This Blog Is Currently On Hiatus

The blog is currently on hiatus as the alumnae and alumni associations determine how to move forward with shared communications tools.

A message from Ruth:
I've enjoyed my time working on this blog but like all good things, that time has come to an end.  As we move forward, let us remember the good times and work for even better.

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Her O Lord

Mary Addie Gilliland Geiger, MSCW class of 1947,  died peacefully at home on Friday, April 29, 2011. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother as well as a supportive and inspiring friend. She touched many lives with her unconditional love, caring attention and zest for life.

Born on April 30, 1926, in Cedar Bluff, Mary was the daughter of the late Charles Thomas Gilliland and Lucille Harkins Gilliland. She graduated in 1947 from Mississippi State College for Women with a Bachelor of Science in Bacteriology. She began her career in medical technology in Chattanooga, Tenn., where she met and married her husband John Carlton Geiger. They built their lives together as John worked for IBM and Mary raised their four children. They have been in Raleigh for the past 46 years where Mary was a founding member of Capital Quilters Guild and a longtime member of Trinity Baptist Church. She’s best known by her family and friends for her gracious hospitality, holiday and family gatherings, and baby quilts for her grandchildren.

In addition to John, her husband of 60 years, Mary is survived by her children, Patricia Geiger of Boone, Margaret Chesson and husband Earl of Chapel Hill, John Carlton Geiger Jr. and wife Barbara of Raleigh, Janie Schaeffer and husband John of Raleigh; nine grandchildren; Elizabeth Hutchison and husband Don; Win, Mary, and Tricia Chesson, Robert and Margaret Geiger, Steven, Richard, and Chris Schaeffer, and four great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Oliver, Charles and Ella Hutchison.

MFAeA Welcomes 2011 MUW Graduates to the Long Blue Line

Mississippi's First Alumnae Association would like to welcome all 2011 graduates of MUW to the Long Blue Line.  Being a MUW alum is special.  We have bonds through the years that while perhaps not unique in the whole universe of colleges and universities, are certainly special.  Those of us who graduated at our about the same time all know (or at least know of) the same people.  We have so many clubs and organizations that are unique to MUW and which bind those who graduated years ago to recent graduates current students.  We have all had the honor of attending a very special university and as alums we try to support each other.

We, the current members of Mississippi's First Alumnae Association (and I'm sure I speak for the members of the MUW Alumni Association as well) welcome you, the new graduates, to our number.  If you aren't familiar with our blog (http://mfaea.blogspot.com) I invite you to take some time to peruse it and learn about some very ordinary and very extraordinary alums.  We'd like to get to know you as well.  Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey, which will be used to create blog posts about you.  Who knows, your future employer may meet you here.  The form is embedded on the blog post.  If you are reading this on facebook, you can access the form at https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDlUMHVIM3J3NjRVUW1JbUNueV9wQkE6MQ  Please participate and invite your graduating friends to do so too!

Photo of the Week

Front Campus from the back.  Thanks to Donna Bridges for the photo.

Amy Johnson Davis Remembers Her Girl Scout Days.

Amy Johnson Davis '93 was a Girl Scout for three or four  years in elementary school in Hernando, MS.   "I remember the camaraderie between most of the girls, and between us and the leaders. I was impressed when one of our leaders brought in HER Girl Scout badges....I never got a lot of badges, but I did get some pins going from year to year.  I bet they got stolen a few years ago when someone broke into our house and took (along with a lot of other things) both of my jewelry boxes - because that is where I kept them."

Like most Girl Scouts, Amy has some fond memories:  "I know we did a day camp, but I can't remember anything about it! I remember "crossing the bridge" from being a Brownie to being a Girl Scout. We had a ceremony and actually had a wooden shipping pallet that was our "bridge" we crossed over as each of us completed our part. My little sister was 2 or 3 years old, and my mom somewhere has a picture of me doing my oath, and Anna standing next to me! Cute!"

While Amy has not been involved with Girl Scouts since that time, now that she is a mother of girls she tell us "My eldest is 8yo and I'd love for her to get involved "  You know Amy, the best way to make sure there is a troop for your daughter to join is to volunteer to lead it.    

Gold Award Girl Scout Sarah Hickox

Sarah Hickox, Mississippi University for Women Class of 2008 was a girl member of Girl Scouts for for 11 years and is now a Lifetime Girl Scout.  She tells us " I started Girl Scouting in Florida as a Brownie and continued once I moved to Mississippi. Most of my years were spent in Troop 807 in Meridale Girl Scout Council, which later became Gulf Pines. I earned my Silver Award for doing repairwork to an obstacle course at Camp Meridale (Meridian, MS) and my Gold Award for compiling a Council History. I did research on Camp Meridale, Camp Iti Kana and Girl Scouting in the area. I did a presentation, made badge boxes, and had fundraisers for facilities to display memorabilia which I had collected at camp. I also created a website, which is mostly in still working order and can be visited here. It's funny to be on this side of the survey. I've spent years asking others to tell me their favorite memories and now I find it's difficult to choose what to share!"

