Residents participate in St. David’s Day Welsh Parade

The 11th annual St. David's Day Welsh Parade and festivities were held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Columbus Junction. Many families from the local Crawfordsville area participated, some for the first time.Well over 100 people of Welsh descent marched down the streets of Columbus Junction from the viaduct to the American Legion Hall at exactly 1 p.m. just as the rain ended. Families cheerfully walked and waved Welsh flags and carried banners identifying their Welsh family names.

At the colorfully decorated Legion Hall, a tasty Lobscow Soup was served along with an array of complimentary dishes and desserts.

The gathering honoring those who are 100 percent Welsh included Dallas Davis, Duane Davis, Ruth Erwin, Ruth Van Auken, Jack Pugh, Art Pugh, Delmore Evans, Delbert Rees and Margaret Patterson. The celebration was in honor of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales.

St. DAVID'S DAY FLAG

St. David lived in the 6th century. He has his own flag as shown in the picture above. It features a yellow cross on a black background. The picture also shows a leek, daffodil and dragon (symbols of Wales.)

DAVIES FAMILY GATHERING

On Sunday, March 5, 2023 members of the Evan H. Davies family gathered in the Fellowship Hall of the United Church of Crawfordsville from 1-4 p.m. The intent of the gathering was to document the descendants of the Davies family who emigrated from mid-Wales in 1850. Future generations dropped the e from the Davies name and became known as Davis. Evan H. Davies and his wife, Elizabeth (Evans) Davies and their eight children left their hill farm in Wales, sailed across the Atlantic and arrived in Iowa where they pioneered in the wild prairies of Louisa and Washington counties. The eight children, at the time of their departure from Wales were Hugh E. (20), Evan E. ( 18), John S. (16), Edward E. (15), Robert (13), Elizabeth (8), Joseph (6), and Catherine (4).

Those attending on Sunday came from Arizona, Ames, Davenport, Swisher, Solon, Kalona, North Liberty, Iowa City, Fruitland, Mt. Union, Columbus City, Mt. Union and Washington in Iowa, as well as the Crawfordsville area.

Everyone present agreed that repeat gatherings are needed. A special thank you was given to Renee Love Cue, who came from Arizona and shared extensive documentation that has been collected to date on the Evan H. Davies family.

LIONS CLUB MEETING

The Crawfordsville Lions Club met Monday, March 13, 2023 for their 6:3o p.m. dinner meeting at the Crawfordsville Community Room with 13 members in attendance. Lion President Finke opened the meeting leading the Pledge to the Flag and Lion Larry Love offered prayer.

Following a delicious meal prepared and served by Alice Hochstetler the meeting reconvened. Secretary Rose read the minutes of the February 13 meeting and they were approved as read. Treasurer Finke gave his report.

Old Business: Lion Swailes thanked everyone for their help at the recent Pancake Supper Treasurer Finke reported on the expenditures for the supper. He stated it was a success with many in attendance and a nice profit. Lion Gene said there is leftover meat for sale. Pork chops, bacon and sausage. Contact Gene if you are interested.

New Business: A motion was made seconded and approved to purchase 65 chairs for the Fire Station with proceeds from the Pancake Supper. It was suggested the last three presidents of the club get together to select next year's officers. The date of Wednesday, March 22 at 1 p.m. was decided upon to take down Christmas lights. Lion Luetta Greene mentioned the choosing of the scholarship recipient and the club is leaving it up to her own discretion. Council Chair Nancy brought to everyone's attention that our club will be celebrating their 70th anniversary in June and suggested the club plan something special for the occasion. The Crawfordsville Club was chartered on June 19, 1953.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.

President Finke entertained us with trivia on many different subjects.