WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA--DECEMBER 17, 2022

Our annual Wreaths Across America project finished the year in great shape.  Weather-wise, it was a bit chilly, but doable (just wait until next week!)  

Wreaths were delivered on Monday afternoon, December 12th.  Joyce, son and grandson, Judith and grandson met the truck to unload the 58 boxes of wreaths.  (The next morning 3 of them tested positive for COVID!)  After weekly coffee on Tuesday, the ladies stayed to get organized.  Boxes were checked and put in various places in the center for the bigger groups.  

On Friday, Marsha and Joyce met back at the center--Joyce to prepare the "ceremonial wreaths" and Marsha met a KTVO newsman for an interview about the wreath project (he had usually covered the ceremony in Jacksonville MO, but decided to get a more "local" group.)  He was then coming back Saturday morning for our ceremony.  

Later Friday evening, Joyce met Kent at the church to get the sanctuary set up for the ceremony Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m.  Flags were placed  (US flag, Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POW/MIA) and stands were made ready for the ceremonial wreaths. Each year we have borrowed these flags from the Knox City American Legion post, and we are very grateful for them.    (And yes, garbage bags were placed on the front pew and floor to alleviate SOME of the problems with wreaths shedding needles!)

At 11;00 Saturday morning, the service began. We were only one of over 3600 locations in the United States that participated, and 26 sites throughout the world at American Cemeteries.   Senior Center president Diana Cheatum welcomed those in attendance.   Lt. Col (ret) Keith Gudehus was the MC  

 All sang the National Anthem, accompanied by Marsha, then Lt. Col (ret) Gudehus lead in reciting the pledge of allegiance.   After remarks, he introduced each wreath-layer--Angela Wilson, David Roush, David Fagin, Jeff Love (in memory of his father, John), Larry Clark, and Jim Pinson.  For the POW/MIA, we know that we have 3 veterans buried  in Knox County who were POWs during WWII.  

After closing remarks by Keith, the Cyril Graham American Legion Post 261 from Edina had a 21-gun salute, followed by the playing of TAPS by Kent Hagerla.  

   

 Many of those present went down to the Novelty Cemetery to lay a wreath at a veteran's grave there (about 90 veterans are buried there, with over 40 of them being Civil War veterans).  The Senior Center was then reopened so purchasers could pick up their wreaths to place at the cemetery of their choosing. 

 

Ceremonial wreaths placed at the Novelty Cemetery.  

This was our most successful year of this project.  We had received 513 wreaths to be placed.  We were able to cover ALL veterans at the Novelty cemetery, the Mt. Salem cemetery, the Locust Hill cemetery, Bee Ridge cemetery, the St. Aloysius cemetery at Baring, and the St. Joseph (new) cemetery.   Wreaths were also placed at other cemeteries in Knox County as well as in Shelby County, Lewis County, Scotland County, Adair County, and Macon County.  

On Monday morning, Marsha and Diana met the County Commissioners at the Knox Co. Courtyard where they  laid wreaths at the veterans' memorial in the center of the courtyard.

       

We are very grateful for the support from our county for this project.  And also thankful for those who came and volunteered--we couldn't do this without your help.  From those who gathered enough support to completely cover their "local" cemetery to those who helped place wreaths at ALL the cemeteries....we thank you most sincerely.  

Here's to next year--and (save the date)  it is December 16, 2023    !!!!!

 

Novelty Senior Citizens’ met Thursday December 1, 2022 for the monthly luncheon and business meeting.  Decorations befitting the season were up and brightened the center.  Present were Diana, Judith, Edra, Kathryn, Dorothy, Marsha and nurse Rhonda.  Kathryn took food trays to Gerald and Betty Perry while others were getting their blood pressures checked.   Pledge was recited by all and Kathryn gave the blessing for the meal.  Two birthdays were celebrated—Diana’s and Rhonda’s. 

 

After eating, the business meeting was called to order at 1:05 by Diana.  Minutes of last month’s meeting were read by Marsha, seconded by Judith and approved by all.  Judith then gave the treasurer’s report, seconded by Kathryn and approved by all as presented. 

