Last week (Feb. 5) the Community Ministry Food Pantry was awarded a N.S.D.A.R. Community Service Award by the Pilot Rock Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. Service to the community began many years before this Food Pantry had its beginning.
It was in 1970 that Senior Citizens became interested in organizing. Two representatives from each church in the community attended a meeting in the community building in August of that year. A week later there was another meeting in the Bill Ament home. Martha Ament was the instigator of furthering the previous meeting. She had worked for the county as an outreach aid for Mid Sioux to help other groups organize. Pastor Rossman of Faith Lutheran Church was helpful in getting this local group started. The purpose of organizing for seniors was for fellowship, entertainment and community projects.
A call for a Senior Citizens meeting was August 27, 1970 when all Senior Citizens of Marcus and vicinity were invited to attend a meeting at the Legion Building on Sept. 1 at 2 p. m. when Chester Benson, County Director of Senior Citizen activities working with the O.E.O. would be present to explain the program and lead the discussion. (Refreshments, through courtesy of the ladies of the various churches, would be served following the meeting!)
There were about 40 senior citizens that came to hear Benson describe the activities and operation of a similar organization at Cherokee and after the discussion, the group was in favor of going ahead with plans and necessary arrangements. Johann Miller of Marcus has been put on the county board in the vacancy created when Rev. Calvin Rossman resigned his charge here.
At the second meeting in September 17, the Senior Citizens of the Marcus community have organized and will meet in the Legion Hall Tuesday through Friday each week from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
The first meeting after announcing organization was on Sept. 22 and a program and recreation was planned. Refreshment would be served. Anyone needing transportation may call one of the following: Johann Miller, W.T. Ament, Irvin Porter, Mrs. Violet Woodall or Mrs. Edna Schmillen. Cliff Chapman of Cherokee gave a talk and showed pictures of his recent tour of South Africa.
October 29, 1970—The Senior Citizens met Tuesday afternoon and voted on a name for the organization. They are called the Fellowship Lounge. Kathy Bird showed slides of Yucatan where she spent last summer as an exchange student. Mrs. Darlene Stover of Kingsley, who has charge of Senior Citizens of this district, was a guest. The program next Tuesday will be a movie of the corn husking bee at the Walter Miller farm in 1939 shown by Art Dorr.
November 26, 1970—The Fellowship Lounge enjoyed beautiful pictures shown by Mrs. Arthur Nielsen of the many places they have been in the United States and parts of Canada on their vacations the past few years.
Chester Benson, general director of SeniorCcitizens of Cherokee, talked on the organization and council of aging and what’s going on at meetings such as games, hobbies, showing of pictures, etc.
All citizens 55 years and over are invited to attend and enjoy a few hours any afternoon Tuesday through Friday from 2:00 to 5:00 at the Legion Hall. Call Mrs. Violet Woodall or Mrs. Edna Schmillen if you need a ride.
In 1976 the city fathers asked the group to move to the Municipal Building due to future renovation at the Legion Hall. The newly-elected officers were: President, Harold Brooks, Vice-President, Robert Garvin, Secretary, Mildred Wilkens and Treasurer, Glenn Miller. Congregate meals were started with Geraldine Boever as head cook and Martha Ament as site manager.
There were many varied programs with skits put on by Steve Schachterle and Don Anderson.
July 22, 1980—The Senior Citizens moved back to the Legion Hall after renovating and adding twenty feet to the east end of the American Legion building which is used as a kitchen. The name was later changed to “Senior Center”.
Bob Garvin put up the new sign on the outside of the building which says “Senior Center”. Services rendered by the group were congregate meals, transportation, Public Health Nurse, legal aid, and meals on wheels.
Activities included cards, painting, crafts, Bingo, needlework, quilting, and Potluck suppers.
(As with organizations, there is usually problems that need to be solved. Following are some that the Senior Citizens of Marcus and vicinity had.
December 3, 1970—“Hope to Get Low Rent Unit”. The Marcus town council has created a low Rent Housing Agency, which has started the process of securing a 35 unit development for this community.
Many Midwest towns, with problems similar to that of Marcus, have achieved such development, and the council had been in contact with Dana Larson Roubal Associates, an architectural and engineering firm with offices in Omaha, Des Moines, and Pierre, for some time.
The plan is simple. The government guarantees the building loan, sets the rent at figures that low income families can afford, and then helps liquidate the loan.
Marcus has just about one hundred homes occupied by just one person. Most of them are adequate for the average family, and in other places many elderly people have moved into the new development and then rented their homes out. This is what Marcus needs. Harold Ladenthin is chairman of the agency. Other members are Ken Bryant, Jack Shea, Mrs. Madge Drefke and Mrs. Betty Knudson.
