Club news 2/8/06

American Legion Post 158

Larry Koehler, commander of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158, presided over the Jan. 10 meeting. A new member, Julius Phillips, was introduced.

Boyd Summers, chaplain, gave a memorial service for all members of the post who died during the past year. Those members and years of membership are: Vernon Davault, 36 years; Carlton Meyer, 61 years; Eldor L. Jahn, six years; Marvin A. Fluegge, 43 years; Richard Sides, 21 years; James O. Johnson, 57 years; Dean Walker, 44 years; Eugene J. Arnzen, 54 years; L.E. "Pete" Poe, 55 years; Robert O. Hutson, 48 years; Joseph G. Cullen, 22 years; David Criddle, seven years; H.E. "Butch" Meyer, 22 years; Ralph Kasten, 56 years; Loy E. Grindstaff, 58 years; Virgil Lohmann, 44 years; Eugene H. Wilson, 60 years; Gilbert C. Bruhl, 14 years; and Gene Bartles, 24 years.

The minutes of the last meeting were approved as written. Richard Aguilar gave the financial report, and P.M. Kurre reported membership is at 622. There are 95 members not paid for 2006.

Lou Crites reported for the trustees that all the lights in the hall have been checked out and cleaned. Bill Poe reported that the Pete Poe family had donated a wheelchair and walker to the post. Virgil Whitener gave the house report, and Jack Latimer gave the club report. Leonard Adams reported that the dances had a very successful year.

Mike Strack gave the flag report. He is sill working on signs for the cemeteries in Jackson. Rosie Wells reported the honor guard had four services for members who had died.

Jim Nelson reported contributions to the American Legion Post 158 Memorial Scholarship Program from Charles Hutson in memory of Glen Starzinger, Robert Hutson and Earl Clifton; from the club room in memory of William McClard, Gene Wilson and Verna Lee Nitsch; from Lee and Cindy Bollinger in memory of Jerry Hinkebein; from Harland and Dorothy Siebert in memory of Eugene Wilson; and from Bob Hartle in memory of Tom O'Laughlin.

Hutson made a motion for the second vote to provide $1,500 to be a corporate sponsor for the Veterans Home golf tournament this year. The motion was seconded and passed.

Aguilar reported on visiting the USO at Lambert Airport in St. Louis. He made very commendable comments for the service and facilities for American military troops and made a motion that the post continue the $100 per month contribution to the organization.

Koehler announced the possibility of the post buying some adjoining property for $20,000 to be used for additional parking. The motion to buy the property was made and it was seconded and passed. In addition to the purchase price, an additional $1,000 is to be placed in the contract for escrow that will give the post first right of refusal on the front part of the property.

Koehler informed members that the old bingo equipment stored at the post and the confusion over who owned what had been worked out and an agreement to sell the equipment had been reached. A motion was offered to sell the bingo equipment and was seconded and passed.

Several thank-you notes were read.

Progressive Club

The Progressive club met Jan. 24 at the home of Elvia G. Percival with 12 members present. Mary Lou Talley was co-hostess.

The program was given by Denise Egbuka on hair braiding. Emily Kelley, granddaughter of Shirley Cracraft, was her model.

Shirley Beggs gave a reading on "Live for today."

After the minutes, treasurer's report and thank-you notes were read, the meeting adjourned and refreshments were served.

Lamplighters FCE

The Lamplighter FCE Club met Jan. 19 at the home of Linda Freeman. The meeting was called to order by JoAnn Hahs, president.

Hahs wished to acknowledge that women always seem to care for others, family, home, church, community, sometimes neglecting themselves. A challenge, called woman to woman, offered tips on caring for one's self. She brought books to share for leisure reading.

The club's bylaws were reviewed. New "yearbooks" with dates and agendas for meetings were handed out and reviewed.

A reminder was made that two scholarships are available for the National FCE Conference to be held in July at Nashville, Tenn.

A letter was read from Martha Slaten, the FCE Southeast District director, asking for input on each club's activities for the upcoming year.

A program was given by Karen McLane on domestic violence.

A February Fun Fest will be held at the Oak Ridge fellowship hall on Feb. 17.

Westview Lodge 103

Westview Lodge 103 in Millersville installed officers on Jan. 7. They are Mike King, worshipful master; Wade Randol, senior warden; Phillip Lee, marshal; Bill King, treasurer; Louis Crites, junior warden; Rusby Niswonger, secretary; John Crites, installing master; Ted Wilson, tiler; Bob Roe, installing chaplain; John Ruch, junior deacon; Lee Crites, senior deacon, William Niswonger, junior steward; and Jim Dudley, senior steward.

-- From staff reports