Business:

1.     Marsha made motion, seconded by Kathryn to authorize Judith to purchase new survey flags to put at the cemeter(ies) before next year.  (The ones put out this year have been used for 6 years and the plastic “flag” part is mostly gone.)  Motion passed.

2.    Judith’s grandson J.C. will help her get the tarp down on the floor in preparation for the arrival of the wreaths in the next couple weeks.  He will also help get the tripod up at the cemetery to hold the ceremonial wreaths.  No sign will be put up as it is in poor shape.   Joyce said her family (son & grandsons) would be available to help unload them when they come in.

3.     Notification has been received that the wreaths should arrive on Monday afternoon, December 12, prior to the ceremony on Saturday, the 17^th.  Approximately 52 boxes will be delivered.

4.    Joyce and Judith pretty much have the ceremony lined up with volunteers.  Keith Gudehus will serve as MC, and various veterans will lay ceremonial wreaths.  Edina (Knox Co.) legions will do the flag ceremony with Kent Hagerla playing TAPS.  The national anthem will be sung by all, as it was last year, and Marsha will accompany on the piano. 

5.    It was decided that we would not take the time to “fluff” all the wreaths as they are just put back in the boxes.  We will tell people to do that when the wreaths are picked up (and it will save us some time.) 

6.    Green Acres FCE will have their “Christmas treats” meeting with us on December 13^th.  Everyone can bring cookies, candy, etc, to share with them as we begin our Christmas traditions. 

 

Marsha will make the birthday cake for January (we have two birthdays that month—Edra and Jim).  Coffee makers for December are: 6—Diana, 13—Kathryn; 20—Marsha; 27—Judith; Jan. 3—Marsha.  The January luncheon and business meeting will be January 5^th.  

                 ANNUAL  DEER HUNTERS'  SOUP LUNCHEON

We had our annual first day of (firearms) deer hunting  soup luncheon on Saturday, November 12, 2022.  We had decided to serve chili, potato soup, and taco soup, along with cheeses and a relish tray and homemade pies and other desserts (including some pumpkin bread).  We served coffee or iced tea--all for a free will donation to help the center with expenses.  We did offer  some "carry-outs", even delivering to a couple here in town!  

We were happy to have  Judith, Edra, and Kathryn there to get set up, and Marsha, Diana, Carolyn, and Lynn there to help with the serving and clean-up.  

Although we didn't have a lot of patrons, we did have some from Kansas!  We were also pleased with the amount of monetary donations we received.  That will indeed help us to move forward this coming year.

Thanks to all who helped, and those who came to eat.

                                         November, 2022 luncheon and meeting

Novelty Senior Citizens met Thursday November 3, 2022 for the luncheon.  Dr. appointments and harvesting kept several away, so only Nurse Rhonda, Judith, Edra, Kathryn, Diana, and Marsha were present.  The pledge was recited by all and Kathryn gave the blessing.  The nurse had other obligations, so she did not stay to eat lunch with us, but we still had a nice variety of food items.  Dorothy wasn’t there to bring the cake, but then, we had no one celebrating a birthday this month. 

At 1:10 p.m. Diana called the business meeting to order.  Marsha read the minutes to the last meeting and they were approved as presented.  Judith distributed the treasurer’s report which was also approved as presented.

Business:

1.     WAA report.  Marsha had received an email from the trucking company and they tentatively plan to deliver the wreaths on Tuesday morning, December 13^th.

2.    Our annual soup luncheon will be held Saturday, November 12.  Ad has been placed in the paper stating serving times from 11:00-2:00 p.m.  The following have been volunteered/designated to bring:

Marsha—1 gallon potato soup

Diana—1 gallon chili, hickory nut pie

Judith—crackers, cheese, relish tray?

Pies/dessert:  2-Kathryn, 1-Edra; 2-Carolyn;

Dorothy?