Sarah continued: "My earliest Girl Scout memories are of my Brownie investiture ceremony and wearing my Brownie sash. I remember we had a nurse come to one meeting and she couldn't find my pulse. That's quite a scary experience for a 5 year old. I thought I didn't have a heartbeat at all! My Mom was always my troop leader and she was a great one. We did all the classic crafts--sit upons, potato stamps, string art, weaving, beading...tons of things! Camping was probably my favorite and we had the best camp. Camp Meridale is special, because in addition to tents we also had Covered Wagons and Treehouses. The Brownies stayed in the Covered Wagons, Juniors in Treehouses and older girls in the tent unit. I quickly stepped into the role of song leader and became known as "Tweety" at camp because I was always leading songs. I became a Program Aid, CIT and Counselor all a bit earlier than I strictly should have because I was homeschooled and was a grade ahead. I do miss camping and being a counselor! I hope I'll be able to do that again one day. My last year at summer camp I ran a unit called "Footlights by the Firelight" and we put on a shortened version of The Wizard of Oz. I went on to be a Theatre major at MUW and am pursuing a degree in Theatre Outreach at University of London this Fall. Girl Scouting really gave me a lot of great tools that I still use today. I haven't had the chance to be a Troop Leader yet, but I hope to return to Girl Scouting as a leader someday."

I looked at Sarah's website, and if you are at all interested in the history of Girl Scouts in Mississippi, or in general Girl Scout history I think you'll find it fascinating, I know I did.

Photo of the Week: Lancer Reunion Homecoming 2011

Ricki Garrett, Tammy Niles, Jane Dearing Dennis, Allison Shelton Ross, Donna L Bridges, Kathy Dyess, Debbie Tate, Sally Reid Forrest, Jennet Lacey, Carol Mead

Do you have pictures of your social club reunion?  Leave a link so we can all look for old friends.  Thanks to Donna Bridges for this photo.

Rest in Peace Marie Akers Middlebrooks

Marie Akers Middlebrooks, age 71, of Valley Grande, AL, passed away April 25, 2011.  Marie was a 1961 graduate of Mississippi State College for Women and had just attended Homecoming as a member of the "Golden Girl" class. Surviving are her husband, Eugene Middlebrooks; children, Michelle (Jerry) Barnett of Madison, AL , Claire (Tony) Roberts of Crittenden, KY and Elizabeth (Tad) Somes of Level Green, PA; brother, Kenneth (Dianna) Akers of Loganville, GA and grandchildren, Lamar Barnett, III, Grace Barnett, Wil Roberts, Sarah Roberts, Trent Somes and Vivian Somes.  Daughters Michelle and Elizabeth are MUW alumnae.  

Funeral services will be Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church with Dr. Jerry Light officiating. Interment will be in Pineview Memory Gardens with Selma Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, April 27, 2011 from 6-8:00 p.m.

Mrs. Middlebrooks was a retired teacher who taught in the Selma Public Schools. She loved living in Valley Grande and served as a councilwoman for the Town of Valley Grande. She was a member of First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and worked with the Women on Missions. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society, UDC, Book Study Club and Joy Group.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to be given to First Baptist Church Renovation Fund, P. O. Box 1186, Selma, AL 36702 or Mississippi University for Women, 1100 South 2nd Avenue, Columbus, MS 39701-5802.

Long-Time Girl Scout Beverly Jones

Beverly Koch Jones, MUW Class of 1957, has been involved with Girl Scouts of the USA for almost fifty years.  As a girl she started as  Brownie and remained a Girl Scout through the Senior level.

Bev showing off her 1970's leader uniform

When many people think of Girl Scouts they think of camping.  Beverly excelled at that.  She served as a camp counselor at Camp Scott in Tulsa, Oklahoma and at  Camp Wahi in Jackson, Mississippi.  She was a volunteer leader for fourteen years both in Forth Worth, Texas and Starkville, Mississippi.  In addition, she was a  Camp License Trainer, and served as VP Prairie Council on whose Board of Directors she was a member for many years.  She was Girl Scout Director for Red Cross Safety Services Camp for 10 years at TAW as well as a canoe and swimming instructor.  Beverly was ACA Director of Instructors.

