Alpha Sigma Master Chapter
Alpha Sigma Master met July 9 for supper at “Up In Smoke” in Afton. Members walked to the city park, where Loretta Kelly showed and explained the newly planted butterfly garden and the new splash pad for children.
Iowa Alpha Sigma Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met July 23 at the home of Marilyn Blazek for the chapter’s 100th meeting. Cheryl McClure presided. All members were present. Norma Putnam read a report of the recent state convention in the Quad Cities. A greeting was received from former member Norma Walker. Correspondence from International included information on rushing, and changes in secretarial reporting.
Martha McAuley, ways and means chairperson, announced that the cup being passed was for loose change from each member.
Blazek gave the program, which was a participation quiz on the history and traditions of Beta Sigma Phi. She also shared flower pictures with appropriate quotations.
Marilyn Larimore will host the Aug. 13 meeting.
Union County Genealogical Society
Union County Genealogical Society met July 27 at Gibson Memorial Library, with 12 members present. Jane Briley presided and welcomed David Hargrove, library director. Hargrove spoke briefly of his background, the role of the genealogical collection in the library, and encouraged each person to offer ideas to the design consultants for the library addition.
Kathy Parmenter reported that she placed all the notebooks containing research correspondence on the reference shelves in the library and also reported the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs offered to include the society in an app.
Briley reported she has searched county death records and found only four records of burials in the County Home Cemetery. It is thought that there are more not recorded. Briley also reported there were 110 entries by 18 exhibitors in the genealogy and history department at the county fair. Members expressed thanks to her for serving as department superintendent.
The program consisted of members sharing Revolutionary War period research resources which included DAR sources, National Archives, National Park Service, and the local library. Tessa Hull shared information for “the organized genealogist” and a research checklist. Briley offered to do Swedish research.
The next meeting will be Aug. 24 at the library.