Dear BSU Friends,

Happy New Year to each of you. I trust your Christmas was a Merry one I know you were all "good little boys and girls" Isn't it strange how our wants have changed. I was ask over and over again,"What do you want for Christmas?" . "What do you need?" "I don't need any thing," I replied. "How can that be", they said. But, you understand, don't you?. Christmas in Collinsville was delightful. We had a snow storm earlier in the week, but Christmas eve and Christmas day was beautiful. I enjoyed the day with family and friends.

Even this early in the year I am thinking BSU Reunion. As you know the Reunion will be held in Collinsville this year. I have chosen as our theme :The "Nifty Fifties". Many of you were in college at SIU during this time. I graduated in 1949 but many of you were still active in BSU work. I went from SIU into the IBSA working for Madge Ramsey in the Training Union Department. I was an Associate in the Dept. Ray Walker and Rosemary (Martin) Parks preceded me there. Betty Walker was Secretary to Dr.Taylor. Don Bethel was an Associate in the Sunday School Dept. Sue (Martin) Glasco came a few years later into the TU Dept. We had all been active BSU members. If there were other working at the IBSA during the 50"s let me know. My memory is set on pause!!

Now a few news items:

• Those who are ill and need our prayers: Continue to pray for Marge Brim (stroke) Jack Shelby (Heart surgery) Cliff Burchyette- Burchyette's son- John_---Myron Dillows--Richard Stewart-LaRue Blackwell-- Lotella Cole--Carrie Mae (Taylor) Relleke, Shirley(Harvengt) Cullum, the family of Gerald and Sue Glasco-- Dale Clemens-and others that I may not know about.We have a prayer bond that is strong.
• We were saddened over the death of Micki Nicol (Dec.14, 2007). Continue to pray for Stan and his loss. Micki had donated her body to science. This is our first death of our new year (since Sept). Pauline Wright (Polly) wrote and told me that her twin brother had recently died. There may be others that I am not aware of. Please keep me informed.
• New addresses are: John and Mary Ruth Whitman have a new address. It is 12752 County View Rd, Hot Springs, SD 57147. Phone 605-745-6407 Same email. I have a few new email addresses: Here they are Don Stuckey: donstuckey@frontiernet.net, Don & Helen Ruth Dillow: d-hr@thedillows.net, Betty Mitchell okeegal@strato.net
• I have dropped three names from our Email list. Sandra Webster--Sam White-- and Barbara Slavens. These three names are always returned as incorrect. If you know of a correct address let me know. I never want to loose a contact.!! Now, all of these addresses will be corrected in the Directory
• The Annual Reunion requires a lot of planning, I have already done a few things: Set aside the date in our church --September 25-26,07--- made arrangements with caterer (Date and Appro. number)--Confirmed the speaker--chosen a committee to do all the work-- I am making motel arrangements--thinking about Thursday night program (Supper and entertainment)--I plan to use the Chapel Singer for the worship program on Friday) Many have said yes to this. Well you get the idea. I will continue to plan and will share more with you later. ALL that you have to do is attend. Well, there will be an small registration fee. Gerald Glasco will take care of that part.( Sound familiar Juanita??)

Remember that these monthly informational letters are stored in the Archives.(Click) If you need to check on something just click and see. In closing let me share bit of humor with you. As you may know I am Alias Snow White in my Promotional Fund Drive for our church. Last month I had a Beanie Buddie Day. Snow White donated 50 Beanie Buddies to the Building fund. Well, let me show you a picture that my pastor used in his remarks. People always pick on me!! Look at the pictures and you will see what I mean.

Love you all
Have a Happy New Year
Helen Galloway
BSU President

Rare Beanie Buddies