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The GFWC/Iowa Progressive Chautauqua
The GFWC/Iowa Progressive Chautauqua Study Club met Feb. 26 at Salem Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. President Jerrie Henderson opened the meeting with the Pledge to the Flag. Bev Butler led devotions. Betty Wallace introduced Sharon Snodgrass and Linda James form the Union County Historical Society. They gave an audio tour of the buildings and memories in our Historical Village in McKinley Park.
The village began with the Lincoln No. 5 country school in 1966. The 1896 barn was donated by Shawn Kelley’s family. The Kenneth and Lenora Petznick Estate donated money to build the print shop. Ed and Kay Ritter donated the printing equipment displayed in the shop. The Spaulding Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1878. The general store, harness shop, barber shop, blacksmith shop, machine sheds, fire station and museum were built to house the many local treasures donated by those who want to share our history.
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad donated the depot, caboose and signal tower. The Mary Edaburn home was donated by her family. The Emhoff family donated an original log cabin that was built on their farm in 1855. Snodgrass and James also brought several artifacts to share.
The business meeting was called to order by Henderson. Seven active and three life members answered roll call with memories of joining Chautauqua. Secretary Linda Huffman read the minutes of the January 22 meeting. Pauline McCoy gave the treasurer’s report.
Wallace reported the next Bloodmobile will be April 19. The Federation, Legislation and Public Policy Chairperson Peg Anderson reported on current legislation. The Domestic Violence Awaremess Chairperson, Henderson, read a report from the national chairperson.
$105 was collected for the Crisis Intervention and Advocacy Center. Scholarship Chairperson Huffman reported five students have applied for GFWC campships and scholarships. Anderson and Judy Gale volunteered to be community involvement co-chairs next year. The meeting ended with the club collect read in unison.
The next meeting will be the 126th anniversary party March 12. Members will meet at Salem at 1:30 p.m. Co-hosts will be Sharon Booth and Betty Wallace. Creston Community High School Speech students will be guests.
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Union County Democrats
Union County Democrats met for their off-year caucus via Zoom March 6. Officers for the Union County Central Committee 2021-22 were elected as follows: Tiffany Gale, Chair; Matt Smith, Vice Chair; Julie Weisshaar, Treasurer and Linda Huffman, Secretary. Attendees were Carol Smith, Alan Weisshaar, Connie Maxson, Matt Smith, Tiffany Gale, Julie Weisshaar, Marcia Fulton, David Mixdorf and Linda Huffman. Interaction with others during the pandemic was discussed. It is hoped to have outdoor gatherings, perhaps in parks, starting in June.
Iowa Democratic Chair Ross Wilburn joined the caucus, with the following points: Iowa Democrats are in transition, and in the process of filling positions. Party-building: It was discussed the group needs to share stories about why legislation and issues are supported that are important to the group. Conversations concerning Iowa’s first in the nation caucuses will start in the early fall.
A Highway 34 clean-up is planned for 8:30 a.m. April 24, beginning at Alan and Julie Weisshaar’s, with coffee, juice and doughnuts on the deck. Arispe needs representation on the Central Committee. The next Zoom meeting will be 6:30 p.m. April 12. Rep. Cindy Axne will be present.
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CARSPA
Creston Area Retired School Personnel Association held its meeting March 9 at Creston Plaza Community Room with eight members present.
Diane Burgmaier gave a presentation about teh history of Amethist black glass. Her grandmother got her started with her collection of over 150 pieces 20 years ago. She brought some of her items to show the group. Some of the items included plates, vases, ashtrays, wine glasses, cookie jars, perfume bottles, a bean pot, butter dish, egg cups and other ornamental pieces that she found at flea markets and garage sales over the years.
Burgmaier also presided over the business meeting. Peg Lewis gave an update to the group regaridng IPERS.
There will be no CARSPA district meeting. Money collected for kleenex fund will be sent to St. Malachy school. Marisue Lewis won the door prize.
the group’s next meeting will be 8:30 a.m. April 13 at Creston Plaza Community Room.