The Lesche Club of Natchitoches gathered for its November meeting at the historic Lemee House on Jefferson Street, featuring musical performances, a presentation on influential Louisiana women and a memorial tribute to the club’s founder, Agnes Morris.
Members and guests were welcomed by hostesses Pam McCalister and Gilen Norwood, who prepared an autumn-themed setting for the gathering.
The refreshment table featured a maroon tablecloth with a flaxen-colored runner decorated with fall leaves. Seasonal decorations included a turkey figurine and a pumpkin-shaped container filled with gourds and straw.
Refreshments included spice cake with vanilla frosting, toasted pecans, assorted tarts, dried apricots, pumpkin dip with gingersnap cookies, pumpkin candies, brownies, sweet potato tartlets and homemade meat pies. Apple cider punch and water were also served.
Following the social hour, Paul Christopher of Northwestern State University presented a musical program featuring compositions by three American composers.
Christopher, a cellist, opened with “Orbit” by Philip Glass, followed by “Georgia Elegy” by Henry Mollicone.
Between selections, Christopher demonstrated the range of the cello and discussed how the instrument closely resembles the human voice.
He concluded the performance with “Theme and Variations on Draw the Sacred Circle Closer” by Adolphus Hailstork.
Following a brief business meeting conducted by Lesche Club President Donna Baker, Dr. Vicki Parrish presented a program titled “Louisiana Women – From Private Lives to Public Influence.”
Parrish joined the Northwestern State University faculty in 1977 and has served as an educator, director and choreographer. She has also been active in the Natchitoches community, including serving as president of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches.
Her presentation featured slides highlighting notable women and their contributions to history.
Among those featured were Abigail Adams, Sojourner Truth, Caroline E. Merrick, Sophie B. Wright, Marie Thérèse Coincoin, Kate Chopin, Cammie G. Henry, Caroline Dormon, Clementine Hunter and Agnes Morris.
The presentation explored the contributions of women from different backgrounds and the lasting influence of their work.
Following Parrish’s presentation, Lesche Club Vice President Gilen Norwood conducted a memorial service honoring the club’s founder, Agnes Morris.
Norwood distributed two handouts detailing Morris’s history and a timeline of significant events in her life and the history of the Lesche Club.
The tribute provided members an opportunity to reflect on Morris’s contributions and the organization’s history.
Morris founded the Lesche Club in