2025 Gladbrook Women’s Club Officers include (l-r) Joan Appelgate, Marcy Knaack, Barb Bereczki, Karen Handorf, Rhonda Hein, Joyce Swangel, Ann Vibbard, JoAnn Ruopp, and Lisa Petersen. Missing is Avriel Koester. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOANN RUOPP

GLADBROOK – On April 10, members of the Gladbrook Women’s Club served the Senior Citizens luncheon with a program presented by Melinda Ruopp and her K-9 Lizzy.

Following the program Co-President Rhonda opened the meeting with 15 members answering roll call with their pets’ names.

Minutes of the March meeting were read and the treasurer’s report was given.

Our May meeting will be held at BarLea Roots. Be thinking of prospective members to be invited. Lunch will be served at 11:30.

Easter Egg coloring at Westbrook will be April 17 at 2 p.m. The committee will assist with markers and stickers to decorate the plastic eggs.

The Gladbrook Women’s Club donated a microwave and dish drainer for use at the Tama County Fair food stand. Accepting the donation is Christy Flamme, third from right. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOANN RUOPP

We are signed up to work the Tama County Fair food stand on Thursday, July 17. We need everyone to sign up for a shift.

The theme for Corn Carnival this year is “Corn in the USA.” Ideas and help are needed if we are going to have a float.

The nominating committee announced the slate of officers for the 2025-2026 year. JoAnn Ruopp for Co-President and Lisa Petersen for Recording Secretary. Continuing officers will be, Rhonda Hein, Co-President; Karen Handorf, Treasurer; Joyce Swangel, Membership Secretary; Barb Bereczki, Corresponding Secretary; Ann Vibbard, Historian; Joan Appelgate, Marcy Knaack, and Avriel Koester, Past Presidents. A unanimous vote was cast for the slate of officers.

The June outing will be on Thursday, June 19. The ideas presented were a Lavendar Farm by Ames and the Des Moines Botanical Center. By vote it was decided to go to the Des Moines Botanical Center.

May News

The Club met on May 8 at BarLea Roots for a luncheon and installation of officers for the 2025-2026 year.

After a tasty lunch, Co-President Rhonda called the meeting to order with 16 members answering roll call as to what plans they had for Mother’s Day.

The April minutes were read and the treasurer’s report was given.

A Thank You was read from Rose Russell for the donation to HANDS and inviting her to speak.

We have some guests interested in attending our June 19 outing to the Des Moines Botanical Center with us. Our tour is scheduled for 10:30 so we will meet and leave the Methodist Church at 9 a.m.

Hospice cookies will still be needed throughout the summer months. Please get them to Joan or Rhonda.

The Senior Citizen’s luncheon went well. The program by Melinda Ruopp and her K-9 Lizzy was informative and everyone enjoyed meeting Lizzy.

The Easter egg coloring at Westbrook had to be canceled due to the flu.

The Cedar Valley Hospice appreciation dinner was attended by five members. A delicious dinner was served, followed by a program presenting all the different areas of volunteers being recognized.

We have use of a trailer for a float in the Corn Carnival parade. We still need ideas and help putting it together. Lisa and Kelly will get together and see what they can come up with.

We are scheduled to work the Tama County Fair food stand on Thursday, July 17. The sign-up sheet was sent around for everyone to sign up for a shift to work.

Our meeting was adjourned and our officer installation was held. New officers: JoAnn Ruopp, Co-President, and Lisa Petersen, Recording Secretary.

Returning Officers: Co-President, Rhonda Hein; Treasurer, Karen Handorf; Membership Secretary, Joyce Swangel; Corresponding Secretary, Barb Bereczki; Historian, Ann Vibbard; Past Presidents, Joan Appelgate and Avriel Koester.