memorial Day Parade. Jacinta has 250 students as members of her hula hooping club at South Elementary in Madison. Hey, have you listened to the DKG Podcast on Podbean? If not, listen in to some interesting discussions!
In June, I attended the Biennial Educational Seminar in Berlin, Ohio. This was a fun filled event that provided education from start to finish. We started at the Behalt Museum to learn the history of the Amish. At this location there is a 250 ‘Historical Mural of the Amish, Mennonites, and Hutterites as painted by Heinz Gaugel. After the docent presentation and some time in their gift shop, we boarded the bus for another stop. Our next location was a local buggy making facility. We were able to touch and see buggies at all stages. We learned that this shop makes buggies for the various Amish groups in that area. A buggy can cost between $10,000-$13,000. Depending on the sect of Amish, the buggies will require different characteristics. From there it was on to an Amish dinner. This home provided a delicious meal for 41 ladies. Once finished with our meal, which was very filling, we went on to visit the 4 Sister’s Candle Making Shop. The demonstration, that involved carving a beautiful candle, lasted about 20 minutes. The sister that was demonstrating was so talented.
After this experience, we went to the local cheese facility. We had so many food items to select from and enjoy. Our last stop of the afternoon was at a home where the mother was a quilter. Although we had wanted to talk with her, she had traveled to the hospital to be with a new niece that was just born. At night we had the opportunity to listen to Marcus Yoder who has left the traditional Amish program. Marcus’s family became Mennonite when he was young. However, at age 30, Marcus left to enter The Ohio State University. He graduated with a degree in history. From this point he and his family headed to Yale University where he received a master’s degree in the History of Christianity. Upon returning to Ohio, Marcus became the director of the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center and the Ohio Amish Library. Marcus enjoys reading, writing, painting, and spending time with his wife Noria and dog Theo.
News Flash- The Amish in Berlin and Millersburg ride electric bikes! Be aware if you travel down there! This Biennial trip was my first experience. It was filled with fun, travel, and education. Be looking for the next Biennial adventure in two years!
The Membership Chairs-Mary Battung and Mary Sleeman have been working very hard planning the 2025 Initiation for our Gamma Theta Chapter. It will be held Saturday, November 15th at the Redhawk Grille in Concord. I encourage you to share the Recommendation for Membership form on page 6 with a prospective member. DKG sisters, Sally Jo Rogus (50-year member) and Gloria McKinney (40-year member) will also be honored for their years of service to DKG. There will be a delicious meal along with music from the Decibells Handbell Choir. It promises to be a fun and festive time.
Please carefully read throughout this newsletter. There is a great deal of information and many exciting activities to be involved in. Looking forward to a fabulous year!
Thank you!
Hannah Fairbanks
President of Gamma Theta
Last Revised: July 2025