The Book Club
The Book Club met 12:30 p.m. Feb. 1 in Creston at the home of Pat Pokorny.
Barbara Thomsen gave the book report on the autobiography “A Long Way Home,” by Saroo Brierley, who was born in a poor village in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, India, and lived hand-to-mouth in a one-room hut with his mother and three siblings for the first five years of his life until he got lost—for 25 years.
This is the story of what happened to Saroo in those 25 years. How at only five years old, uneducated and illiterate, he wound up on the streets of Calcutta – and survived. How he later wound up in Hobart, Tasmania, living the life of an upper-middle-class Aussie. And how, at 30 years old, with a propensity for solving mathematical formulas, a stubborn memory desperately clinging to the last images of his hometown and family, and the advent of Google Earth, of all things, he found his way home.
“A Long Way Home” recounts the triumphant journey of a young man who rediscovers a childhood and identity long left behind through an incredible story of survival against all odds. A celebration of family and faith in all its forms, this is a book that will stand the test of time as a shining example of the extraordinary feats we can achieve when hope endures.
Saroo Brierley currently lives in Hobart, Tasmania, where he manages a family business, Brierley Marine, with his father. His story is being published in nine countries.
At 1:35 p.m., the meeting was called to order by President Velma Riegel with the reading of “What Is a Valentine” by Nadine Lyberger. Roll call was answered by seven members telling the books they had read. Our thoughts and prayers are with those unable to attend. Minutes were read and approved.
A than-you note from Meg Crawford was read. Velma Riegel will contact the library for copies of “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte for our everyone-read book for the April meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m. A delicious lunch was served with a lovely Valentine theme. We enjoyed it with good conversation.
The next meeting will be 12:30 p.m. March 7 with Velma Riegel as hostess and Retta Ripperger as book reviewer.
Books read:
“Kill Alex Cross” by James Patterson; “A Quilt for Christmas” by Sandra Dallar; “One Lane Bridge” by David Baldlucci; “A Long Way Home” by Saroo Brierley; “Rogue Lawyer” by John Grisham; “Free Fire” by C. J. Box; “The Martian” by Andy Weir; “Body Surfing” by Anita Shreve; “Killing Reagan” by Bill O’Reilly; “More Country Roads” by Arvid Huisman; “Tempest and Sunshine” by Mary J. Holmes; “I Love Growing Older but I’ll Never Grow Old” by J. Ellsworth Kalas; and “Grace” by Richard Paul Evans.
TOPS 1338
On Jan. 18, eight members weighed in at 5 p.m. at Creston First United Methodist Church, and the meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by leader Anna Thompson. The net loss for the week was 3.5 pounds, with Carol Sheldahl being the best loser. Alice Brown was second.
The minutes were read and approved. Brown gave the treasurer’s report. Fines from Jan. 11 went to Bev Lyon and squares to Diana Loomis.
The Red Can challenge was to weigh and measure food and drink.
The program was “I’m not hungry – I’ll just pick,” given by Brown. She explained how eating just 10 extra calories a day can result in a 10-pound weight gain in one year. She highlighted how much people underestimate how much they actually eat in a day – often not including snacks at work, store samples and snacking from the candy dish. It is reported that overweight people under-estimate how much they eat by 47 percent.
Teams were selected for the new contest, and points were recorded for each.
On Feb. 1, 10 members answered roll call. Thompson and Lyon were the first- and second-best losers, respectively. For January, Loomis was the best loser, and Sandy Oswald was second. Brown gave the treasurer’s report. Loomis gave the secretary’s report. It was noted that it was mistakenly reported who the best losers were for 2015. Lyon was best loser for the year, and Thompson was second. Lyon was a division winner.
The weekly best loser was Thompson, and Lyon was second. Brown received the previous week’s fines, and Neoma Davis won squares. Points for the current contest were recorded.
Mitzi Cellan’s program was “Can lemon water help you lose weight?” It would seem there is some evidence pertaining to the effectiveness of lemons in improving digestion and helping the body regulate the absorption of sugar. Eating some lemon peel ups the benefits of drinking lemon water.
Catholic Daughters
Court Joan of Arc No. 428 met Jan. 12. Following mass, a meal was served by the committee of Betty Baker, Artie Mullin, Kathy Tapken and Susan Kosman.
The meeting was called to order by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and reading “A Prayer for the Unborn.” One guest, Ann Johnson, was present. The minutes of the last meeting and the treasurer’s report were read and approved.
In December, the first world court was instituted in Kenya, Africa. The national regent and regent-elect attended in secrecy because of terrorism threats. They have some charitable projects they need help with, the first being bathrooms for the church. They would like a small tractor and plow to grow a 40-acre garden to raise vegetables to sell and give to the poor. They can raise four crops a year because of the weather. The Catholic Daughters would like to get a bus to run as a taxi for a fee. Without our help, it would take many years to raise enough money. They are asking for a $50 donation from each court to raise enough money for these projects. Barb Thomson made the motion that our court donate $50. Pat Pokorny seconded. Motion carried.
Baker gave the card report. Other correspondence was shared. Updates on the national convention and the upcoming Christ Renews His Parish weekend were given.
Baker made the motion to offer prizes for the winners of the national education contest. Virginia Aguilar seconded. Motion carried.
Next month’s project will be cookies for shut-ins. Janet Brown won the half-and-half. Door prizes were won by Carol McKee and Thompson. We recited our membership prayer to close the meeting. Aguilar made the motion to adjourn. Lois Nelson seconded. Meeting adjourned.