March 28, 2024

Club news

GRMC Auxiliary Board

Joan called the GRMC Auxiliary Board meeting to order with Marcia, Bev, Sandy, Lois, Martha, Nancy, Jordan, Rhonda, Carolyn, Ann, Tammy, Luke, Gwen and Monte in attendance. The August minutes and the current financial status were reviewed and approved. It was noted Patty is not moving and will stay on to help with scholarships and Safe Sitter.

Jordan reminded the group that volunteer in services will be held in October. He also noted the collective goods sale will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 10 and the next masquerade jewelry sale will be Dec. 14.

Gwen gave the administrator’s report. Construction of offices for the resident specialists are ahead of schedule. Orthopedics will move in around Oct. 2, with pulmonology, general surgery offices, OB/GYN, ENT and X-ray to follow. Chemotherapy will be taking over the respiratory area during an expansion of their area. Respiratory will move to the top of the link.

Two additional physical therapists will be starting soon. Luke will be helping with rural health. GRMC is looking at expanding ortho, OB/GYN and internal medicine. Monte stressed GRMC is seeking to keep services in southwest Iowa while providing choice, quality and accessibility. GRMC is seeking providers who want to be in southwest Iowa. Luke reported the parking lot repair at Crest Ridge was starting soon.

The gift shop buying committee met prior to the board. Lois, Nancy, Joan, Jordan and Rhonda attended.

The financial report was found in good order. It was announced Mary with PBJ will meet with the group Oct. 5.

The next auxiliary board buying and committee meetings will be Oct. 9.

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PEO Chapter AZ

The regular business meeting of Chapter AZ was held 5:30 p.m. Sept. 19 in the home of Mindy Dresback with Shirley Ide as co-hostess.

PEO nominee Rene Foster was awarded the Sarah Porter Beck with Friendship Fund Scholarship of $5,000 for education expenses. $150 per project will be contributed to the PEO project funds this year to assist women in furthering their education. The next regular meeting will be held Oct. 3 at the home of Connie Purdum and initiation will be held.

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TOPS #IA, 1338

TOPS #IA, 1338 met 5 p.m. Sept. 18 at Creston First United Methodist Church to weigh-in. At 5:30 p.m., co-leader Mitzie Cellan called the meeting to order with six members present. Best loser was Neoma Davis and a tie for runner-up was Beverly Lyon and Carol Sheldahl. It was a no-gain week with a 7 1/4 pound loss. Minutes were read by Bev Roberts. No treasurer’s report was given as Alice Brown was absent.

Davis gave the program on the health benefits of drinking tea. It helps prevent cancer. A cup of green tea decreases tooth loss. Members were encouraged to eat slower and feel better. Next week, the program will be given by Brown.

Squares was won by Roberts and the Red Can challenge is to cook with coconut oil this week. Cellan closed the meeting at 6 p.m. with “You take my hand and I’ll take yours.”

Nine members answered roll call Sept 25 with leader Shellie Adams. Beverly Lyon was the best loser and Davis was runner-up.

Roberts read the minutes and Brown gave the treasurer’s report. “Treasure Chest” contest still continues. Next week, a new contest will start until the end of the year called “Weigh and Crochet.” The winner will get an afghan.

The program was given by Brown on walking. There are six types of walkers: family time, tree huggers, meditation, memory-boosters, philosopher and socializing walk. Keep your brain sharp by laughing every day.

Squares was won by Jennette Markus. The Red Can challenge is for snacking, eat veggies like baby carrots, celery and bell peppers.

The program will be given by Cellan next week Oct. 2 at the church. Adams closed the meeting at 6 p.m.

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Union County Genealogy Society

The Union County Genealogy Society met Sept. 25, at Gibson Memorial Library. President Jane Briley presided over the meeting. Fifteen members answered roll call to areas they utilize on the ancestry website. Five guests were also in attendance.

Roger Nurnburg reported the membership committee had proposed different levels of membership and fees. He also reported society owned items are currently being stored at the Historical Complex and at his home.

The target date for having the new website up and running is Dec. 1. Members working on transcribing cemetery records were encouraged to complete work in the very near future.

Briley reported on the success of the Graceland Cemetery Walk that was held Saturday, Sept. 23.

Nurnburg presented the program on navigating www.ancestry.com. He showed a tutorial on incorporating findings from ancestry onto Family Tree Maker.

The next meeting will be 6 p.m. Oct. 23. Wally Miller will present the program on genealogical resources available at the Union County Historical Museum. Roll call will be to name a resource you have used at the Historical Museum. Tessa Hull will present the five minute tidbit on free online resources.

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Afton Federated Garden Club

Members of Afton Federated Garden Club met for a pot luck lunch Sept. 8 at the shelter house in the Afton City Park. Marilyn Larimore picked up the chicken in Creston for the club. Lots of great food was shared by members. The weather was so nice it was decided to have the meeting there, too. President Shirley Wallace called the meeting to order with members repeating the Pledge of Allegiance and the Club Collect. Roll call was answered by 14 members.

Minutes of the August meeting were read by Monica Huddleson. Motion to accept the minutes as read was made by Kathy Tapken and seconded by Loretta Kelly. Wallace gave the treasurer’s report. Gwen Sandeman made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report and Audrey McDowell seconded the motion.

Polly McCoy gave a horticulture report. She told the group that, due to the dry weather, trees up to five years old needed to be watered, and also the need to water compost. Perennials need to be watered in the spring before they come up and shouldn’t be cut off until October.

Bev Rowe sent information about native wildflowers in Union County and outstanding native plants for pollinators for everyone to view.

Wallace reported Reiman Gardens Washed Ashore display ends Oct. 31. IFGC president will be giving money to anyone or club for the best recycling project. Members will be thinking about a project for the club.

Sign-up sheets for salads and hot dishes for the annual fall luncheon Oct. 13 at Lorimor Community Center were passed around. Wallace showed the placemats she had made and all agreed they were great. Center pieces and door prizes will center around the theme “Honey Bees.”

Election of officers was held. Wallace, Vice President Iris Smith and Secretary Monica Huddleson will stay on for the next two years. Members will vote on a treasurer at the next meeting.

Wallace presented the “Circle of Roses” pin to Tapken.

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

Tapken gave a program on “Honey Bees and Wildflowers.” She reported that without bees, there would be no wildflowers. Tapken told that honey bees are the only insect that produces food eaten by humans. Each honey bee makes about 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime. A hive of bees must visit two million flowers and fly 55,000 miles to make a pound of honey. Only female honey bees can sting. Tapken told about Des Moines Backyard Beekeepers trying to save hives that need to be moved.

Rowe provided a delicious lunch. The next meeting will be the Fall Luncheon on Oct. 13 at Lorimor Community building in Lorimor. Members meet at 9:30 a.m. to set up, then lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m.

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Mary Circle

Mary Circle of First Christian Church met at the home of Marilyn Larimore. There were eight members present.

President Fils opened the meeting with the disciple women’s prayer. Joyce Burkhead read the minutes of the last meeting and Barb gave the treasurer’s report. Both were approved as read.

There was no old business discussed.

New business included the salad luncheon Oct. 5 with members to take a salad and treats were assigned for coffee Sunday planned Sept. 24.

Fils closed the meeting with the DWP benediction.

Pat gave the lesson on Mary and Martha.

Next meeting will be Oct. 19 at the home of Alice Bowers.

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Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary

Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary met Sept. 27.

Canasta winners were Barb Veitz, first; Loretta Kelly, second; and Barb Bills, third.

Linda Clark won the door prize.

Clark will host cards and chatter Wednesday, Oct. 4.