Gladbrook Auxiliary members pictured are, from left, Lisa Reinhard, National Americanism Award, Jeanne Paustian, National Children and Youth Award and PNP Nik Clapp, National Security Award. Contributed photo

The Gladbrook Auxiliary held their regular meeting in the Memorial Building on this rainy October 11th day. President Jeanne Paustian opened the meeting with all repeating the Pledge to our Flag and prayer by Chaplain Joyce Swangel. Seven officers answered the roll call.

A Memorial Service by Pres. Paustian and Chaplain Swangel was held for Poppy Chairman and member Jodi Betts who passed away and was laid to rest in Waterloo’s Memorial Gardens on Oct 2. The charter was draped by PNP Nik Clapp.

The minutes were read and approved. No treasurer’s report was noted. The Auxiliary served 48 Seniors a delivered meal on Oct. 8 with plans for the next dinner on Nov. 12. The Unit is planning a trunk of goodies for the Commercial Club’s Trunk-or-Treat project on Main Street Oct. 31. Donations of candy or small treasures are needed.

The Unit is hosting a potluck supper on Monday, Nov. 8 welcoming all veterans and families for the 6:30 meal. PNP Nik Clapp will again show a video of the Phoenix Convention along with welcoming our Dept, Dist and Co Commanders.

There will be no Veterans Day program at Westbrook Acres that was previously scheduled for Nov. 11, due to COVID restrictions.

The fall sewing days have also been canceled until next year and hopefully the IVH rugmakers will be catching up on all those stored carpet materials.

PNP Clapp told of her last official visit to Iowa at the Department Convention in Des Moines in July. She received a Legion Riders vest from that group and an invitation to ride a motorcycle to the National Convention in August – another new experience. With money donations received Nik plans to build climate-controlled display cases for National Headquarters Cavalcade of Memories memorabilia in Indianapolis.

Department Awards presented at the State Convention were presented to the Unit and Committee chairman. Also the Unit received 4 Central Division Award Plaques for Children and Youth and National Security chaired by Pres. Jeanne, Americanism by Lisa Reinhard and Poppy by Jodi Betts. A motion was made by Pres. Jeanne to present this plaque to Jodi’s family, seconded and carried.

The Unit will again be making popcorn balls on Monday, Nov. 29 at 9 a.m. in the Memorial Building for the Santa’s Sacks. The Commercial Club is planning their Festival of Trees in the City Center and Christmas Events on Wednesday evening December 1. (They are still looking for a tree)

The Auxiliary will be hosting the annual Senior Citizens Festival of Trees dinner on Friday, Dec. 3 at 11:30 in the City Center. This will be a sit-down meal with deliveries available.

Education chair Sue Koster introduced PNP Nik as she told through video highlights of her 2 yrs as our National Auxiliary President. She reported traveling 140,000 miles across America, Alaska and Hawaii, covering 42 states and able to visit all but 12 states. Everyone was celebrating our 100th anniversary, so there was lots of cake. She also told of putting on that vest and riding with Bob Wenger of Atkins and the Shellsburg Legion Riders as they joined over 200 cycles in the Motorcycle Legacy Run to Phoenix. They joined the group in Rogers Ark. Refueling all those bikes was a process with arrangements made ahead at stations, until they ran out of fuel throwing them way off schedule. Arriving in Scottsdale AZ, Nik had to fly on into Phoenix to stay on schedule. She reported enjoying the challenges of her 2 year journey in spite of Covid but was also ready to turn the reins on to her successor, Kathy Daudistel of Kentucky.

The meeting was adjourned with a closing prayer by the Chaplain. Terri Luehring and Rose Russell treated us all to a delicious ‘chocolate’ pudding dessert to sweeten our trip home.