Then we go to August 31, 1978—“Public Meeting for Senior Citizen Apartments”. A public meeting will be held at the IPS meeting room at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 2, 1978, for all senior citizens interested in renting an apartment in the Marvin Ebert senior Citizens Housing Project. At that time persons interested in making reservations or rental deposits can do so and Mr. Ebert will explain the floor plans, site plan and construction plans. Anyone who has previously submitted a response to the survey conducted earlier this year and any other persons who think they might be interested in living in the apartments is urged to attend the meeting. Those desiring transportation to the meeting should call 376-2533 or 376-4767 after 6 p.m. Thursday or Friday of this week.
If anyone is unable to attend, they may have a representative attend for them or can reserve and apartment by writing Senior Citizens Housing, box 397, Marcus, Iowa 51035. Refreshments will be served. See you at the meeting!
October 31, 1974—“Mini-Bus Available for Senior Citizens”. Cherokee County, Mini-Bus Inc., is now a reality! Beginning Monday, Nov. 4, and each Monday thereafter, the bus will pickup any Senior Citizen (55 years and older) and also any handicapped person. Passengers will be picked up and delivered at their homes.
The bus will leave Cherokee at 9 a.m., come to Marcus for first loading, proceed to Cleghorn and Meriden, and then to Cherokee. The bus will leave Cherokee at 3 p.m. for return trip. (My question is: what are the passengers going to do in the hours between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.?)
This non-profit organization is a corporation and the directors hope to have some memberships from the Senior Citizens at $2.00 per member but any other contributions will be most welcome.
The board of directors consists of one from each outlying town and three from the city of Cherokee. Orin Nelson of Aurelia is the chairman of the board. He is the Administrator of the Sun Set Knoll Nursing Home at Aurelia. Mrs. Lawrence Goodrich (Cleghorn) is secretary, and Miss Virginia Robinson (Cherokee) is the treasurer. Other members are Mrs. Dora Flisher (Washta), Miss Ethel Johnson (Quimby), Mrs. Henrietta Swanson (Larrabee), Taylor Stevenson (Meriden), Martha Ament (Marcus), James Adamson and Lester Whiting (Cherokee).
There will be a minimum fee expected for this service, but no Senior Citizen or handicapped person will be refused service if unable to pay.
Any member of the Corporation will be expected to contribute 50¢ and non- members 75¢ for each loading, making the ride from Marcus to Cherokee and return to equal $1.00. Non-members will be $1.50. There will be one free pickup in Cherokee and a 25¢ fee for each pickup thereafter. Mrs. Claudia Gleason (Cherokee) has been hired to drive the bus and will help anyone needing assistance. For further information contact Martha Ament (Marcus) for the Marcus area only. Reservations must be made the day before or by 7:30 a.m. Monday morning for the Marcus trip.
Four years later (August 31, 1978) the Cherokee County Mini-Bus Corporation is accepting bids on a new or used mini-bus type van: 12-14 passenger model. Specifications will be available upon request. Bids must be submitted by 8-31-78 to Don Agostine, 616 W.Beech, Cherokee, Iowa. Telephone 225-4531.
(It was in July of 1979 that the Marcus Senior Citizens received a new service—a bus of their own. More of that at a future writing.)
September 2, 1976—“Senator Clark Reports”. The unique problems of elderly citizens living in rural areas where studies during hearings of the Senate Special Committee on Aging held recently at several locations in Iowa.
The issue is of special significance to Iowa because of the state’s large concentration of senior citizens living in small town and on farms—nationally, about one-fourth of the persons over the age of 60 live in rural areas while in Iowa, nearly half of the senior citizens are rural residents.
The purpose of the hearings which Clark chaired, was to determine the effectiveness of federal programs for the elderly when they are operated in rural areas. The witness list was generally made up of senior citizens who gave us their personal insights about what is being done and what needs to be done.
One of the main themes running through the three days of hearings was the lack of transportation systems that would enable older residents to have access to health and nutrition services; social events and shopping. We were encouraged, however, by the minibus-programs which several Iowa communities are operating successfully.
It became clear during the hearings that the congregate meals programs is one of the most universally popular of all the senior citizen programs. Besides providing nutritious hot meals, the program also gives senior citizens a chance for socializing with their friends. Because of the program’s popularity, I will be urging Congress to expand it so that more senior citizens can be served.
We also heard testimony to support of home health care services in rural areas—a program enabling more elderly citizens to live in their own homes rather than having to move to nursing homes.
