Creston Lions
Creston Lions Club met Tuesday evening, May 7, at Pizza Ranch. President Ralph Dillinger called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance, and Stew Stewart gave the invocation.
Delmer Brown introduced the guest speaker, David Hargrove, Gibson Memorial Library Director. Hargrove is a historian and has become an expert in the local history of Union County. His program was titled, “Be Quiet. Let Us Reason,” based on the epitaph of Thomas Walsh, the first law enforcement officer killed in action in Union County. The murder happened almost 120 years ago in December 1899. Walsh was sent to the farm of George Williams, who had an overdue mortgage debt of $119. An altercation took place and Williams gunned down Walsh. No motive was offered for the shooting, and Williams turned himself in. Through records at the Union County Courthouse, Hargrove reconstructed the events through the time of the trial and Williams’ imprisonment. Records show that Williams was released in 1935. His final resting place is unknown. Walsh is buried in Calvary Cemetery west of Creston.
Following the program, Dillinger presided over the business meeting. The minutes and treasurer’s report were read and approved. A report from the February spud supper was made. Jerry Katzer gave a report on the Sesquicentennial dinner that will be hosted July 6 by the three Creston service clubs. Tickets will be on sale for $6 per person.
Installation of new Lions Club officers will be held at the June 4 meeting, which will be held at the Cromwell Church. A thank you from SWCC for a monetary donation was read. Dean Brant reminded members of the state convention, which will be held June 6-8 in Cedar Rapids. Attendance is encouraged. Creston is eligible to send four delegates. There will be a district officer training June 15 at Guthrie Center. Anyone interested in membership in Creston Lions may contact Stewart at 641-344-1347, or any other member.
— — — — — —
Kiwanis
The weekly Kiwanis meeting was held 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, at Pizza Ranch meeting room with 25 members and five guests. President Terry Freeman presided, Korina Loudon gave the prayer and Craig Mittag was the finemaster.
Kiwanis member Bill Messerole presented the club’s scholarship winners for this year. Creston High School seniors attending SWCC in the fall are Payton Pryor – awarded the $500 Mickey Finn scholarship; Micha Stephens, Kelsey Watson and Clarissa Hoffman all received $500 each; and Connor Eaton, senior at Mount Ayr High School, also got a $500 scholarship.
Kyle Wilson passed out the tickets for the Big BBQ Bash to be held July 6 in Uptown Creston, the same time as the KSIB Cruise Night. It is a joint fundraiser for Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary during the town’s 150th-year celebration.
The program was given by Ryan Denny, audiologist with GRMC. He discussed the different hearing tests he preforms and hearing products available to improve patients’ hearing. He also discussed some of differences in hearing aids and recent improvements.
— — — — — —
Crest Area Theatre
Ten members of Crest Area Theatre met Monday, May 6, on the Performing Arts stage at the YMCA.
The main item of business centered on the upcoming production of “Music Man – Concert Version” to be performed 6 p.m. Sunday, June 30, at the McKinley Park band shell. In case of rain, the production will be held at the Performing Arts Center at the YMCA.
John Calahan, director of the show, reported the show has been cast and rehearsals are underway. Discussion was held on the need for a sound operator, bleachers for the cast and a PA system.
Ben Grove expressed to the group his desire to possibly direct a show in 2020. Ideas were discussed.
Anyone interested in any aspect of Crest Area Theatre is invited to attend the next meeting 6 p.m. Monday, June 3, on the Performing Arts Center at the YMCA.
— — — — — —
Beta Sigma Phi
Iowa Alpha Sigma Chapter No. 1632 met in regular session Thursday evening, May 9, at the home of Marilyn Larimore. President Loretta Kelly called the meeting to order with the repeating of the opening ritual. Following roll call, minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. There were no official communications; unofficial communications were a thank you from Homestead for the May baskets and a note from Norma Putnam for the Woman of the Year crown.
Treasurer Patricia Fils gave the treasurer’s report and bills were presented and approved for payment. Larimore commented on the memorial service that was to be held at the conclusion of the business meeting. Kelly noted that two members might be missing Laureate bars for their pins.
New business consisted of the election of officers. The new roster is Dorothy Eyberg, president; Kelly, vice president; Patricia Fils, treasurer; and Putnam, secretary. They will be installed at the next meeting on May 23 at a location to be decided. Kelly and Putnam presented a short program and welcomed guests who arrived for the memorial service.
Members of Marilyn Blazek’s family and husbands of members joined the group for Marilyn’s memorial commemoration presented by Kelly, Larimore and Fils. Following the closing ritual, the remainder of the evening was spent visiting and enjoying the delicious refreshments served by the hostess.
— — — — — —
The Book Club
The Book Club met May 6 at the home of Meg Crawford. Crawford conducted the meeting. Minutes of the April meeting were read and approved. The treasurer’s report was given.
Crawford announced she had received several old notebooks with minutes from past book club meetings from Ted Ide. All agreed these should be kept together with the current books. A container was passed for donations to be given to encourage reading. Discussion was held as to how to use this. A suggestion was made for use in the East Union Elementary School Library. A motion was made by Deb Goerndt and seconded by Velma Riegel to approve the donation to be given to EU Library. Deb Richardson volunteered to get more information concerning how to do this.
Next year’s officers will be Pat Pokorny, president and Retta Ripperger, Secretary- treasurer. The yearbook committee will be Barb Thomsen, Crawford, Ellen Sue Findley and Pat Pokorny. Roll call was taken with nine members in attendance.
Books read since the last meeting were “The Nabob’s Widow,” “The Second Season” and “The Devil’s Harbor,” all by Elsie Lee, “Road from Olivet” by Edward F. Murphy, “Where the Crawdad Sing” by Delia Owens. “Educated” by Tara Westover, “Beauchamp Hall” by Danielle Steele, “The Great Alone” by Kristen Hannah, “Shirley” by Charlotte Bronte, “This Dangerous Book” by Steve and Jackie Green, “An Unlikely Family” by Cynthia Thomason, “The Sound of Music” by Agatha Von Trapp, “I Wish I’d Been There” and “Buried in Books” by Kate Carlisle, “Run Away” by Harlan Coben, “Tough Cookie” by Diane Mott Davidson, “The Librarian of Auschwitz” by Antonio Sturbe, “Signs of Life” by Scott Hahn, “Saving Faith” by David Baldacci and “Disclaimer” by Renee Knight.
A sign up sheet was passed around for the 2019-20 Book Club year with preference as when to hostess and give reviews. The business meeting was adjourned.
Everyone was invited to get refreshments to enjoy while watching the movie “The Hundred Foot Journey.” Following the movie, a lively discussion was held comparing it to the book.
The next meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at the home of Dorothy McNaught with Riegel in charge of the program.
— — — — — —
Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary
Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary met May 15.
Canasta winners were Marilyn Larimore, first; Gwen Sandeman, second; and Mary Kline, third.
Sherry Parrott won the door prize.
Connie Bailey will host cards and chatter Wednesday, May 22.