Elzevir Reading Circle
Elzevir Reading Circle held their monthly meeting Friday, Nov. 10, at the home of Angela Pullen. President Linda Topliff called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. with a quote from Albert Einstein.
Members told of current books they were reading or had read to answer roll call. The secretary and treasurer’s reports were given and approved as read.
New copies of the revised Elzevir by-laws were distributed. Past month copies of the GFWC News and Notes were available for review. Terry Ammon reported on the district GFWC SW District meeting held Friday, Oct. 20, in Adel and attended by three members. The theme for the day focused on honoring the military and keynote speakers were two retired women in the military. Ammon conducted a fitting memorial service, which included long-time member Carol Harrison. Elzevir received an honorable mention certificate for the GFWC Iowa reading award. A letter informing students of the GFWC scholarships available will be taken to the Creston High School.
Mary Stewart’s Collect was recited. Motion to adjourn was made by Carol Brentnall, seconded by Pullen. Motion passed.
Ammon reviewed the book, “Love Africa: A Memoir of Romance, War and Survival” by Jeffrey Gettleman.
A journalist juggles a relationship and overseas adventure in this hectic memoir. Gettleman recounts his dangerous reporting from global hot spots: interviewing Taliban POW’s in Afghanistan; surveying firefights and suicide-bomb carnage in Iraq; and exploring famines, insurgencies, tribal massacres and a pirate café in East Africa, where he is the “Times” bureau chief.
Sharing many of his exploits is his wife and sometimes colleague Courtenay; their star-crossed relationship, including bouts of infidelity, complicates his wanderlust. Many episodes are riveting: Gettleman was abducted by Iraqi insurgents and he and Courtenay accompanied Ogaden rebels on a grueling desert trek only to be thrown in prison by Ethiopian soldiers.
There’s been a never-ending succession of interlocking conflicts over land, ethnicity and politics. Africa has a large quantity of nature resources including diamonds, salt, gold, iron, cobalt, uranium, copper, silver, petroleum and cocoa beans as well as forests. The population of South Africa, the southwestern most country in Africa, has 56 million people. It is the 25th largest country in the world by land and 24th by population.
In recent times, more women have been raped in the Congo – nearly two million – than anywhere else in the world.
The next meeting will be 12:30 p.m. Dec. 8 for a salad luncheon in the home of Ammon. Members are asked to bring paper products and canned items, a salad and a book for the Christmas exchange.
— — — — — —
P.E.O.
Members of Chapter L G P.E.O. met 9 a.m. Nov. 14 to hold a social event at Salem Lutheran Church. Nineteen members and five guests enjoyed a wonderful brunch served by hostesses Hannah Kendrick, Susan Finehout and Peg Anderson.
Everyone brought an item to sell at the auction to raise money for the P.E.O. goal of assisting young women to advance their education. P.E.O. chapters across the world work toward this goal. Auctioneer, Sandy Harris, made the auction quick and hilarious. Members generously contributed to the cause. Baked goods seemed to rule the day as ladies were happy to pay well for recognized cook’s specialty items, just before the holiday season. A delightful morning was the general thought at the end of the event.
— — — — — —
VFW Post 1797
VFW Post 1797 met Nov. 14 at the Elks in Creston with 18 members and guests present for dinner.
Commander Gary O’Daniels called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. with 12 members present.
The post draped the charter for veterans Amos Hohgkins, Wayne Scott, Larry Oswald and John Christensen.
Minutes and QM reports were read and approved.
Service officers report 6 hours for community service, 35 hours for the hospital, 11 hours for Honor Guard and 10 hours for the Christmas Basket, for a total of 94 hours. The VFW also traveled 150 miles for veterans.
In old business, thank you to members who helped with Buddy Poppy Day on Nov. 4. Also, a big thank you to all that donated to Poppy Relief in Creston with a total of $1,600 donated.
Scout community food pick-up was held Oct. 14, thank you to all that helped.
In new business, Christmas basket assembly will be held Friday, Dec. 15, at Innovative Industries.
Upcoming events include the Lighted Christmas Parade on Nov. 30.
Patriot Pen essays have been received and sent for judging.
The next district meeting will be held Jan. 13 in Centerville.
The meeting adjourned at 8 p.m. The next meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the Elks with dinner at 6 p.m. and meeting to follow at 7 p.m. All war veterans are encouraged to attend.
— — — — — —
Mary Circle
Mary Circle of First Christian Church met Nov. 16 at the church with Arvil Lyman as hostess. There were seven members present. The group was honored to have Florence Willets present.
President Fils opened the meeting with the disciple women’s prayer. Joyce read the minutes of the last meeting and there was a short discussion.
Joyce gave the lesson from “Women of the Bible.”
Next meeting will be Dec. 14.
— — — — — —
DAR
Tom Hawks and Duane White, both of Creston and military veterans, were special guests of the Nancy McKay Harsh Chapter, DAR, on Saturday, Nov. 11, at Summit House in Creston. White introduced Hawks who talked about their Sept. 16 Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. Veterans from Union County teamed up with the Brushy Creek Honor Flight out of Fort Dodge. Honor Flight veterans visited the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean, Vietnam, World War II and Air Force memorials, the Iwo Jima monument, and went on a bus tour of Arlington National Cemetery.
Hawks, who is in charge of raising funds for this area, said that the flights provide camaraderie and a sense of closure for the veterans.
Following the program, Tessa Hull of Creston was installed as a new member. Vice Regent Jan Morgan presided over the business meeting. Following reports, roll call was answered by members sharing military memorabilia.
For the December meeting, members are to bring items that will be taken to the Veterans’ Hospital in Des Moines. Lynne Schlaht will inquire as to what items are needed and let members know. The gifts will be delivered in time for Christmas.
Morgan volunteered to take over yearbook responsibilities, Pam Marvin will be in charge of the chapter newsletter and Hull will work closely with Marjorie Kinkade to learn more about the job of chapter registrar so she can eventually take over this position.
The next meeting will be a Dutch Treat luncheon 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Windrow Restaurant in Creston. Jane Briley will give the program, “A Colonial Christmas.” Roll call will be a Christmas memory.
— — — — — —
Kiwanis
The weekly Kiwanis meeting was held 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, at the Windrow meeting room with 19 members and one guest. President Korina Loudon presided, Ed Ritter gave the prayer and Kyle Wilson was the finemaster.
The program was given by Dave Kuker with the area Juvenile Justice Department. He discussed the programs and systems in place to help rehabilitate juvenile offenders so they learn from their mistakes and become positive citizens. Working with programs to teach trades, and foster homes when needed, give at-risk kids structure and guidance to make better decisions in order to keep them out of the adult system, which is mostly punishment.