A patch jacket holds a  lot of memories

Other activities included serving as director of the state-wide celebration in honor of Grace McNeil(President of GSUSA from Natchez).  Beverly was awarded the Juliette Low World Friendship Award, the Thanks Badge from Circle T Council in Fort Worth,  and the Thanks Badge from Prairie Girl Scout Council.

She led 5 Girl Scout Trips Abroad (Mexico '76, Europe '77, Hawaii '78, Charwood'80- England, and a twenty-six day trip camping all over Europe '82), worked with the  Council World Fair in Knoxville'84 and went on many camping and canoe trips with her troop.  She worked at the WAGGS World Conference in New York and has been to three of  World Centers run by the World Association of Girl Guides and Scouts.

l-r:  Gail Laws, Girl Scout Gold Award Winner Madeleine Gardiner  (MUW c/o 2013) and  Beverly Jones at the reception for Elizabeth Smith Gwin

Friday Favorites: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

About the Book:

Lisbeth Salander—the heart of Larsson’s two previous novels—lies in critical condition, a bullet wound to her head, in the intensive care unit of a Swedish city hospital. She’s fighting for her life in more ways than one: if and when she recovers, she’ll be taken back to Stockholm to stand trial for three murders. With the help of her friend, journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she will not only have to prove her innocence, but also identify and denounce those in authority who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse and violence. And, on her own, she will plot revenge—against the man who tried to kill her, and the corrupt government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life.

Once upon a time, she was a victim. Now Salander is fighting back.

Review by Neely Woods Hunter, MUW Class of 1995:

As a collective whole, I really like this series - more to the tune of 4 stars than 3; however, individually, I think the first one is the only one that can stand alone and is the most complete story. The Swedish names in this book start to run together. I kept having to look back and make sure I knew what character was doing what or I'd have to stop and clarify to myself that I knew the difference between the two officers with the E last name or the two bad guys with the N name. This book, unlike the others starts with some dramatic action, but only because it picks up where the second one so abruptly ends. That intensity tapers pretty quickly and what feels like the actual beginning of this book is slow like the other two. Once you slog through the spies, the corrupt politics, the endless characters, and plot twists, you arrive at the crescendo that happens in all three. The end is thrilling - I found myself cheering for our protagonists and envisioning the movie scenes - and brings most of the characters full circle. I was a bit disappointed at the tie-up of a few loose ends - they weren't all as satisfying as I'd hoped they'd be. It wasn't until after I read this book that I read an interview with Larrson's former "spouse" and realized that this was intended as a much longer series and that it's possible a fourth book was already in the works. Knowing that makes the ending of the trilogy much more satisfying.

MUW Alums:  Have you read a good book lately, or seen a great play or movie?  We'd love to publish your review.  Send it it mfaeablog@gmail.com!

Homecoming 2011--The Fun Stuff

While Homecoming 2011 will be remembered as the time when Mississippi's First Alumnae Association was welcomed back to the alma mater we love so dearly, like all Homecomings, it had its fun moments too.  The following report on all the fun was penned by our Immediate Past President, Lillian Wade.

MUW alumni motored to Columbus this past weekend to join with classmates and friends to celebrate Homecoming at their alma mater. The Golden Girls were lovely in their Spring finery. Many of them had
perfected their royal wave. They must have entered the W when they were twelve. They looked so young!

Following a fabulous party at the home of classmate, Betty Clyde Ratcliff Jones, many of the Golden Class of 1961 continued their celebration at the Lee Home where more than 150 alums had gathered to honor them along with the Alumni Achievement Award winners. Together, we all welcomed the newest members of the Long Blue Line, the graduating Class of 2011. The house was ringing with joy and laughter, and of course James Allen accompanied us as we sang "Hail to Thee."

At the Celebration, we held a silent auction to raise funds for the Faculty Enhancement Grants and the New Faculty Award. More than $800 was raised. Many of the items were W memorabilia, and the bidding was
very competitive for the MSCW license plate.

Beth Simpson Quave, Class of 2000, made a beautiful three-tiered cake topped with a silver 'W' and banded with navy ribbon. Magnolia blossoms adorned the table.

Beverly Koch Jones, Class of 1957, arranged several bouquets of flowers. The most spectacular arrangement was the centerpiece of roses on the banquet table. Almost all of the roses came from one of Bev's Rio Samba bushes.

Wine was provided by Del Oehms Hamilton, Class of 1984. Several anonymous donors sponsored the Celebration.

Prior to the Homecoming Celebration, the Art Department hosted a reception for four alums whose work was the featured exhibit for Homecoming.

