1918 February - To Dragma

144 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

DELTA—JACKSON COLLEGE

Dear Sisters:
Again it is Christmas, and in our northern land, the air is filled

with frost, and the sleigh bells jingle on the snowy roads. There is
something about frost and sleigh bells and "Merry Christmas" that
makes every heart yearn for home. Fortunate are those among us
who can go home! And happy the homes that are unbroken!

Delta this year is having a long vacation—three weeks—because the
college wished to conserve coal and also to give those who wished
a chance to work the week before Christmas.

Our girls, many of them, are knitting over the vacation. We have
established a fund for Red Cross work, bought yarn, and are trying
to do our part in making warm things for our brothers in the camps,
for we are all brothers and sisters now in the common cause. Mar-
garet Fessenden is i n charge of the knitting, and a good teacher she
makes for those of us who are not yet experts.

Soon mid-year w i l l be here, and then we shall joyfully add to
our number our six freshmen who are already our loyal sisters. They
are studying every Monday night under the charge of one of the
older girls, singing the Alpha Omicron Pi songs, and catching the
Alpha Omicron Pi spirit of comradeship.

With all the various activities of our college and fraternity life,
we are not forgetting to study. We won this year the Chi Omega
scholarship cup which is awarded each year to the fraternity with
the highest standing. And Margaret Durkee won the senior scholar-
ship in chemistry.

From an Alpha X i Delta girl comes the following, which may
well be Delta's Christmas message to her sisters:

"When at Christmas miles between
Old friends forbid their meeting,
Each knows the other holds at heart
Some happy word of greeting.
And though the outer things are missed
Their souls keep tryst.
And may not we, apart from things,
In spirit side by side,
Hold converse sweet and gladly meet,
Though miles of earth divide?
There is no far—the far grows near.
When trysting hearts keep Christmas cheer."

L O R N A T A S K E R , Chapter Editor.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 145

GAMMA—UNIVERSITY OF MAINE
Dear Alpha Omicron Pi Sisters:

Gamma has just finished her "rushing" season, and will soon
pledge the fourteen girls. They are Achsa Bean, Rachel Bowen,
Julia Gilpaterick, Lelia Hersey, Celia Longfellow, Pauline Manseur,
Pauline Miller, Ethel Packard, Helen Reed, Louise Sheldon, Dorothy
Smith, Pauline Smith, Katherine Stewart, and Sarah Stewart. Earlier
in the year we added Dorothea Stetson, '20, to our circle.

Our big "rushing party" was somewhat unique in that we joined
with the two other nationals, Phi M u and Delta Delta Delta, and
gave a Panhellenic party. I t was so successful that the sororities
are planning a Panhellenic dance to be given after the holidays.

But we have not spent all of our energy in looking about for new
sisters and planning dances. Oh, no! As a chapter we have given
f i f t y dollars to the Y. M . C. A. Fund and also bought a fifty dollar
Liberty Bond. As individuals nine of the girls bought Liberty
Bonds, nearly all of them belong to the Red Cross, and all have done
Red Cross knitting. Priscilla Elliott, '20, is president of the Red
Cross organization on the campus. Early i n the year we gave a dance,
and turned the proceeds, over forty dollars, over to the treasurer of
the local Red Cross.

Our sorority is well represented in student activities. Several of
th,e girls are in the Glee and the Mandolin Clubs. Ruth Crosby, '18,
and Mona McWilliams, '18, have distinguished themselves by being
two of the seven members of the senior class who were elected to
Phi Kappa Phi, the honorary scholarship society. Kathleen Snow,
'20, is treasurer of her class.

Pauline Derby, '18, was married to Lieut. W. B . Haskell, '17, on
November 17th. The ceremony took place at Plattsburg. Lieutenant
Haskell is now located in Texas, but Pauline plans to secure her
sheepskin before she joins the army for "keeps."

Gamma wishes to a l l her sisters everywhere a very happy and
prosperous New Year.

BARBARA D U N N , Chapter Editor.

EPSILON—CORNELL UNIVERSITY

Pledge day has come and gone since our last letter to To DRAGMA,
and we have already initiated eleven of the thirteen splendid fresh-
men who were pledged. Beside the Red Cross party of which we have
told you, we had three other rushing parties—a Japanese tea party,
with a lattice of wisteria covering the ceiling and sides of the room,
and refreshments served in chrysanthemum dishes; a supper party at
Schmidt's cottage down at the lake, with an automobile ride back

146 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA 0MICRON PI

to the city; and last but not least, a Halloween party with all the
usual and some unusual stunts and decorations.

Rushing and pledge day seem so far back in the remote past that
I almost forgot to mention our pledge night party. The pledges,
the town alumnae, and ourselves all had dinner together at the Uni-
versity Club, nearly forty strong. Then we went to the Lyceum Thea-
ter to hear Mme. Yvette Guilbert interpret French songs. Many of
the pledges were able to come back to the house to spend the night,
and we sat up until well into the wee sma' hours, toasting marsh-
mallows over the open fire, singing songs, and rejoicing in our splen-
did success of the day.

December 1st, 1917, is a day which w i l l go down in Epsilon's his-
tory as a red-letter day. Early in the morning we had an exceed-
ingly disagreeable experience, which somewhat unnerved us for the
real event of the day. About two o'clock a man broke into the house,
and seriously injured our chaperon when she tried to drive him out.
We are glad to be able to say that she has recovered nicely, and we
cannot thank her sufficiently for her wonderful courage and bravery.

After such a night and no sleep, you can imagine that we were
in poor form for initiation at five o'clock, but the service was as
beautiful and impressive as ever. Ethel Cornell, '14, and Bertha
Yerke, '16, were with us, as well as the town alumnae. Following
initiation we had our banquet in the house. You know we are not eat-
ing i n the house, and i t was therefore quite a task to have the banquet
served there, but we managed it, and it did seem so much more cozy
and homelike to be able to eat under our own roof. The freshmen
were very considerate, and went home soon after the toasts so that we
could get some much needed sleep. Marie Stanbro and Naomi Usher
could not be initiated with the others, as their parents wished them
to be initiated second term.

Early in November we made up Christmas packages to be sent
to the soldiers in France. We put in candy, playing cards, writing
paper, and envelopes, and various other gifts, tying all up in a large
khaki handkerchief with red ribbon. I t made us feel very "Christ-
masy," and each enjoyed her own holiday more because a soldier some-
where in France was enjoying her little remembrance. We tried to
brighten the Christmas time for the little folks down at the Inlet,
too, by giving a Christmas party the Thursday before we went home.
We talked the matter over, and decided that we could entertain
thirty children at the Settlement House, giving them gifts, candy in
fancy Christmas boxes, and have a tree for them. But alas, for the
plans of mice and men—and women! We ordered, so to speak,
thirty children, and arrived at the Settlement House on the appointed

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 147

afternoon to find one hundred and four children and several mothers
waiting expectantly. I t was not in our hearts to disappoint any of
those eager little folk, so we hurriedly changed our plans. Gifts
were cast aside, for we did not wish to hurt some by not giving to
them, and there were not enough f o r all, and the candy was quickly
taken from the generous boxes and put i n paper bags. The ice
cream company could not deliver cream on such short notice—we had
not planned on having cream, but required it to fill in—and so several
of the girls dragged two gallons of it two blocks to the Settlement
House. We had a merry time of i t , playing games with the young-
sters, and when ice cream and candy time came forming them into
a grand march. Later we gave the gifts to a few families whom the
Settlement House secretary told us were particularly needy and would
probably have no Christmas. Beside this party of our very own, we
dressed a number of dolls for the large Settlement House party.

The Wednesday evening before we left for the Christmas holidays
we entertained by an informal dance.

I t always seems good to hear about our sisters i n other chapters,
and so we were all attention when Betty Neely returned recently from
the National Student Volunteer Quadrennial Convention at East
Northfield, Massachusetts, which she attended as the woman's rep-
resentative of Cornell, and told us of meeting three Alpha O's from
Kappa Chapter. They were Annie Kate Gilbert, Helen Hardy, and
Annie Moore. Betty spent one day with "Annie Kate" and Helen
in New York on the way home from the convention, and there all
three had dinner with several of the Epsilon alumnas.

Basketball finals furnished considerable pre-holiday excitement,
and Epsilon was well represented on the teams, with Joanna Donlon
(captain) and Evelyn Hieber on the senior team, Dorothy Hieber on
the sophomore team, and Ruth Balcom and Sarah Searles on the
freshman team. The contest between the seniors and freshmen for
the championship was hard fought with the seniors the winners.
Epsilon has formed a fraternity basketball team and has challenged
the other fraternities. Most of them have expressed their willingness
to form a Panhellenic league, but do not seem very anxious to play us,
for they say we have such strong players that we would win anyway!

The presidency of the Panhellenic Association automatically de-
volved upon Epsilon this year. Joanna Donlon was our senior dele-
gate and therefore became president. Some radical changes and
improvements in the matter of rushing and especially pledge day
were tried out this year, that with regard to pledging being the
greatest innovation. I n previous years interviews between the girls
who were bid and the fraternities were conducted privately by each

148 TO DRAGMA OF ALPFJA OMICRON PI

fraternity, and while there were rules to regulate these interviews, they
were difficult of enforcement on account of the privacy of the inter-
views and as a result there were many violations and much quarrel-
ing. This year each fraternity appointed two representatives, a dele-
gate and an alternate. The girls were notified in their bids to report,
i f they wished interviews, between four and six in the afternoon at a
central place (the assembly room in one of the dormitories) and there
each girl applied for an interview with whichever fraternity she
wished. The girl was then permitted an interview with the represen-
tative of that fraternity, but as they were all conducted with the other
representatives in the room, everything was open and above board.
The place was highly successful and avoided post pledge day argu-
ments.

The next thing on the program for Epsilon is term finals, less than
two weeks off. We wish for all Alpha O's similarly placed the best
of luck.

MARY DONLON, for the Chapter Editor.

RHO—NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

I enjoyed reading the letters from the other chapters so much and
hope the few events I w i l l enumerate to you may prove as interesting.
Since writing my first letter to you several interesting and enjoy-
able things have happened, the most important being the visit of
Mrs. Stewart to our chapter. On the afternoon of November 23rd,
the girls arranged for a tea in the parlors of Willard H a l l to which
all of the sororities of the campus were invited. I n the receiving line
stood our president who presented the guests to Mrs. Stewart, also
Mrs. Swanson and Mrs. Crane, two of our professors' wives, and
Miss Gerlach, the head resident of Willard. One of the girls sang
and refreshments were served. A t five o'clock we went to our fra-
ternity room and there we initiated four of our pledges: Ruth Hen-
drickson. Miette Brunot, Helen Quayle, and Velma Stone. After
initiation we all went over to Francis McNair's home, and enjoyed
a "spread." I t made a f u l l afternoon, but we all enjoyed it so much.
The last of November we had the pleasure of pledging Geraldine
Shaw, and just before Christmas, two freshmen, Viola Hartman and
Mary Griffith. This makes ten wonderful pledges this year of whom
we are duly proud.

Our sorority was fortunate enough to be one of the five sororities
to have its stunt accepted for the circus this year. There was very
keen competition, and so we were happy to get ours in. Twelve of
the girls gave a dance in knitting-bag costumes which proved to be
very effective.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 149

As you undoubtedly all are and have been, so we, too, are knitting
and sewing for the soldiers. We just now are making bloomers f o r the
Belgian children.

