MAY 2023 LUNCHEON AND BUSINESS MEETING

May 4, 2023 found the Novelty Senior Citizens again at the center for the monthly carry-in luncheon.  Becky, from the KCHD was there to check blood pressures and answer any questions anyone had.  Since this was her first time here, she had not come prepared to eat with us. 

Diana led the pledge to the flag, and Jim gave the invocation.  That was followed by “Happy Birthday” being sung to Marsha.  The angel food/strawberry shortcake cake was baked by Judith.   Those attending were Jim and Marsha Pinson, Judith Rhoades, Diana Cheatum, Dorothy Howard, and Carolyn Morgret.   (Kathryn Wilkerson came in for the business meeting).  Although few in number, we did have three types of meat—lil smokies, brisket, and bbq ribs.  MMMM! Plus veggies, salads (both vegetable and “dessert” type) along with the birthday cake!  

 

At 1:15, Diana called the business meeting to order.  Minutes to last month’s meeting were read by Marsha.  They were seconded by Carolyn and approved as presented.  Judith distributed the treasurer’s report.   Carolyn  seconded her request for the report to be approved:  approved as presented.

Unfinished/Old business

1.     JC  has mowed the lawn…with help from his son Brady!  Thank you, JC. 

2.    As far as we know all wreaths have been removed from the cemeteries.

3.    Novelty Senior Citizens have are again registered as a sponsorship for Wreaths Across America for 2023.  We were notified by email within the last week. 

4.    Carolyn had received a thank you note from Vickie Perry Glas, thanking her for placing the wreath for a great uncle at IOOF cemetery and expressing gratitude to all the volunteers who do this. 

New business:

1.     Diana will again be in charge of the boots that are placed at businesses for donations to the wreath project. 

2.    Discussion on getting the word out about the wreath project.  A few had had folks tell them “I didn’t know about that project”.  We’ve been doing this for 7 years and paying for advertising has gone up a lot.  Marsha puts it on her facebook page every couple of months, Diana many times shares that post on her page.  Should we do fliers?  Many locals do not take the Sentinel? 

Marsha will bake the birthday cake next month.  Coffee makers throughout May are 9^th—Diana;  16^th---Judith;  23^rd—Kathryn; 30^th—Marsha.  Next month’s luncheon will be June 1 with a possibility of two birthdays.

 

Novelty Senior Citizens’ met for the monthly luncheon on April 6, 2023.  Easter bunny decorations  were the décor for the month.  Judith, Edra, Marsha, Dorothy, and Diana were present.  The health nurse had sent word that she was quarantined with COVID.  Dorothy led us in prayer after the pledge was recited. 

At 1:15, the business meeting was called to order by President Diana.  Marsha read the minutes, asked for them to be approved.  Judith seconded her motion  with the minutes being approved as read.  Judith distributed a copy of March’ income and expenses, and asked for it to be approved.  She explained the “budget” plan we have been utilizing, and the “levelized” plan which REC is now using.  Marsha seconded, and the report was approved.

Wreath project:  Marsha reminded all that as of February 1, 2023, the price of wreaths has gone from $15 to $17 each.  Wreaths have been removed from Novelty cemetery, Mt. Salem, and St Joseph’s cemetery.    No other business was conducted. 

Judith will make the birthday cake for May.  Coffee makers will be Judith, Diana, Marsha, Judith.

 

March 2, 2023 found the Novelty Senior Citizens’ meeting for the monthly luncheon.  Rhonda was there from the KCHD to take the blood pressures of those attending (and also brought food to share for our meal as well).  All joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, then Dorothy gave the invocation.   We all sang “Happy Birthday” to Dorothy as she celebrated today.  She blew out the (2) candles on the cake baked by Diana.

After eating, Rhonda took a couple of trays to Gerald and Betty Perry, who are still staying mostly indoors.

  At 1:20 Diana  called the meeting to order.  Marsha read the minutes from January (no luncheon in February).  Judith seconded her motion to approve, and it was unanimously approved.  She also shared the notice on our blogspot about the February meeting canceled, as well as the notice that wreaths have gone up as of February 1  to $17 each.

Judith gave both months’ treasurer’s report.  (she’d had a bit of trouble getting the bank and checkbook to balance, but yes, it is!)   The REC—electric—bill which has been on a budgeted plan (same amount for 11 months of the year, and the twelfth month shows the difference), which is shown in the February billing.  We decided to try to keep it on the plan that we had been using.    As of today, with no bills received yet for this month, our balance is $xxx.xx and a balance on our CD is $xxx.xx 

In unfinished business, Diana had brought up to the Green Acres about the Christmas meeting they have—they invite the coffee ladies to join them and all bring Christmas treats to enjoy.   The Green Acres ladies will decide later if they wish to have this again, or perhaps do something else. 

Marsha had a picture from a 2006 Edina Sentinel “old time” news which showed “Old Smoky Jim” the engine of the train that ran from Shelbina to Novelty from 1913-1938.  The railway had a mail contract that delivered the mail to us:  when the tracks got in such poor condition that engines could no longer run, the railroad had to modify a truck to run on the tracks to fulfill that  mail contract.  It was the Shelby Northwestern Railroad which declared bankruptcy in March, 1938.  Marsha will put the picture in the binder with the other histories she has and also with the minutes as they are approved.

Next luncheon/meeting will be April 6.  No birthdays in April, so no one will especially make a cake for them.   Coffee makers for this month will be March 7—Judith; 14—Marsha; 21—Judith;  28—Diana;  April 4—Marsha. 

After chatting a bit more, meeting was adjourned.