VFW Post 1797
VFW post 1797 met Sept. 15 at the Elks in Creston. Twenty members and guests were present for dinner.
Commander Gary O’Daniels called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. with 14 members present. The post draped the charter for comrades Larry Woods, Art Lilly and Jodee Welch. Minutes and QM reports were read and approved. Service officers reported community service was two hours, hospital was 34 hours, honor guard was 58 hours and VFW meetings were 36 hours, for a total of 89 hours. The post also traveled 1,148 miles for veterans.
In old business, approved one new VFW member to our post.
In new business, Balloon Days parade started at 10 a.m. on Sept. 19. Creston Homecoming parade was Sept. 25.
On Wednesday, Nov. 11, the Methodist Church members will have a free soup supper for all veterans and their families starting at 4 p.m.
The new “welcome home” Veteran’s Memorial Park in Albia is worth a visit if you are traveling east on Hwy 34.
In other business, O’Daniels gave a report on state and district. We also received our new Charter for the merging of Afton and Creston posts.
Meeting adjourned at 8 p.m. The next meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the Elks with dinner at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. for the meeting. All veterans are encouraged to attend.
Chautauqua Circle
The first meeting of the new year for the GFWC Progressive Chautauqua Circle was held Sept. 22 at President Sharon Skarda’s home, with Sandy Oswald and Connie Edsall as co-hostesses.
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was taken, with 19 members in attendance including five life members, Betty Wallace being the newest life member. Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved after a motion came from Jerrie Henderson and seconded by Sharon Booth.
The treasurer’s report was given showing a current bank balance of $1,039.27, and 2015 member dues were collected. The club books were handed out with another great job done by Judy Weese. A motion was made to increase the reimbursement paid to Weese for doing the books, motion carried by a voice vote.
Jerrie Henderson talked on the crisis intervention program. Donations are now listed by the month and types of items requested in the last page of the club book. The club received special recognition from the state for their involvement last year in this program.
The program committee of Polly McCoy, Mary Morris and Kathy Tapken have the field trip for October to Red Oak all organized and it looks like a great day of many sites to tour.
The S.W. District Convention is coming up in Osceola on Oct. 16. It will be good to see how the convention is organized, as the 2016 site is going to be in Creston.
Peg Anderson, district scholarship co-chairperson, spoke about the need for more local students to apply for music scholarships. It will be reviewed to see if teachers are passing the scholarship information on to students.
Linda Huffman spoke to the members about needing READS volunteers for first graders. She listed days and times of availability and hoped many would apply.
The Collect for Club Women was read in unison and the meeting was adjourned.
DAP
The Nancy McKay Harsh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meeting was called to order 9:30 a.m Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Summit House by Chapter Regent Theresa Bahniuk of Lamoni.
Those present were Bahniuk, Bonnie Riepe, Cynthia Barbour, Connie Kinkade, Marj Kinkade, Pam Marvin, Judith Wachter, Elaine Brown, Suzanne Frost, Jane Briley, Dorothy Hughes and Darlene Morgan. Also present was new prospect Jackie Beard of Chariton. The roll call topic this month was “What are you plans for Constitution Week?”
Barbour of Van Meter filled in with a program on Webster’s way to read the Constitution when the presenter was unable to attend due to illness. That program, from our Vietnam veteran guest, will be rescheduled. Members shared the opening ritual, followed by the presentation of the president general’s message by Bahniuk.
The national defense report was given by Deb Richardson on the article “9/11: Why I would like to forget.”
Minutes from the August 2015 meeting were presented by Barbour, two name corrections were made and minutes were then approved unanimously.