A recent office to which one of our girls, Helen Slaten, was elected,
was chairman of the junior play committee. This is the first time
a girl has ever held the office.

Our last big event was our dance given January 5th in Evanston.
Everybody said it was one success from beginning to end. Professor
and Mrs. Swanson and Ensign, and Mrs. Hanson (formerly Miss
Coila Anderson) acted as chaperons. There were about twelve
Jackies there and they seemed to have the time of their lives. After
the dance Doris Wheeler entertained all of the Jackies and their
friends at her home, and gave them some real home-made "eats."

We are looking forward now to the mid-semester. We stood
second in scholarship last semester, and of course are working for
top place.

Wishing you all an enjoyable New Year.
Fraternally,

R U T H SHARER, Chapter Editor.

L A M B D A — L E L A N D STANFORD, JR., UNIVERSITY

Since our last letter to you, we have been very busy, especially
during the last few days when we were having our final examinations.
Why do we have to have such things anyway?

We held our initiation December 10th and we are more than happy
over our six new sisters. You remember we only had five pledges
when we wrote you last, but since then we have added to our number
Lorraine West, of Grafton, California. The "stunts" given by our
freshmen after the banquet were unusually clever, and called forth
so much applause that they had to be repeated several times. Two of
our alumna;, Irene Cuneo and Marie Warren Thoburn, were with
us for initiation.

We enjoyed Mrs. Stewart's visit so much, and only wish that we
could have had her with us a few days earlier for initiation. I t was so
interesting to hear her tell about each chapter, and it made us each
one long to visit all of you.

Instead of our usual house Christmas tree and the exchange of
clever little gifts to one another, we gave more than usual toward
our Christmas box this year. We provided clothes f o r a poor family
with which we came in touch through the Lane Clinic.

There are so many worthy causes which need our help this year,
more than ever before, and we have been trying to do what little
we could. A great many of the girls are knitting for the soldiers or

150 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

doing other Red Cross work and we have all been contributing to
the Y. M . C. A. and French Reconstruction Funds. We raised some-
thing over $200 for the Y. M . C. A. work.

During the holidays, we active girls who live in the South were
entertained by the Los Angeles Alumna? at the home of May Chand-
ler Goodan. We enjoyed the little party so much and especially the
opportunity it gave us of becoming better acquainted with the alumnae
chapter. There were quite a number of Lambda girls there, and we
were so glad to see them again.

Laura Wilkie graduated this quarter so will not return the first
of the year. She expects to remain at home for a while.

Muriel Turner McKinney returned to Palo Alto a few days before
Christmas, as her husband, Lieut. Verne McKinney, had just
sailed for France. She came out to the house for dinner one evening
just before we left for the holidays, so we had a good visit with her.

Lambda has another wedding to announce too! Frances Chand-
ler and Dr. John L. Kirkpatrick were married on New Year's day.
We extend them our best wishes for the future.

With love and very best wishes for a happy and successful New
Year to all our sisters in Alpha O.

Yours fraternally,
L E N E L L G A R V I N , Chapter Editor.

IOTA—UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Dear Alpha O Sisters:
I t has been three months since we wrote our last letter, and it

seems as i f it were but three weeks. How time does fly—probably
because we all are so busy.

The University of Illinois Home-coming was a little earlier than
usual this year. We were somewhat dubious as to the kind of Home-
coming we should have on account of the war, as most things these
days are "on account of the war." But while there were not as many
"oid grads" back as usual, there was enthusiasm a-plenty on the part
of those who did return. A noticeable feature of the football game
on Saturday afternoon of Home-coming time was the large number
of khaki-clad men on the bleachers. We Alpha O's had a banquet
after the game for our own girls who were back, and a "right good
time was had by all.

As has been the case with most of you, we of Illinois were plunged
into a Y. M . C. A. campaign for funds along in November. Our
quota was $20,000 but we reached the $30,000 mark before we
stopped, and celebrated at a monster mass meeting at the auditorium.
Our own Bertha Stein had a very important part in the raising of

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 151

the money, she being one of the chairmen in charge of the teams
which did the campaigning.

I n the midst of the Y. M . C. A. drive, Isabelle Stewart came to
visit us, and her presence added to our enthusiasm for the campaign.
Isn't she "just lovely"—which is very trite, but seems to express just
what I mean. We did enjoy her so much. I t was exceedingly inter-
esting to hear her tell all about you girls in the other chapters.

Our Thanksgiving vacation this year was cut down one day. So
our girls thought that in order to enjoy the day themselves, and
help some other people enjoy i t , they would invite i n a number of
men who were in training in the military aeronautics school here. So
each girl paid for her own and one aviator's dinner. This way no
drain on the treasury resulted. The afternoon was spent i n dancing,
and dinner was served at six. The men seemed very thankful, and
we believe that a day which otherwise might have been dull for the
men, was made enjoyable.

Iota celebrated her first Founders' Day this year, and what a fine
time we had! We were mindful of ultra expensiveness and our
decorations were simple, but effective, we think. We used our beloved
roses, of course, in large centerpieces, and in silver bud vases scat-
tered over the long "family table." The place-cards were made of
red crash paper, with the Alpha O monogram, the years, and name
in gold. They were hand made, but very pretty on the white cloth,
and they cost us ten cents. We had letters from each of our founders,
and toasts from alumnae scattered all over the United States. These
all were read by different active girls. A t the end, we all joined
hands and sang our Rose Song, and our hearts never were so f u l l of
love for Alpha O.

The night before college closed for vacation, our freshmen gave
their annual- Christmas party to the upperclassmen, who for the
time being were children in their 'teens with skirts to their knees,
and while the writer was unable to be present, she has heard stories of
dire threats, promises, and "roasts" which were especially applicable.

We wish you all kinds of happiness and success in 1918.

MARY L . C A L D W E L L , Chapter Editor.

TAU—UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

With mingled emotions, I begin my first chapter letter for To
DRAGMA. When I think of all the myriad pairs of eyes which will
read the letter I feel little thrills all up and down my spinal column!
Not ever having possessed any real sisters, I feel that I must be
living in a dream to find that I have two thousand sisters now. The
honor which we all possess in belonging to Alpha Omicron Pi has

152 yT0 DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

been more keenly realized than ever by us of Tau since the advent
of Mary Ellen Chase. We feel that she is a veritable fairy god-
mother—or god-sister would express more truly what she is to us.

Of course our biggest red-letter day was that day on which our
Grand President, Isabelle Henderson Stewart., arrived. Her unusual-
ly charming personality won every girl who met her. After the tea
which we gave for her, we found that Mrs. Stewart's thoughtful gray
eyes had enraptured other campus coeds than Alpha O's. Together
Mrs. Stewart and Mary Chase made many plans which are now
pushing Tau to the front in leaps and bounds.

We have been giving little informal rushing teas throughout the
year. No.w we have three new pledges to add to the three whom
we pledged earlier.

The former are Borghild Erling, '19, Emily Esswein, '19, and
Mildred Hagen, '19. A l l of them are worthwhile girls, who grow
finer and more attractive to us every day.

Our newest treasures are Rhoda Kellog, '20, and Margaret How-
arth. '20, both of them among the strongest and most attractive
girls in the sophomore class, and Anne Yates. Proud indeed are we
of Anne Yates! She is our first graduate pledge. We never should
have secured her but for Mary Chase. Anne graduated from Mount
Holyoke, after which she went to Columbia to get her M.A. I n
spite of her threats I shall say she was such a bright person that she
was persuaded to come to Minnesota to obtain her Ph.D. in phy-
siology. I n spite of Anne's ability and occasional inclinations to
engage in learned discussions on such intelligible subjects as metabo-
lism, pediatrics, and hydrocephalus with our Dr. Cecile, while the
rest of us listen loaded with dictionaries, she is as pretty and gay as
our youngest pledge; and we look with eager eyes to the future and
the honor she will bring to us.

Minnesota, like all the other colleges in the United States, has
foresworn social pleasures during the present crisis. Hence we can
boast of no dances or formal parties. On the campus, as ever, Leta
Nelson has been gaining more and more popularity and honor. I n
her role of Mrs. Erlvnne in Lady Windemerc's Fan, Leta lived up to
her name of "The best emotional actress that the campus has ever
produced." She has also been elected to Sigma Tau, an honorary
society for the twenty senior girls who have accomplished the most
for the university during their college courses. Alma Boehme is one
of the feature editors on the campus War Baby, the 1919 Gopher, and
also, with Muriel Fairbanks. '18, is prominent in work on the Min-
nesota Daily.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 153

Now comes the climax. We are going to build a new house!! I t
is going to be such a house as will be a panacea for all human ills
and discouragements, a fulfillment of all our dreams, an edifice that
will meet all the exigencies of college l i f e ! I f you could but hear the
plans! A colonial house has been decreed with a charming interior
of gray and old blue—and such an exterior. I can best explain that
by a prophetic vision of Mary Chase, enraptured, with eyes shining,
saying enthusiastically, " I can just see our house with white pillars
and red brick, and woodbine climbing over!"

To you of Alpha Phi, we extend our heartiest sympathy for the
loss of Mary Chase.

L I L A K L I N E , Chapter Editor.
[The Editor publishes this letter only under dire threats. She
apologizes to all readers, and assures them that the above ravings
concerning herself are quite untrue.]

CHI—SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

A day is a pitifully short time to make a friendship to which we
have looked forward for over a year; but with one like our Grand
President even a day may count for much. There is no need of telling
that to you who have grown to know her this f a l l as we have, when
she travelled across the continent and brought to us over here the
spirit of Sigma and the West and the inspiration to be, as she is, the
sort of Alpha Omicron Pi we are all proud of.

So much delightful news of you did she bring us, so many intimate
bits about your college life and your personalities, that we felt al-
most acquainted, and looked forward to the possibility of recogniz-
ing some of you at the big Women's League Convention that met
here this f a l l ; or of having you stop over at the chapter-house when
you were in our town, as some of the Epsilon and Delta and N u girls
have done; or, better still, of finding you living here in Syracuse like
Helen Worster Cleaves of Gamma, that you might join our chapter
night knitting parties, as we love to have her do, and get to know
the thirteen girls we have pledged, and our splendid loyal alumnae,
when they come back for a reunion at the time we win in football
over Colgate. We could tell you then, over our knitting, about the
sturdy little orphans some of us go down to teach every Sunday, and
the Red Cross sewing we do at our Big Sister group parties, and
the delicious and practical goodies Edith packed into the Christmas
baskets we sent, and about the way we are saving for our penny box
for war relief, and about heaps and heaps of other things. We are
trying to be as practical and busy as ever we can; we certainly
achieve the business, but we do find time now and then for good

154 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

long talks in our newly furnished living-room—time to talk of you
and guess what you are doing, time to send you many thought mes-
sages. I t would be nice to talk to you instead and tell you all these
things, but until we can, our greetings, especially to our newest sisters
in Tennessee.

FRANCES CARTER, Chapter Editor.

UPSILON—UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Upsilon has just finished a very busy quarter. We have organized
an Alpha Omicron Pi Red Cross Auxiliary and every Saturday
afternoon we meet to knit or sew for the Red Cross. We have also
offered our services to pick over spaghnum, a moss which is dried
and used instead of cotton in surgical dressings. So at chapter meet-
ing each girl is given a little pile of spaghnum to sort, and we find
that much can be accomplished without detracting any from the dis-
cussions of chapter business. Upsilon has also invested fifty dollars
in a Liberty Bond, and we are adhering strictly to all Hoover's rules
and trying in every way to be patriotic citizens.

