The Book Club
The Book Club met Sept. 10 at the home of Deb Richardson. President Meg Crawford conducted the meeting. The minutes of the May meeting were read and approved with the addition of Velma Riegel as a member of the program committee. The treasurer’s report was read with a balance of $42.80. Roll was taken with eight members in attendance.
Books read during the summer were: “After Anna” by Lisa Scottoline, “The Jungle” by Clive Gussler, “Saving CeeCee Honeycut” by Beth Hofiman, “The Turquoise Table” by Kristin Schelt, “The Burning: Massacre, Destruction and the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921” by Tim Madigan, “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan, “Killers of the Flower Moon” by Barbara ONeill, “The Art of Inheriting Secrets” by Barbara ONeill, “Debt of Honor,” “Executive Orders,” “Bear and Dragon,” “Teeth of the Tiger,” “Dead or Alive,” “Net Force,” “Threat Vector,” “Command Authority” and “Support and Defend,” all by Tom Clancy, “Under Fire” by Grant Blackwood, “Full Force and Effect” by Mark Greany, “Heat Wave” by Jill Marie Landis, “Where Secrets Sleep” by Marta Perry, “A Purpose True” by Gail Kittleson, “Sugarhouse Blues” by Maria Stewart, “Where There’s Smoke” by Sandra Brown, “The French Girl” by Lexie Elliot, “Side by Side” by Jemni Walsh, “Girl in the Blue Coat” by Monica Hesse, “The Life She was Given” by M. Wiese, “A Match Made in Texas” by Margaret Brownley, “Seeds of Hope” by Barbara Cameron, “Midnight Sea” by Colleen Coble, “Spies of the Balkans” by Alan Gurst, “Gray Mountain” by John Grisham, “The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop and Cafe” by Mary Simas, “The Appearance of Annie Van Sinderen” by Katherine Have, “Memory Man” by David Baldacci, “Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline, “The Guilty” by David Baldacci, “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” by Agatha Christie, “Derrick Visiting Miss Caples” by Elizabeth Kimmel, “I Can Jump Puddles” by Ailen Marshell, “Snowbound Six” by Richard Stein, “A Family for the Bull Rider, Life on the Mississippi” by Mark Twain, “Quiet Talks on Prayer” by S.H. Gordon and “The Junction at Sunshine and Lucky” by Holly Schindler.
Retta Ripperger said she was contacted by Kay Raymond about decorating the farm house in the Historical Village by McKinley Park for Christmas. She will get more details for next meeting. Meg then passed out the new program books. Members were encouraged to think about the “all read” for this year. The club may want to change the one suggested by the committee. Dues was collected.
The meeting was adjourned.
Meg reviewed the book: “The Martian” by Andy Werr.
This is a futuristic tale of an American astronaut and scientist who is left on Mars after a storm and accidentally leaves his fellow astronauts and NASA experts back on earth, believing he has died and could not be recovered. In grave danger, the rest of the crew is forced to leave Mars immediately and journey back to earth. The survivor and lone inhabitant of Mars is Mark Watney.
The story develops into a survival adventure, when Mark amazingly survives the accident and manages to get back to the base station. He has to figure out how to save himself and then live long enough to be rescued.
This book is replete with detailed science to explain how a person could survive the dangerous and perilous situations that Mark finds himself in. While it is very scientific, it is also full of fun observations and humor. The story is intriguing and entertaining as well as heartfelt. Well written and fast paced, it keeps the reader engaged. While this is definitely science fiction, it is highly believable and realistic. It is a very good example of well written and developed characters and plot lines. Without ruining the story by giving too much information, it is safe to say readers will enjoy this journey into the future.
A subsequent movie starring Matt Damon was also mentioned. This reviewer recommends the movie, but suggests the book definitely provides a lot more scientific data and explanations.
The hostess served ice cream sundaes. The next meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at the home of Carolyn Derrick. Deb Richardson will have the program.
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Iowa Alpha Sigma
Iowa Alpha Sigma Master Chapter met in regular session Thursday, Sept. 13, at the home of Martha McAuley. Following the opening ritual, seven members answered roll call with their plans for Balloon Days. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Marilyn Larimore reported for the treasurer and announced the next meeting will be Sept. 27 at the home of Dorothy Eyberg with Loretta presenting the program.
