March 28, 2024

Club news

Beta Sigma Phi

Iowa Alpha Sigma Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met Thursday evening, Oct. 12, at the home of President Loretta Kelly with seven members in attendance. Communications included a membership list from International and a thank-you card from Cheryl McClure. Pat Fils gave the treasurer’s report.

Marilyn Larimore announced the pumpkin painting at Homestead has been scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 17, and the next meeting will be a social Oct. 26 at the home of Martha McAuley.

Dorothy Eyberg read from “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,” stressing the importance of learning to do one thing at a time, being present in the moment and not letting distractions capture your attention. Eyberg also gave the program on voting, explaining the responsibilities and physical tasks the county auditor is responsible for as well as the training and tasks of the local election workers at the eight locations in Union County. She concluded her talk by reminding members that it is a privilege and responsibility to vote.

Following the closing ritual and Mizpah, members enjoyed delicious refreshments and socializing to conclude the evening.

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Ladies Literary Circle

Creston Ladies Literary Circle met Sept. 22 at Crestmoor Golf Club with Dottie Dunphy hostessing and 19 members present.

President Judith Wachter opened the meeting with roll call.

Treasurer Vera Fengler gave the report. The treasurer’s report was approved.

The meeting was adjourned and turned over to to committee member Vanita Moberg, who briefly introduced reviewer Marcia Fulton. Fulton gave a short history of author and poet Robert Service.

Service was born in 1874 in Preston, England, the oldest of 10 children. He was quiet and loved to read, but did not like school and was expelled at age 14. He worked in a shipping yard before working at his father’s bank. He spent his free time reading, and was very adventurous. He went from banking to professional sports to theater to working at a bar. Soon, he decided to live as a hobo after reading about it, boarded a boat and headed to Montreal, Canada. He eventually moved to Vancouver.

Service worked as a dishwasher when he heard about the Klondike gold rush. He went to British Columbia and wrote a newspaper story about it. His first real published work was “The Christmas Card,” which became an instant success and he was finally known in the literary world.

One night, he was walking by a busy bar and became inspired. He then wrote “The Shooting of Dan McGrew.” One month later, he heard a story about a man who was cremated in an abandoned boat. His next ballad was “The Cremation of Sam McGee.”

Service went on to tell ballads of the gold rush. Life was tranquil in his later years. He became a war journalist, met a woman in Paris and lived there in the winter. His summer home was named Dream Haven, and during World War II, his summer home was taken. He later restored it. He had two daughters and a granddaughter.

Service joined the military during Pearl Harbor. After the war, he returned to France and continued to write. He died at the age of 84 of influenza, and thus “the people’s poet was then silent.”

Candies and cake were served by the hostess.

Next meeting will be at the home of Stephani Finley. Judy Woods will be the reviewer.

Ladies Literary Circle met Oct. 6 at the home of Finley, with Finley hostessing and 16 members and one guest present.

Vice president Finley opened the meeting with roll call. The minutes of the Sept. 8 and Sept. 22 meetings were read and approved.

Fengler gave the treasurer’s report and it was approved.

The meeting was adjourned and turned over to committee member Moberg, who briefly introduced reviewer Judy Woods. Woods gave a short history of Red Cloud, Nebraska, Willa Cather and her novel, “My Antonia.”

Cather moved from Virginia to Red Cloud when she was 8 years old. Antonia from her novel “My Antonia” was a real person, based on Annie Pavelka. The story was based in Red Cloud, which was renamed to Black Hawk.

Woods read a feature story in the Omaha World Herald about Red Cloud today, which focused on the Willa Cather Center.

“My Antonia” is narrated by an unnamed man traveling on a train with a companion, Jim Burden. The two discuss a woman named Antonia and they decide to write about her.

Burden essentially narrates the novel. He tells his story of when he goes to live with his grandparents in Black Hawk. They have neighbors in sod houses and dugouts, but they live in a wooden house. A new Bohemian neighbor family moves into a dugout and they take items to the family. That is when Burden first glimpses Antonia, and he is fascinated by her eyes. The two begin a sort of relationship when Antonia’s mother asks Burden to teach Antonia to speak English.

