Staff Writer
The Caribou Chapter Laureate Xi recently hosted 70 women at the Aroostook County, Beta Sigma Phi annual Founder’s Day Dinner, held at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. Chapters in attendance included Fort Fairfield’s Preceptor Gamma and Laureate Xi; Presque Isle’s Preceptor Alpha and Epsilon master; Limestone’s Preceptor Tau and Caribou’s Laureate Xi.
Contributed photo
Members of the Caribou Chapter Laureate Xi, recently hosted the Aroostook County, Beta Sigma Phi annual Founder’s Day Dinner held at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. The group took advantage of Caribou’s year-long 150th birthday celebration and dressed in period clothing during the event. Sorority sisters are, in back, from left: Janice St. Peter, Carol McElwee, Barbara Souther and Pam Thompson. In front are Jane Foster, Phyllis Belanger, Joanne Cyr, Bernadette Ouellette and Anita Duprey.
Members from the six area chapters attended the dinner to recognize, in tradition, founder William W. Ross and his dream, “to establish an international organization for women in search of culture and social activity.” Beta Sigma Phi was designed not as a service organization, but members frequently do participate in projects to help others.
During the evening festive event, the Caribou sisters also paid tribute to their city’s Sesquicentennial Celebration by dressing in attire from the past. Members enjoyed working with their sorority sister, Phyllis Belanger, doll collector and designer, who helped to create most of the historical ensembles worn by the ladies during the annual dinner function. “These outfits just added a special dimension to place us in touch with the past and to remember its importance,” commented Belanger.
Following a social time, the evening’s program began with a welcome to everyone, followed by a special memorial moment of silence for Alice Ramish of Fort Fairfield, who passed away recently.
Continuing with the program, candidates for the Order of the Rose and Golden Circle recipients were recognized and then members enjoyed a buffet dinner.
Other orders of business included messages read from the Sorority International, introduction of the Women of the Year and Valentine Queens and awards for yearbook, scrapbook and attendance (banquet and yearly) were announced. Members were also informed of the theme for 2009-10.
Following the closing ritual, the sisters ended the evening by singing, “’Til We Meet Again.”
Through serving as the host chapter, the Caribou Chapter Laureate Xi sisters felt they had gained a clearer and deeper appreciation of the cultural and historical aspects of their own community and sorority. Special entertainment during the evening was provided by members from Small Steps Dance, under the direction of Caribou sisters Abby and Paige Small, both students at Caribou High School.