Social affairs are very simple this year at Washington. The War
seems to have made us all grow up over night. We are more serious
and earnest, and much more interested i n war work. However, the
social affairs we have had, though simple, have been thoroughly en-
joyed.

On November 10th we gave a mothers' tea, and just here I want
to say a word about our Mothers' Club. They are just the best
mothers ever. They meet twice a month, and this year they are
making quilts for the house.

On November 17th we entertaind with a tea in honor of Mildred
Loring, '12, who is an instructor in the Psychology Department and
is acting as our house chaperon. I t was a lovely tea with pink-shaded
candles, flowers, music, and all the trimmings that go to make a tea
lovely.

On November 23rd we gave a 10:30 dance for our pledges. We
have eight of them, splendid, wide-awake girls.

We decided to forego our usual Founders' Day banquet, because
of the war and Mr. Hoover, so we just had a simple dinner with
stunts afterward, and consequently we have discovered that some
of our pledges have remarkable talent.

Because of examinations being the week before vacation, and realiz-
ing that we needed our evenings for preparation, we had a Christmas
dinner instead of the usual Christmas tree on December 20th. There
was a small tree on the table with presents, but when time for dis-
tribution came it was discovered that they were all for Florence

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 155

Semmen, '14, who is to be married early i n the new year. Her
speechless surprise was more enjoyable than a dozen Christmas trees
with presents for everyone.

With finals the last three days before Christmas vacation, we were
all cramming our heads and our suitcases at the same time. We
planned to celebrate with a Christmas dance at the chapter-house,
December 21st, before the girls who were all packed up left for home.
On the afternoon of the dance Mildred came down with the measles
and was quarantined i n her room with the pleasant prospect of spend-
ing the holidays in solitary confinement.

I t was too late to abandon the dance but we all felt so sorry for
Mildred that we could not enjoy dancing, even though the music
was perfect and the crowd just right. The doctor says i t is a very
mild case of the German variety (Mildred had no intention of being
so unpatriotic) and the quarantine may be lifted in ten days.

Upsilon sends love and best wishes f o r the New Year to all her
sisters.

H A Z E L Bm-nois!,.Chapter Editor.

NU KAPPA—SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY

Greetings once again, from Nu Kappa, after a most prosperous fall.
A l l of our girls have returned after the Christmas holidays with the
exception of Frances Cummings, '20, and one of our pledges, Dorothy
Miller, '21, of Hillsboro, who could not get some courses i n archi-
tecture at Southern Methodist University. Both girls have gone to
the University of Texas. The writer, too, is dropping her university
work for the present, on account of too strenuous playground work
outside.

The chapter doesn't feel as though it has done much work that is
really worth while, but we have bought a chapter Liberty Bond and
every individual girl in the chapter has one of her own. This much
to help fight the Kaiser. Several of the girls are working i n the
Red Cross Auxiliary here, too.

We have had one marriage i n the chapter. Erma Baker, ex-'19,
was married in November to Carl Patton of Spur, Texas, and they
are at home in Spur, where his business is located. Erma will long
be remembered as one of the most popular girls in college our first
year and she was chosen one of the four Southern Methodist Uni-
versity beauties for the annual.

We have back with us this term Margaret Vaughan, ex-Kappa, who
lacked a few hours of graduating last June. Margaret has spent the
last six months since June doing Y. W. C. A. work. Speaking of

156 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

Y . W. C . A. Annie Kate Gilbert, a Kappa from Dallas, is now a field
secretary in the Southwestern District.

Besides saying that we have some new furniture, a floor lamp and a
wicker table for the chapter-room, I don't know of anything of
interest to our sister chapters. We were certainly charmed with the
visit of Isabelle Henderson Stewart, who spent a day and night with
us. We gave one or two affairs i n her honor, but felt that the time
was all too short for us to see as much of her as we wanted to, much
less to do as much for her as we would have liked to do.

We have had a very mild winter here until the last three weeks when
the weather has been fearful, but'everyone seems to have the "spring"
wish, when out of door f u n will reign.

I n closing we wish all the joys that a brand new year can possibly
have in store for anyone, to our sister chapters; in short, may they
be healthy, wealthy, and wise (with all that the latter implies, i n
regard to Alpha Omicron Pi) is the wish of N u Kappa through

G E N E V I E V E GROCE, Chapter Editor.

BETA PHI—INDIANA UNIVERSITY

Dear Sisters in Alpha Omicron Pi:
Beta Phi greets you once again. I t seems years since the last time

we sent word to all of you. So very many things have happened
since then. For one thing we have started a New Year which we
hope will be f u l l of sunshine and good luck for each and everyone
of us. Our Christmas play time is past, and we are back again to
work harder than ever. And why must we work harder ? Surely you
may guess that semester examinations are just around the corner. We
are all determined to do our very best so that Alpha Omicron Pi
may have a high place in the scholarship ranking of sororities here.

We are so very sorry to tell you that two of our girls did not re-
turn from the Christmas recess. We miss them very much. Eleanor
McCarthy was called to her home in New York State by the severe
illness of her mother and cannot return this year.

Since we last wrote to you we have initiated two girls. We had
special initiation for them because they had the necessary credits, and
we wanted them each to be truly one of us. These girls were Emma
McClain and Edith Huntington.

Mrs. Stewart made us a visit in November. She stayed with us
for three days, and we were very glad to have her. We all enjoyed
her visit, and feel that it was very helpful to us. She was able to
make some very helpful suggestions, which we feel have benefited us
a great deal.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 157

We have invited three charming women to become our patronesses,
and they have very kindly consented to do so. They are Mrs. Hunt-
ington, Mrs. Bender, and Mrs. Treat. And while I am speaking
of patronesses I must not forget to tell you that one of our patronesses
gave us a very pretty picture for our house for Christmas. We are
so proud of it.

The university has been threatened with a coal shortage for some
time now. Several times there has only been enough to run through
the day, but always a car or two has come in, so we keep going. The
lights in the library and on the campus have been turned out every
night at eight o'clock. None of the departmental clubs have been
able to meet. However, last night Botany Club met in Biology Hall.
They have gas fixtures there. There were three gas lamps and two
coal oil ones. I t reminded one of old times, when they used candles
and lamps.

Of course, no letter would be complete without some account of
how we are helping i n this war. We are all knitting, and of course
we observe meatless and wheatless days. Beside this every sorority
has done something to raise money for the war fund. We decided
to have a refreshment room. That is, we would serve ices and
chocolate and different things. We made the dearest little invitations
with a verse on them to send to every chapter-house. We also made
posters, which we put up on the campus bulletin boards. We had
a number of tables in our parlors covered with white covers with big
red "I's" on them, and candles with red shades. One of the girls
acted as player piano whenever anyone dropped a nickle in a box.
I t was a very snowy night and our grate fires looked so pretty and
cheery.

Now the sororities are to give a charity ball. We will charge a
dollar a couple, and sell refreshments. We hope very much to make
it a big success.

Beta Phi wishes all her sisters a happy and glad New Year.

MARGARET B E G E M A N , Chapter Editor.

ETA—UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

Since Mrs. Stewart's inspiring visit, we feel much more like real
Alpha Omicron Pi's. Her presence with us f o r those few days
brought us much closer to all our sister chapters and we are all
hoping for her return soon.

Eta has acquired five more pledges and two more loving-cups
since our last letter. This makes a total of eleven pledges this fall.
Our new girls are Katharine Jackson, Sisterville, West Va.; Helen
Turner, Toledo, Ohio; Gladys Beveridge, Lake Mills, Wis.; Gene-

158 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA 0 MICRON PI

vieve Greenman, Des Moines, Iowa; and Lillian Dulin, Janesville,

Wis.
Katharine and Helen come as juniors from Wells College. Gene-

vieve is also a junior from Rockford College and a friend of many
Rho girls. Gladys is a sophomore from Milwaukee-Downer where
she was hat girl last year. Lillian is our newest freshman.

Irene Folckemer, Margaret Johnson, and Garnet Kleven were
initiated this f a l l . Due to i l l health, Garnet has left college but will
return next year. We feel extremely sad over this loss for Garnet
is one of our very strongest girls in activities.

An advertising club has been formed recently in the university. The
membership is limited to twenty-five. Three Alpha Omicron Pi's
are members, and one of them, Winifred Inglis, is vice-president.

Margaret Melaas is class editor of the Badger, our annual, this
year, and another Alpha Omicron Pi is feature editor.

The Badger contest was recently held i n which sororities competed
to get the largest number of subscriptions for this year's annual.
We won the first prize which is a handsome silver art cup. The first
prize for Home-coming decorations, another silver loving-cup, is also
our trophy.

Intersorority bowling games are being played with much fervor.
This is our first attempt and we won't get first place but we are doing
our best. Kappa Alpha Theta has won every game she has played
with the exception of one which we took from her.

With sincerest wishes for the coming year.
E L I Z A B E T H PRUETT, Chapter Editor.

ALPHA PHI—MONTANA STATE COLLEGE

Dear Alpha 0 Sisters:
Today was the first work day this quarter and consequently every-

one feels stupid and dumpy including myself, but I ' l l try to tell
you about what we've been doing since last time.

First and most important we pledged the four very nicest and
cutest and all-around best girls, that is, in our opinion in the fresh-
man class, and we expect to make them real Alpha O's next week.

We haven't been indulging in any elaborate social functions, but
have had several informal parties, and then we have had one meet-
ing a month for a social meeting. We have been asking members of
the faculty or some other interesting persons to talk to us upon some
current topic, and we have enjoyed these talks very much. We have
all been knitting for Red Cross, we have purchased a Liberty Bond,
and will probably buy another one soon.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 159

There has been so much to do, and our courses were so crowded
last quarter, that we had scarcely begun when final examinations
were upon us. But they were all finished before Christmas and so
the girls went home for vacation with a feeling of relief—if not of
entire satisfaction. But some of us, four Alpha O's among other
girls, stayed here at the dormitory during vacation and we surely
had an exciting time. Mary D — , our president, went "slumming"
on Christmas morning, and came back with two forlorn little girls
whom we promptly scrubbed t i l l they glistened, then dressed them
in clean clothes and took them down to Christmas dinner. You
should have seen them eat!! After they had gone and that excite-
ment was over, our janitor's boy got smallpox and we all had to be
fumigated. Now nearly everyone has a sore arm from being vac-
cinated.

Oh, did I tell you that three more of our girls were taken into
Phi Upsilon Omicron, the honorary sorority? They are Lynnie
Chattin, '19, Etta Haynes, '20, and Minnie Ellen Marquis, '20.

And then I guess I ' d better tell you about Azalea. She's the one
who deserted us and went to Minnesota this year. You remember,
don't you. Well, she almost came back at Christmas time, i n fact,
she had her trunk all packed and her ticket bought and then—she
changed her mind. We envy you, Tau, but also we warn you!!

And then another thing happened, or rather, didn't happen, for
we had dared to hope that Mary Chase might come here for vacation
—and she didn't come.

But anyway in spite of our disappointments, vaccinations and all,
we can still be thankful for the weather, for it's unbelievably warm
in Bozeman. There is no snow and the sun shines so warmly that i t
makes even a senior think of the times she's had spring fever. So
perhaps this next quarter we will be able to accomplish quite a large
part of the work we plan.

