December Meeting 12/18/2025

Deborah and Sarah Raessler welcomed us to their beautifully decorated home for our meeting. The program included singing Christmas carols and hearing about some of our members' favorite Christmas books. Eighteen members attended and we welcomed two guests: one unaffiliate and a prospective member. It was a fun and festive afternoon!

Sarah Raessler on violin and Deborah Raessler on piano

Background l.-r. Joyce Kozeliski, Tanya Lynn, Jan Smith

(Photo taken by Annette Oakley)

Left: Maggie McDonnell sharing a favorite Christmas book.

l.-r. Linda Petroff, Mary Jean Cardinale, Roberta Meyer, Geneva Fisher, Cindy Schreiber Huxley

(Photo taken by Annette Oakley)

Curious about Cottey?

 

Dr. Stephanie Niles, Cottey President, has shared a winter update that includes Highlighted Accomplishments, Financial Reporting Progress, and Spring Semester Highlights. You can read it here:

community.cottey.edu/controls/email_marketing/view_in_browser.aspx?sid=1449&gid=1&sendId=5740175&ecatid=13&puid=6d6829b9-6283-402e-a6af-05a888d35199

Bright Futures Scholar Athlete

 

Maggie McCleskey, one of our Just Incredible Bright Futures Scholarship recipients, has earned Academic All-RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) First Team Honors. Maggie is a junior at Adams State University where she is a member of the Women's Cross-Country team. Her major is biology.

Ready for New Adventures in Minnesota

 Belinda, Charles, and Wesley arrived safe and sound at their new home in Albert Lea. They will be spending their first day there unloading the U-Haul in balmy 11-degree weather. Brrrr! Better bundle up....

Our International Peace Scholar

 

Khadijat Adeleye

JI is one of six Partners in Peace chapters who have supported Khadijat Adeleye over the past calendar year. From Nigeria, Khadijat is a Ph.D. candidate in the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is a strong advocate for maternal grief care and is conducting research on improving grief counseling for bereaved mothers after pregnancy loss. You can read more about her work here:

https://www.umass.edu/graduate/news/empowering-mothers-through-bereavement-care

A Heartfelt "Thank You!"

 

Dearest Just Incredible Sisters in P.E.O. Chapter JI,

Charles and I thank you for your outpouring of love and support for us during the time we were preparing to move to Albert Lea, Minnesota! We really appreciate Kathy Burson orchestrating the meal train during our final week in Boulder. Thank you for your words of encouragement, your prayers, your meals during our packing phase, your gift cards (to Cracker Barrel, my favorite comfort-food restaurant) -- your Love! Time and time again, the sisters in this chapter show "love in action!" It was but one example of the gracious generosity and loving support you extend to each sister!

And thank you for the love you expressed during our holiday social this past Wednesday. I love the bright red cashmere scarf you gave to me, something to wrap around me in future days, a way to feel a big hug from each of you. And thanks to the officers for the beautiful brightly colored, lavish necklace which I will really enjoy wearing!

I may be moving to Minnesota, but my love and prayers will continue to walk with you! It's not goodbye; it's "until we meet again." 💓

LIPEO,

Belinda

P.S. You can check on us “virtually” any time by viewing our personal blog. https://alkula.blogspot.com/

P.P.S. Our new address is 1202 Garfield Ave., Albert Lea, MN  56007-3638.

Farewell to a Beloved Sister

 

Annette Oakley and Belinda Alkula

Photo by Jan Smith

Our annual Holiday Social was bittersweet in that it was also our farewell to Belinda Alkula. Belinda and her husband, Charles, are leaving on December 9th for their new home in Albert Lea, Minnesota. On behalf of the chapter, current president Annette Oakley presented Belinda with a cashmere shawl that we all hope will keep her warm during the cold winter months. Annette also presented Belinda with a necklace from the Executive Board, acknowledging Belinda's service to our chapter as president (2021-2023) and also as the creator and keeper of our blog. 

Belinda is hoping to transfer to one of the P.E.O. chapters in Albert Lea. Although her P.E.O. letters will change, she will always be Just Incredible! We will miss you, Belinda. Godspeed to you and Charles.

Today's Holiday Social!

 

The Smith's party table is set! 💓

Message from President Annette Oakley:

Oh, what a great Christmas Social! Thank you Communication Committee & Hosts Jan & Phil Smith: You out did yourselves! It was so GREAT to celebrate one other, embrace the season of loving, caring, joy, & send Belinda off on her new life adventure in Minnesota!

Those who were unable to attend were truly missed, but I am certain your ears were ringing as each of you was thought of with loving concern.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again on December 18 for our regular chapter meeting at the home of Deborah & Sarah!

Remember in this busy season to take time of yourself!

Love ALL my Sisters!

Annette

Alkulas Moving Week Begins!

 

Cooler Outside Parsonage

Breakfasts for the Week!

Treats for Wesley!

Thank you, Kathie Burson, for loaning us a big cooler that will be outside the parsonage front door this week -- ready to accept the delicious food that P.E.O. Chapter JI sisters will be delivering to Charles and me -- to fuel us as we complete the packing before our move to Minnesota on December 9th! 

We appreciative Kathie's thoughtfulness and gracious generosity in setting up a meal train for us! First thing this morning, Kathie delivered an amazing assortment of breakfast food items -- enough to fuel us for breakfasts all this week!  Her kitty Joey gifted our kitty Wesley with some delicious treats, too! Wow! 

Indeed, blessings abound! Charles and I really appreciate the loving care demonstrated by the Just Incredible sisters in P.E.O. Chapter JI.

Lovingly in P.E.O.,

Belinda