Elzevir Reading Circle
Elzevir Reading Circle met 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at the home of Terry Ammon. President Linda Topliff called the meeting to order with members answering roll call with their Halloween plans.
The secretary read the minutes of the last meeting. They were approved as read. The treasurer reported yearly dues had been sent to GFWC.
Federated news included the upcoming GFWC Southwest District Convention to be held Oct. 20 in Adel. Three members plan to attend. GFWC Newsletter News and Notes website was shared with members.
Alice Bowers moved to change the by-laws as they were presented at the last meeting. Mary Burg seconded and motion carried. Ammon made the motion to support all the same volunteer activities as during the past year. Carol Brentnall seconded and motion carried.
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Topliff and seconded by Burg. Mary Stewart’s Club Collect was recited.
Brentnall reviewed the book “Dust Bowl Girls” by Lydia Reeder. In the early 1930s, during the worst drought and financial depression in American history, Sam Babb traveled from farm to farm near the tiny Oklahoma college where he coached and recruited talented, hardworking young women and offered them a free college education in exchange for playing on his basketball team, the Cardinals. Despite their fears of leaving home and the sacrifices their families would face, the women joined the team. These remarkable athletes found a passion for the game and a heartfelt loyalty to one another and their coach, and they began to win.
The women’s division endorsed sports for health purposes and outlined a plan for gentle intramural “play days” that barred all spectators, officially discouraging intercollegiate play to save the feminine souls of American girls. First Lady Lou Henry Hoover used her power to attack competitive athletics for women, especially basketball. The AAU responded to the women’s division by ignoring it and planning to increase the competitive opportunities for women.
Babb’s team of 19 girls barnstormed through Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, sacrificing their holiday for the good of the school. Winning every game earned them a spot in the upcoming 1932 AAU national tournament in Shreveport. In a close final game with last year’s champions, the Cyclones, the OPC Cardinals won it all and became the new champions. Team captain Doll Harris accepted the three-foot trophy. The Cardinals won 89 consecutive games, including two consecutive Women’s National AAU Basketball Championships. In June 1933, they beat the world-champion Canadians three in a row. They represented North America in the Women’s World Games held in 1934 in London, England. Their victories were achieved under the dire circumstances of the Dust Bowl and Great Depressions between March 1931 and March 1934.
The hostess served dessert. The next meeting will be 1:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at the home of Angela Pullen with Ammon giving the program.
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Union County Genealogy Society
Vice President Tessa Hull presided over the Oct. 23 meeting of Union County Genealogy Society. Eleven members and one guest were in attendance. The society currently has 26 paid members. The society meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Monday of every month, except July and December, at Gibson Memorial Library. The society welcomes new members.
Tessa presented the five-minute tidbit on free genealogy websites. She provided members with a printout of sites and other free sources of information that are available to genealogists.
Member Wally Miller, with the assistance of guest Linda James, presented an interesting and informative program on materials available to genealogists and the general public at the Union County Historical Museum. The Union County Historical Society is in the process of inventorying and cataloging all of the materials owned by the society. Some of the items available for viewing include city directories, high school yearbooks, phone books, school record books, centennial books and the Colby and Ide history books. Miller also displayed the work he has undertaken to identify locations and employees of past local businesses.
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. The final meeting for 2017 will be Nov. 27. Election of officers will be held. Members are to bring finger foods and snacks to share.
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Book Club
The Book Club met Oct. 9 at the home of President Carolyn Derrick. The minutes of the September meeting were read and approved as amended. The treasurer’s report was given and approved. It was noted the Book Club donated $49.40 to the Gibson Memorial Library for books.
Roll Call was answered by nine members noting books read recently: “The Genius of Dogs” by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods, “Victoria, A Life” by A.N.Wilson, “Extraordinary Grace” by Gary Chapman and Chris Fabry, “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by W. Phillip Keller, “Finding Fortune” by Delia Ray, “I Can Jump Puddles” by Alan Marshall, “When Christmas Comes Again, WWII Diary of Simone Spencer,” “Jamestown” by Angela Elwell Hunt, “Nerve” by Dick Francis, “Last One Home” by Debbie Macomber, “The Operator” by Robert O’Neill, “Y is for Yesterday” by Sue Grafton, “Right Behind You” by Lisa Gardner and “The Collectibles” and “The Concealers,” both by James Kauffman.