Hoping that Santa was good to you all and that you won't break
your New Year's resolutions, we are as ever, Alpha Phi.

E T T A NORCUTT, Chapter Editor.

NU OMICRON—VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

We promised in the last issue to tell you how "Spiking Day" came
out. Mary Harrell, a pledge of last year, has been initiated, and
also, we have pledged and initiated Billie Shelton of Bingham, 111.,
Sara Costen of Osceola, A r k . ; and Louella Whorley of Nashville.
Tenn. Pearl Tuttle, of Clarksdale, Miss., was also pledged, but
has an entrance condition to work off before she can be initiated. We
are indeed proud of our freshmen.

160 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

Some of the chapters spoke i n the last issue of Mrs. Stewart's visit,
but she did not come to us until after our last letter. We kept her
three whole days, and we certainly enjoyed every bit of it. We got
our room furnished just about that time, so we gave a house-warming
the first afternoon for everyone to meet our Grand President. That
night we all went out to Mary D.'s where Mrs. Stewart was staying,
and she told us about the other chapters and we all had a general
good time. The next afternoon, which was Sunday, several of us
took her on a long automobile drive out to the Hermitage, which was
the home of President Andrew Jackson. The next afternoon, the
Kappa Alpha Theta's gave a tea for her. Then she had to leave us

to journey to Illinois.
I mentioned our room. Well, you should see i t ! If's in blue.

The wall paper, and shade to our mahogany electrolier, presented
by one of our alumnae, are of blue and the draperies have a note of
blue. We have a beautiful mahogany table, several chairs, and a
long window seat. Beside these necessities, one member bought a
victrola, another gave records, and another an electric grill. Of
course, a house is on the list of things to be desired, but until we
get one, we are certainly proud of our room.

Our girls have not been idle i n college activities. Ellenna Webb
made the new literary society. Mary Harrell and Katrina Overall
are on the Commodore Board (our yearbook). For the first time
in history, a coed has been put on the staff of the semiweekly paper
and she was one of our girls. Pearl Tuttle made the varsity basketball
team. Another one was elected senior prophet and in a recent student
election held by the Commodore, your humble servant was noted the
best-all-round girl in school.

The coeds here have regular military d r i l l once a week under the
same instructor that the boys have. We are interested i n all forms
of relief work. Some worked on the Y. M . C. A . campaign, several
of us have "fatherless children of France" to whom we are sending
money. Then, of course, there is the Red Cross, of which we are
practically a l l members and f o r which we knit.

The university has just completed the conditions of a $1,000,000
endowment, and we are all very elated to know that it is coming
through all right.

We hope that the coming year is going to bring all that is best f o r

college, fraternity, and country. Love to all our sisters.
Fraternally,
K A T R I N A O V E R A L L , Chapter Editor.

TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 161

ALUMNAE CHAPTER LETTERS

NEW YORK ALUMNiE

The first meeting of the year was that in honor of Mrs. Stewart, in
the N u chapter-room. This meeting was largely attended. Every-
one was glad of the opportunity to either meet Mrs. Stewart, or
to renew her acquaintance. On November 20th we had a supper party
at the same place, thanks to the N u Chapter's gracious and continued
hospitality. A t this meeting there were seventeen present. Supper
was served by Marguerite Hallsted and Edith Dietz, with several
others assisting. A t the business part of the meeting the by-laws
were amended, and Mary Towle, Joanna Colcord, and Claire Graeffe
appointed a committee to arrange for war work to be done by the
chapter during the year. On December 15th, still in Nu's chapter-
room, we had a ritual meeting, followed by tea served by Gladys
Combs and Ethel Cornell. The war work committee brought in a
promising report. We were especially glad to welcome several mem-
bers of Chi Chapter, who are living in or near New York. The
other chapters represented at the last meeting were Epsilon, Alpha,
Gamma, Sigma, and Nu.

D A I S Y GAUS, President.

SAN FRANCISCO ALUMNA

Dear Sisters in Alpha Omicron Pi:
Many of us out here in California have, until the event of our

Grand President's inspiring visit with us on December 19th, found
it difficult to realize the national significance of Alpha Omicron Pi,
but now that we have heard Mrs. Stewart describe each chapter, even
to the little ways in which you differ from each other and from us, we
have only to shut our eyes to see each charming and dear group of
you, so vividly did Mrs. Stewart picture you. I think all of us who
heard her were impressed principally with two ideas! What a sturdy
and beautiful growth is Alpha Omicron Pi and what an able Grand
President is our beloved Isa Henderson Stewart.

As to the activities of San Francisco Alumnae since the last letter,
we are now doing Red Cross work at our meetings and, under the
supervision of Dorothy Clarke, are learning to roll the fifty-seven
varieties of bandages. Dorothy, with characteristic vigor and pep,
is doing Red Cross work during almost every waking hour. We are
very proud of Dorothy. At our regular monthly meeting on Decem-
ber 1st we voted to provide a poor family with Christmas dinner by

162 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA 0 MIC RON PI

special assessment, acting on the vote of the Bay Cities Panhellenic
Association.

I n telling this time of our chapter, I must save plenty of space for
the new babies. This has been an eventful autumn for we have
had thrilling news at each meeting to enthuse over as we meticulously
folded, measured, and rolled bandages. Of course, we are jubilant
that three of the youngsters are girls for doesn't it mean more dear
Alpha Omicron Pi sisters in the next score of years? Now as to the
proud possessors! May Cameron Pierce has a very young son while
both Carrie Bright Kistler and Hertha Herrmann Brown have not-
quite-so-young sons; Rose Von Schmidt Bell, Rose Gardner Marx,
and Margaret Stone Eddy are the mothers of little Alpha O's. At
our meetings, we of the much-less-to-be-envied contingent sit on the
' edge of our chairs and listen to such enchanting chatter as this!

"How much does yours weigh now?"
"Ten and three-tenths. How much does yours weigh?"
"Eight and five-tenths. Are you sure you subtract the weight of
the blanket? Yes? Well. I don't see how you do i t . "
In closing, let me say that we of San Francisco alumna? wish all
all our sisters a happy and successful New Year.

PEARL L . P I E R C E . Chapter Editor.

PROVIDENCE ALUMNiE

Dear Alpha Omicron Pi Sisters:
Providence Alumnae "got together" for the first time this year

October 19th at Maud Covell's in Barrington. There were only a
few of us who could go to be sure, but we received such a welcome
and had such a good time. Daza Mowry Drury, who lives in Fitch-
burg, Massachusetts, was back in Providence for the Brown reunion
and was able to be at the meeting. Her old friends enjoyed seeing
her again, and I . meeting her for the first time. She was knitting a
Red Cross sweater and was having such a time "binding off" and
"casting on" at the neck. I could f u l l y sympathize with her for
I was doing the same and having the same kind of a time. We spent
part of our time i n the election of officers and the rest in talking
about the war, as of course that is uppermost in the minds of us all.

I was glad indeed to have the November meeting at my house, f o r
you see I am still new in Providence and this was the first opportunity
I had had to have it. Helen Henry was down from Boston on that
day, and we were very fortunate to have her with us.

Louella Darling invited us to her home in Pawtucket for our
December meeting, and we had such a cosy, chatty time around her
open fire. We plan to meet once a month until summer, and we hope
to have some good things to tell you later on.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 163

We are all trying to do part of our share, at least, in the work of
winning the war. Helen Rose and Louella Darling are each giving
two days a week to Red Cross work, and their service is of the most
efficient kind. Lillian McQuillin McCausland has given her time
and ability in speaking for the Liberty Loan and the Red Cross, and
then of course we are all knitting every spare minute that we have.

This is the most wonderful Christmas season that we have ever
seen for amid all the heartache and sorrow of this great war there
comes to us a solemn sense of happiness which comes from a knowl-
edge of duty done and a realization of having done our part i n
hastening a true peace.

MURIEL COLBATH WYMAN,

For Providence Alumna.

BOSTON ALUMN-ffi

We have been very fortunate so far this year in having four success-
f u l meetings since the September issue. On October 27th, "Dave"
and Jane entertained the chapter at the home of "Pollie" Lambert.
As usual, it was hard to start the business meeting, for everyone
wanted to chat and hear the news. Our next meeting was held at
the home of Florence Walker Cannell, '04, in West Somerville. I
am sorry, but as I was not notified of the meeting place, I cannot
make a personal report. Having seen several of the girls who were
there and knowing how dear and hospitable Mrs. Cannell is, it can
truly be concluded that the afternoon was one filled with much
pleasure for all, and that the ties of Alpha Omicron Pi were again
made stronger. Mrs. Sara Buxton Field, '05, was at the meeting and
it certainly is fine to have a "sister" "drop i n , " after six years of
absence. We hope, whenever an Alpha Omicron Pi girl is near
Boston on the last Saturday of the month, that she (but we'd like it
to be "they") will phone or write the secretary, Mrs. Winthrop L .
Wales, '09, 19 Fairfield Street, North Cambridge, and find out
where the meeting is to be held.

Our last two meetings were held on extremely cold days. On
December 8th we had a joint meeting with the Delta Chapter as
hostesses at the home of Ethel Richardson, '19, in Medford, Massa-
chusetts. This meeting was most enjoyable, because it brought the
alumnae" and "actives" into a closer relationship, and we feel so
much better acquainted after such informal gatherings. We wish
to take this opportunity to thank the "actives," and we trust to be as
successful hostesses at the spring joint meeting. We only ask one
bit of assistance, and that is, please, every Delta girl, come. We
shall be very much disappointed i f anyone is absent. We were

164 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA 0 MIC RON PI

delighted to have Mrs. Grace Sawyer Benson (Gamma, '15) as our
guest at that meeting, and we are anxious to have her come as often
as possible since her new home is not far, i n Milton, Massachusetts.
When we said goodbye and started on our various diverse routes, the
wind was blowing a gale and the snow and sleet hindered our prog-
ress, but to prove that "birds of a feather flock together," no matter
how severe the weather, the alumnae held their last 1917 meeting,
Saturday, December 29th, on the coldest day Boston has seen for
twenty years. I t was a large gathering, and we had a fine meeting at
the Women's Industrial Union in Boston. Most of the members had
just attended a very line meeting of the T u f t s alumna? at the Hotel
Oxford. Our "Brownie," I beg pardon, Mrs. Maurice Keating, '97,
has made a wonderful president of the association, and through her
excellent ability and that of the assisting committee among whom
Alpha Omicron Pi was represented by "Pollie" Lambert, '00, and
Annette MacKnight, '14, the banquet and reunion were called by all
present, "the best yet."

Perhaps it is out of my regime to mention this, but I wonder i f
Alpha Omicron Pi has a resolution for 1918. Wouldn't it be inspir-
ing to each member, i f she could feel that a l l her Alpha Omicron Pi
sisters through the coming year were striving to be cheerful, and to
do each task, no matter how humble, to the very best of her ability?
I t doesn't seem much, yet amid the great turmoil, these two qualities
can help so much to lighten our burdens. This has been such a
remarkable year anyway. Just think of such events as the entrance
of United States troops on foreign soil, the capture of Jerusalem and
Bethlehem by the Christians, the Russian revolution, and in our
own unrest, the organizing of the railroads under government con-
trol. May 1918 bring us all much happiness and the greatest of
hopes—peace.

E T T A PHILLIPS M A C P H I E , '13,

Boston Alumnce Editor.

