March 28, 2024

Club news

The Book Club

The Book Club met Feb. 4 at Subway with Ellen Sue Findley as hostess. President Meg Crawford conducted the meeting. The minutes of the December meeting were read and approved. The treasurer’s report was given. Roll call was taken with seven members in attendance.

Books read since the last meeting were: “James Jordan: His Life and Legacy” by Louise Gately, “American Short Story Masterpieces” edited by Clarence Strowbridge, “The Reluctant Widow,” “The Grand Sophy” and “Faro’s Daughter,” all by Georgette Heyer, “The Reckoning” by John Grisham, “Field of Bones” by J.A. Jance, “Rise of the Rocket Girls” by Nathalia Holt, “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate, “Great Expectations” and “A Christmas Carol,” both by Charles Dickens, “Journey” by Adam Hamilton, “The Whistler” by John Grisham, “The Shack” by Wm. Paul Young, “The Witch Elm” by Tana French, “The Revenant” by Michael Panke, “Life in the Fantastic 40’s” by Reminisce, “Fatal Crown” by Ellen Jones, “The Last Palace” by Norman Eisen, “Sweet Salt Air” by Barbara Delinsky and “The Fix” by David Baldacci.

Retta Ripperger passed around thank you notes from Sharon Snodgrass and Peg Anderson for participation in the Christmas open house at the Edaburn House in the Historical Village. All agreed this was an enjoyable project for all involved. A Valentine’s card for a former member, Carolyn Derrick, was also passed around for all to sign. A collection was taken up for the annual charity donation. Discussion was held about how to use this for this club year. Meg will contact the library to check on this past year’s donation and report to the club members at the next meeting. The decision for this year was tabled until then. The business meeting was adjourned. Next meeting will be March 4 at the home of Ripperger with Deb Goerndt in charge of the program.

Ripperger then gave her report on “Rainbow Six” by Tom Clancy. Newly named the head of an international task force dedicated to combating terrorism, John Clark is looking forward to getting his teeth into a new mission. He is a little stressed that he is a “suit,” not active in the field, but he is 60 years old. The missions come thicker and faster than anyone could have expected, beginning with a robbery at a Swiss bank, the kidnapping of an international trader in Germany and a terrible raid on an amusement park in Spain. Each episode seems separate, yet the timing is disturbing. With the help of his close associates, Clark tries to figure out where all this activity is heading, but there is no way to predict the real threat: a group of terrorists like none the world has ever encountered, a band of men and women so extreme that their success could literally mean the end of life on this earth as we know it. The twists and turns of Rainbow Six blend exceptional realism and authenticity with intricate plotting, knife-edge suspense, and a remarkable cast of characters.

Refreshments were served by Findley.

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Catholic Daughters

Catholic Daughters Court Joan of Arc No. 428 met Jan. 8. Mass was held at 6 p.m. with Father Ken Halbur.

The January committee served chicken and rice and beef noodle soups, relish tray, bread/crackers and assorted desserts. The committee was made up of Betty Baker, Artie Mullin, Meg Crawford and Carol McKee.

The meeting was called to order by Regent Teresa Weis at 7:30 p.m. with recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by all members present. Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The treasurer’s report was a bill had been paid for containers for bake sale items. Approved as presented.

Communication Betty Baker had sent cards to the Boden, Tapken and Kerrigan families and Pat Wolfe.

Right to Life committee reports the upcoming 46th annual memorial meeting will be 2 p.m. Jan. 20 at Calvary Cemetery. If weather is a factor, it will be moved inside to Holy Spirit Church. Reminder was given that the March for Life is Friday, Jan. 18.

ReRun is in need of men’s jeans, shoes and overalls. Volunteers are needed anytime they are open, and on Mondays mornings for sorting.

Old business included a Christmas basket was delivered to the family for the December project. Father Ken sent a thank you for his Christmas gift.

New business included the January project is to begin work on a quilt for the St. Malachy Foundation. After some discussion, Elaine asked all members interested to meet Jan. 14 to begin work, as the quilt will need to be completed by the auction at the beginning of March. A “baby shower” will be held – members are asked to bring baby items to be donated. Donation cup monies were split equally between national projects and local projects.

The membership prayer was recited to end the meeting, which adjourned at 8 p.m. A motion was made and approved by all.

The next meeting will be Feb. 13 at the Holy Spirit Parish Hall following 6 p.m. Mass. New members are always welcome. The program will be for each member to bring 1 1/2 dozen cookies to be shared with shut-ins and the project will be to sign up for Lenten soup suppers.

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Bancroft History Assembly

On Feb. 4, GFWC/IOWA Bancroft History Assembly hosted a 124th anniversary party at St. John’s United Church of Christ. Elzevir and Chautauqua Federated Clubs were invited along with guests.

After introductions and club summaries David Hargrove, director of Gibson Memorial Library, gave a most informative program on George Bancroft. Bancroft History Assembly was named after George Bancroft.

After the program, refreshments and socialization was enjoyed by all. Dee Sloan, Mary Lee Foltz and Tammy Willets were guests. Those attending from Elzevir were Angela Pullen, Mary Burg and Alice Bowers. Attending from Chautauqua were Pat Butcher, Sharon Booth, Sharon Skarda, Linda Huffman and Mary Morris. Sandy Oswald is a member of both Chautauqua and Bancroft. Others from Bancroft History Assembly were Barbara Bjorn, Bobi Woodin, Beth Perry, Marisue Lewis, Martha Musmaker, Joan Chubick and Kay Raymond.