Then, the Theatre Department staged a musical theatre production featuring segments from an earlier play, Quilters, and some new memories from "Golden Days." The MUW Chorale performed several pieces
including some of the songs we love to sing. Many thanks to Peppy Biddy and Doug Browning for helping keep our traditions and memories alive.


Saturday began with the traditional Wesley Breakfast, which is always a treat. It ended with the Young-at-Heart Party at Zachary's.

The new MFAeA President belts one out

W Girls enjoy singing together, no matter which generation

More great music!

Outgoing President relaxes now that the big job is done.  

Y'all join in now!

Sunday, we gathered at the Arbor near the Chapel for a Prayer Service led by Rev. Anghaarad Teague Dees, Class of 1995. She also gave the invocation at both meetings. I hope she will share the story about the poem she included in the Prayer Service.

 

Several of us went to the First Methodist Church to hear the "The Seven Last Words of Christ" by Benjamin Harlan. Of course, Judge Mary Libby Payne knows Benjamin Harlan and had a story to tell. Church was followed by brunch at the Back Door. 

Several alums stayed for the Girl Scout Reception at Interim President Allegra Brigham's.  Elizabeth Gwin, who is almost 102, was the center of attention. She was two years old when the Girl Scout organization was founded and has been instrumental in its success in Mississippi.  

Photo of the Week from the MFAeA Homecoming Gala

 Lillian Wade, President of Mississippi's First Alumnae Association, Mitzi Greene, President of Mississippi University for Women's Alumni Association, Allegra Brigham, Interim President of MUW. Wreunited

Alumni Achievement Awards 2011

David Ivey, Class of '92, Nancy Adams Collins, Class of '68, MFAeA President, Lillian Wade, Wanda Ray, Class of '63, Shirley Rutherford Spain, Class of '64

Mississippi's First Alumnae Association presented the 2011 Alumni Achievement Awards at Homecoming.  This year's honorees are:  Nancy Adams Collins (class of 1968), David Andrew Ivy (class of 1992), Wanda Gail Ray (class of 1963) and Shirley Rutherford Spain (class of 1964).  The purpose of this award is to recognize and honor alumnae and alumni who have made significant contributions to Mississippi University for Women, or to their community, or to their profession and who, through these contributions, have brought favorable recognition to Mississippi University for Women.

 

Nancy Collins, who was the Founding President of Sanctuary Hospice House, was recently elected to the Mississippi Senate. As the daughter and granddaughter of MUW alumnae, she sees The W as a tradition that needs to be continued. She has been active in her community as a member of First Methodist Church in Tupelo, the Junior Auxiliary and the Tupelo Garden Club. She has served as a board member for Habitat for Humanity and the Family Resource Center. Past awards include the National Jackie Kennedy Onassis Award for Public Service, the State Governor's Volunteer Award and the State Jefferson Award. She is married to Jim Collins and they have four children and five grandchildren. 

David Andrew Ivy, formerly of Columbus, now lives in Georgia. His practice with the Doeve Law Firm, LLC focuses on civil litigation and business law. Ivy, who was the first male Student Body President at MUW, provided testimony to the Mississippi Senate opposing the effort to change the name of MUW. He is a member of the Boy Scouts of America and the National Eagle Scout Association. Along with his wife and son, he attends St. Jude Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, Georgia. He has served in the U.S. Air Force National Guard and received a Masters degree in Public Policy and Administration from MSU and his Juris Doctor from the University of District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law. 

A longtime employee of MUW, Wanda Ray calls the W her "home away from home". She was the Assistant to the Vice-President for Academic Affairs for 42 years. During her tenure at MUW she was a member of several professional groups and served a term as President of the MUW Office Personnel Association. She served as Secretary of Mississippi's First Alumnae Association from 2009-2010. Her colleagues at MUW named her MUW Staff Member of the Year in the Supervisory Category and she received the Faculty Senate Award for Outstanding Service to the University and Faculty. Ray is also a member of the Church of Christ, Steens, Mississippi, and the Steens Civic Association. 

Shirley Spain has been an active leader in our Birmingham, Alabama chapter. Her career was with the Social Security Administration where she began as a temporary and retired as the Area Administrative Assistant for Alabama. During her career she received many awards including the Commissioner’s Citation Award, which was the highest honor. In 1978 Spain was included in the Outstanding Young Women of America. She has been on the Positive Maturity Board of Directors for over ten years and served as Chair of this Board for a term. She has served on the Walker County Council on Aging, (now the Retired Senior Volunteer Program) including two terms as President. She has worked with United Way and participated in other civic functions. She is the proud mother of a MUW alumna.