Pat Pokorny gave the review of the book “Divine Rebel” by Selma R Williams. The following is her summary:
“Born in England in 1591, Anne Hutchinson immigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634. In New England, the outspoken Hutchinson, who had been deeply influenced by her father, a preacher, quickly ran afoul of the colony’s basic distrust of women. When she realized women were to be excluded from colonial affairs, she began holding meetings for women to discuss religious and practical matters. Brought to trial for her dissenting views, she found a forum to address the entire colony, England and posterity. Convicted, she was banished from the bay colony and finally, ironically, murdered by native Americans. She was a champion of individual liberty and a significant figure in American History.”
Interesting discussion followed the review as members talked about the conditions during the early settling of our country and why so many people were so willing to fight and die for liberty and freedom. This was of particular interest in light of many things that are happening today regarding the importance of our constitution and laws.
After the review and discussion, members enjoyed delicious refreshments served by Derrick and Ellen Sue Findley.
The next meeting will be 1:30 p.m. Nov. 13 (note change). The hostess will be Retta Ripperger and the program will be presented by Dorothy McNaught.
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LG P.E.O.
Chapter LG P.E.O. met Oct. 3 the home of Alice Bower with Mendy Abell assisting as co-hostess. The meeting was opened in due form by President Linda Linch.
Sixteen members responded to roll call after a delicious lunch. The minutes were read and corrected and the treasurer’s report was approved. Three names were proposed for membership.
A photo-slide show and a delightfully descriptive trip through Washington state’s Olympic National Forest was given by traveler and photographer, Annette Rice. She verbalized the sheer thrill to the human senses, and then showed her well-framed photos of sunsets, mountain vistas with fog in the depths, small plants and bees on lavender. The virtual trip through this peninsula of five different climates allowed the spectator to experience the wonders of nature.
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VFW Post 1797
VFW post 1797 met Oct. 10 at the Elks in Creston with 18 members and guests present for dinner.
Commander O’Daniels called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. with 19 members present.
The post draped the charter for veteran Robert Kiley.
Minutes and QM reports were read and approved.
Service officers reported 65 hours for community service, 39 hours at the hospital ands two hours for honor guard, for a total of 106 hours. Members also traveled 342 miles for veterans.
In old business, new officers for 2017-18 were installed. Vietnam books are still available at Union County Veterans Affairs office for Vietnam veterans. Gary also reviewed procedures for VFW decals on license plates. The VFW participated in both balloon day and homecoming parades.
In new business, Poppy Days will be from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 4, at Hy-Vee, Wal-Mart, Fareway and True Value. Boy Scout food pickup was Saturday, Oct.14. Veterans program will be 9:45 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at the high school. Veterans are encouraged to attend. Upcoming events include the Lighted Christmas Parade on Nov. 30.
The next district meeting will be held Jan. 13 in Centerville.
Meeting adjourned at 8 p.m. The next meeting will be Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the Elks with dinner at 6 p.m. and meeting to follow at 7 p.m. All war veterans are encouraged to attend.
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Mary Circle
Mary Circle of First Christian Church met at the home of Alice Bowers. There were seven members present.
President Fils opened the meeting with Halloween plans by members and disciple women’s prayers.
Joyce read the minutes of the last meeting. Barb gave the treasurer’s report. Both were approved as read.
Old business included Oct. 5 salad luncheon was very successful and Thanksgiving dinner to be Nov. 12 with each member to take a salad or dessert.
Coffee fellowship scheduled for Nov. 12, but voted down due to the Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 12.
Alice gave the lesson on Debra. The next meeting will be Nov. 16 at the church.
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GRMC Auxiliary Board
Luke, Tammy, Martha, Bev, Sandy, Lois, Ann, Nancy, Jordan, Amy and Rhonda attended the Oct. 9 meeting of the GRMC Auxiliary Board. The financial report was favorable.
Fundraisers discussed were collective goods on Oct. l0, Lights for Loved Ones before Thanksgiving and masquerade jewelry on Dec. 14.
