Alpha Study
Vice-President Pat Goos opened the meeting, September 22, in the President’s absence with a reminder from Paul Simon about the sound of a train being romantic, nostalgic, and hopeful. Each of the 19 members present recalled a special train trip or memory in response to roll call. Three members were excused, and two were absent. The Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports were accepted as read. Old Business: Discussion and preparation for a new member continued and will be voted upon at the next meeting, October 13, 2015. One change was made to correct Veta’s email address in our program booklets. New Business: With nothing new to be discussed, the program committee introduced Veta’s presentation on the Orphan Train, by Christina Kline. The orphan in this history is Vivian, who told her story to Molly, a child in foster care herself, as the two cleaned Vivian’s attic. Each stored memento they uncovered brought reminders and stories of the older woman’s trip on her Orphan Train and the several families with whom she lived during her youth. The reality of this event from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s was brought home with Veta’s report of a 1 ? year-old boy who came on an Orphan Train to live in Dysart, Iowa. We were reminded that Rose Russell will host our next meeting at Serendipity, with Claire Handorf presenting her book review. Our hostess Karen Handorf served a delicious apple dessert atop a lovely fall leaf decoration, along with refreshing beverages. Pat Clausen, Secretary
Alpha Study
Our first October meeting was held at Serendipity on October 13 and hosted by Rose Russell. President Joan Raum opened the meeting with Sheila Moss’s amusing thoughts about changing from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time and back called “Fall Forward? Fall Back?” The 17 members present shared what they liked or disliked about the fall season. Seven members were excused or absent. The Secretary’s report was read, corrected and approved. The Treasurer’s report was read and accepted. One note of appreciation was read from Martha Gamble, thanking the club for the library book presented in Doc Gamble’s memory. No bills were offered for payment. Old Business: The members voted on one prospective candidate to join Alpha Study; two members volunteered to extend the offer and report at the next meeting. No new business was presented or discussed. Joan reminded those in attendance that our next meeting will be at the home of Pat Goos on October 27 and then closed the business meeting with a delightful poem written by Julie L. O’Connor entitled Autumn. The program committee introduced Claire Handorf, who selected Sentenced to Life by Joan Becker, the mother of Mark Becker who murdered Aplington-Parkersburg Coach Ed Thomas in 2009. Originally intended for Joan Becker’s own catharsis, the book recounts Mark’s quiet childhood that descended into psychotic episodes beginning in his teens. Although he was institutionalized off and on, Mark’s stays were often short because he would revert to his own amicable self and/or because he was of legal age. In addition to the terrible death of Coach Thomas is the tragedy that the Mental Health system’s help was sporadic and inadequate for Mark, for his family, and for the community at large. Becker’s memoir of that heartbreaking period of their lives was well received by family members and friends who encouraged her to publish the memoir. Ultimately, Becker’s goal through her book and through her speaking engagements is to “help others” in similar circumstances; she “will never give up hoping and praying for a miracle” in the fight to make our Mental Health System more successful. For the refreshments, Serendipity’s Deb Osborn and Rose decided upon tasty and appealing spice cupcakes, finger goodies, and a choice of 3 beverages. Pat Clausen, Secretary