MUW Alums Are Now United

This is one of those posts that I get to write because I do most of the writing for this blog.  It is a post that is my opinion and not the opinion of Mississippi's First Alumnae Association or anyone else besides me (unless he or she shares my opinions).

One of the highlights of Homecoming this year was that Mississippi's First Alumnae Association and the MUW Alumni Association voted to merge with MFAeA being the surviving entity, and agreeing to change its name to the MUW Alumni Association.  The first opinion I would like to express is gratitude to all those who worked to make this happen.  Thank you to Interim President Allegra Brigham, MFAeA President Lillian Wade and MUW Alumni Association President Mitzi Green for working to undo the damage done to the school by the former president.

The second opinion I'd like to post is that now is the time for all alumnae and alumni to come together and work for the good of MUW.  It is time to support MUW by recruiting students, spreading good news about the school and supporting it financially.  It is also time for fiscal accountability on the part of the Foundation.

Hail to Thee MUW!

Friday Favorites: The Hands of Strangers

Mississippi's First Alumnae Association would like to congratulate MUW, Assistant Professor of English at MUW on the publication of his book, The Hands of Strangers.  

Early reviews have been positive:

“Michael F. Smith’s The Hands of Strangers is a remarkable achievement, a tortured novel that combines a delicately drawn Paris in winter with a too-common event these days, the vanished child. Here the loss is striking and potent, filling the reader with fear and making the impossible-to-imagine wrenchingly clear and present. The writing is first rate, the story is chilling, a warning for us all, maybe even a threat reminding us how far off our game we can get without really knowing it, and how hard it might be to get back to where we started.  A remarkable first novel from a truly gifted young writer.” -Frederick Barthelme, author of Elroy Nights and Waveland

 

“Michael F. Smith uses language like brushstrokes, building layers of rich textures and smooth contours in The Hands of Strangers. His characters navigate the familiar and the new, along Paris streets as well as the ever-changing emotional landscape. Smith achieves a finely wrought mix of momentum and weight that fuels the desire of the characters to search for answers and the desire of his readers will surely feel to follow the journey.”

-Ravi Howard, author of Like Trees, Walking

 

“The Hands of Strangers is a beautiful novel about the worst nightmare a parent can experience. When Jon and Estelle’s daughter vanishes in Paris, they try to survive the days, weeks, and months in their own ways, dealing with their own secrets and questions, both wondering: Can hope alone change anything? Michael F. Smith has captured what happens when a lovely and familiar city becomes terrible and strange, and when a relationship is tested by devastating uncertainty. This is a page-turner that will make you want to slow down to savor the writing and stay with these characters longer.”

-Becky Hagenston, author of Strange Weather and A Gram of Mars, and winner of the Spokane Prize for Short Fiction.

Click here to purchase.

About the Author:

Michael F. Smith is a native Mississippian who has lived throughout the Southeast and spent considerable time living abroad in France and Switzerland. He has been awarded the Mississippi Arts Commission Literary Arts Fellowship, the Transatlantic Review Award for Fiction, the Alabama Arts Council Fellowship Award for Literature, and the Brick Streets Press Short Story Award. His short fiction has twice been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and his fiction and non-fiction have appeared in numerous literary reviews and anthologies. He has been invited to read his work at multiple venues, from Boston to Manhattan to Montrichard, France. His first novel, The Hands of Strangers, is now available from Main Street Rag Publishing in Charlotte, North Carolina.

He attended Mississippi State University and later the Center for Writers at Southern Miss. In between, he took his first job with the NBA, working with its outdoor streetball festival, Hoop-It-Up. After only a few months in Dallas, he jumped at the opportunity to move to Western Europe and work on the road crew with the European version of Hoop-It-Up. Over the next few years, he traveled extensively in Western Europe, working in and visiting the countries of France, Italy, Spain, England, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Switzerland, and more. It was during this time, riding the trains, and spending evenings at his apartment without the luxury of television, that he began to read, and read some more. Which then led to the idea that he’d like to try and write some of his own stories.

His own work is naturally influenced by Southern writers. Larry Brown, Harry Crews, Carson McCullers, Truman Capote, Flannery O’Connor, Tim Gautreaux, Tom Franklin, Barry Hannah, William Faulkner, and so on. Like most writers, his beginnings focused on the short story, but in the last few years he has turned towards the novel and The Hands of Strangers is his first published novel.

He lives in Columbus, Mississippi, with his wife and two daughters, in a self-renovated Victorian home that was built in 1878. He teaches creative writing at Mississippi University for Women.