LOS ANGELES ALUMNiE
Dear Alpha O Sisters:

We must pause amid our own Christmas rush, and wish you all a
right merry Christmas; and how we do hope this New Year w i l l
bring "peace and good-will" to all.

I n November we gathered at the home of Florence Alvarez with
bags of old clothing and pockets f u l l of money. A t least our pockets
were supposed to be f u l l , but quickly emptied, into a cute little red
box labeled "Christmas Funds." With the money we are going to
buy groceries and try to fill a few empty stomachs this Christmas.

TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 165

We didn't get as much clothing as we anticipated, for Red Cross
and other charity organizations had seen us first, and there was not
much left when our own call came. But that only makes us work
with more zest on the baby "Gertrudes," work which we are continu-
ing this year, and our knitting. Many of the girls have brothers or
other near relatives at the different cantonments, so their fingers are
never idle.

The early part of December, we were very much pleased to learn
that Mrs. Stewart would be with us for an afternoon. Hazel Crabill
cordially invited us to her home. We are always delighted with an
invitation from her and with the added attraction of meeting Mrs.
Stewart, you may be sure we turned out in goodly numbers.

To see Mrs. Stewart and talk with her means falling i n love with
her immediately, which we all proceeded to do. We were very much
interested to hear of her visit to the other chapters, and plied her
with questions concerning plans for our own progress. But we have
the same complaint as all the other chapters have made, her stay
was too brief; we wanted to keep her with us.

The next Saturday we met with Jane Graham, and were very glad
to get another peek at those adorable children. May Goodman was
persuaded to bring little Ruth, and the youngsters had such a good
time with their "tea party." But no better than their elders, for we
knitted, sewed, and chatted. We decided to meet with May Goodan
during the holidays and have the active girls from Berkeley and Le-
land Stanford, Jr., with us, so next time, as Harry Lauder says, "We
will just sing the ching, then you will know all about i t . "

J E S S M C K E N N A , Chapter Editor.

LINCOLN ALUMNA

The Lincoln Alumna; met in November with Edna Harpham,
Maude Pierce Logan was the assisting hostess. The girls spent the
afternoon visiting and knitting.

A l l of the alumna? who attended the Christmas party at the frater-
nity house, the Wednesday night before Christmas, enjoyed them-
selves immensely. The "circus" by the freshmen was especially
clever and kept us laughing all the time. Santa was jolly. "He"
opened each package and read the "poem" accompanying it before
'he" presented it to the one to whom it was addressed, and the shouts
of laughter from the active girls showed that the joke had been care-
fully selected. The verses were gems and proved that there is
remarkable poetic talent in our active chapter.

In December we met with Viola Gray. Grace Gannon, Edna
Spears, Winifred Waters, and Gisella Birkner who were home for the

166 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

holidays met with us and we had a most enjoyable afternoon. A l l the
girls were busy with their knitting, and, as it is possible to knit and
talk at the same time, there was a great deal accomplished, both
visiting and war work.

I n January we shall meet with Ioma Hauptman. Verna Kean will
be the assisting hostess.

A l l Zeta girls who know Mrs. Herbert Grainger (Helen Westveer)
will be sorry to learn that Mr. Grainger died, October 30, 1917, after
an illness of several weeks. Helen, with her three baby boys, will
continue to make her home here in Lincoln.

Martha Walton, who spent last year i n California, was in Lincoln
for several weeks this fall. A t present she is visiting Major and
Mrs. James Henry, U . S. A., at Petersburg, Virginia.

Annie Jones is as much interested as ever in the children at the
Orthopedic Hospital. Before Christmas she was chairman of the
committee to provide gifts for the children at the hospital and the
inmates at the Home for Dependents. Emma Bennett Beckman was
a member of this committee also, and gifts, useful things and toys,
were provided for every child.

Annie is guardian of the Camp Fire girls at the Orthopedic Hospi-
tal, also.

Anabel Good Paine was in Lincoln for a week i n December. Since
her marriage last spring, Anabel has lived in Oklahoma City.

Laura Peterson spent part of her Christmas vacation visiting Wini-
fred Waters and Emily Trigg.

Pauline Burkit Reynolds has moved into a beautiful new home
which they have just built in South Lfncc'.n.

Helen Fitzgerald has taken up journalism and is now on the staff
of the Lincoln Daily Star, Society Department.

The Lincoln Red Cross chapter has attracted the attention of the
country by the quantity and quality of surgical dressings which it has
prepared. Several Alpha O's have given a great deal of time to the
work and three of our girls are captains of tables, Elsie Fitzgerald,
Edna Harpham, and Emma Beckman.

Elsie Ford Piper spent part of her Christmas vacation with Emma
Schreiber Hunter in Oakland, California. The Hunters have been
living in an apartment but are now pleasantly situated in a home of
their own.

To all chapters—active and alumna?—the Lincoln Alumnae wish a
most successful and prosperous New Year.

J A N E L O U I S E PIPER, Chapter Editor.

TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 167

CHICAGO ALUMNA

Since our last letter Chicago Alumna: have met three times, once
informally, and twice we have held regular meetings. I n the early
part of December we packed up our lunches and repaired to Doris
Wheeler's i n Evanston to work! We felt that the zeal and energy
which many people are putting into Red Cross and Allied Relief
work was crippling the home charities to a considerable extent, and
for that reason planned to do our bit as an organization in a local
way. Accordingly we sewed all afternoon on flannel bloomers for
the poorly clothed tubercular youngsters in open air rooms of the
public schools. These children are cared for mentally by the Board
of Education and are fed by a philanthropic organization, but most of
them come from families too poor to clothe them adequately.

We always have our best times at these work meetings, and this
one was enjoyed the more because we had Isabelle Stewart with us.

We had an unusually large number out for the regular December
meeting down town where we had a social lunch hour followed by a
business meeting. We were all invited by Leonore Doniat to her
wedding which was set for December 26th, but which had to be
indefinitely postponed on account of war exigencies.

A month later we were all saddened by the news of the sudden
death of Merva Hennings' aunt whom many of us knew and admired.
Instead of having a business meeting four of us went out to the
funeral from luncheon where we had gathered, as there had been no
time to notify the girls not to come.

At our next meeting, February 2nd, we expect to initiate a number
of new members. I f " I t Pays to Advertise," this will be the banner
meeting of the year, as we'have sent urgent letters to everyone we
could find in the directory who lives anywhere near the city. Here's
hoping that there won't be another of our famous blizzards to keep
the hordes away. Chicago has been blessed with two terrific storms
in the past three weeks which have tied up transportation for as
much as two days. I t is snowing hard as I write, and a strong north
wind is blowing, piling the already head-high drifts higher. We
hereby issue to you all a hearty invitation to help us dig ourselves
out.

M A B E L C. W A L L A C E , Chapter President.

INDIANAPOLIS ALUMNA

Indianapolis Alumnae have been rather inactive this winter, due
to several causes. First, the weather here has been against us, for
J t seems that every Saturday set aside for our meeting, some snow
storm comes up, and the girls are unable to attend. Then, our

168 TO DRAG MA Of ALPHA OMICRON PI

president has been quite i l l , and we have rather a hard time struggling
vainly, without our good leader. But we are very glad to say she is
much better, and now able to attend our meetings. We feel sure
things are going to be more favorable in the near future.

We have had two weddings recently. First, that of Irene New-
man and Leslie De Wolf, which took place the Saturday after Thanks-
giving. I t was a pretty home wedding, and we a l l wish Irene a l l
the joy and happiness this old world can hold. They are living in
Chicago, so we lost a very valuable helper.

The other one was that of Esther Mae Canaday and Chalmer D .
Day. Their wedding took place at the Methodist Church in Fort-
ville, Indiana, and was quite a lovely affair. Many of the Alpha
Omicron Pi girls took part in it, being bridesmaids, soloists, etc.

I n January our meeting was given up and a Panhellenic luncheon
was held. A l l the sorority girls took part in a little sketch.

I hope by the next letter I shall have more news of the chapter than
I have now. We have a great many plans for future work, and I
trust they w i l l materialize.

BERNICE MITCHEL,

For the Chapter.

NEW ORLEANS ALUMNA

Rain or shine, calm or storm, New Orleans Alumnae begins the
college year with a party. I t may be i n concession to that warm
southern temperament, which refusing to live in a monotone of serious-
ness, bubbles up and overflows at the thought of gaiety; it may be in
response to the simple wish for a gathering that the custom exists.
Whatever the reason, the fact is the party—and the party's the thing.
I t is usually a a levee party. Now anyone who has been to New
Orleans knows that a levee, far from l>eing an entertainment held in
honor of a king, is an embankment along the river front built up
beyond the water's height to prevent possible overflow of the Missis-
sippi, and consequent destruction of the city. A t certain intervals in
the levee fronts are battures, or wide stretches of sand reaching down
to the water's edge. Here on one of these white sandy beaches, at
sunset, the first party of the year occurs. I t is all very informal.
Everybody comes, active and alumnae, arid everybody brings part of
the supper. A blazing, crackling bonfire is built. Then as the sun
sinks slowly into the flaming water of the river, frying pans sizzle
with bacon; fat sausages sputter on the ends of long handled forks;
an aroma floats up of coffee so rich, so delicious 'twould delight the
nostrils of an Arab or a T u r k : sandwiches appear with f r u i t and
ginger bread, and altogether everything is complete. Perhaps then

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 169

comes the music of guitars and songs, or a wild country dance, and
then the party is over.

I t is always a delight, this first party, and an effective impetus to
start the ball rolling f o r the year. Especially was it necessary this
year of all others, when the spell of the war hangs heavy over every-
one, and the demands are so great that energies must be trebled to
meet them.

The major work of the alumnae chapter is as formerly, Americani-
zation of immigrants through teaching in the afternoon schools pro-
vided by the New Orleans "Daughters of the American Revolution."
As yet the work has not been positive owing to changes in the
administration of the D . A. R., and difficulty in securing a suitable
school building. I n addition to these hindrances, the alumnae no
longer have the help of Innes Morris in the work, as since her
marriage, she is living out of the city. Her splendid leadership and
spirit, her tact and irresistible personality are sorely missed. But the
chapter is ready to work with redoubled vigor in the hope of inspiring
ignorant aliens with true love of America, of educating them to ideals
of citizenship, and thus contributing in a measure to the vast work
of making democracy safe for the world.

The mention of Innes brings the thought of her wedding, the first
event of real importance in the chapter annals for the year. As
Virginia Withers remarked in her letter to the out-of-town alumnae
(which by the way is a news letter f u l l of live interest to all Alpha
O's, sent twice a year to all Pi alumnae not in New Orleans), nobody
but Innes could have had a wedding just like hers, impressive, lovely,
formal, yet naive and informal all at the same time. Nobody but
Innes would have nodded her head in response at the altar, and
nobody but Innes would have gone off on her wedding trip with her
knitting bag unconcernedly over her arm. The station that night
was an interesting scene. There were the Boy Scouts whom Innes
had organized gathered round the platform of the sleeping car; there
were the wedding party and many who had been guests at the recep-
tion, all in festive attire; and there were Innes and her husband
standing on the platform of the Pullman, nodding, smiling, and
talking to everybody at once.

"Three cheers for Miss Innes!" proclaimed the Bov Scouts, but
this was followed up quickly by a whispered. "Aw—ain't you 'shamed
—that ain't right!" Then came loudly, "Three cheers for Missis
Ellis!" and still more loudly. "Three cheers f o r Mr. and Missis
Ellis," as the train pulled out of the station.