One winter Burden’s grandparents assist Antonia’s family through the season. He also describes Christmas with a cedar Christmas tree. After Christmas, Antonia’s family visit Burden’s family and a rift begins. Then, Antonia’s father shoots himself and Burden begins country school and the two can’t spend as much time together.

Antonia and Burden both grow up. After going away to law school, Burden comes back to visit Antonia, and he realizes she is not the same woman as he remembers. The next day, Burden leaves to head back to law school.

The hostess served creamy cheesecake slices and chocolate candy treats.

Next meeting will be at the home of Connie Rhine. Dunphy will be the reviewer.

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TOPS IA #1338

Nine members met at 5 p.m. Oct. 2 at Creston First United Methodist Church to weigh in. At 5:30 p.m., leader Shellie Adams called the meeting to order. Best loser was Monica Belew and runner up was Bev Roberts. Alice Brown gave the treasurer’s report and Roberts read the minutes from Sept. 25. Both were approved.

Squares was won by Belew and fines went to the treasurer. The red can challenge No. 6 was to swap pasta for veggies.

Mitzie Cellan gave the program, “The Mayo Clinic Diet,” which included keeping a journal with waist measurements and calorie intake. The meeting adjourned at 6 p.m.

Six members answered role call Oct. 9. Belew was the best loser and Jeanette Markus and Beverly Lyon tied for second.

Usual business was conducted after the meeting was called to order by co-leader Cellan. Squares went to Lyon. Total loss for the week was 10 pounds.

Lyon gave the program on “Stop diabetes before it starts with best advice from top doctors.”

On Oct. 16, Adams called the meeting to order with 10 members present. The week’s best loser was Markus, and Cellan was runner up.

Roberts read the minutes and Brown gave the treasurer’s report. Both were approved. Cellan received fines from Oct. 9 and Markus won squares. The red can challenge No. 8 was to use salsa, hummus or yogurt for healthy dips.

Oswald presented the program, “Ten ways to keep your hands busy.” Ideas were doing crafts, make gifts and play games. Also using more spices or lemon juice as flavoring was discussed.

Next week’s program will be given by Roberts. The meeting closed at 6 p.m. Next meeting will be Oct 23. Visitors are welcome.

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DAR

Dennis Adkisson, director of Veterans Affairs in Ringgold County, spoke to eight members of the Nancy McKay Harsh Chapter, DAR, at their Oct. 14 meeting at the Ringgold County Courthouse in Mount Ayr. Hostesses were Florence Lawhead, Dorothy Hughes and Suzanne Adkisson.

Adkisson spoke to the group on how military records are kept for all Ringgold County veterans. Adkisson and Cathy Kilgore, commissioner of Veterans Affairs and the chairman, took members on a tour of the courthouse, pointing out the mural featuring Samuel Ringgold, namesake of the county, and the veteran’s exhibit which houses a listing of the county’s soldiers killed in action.

A business meeting followed. Members who attended the Southwest District DAR meeting Oct. 13 in Johnston reported on what they learned. Those attending were Jane Briley, Marjorie Kilgore, Connie Kilgore, Bonnie Riepe and Lynne Schlaht.

The group is working on hygiene and clean-up kits for UMCOR through First United Methodist Church in Creston. These kits will be sent on to hurricane victims. Members also decided to gather needed items for veterans at the Veterans’ Home in Des Moines. Schlaht is in charge of the project.

Members answered roll call by answering, “Where were you born?”

The next meeting will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Summit House in Creston. Tessa Hull will give the program on the Military Museum in Fort Dodge. For roll call, members are asked to bring a piece of military memorabilia. Hostesses will be Marjorie Kinkade and Kelly Franklin.

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Kent Dinner Club

Kent Dinner Club met Oct. 12 with 10 attending.

