October 2015

 DMARSPA OCTOBER 22, 2015, MINUTES
1.  President Justine Finley began the meeting by welcoming members.  She advised  people that the wait staff does not come on duty until 10 a.m.  So, please don't expect coffee refills. 2.  Paula Shaeffer introduced the speakers.   Carson Ode is a native of Iowa, graduate of Luther College, and for 43 years has worked as an illustrator and writer.   His wife Connie has been his partner in all endeavors.   His two books are on Celebrating Iowa. Speakers - Mr. and Mrs. Ode, authors of Iowa: Spaces, Places and Faces,  and Celebrate Iowa.    Mr. Ode began by saying, "I love Iowa, the prairie, the interior network of river and streams; I love the community leaders and volunteers who keep these towns vibrant."   He and his wife Connie explored the state, county by county, river to river.  stopping in every county seat and interviewing interesting people along the way.   They covered three counties Thursday through Sunday, from January to December.   Then Carson would come back and write.   Connie typed and edited and provided unsolicited critiques.  Over 15,000 miles were covered in the first book; 23,000 miles covering the second book.      Connie divulged that her husband wrote everything in long hand.   They wanted to interview every walk of life to get a flavor of Iowa.  The couple would ask people for others to interview, and found good stories.  They wanted to cover as many diverse backgrounds as possible.   Tama was full of fascinating stories.  In Madrid, they went to the Hindu temple.  They talked to the mayor in Cedar Falls/Waterloo area who recommended the restaurant with a replica of the Sistine chapel ceiling done by the Bosnian owner.   In Alkader,  there was an Arab restaurant.   It's the only Algerian city in Iowa.  Hispanic foods were sampled in Perry.  About a third of the population in Denison is Hispanic.  Along the way, they met several interesting characters.  Artists, auctioneers, teachers, three celebrities (Greg Brown, musician, a Miami Dolphin defensive End, Gary Kelly, an artist,), judges..   Went to all kinds of farms, - organic in Cascade, where owners raised everything they ate.  Even though she had grown up on a farm, Connie learned new things,such as; having to shower before and after entering the pig farm.  Sometimes they wouldn't have a lead for a story, but would stumble upon one.  One 90 year old man in sydney at the library related abut the rum runners.  He wanted them to hurry and get the book published because he was 90.    Mr. Ode also liked to go to the festivals.   He made it to 103, such as; the St. Patrick's Day festival in Emmetsburg.  The festival trip started in Cherokee with the Jazz Festival, continued with several others, including the Decorah Ivory Festival, the Drake Relays in Des Moines, the Hobo Convention in Britt ,Amana Octoberfest and ended with The Festival of Trees in Quad Cities, and Santa Express in Boone.    One question they would always ask was why the person lived in Iowa.   The answer usually would be - the people.  Their books were available for sale. 3.  Co-vice president Sharon Cooley initiated the singing of Happy Birthday to those people whose birthdays were in October. 4.   The Pledge of Allegiance was given,  and a moment of silence was observed. 5.   Lunch was provided by Barrattas. 6.  Justine thanked the wait staff for all they do to make our day possible.
7.  Joe Nemec read one of his original poems, "The Wooden Dish." 8.  Shirley Corkhill related one of her jokes. 9.   Justine Finley called the meting to order.   10.  Secretary Sherry Wilkinson read the September 24 minutes, and the minutes were approved as read. 11.  Treasurer - Rosemary Hillman- checking started off with $10,596.37 and ended with 10, 646.37. Scholarship fund started with $376.42 and ended with $626.66 after contributions of $250.00  and 24 cents interest.   Our total assets ended with $11, 273.03   She thanked everyone who attended the IRSPA conference.  People had good comments.  Justine thanked Rosemary for all of her effort for the conference.   Report will be filed for audit 12.  Courtesy:  Sue (absent)       A.  Marilyn Kelly - hip surgery-        B.  Elaine Erikson's husband passed - sympathy card 13.  Legislative Update - Gary Thelen:  no report (absent). 14.  OLD BUSINESS:       A.  IRSPA conference report - Walt Galvin related he had been to 20 conferences and none were better than ours.  Marilyn Reese was disappointed that more DMARSPA  members did not attend.  The entertainment and food were good, as well as the presentations on Thursday.  Marilyn thanked Joelle Synder who set up all of the registration.  The Board did us proud.  This was the first time the conference has been held in Des Moines.       B.  Shirley Corkhill related a joke, leading into a thank you gift for JoEllen and Bill Synder for all of their work to make the conference great.  Shirley read thank you cards from state participants.         C.   Members were urged to continue to record their volunteer hours in the back of their             membership book. Someone mentioned at the conference to divide those hours you spend with children and with the community. 15  NEW BUSINESS: None 16.  ANNOUNCEMENTS: None 17.  GUESTS AND VISITORS:  None 18.  Door Prize:  A plant from Boeson's was won by Jane Johnson. 19.  Justine Finley adjourned the meeting at 12:35 p.m.     Our next meeting will be December           10, with our program being "Holiday Strings With Marjorie Reynolds."  She reminded people that we will be having a gift exchange, which is voluntary.   Keep it little.  Also, in December, bring a book for Visiting Nurses Story Book Project.   The books can be new or slightly used.

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