The only other excitement the chapter has had was our Grand
President's visit, which came more or less as a surprise though we

170 TO DRAG MA OR ALPHA OMICRON PI

had expected it afar off. Mrs. Stewart brought with her accounts
of other chapters of tremendous interest to us; and she herself won
us utterly by her quick insight and ready understanding. We felt
when she left that she knew us well, and we wished that she might
have prolonged her stay.

Since there is no rushing off the campus this year, the alumnae as
a chapter have seen little of the actives. So we planned a holiday
reunion i n the active chapter-rooms for December 27th. A l l the
vagrant pedagogues home for the holidays were there, and so also
was everybody i n town. Of course i t was a merry party.

The New Orleans Alumnae sends greetings to all of its sister chap-
ters. May the new year prove auspicious for us all, and may it bring
in its wake—peace!

THEODORA D . SUMNER, Chapter Editor.

MINNEAPOLIS ALUMNiE
So far this winter has found our chapter doing little else than
assisting the active chapter with their rushing, some of us continuing
hospital visiting, and most of the time given to Red Cross.
Our membership has been increased to twenty-one. Emily Bartlett
of Gamma and Helen Shipman of Rho and Alpha are the newest
members. We know we are a most fortunate chapter in having them
with us. Of course, Mary Ellen Chase has been with us since uni-
versity opened and we continue to feel sorry for those chapters who
have had her cheery enthusiasm to help them do big things in the
past, but are having to do without her now, while we—lucky mor-
tals—rejoice in her comradeship. Gamma, you are to be congratu-
lated.
Mrs. Hollister of Iota whose husband is stationed at Fort Snelling
is also one of our new members who comes in very often.
Dorothy Wade is so busy that we catch only glimpses of her, but
she is here, and we are glad to know her. I t is such a pleasure to
know these other chapter sisters that when we learn some of you have
been in the T w i n Cities without looking us up or letting us know
you were here, we feel truly cheated.
The October meeting was held at the chapter-house. After a
short business meeting we had tea with the active girls and their
rushees. This year's chapter home is old, a better home perhaps
than the old house on 11th Avenue, but we are hoping hard that
another f a l l will find the girls i n a brand new home of their own.

Mrs. Stewart and Mary Ellen gave us splendid advice about the
business of house building, and i f the house is finished by f a l l it w i l l
be largely due to the enthusiasm we acquired from them. I t seems

TO DRAGMA OR ALPHA OMICRON PI 171

a huge undertaking at this time, but we are sure we can accomplish
it with the good-will of our whole fraternity to support us. The
active chapter members, in their readiness to support any plan that
will advance the interests of Alpha O, are a source of inspiration.
How we wish you might all know them!

Mrs. Stewart's visit was a most welcome event of November. We
only wished that we might have her near us always, but then, I need
not say more for each chapter has had the same delightful experience
and has had it end too soon by her departure.

The active chapter entertained for her at a tea for the university
women. The alumna; gave a little luncheon at Rebecca Jackson's
attractive apartments. After the luncheon interest i n what our splen-
did President had to say to us was shared by Nancy Pendleton Jack-
son, a veritable rosebud who surveyed us from her mother's and Mary
Ellen's arms during a part of. the business meeting. She is a charm-
ingly good baby, but I ' m not at all sure she isn't a bit of a flirt. She
seems unaccountably ( ?) fond of men !

Delta Gamma invited Mrs. Stewart to their fine new fraternity
home. Delta Gamma has some of the most worthwhile women on
the campus, and we were glad and proud that our President might
know them and they her.

Are all the chapters keeping an honor roll of their brave girls whose
husbands and brothers have entered the service of their country?

Our wish to you all is the old wish of a happy New Year with
added earnestness in this time of war.

E D I T H GOLDSWORTHV, Alumna Assistant Editor.

BANGOR ALUMNffi

I n November we met with Aileene Hobart Libby in Milford. Dur-
ing the afternoon the usual knitting for the Red Cross was done.
The executive committee meeting preceded this and it was decided
to write a joint news letter to be sent to out-of-town alumnae some-
time in the early spring. When we withdrew to the dining-room we
found the table arrayed with many of Aileene's pretty possessions,
lighted red candles, not to mention the good things to eat.

One o'clock, December 8th, witnessed the gathering of a happy
dozen around a most attractively appointed table at the home of
Antense Hincks in Oldtown where a Founders' Day luncheon was
served. The curtains were drawn, and the electric lights and lighted
candles served only to enhance an already lovely effect. At the end
of the luncheon hour we were in a happy and appreciative mood for
our impressive ritual service. After considering various plans we
agreed to send ten dollars to the Girls' Home in Belfast, one o f the

172 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
"home interests" which we had been informed was being neglected
on account of the new war interests. Then Ida Sugden and Imogene
Wormwood were authorized to purchase twenty dollars' worth of
yarn which was in turn to be knit and returned to the Red Cross.
Such acute business heads to they possess that for eleven dollars'
worth of yarn we had turned in last week four pairs of stockings, five
sweaters, two pairs of wristers, and one helmet. Doesn't that make
an array of which anyone might be proud! Estelle kept us amused
by her unique but decidedly slow method of knitting. She has
recently improved, but since she has gone back to Caribou we won't
be able to watch her future development.

We appreciated so much the greetings of Stella Stern Perry from
across the continent.

Such a "wintry" winter as Maine is experiencing has been unknown
for forty-nine years. As I sit writing this there is a blizzard whirling
the snow in all directions with wild delight, and reminding me of
the not-quite-so-bad-storm of last Saturday. The January meeting
was scheduled for the twelfth at Edith Folsom Sawyer's in Stillwater,
entailing a three-quarter hour ride on the electrics. Our cars are
erratic, usually they go, but anything in the nature of a snow flake
strikes terror to the heart of the prospective passenger since it drives
all the "go" from the car wheels. Saturday to our dismay was a
stormy day, but a few courageous ones braved the storm and had a
very pleasant afternoon. Flora Howard and Alfreda Ellis were wel-
come guests. Some very interesting letters were read from Zella
Colvin, Rachel Winship Hall, Martha Knight, and Helen Danforth
West. They have all changed their places of residence lately; Zella
is teaching in Carlyle, Illinois; Mattie is working for an M.A. degree
at Columbia; Rachel is living in Philadelphia and is the proud
possessor of a daughter, Evelyn Josephine, born December 21st. We
are having book reviews of some of the war books and find that they
tend to make the meetings have a more live interest. Let us hope
that before long we may have a chance to review the publications on
peace, and the war's end.

Loyally, President.

MARGARET J U N E K E L L E V , Chapter

PORTLAND ALUMNA

When I was in college, I never could keep a stuntbook! When
there were no gaieties on, there was nothing to put down, and when
the calendar was crowded, there was no time. I t has been a case
of too much gaiety with this letter!

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 173

C E R T A I N L Y , the Grand President stopped over to see our chap-
ter. The first thing I knew, Alice Collier called me up with the
news that she had received a telegram that Her Highness would be
here the next day. And thereupon great excitement ensued.

It's really lots of f u n to plan things in a hurry—especially when
you are married. Babies showed signs of croup, husbands were called
out of town, maids up and left, automobiles noted for their faithful-
ness developed the sulks, and new hats were mysteriously lost by the
milliner—but when the train rolled in, we were there, and the auto-
mobile was there, and the Grand President was there, and the
Columbia Highway neither sulked nor loitered nor turned up missing,
but unrolled its pleasant asphalted length of waterfalls and bluffs and
winding river and sunset and genuine dry-mortised Italian wells
(the G. P. will understand this reference) to view.

Afterwards, school and household cares forgotten, we dined at the
Benson, and aside from a few little defects, due to our youth and
inexperience, (sic) such as foregetting to distribute the place-cards
until after the coffee, and overlooking the fact that there was a
dinner-check to be paid and no convenient husband on hand to un-
obtrusively manage the finances, we had a lovely time. Luckily,
the G. P. was too nice and diplomatic to notice little slips like that,
and we only hope she enjoyed her short visit as much as we did.

The next fine, large piece of excitement was the baby party. Oh,,
such f u n ! A l l the kiddies in their best bibs and tuckers, and
each one, as cute and cuddlesome as a kitten, fond mamas standing
around just bursting with pride, and all the single members as ador-
ing auntie-rooters on the sidelines!

The youngsters were all so quiet and good at first, just like
little prunes and prisms, each one sitting by its own and ex-
clusive mother and not saying a word—just looking. And then
Auntie Alice brought out a basket of fascinating packages wrapped
in tissue paper and blue ribbons. After that, there wasn't any
more quiet, anywhere.

When the kiddies had played with their new toys awhile, they
went out on the porch and posed for their pictures. And not one
of them cried! Of course the pictures were splendid.

Then we came in again and had lovely things to eat: grown-up
eats for the big folks and nursery eats for the babies. Wasn't
Auntie Alice Collier nice to all her little nieces and nephews?
We hope somebody'll give another baby party soon.

Of course, we had a Christmas party, so that we could see the
girls who were home from college. That was a nice party, too,
with everyone talking at once except Mabel Robertson who was

174 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

trying to learn to knit with four needles. Susie Paige was home
with a guest. I t was good to see them. Both the Paige girls are
fine, only they will harrow up our Hooverized feelings by telling
us about their lovely Jersey cow, and the grand butter and cream
and eggs they have all the time. (Yes, Madam Editor, I distinctly
remember Susie speaking of the eggs.)

We had Hooverized refreshments at that party, and they were
the best that Mr. Hoover has perpetrated for a long time. We
think we could learn to love him i f he would always do as well.

There is some more interesting gossip I might tell, and several
pieces of real news, but I must stop and dress for Pearl Mcjurdy's
party this afternoon. She is having us all over there today, and
I can't decide whether to take my daughter or the family darning.
Why not both, you say ? Because it can't be done!

EVELYN NORTON CORNISH,

For the Chapter.

PUGET SOUND ALUMN-ffi

Looking back over our past few meetings the November one stands
out as a happy reunion. We met the Saturday after Thanksgiving in
"Irma's lunch room" just when the girls were home for their vaca-
tions. There were fourteen of us, not many for an older chapter but
the most that we had had at any meeting. We were pleased to have
Mrs. Druley of Alpha with us from Bremerton but were sorry to hear
that she was to leave us soon. She and her husband left December
18th for New York to go later to some place in the tropics where Mr.
Druley will continue in the government service.

. The December meeting found us at the Northold Inn busily dis-
cussing the petition from the University of Kansas, our piano fund,
and numerous items of interest for our news letter. We think that
Minnie Kraus is quite a wonderful business manager. Just think of
collecting enough money in these war times to reduce our piano fund
from $454 to $93 ! I t has taken considerable work and planning, and
we certainly appreciate the effort. By the end of our first year there
will surely be no such thing as "piano f u n d " to us.

At our last meeting Mildred Loring suggested that we hold every
other meeting at the chapter-house, having dinner with the girls, a nice
talk and then our business meeting. We were all pleased with the
idea and are looking forward with pleasure to the February meeting.
We all enjoy the girls of the active chapter so much. Mildred is
housemother there this year and has kept us in touch with their
activities, but we shall be glad to go there f o r regular meetings.
Florence Semmen who has been with us all f a l l and winter is to be

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 175

married in the near future. Her home will be not far from Seattle
for her to come to our meetings regularly but we hope to see her at
least occasionally. We shall all miss her.

Greetings and best wishes to all from Puget Sound Alumna;.

