Forty members of Tri Kappa gathered at the Knox Community Center on May 14th to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Zeta Eta Chapter in Knox. One of the thirteen charter members, Judith Brooke, attended as a special guest.
Sandy Hansen, past Chapter President, presided at the celebration. She introduced other guests: Sue Crisman, past Council President, who came from Crown Point; Jenny McBride, Province XII Officer, a member of the Westville Chapter, and Lori Jacob, a past Province XII Officer from Walkerton. Other guests, former members of the local chapter, came from Kentucky and Michigan, as well as Selma, Plymouth, LaPorte, Culver, Walkerton, and Monticello in Indiana. Many friendships were renewed.
In a video presentation about the 50 years of the Zeta Eta Chapter in Knox by Tri Kappa husband, James Shilling, it was revealed that 205 women have been a part of the chapter during those 50 years. Several have moved to other parts of the country because of job relocation, etc. Because of the generosity of the local community and the hard work of the members, the chapter has given back to the community about $250,000, in scholarships, cultural programs, and charitable contributions. The chapter has recently pledged to purchase quality microphones for the Knox High School Auditorium, and has co-sponsored the Chicago Shakespeare Theater presentation to Starke County middle school students at the North Judson-San Pierre school auditorium.
The celebration included a musical treat by the Starke County Choralaires, directed by Kathy Allen. Songs from the 60s brought back memories for many. The local chapter was chartered in May of 1961.
Twenty-two scrapbooks were on display, capturing the history of Zeta Eta Chapter. They were arranged on tables with white tablecloths, white lace skirting, black sparkly tulle swags, and hurricane lamps filled with multiple small lighted bulbs and ribbon. Each dining table was adorned with a beautiful hurricane lamp, flowers and magnifying discs on a beveled mirror.
Lisa Hasnerl, Vice President of the local chapter, announced the members and others who made the celebration possible. She then lead the group in the closing.
Tri Kappa is a philanthropic organization existing only in Indiana, which strives to support culture, education, and charitable causes. There are 32 active members in the Knox Chapter.
Photos provided by Jim Shilling.
