Spouses club offers foundation for friendships Published Dec. 13, 2007 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Making friends in a constantly changing environment can be challenging for military spouses. The Keesler Spouses Club can make the process easier and more enjoyable. The 50 current members of the group are married to enlisted members, officers, civilian employees and retirees, according to Gretchen Gorline, president. Spouses of all services assigned to Keesler are eligible for membership. Various reasons to join "Right now, most of our members are officer spouses, but we welcome any spouse with a Keesler connection," she said. Mrs. Gorline and her husband, Chaplain (Capt.) Jeremy Gorline, came to Keesler three years ago. He was previously a reservist and came on active duty in 2004. "This is our first active-duty assignment and I wanted to jump right into Air Force life," she explained. "I thought joining the spouses club was the best way to get involved." "It's sometimes intimidating to be the 'new person,' but everyone in the KSC has been there, so we can all relate to that," Mrs. Gorline continued. "I've found the best way to meet people is to jump in by attending the socials, helping with the service projects or volunteering at the thrift shop. New ideas welcomed "The spouses club offers such a variety of things to do -- volunteering, socials and service projects -- that there really is something for everyone, and if there isn't, suggestions are always welcome," she added. The Keesler Thrift Shop is the main source of funds for the club's charitable work on base and in the surrounding community. Sales of donated and consigned items generate funds for college scholarships for Keesler family members. The shop is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays in the former Chapel 1 building at the corner of 2nd and H streets. "In October, the thrift shop celebrated its highest net profit, $1,500, since reopening in February 2006 after Hurricane Katrina in our current location," said Cathi Miceli, who co-manages the shop with Army retiree Larry Jones. He's filling in for Pam Hoebeke, spouse of Army retiree Gary Hoebeke, while she recovers from heart surgery. "The volunteers are all KSC members and are usually our best customers, since they see the items as they are consigned or donated," she pointed out. Mrs. Miceli, who also serves as the club's publicity chair and webmaster, is married to Chris Miceli, a retired lieutenant colonel who works as a contractor on base. Some of the group's recent service projects include greeting special guests for the Veterans Day parade in Gulfport, collecting donations for the Back Bay Mission food pantry and judging costumes at the arts and crafts center's fall festival. The club held a luncheon to welcome Col. Greg and Charlene Touhill, 81st Training Wing commander. A bowling night and a class at the arts and crafts center are other recent social activities, along with bunko, bridge, bowling and movie nights. "We try to have a variety of social activities and alternate meetings and events during the day and evening to accommodate different needs and schedules," Mrs. Gorline said. Mrs. Touhill serves as senior adviser to the group. Paula Gould, wife of Maj. Gen. Mike Gould, 2nd Air Force commander, is the club's honorary president, and Gloria Robb, wife of Brig. Gen. Douglas Robb, 81st Medical Group commander, is an adviser. In addition to Mrs. Gorline and Mrs. Miceli, other officers are: Laura Arthur, wife of Master Sgt. George Arthur, 81st Mission Support Group, first vice president. Shannon Sherman, wife of Master Sgt. Neil Sherman, 403rd Wing, second vice president. Brenda Ramsey, wife of Capt. Carl Ramsey, 81st Surgical Operations Squadron, secretary and welfare chair. Karen Ray, wife of Lt. Col. Stephen Ray, 81st Training Group, treasurer. Mary Just, wife of Capt. Kelly Just, 333rd Training Squadron, programs chair. Tammie Searfass, wife of Capt. Al Searfass, 333rd TRS, ways and means chair. Cheron Hollingsworth, wife of Jim Hollingsworth, 2nd Air Force, thrift shop chair. Sharon Groves, wife of Chaplain (Capt.) Randy Groves, scholarships chair. Jeannine Smith, wife of Capt. Peter Smith, 335th TRS, parliamentarian. Leanne Ramsay, wife of Lt. Col. Stephen Ramsay, 332nd TRS, membership chair. Jaime Thorn, wife of Capt. Dustin Thorn, Keesler Marine Corps Detachment, historian. For more information, call Mrs. Gorline, 374-8024, or visit the club's Web site, http:/ /www.keeslerspouses club.com.