We visited several small communities where federal funds were used to construct and operate housing complexes for senior citizens, and we visited senior centers in several towns.
The views of the people who appeared at the hearings will be useful in improving federal programs for the elderly and especially in making them more responsive to rural needs. Anyone who has further comments for the Committee, may send them to me at 404 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. They will be made part of the official hearing record.
November 18, 1976—“Legal Needs of Elderly Survey”. In response to expressed public interest, Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc., will conduct a survey of the “legal needs” of the older residents of Cherokee, Ida, Lyon, Plymouth and Sioux Counties.
The purpose of this study is to establish the degree of need for “low-cost” legal assistance for the elderly. If an unmet need for legal services is determined by this survey, Mid-Sioux Opportunity will begin working closely with local attorneys to implement plans for “low-cost legal services to the elderly.”
Senior citizens are in need of a wide range of legal services. Some areas in which they face legal difficulties include age discrimination, involuntary commitment, guardianship, conservatorship and other protective services. Institutionalized care, public benefits programs such as Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicare, housing and special consumer issues such as hearing aids, and home repairs.
With the aforementioned issues dealing with Senior Citizens, we now go back to July 1, 1976 and pick up on what to going on at the Fellowship Lounge. On June 30 at 2 p.m., the Senior Citizens will meet at the Marcus Legion Hall for games. May and June birthday group will serve.
October 28, 1976—After one month’s serving, the Congregate Meals served at the Municipal Building dining hall had an average attendance of 50 persons being served each day. (Remember, they didn’t move back to the Legion Hall until July of 1980.)
These meals are served on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:00 noon. The “magic” number is “60”. If you are sixty years old or a spouse of a 60 year-old or older person, you are eligible. The rich, the poor and in-between are eligible; there is no discrimination and this is definitely not a poverty program!
The goal is to provide one-third of the daily nutritional requirements plus various programs. Social and educational activities plus group interest ideas and the fellowship and friendships as well as the meal is of great value to the community.
Each person attending makes a contribution according to his finances or ability to pay. Many of our Senior Citizens are unable physically to prepare an adequate meal at home everyday and this is especially good for them. No one need hesitate to attend these gatherings, so before you make up your mind, why not come and see for yourself. Just remember, reservations are to be made a day prior to the day the meal is served.
February 1, 1979—“Senior Citizen Birthday Party”. By golly, you probably won’t believe it, but we are going to have cake, ice cram and fish at our coming birthday party. Did you hear of such a combination? Yes, sir! We are going to have a fish fry. The cake and ice cream will be furnished by birthday members of the month.
Entertainment will be fun and games! So mark on your calendar February 8 at 5 p.m. for a fun date. Note time has been changed to 5 p.m. to allow fish frying time. Free transportation will be provided to all those requesting it.
At the next congregate meal on Friday, bakery Bingo will be the entertainment following the congregate meal dinner. Use the mini bus.
February 1, 1979—“Name Mini-Bus Manager”. Mrs. Andrea Leatherman has been employed as manager of the Minibus Corporation effective Jan. 26. Mrs. Leatherman is a long-time resident of Cherokee and is active in many community programs. As manager, Mrs. Leatherman will be responsible for supervision of drivers, management of schedules, public relations, administration and record management. This announcement followed with information on using the Senior Citizens Minibus, just in case someone new wasn’t acquainted with this transportation offered.
May 24, 1979—“Progress Being Made on Senior Center”. Good progress is now being made in remodeling the Legion Hall into a multipurpose Senior Center.
The $15,000 grant funded by the Iowa Commission on Aging is now on deposit in the Farmers State Band of Marcus under a Senior Citizen Building Fund account.
The Marcus Senior Citizens, which means in the neighborhood of three or four hundred people in the Marcus area, will have control of the use of the building through a Control Board consisting of four Senior Citizens and two elected city officials. All Senior Citizen organizations will have use of the building and be expected to share utility costs. Senior Citizen activities, State and federal funded, will have priority in building use.
The Senior Citizen Fellowship Lounge is in the process of turning over to the building fund a $500 donation to get the ball rolling. Other cash donations are also being added to the building fund.
Anyone wishing to make a donation of cash or volunteer labor is welcome to do so. A report will be made from time to time on the progress of the project.
Continued next week in the February 23 paper.

February 28, 1980—“Senior Citizen News”. Members of the Fellowship Lounge, don’t forget the potluck Thursday, Feb. 28 at noon. There will be a door prize for the lucky winner. There will also be a representative of SIMPCO here to give us a few pointers on how to manage a Senior Citizen Center.
