Memorial Day services did take place this year. Last year they were cancelled in Marcus because of forecasted bad weather. This years speaker was Tom Kohn who is Director Veterans Affairs for Cherokee County. There were quite a number of people that came to the Memorial Day service.
It was nice to see the beauty brought to the cemeteries with the decorations. It wasn’t that I didn’t care about remembering our loved ones that I didn’t do any decorating, but that I was going to put on live flowers that were not available. Usually there are peonies but this year they bloomed a week later.
I did notice something that was unusual in the Holy Name cemetery. Many years ago when Velma Garvin had their greehouse, she had a standing order for gladiolas for McClintock family graves at that cemetery for Memorial Day. Now gladiolas are not readily available and are not as cheap as they used to be. But I did notice that the McClintock graves (12) had a total of 16 potted flowers—with three purple carnations and the others in the bouquet were yellow in color that I haven’t been able to find out what they are. These flowers just brought a beauty of yellow in that whole area. They didn’t need to be watered as evidently there was water sealed in the pots. Decorations at Holy Name cemetery are one week before and one week after. It will be interesting to see if these yellow flowers are still blooming for the entire week.
If you ever wanted to see someone you probably hadn’t seen for awhile, go to the cemetery service on Memorial Day or the time when people are coming to take their decorations off in the time alloted for them to be on.
Did you get to the Ribbon Cutting of the new meat market in Marcus on Thursday? There were quite a number of people there—some I didn’t even know! After seeing the inside, we went outside for beef/pork burgers, potato chips, and a drink. The weather cooperated and we could be outside.
Did you see that Larry Wentz will be joining Cat Taylor and Diana Castillo from the KMEG News that was recently taken over by Sinclair Broadcast Groups? They will be working from KTIV. Wentz had been on KTIV and KCAU before his liver transplant. He had been let go from the previous station and after recuperating, KMEG hired him. Wentz said that he didn’t blame the previous station for releasing him as they had no idea (nor did he) if the liver transplant would be successful or not. However, now he is back to one he was at earlier in his career as anchor man. (I really did miss these three and don’t care much about the group that replaced them.)
I have worked on the Scholarships and Awards for the MMCRU Class of 2023. There is a big list of what these students earned. Some of them are going right to work as they have been prepared for this, while others are going to a Community College or University to prepare them for their future. (Information in that article came from the Graduation 2023 bulletin we received the Sunday of graduation.)
West Tel systems are inviting YOU for a Community Coffee on June 9 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Marcus City Hall. There will be a Smart Rural Community Presentation at 9:30. If you are not sure what this Presentation is about—come and find out!
Steve found a 2007 Sioux City Journal that already was predicting that “carriers” would be a thing of the past. Well, as of June 18 of 2023, this is happening!
Have you gone by the MMCRU High School? I was shocked with what I saw when I went by on Saturday. Remember when a lady’s brakes failed and she made the Parts Store downtown a “drive in” store?! Well, this is what the north side of the High School including the office area, looks like—a drive-in school! Except, in this case it is being demolished by machinery bigger than a car. It will certainly be nice when it does get done.
Another service that has been in Sioux City for many years is disbanding. Founded in 1919 in Buffalo, New York, the Quota International Inc. was organized as a way for women to help provide basic needs to women, children, the deaf and hard of hearing around the world.
However times have changed and service groups, once plentiful, have slowly dwindled. Although Quota International, Inc. officially dissolved in 2020, several local chapters remained open and active while providing funds and assistance to many non-profit organizations which had a heavy focus on women and children.
The Quota Club of Siouxland devoted its final meeting by handing out checks to charities like Lila Mae’s House, Food bank of Siouxland, Sleep in Heavenly Peace of Siouxland and a new music program being offered at First United Methodist Church.
Since 2005, there have been more than 17,000 new books given out to students in area schools. It was said at that time, “I never saw so many faces than when we were handing out free books. We take so many things for granted, but when you give a child a book that he can keep—well it is so gratifying!”
Quota Club will certainly be missed by those they have helped for many years but our times have changed and this Club had no choice but to go with the change.
If you are looking for a KITTEN, please contact Bethany. It will soon be time for them to be on their own and will be looking for a home. Sometimes I think it is easier to have “two” rather than one. We have the one that is forever looking for something where if it would have had another kitten, maybe things would be different. She cannot afford to take them to Humane Society for $65 a kitten (in fact, they have a surplus and don’t need any more) and if you would adopt a kitten from there, the price starts at $100 unless someone had put some money on it and lowered the adoption fee.
Former resident, Gordon Roese will be celebrating a birthday on Sunday, June 11. If you wish to remember him on this day or to keep in touch with him otherwise, his address is—Gordon Roese 11501 Masonic Home Dr. Apt. 308 Bloomington, MN 55437-3658 Phone number is 1-712-221-5833
Remember in your thoughts and prayers those who have lost friends/loved ones to death, have had their lives changed, have health problems some of which are terminal, are still struggling to make ends meet even though they have a job, help those who desire “wants” rather than “needs” that prestige isn’t everything and be with those who are still trying to shorten the distance between family/friends to build a bridge instead of a wall. Count your blessings! I will close with this quote from the Class of 2023: “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” Dr. Deuss