CORNELIA J E N N E R , President.

K N O X V I L L E ALUMNAE

Since the report of our installation the history of the chapter has
been little more than the history of a Red Cross unit, and as each of
you doubtless belongs to one it is an old story. This was unusually
pleasant and I am glad to say we really accomplished something. By
the middle of December we turned i n the outfit for one patient, to
be shipped with the New Year's shipment. A t present our plans
for more work are not complete. There has been some discussion of
buying a bolt of gingham and making two sizes of aprons for the
French orphans. Nothing definite has been decided yet, but we are
all doing other work and knitting, and while we sit by the fire and
knit we plan.

A sketch of one of our meetings with scraps of conversation will
give the news and be typical of all the meetings.

Lucretia's house, one-thirty; promptly Emma Hunt arrives, opens
the front door quietly and says, "Is Billy asleep?" Then—"Phew,
I left 'Petie Lamb' aggrieved because I could not take her to the
church to make trench candles. I have been making her a dress for
the dancing school soiree and I worked all morning fixing vegetables
at the Friendly Rooms." Next Blossom arrives. "Oh I had a lovely
time at home; went to Houston and Galveston for a few days. Yes,
I stayed the month out but wasn't I glad to get back! Did you take
care of Clarence while I was gone?" Then they d r i f t in, and this
is what you hear: "Wonder what time Alice Hayes will get here."
"Guess those girls who teach won't come at a l l . " "Hello, Ailcey."

Did you all know Ailcey is going to live here now? Mr. Peet is
going in business here." "Laura Swift is coming home for a visit."
'I heard from Myrtle Cunningham. She said about all she could do
was to keep her boys warm and fed this weather. She has been
working so hard in charge of a knitting unit. She told me that
Mary Rust is nursing on a hospital ship at Halifax, helping with
the relief work." "Has anybody heard from Roberta?" "Nobody
but Billy Bickley, her god-son. He has had a lively correspondence
with her." "Good gracious, you have this yoke basted on wrong.
How many of these shirts do we have to make?" "That bathrobe
« simply beautiful." "Ada Donaldson Montgomery (Kappa) is
coming back here to live. She is quite sick i n the hospital now.

176 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

They have bought a new home and her mother is here keeping her
two children." " T w o ! Has she two? D i d you ever see anything
like the children in this chapter?" "Lucretia, 1 told Alice she ought
to give her baby prunes, don't you think so ? Why, Delia Kyle had
prune pulp long ago." Four-thirty. The "teachers" begin to come.
Helen Kennedy who has charge of the domestic science in the high
school: " I just could not come 'last week, I took my girls to that
cooking school up town every day. I have been getting them to
sign food cards and pledges to make candy but once a month." " I t
was fine to have a l l those visitors back Thanksgiving." "And
weren't they a nifty lot? Ruth Tarpley is so pretty." -Where did
Elizabeth Ayres get that gorgeous corsage?" " I wonder i f she is
going to get married soon." " I t is nice that Aubrey Faulkner and
Edith Verrace can teach at the same place, and Kathleen Vaughn and
Julia Rather." " I was so glad that Alice Cox could come in for
the party, and the baby is so sweet. Alice on a farm! Just loves
it too!" "And think of Laura Swift on a farm!" " I am going to
ask her i f she w i l l run that new car she got for a wedding present
into town to sell vegetables."

Altogether in one voice, "Isn't Mrs. Stewart wonderful!"
"Yes, i t is getting late." "But we got a lot done." "Emma is
coming an extra day and help me finish up these shirts. Then I am
obliged to knit the rest of the week. This is seven sweaters I have
knit, beside helmets, hoods, and wristlets." "Goodbye." "Good-
bye."

L U C R E T I A JORDAN B I C K L E Y , President.

LYNCHBURG ALUMNffi

You have read elsewhere in this issue of the installation of the
Lynchburg Alumnae Chapter. For several years we have been looking
forward to forming a chapter—at last we are a reality. We are very
much indebted to our splendid Lynchburg men—during the last year
three Kappa girls married and came to Lynchburg to live—Elizabeth
Webber, '12 (Mrs. Gordon Payne), Nan Atkinson '13 (Mrs. Gilmer
Craddock), Susie Mann '16 (Mrs. Malcolm Gannaway), and just
before Christmas Elizabeth Bryan, K '15, married Sam Williams,
a captain at Camp Lee, and Lynchburg will eventually be their home.

Our first meetings were held at the sorority house at Randolph-
Macon. The Kappa girls were almost as excited over our installation
as we were, but since the weather has been so bitter, we saved fuel
and have been meeting at our homes.

At the November meeting the following officers were elected:
President. Mrs. Clara M . Cleland

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 111

Secretary, Virginia Allen
Treasurer, Ella Butler.
We decided to adopt a French orphan, and to assist the local Red
Cross chapter as much as possible. We have not done as much as we
would like to do, as we are all busy people. Clara Cleland, Laura
Yates, and Nan Craddock are busy home-makers. Ella Butler,
Virginia Allen, and Virginia Strother are school teachers. Elizabeth
Payne and Susie Mann Gannaway spent five weeks at their respective
homes in Texarkana just before Christmas. Clara Smith teaches
in Covington, Virginia. Frances Allen has had typhoid fever a l l the
f a l l , but will soon be an active worker again.

Christmas, we enjoyed fixing baskets and stockings f o r a family
of eight—a widow and seven children. Each of us took one child
to provide for, and all of us clubbed in to buy coal and provisions.
Christmas Eve several of us carried the provisions; it took two auto
trips to take all the things.

At our December meeting we were glad to have present, Fannie
Butterfield, K '17, who was visiting at the college at that time. Anna
Taylor represents the active chapter at our meetings.

Elizabeth Sale and Mary Bine Frith also attended the last meeting.
Of the ten national sororities at Randolph Macon, Chi Omega and
Alpha Omicron Pi are the only sororities that have alumnae chapters
in Lynchburg. We are hoping to do big things f o r Alpha Omicron
Pi.

VIRGINIA A L L E N . Secretary.

178 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

ALUMNAE NOTES

In the last number of T o DRAGMA the Editor made an appeal
to the alumnae assistant editors for notes. Apparently, in the some-
what satirical words of the Tishbite prophet, our alumnae assistant
editors are on a journey, or peradventure they are sleeping and can-
not be waked. According to promise the Editor is giving the names
of five f a i t h f u l ones: Helen Whitney, I , Ruth Noble Dawson, A <£,
Clara Graeffe, E, Theodora Sumner, n , Etta Phillips MacPhie, A,
and Edith Goldsworthy, T, writing for Elsa Steinmetz. The Theta
and Eta notes were sent by their respective chapter letter editors.
Perhaps, chapter letter editors, you must come to the rescue, and
help out a discouraged Editor. So send all the alumnae notes you
have.

PI

GENERAL

New Orleans Alumnae and Pi Chapter enjoyed exceedingly the visit
of Dorothy Safford (Mrs. Gustave Barker), who was in the city for
some time with her young daughter, Dorothy Many Barker, before
joining her husband at Ripon, Wis. Mr. Barker is now teaching
at Ripon College.

Lily Dupre is taking a business course in New Orleans this winter.
Emily Treret is studying at Johns Hopkins University.
Georgia Belle Gillean has resigned her position at Bastrop, La.,
to accept one i n a New Orleans high school.
Jean H i l l , until recently postgraduate student at Newcomb, has left
New Orleans for the University of Arkansas, where she w i l l teach
in the Domestic Science Department.
Clara Lee Snyder (Mrs. Peter Hamilton) was in New Orleans for
a short time. She is at present at her former home in Norwood, La.,
to remain until she joins her husband at Fort Sill. Captain Hamil-
ton has been sent from Camp Beauregard to Fort Sill for special
training.

Jennie Snyder (Mrs. Egbert Savage) is also in Norwood, La.
Before returning to her present home in Cincinnati, she will stop for
a short visit in New Orleans.

Innes Morris (Mrs. Carey J. Ellis) spent the Christmas holidays
in New Orleans.

MARRIAGES

On Tuesday, October 20th, 1917, Innes Morris was married to
Carey J. Ellis of Rayville, La. They are to live in Rayville, much to
the regret of all New Orleans Alpha O's, active and alumnae.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 179

THETA

ENGAGEMENTS

Avanelle Carter to Wm. McKinley Davisson.
Ethel Pike to Harold Mayhugh.
Agnes Lakin to Ralph Gorrell.

MARRIAGES

Esther Canaday to Chalmer Day on November 29th, 1917.
Irene Newman to Leslie C. De Wolf on December 1st, 1917.
Olive Beatrice Brain to William Wrightson on August 8th, 1917.

BIRTHS

To Dr. and Mrs. Walter J. Palmer (Mary Fee), a son.

DELTA

GENERAL

Charlotte Lowell, '03, is now teaching in the Commercial Depart-
ment of the Worcester Commercial High School, Worcester, Mass.

ENGAGEMENTS

On December 22nd, 1917, Genevieve Louise Fosdick, '10, to Mr.
Herbert Stevens Sanborn, a Harvard graduate, who is now in the
Ordnance Department, U . S. A., stationed i n Brooklyn, N . Y.

MARRIAGES

Bernice Glidden, '10, was married to Mr. Charles Palmer of
Hampton, N . H . , last March.

EPSILON

GENERAL

Ethel Davis, '09, completed a special course in nursing at Johns
Hopkins, and is now with her father and mother in France, doing
hospital work.

Ethel Cornell, '14, and Bertha Yerke, '16, returned to Ithaca for
initiation, and were entertained at the chapter-house, which they
report "the best on the h i l l . "

Anne Morrow, '17, has charge of a fruit canning station operated
by the Food Conservation Committee, in New York City. Anne is
living at 607 West 136th Street.

Jean Short, '17, is instructing in conversational French in Ken-
tucky. Her address is Frankfort, Ky., c|o S. F. Hoge.

Merle Mosier, '14, is an interne in a hospital in Worcester, Mass.
Ethel Cornell, '14, entertained the New York freshmen during the
Christmas vacation at a supper party. Marion Darville, Agnes Dob-

V

180. TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

bins, Gertrude Mosier, Clare and Anne Graeffe, Gladys Combs,
Dorothy Shaw. Anne Morrow, Margaret Morrow. Sally Searles,
Ruth Balcom, and Elizabeth Merrill, were present.

MARRIAGES

Katherine Lyon, '16, was married on November 5th to Mr. Arthur
Jackson Mix. Mr. Mix is a graduate of Hamilton College, and
received his Ph.D. at Cornell in 1915. He is a member of Alpha
Delta Phi. Mr. and Mrs. Mix will live in Lawrence, Kan.

IOTA

GENERAL

Opal Trost, '16, is teaching in the high school at Galena, 111.

MARRIAGES

The marriage of Jessie Fay Edmundson, '13, to Mr. William J.
Geer took place November 28th at Kankakee, 111. Mr. and Mrs.
Geer are living temporarily in Springfield, Mass.

BIRTHS

A daughter, Margaret Mabel, was born to Mr. and Mrs. R. L .
Triplett (Etta Lantz, '14) on September 15th.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Scholl (Mary Wills, '14), a son.

TAU

GENERAL

Zora Robinson is teaching in Howard Lake. She is near enough
to the city so that we see her often and hear news of "Andy," who
is in France.

Mellie Guayle Moffitt is a little lonesome we are afraid, in far
away Georgia, but perhaps there are some Alpha O's in Atlanta.

