FARMINGTON – Farmington Emblem Club 460 President Claudette Merchant presided at the club’s October meeting. There were 48 members present and 78 absent. Applications were read from six women wishing to join the club at the November meeting.

Americanism Chairwoman Lois Barker read the story, “A Deck of Cards,” written by a soldier about how he prayed in times of war. She reminded the club of the state Emblem Club meeting to be held in Bangor on Nov. 2. She also reminded members of her Americanism fund-raiser with the sale of items.

Nancy Chase, who is in charge of community service, told the club of a woman with no insurance who has large prescription bills. The members voted to donate $200 to help her. The club also voted to donate money for material to build a walkway for a female veteran who is having knee surgery and is temporarily disabled. The woman will also become the club’s new “adopt a vet” veteran.

Literacy co-chairwoman, Connie Reynolds, will take Old New England candle orders as a fund-raiser. She said she gave out 159 bookmarks, 10 paperbacks and seven hardcover books. She took in 46 boxtops for education. Co-chairwoman Diana Oliver reported on the gift of money given last month to the New Sharon Library.

Sylvia Richards, who is in charge of drug awareness, held a bottle drive for members at the October meeting. She reported on the busy week at Farmington Fair working at the Elks and Emblem food booth. She said that 46 Emblem women helped out at the fair booth this year.

This year’s craft fair chairwoman, Quinnale Kinsey, said there are still tables available for the Nov. 1 craft fair. She’s looking for crafts and baked items from the members for the Emblem Club’s table for the November fair.

Shannon Smith got volunteers to help at the cheerleading banquet to be held at Mount Blue High School on Nov. 4. She said that there are still a few tickets left for the Travelers dance sponsored by the Emblem Club on Oct. 25. The club voted to have another Traveler’s dance in October 2004, which will be a Halloween costume party dance. She is still collecting red and white Christmas ornaments from members for the tree the club is responsible for decorating for the Rotary Club’s tree auction in December.

The club donated $300 to the Elks for student firefighters and $200 to the Maine Veterans Home for leather wheelchair bags. A donation of $200 will go toward a benefit for a woman who is suffering from cancer.

Merchant gave a report on her trip to Anchorage, Alaska, to the National Supreme Emblem Convention. She presented an award to Shannon Smith for getting second place in the nation in the number of memberships for the club and to Sharon Jacques, first place for the Farmington Emblem Club in other publicity and also for the highest number of news articles and pictures in newspapers. An honorable mention was received for radio verification. Jacques also received first place for the Farmington Emblem Club press book at the State of Maine convention in June.