P.E.O. Chapter MB; Farm Bureau Women; American Legion Auxiliary

P.E.O. CHAPTER MB

The next regular meeting of P.E.O. Chapter MB will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the home of Jeanne Erickson?s home.

The co-hostesses are Joan Allen and Judy Lauritsen.

???

JEFFERSON COUNTY FARM BUREAU WOMEN

The monthly meeting of the Jefferson County Farm Bureau Women was Tuesday at the Fairfield Hy-Vee Food Store and Drug Store, with Christine Schiedel as hostess. She provided Easter basket favors and cookies for dessert.

After lunch, Hy-Vee dietician Dee Sandquist gave a program around the topic of food. She touched on several areas, such as food trends and current hot topics, food allergies, and she answered the group?s questions.

An informal meeting was held. Roll call was answered by 15 women; minutes were read and approved.

The group plans a trip to the World Food Building, suggesting this summer, but staying away from both the county and state fair dates.

Wilma Lewis Whitham announced the county fair is hoping to have more entrants into the ?open class? which would include crafts. If interested in details, visit with Whitham. Fair dates are June 25-30.

The next meeting will be held in Sigourney, with Jeanine Peiffer as hostess, starting with lunch at the Pizza Ranch and then a visit to the Dumont Museum near Sigourney. Those planning to attend the May 6 meeting should meet at 10:30 a.m. in the Jefferson County ISU Extension Office parking lot to carpool.

???

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

Members of American Legion Auxiliary No. 47 met recently in the Fairfield VFW Hall.

The meeting was opened with a prayer, pledge of allegiance to the flag and the auxiliary preamble.

Roger Frakes of Ollie presented ideas on how the local unit can serve local veterans. He suggested the auxiliary make an effort to bring the traveling Vietnam Wall exhibit to Fairfield. He had specific ideas on how to raise funds to do so. It takes $5,000 to get the wall and $2,000 to pay the drivers to bring it to Fairfield.

Frakes also encouraged donating to Patriot Guard Riders of Iowa for new flags and plaques for funerals to give to families.

Darlene Vorhies listed several veterans service organizations, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foriegn Wars, Disabled American Veterans and others, whose commanders/administrators receive little or no compensation for their efforts, as well as several others whose salary are extremely high and left little for the cause.

Linda Hendricks has contacted Parkview Care Center for numbers of veterans residing there and will contact SunnyBrook Assisted Living and SunnyBrook Living Care Center for numbers so the auxiliary can help those veterans.

Treasurer Shirly Kitch said money has been sent to the veteran who made the auxiliary?s 2014 poppies for distribution and money also has been sent for veterans needs at the VA Hospital in Iowa City.

Rita VanDerSnick has sent coupons for use by veterans and their families in overseas countries. Commissaries honor coupons up to six months after experation dates. To donate coupons, call VanDerSnick at 472-4269.

Kitch has been in contact with Jim Marshall, who helps coordinate Honor Flights in southeast Iowa. Marshall is concerned because so many of the veterans are older and unable to make the trip. Frakes noted flights for veterans of more recent wars have been started.

Frakes read ?A Veteran Died Today? and shared information on how the flag is drapped over caskets of veterans. Kitch read ?I Am Your Flag,? which identified the meaning of red, white and blue.

Poppy Days were set for May 23-24. VanDerSnick and Kitch will schedule workers. Anyone willing to volunteer can call 472-4269.

Vorhies noted poppies left over from previous years should have a worthy use. Anyone with suggestions and willing to help should call her at 472-4449.

???