Committee reports were presented. The American Indian moment, on Chief Leather Lips of the Huron/Wyandot of Sandusky, Ohio, who was sentenced to die by Tecumseh, was given by Marvin of Chariton. Commemorative events about the Treaty of Paris was presented by Connie Kinkade of Creston. The conservation moment on saving 1,000 gallons of water by running dish and laundry loads only when full was presented by Wachter of Afton. The flag moment was given by Morgan of Mount Ayr, reminding us of important dates to fly the flag. Sunshine moment was presented by Marj Kinkade of Creston, we heard about the birthday and get well cards she sent to Elaine Brown, Richardson, Keri Wagner and Hazel Braby. The chapter history moment was presented by Marj Kinkade with a note that the cost per member for the annual anniversary dinner in 1925 was 56 cents, and that Nov. 17 will be the 92nd anniversary of the Nancy McKay Harsh Chapter, NSDAR. The Vietnam moment was given by Connie Kinkade from part one of the article “What was the Vietnam War?”
During old business, we were reminded the programs are ready for those who have paid their dues and asked to pay for those who have not yet.
During new business, we discussed in more detail the decorating of windows and other possible displays for Constitution Week in September. Discussion of possible mailings for veteran holiday cards, and a suggestion was made to fill a “day of service” box with razors and brushes to help fill the need at the Iowa State VA Hospitals. All were interested.
The closing prayer was offered by Chaplain Connie Kinkade.
DAR is a women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, patriotism and honoring the patriots of the Revolutionary War. Any woman 18 years of age who has an ancestor who was a patriot in the Revolutionary War is eligible to join DAR and would be welcome at our meetings.
Please contact Marjorie Kinkade, registrar, or Bahniuk, regent, Nancy McKay Harsh Chapter NSDAR.
Alpha Delta Kappa
The Iowa Alpha Gamma Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa met Sept. 14 in the Art Gallery of Creston’s Restored Depot. Brian Zachary, of Creston Arts, gave an overview of the activities of Creston Arts. Members enjoyed the miniature houses and art of Chuck and Arlene Carlson.
Members then met at the home of Carolyn Biere for the business meeting and light supper. Co-hostesses were Ruth Schroder, Marj Scott and Sandy Stalker. President Marilyn Bohnker conducted the meeting. Lois Houghtaling gave the treasurer’s report. Thank you’s were received from Brenna Baker and Erika Abell for book scholarships. Meals from the Heartland also sent a thank-you for participation in the event at SWCC. Bohnker announced the state Alpha Delta Kappa meeting will be held Oct. 24 in Des Moines. Members volunteered to provide treats in October to area schools, libraries and educational support services.
The Oct. 12 meeting will be held in the home of Linda Huffman with Danette Lesan, Pauline McCoy and Avis Hainline hostessing. Kiley Sherwood-Pollard will provide a Founder’s Day activity.
Catholic Daughters of America
Court Joan of Arc No. 428 met in the church hall following mass. The officers served pizza and tables were decorated in a football theme. The meeting was opened by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Regent Retta Ripperger read a ministry prayer.
The minutes were read with one correction. Betty Baker made the motion to accept and Pat Pokorny seconded. The treasurer’s report was given by Teresa Weis. Kathy Tapken made the motion to accept the report. Lois Nelson seconded. It was approved.
There was some discussion on donations or projects we could help with. We were asked to think about it and we will discuss it at the next meeting. Baker gave the card report. We discussed the fall workshop held at our church on Saturday, Sept 12. It was presented by the state Catholic Daughters of America officers. Cost was $15 per person. Baker made the motion that our court pay for our members who attended the workshop. Pokorny seconded. Motion carried. Iris Smith won the half and half. Door prizes were won by Susan Kosman and Pat Wagoner. Jean Miller made the motion to adjourn. Betty Bradley seconded. Meeting adjourned.
Kiwanis
The weekly Kiwanis meeting was held 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Windrow with 26 members and three guests. President Craig Mittag presided, the Rev. Jim Morris gave the prayer and Korina Loudon was the finemaster.
Dr. Amy Hynek McFarland, new general surgeon with Greater Regional Medical Center, presented the program. She discussed growing up in southwest Iowa, her education and residency. She also answered questions about her surgical experience and how she decided to follow a career in medicine.
