Wiltfangs return from trip to Florida

Dan and Linda Wiltfang recently returned home from six weeks in Pensacola, Florida. Although born and raised in Iowa, spending 40 plus years living in Abaco, in the northern Bahamas Islands, it makes winter feel like an unfair punishment. While there they visited their son, Daniel and wife, Mary and children, Katherine, Dax and Landon.

Their eldest son, Daniel, is a Commander and a helicopter pilot in the Navy and stationed in Pensacola. Although not far from their beloved island home, it held the advantage of being with grandchildren, renewing family ties, with the possibility of warm sunny days.

They rented a VRBO located a few miles from their son's family's home. After a false start due to car issues, they managed to make their arrival coincide with granddaughter Katherine's final basketball game of the season. Her team lost, but they were thrilled to see her play.

Days later, they watched her and her brother, Dax play their first soccer game of the season. He has become quite a good football player as well, so the family spends much time arranging schedules for school, practice and games. The oldest grandson, Landon,16 has been doing weight training and Grandpa and Grandma were amazed at how tall and grown up he's become.

One of the happy coincidences of the trip was attending a change of command ceremony. Daniel is transitioning to a new job, and this was the retirement and handing over of command of his former boss. Any event that includes Marines adds a level of pomp and circumstance to the ceremony as they do everything with more flair and ceremony than other service branches.

The formality, the uniforms and everything was very crisp and precise. Linda was introduced to the admirals and impressed that they knew her son by name and said wonderful things about him. She says "they really know how to make a Momma proud."

The kid's school does an annual event called the Wax Museum.

Every year, students in Katherine's class choose icons in history.

Posters made by students showed photos and information about each of their achievements. Everyone was dressed in character. Katherine chose Ruth Bader Ginsberg, complete with black robe, grey bun and lace collar.

As Dan and Linda are seasoned thrifters, they enjoyed visiting several thrift stores and salvage yards. They drove out to Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island and ate some fabulous seafood at beachfront restaurants.

The weather was mild and pretty sunny and they managed to miss "Snowmageddon" by a few days. They were able to spend more time with family than they anticipated and enjoyed their time immensely. Since the little ones change so fast, they dream of repeating the trip next year.

LIONS CLUB MEETS

The Crawfordsville Lions Club met Monday, March 24, 2025 at 7 p.m. at the Crawfordsville Community Center with eleven members present.

The meeting opened with President Davis leading the Pledge of Allegiance and Lion Larry Fletcher giving the prayer.

Secretary Rose read the minutes of the March 10 meeting and they were approved as read. The Treasurer's report was given by Treasurer Finke.

Old Business: All money is in and all bills have been paid from the recent Pancake Supper. The slate of officers for 2026 were approved unanimously with current officers retaining their current officers, with the exception of Third Vice President and Lion Shirley Massey will be filling that position.

New Business: There was a message from Sheri Holliday, Iowa Lions International Youth Exchange asking for host families for International Students, June 28-July 20. Lions Clubs, Churches and Communities can be hosts.

An Open House will be held in Coralville on April 4 for Iowa Kids Sight.

The Lions District 9SE Convention will be held April 11-12 at the First Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant.

The WACO Guidance Counselor has been contacted concerning the Scholarship.

Norma White from Ainsworth had contributed some glasses and hearing aids to the club and they will be given to Liom Jewell to turn in.

There being no further business to come before the club, President Davis adjourned the meeting.

Refreshments were served by Lions Swailes and Lion Lance Miller.

Tail Twister Finke entertained with various fun trivia.