Club News

Dorothy Koehler was hostess to 10 Log Cabin Questers. The group met for dessert at the United Presbyterian Home dining room, and had a brief tour of the facilities on their way to Herb and Dorothy?s apartment.

Sheila Gerot conducted the business meeting. Highlights from the president? s letter included a concern about a reduction in national membership of 23 chapters and 469 members in the past three years. Iowa is following that trend with a drop of 217 members during that time. The president also challenged the group to find folks to serve on the nominating committee. The state meeting will be held in Story City on Oct. 17; registration deadline is Oct. 5.

Norma Stutzman gave the treasurer?s report. A discussion of the special account money and the grant application process was held.

Stephanie Pomeroy gave the program on ?picture nails.? During the 15th century, people started hanging pictures in castles and the homes of the wealthy. Later, this option became available to the common people, with the addition of molding or railings 1-1 ½ inches below the ceiling. A type of S hook was used on the molding to hang pictures, with two hooks used per picture. There were areas such as stairwells, where the molding did not work well for picture-hanging. Wall embellishment began to include things other than pictures, such as dishes and shelves. Picture nails came into being to address these issues. A picture nail has a decorative head that may be one inch or larger. During the 1920s, people wanted ceilings and pictures lowered, and the hanging went from the use of two nails to one nail. The nail was decorative and sometimes embellished with a tassel and ribbons. During the 1940?s, picture nails gave way to the ?invisible? nail that is used today to hang pictures.

Antique picture nails can be found today; some are just covers without the nails. She shared her collection, and encouraged the group to look at home for picture nails, many which may be found in a button box or in a tool box.

The next meeting will be Nov. 5 at 1:30 p.m. Norma Stutzman will host the group at the Kalona Bakery. Karen Lyons will present the program, ?The Games we Played.?