President Kelly read from “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” regarding the importance of practicing self-improvement by learning from the imperfections of persons with whom we come in contact who tend to annoy and upset us. Members should consider each persons circumstances and learn from each incident how to be more tolerant and patient.
The meeting was turned over to the hostess for the program. She related her experiences on a trip to Williamsburg, Kentucky, to see a replica of Noah’s Ark and shared pictures and details of the reproduction. McAuley also shared information about a self-taught meteorologist who learned to predict weather by observing the flights of insects, particularly green dragon flies, and using the fragrances of flowers to forecast summer showers.
Following the closing ritual and Mizpah, members enjoyed refreshments and visiting.
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Ladies Literary Circle
The 2018-19 Ladies Literary Circle president, Stephani Finley, opened the business meeting in her home on Sept. 14 marking the beginning of the Circle’s 127th year with 20 members in attendance.
Approved were the last meeting’s minutes read by out-going secretary Bailey Poolman. Vera Fengler, treasurer, gave account of funds. Annual membership dues are to be submitted this month.
In old business, the Christmas decorating of a room at the Edaburn House in the Historical Complex was addressed. Linda Hartsock will chair the committee made up of Marcia Fulton, Vera Fengler, Judy Gile and Joanne Gibson. Decoration of the room is to be completed by the time for open house on Dec. 2, 9 and 16. Volunteers are needed to help during the open house hours.
In new business, members were advised of the following changes in the programs – Dottie Dunphy will be hostess at Crestmoor with Joanne Gibson as reviewer on Sept. 28, the Nov. 9 meeting will take place at Salem Lutheran Church with Judy Woods as the hostess, and Marcia Fulton will be the reviewer when Linda Hartsock hosts LLC Jan. 25 at her home. Another topic in new business involved the circle’s donation to Creston’s library building fund.
Following the closure of the business meeting, Midge Scurlock, a 20 year LLC member, presented this season’s first review. After reading a newspaper review of “The Best Cook In The World” by Rick Bragg, Scurlock deviated from her usual fair of thriller stories. A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and an author of eight books, Bragg combines memoir with food and recipes. It is a tale of a life hard lived in the hills of Alabama where Bragg’s grew up. He tells how his family survived through the generations one meal at a time. Bragg’s rare challenge was to translate his momma’s telling of recipe measurements in dabs, smidgens and tads into a written recipe. He spent hours sittin’ and watchin’ her cook and listenin’ to the stories that went along with the cookin.’
Dressed in an apron, sans wooden spoon, Scurlock told the stories behind some of the recipes. The recipes contain liberal doses of fatback drippings, lard, bacon grease, cracklin’ meat, butter and such. From the fun of “noodling” (catching big river catfish by hand) to trapping all kinds of squirrels, rabbits, possums and raccoons, life was hard. The review even covered how to catch a chicken to the secret to perfect mashed potatoes to how to identify stale flour.
Bragg writes about love and reward, survival and joy, identity and adventure similar to a mix of Twain, Steinbeck and Faulkner – a taste of realism. This book was not quite the equal to Scurlock’s love of thrillers by Patterson or Baldacci, but held its own in a thrilling sort of way. According to the LLC critics, this book is a good read. Caution – the recipes in this book are not for Weight Watchers.
The next meeting is Sept. 28 with Dottie Dunphy hosting at Crestmoor and Joanne Gibson giving the review.
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Kiwanis
The weekly Kiwanis meeting was held 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, at the Windrow meeting room with 22 members and one guest. President Korina Loudon presided, Kyle Wilson gave the prayer and Jamie Travis was the finemaster.
Club members need to turn in pork chop fundraiser money at next week’s meeting, many members worked the fundraiser with Rotary and Lion club members.
The Christmas wreath fundraiser begins next week. Members will get order sheets at the next meeting.
Kiwanis Kids’ Coat giveaway will be Oct. 9 at Creston First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Elm St., from 5:30-6:30 p.m. this year. Jamie Travis is working on the details and will have a sign up sheet for members soon.