There seems to be some confusion about who will have use of the Marcus Senior Citizen Center. The application approved by Iowa Council on Aging states that the City of Marcus will provide the leased building rent-free to Seniors. This means that the building will be available for use by three or four hundred elderly in the Marcus area.
The Fellowship Lounge Inc. which is a Senior Citizen organization of 70 to 80 elderly, will have a governing role in the operation of the Center. The Lounge will also provide a supervisor (host or hostess) during the time the building is open. Also, they will be responsible for the custodial service to keep the building clean and sanitary.
The nutrition program will still pay $50 per month towards utilities. Although the members of the Lounge are all Seniors, the Fellowship Lounge will still pay $25 per month towards the utilities as they have done since they have been using the basement in the city hall. The Senior Citizen Minibus organization wishes to thank Harold’s Drug Store for his donation. Remember anybody any age can ride the minibus.
We need more memberships here in Marcus. A membership card entitles a person to the reduced rate and a vote at the annual meeting of the Minibus Corporation. Contact any officer of the Fellowship Lounge for a membership card. The cost is $3.
September 18, 1980—“Senior Citizen Center Open House Tuesday”. The tenth anniversary of the Marcus Senior Citizen Fellowship Lounge is being observed by having Open House in the New Senior Center on Tuesday, September 23, 1980 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Coffee and punch, bars and cookies will be served.
A review of the Senior Citizen group is: there were 28 present at the first regular meeting. The next month, the name “Fellowship Lounge” was chosen for the group. The purpose for the Senior Citizen group was for fellowship, entertainment, and for community projects that they have continued through the years. Anyone 55 years of age or older may become members by paying the yearly dues for first of Sept., which is the beginning of their new year.
We met in the Legion Hall until August 1, 1976, when the city fathers asked us to move to the Municipal Building. The congregate meals started then in September 22, 1976.
We meet twice a month. The second Thursday at 2 p.m., we celebrate the birthdays for the month by having special entertainment. The birthday group furnishes and serves the lunch. The fourth Thursday at 5 p. m., we have our potluck meal, entertainment, and the business meeting.
We have two members represented at the Cherokee County Area Agency on Aging meetings that are held the fourth Thursday every other month. Also, two members attend the Cherokee County Task Force held the second Tuesday of each month at Cherokee.
Newly elected officers are: President, Harold Brooks; Vice- President, Robert Garvin; Secretary, Mildred Wilkens; and Treasurer, Glenn Miller.
New Senior Center
We moved into the new Senior Center on Tuesday, July 22, 1980 after renovating and adding on 20 feet to the east end of the American Legion building which is used as a kitchen. In order to receive funds for doing all of this under Title V of the Older Americans Act, it was specified that the nutritional site program of congregate meals be served here.
This is to be a multipurpose center to be used by all the Senior Citizens of the town and the surrounding area. It is barrier-free, so wheel chairs can get in and out easily at the rear of the building.
Other services which will be available besides congregate meals are transportation, Public Health Nurse, Legal Aid, Community Action Services, and Meals on Wheels and Library Services.
Activities which will be available at the center include but are not limited to: cards, painting, crafts, needlework, Bingo, upholstering, quilting, dancing, entertainment, study groups, social interaction, potluck suppers, a pottery wheel and weaving. These activities will be scheduled and organized by the Senior citizens and will be carried out during the regular hours that the center is open or as arranged by the group.
November 20, 1980—“Senior Citizen News”. All Senior Citizens are invited to a potluck dinner at the enter on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 12 o’clock noon.
There is a new regulation concerning the mini bus (the mini-bus that belongs to Marcus) that is now in effect. There will be no charge for transportation to the meal site in the bus. If in need of transportation call Elmer, 2617, for pickup.
There will be a Christmas drawing of a beautiful handmade ivory-colored afghan next month. We are asking a dollar donation for each ticket. You need not be present to win. Tickets are available at the Center on week days between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. A host or hostess will be there and will be glad to sell you a ticket.
If in doubt as to what to buy that certain someone for Christmas, why not consider a Security Light. As a fundraising project, Senior Citizens have purchased a number of these lights to sell. Contact Bob Garvin for a demonstration or more information.
December 18, 1980—“City Council Proceedings”. Harold Brooks, Bob Garvin, and Mildred Wilkens were present to represent the Senior Citizens. They discussed the garage rental for the mini bus, electricity bills for the center and need for additional shelving for the Legion equipment. Pallesen moved, seconded by Ames that the city cannot legally accept the responsibility of the mini bus garage rent. Motion carried.