Ron Higgins was installed as a new member by his sponsor, Terry Freeman.
The club was successful in raising the money needed for a new AED for the Creston Middle School and will present the money at a future Kiwanis meeting to officials.
The Club is also doing the “Keep a Kid Warm” coat giveaway from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at the First United Methodist Church in Creston for children in need. Kiwanis is also selling fresh evergreen wreaths and sprays as a fundraiser during the month of October for $20 and $25. See any member to buy them. Wreaths and sprays will be delivered the week of Thanksgiving.
Creston Lions Club
Creston Lions Club met 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 at Pizza Ranch. President Susan Weight opened the meeting and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Delmer Brown gave the invocation.
Following the meal, Weight introduced Carol Sheldahl of Orient who is the zone chair. There are six clubs in the zone. She presented information about membership and spoke about various projects. She announced that the District 9SW Annual Convention will be Oct. 30—31 in Stuart. Creston Lions will assemble a gift basket to be sold at the convention. Dean Brant of Creston is serving as the District 9SW Governor.
Weight introduced Lions member Gary Borcherding, a member of the Creston Parks and Recreation Board, who gave the program about community parks. For 10 years the board has worked with an engineering company on the McKinley Park Restoration project. Many individuals, service organizations, businesses and others have donated time and funds generously to improve the park. Some of the projects include refurbishing the band shell, updating the playgrounds, making the restrooms handicapped accessible, working on the walking trail and replanting trees. Grants have been secured for many of the improvements. Taylor Park will receive some updates. Creston Lions have helped with several projects at the park. Art students from school are in the process of painting a mural on a building in McKinley Park.
The business meeting included a report from Tom Braymen regarding the annual pork chop dinner which was served Sept. 17 at McKinley Park in cooperation with the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. Braymen also reported on the KidSight preschool vision screening program. Children ages six months to five years of age can be screened. Several members, assisted by two Afton Lions members, provided screenings at East Union, Lorimor, Lenox, Clearfield, Creston Kindergarten, Headstart and Discovery Preschool. Almost 300 screenings have been done in recent weeks.
Candy Days was held Sept. 19 in Creston. Eight members collected donations at three sites in town. Creston Lions members appreciate all the support received from the community. A monetary donation was made to help provide guidance to school children who arrive early each morning at the elementary school. They have supervised exercises and breakfast. One request for help in acquiring eyeglasses will be considered.
The Lions Board of Directors will meet at 7:45 a.m. Oct. 30 at the Adams Street Espresso. The next regular night meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Pizza Ranch.
DWF Executive Committee
The DWF Executive Committee met 10 a.m. Oct. 1 at the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ. Eight members were in attendance.
Pat Fils, president, opened the meeting with the DWF prayer. Twila Brant read the minutes from the September meeting. Barb Jennings gave the treasurers report. Both were approved.
New Business: Shirley Ray showed the committee the fall placemats that were ordered for Fellowship Hall. Shirley asked the committee if they would pay the $63 cost to Donna Gonnerman who had helped with ordering. Florence Willets made the motion to pay, second by Joyce Burkhead and approved.
DWF will have Rada knives available to order until Nov. 13, and were also planning a pie auction for later in the year. Money raised from these fund raisers will go to the scholarship fund.
It was suggested that the minutes of the Circles and DWF meetings be put in the church newsletter.
Burkhead reported on two funerals that her committee helped with in August — M. Smith and Ethel Carson. Everyone was asked to send Helen Lindsey a card. She will be 100 years old Oct. 12.
Plans were made to have a reception for one of the members on Oct. 18. Meeting adjourned with the DWF Benediction. The next meeting will be 10 a.m. Nov. 5 at the church.
Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary
Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary met Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Canasta winners were Gwen Sandeman, first; Barb Veitz, second; and Marilyn Larimore, third.
Joan Chubick won the door prize.
It will be snack day for the next cards and chatter Wednesday, Oct. 14.