Next meeting will be 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at Pizza Ranch.

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CARSPA

Creston Area Retired School Personnel Association (CARSPA) held its meeting Oct. 10 in the Del Richardson Conference Room at Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston.

Following breakfast, 11 members enjoyed an informative presentation by Tom Hawks, Gary O’Daniels and Bob Clark. These U.S. veterans shared their experiences of traveling on different Honor Flights to Washington, D.C., during this year.

After dedication of the WWII Monument in the nation’s capital in 2004, a physician’s assistant by the name of Earl Morris decided it was important that WWII veterans who had been under his care should experience this monument in person. In May 2005, the first Honor Flight from Springfield, Ohio, took place. Later, they were also called Freedom Flights.

Since the start of this program, in addition to WWII veterans, Korean War vets and Vietnam War vets have been included. Veterans from Union County have participated via the Brushy Creek Honor Flights through Fort Dodge. On the flights, younger veterans serve as guardians of the older veterans. The Honor Flight takes place over a 24-hour span of time. It usually begins with a 6 a.m. flight out, followed by a bus tour of Washington, D.C., with a police escort, enabling no stopping at traffic lights. Veterans are allowed to leave the buses and walk around the monuments. Box lunches are eaten on the buses. The last stop is at Arlington National Cemetery, where they see the lowering of the American flag at 5 p.m. and the changing of the guards at 5:30 p.m. They fly back home about 9 p.m. and arrive back home about 12:30 a.m. That is, if the weather cooperates and no protesters delay the schedule.

Hawks and O’Daniels, both Vietnam War vets, and Bob Clark, Korean War vet, all stated how much it meant to them when crowds of people cheered for them whenever they boarded their planes, landed and disembarked. Knowing American citizens appreciated their service in these wars, these were emotional moments.

Members of CARSPA so enjoyed this meaningful program.

A business meeting followed. Members’ monetary contribution of $19 was collected and donated to SW Valley - Corning Elementary School for the purchase of extra Kleenex tissues during the school year. Because of the holidays, no meetings will occur in November or December. On Jan. 9, Jody Sheriff, Special Olympics competitor, will speak about her experiences.

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PEO

The regular business meeting of P.E.O. Chapter LG was held Sept. 19 in the home of Sandy Harris with Annette Rice serving as co-hostess. By general consent, Linda Linch served as president, Ashley Haines as secretary and Judy Weese as treasurer. Eleven members answered roll call.

Kay Ritter and Irene Francis moved to allow bills for postage and P.E.O. pins for new members. Corresponding secretary read a letter of resignation from President Susan Weight. Linch was installed as president for the remainder of the year by Peg Anderson.

Diane Huffman gave a program entitled, “A Point in Time,” about her family’s experiences of living and working in Alabama during the 1960s racial tensions. Her descriptions brought a new awareness of the stressors on both sides.

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Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary

Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary met Oct. 18.

Canasta winners were Rose Blakesley, first; Gwen Sandeman, second; and Joy Seeley, third.

Seeley won the door prize.

Connie Bailey will host cards and chatter Wednesday, Oct. 25.

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Kiwanis

The weekly Kiwanis meeting was held 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, Oct 17, at the Windrow meeting room with 22 members and two guests. President Korina Loudon presided, Bob Miller gave the prayer and Chris Eaton was the finemaster.

The program was presented by Thad Sickels. He discussed his love of trapping in the winter time and the way he plans to do water and land trapping, the traps he used and how he sells the pelts. He also helps others get rid of nuisance animals.

The club will have a food drive for Kiwanis One Day in October. Collections will be taking place October 23-27, and the final event at Hy-Vee from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27. Members will place carts at the following Creston banks: ISSB, FNB, PCSB and GWB, with distribution to the local food banks.

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, 400 N. Elm St. Advertising and sign up for help is being done now.

The Christmas wreath fundraising program is going on now with members selling fresh wreaths and swags until Oct. 31 and delivery in November. Contact any member to purchase.