February 5, 1981—“City Council Proceedings”. Attorney Gipe, representing the Senior Citizens, discussed the terms of the lease for the Senior Citizen Center. Madland moved, seconded by Stevenson that the city recognizes that the Senior Citizens need help with paying utilities but the city will wait until a cost projection for a yearly bill be made by Iowa Public Service, before the council arrives at the amount that the city will contribute. Motion carried.
October 1, 1981—“Senior citizen News”. Senior Citizens monthly potluck meal was held Thursday evening at the Fellowship Lounge with around 35 people bringing all kinds of good things to eat.
Following the meal, President, Bob Garvin called the meeting to order. The monthly report plus a full report of the events and projects of the past year was read by Secretary, Mildred Wilkens. Treasurer, Glenn Miller, gave the financial report. Activities and projects for the new year were discussed. We need new members and any of you who think you are old enough—come on in. We will surely welcome you.
Rides on the mini bus can be arranged by calling Elmer Herzberg. He can give you information as to when it’s available. Remember, you don’t have to be a member of Senior Citizens to use the mini bus.
Attendants at the Center for the first week in October are: Monday, Oct. 5—Margaret Tschill; Tuesday, Oct. 6—Fern Johnson; Wednesday, Oct. 7—Martha Ament; Thursday, Oct. 8—Florence Gifford, and Friday, Oct. 9—Madeline Ryan.
The birthday party the second Thursday in October will be hosted by Myrtle Hueser, Mabel Wynia, Fern Johnson, Esther Pitts, Jack Dunn, Ray Geringer, and Peter Grauer.
“Congregate Meals”—Friday, Oct. 2, 1981 are Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Pot-O-Plenty Zucchini, Sunshine Salad, Wacky cake, and Milk. (Bingo will be played.)
Monday, October 5, 1981: Liver ‘N Onions, Parsley Potatoes, Buttered beets, Honey Corn Flake Muffin, Chilled Peaches, and Milk. ( I would have liked this meal!)
Wednesday, October 7, 1981; SWEDISH DINNER Kottbular, Sturad Potatis, Vitkalas-Och Apewisinvasllad, Brown Bread, Svenska Pepper Notter, and Milk.
TRANSLATION: Swedish Meatballs, Swedish style creamed potatoes, Orange and cabbage salad, Dark bread, and Swedish Peppermints. Card party every Wednesday.
The first Seniors were dedicated to their cause. 1976—A Kitchen Band was organized with Martha Miller as the leader and later Margaret Nelson. There were 15 members that played some of the following instruments: wash board, triangles, drain pipe with kazook cymbals, melodia and a pail was used for a drum. (After the instrument had served its purpose of bringing you a tune or two, it was returned to its place in the kitchen cupboard from whence it came!) These women played at nursing homes and towns in the area that included Paullina, Cherokee, Remsen, Le Mars, Granville, and Marcus. It was 1989 when the band dissolved due to transportation problems. This group of women entertainers had been playing for thirteen years. The talented women playing in the Kitchen Band were Edna Schmillen, Elsie Berger, Elsie Blietz, Mildred Leavitt, Betty Polson, Viola Sutton, Violet Woodall, Martha Miller, Margaret Nelson, Gladys Phillips, Marie Nielsen, Margaret Tschill, Mabel Barnes, Mildred Nielsen, and Rose Cochrane.
As the years went by, some of the first members were now being recognized as “honorary”. The following are a few found: 1991—Honorary members were Bill and Martha Ament, Gladys Phillips, Alice Harder, Peter Grauer, Helen Dorr, Stanley Smith and Elsa Mayer.
1995—There were 31 members with Mildred Nielsen and Armella Keffler as honorary members. Irma Garvin was President. Ann Neunfeldt was Vice President; Ann Horn was Secretary and Viola Barry was Treasurer.
It was just before Irma Garvin passed away that she and Rita Delperding came to a City Council meeting and wanted to turn in what money they had as the original members were now down to three—Irma, Rita, and Dorothy Mae (Dorr) Peterson, who was in the hospital at the time. (I was at that meeting when the two women came to turn in the money. It was emotional for them as well as for those of us that were there. What they had worked so hard for now was at an end.)
The Senior Citizens that organized the first Senior Citizens group are what have made what we have for Senior Citizens today. One man, Harold Brooks, after his death, was mentioned in the blue Marcus history book, that his family was given the town’s deepest appreciation and admiration for the selfless services he had rendered the Senior Citizen group. The book also said, “Since our Senior Citizen group was organized, we have had many people who have given of their time, talent, and services. We would like to remember Glenn Miller and give a special thanks for all the janitorial work he had done for the Center. The Center’s success, however, is due to ALL members for their work.