March 29, 2024

Club news

Kiwanis

The weekly Kiwanis meeting was held 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the Windrow meeting room with 20 members and two guests. President Korina Loudon presided, Lori Harvey gave the prayer and Chuck Taylor was the finemaster.

The club presented a check for $350 to Kathy Ralston, executive director, and Tiffany Ossian, assistant director, of The Learning Center to help them with their goal of helping area students with class studies, achieving grade level understanding and maintaining comprehension. TLC has helped more than 130 students in the three years they have been open. They are a nonprofit, and need donations so every child can attend their program.

The annual pancake Kiwanis fundraiser is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 13 at First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Elm St., in Creston. Members will have tickets soon to sell for this great cause.

— — — — — —

GFWC/IOWA Bancroft History Assembly

GFWC/IOWA Bancroft History Assembly met Feb. 5 in the home of Kay Ritter to celebrate their 123th anniversary with a luncheon. Four life members and five regular members were present.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call was answered by naming a heart healthy dish each member enjoys.

The minutes were approved as written and the treasurer’s report was placed on file for audit.

Officers for the 2018-19 year are as follows: President, Marisue Lewis; Vice President, Sandy Oswald; Secretary/Journalist, Kay Raymond; Treasurer, Joan Chubick; Corresponding Secretary, Beth Perry; Parliamentarian, Jo Ann Nurnberg; and Historian, Sandy Oswald.

Lewis announced upcoming conventions: GFWC/IOWA State Convention April 19-21 at the Hotel Pattee in Perry and GFWC International Convention June 23-26 at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.

Oswald presented the program on the history of African Americans in Iowa.

The next meeting will be 1:30 p.m. March 5 at GRMC in the D.V. Richardson Room.

— — — — — —

Catholic Daughters

Court Joan of Arc No. 428 met Jan. 9 in the church hall following Mass. A meal was served by a committee of Betty Baker and Meg Crawford. The meeting was called to order by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. For the program, members shared something about a favorite quilt they have. The members discussed making a quilt for the St. Malachy Foundation Gala to be held March 3. Anyone who is able will meet 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, to plan for it.

The treasurer’s report and minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

The group received a thank-you from Father for his Christmas gift. They received a letter from the state regent saying they need a nominating committee in place in March to contact potential officers. Marsha Mohr reported the ReRun has been very busy and they have received a lot of MATURA certificates. Crawford gave the Right to Life report. She reminded us of the ceremony marking the legalization of abortion to be held Jan. 21 at the Catholic Cemetery. In the event of inclement weather, it will be held at Abundant Life Church. Retta Ripperger reported the Christmas baskets she delivered were very well received. The Crisis Intervention Center was very pleased with the purses filled with personal items that members donated.

Under new business, Anita Studer agreed to head up the education contest again.

Members need to select two delegates and four alternates to attend the National Convention to be held July 17-22 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Ripperger passed around forms for people to sign up. The group decided they would like to do another Bunn-O-Matic breakfast. Ripperger will call to get on the schedule.

At the next meeting, members are asked to bring 1 1/2 dozen cookies or treats to make cookie plates to distribute to homebound parishioners. Mohr won the door prize which she donated back to the club. Members recited the membership prayer to close the meeting. Mohr made the motion to adjourn. Baker seconded it, and the meeting adjourned.

— — — — — —

P.E.O. LG

The P.E.O. Chapter LG met Jan. 16 at the home of Terry Ammon with Karla Powers assisting as co-hostess. A brunch of eggs and fruit was enjoyed.

Seventeen members responded to roll call. The ceremony of Initiation was performed for Mary Ann Kenyon. She was warmly welcomed as a member. The nominating committee reported on candidates for next year’s officers. Annette Rice reported on activities in preparation for the traditional P.E.O. omelette buffet fundraiser to be held Tuesday, March 6, at Creston First United Methodist Church. The Projects Committee brought forth ideas for items to craft and sell at the 2019 P.E.O. International Convention in Des Moines.

Ellen Rinner gave a program describing the early founders of P.E.O. and their founding principles. Seven young women, attending Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant in the 1800s organized a sorority, focused on education for women and Christian values. This was a time long before women could vote or take a work role in many professions. Initially, they grew the sorority by a few members, and today over a quarter of a million belong. Thus, many women from Iowa and other nations may attend college at academic universities.

— — — — — —

The regular meeting of Chapter LG P.E.O. was Feb. 6 in the home of Jennifer Hoyt with Linda Linch serving as co-hostess. A lovely brunch was served. The president opened the meeting with due process. The chaplain lead devotions. Fourteen members responded to roll call. The yearbook committee announced the next meeting. A letter from the Iowa State president was read.

Plans were discussed for the omelette dinner fundraiser with the two combined local P.E.O. chapter’s which will begin 9:30 a.m. March 6 at Creston First United Methodist Church. Omelettes will be made to eat at the church, or ordered and delivered to a place of business at lunch or dinner within Creston. The ticket will cost an adult $5. Funds will be used for scholarships. Julie Christensen gave a program on the history of the P.E.O. Ode and how music became associated with the Ode.

— — — — — —

Ladies Literary Circle

Creston Ladies Literary Circle met Oct. 20 at the home of Connie Rhine, with Rhine hostessing and 20 members and one guest present.

President Judith Wachter opened the meeting with roll call. The minutes of the Oct. 6 meeting were read and approved.

