The first official meeting of Book Lovers was a tailgate party at the RHS field house on Sept. 11. Debbie Nale, Patricia Cox, and Molly Bates served as hostesses. Each club member brought a dish they serve at their tailgate parties. After enjoying the wonderful food, President Cheri McCain called the meeting to order. New members were welcomed and introduced. They were: Debby Beason, Barbara Sage, Martha Sibley, Nina McNatt and Michelle Sibley.

Gayle McAlister presented the inspirational thought. In celebration of National Grandparent’s Day, club members answered the roll call with names and ages of grandchildren. Secretary Susie Malone distributed the minutes from the May meeting and Hayley Fuller, treasurer, distributed the year-end treasurer’s report and the proposed budget for the upcoming year.

The following committee reports were given:

Arts: Several Book Lovers members worked with and supported the local historic Roxy Theatre in planning and organizing shows and events that help with its restoration and renovation. Members also volunteered for events at the Watermelon Festival and the W. C. Handy Festival.

Conservation: Debbie Nale reported how club members helped the local garden club with their efforts to plant and maintain flowers for downtown beautification.

Home Life: Patricia Cox reported that AFWC received the GFWC Home Life award at the national convention for Book Lovers’ report on Easter Seals and Allison Weatherby’s program. Gayle McAlister gave an update on the club’s project for the Fame Girls Ranch.

Education: Book Lovers awarded its annual $200 cash scholarship to Katelyn Allen, 3^rd highest grade point average, at RHS Senior Night. AFWC District I scholarship for $400 was awarded to RHS senior Ashley Figueroa.

Membership: Cheri McCain reported on the August “Heat up the summer with friends art class”. Several visitors were invited for the class and refreshments. This event was a membership drive as well as a fundraiser.

Leadership: Patricia Cox and Cheri McCain attended the AFWC Leadership Workshop in Birmingham. They received a lot of information regarding the GFWC/AFWC projects for the next two-year administration. They also attended the AFWC District I board meeting in Huntsville to plan the upcoming fall district meeting which will be hosted by Book Lovers Club in Russellville on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Publicity: Susie Malone reported that Book Lovers was featured in the Franklin County Times Faces & Places edition. This article was part of a set about community service organizations in Franklin County.

In other business, the club donated an honorarium to the Russellville Public Library on behalf of Richard Hoffman and Doug Clement for presenting programs.

Kathy Archer informed members that September is Library Card Sign up Month and she urged members to get their grandchildren, friends, and students signed up.

At the end of the meeting members were given Ronald McDonald House Charities boxes to collect pop tabs. Over $19,000 was collected last year after the tabs were sent for recycling. Carolyn Porter closed the meeting in recognition of Patriot’s Day by reading a tribute to “Remember September 11”.