“Tiptoe Through the Tulips with Our DKG Netherlands Sisters” was the focus for the April 3 meeting of Delta Kappa Gamma Alpha Upsilon Chapter.  

The Netherlands consists of 12 provinces, but many people just refer to “Holland” when talking about the Netherlands. Holland is known for a flat landscape of canals, tulip fields, windmills and cycling routes. Amsterdam, the capital, is home to the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the house where Jewish diarist Anne Frank hid during WWII. Canal side mansions and works of artists including Rembrandt and Vermeer remain from the city’s 17th-century “Golden Age.”

Dutch is the official language, but English, French and German are among the languages commonly heard. The climate of the Netherlands is temperate, with gentle winters, cool summers and rainfall in every season. The Hague is the seat of government.  

Children in the Netherlands get eight years of primary education and four, five or six years of secondary education, depending on the type of school. After secondary school, they can go on to vocational education or higher education. 

Dutch universities are world-renowned for high quality teaching and research. Many degrees are taught in English, and more than 100,000 international students choose to study in Holland every year.

Hostesses for the meeting were Tommie Bragwell, Elizabeth Daniel, Rebecca Massey and Tilda Sumeral.  Delicious refreshments and a beautiful flower arrangement featured the flag of the Netherlands. A table display included pictures, painting, pottery, books and other artifacts from the Netherlands.

The Sister Spotlight was on Tommie Bragwell. Tommie has been a member of DKG for 52 years. She is a graduate of Russellville High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama. She has worked as an educator for 35 years at Belgreen High School.

The program topic was leadership opportunities. The DKG Society offers members outstanding leadership training and encourages members to step out of their comfort zones to accept leadership opportunities in a safe and comfortable environment.

The District DKG Founders Day Celebration will be held May 11 at the Muscle Shoals City Board of Education. DKG Lambda is serving as hostess chapter. Carolyn Eck, district director and president of the DKG Gamma Chi Chapter, will be one of the speakers at this annual meeting.  Members were encouraged to attend and send in registration by May 4.

Cheri McCain, Alpha Upsilon president, announced initial plans for honoring female students with the highest grade point average of their graduating class at the May meeting.  

Four educators’ names were submitted for membership into the Alpha Upsilon Chapter. Upon approval, new members will be inducted. 

The meeting adjourned with the reading of the Beta State Collect. Each member was given a tulip bulb for planting in their garden.