March 29, 2024

Club news

Kiwanis

The weekly Kiwanis meeting was held 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, at the Windrow meeting room with 27 members and one guest. President Terry Freeman presided, Dennis Carter gave the prayer and Craig Mittag was the finemaster.

Members were updated on the crockpot program for families by member Julie Lang. The program helps families with meal planning and nutrition and lasts six weeks. The club is donating new crockpots to the families that finish the program.

The club is planning the Annual Jack Keuter Pancake Day fundraiser Tuesday, March 26, at the First United Methodist Church in Creston. Members will have tickets to sell soon. This is the the biggest fundraiser of the year.

The program was given by Corey Carlton, DNR Conservation Officer. He talked about his responsibilities as law enforcement of hunting and recreation law in Union County. As a game warden, he discussed a recent case of out-of-state hunters breaking several Iowa laws in hunting and the illegal means and weapons they were using. The result was several thousands of dollars in fines and lost weapons.

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Friends of the Library

The following people attended the Friends of the Library meeting on Feb. 18: Cynthia Blakely, Jessica Duncan, Judy Hoakison, Bunny Norton, Kay Raymond, Julie Schieffer, Barbara Thomsen, Ann Coulter, David Hargrove, Sarah King and guest Jane King.

The minutes were approved at written.

Coulter reported the Capital Campaign Events Committee is working on the St. Patrick’s Dinner and Auction to be March 16 at the Eagles Club. Only 150 tickets will be sold, which can be purchased at the library for $25 each. Dinner will begin at 6 pm.

Hargrove mentioned he will send out a mass email for the FOL membership asking for help with the dinner/auction. Next month, the library will be installing a new circulation software entitled Apollo. This software is made for small public libraries. It will improve data security and has a new fresh look. There will also be a change to the website for health care, work force development and education. This will streamline access to online information and improve public service.

There were lots of compliments about this years’ cookie bouquets in honor of Kay Ritter’s memory.

National Library Week is April 8-12. Hargrove would like help from FOL; the group will discuss this in the following weeks. On April 10, April McCann from Cedar Rapids will be presenting WWII Prisoners in Iowa. This will be held at the library at 6:30 p.m. The library will host the UCDA coffee at 8:15 a.m. April 12.

The next book sorting session will be 10 a.m. Feb. 27 at Fredricksen Memorial.

The next meeting will be 6 p.m. March 18 at the library.

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VFW Post 1797

VFW Post 1797 met Feb. 12 at the Elks Lodge in Creston; eight members and guests were present for dinner.

Commander Gary O’Daniels called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. with eight members present.

The post draped the charter for veterans, David Moffit and Keith Keller.

Service officers reported 35 hours for community service, 34 hours for honor guard, six hours at the bloodmobile and 65 hours at the hospital. The post also traveled 650 miles for veterans.

Minutes and QM reports were read and approved.

In old business, the Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy winners were presented certificates and checks at the January meeting. Post 1797 Voice of Democracy winner Evan Hagen of Osceola was also the state winner and will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., this spring. His essay will be judged by the national VFW.

Inclement weather reduced attendance at the Veterans on the Hill program in January.

In new business, the soup supper sponsored by Williamson Legion Post raised $2,200 for the Union County Honor Flight. Thanks to all who donated and attended. Anyone who would like to donate, can contact Richard Mullin or Tom Hawks.

In district news, next district meeting will be Saturday, April 13, in Ottumwa.

The state VFW fundraiser is underway for a 2018 Ford Escape or $15,000 cash option. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from Denny Abel at 641-782-0517. The drawing will be June 8.

The meeting adjourned at 8 p.m. The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 12, at the Elks Lodge with dinner at 6 p.m. and the meeting to follow at 7 p.m. All war veterans are encouraged to attend.

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GRMC Auxiliary Board

Martha, Marcia, Carolyn, Jordan, Joan, Nancy and Rhonda Giles were in attendance for the Feb. 11 meeting of the GRMC Auxiliary Board. Votes of approval were received for the agenda, minutes and financial reports.

Monte Neitzel presented the administrator’s report. He reported Dr. Matt Checketts will be joining Internal Medicine staff in June. He comes to Greater Regional Health (GRH) from Arizona. Additionally, Audiologist Ryan Denny has been well received in his new office.

A nurse practitioner was recently interviewed to join Dr. Preston in the mental health department. In addition, a pediatrician from Des Moines has expressed interest in GRH.

The newest orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Thomas Harbert, has joined Drs. Ralston and Kakade and Jake Davis. ENT Dr. Joseph Hart was welcomed at an open house marking his full-time position at GRH.

Monte stated GRH believes in investing in its people, facilities and community. Therefore they are looking at a number of opportunities including:

• the CCSD’s plan for an adaptive playground

• enhancing the walking trail around McKinley Park

• the McKinley Park Aquatic Center

• the need for a community center

• the need for additional daycare due to the number of working mothers in the area

• the need for long term care

Meanwhile GRH has purchased three new treadmills for the YMCA, as the others needed to be replaced.

The annual membership drive will be conducted March 6 (March 20, as a snow date} by Martha and Marcia from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the entrance to the cafeteria.

The purchase of Casey’s gas cards to be given to parents in financial duress, whose child has been unexpectedly transferred to another hospital in another city, was discussed. These will be distributed at the discretion of the ER staff.

The Nutman Company of Wisconsin asked for permission to set up a fundraiser in the building for the auxiliary. The profit for the auxiliary would be 15 percent of the sales of nuts, candies and mixes presented by the company. Those present asked Jordan to set it up for some time in late fall.

Dates to remember are:

• 10 a.m. March 11 meeting

• March 27 collective goods

• April 12 $5 jewelry sale

• May 8 linen sale

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GRMC Auxiliary gift shop

Joan, Nancy, Jordan and Rhonda Giles approved the agenda, minutes and financial report during the Feb. 11 meeting of the GRMC Auxiliary gift shop meeting.

Those present were reminded of the upcoming IHA Gift Shop Conference and Market at Prairie Meadows on March 28. Jordan was asked to register the committee for attendance. Lois will not be attending the conference.

Dates to remember are:

• 1:30 p.m. March 5 Bloomingville and Creative Co-op Inc.

• 9:30 a.m. March 11 next meeting

• 1 p.m. April 15 K&K