The program was given by Jim Mahoney, CEO of Wellman Dynamics. Mahoney discussed the new owners of the factory and what the plans are for upgrading the plant, safety and training. The new owners plan to reinvest to improve all aspects of their focus customers in the aerospace industry.
The yearly budget meeting for the new year was held right after the regular meeting.
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Kent Dinner Club
Kent Dinner Club met Sept. 13 with five attending at Pizza Ranch in Creston.
Next meeting will be 5 p.m. Oct. 11 at Pizza Ranch. A room is reserved and all are welcome to come.
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DAR
Eleven members of the Nancy McKay Harsh Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, met Saturday morning, Sept. 8, at Summit House in Creston. Hostesses were Lynne Schlaht and Bonnie Riepe.
Special guest was Pam Dye, who is helping establish a library for soldiers stationed at Fort Leonardwood, Kansas. She spoke about the project, and the group surprised her by donating 320 books. Later in the meeting, members voted to buy a year’s subscription of DAR “American Spirit Magazine” for the Fort Leonardwood library, as well as the veterans home in Marshalltown.
Riepe gave the program, “World War I Through Stereoscopic Photos.” As she passed around the photos, she shared with the group more detailed information about the pictures. Roll call was to share a historic picture.
Following DAR rituals, Jane Briley gave the president general’s message reporting the DAR “American Spirit” magazine recently won two Apex awards for outstanding journalism. Connie Kinkade gave the national defense report stating the American Constitution is the oldest and shortest constitutional document on record.
Other reports were given by Elaine Brown, Indian moment; Kinkade, commemorative events; Suzanne Adkisson, conservation moment; Rosalie O’Grady, constitution moment; Riepe, flag moment; Darlene Morgan, women’s issues; Lynne Schlaht, sunshine moment; and Pam Marvin, women in Iowa.
During the business meeting, led by Regent Jan Morgan, it was announced Briley will issue the fall newsletter and take over duties as registrar. Morgan reported on attending a reception for new Iowa Regent Marsha Hucke. Preparations were made for Constitution Week, Sept. 17-23. Members were encouraged to attend the District DAR meeting Oct. 11 in Shenandoah. Registrations are due Sept. 20.
Kinkade closed the meeting with prayer. The next meeting will be 9:30 a.m. Oct. 13 at Ellston UMC Fellowship Hall. Hostesses will be Adkisson and O’Grady. Roll call will be “share a memory about space exploration.”
Any woman, age 21 or older, who is a descendant of a Revolutionary War solider, is invited to join DAR. For more information, contact Briley, registrar, at 641-782-4525.
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VFW Post 1797
VFW Post 1797 met Sept. 11 at the Elks Lodge in Creston; 15 members and guests were present for dinner.
Commander Gary O’Daniels called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. with 17 members present.
The post had no veterans to drape the charter for.
Minutes and QM reports were read and approved.
Service officers reported 27 hours of community service, 34 hours at the hospital, three hours for honor guard and 16 hours at the bloodmobile, for a total of 80 hours. Officers also traveled 180 miles for veterans.
In old business, O’Daniels gave an update on the Sept. 15 Honor Flight. Fifteen Union County veterans are scheduled to go.
Members discussed new flag poles at the Freedom Rock, and the committee will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
In new business – honor flight information with Creston Community High School FBLA group selling T-shirts to raise funds for future honor flights. These will be sold prior to the homecoming games at Creston and Afton.
Upcoming events include putting up flags Saturday, Sept. 15, for Balloon Days parade and leading the homecoming parade on Friday, Sept. 21.
Trustees will need to discuss the Afton VFW building. Members held more discussion on the VFW building in Afton. Anyone interested in purchasing it, should contact O’Daniels or Denny Abel.
In district news, the next meeting will be Sept. 29 in Oskaloosa. Contact O’Daniels or Abel, if you would like to go.
The meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the Elks Lodge 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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Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary
Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary met Sept. 19.
Canasta winners were Mary Kline, first; Wanda Nash, second; and Cheri Lilly, third.
Nash won the door prize.
Sherry and Penni will host cards and chatter Wednesday, Sept. 26.