Left to right: Judy Curtis, Lisa Rider, Sandra Salkeld, Virg Taylor, Pat Conners, Heather Darby, Peggy Stallcup, Deb Dederian, Machelle Burtless. Not pictured: Helen Pers, Lynn Hedren, Alice Edmunds.
Joanne Horst
Women Sharing Hope’s Widows Ministry gathered on June 27 for its Meet and Greet, bringing together widows from across the community for an afternoon of fellowship, faith, history, and fun. Hosted by the Widows PPP (Pray, Praise, and Play) group, Sisters in Christ, this year’s event embraced a theme in honor of America’s 250th anniversary celebration.
The gathering provided attendees the opportunity to celebrate not only our nation’s history, but also the strength and resilience of women throughout the generations. The room was decorated in red, white, and blue, with each table designed by PPP members to represent the words of God Bless America. Patriotic posters highlighted women of the Revolutionary War whose stories are often overlooked in history books.
Attendees were treated to a fascinating history lesson centered around The Shot Heard Around the World, the phrase coined by Ralph Waldo Emerson in his poem Concord Hymn describing the opening shots of the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. While historians still debate whether the first shot came from a British soldier or an American colonist, its impact is undeniable—it sparked the American Revolutionary War and ultimately led to the birth of the United States.
The presentation honored the many women who played significant roles during the Revolution. Guests learned about women who served as spies, carried supplies to troops, and even fought alongside soldiers. One story told of 16-year-old Sybil Ludington. On April 26, 1777 she reportedly rode 40 miles through the night to rally about 400 colonial militiamen after British forces burned Danbury, Connecticut. Her legendary ride was twice the distance of Paul Revere’s.
Bonita Seelig, a Robson Ranch resident since 2019 and graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in music, shared a heartfelt message with attendees. Having spent her career teaching and leading music in schools and churches—and as a widow herself—her words resonated deeply with the audience. She concluded her presentation by leading the group in a rendition of God Bless America.
The celebration ended on a joyful note as guests opened the final item in their patriotic gift bags—a kazoo—and joined Bonita in singing “Happy Birthday” to the United States.
The Meet and Greet was a reminder that while we honor our nation’s past, we also celebrate the friendships, faith, and fellowship that continue to enrich our lives today.
If you are a Robson Ranch widow and would like to learn more about the group or be invited to our next Widows Meet and Greet, please contact Bobbi Stringer at bstringer1280@gmail.com.
Women Sharing Hope is a Christ-centered club where friendships grow, faith deepens, and God’s love is shared freely. All Robson women and men are welcome, and there are no membership dues. We meet on the first Friday of every month. For more information, contact womensharinghopeclub@gmail.com or visit womensharinghope.net.