Cindy Forestiere was named the 2007 Volunteer of the Year by the Jefferson. County Republican Women during its annual Christmas luncheon held recently at the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Historical Museum.

Forestiere has been the recording secretary of the group for the past two years. She has been very activeorganizing candidate events, planning fund-raisers, and participating in voter registration drives. She was recently re-elected recording secretary to serve another year in that capacity. She is truly a volunteer who can be depended upon to show up and give you 110%, according to a spokesman for the group.

The Outstanding Community Service Award, an annual award given by the group to honor a member of the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County community, was awarded for 2007 to Wanda Bateman. The group has worked with Bateman on her care packages for the troops project during the past year, donating items for the packages and funds to help defray the cost of postage.

In addition to her service to the troops, Bateman is also an active board member of Neighbor to Neighbor,

a volunteer for Davjs Life Center, the Salvation Army and the Jefferson County Humane Society; memorial chairman for the Jefferson County American Cancer Society; and heads the Summer Cereal Drive for Jefferson County. Retired Army U. Cal. Gerald Johnson presented Bateman with a framed certificate.

Recognition was also given to Edith Wilson, outgoing president of the group.

Officers for 2008 were installed by Thudy Pascale, a member of the club. New officers are: DiAnn Jones, president; Ann Foerster, first vice president; Becky Cheney, second vice president; Betty Temple, treasurer; Forestiere, recording secretary; and Lola Cicero and Wilson, co-corresponding secretaries.

Before lunch, members and guests enjoyed the exhibits set off by the Christmas decorations at the museum. Small decorated trees, candles and pine cones were used on the tables. Each place setting held a boxed lunch tied gift-style with red ribbon and decorated with an ornament.

Before adjourning, members expressed theii thanks to the staff of th€ museum for their assis tance and all the work they do for the community.