Lemon lush dessert—Judith

Lynn Van Dolah has offered to come help if needed.  (She will come and bring crackers and some dessert)

Coffee makers for the month will be 8^th—Kathryn; 15^th—Diana; 22—Marsha; 29^th—Judith.  Judith will make cake for the December  1 luncheon/meeting

                     October 2022 Luncheon/Business Meeting

Novelty Senior Citizens’ met Thursday, October 6, 2022 for the monthly luncheon.  A beautiful fall day, with decorations inside the center season-appropriate.  The health nurse, Rhonda, came to check blood pressures and also ate lunch with us.  Marsha made the birthday cake, although no one there celebrated this month.  Others there were Judith, Edra, Dorothy, and Diana.  Men were harvesting.

After the lunch, about 1:10 p.m., Diana brought the business meeting to order.  Marsha read the minutes from last month and they were approved as presented.  Judith then gave the monthly treasurer’s report and it was also approved as presented. 

It was mentioned that the coffee ladies will sign a “thinking of you” card for Carolyn, and any monetary gift anyone would like to include in it will be given to her as a memorial for her son. 

Marsha reported that we have 230 paid wreaths sent in, with 151 additional ones during the BOGO promotion in January.  She has 29 more wreaths, with money in hand, and several more will come in.  The last of this month is the deadline for purchasing a wreath to be placed at the December 17, 2022 ceremony. 

Judith moved to have the soup luncheon on November 12 with no bake sale.  Motion passed.  Tentatively decided to have just chili and potato soup.  Finishing up the plans at the November meeting, which will be November 3. 

Coffee makers for this month are 11—Diana; 18—Marsha; 25—Kathryn; November 1—Judith.  Dorothy will make the birthday cake for the November meeting.

Judith moved to adjourn.

 Knox County CornFest was this past weekend.  Our Wreaths Across America booth was located in the same spot as it has been in the past (well, maybe a bit to the east--but still easily found).  Judith had brought all the materials needed and set up by 8:00 a.m.  (The "tent" had been set up the night before by Larry Clark--thanks for the use of it!!!)   Marsha joined Judith prior to the parade at 10:00, and they were basically at the booth all day.  We do thank Joyce (location coordinator for this project) and Diana for joining us at various times throughout the day.   Lots of people were around from parade time until after lunchtime. then it began dwindling.  We closed up shop by 4:00.  We got some purchased wreaths, and were glad to have them.  Donations were down from last year.  We were glad that we closed and had not planned on being open on Sunday as it rained in the evening.  

 

                    MONTHLY LUNCHEON--Sep 1, 2022

 On September 1, 2022, the monthly luncheon was held at the Novelty Senior Citizens’ building in downtown Novelty.  For the first time in 23 months, the public health nurse from the KCHD, Rhonda Penfield, came to take blood pressures for all attending, and also stayed to enjoy lunch with us.  Present were Edra, Diana, Judith, Jim and Marsha.  (After eating, Rhonda took two carry-out meals to Betty and Gerald Perry.)  Although a fewer number were present, we still had a good lunch and visiting. 

At 1:10, Diana called our business meeting to order.  Marsha read the minutes from the past two months, and both were accepted as presented.  Judith gave the treasurer’s report, which was also accepted as presented. 

Business items mentioned/conducted were:

1.     Cornfest is Sept 10^th.  We are assuming the site for our WAA booth is the same as it has been in the past; although as of now, we haven’t heard definitely.   A sign-up sheet was passed around for volunteer workers at the booth in 2-hour increments.  As few were here, not all slots were filled, but as in the past, Judith and Marsha generally spend the whole day there.  Judith will get there early enough to set up Saturday morning.  Plans are for the booth to open around 9:00, which is before the parade starts.

2.    Marsha has sent in more wreaths, money from our letters sent out in August. 

3.    We signed a birthday card to Helen Pulse, who will turn 90 September 6.  She had decided she couldn’t make it to the luncheon today. 

4.    Marsha will bake the birthday cake for October.  Coffee makers for this month are 6^th—Marsha; 13^th—Judith; 20^th—Diana; 27^th—Kathryn; Oct 4—Judith.

Judith made the motion to adjourn.