Scouting is a Family Affair for Jan Wardlaw McSpadden

Jan Wardlaw McSpadden, MUW class of '68 tells us "I started out as a Brownie Scout in the second grade in Jackson, Mississippi.    My family moved to Memphis, Tennessee when I started the seventh grade and was involved in scouting there until I graduated from high school.  I earned my Gold Pin during those years."

Jan continued "My favorite memories of scouting include riding the riverboat Avalon down the Mississippi River from Memphis to New Orleans with 500 other Girl Scouts. Also, I represented Tennessee in the All States Encampment in Maryland.  During the All States Encampment we spent some time staying in the family home of the sailing instructor who took us out sailing on Chesapeake Bay.  We searched for camping sites around Annapolis."

She also had fun closer to home:  "I was chosen to hike 50 miles on the Appalachian Trail with a 35 pound pack on my back with girls from other areas.  In preparation for the hike in the Appalachian Mountains we went on many 25 mile hikes in military parks in the area.  I loved the outdoors and spending time around campfires, singing with all the other girls.  There were rich experiences meeting girls from the other states. 

Scouting became a family affair for Jan: "I enjoyed every minute of scouting and tried to share my love of scouting with my four children. With four children, two sons and two daughters, I served as scout leader for each child, serving sometimes several years as a leader.  It was a delight to get to know other children my child's age.  One of my favorite memories as a scout leader was when I invited my father, a former Boy Scout Master, to join my Cub Scout Den on a hike and scavenger hunt in the woods.  My family has been involved in scouting through the generations.  My eldest son is his son's scout leader in Birmingham, Alabama.  

Photo of the Week: Hastings-Simmons Hall

Photo of Hastings-Simmons Hall compliments of Lenore Griffin

Friday Favorites: The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

About the Book:

Mikael Blomkvist, a once-respected financial journalist, watches his professional life rapidly crumble around him. Prospects appear bleak until an unexpected (and unsettling) offer to resurrect his name is extended by an old-school titan of Swedish industry. The catch - and there's always a catch - is that Blomkvist must first spend a year researching a mysterious disappearance that has remained unsolved for nearly four decades. With few other options, he accepts and enlists the help of investigator Lisbeth Salander, a misunderstood genius with a cache of authority issues. Little is as it seems in Larsson's novel, but there is at least one constant: you really don't want to mess with the girl with the dragon tattoo.

Review by Neely Woods Hunter, MUW Class of 1995

Overall I enjoyed this book. It was slow reading in the beginning with lots of details to keep sorted and organized, but after all the build up and back story, it really started moving. The intrigue grew and I found myself unwilling to put it down easily.

I found the political and social commentary to be very interesting and was both curious as to how it compared to what we know of American democracy, culture, society, and capitalism and impressed at Larsson's understanding of that in Sweden, and his ability to articulate it.

Have you read a good (or awful) book lately?  Seen a terrific (or terrible) movie?  Are you passionate about plays?  We'd love to publish reviews written by MUW alums.  Please send reviews to mfaeablog@gmail.com

Katie Strals: From Girl Scout to Minister

Nina Kate (Katie) Strals, MUW Class of 1967 spent four years as a Senior Scout in Columbus, Mississippi. She tells us "Mrs. Catherine Spritler (""W"" grad in the 70's) was my leader and her daughter, Diane Spitler ('67) was part of our troop."

Katie attended the International Roundup in Button Bay, Vermont, in the summer of 1962


Starting at about 3:30, you can see a Texas Girl Scout troop at Lake Button.

Katie Strals served as president of the Prairie G.S. Council from 1962-63 while Elizabeth Gwin was the Executive Director for the Council.  She also worked at Camp Bellewood outside of Houston, Mississippi for two summers as lifeguard----Bellewood was the Prairie Council's camp.


Regarding the honoree at Interim President Brigham's reception, Katie remarked "Elizabeth Gwin was a big influence on my life as the Executive Director of the Prairie GS Council .  It was in and through Girl Scouting that I had the  opportunity to develop leadership skills that have helped me and supported me through twenty years teaching in a junior college and twenty-four years serving as a United Methodist minister.  Elizabeth Gwin taught us to be ladies and women in the world of the 20th century, and not to be afraid to take chances and do what our heart was leading us to do."

Are you an MUW alumna and a current or former Girl Scout member or volunteer?  Please tell us about your experiences.  Fill out this form, and send  photos to mfaeablog@gmail.com

Photo of the Week: Painter Hall

Photo of Painter Hall compliments of Lenore Griffin

MUW Alumna and Girl Scout Leader: Ruth Wilz Curcuru

Ruth Wilz Curcuru, Class of '83, was a Junior Girl Scout for three years in three different troops in Biloxi and Long Beach Mississippi.   "I remember spending two weeks at Camp Ita Kana between fifth and sixth grades. I loved camp, even thought it was hot.  I liked riding horses, waking in the woods, singing together and being on my own."  She would have stayed with Girl Scouts longer, but never found a Cadette troop.

