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The 96th annual Convention of the Northern District of the General Federation of Women's Clubs of West Virginia was held at Benedum Commons in Bethany.

The GFWC-WV Bethany Woman's Club, with Sydma Hatzopoulos president and Helen Moren registration chair, hosted the event.

GFWC-WV Northern District President Deborah Puskarich presided and Mayor Jay Eisenhauer extended greetings from the town of Bethany. Puskarich introduced special guests GFWC-WV State President Georgianna Tillis and Director of Junior Clubs Cathy Jo Canterbury.

Reports were given by club presidents, district officers and chairs. Past district presidents in attendance were Moren, Mary Schwertfeger and Ina Polsinelli.

A musical rendition of the "Club Collect," which is usually recited as a prayer, was performed by Rita Kilmartin and Mary Leah Clark of the Follansbee Club.

Elected to serve as district officers for 2010-2012 were President Ina Polsinelli, Woman's Club of McMechen; First Vice- President Jo-Ellen Wright, Weirton Woman's Club; Second Vice-President Dorothy Hawkes, Woman's Club of New Cumberland; Secretary Lexie Hankett, Tuesday Arts Club of Moundsville; and Treasurer Betty Rippey, Woman's Club of Wheeling. Moren was elected to serve on the state nominating committee and Sharon Neeley, Weirton Woman's Club will serve as alternate. All of the proposed district bylaw changes were passed as presented.

Tillis gave the keynote address, focusing on heart health and leadership. She spoke about her special project, "Heart &?SOLE" ("Step Out With Lifestyle Education"), emphasizing heart health for women and also Camp Mountain Heart for children with cardiac disease. A check for $400 for Camp Mountain Heart was presented to Tillis from the clubwomen by District Special Project Chair Carolyn Bruno.

Tillis, in explaining the "LEADS Program," stated, "The LEADS ( Leadership Education and Training Seminar) Program is designed to help women gain the capabilities, confidence and commitment to pursue and achieve higher office and serve with distinction."

Tillis presented certificates of appreciation to clubwomen with 25 years of membership and service in GFWC, and introduced the new database program being implemented to save the Federated Clubs both time and money.

Home Life Chair Shirley Baltich conducted a memorial service for the women from the nine districts clubs who died in the past year.

Baltich also conducted a drawing to choose the winners of the two Swarowski crystal "Red Dress" pins to raise funds for the American Heart Association, in support of the "Heart & SOLE" special project.

A "Heavenly Hats Parade," directed by Emma Cross-Stoneking, was held to raise funds to purchase hats for those who have lost their hair due to medical conditions and treatment. Winners in the decorated hat contest were: Prettiest Hat, Stoneking; Funniest Hat, Polsinelli; and Most Outrageous Hat, Shirley Wildman.

Arts and Crafts Chair Enid Williams held a judging on the arts and crafts entries displayed from the nine district clubs. First place winners will be entered for judging on the state level in the spring.

The clubwomen donated a sizeable collection of items for our military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. This project was coordinated by Moren in collaboration with "Boatsie's Boxes" of Wheeling.

Bruno conducted a district club publicity poster display contest at the convention. The winning poster was submitted by the Woman's Club of New Cumberland and second place was awarded to the Woman's Club of McMechen.