Luke mentioned that the parking lot at Crest Ridge is coming right along as are the lighting updates. Flooring updates are being done as rooms become available.
Amy announced a name change for the former specialty clinic, now known as the Visiting Practitioners Outreach Clinic. The resident specialists will now be the specialty clinic. She also noted respiratory is currently at the top of the link and sleep study is in the 400 hall of the hospital. The search is still on for additional doctors for orthopedics and to help Dr. Reeves. Replacements are being sought for Dr. Charles and Dr. Marshall. The hospital is also in need of additional nurses (some stipend money has been designated to help LPNs to achieve RN status). Old ortho is being reconfigured to accommodate OB/GYN.
Next meeting will be Nov. 13.
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GRMC Auxiliary Gift Shop Buying Committee
Lois, Nancy, Jordan and Rhonda addressed the workings of the committee at their Oct. 9 meeting.
The committee will start the transition from fall and general merchandise to Christmas on Nov. 5 and will be closed Nov. 6 for set up. The Christmas open house will be Nov. 7 with the store being open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day. There are lots of unique home decor and gift items.
CBK will be here 9 a.m. Oct. 24. At 9 a.m. Oct. 26. members will meet with Quality Hill.
Some store clerical procedures needed to be clarified. They are: pay bills as soon as presented, make deposits and submit payroll deductions twice monthly, check store change and stamps at least twice monthly and increase publicity (radio, newspaper, signage etc). Finances were found to be favorable.
Next meeting will be Nov. 13.
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Creston United Methodist Women
The Creston United Methodist Women Executive Committee met 9 a.m. Aug. 31 in Fellowship Hall. Co-chairman Sandy McNichols presided with six officers and the special events coordinator in attendance. The UMW Purpose was read in unison. Joys and concerns were shared and Beth Perry led the devotions.
Rosalie Denton read several pieces of correspondence. Minutes of the May executive were read and approved. The treasurer’s report for June, July and August was given and approved as printed. Vice-president Ann Driskell noted a program change for the Sept. 7 unit meeting. Delores Doench will be the speaker on transitional living. There was a mission report from Bidwell Riverside and a report for membership.
For old business, Jerrie Henderson has rewritten the invitational guest night information for April 5, 2018. Women @ the Well will be May 10, 2018 and a Bidwell Riverside work day date is yet to be set.
Nomination of officers are Driskell for president and Terry Ammon for vice-president with the rest of the slate of officers remaining the same.
In new business, the September unit meeting will be Sept. 7 with a brunch being served by the officers at 9:30 a.m. The fundraiser dinner will be Oct. 29 with the menu of chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes and pulled pork sandwiches with salads and desserts. Kay Ritter is looking into getting some new mats for the kitchen. Nine cases of pecan pieces and five cases of halves have been ordered. Sept. 8 was the South Central District UMW meeting at Albia.
The UMW unit meeting was held 9:30 a.m. Sept. 7 in Fellowship Hall with a continental breakfast prepared by the officers. After the meal, Driskell introduced Doench who spoke about the United Charitable Association which is a nonprofit to help the homeless women and children in this area. They have a house in Lenox purchased with donations, and hope to be up and running by Thanksgiving.
Following the speaker, the business meeting was held. Perry had devotions reading scripture from Psalms 103, an article entitled “Memories” and closed with a prayer. Denton read the minutes of the May unit meeting and called the roll with four members from Morning Circle and seven members from Evening Circle present. Two guests, Doench and Beverly White, were also present. Ritter presented the June, July and August treasurer’s report. Henderson presented the 2018 slate of officers. The fundraiser dinner on Oct. 29.
New rubber mats for the kitchen were discussed. Meeting was adjourned.
Morning Circle met on Thursday, Sept. 21, with Velma Riegel as hostess. There were nine members present and Perry gave her own program.
Evening Circle met on the same evening at 7 p.m. with nine members present. Linda Topliff presided and also gave the program on “Purpose Filled Community.” Both circles collected for the school nurse fund and voted on special mission recognition recipients.
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Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary
Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary met Oct. 25.
Canasta winners were Rose Blakesley, first; Linda Clark, second; and Maxine May, third.
Cheri Lilly won the door prize.
Joy Seeley will host cards and chatter Wednesday, Nov. 1.