Christmas is just around the corner and the Gladbrook Legion, Auxiliary and Juniors met at 6:30pm this chilly but nice Wednesday evening, Dec 11, for their annual Christmas Candlelight service and program put on by the Junior Auxiliary. A large group of members were here to enjoy a light lunch served by Tandi Davis and Shanna Goos, followed by the skit on the blessings of Christmas along with Rudolph and a herd of reindeer. The gals lead the group by candlelight as we sang our favorite Christmas Carols. The Legion and Auxiliary then held separate business meetings. President Jeanne reminded and thanked all volunteers, those who have donated money or items for the Kids Shopping Day to be held on Saturday, Dec 14 at Peace Church. This is a huge project with lots of hours spent organizing and preparing for this day so the 120 plus children may ‘shop’ for family from the items that filled the tables. The Lions Club also has their annual Soup Day at the Memorial Bldg that day along with a 4-H cookie walk. An update on the activities of Nat’l President Nik told of her invitation to participate in the Memorial Service at Pearl Harbor on Dec 7 as they laid to rest a surviving member of the Arizona. The ship is the final resting place of the crew who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor during the WWll. Only 2 others still survive and will be buried on family plots. She will be back in Iowa and able to attend the Iowa/USC Holiday Bowl game on December 27. The IVH residents are again making those famous rugs and Gladbrook will be holding sewing days on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb 4 and 5 9am at the Memorial Bldg. Anyone with a portable sewing machine may bring it, or just bring a scissors and a smile and join us to sew, snip and roll our materials into balls for their looms. On Tuesday, bring a can of soup for the pot for lunch and on Wednesday…we’ll think of something. Men welcome! The membership team reports we are nearly at goal of 262 members and have just a few members left to collect. National renewal notices will not be sent out again until January so if you have not paid, do so ASAP as we have sent in your name so you will not be delinquent as of Dec 31 and therefore you will not receive that notice! Discussion on a project for the Auxiliary as we celebrate our 100th anniversary this year, 2020. Ideas are welcome. Meeting adjourned with a lively ‘take away’ gift exchange and all sent home with a hearty wish for a Merry Christmas and a great New Year.