March 29, 2024

Club news

Creston Lions

Creston Lions met Tuesday evening, Sept. 5, at the Pizza Ranch. Jerry Katzer, president, opened the meeting and led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Delmer Brown gave the invocation. Katzer introduced guests, first Vice District Governor Pat Parker from Panora, Mark and Annette Langan of Omaha, Nebraska, and Terry and Brenda Strauss of Creston.

Mark Langan was guest speaker. He is a retired police sergeant who served 26 years on the Omaha Police force. He spoke of some of his experiences during those years, from being the youngest rookie policeman on the force and up to his retirement in 2004. Langan’s career included being in charge of undercover narcotics operations in the 1980s in Omaha. In his book, “Busting Bad Guys,” Langan relates many stories of how he and his co-workers dealt with drug dealers, burglars, dog fighters, bookies, prostitutes and many more dangerous criminals. Langan plans to write another book.

Parker presented several items regarding his position within the Lions organization which includes this official visit to the Creston club. Parker is also a trustee with the Lions Foundation. There are several projects supported by the foundation. There will be a district convention in November at Exira.

Katzer presided over the business meeting. The secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were approved as printed. The pork chop dinner is scheduled for Sept. 14 at McKinley Park. This project is put on by the three service clubs in Creston: Kiwanis, Rotary and the Lions. Tickets are $8. Serving is from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Lions members observe candy days Saturday, Sept. 16, by selling candy mints in several locations in town. Contributions help with community projects. Katzer announced Precision Optics donated a box of eyeglasses to the Lions.

The next meeting will be Oct. 3. The board of directors will meet 10 a.m. Sept. 27 at Stew Stewart’s office.

— — — — — —

Afton Federated Garden Club

Members of the Afton Federated Garden Club met 1:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at the home of Marilyn Larimore. President Shirley Wallace called the meeting to order with members repeating the Pledge of Allegiance and Club Collect. Roll call was answered by 12 members and two guests.

Minutes of the July meeting were read by Monica Huddleson. Motion to accept the minutes as read was made by Joan Johnson and seconded by Audrey McDowell. Bev Rowe gave the treasurer’s report. Larimore made a motion to accept the treasurer’s and Judy Harman seconded the motion.

Iris Smith gave a report on the 2017 floriculture show at the Union County Fair. She told the club they had two more entries than last year. First place was awarded to five members with several getting firsts in more than one category. The group discussed several ideas for changes for next year – have a separate table for youth entries, put a clause in the Fair Book that states “No noxious weeds” and Wallace will re-do the classes for the fair book as there have been several changes made.

Wallace had visited with Karen VanBuskirk and told the group she said “Hi” to our members.

The annual fall luncheon will be Oct. 13 at Lorimor Community Center. Members decided on a speaker and Kathy Tapken and Smith will contact her. Wallace has ordered the name tags and serving table covers. Center pieces and door prizes will center around the theme “Honey Bees.”

The annual September picnic will be Sept. 8 in the Afton city park before the regular meeting. Members will meet at noon at the shelterhouse. Each member is to bring a dish and their own tableware. Larimore will pick up and bring chicken. Judy Weese will provide beverages and paper cups. Rowe will serve dessert after the regular meeting.

McDowell made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Rowe seconded the motion. All repeated the Conservation Pledge.

Larimore gave a program on lawn design. She said the first step was to draw a rough outline of what was wanted, then decide on what flowers, shrubs, etc. to plant. Pick the right plants for their location depending on sun, shade and moisture needs. Larimore took the group on a tour of her beautiful yard and explained her reason for each flower plot design.

Larimore served a delicious lunch. The next meeting will be noon Sept. 8 at the Afton city park for a picnic, then the 1:20 p.m. meeting at Afton Community Center. Rowe will be hostess and the program will be given by Tapken on honey bees and wildflowers.

— — — — — —

Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary

Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary met Sept. 6.

Canasta winners were Cheri Lilly, first; Marilyn Larimore, second; and Janet Kessler, third.

Rose Blakesley won the door prize.

Linda Clark will host cards and chatter Wednesday, Sept. 13.

— — — — — —

Kiwanis

The weekly Kiwanis meeting was held 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, in the Windrow meeting room with 16 members and two guests. President-elect Korina Loudon presided, Jane Lowe gave the prayer and Drew Henderson was the finemaster.

The program was given by the Boys and Cub Scouts Troop No. 129 leaders, Paul Fuller and Dan Swedlund. They discussed the activities members do and merit badges earned to move up in the different ranks starting in first grade until they are 18 years old. The club presented the Boy Scouts a check for $500 to help their troop and to thank them for helping Creston Kiwanis at the pancake and pork chop dinner fundraisers.

The pork chop dinner will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at McKinley Park. Plans were discussed with tickets available for members to sell now and work shift sign up sheets passed around for members to volunteer.

The Kiwanis Club “Keep a Kid Warm” coat giveaway will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at Creston First United Methodist Church, on the corner of Elm and Howard streets.

The Christmas wreath fundraiser will be held again this year with sales in October and delivery in November.

Next meeting will be from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, in the Windrow meeting room. New members are always welcome.