Gertrude Swanson is teaching in the city while Stedy is at Pine
Island, Minn.

Viola Miner Neutson's name belongs on our Tau honor roll, as
she is carrying on her husband's work while he serves in the Aero-
nautic Department of the Navy.

Florence Brande is making a name for herself as assistant dramatic
editor on the St. Paul Daily News. She is seriously considering a
new adventure as a telephone operator in France f o r our government.

Margaret Wood is a dignified young high school principal at Saux
Rapids, Minn.

Marv Lou Watson is at home in Hoopeston. We were glad to hear
from both Vivian and Mary Lou through Inez Jayne.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 181

MARRIAGES

Helen Pierce was married on October 24th to Mr. Walter Thorpe
Munro. She has been in the city for a short time this f a l l since her
marriage, but expects to live in the East.

ETA

Eta of Alpha Omicron Pi announces the engagement of Miss Wini-
fred Inglis to Mr. Ralph Wesley Baumgartner of Waterloo, Iowa.

ALPHA PHI

GENERAL
Esther Belle Cooley, '16, is now instructor in domestic art in the
State Normal School, Winona, Minn.
Ethel Meiwald, '16, is teaching in the Chinook High School.
Ursula Hodgskiss, '17, is teaching in the Polytechnic Institute at
Billings, Mont.

182 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

NEWS OF T H E COLLEGE AND GREEK-LETTER
WORLD

We are indebted to Panto's Greek Exchange, that treasure-house
of fraternity and sorority information, for the following interesting
notes:

America's oldest coed, a student at the University of Kansas last
year, entered the University of California this fall. She is Amy D .
Winship, 85. Mrs. Winship started her education in a log school
in Illinois in 1847.

Every president of the United States since 1880 has been a frater-
nity man. Here are their affiliations: Garfield, A Y ; Arthur, * Y ;
Cleveland, honorary 2 X ; Harrison, * A ©; McKinley, honorary
2 A E ; Roosevelt, A A * and A K E ; T a f t , * Y ; Wilson, <I> K
Eight vice presidents also have been fraternity men.

Fraternity pins have been placed under the ban at the reserve offi-
cers' training camps, because they do not make for democracy.

The first attempt is about to be made to introduce standardized
dress for women in California, by certain of the faculty of Stanford
University who are members of an organization known as the Resartus
Club. The dress which they propose the women shall adopt is a two-
piece costume of which the skirt is gathered and moderately f u l l , the
weight being allowed to f a l l from the shoulders. The waist is belted
and hangs in straight lines. The costumes are being made by the
School of Design of the University of Missouri.—Christian Science
Monitor, quoted from the A T A Quarterly.

For the first time in its history New York University is to admit
women medical students. Dr. James E. Lough, dean of the extra-
mural division, said arrangements had been made to admit women to
a standard medical preparatory course.

I t is possible that as a result of the war women w i l l eventually be
admitted to New York College proper.

Harvard University also has opened its medical courses to Rad-
cliffe women this fall.

A hundred Bryn Mawr College girls turned out recently and
husked 600 bushels of corn in war gardens.

Sigma Kappa Sorority announces the establishment of Rho Chap-
ter at Randolph-Macon Woman's College, Lynchburg, Virginia, on
June 2, 1917, of Sigma Chapter at Southern Methodist. University,
Dallas, Texas, on June 14, 1917 ; and of Tau Chapter at University
of Indiana, Bloomington, Indiana, on January 4, 1918.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 183

EXCHANGES

We acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following
exchanges:

Kappa Alpha Theta, Themis of Zeta Tau Alpha, The AgUda of
Phi Mu, The Arrow of Pi Beta Phi, The Eleusis of Chi Omega,
Sigma Kappa Triangle, The Crescent of Gamma Phi Beta, The Key
of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Phi Quarterly, Alpha Xi Delta, The
Anchora of Delta Gamma, The Phi Chi Quarterly, The Garnet and
White of Alpha Chi Rho, The Phi Gamma Delta, The Record of
Sigma Alpha Epsilon, The Beta Sigma Omicron, The Scroll of Phi
Delta Theta, and Santa's Greek Exchange.

Magazines which regularly exchange with To DRAGMA w i l l please
note that the following exchange list is the correct one:

Mrs. B. F. Stewart. Grand President, Sierra City, Cal.
Miss Anna Many. 1325 Henry Clay Ave., New Orleans, La.
Miss Mary Ellen Chase. 1316 7th St. S.E., Minneapolis, Minn.

Are you being educated in this sense?

No, not book-learning, but tastes are what survive longest of the things
acquired through a college education. I would consider my education a
failure if, when listening to some great symphony, my ears should fail to
catch a particularly beautiful chord or theme; if, in reading or listening to
a great poem or story, my mind should fail to catch the beauty of some sur-
passing thought or passage; if my eye should fail to perceive the beauty in
every changing color of sunset or landscape; or, if in that march of souls,
which we call "life," my heart should fail to beat in sympathy and under-
standing with every human deed or aspiration, good or bad. My acquain-
tance with the great humans of the past handed down to us in the books
which made up our college world should have given me those tastes and
that sympathy. I f they have not survived, though I remember every fact
and figure in those books my education is a failure.—Shield of Phi Kappa

The only way to make persons realize that they are responsible
for anything at all is to keep everlastingly talking about it. We
nave joined the ranks of those who keep everlastingly at it. Are you
m any way responsible for these conditions? I f you are, through
simply being passive, how about beginning to create public sentiment?

A WAR-TIME RESPONSIBILITY

B Y BRF.WF.R E D D Y

It is all right for Sister Susie to sew shirts for soldiers and for the click

th" k n i t t i n g n e e d l e f ° be heard in the land, but Sister Susie's mother is

inking very deeply about the circumstances and conditions that will surround

184 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

Susie's brother when a million and a half of him are called to the colors in
training camps to be established over the country. There is a step of moral
preparedness that should be taken in the near future and in full knowledge
of the facts we shall be compelled to face.

There never was a war that did not bring out many of the worst traits
in the boys in uniform as well as many of the noblest. Because men are herded
off together under the terrific pressure of the training camps we are not sur-
prised to hear warnings against; the steady increase of profanity and of im-
morality. Records tell us that this was true in the days of the Civil War,
though not so much has been written about that gruesome side of army life.

Over in the camps of Europe the same problem has been met. The men are
drawn from over seas, and from the distant corners of the earth. They are far
enough away from the home fires so their women folks do not see them eve-
nings, and they do not have to report where they were last night. Then, too,
a spirit of rashness has come over the men, though they will not express it
for fear it would be swank, yet every man knows he is going into a warfare
with the largest percentage of fatalities ever known in history. I f he happens
to be at certain coveted points in the front line of trenches under heavy
bombardment, it is quite likely that four-fifths of the battalion will be wiped
out before they are relieved, and only the broken remnants will stagger back
through the communication lines.

War always produces fatalistic philosophy. It did for Mohammedanism
and Buddhism. It has in the Japanese character, .as well as in the Turk. The
Anglo-Saxon has less of it than most races, but the armies of the contestants in
Europe are reported to be fatalistic in philosophy and practice. The shrapnel
fragment won't get them until their hour comes. It is not worth while to dodge
a bullet nor to duck at the scream of a shell, though all wise safeguards will, of
course, be taken on the basis of efficiency. This spirit of fatalism produces a
lack of individual moral responsibility. Men come pretty near to saying in their
minds, "Eat, drink, and be merry for you are on your way to the trenches."

Then, too, the darkened streets of the city add the element of mystery and
of secrecy to many a simple street-corner chat. The men tend to lose their
individuality in uniform and heavy hob-nailed shoes, so that the standards and
reminders of the past have lost a part of their power. All of these conditions
will be reproduced in our own camps unless—unless.

The thing for which the women of America should now labor, is to create
such public sentiment that our nation shall say, "We are going into this war
not under ordinary circumstances. I t is based on the highest moral and
spiritual ideals, consequently ordinary conditions of immorality and tendencies
toward moral weakness must be fought down. I t is likely that we shall have
prohibition to an extent never before known in army life. The whole country
is stirred totally by the splendid success of the "dry" campaign. Why should
we not also add a community and state-wide and national demand for moral
environment near each camp?

Prostitution has no place near army camps. Tendencies to evil are sufficiently
great even under the best conditions. T o see that these young men are given
a chance to live straight and decent lives in camp is the least that our govern-
ment can grant. Groups of women everywhere may well bestir themselves in
their communities to strive to secure pledges from those in authority who will
be able to influence conditions that a higher moral standard will be maintained
than ever before.

TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 185

Things were far from perfect down on the border. E l Paso is reported to
have been the center of grave evils connected with our army, but a thousand-fold
worse stories will circulate, and they will be based on facts all too true unless
every community that is to have a training camp and every state is profoundly
stirred against these evils.—From the Arrow of Pi Beta Phi.

We've heard a great deal about these matters, but it won't hurt us
to hear more. We quote from Kappa Alpha Theta.

CONSERVATION SUGGESTION

1. Use no candy and sweetmeats and enlist others to do likewise.
2. Make no gifts of sweetmeats.
3. Eliminate sundaes and fancy ice creams served with syrup.
4. Use less cake and when served let it be without icing.
5. Watch the coffee and tea cups to see that sugar is not wasted in them.
I f every fraternity woman will join the league of those that are trying to
do this as another "bit" toward the final supremacy of right and democracy
a real service is thus being rendered. Will you pledge yourself to adopt the
above as your program?

Is your chapter as small as this implies it might be?

I f you should notice carefully in any university or college you will find that
some of the best and biggest girls are nonfraternity girls. There might be
other reasons, but the chief reason, I think, is that they did not have the usual
recommendations, and, during the excitement of rushing season, have been left
unnoticed. Then, perhaps, on account of fear of ridicule from the other fra-
ternities for taking "left-overs" the chapter suffers itself to lose those who might
have become some of their strongest members.—Themis of Z T A, quoted from
Alpha Xi Delta.

At a meeting of the deans of women of the A class colleges and uni-
versities, Dean Elizabeth Fox of the University of Oregon pro-
pounded the following thought provoking questions to the representa-
tives of sororities who had been invited to attend the session. Why
not talk them over in your house ?

Do fraternities expect the college institution to set aside the first few days
of the year to them, to delay registration, etc.?

Is your sorority better because you belong to it? TV can not be the same.
Do girls lose their individuality simply because they live in a certain house?
Is your housemother or chaperon treated with courtesy and respect by every
girl?

Is scholarship not only respectable, but necessary?
Do members of your sorority vote as individuals or as houses in campus
elections ?

BANTA'S
GREEK EXCHANGE

A Panhellenic Jour- Published Quarterly
nal Published in the in December, March
interest of the College July and September
Fraternity World. I, P r i c e , $1 per year.

i

GEORGE BANTA Editor-in-chief

W A L T E R B. P A L M E R - - - Fraternity Editor

IDA SHAW MARTIN . . . - Sorority Editor

E L E A N O R BANTA SHARP - - Exchange Editor

GEORGE BANTA, Jr. - - - Business Manager

Contains articles on timely subjects by the best authorities in
the Greek World. Also has an authentic directory of thelof-
ficers of all the different fraternities and sororities. Its motive
is to further the cause of the Greek-letter organizations.

SJbr (gollrgiatt {Irrns

GEORGE BANTA PUBLISHING COMPANY

MENASHA, WISCONSIN

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