March 18, 2024

Club Notes

Olive Jane Lamb Chapter of Questers

The Olive Jane Lamb Chapter of Questers met in the home of Rachel McKibben on April 11 with 12 members present.

President Linda Kirchhoff called the meeting to order and asked that the minutes be read and the treasurer’s report be given. Dues should be sent to Susan Hawk at her home address. A slate of officers for next year was nominated and approved: Linda Kirchhoff, president; Betty Peterson, vice president; Karen Hoffmeier, secretary; Susan Hawk, treasurer; and JoAnn Becker, historian. Plans were made for a summer outing to Shay’s Tea Room.

Rachel McKibben gave a program titled “In the Blenko of an Eye.” She and her husband began collecting Blenko glass at an estate sale in Colorado in 1970. Her table was dazzling with examples of Blenko pieces ranging from decanters to vases and bookends. The pieces were in shades of green, orange, red tangerine and purple.

Blenko glass was started in London by William Blenko in 1854. He came to the United States and started one of America’s first gas-fueled operations. In 1921, he started The Eureka Glass Company, but the name was later changed to The Blenko Glass Company. The line of tableware that we see today is 90 percent hand blown. Blenko glass may be seen in many stain glass windows throughout the United States.  Examples of Blenko glass can be seen in windows at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, the White House collection of tableware, the U.S. Military Hall of Fame Awards and the Country Music Awards. McKibben also spoke about the care and cleaning of glassware.

The meeting concluded with conversation and dessert served by the hostess.

Sugar Grove

Ladies Club

The March meeting of the Sugar Grove Ladies Club took place at Perkins in Newton.

President Barbara Gannon presided over the business meeting. Secretary Beverly Curtis read minutes, and Colette Hill gave the treasurer’s report.

Roll call, a favorite spring flower, was answered by members Barbara Gannon, Colette Hill, Alice Beatty, Adra Clymer, Beverly Curtis, Betty Snook and Bonnie Swalwell Eilert.

A coin collection was taken for the group’s sponsored child, Kevin of Colombia. Gannon read a letter of thanks from him along with a letter from the Christian Society. The boy’s father is no longer with his family, and they now have an income of only $50 a month. The club’s contribution allows Kevin to remain in school instead of entering the workforce to help his family.

Three husbands, Dick Gannon, Roy Eilert and Francis Snook, also attended the meeting. The April meeting will be at the Francis Snook home.

Spirit of ’76 Questers

The Spirit of ’76 Questers met in March at the Hy-Vee Club Room with Betty Newell and Beverly Curtis as co-hostesses.

Pam Andrews presided over the business meeting. Secretary Kathy Wilson read the minutes, and Betty Newell gave the treasurer’s report.

The group voted to increase the yearly dues to $37 because state and national dues also have increased. Mary Loe and Carmen Pierce were appointed to the nominating committee to procure a slate of officers for the coming year.

Following the meeting, Newell presented a program on the life of the late artist and illustrator Norman Rockwell. He began his career at the age of 16 when he was commissioned to paint a series of American postcards. He soon became known for his work on the covers of the Saturday Evening Post, Boy Scout Magazine and other well-known magazine covers. Newell displayed several prints and a coffee table book containing copies of all the Saturday Evening Post covers.

Following the program, Curtis served refreshments with an Easter theme to Newell and members Barb Pherigo, Pam Andrew, Rita Reinheimer, Gayle Berryhill, Kathy Wilson, Jeanne Sandholm, May Loe, Carmen Pierre and Betty Snook.