The back says "Girl Scouts 1971 Aerie Lake"

As an adult, Ruth led her older daughter's troop for four years--two years of Brownies, one year of Juniors, and then, the year after Katrina,  had a mixed troop with one Daisy, several Brownies and several Juniors.  After moving to middle school, her daughter joined a troop that didn't need a leader so she spent a  year as Cookie Mom before taking a couple of years off (except working her share of cookie booths yearly).  She is now in her second year as her younger daughter's Daisy leader.

First camping trip with older daughter's troop.  Ruth in green, her daughter second from right on bottom row

Two incidents stand out in Ruth's mind when she thinks of her time as a Girl Scout Leader:  " One day my first year, the school office called me on the intercom and told me they were sending some folks back to the cafeteria, where we were meeting.  A girl and her father came back.  He said the Girl Scouts sent them to us.  She attended the public school nearest to our public school.  I'll admit I was a little annoyed--not at them, but at the Girl Scouts.  I had one of the biggest troops in the area, and they were sending her to me because she was a public school student.  Still, I took her and the girls accepted her, and she was at the meetings regularly.The next year in the fall we had a Service Unit Mother-Daughter event.  I was in the parking lot when she and her mom arrived. When H got out of the car, my daughter went over to her and greeted her with a hug.  Her mom told me how happy that made her to see.  She said H really didn't have many friends at school and really loved GS and she appreciated us and the way the girls accepted H.  It made my day."

Leading younger daughter's troop

Ruth also told us "My six year old and I went on our first camping trip the first weekend in February.  While beautiful during the day, it froze at night, and before it was over, all the girls ended up in their mother's sleeping bags.  We were down inside mine and our faces were inches from each other.  As it became light, I opened by eyes as my daughter opened hers.  She smiled, kissed me and said she loved me.  You can't buy moments like that."

Are you an MUW alumna and a current or former Girl Scout member or volunteer?  Please tell us about your experiences.  Fill out this form, and send  photos to mfaeablog@gmail.com

Don't Miss the "Young at Heart" Party

As usual, Mississippi's First Alumnae Association will host what for some is the highlight of Homecoming Weekend:  The Young at Heart Party.  Zacharys is the place; Saturday night at 9:00, the time.  Hope to see you there!

Friday Favorites: The Goodbye Quilt

The Goodbye Quilt

About the Book:

Linda Davis's local fabric shop is a place where women gather to share their creations: quilts commemorating important events in their lives. Wedding quilts, baby quilts, memorial quilts—each is bound tight with dreams, hopes and yearnings.

Now, as her only child readies for college, Linda is torn between excitement for Molly and heartache for herself. Who will she be when she is no longer needed in her role as mom? What will become of her days? Of her marriage?

Mother and daughter decide to share one last adventure together—a cross-country road trip to move Molly into her dorm. As they wend their way through the heart of the country, Linda stitches together the scraps that make up Molly's young life. And in the quilting of each bit of fabric—the hem of a christening gown, a snippet from a Halloween costume—Linda discovers that the memories of a shared journey can come together in a way that will keep them both warm in the years to come….

My Thoughts:

Sometimes I will say about a book "It was exactly what I expected when I picked it up" and when I picked up this Susan Wiggs novel, I pretty much figured that even if I didn't say that in this review, I would be able to.     I was wrong.  Instead of a book that was a sweet pleasant afternoon diversion I got a book that touched my heart.  Maybe it is because like Linda, I have a child on the cusp of adulthood (though unlike her, I have a six year old, and many more years of motherhood to go).  

I loved everything about the book.  It is a love story--but the love is the love of a mother for her daughter.  There is romance--the romance between the daughter headed for a selective university across the country and the sweet hometown boy who will never be anything but a hometown boy and the romance between Mom and Dad, a love that Linda cherishes and is a little afraid of losing now that parenting is done.  As Linda stitches on the memory quilt (a quilt made of fabric from clothes significant to certain times and events of Molly's childhood) she shares the stories with Molly, who can't remember most of them.  

The story is told in the first person by Linda and I loved hearing her tell her story.  She's a woman who had dreams of going to college but her family didn't support those dreams and when Mr. Wonderful asked her to marry him, college soon fell by the wayside.  She's spent the last eighteen years caring for her family, and is now wondering what the future will hold.  She muses about her past and her future and over the course of their cross country trip learns to accept that her daughter is now an adult and does not need (or want) her to fix things that go wrong.

