The Book Club
The Book Club met March 4 at the R Realty office with Retta Ripperger as hostess. President Meg Crawford conducted the meeting. She reminded members the next meeting will be the all-read “The Hundred Foot Journey” by Richard Morais. A copy of the book can be ordered from the library.
The minutes of the February meeting were read and approved. The treasurer’s report was given and approved. Crawford reported she contacted the library to find out how they used the club’s donation from last year. They had not determined which books to purchase. Discussion followed about this year’s donation. This decision will be made at a future meeting, and members were encouraged to explore ideas. Roll call was taken with eight members in attendance.
Books read since the last meeting were: “The Noveara Chronicles” by David R. Boven, “Lies They Teach in School” by Herb Reich, “Pandemic” by Robin Cook, “Beauchamp Hall” by Danielle Steel, “Captain Bayley’s Heir” by G.A. Henty, “The Letter” by Richard Paul Evans, “Nonesuch,” “The Quiet Gentleman” and “The Talisman Ring,” all by Georgette Heyer, “A Heart Revealed” by Josie A. Kilpack, “White Christmas Brides” and “Fortune Rocks” by Anita Shreve, “The Summer Nannys” by Hally Chamberlin, “Killing the S.S.” by Bill O’Reilley, “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens, “The Ultimate Gift” by Jim Stoball, “The Cost of Discipleship,” “Life Together,” both by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “The Reckoning” by John Grisham and “Angels Fall” by Nora Roberts.
The business meeting was adjourned. Deb Goerndt gave her report on the book “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens. It was written in 1860 and was the 13th novel written by Dickens. He had come from a humble start, working as a child in a shoe polish factory while his father was in debtor’s prison. He rose to become considered a gentleman in English society. He had problems in his marriage and was rumored to have had an affair with a young actress, so he started spending more time at his home in Chatham. He had risen to greater “expectations” than you would expect a poor boy to achieve, but he had not found happiness. The idea that one must search beyond wealth and standing and look within themselves for happiness becomes a major theme for “Great Expectations.”
The character of Pip was somewhat autobiographical of a Dickens who had learned some hard lessons in life. “Great Expectations” does have more humor included than some of his other novels. Dickens had originally written an ending where Pip and Estella never get back together. Many critics feel the original ending was more appropriate for the tone of the story and it should end on an unhappy note, however, Dickens changed the ending to where all is forgiven, and Pip and Estella walk out of the house together with an uncertain resolution. The themes of the book are: wealth/poverty, love/rejection and the eventual triumph of good over evil.
The next meeting will be 6:30 p.m. April 1 at the home of Velma Riegel. Meg Crawford facilitate the all-read, “The Hundred Foot Journey.”
Ripperger served delicious refreshments.
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Kiwanis
The weekly Kiwanis meeting was held 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, at the Windrow meeting room with 24 members and one guest. President-elect Bob Miller presided, Randy Ringsdorf gave the prayer and Ed Ritter was the finemaster.
The club now has tickets for the Annual Jack Keuter Pancake Day fundraiser that will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at First United Methodist Church in Creston. This is the the club’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The money raised will provide scholarships and services to many children and groups that work with children funds throughout the year.
The program was given by Gary Shea. He presented an alternate local currency, which he is trying to start that, would be used instead of the current issue of government money. He gave a history of some of the issues with the past economy and options other countries use now.
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Catholic Daughters
Catholic Daughters Court Joan of Arc, No. 428 was unable to meet Feb. 12 due to inclement weather.
The next meeting will be March 12 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 follow up on the Lenten soup suppers.
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Bancroft History Assembly
GFWC/Iowa Bancroft History Assembly met March 4 at the D.V. Richardson Room at Greater Regional Health. After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call was answered by three life members and six regular members.
The minutes were approved as written, and the treasurer’s report was placed on file for audit.
The following is the slate of officers for next year with installation being held at the May meeting: President Sandy Oswald, Vice President Marisue Lewis, Treasurer Joan Chubick, Corresponding Secretary Beth Perry, Parliamentarian Marisue Lewis, Historian Sandy Oswald and Secretary/Journalist Kay Raymond.
GFWC/IOWA State Convention will be held April 12-13 in Marshalltown at the Best Western.
The May breakfast will be May 6. The location is to be announced.
The meeting was adjourned after the Club Collect was recited.
The next meeting will be held April 1 at GRH.
Lewis gave the program about an early GFWC member Alice Lakey. Lakey was instrumental in prompting the inception of the Food and Drug Act in 1906 giving everyone safer foods to eat. She was also the first woman to be installed in Who’s Who.
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Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary
Ladies Lakeshore Auxiliary met March 6.
Canasta winners were Linda Clark, first; Barb Bills, second; and Janice Munstermann, third.
Cheri Lilly won the door prize.
Joy Seeley will host cards and chatter Wednesday, March 13.
