Club News

Martha Washington Questers 1032 met on Nov. 18, at the home of Vicki Ealy in Washington, with Mary Statler as co-hostess. The meeting was opened by president Virginia Reighard and the reciting of the Quester Invocation. For roll call, members said whether they were entertaining for Thanksgiving or going somewhere else. The minutes were read and approved, as was the treasurer?s report. The club gave $50 to each of two projects. Members were reminded that dues were due anytime, and ?snow birds? were urged to pay as soon as possible.

Virginia informed members that state officers are needed, in case anyone would like to apply. She also said that the Questers motto had been changed, and that the motto now is: ?Preserving the past for the future through restoration, acquisition and education.? She reminded everyone of the Terrace Hill Tea to be held Dec. 5. She told about some other interesting Christmas events, such as the Pella Open House Tour on Dec. 2, the Albia Christmas Stroll on Dec. 3, and the Washington Tour of Homes on Dec. 3-4. The group decided that they would go to the Pella Open House on Friday, Dec. 2; at least four members could attend, and planned to work out details later. The next meeting will not be until March 24, at the home of Marilyn Whitenack.

The program was given by Jane Fehr, who told about the origin of cornflakes and the lives of their founders, the Kellogg brothers. She explained that they belonged to the Seventh Day Adventist church and were vegetarians. They both worked in an Adventist hospital and were looking for some breakfast food other than bacon and eggs, and they stumbled onto some wheat flakes that became popular. Soon they made them with corn, and cornflakes were born. The brothers parted ways after a time, and the older brother became head doctor at the Battle Creek Sanitarium and the younger brother went on to found the Kellogg Breakfast Cereal Company and make millions of dollars. He was known for his advertising techniques, which included putting prizes in the boxes, using the radio for advertising, and putting his name on every box in big red letters. Kellogg was very philanthropic and left millions to schools and the Battle Creek community. He set up a foundation which today is estimated at $7 billion. An interesting report on our humble cornflakes!