The Goodbye Quilt is a beautifully written book I'd highly recommend to any woman facing an empty nest.  Grade: A 

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley.  I was not obligated to write any review, much less a positive one.

This review was written by Ruth Wilz Curcuru, class of '83, and originally appeared on her blog This That and the Other Thing.

More Girl Scout Alumnae

Michele Perry Barnard, Class of 1983 was a Brownie for about a year. "All I remember is the initiation ceremony and how cool it was." As an adult, Michele served as a Brownie leader for her daughter's troop for a year, but had to disband after her co-leader moved and nobody else would help.

Carrie Pate Class of 2007 told us "I was in Girl Scouts from the first grade as a Brownie, through part of high school as a Cadette, maybe a Senior. I did training to be a camp counselor, but I never had the chance to work as one." Carrie earned the Leadership Award pin and still remembers the work involved in that lengthy application. She switched troops several times, because of disbanding, and for a while joined her younger sister's Brownie troop as a "junior assistant" to have somewhere to participate.

Michelle Amato, Class of 1993 spent eight years as a Girl Scout, starting when she moved to Mississippi in Fifth Grade My troop went on some fantastic trips - snow skiiing in Colorado, Florida one year,etc.- still friends with my troop members. She worked at Camp Cedar Point one summer in college and served as a troop leader in Greenwood for 6 years. Michelle tells us "My daughters were in my troop and we had some great times, great memories together created by Girl Scouting. We camped out, went to a Halloween Camp at Cedar Point,  and to Mom and Me Camp at Cedar Point.

Paulette Bernheim Garton, who graduated from the W in 1969 remembers "So many years ago, but I loved it. I don't remember the Troop Number, but it was through our school, St. John Elementary, Jr. High and High School (which doesn't exist anymore). My favorite times were attending Girl Scout Camp Live Oak in Gulfport, Mississippi.  I also attended a day camp in Jackson, MS. I still remember the songs and campfires and Girl Scout cookies and Kool-aid for mid-afternoon snack."

Class of 1961 MUW alumna Kay Moseley White was a Girl Scout in West Point until she graduated High School in 1957. "Our Troup 13 was led by a wonderful and faithful leader, Mrs. Vaughn Grisham, who guided us to do many civic projects in West Point, to attend the National Girl Scout Roundup in Pontiac, MI, and to be grateful Girl Scout alumnae!"

Photo Compliments of Barb Watson

Carolyn Wood Pope, MUW Class of 1968, remembers being a Brownie and a Girl Scout for at least 4 years in Arkansas.   She told us "My last year I was recognized as selling the most boxes of Girl Scout Cookies!  Cookies were only 50 cents a box!  I loved scouts. My leader always had great ideas and kept us interested in learning new things and doing things for others."  As an adult, Carolyn helped her daughter's troop as a mother cookie chairman, where I assume she passed her cookie selling techniques on to a new generation.  She also would go on overnight camping trips with the troop to Camp Tik-a-Witha Girl Scout Camp.

Photo of the Week: Carrier Chapel

Photo of Carrier Chapel compliments of Lenore Griffin

Girl Scout Alumna Mary Libby Bickerstaff Payne

Judge Mary Libby Bickerstaff Payne, who was at The W in the 1950's, spent four or five years as a Girl Scout.  "I never made it to Halo, but I had a whole sash full of badges.  I remember the one on glass most because my uncle Jesse Littleton, Vice President of Corning Glass Works, sent me a huge folder of information from which to write my paper."

1940's Girl Scout Uniform

Mary Libby has one of those "Where were you when" memories that involves Girl Scouts:  "The thing I remember most, however, was being at Girl Scout camp when all of us were called to the flagpole.  We were all told to kneel and pray for our troops. That day was what history records as D-Day, and our Scout leader's husband was a soldier involved in the invasion. I guess I was a Scout the whole duration of World War II from Sept. 1941 through to V-J-Day just before I entered high school."




Mary Libby and I share one thing in common--neither one of us had an easy time learning to tie a square knot, nevertheless, Mary Libby tell us "As I recall, I really liked everything about scouting."

She was never a troop leader as an adults as she only had sons.  However for several years she spoke on panels for Career Days sponsored by Girl Scouts and on the 75th anniversary, Mary Libby was honored as one of Mississippi's 75 most outstanding former Girl Scouts.  Modest as always, Mary Libby said "I guess it is immodest to mention that, but I felt highly honored."

I'd feel honored too, Mary Libby, and congratulate you on behalf of Mississippi's First Alumnae Association.