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

Sherrie McKie said she signed up twice to hostess because one spot was not filled. She asked if someone would take her Feb. 16 meeting, and Judy Gile decided to hostess it, with Linda Hartsock as backup.

The meeting was adjourned and turned over to DeeAnn Stults who briefly introduced reviewer Dottie Dunphy. Dunphy gave a brief introduction of the author Willa Cather and reviewed Cather’s novel “One of Ours.”

Cather wrote “One of Ours” in 1922, and the novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1923.

In “One of Ours,” the setting is World War I. Claude Wheeler, the sensitive protagonist of this beautiful novel, resembles a restless young son in a peculiarly American fairy tale. His fortune is ready-made for him, but he refuses to settle for it. Feeling alienated from his crass father and pious mother, all but rejected by a wife who reserves her ardor for missionary work and dissatisfied with farming, Wheeler is an idealist without an ideal to cling to. It is only when his country enters the World War that Wheeler finds what he has been searching for all his life.

In “One of Ours,” Cather explores the destiny of a grandchild of pioneers, a young Nebraskan whose yearnings impel him toward a frontier bloodier and more distant than the one that vanished before his birth. In doing so, she creates a canny and extraordinary vital portrait of an American psyche at once skeptical and romantic, restless and heroic.

The hostess served several cakes and candies.

Next meeting will be at the home of Stults with Vanita Moberg assisting hostessing. Jean Ide will be the reviewer.

— — — — — —

Creston Ladies Literary Circle met Nov. 3 at the home of DeeAnn Stults with Stults and Vanita Moberg hostessing and 21 members present.

Vice President Stephani Finley opened the meeting with roll call. The minutes of the Oct. 20 meeting were read, adjusted and approved.

Treasurer Vera Fengler gave the treasurer’s report. Also, money was collected for the Christmas basket. The treasurer’s report was approved.

The meeting was adjourned and turned over to committee member Bailey Poolman, who briefly introduced reviewer Jean Ide. Ide gave a brief review of the novel “Animal Farm” by George Orwell.

“Animal Farm,” written in 1945, follows the adventure of a farm of animals who oust the owner and other humans. The animals set rules to follow during their daily lives, and the pigs take command. Then, the pigs begin creating rules that favor them, and the other animals follow.

The novel is an allegory of the events that lead to the Russian Revolution in 1917, as well as Stalin’s rule of the Soviet Union.

The hostesses provided delicious desserts and drinks for the ladies to enjoy.

Next meeting will be at the home of Ann Driskell. Judith Wachter will be the reviewer.

— — — — — —

Creston Ladies Literary Circle met Nov. 17 at the home of Ann Driskell with Driskell hostessing and 15 members present.

President Judith Wachter opened the meeting with roll call. The minutes of the Nov. 3 meeting were read and approved.

Vice President Stephani Finley gave the treasurer’s report, including mentioning money was donated for the Christmas basket during two meetings. The report was approved.

The meeting was adjourned and turned over to committee member Vanita Moberg, who briefly introduced reviewer Wachter. Wachter gave a brief review of the book “85 Years of the Oscars” by Robert Osborne.

“85 Years of the Oscars” covers the history of the Academy Awards, given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to actors, actresses, directors and film crew members for best work done for a film. The awards were first given in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

The awards were first broadcast on radio in 1930, and on television in 1953. The 85th Academy Awards ceremony was held in 2013 at the Dolby Theatre.

The Oscar, also known as the Academy Award of Merit, is a gold-plated bronze statue on a black metal base, but during the original awards the statues were gold-plated solid bronze, and during World War II were made of plaster.

Wachter also read award winners from 1929 to 1945.

The hostess provided delicious pies, cakes and chocolates.

Next meeting will be Dec. 8 at Sherry McKie’s home and Christmas music will be played for the program.

— — — — — —

Creston Ladies Literary Circle met Dec. 8 at the home of Sherrie McKie with McKie and Marilyn Engleson hostessing and 23 members present.

Vice President Stephani Finley opened the meeting with roll call. The minutes of the Nov. 17 meeting were read, adjusted and approved.

Treasurer Vera Fengler gave the treasurer’s report, including the Christmas basket donation total. The treasurer’s report was approved.

Judy Woods said she is hostessing the next meeting and will hold it in the fellowship hall at Salem Lutheran Church across from the high school.

Vanita Moberg said “The Giver” is the all read, which members will go over during the March 2 meeting.

It was mentioned Jane Schantz heads the Christmas shopping store for young people in first through fifth grade. It’s held at the elementary school, and each child can pick three gifts to give to someone else. Donated items are welcome and anyone who wishes to volunteer can help wrap gifts. It was also mentioned MATURA has an adopt-a-family program.

Anyone can pick a family off the Christmas tree at the Creston Chamber of Commerce office.

The meeting was adjourned and turned over to McKie, who briefly introduced Engleson. McKie and Engleson provided a piano program made of traditional Christmas tunes. Moberg then gave a program covering the history of Mary and Joseph through raising Jesus.

The hostesses provided scrumptious desserts for all to enjoy.

Next meeting will be Jan. 5 at Salem Lutheran Church with Woods hostessing and Susan Weight as reviewer.

— — — — — —

Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary

Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary met Feb. 7.

Canasta winners were Sharon Gile, first; Rose Blakesley, second; and Barb Veitz, third.

Blakesley won the door prize.

Veitz host cards and chatter Wednesday, Feb. 14.