December 24th was "What Jazzes You Up" day featuring Casey Cook at new member Shelly Schmit.

Pat Heiden introduced Brad Friedhoff, Johnson County Conservation acting director and long time conservation advocate, who spoke about the upcoming vote (referendum) on Johnson County's proposed $30 million dollar conservation bond and the benefits of voting in favor of the bond. With the previous $20 million dollar bond, the country was able to leverage an additional $17 million in additional funding! The previous bond was passed in 2008 by a 60.9 percent of voters and funded projects, including but not limited to the following:  the acquisition of the Clear Creek Conservation area/trail in 2009; the acquisition of the Ciha Fen in 2011, which is home to many plants, animals and reptile species; and two farms, one of which was turned into wetland. Additionally, bond money was used for improving water quality, work on the Hoover trail, purchasing the Cangleska Wakan,  and purchasing Two Horse farm (90 acres). A glacier rock from St. Cloud, MN, was discovered in Iowa! If the conservation referendum passes, the proceeds from the bond would be used to complete projects at Kent Park and for similar projects to protect property, add trails, improve water quality, support community education, and benefit conservation.

Blake Collingsworth, Rotarian from Lincoln, Nebraska, was the speaker for the October 8 meeting.  He talked about his experience losing his son to drowning and the resulting book project and training programs to teach children how to stay safe in the water.

Caleb Schneider was the September 17 speaker who discussed the Commissioning Committee's work for the USS Iowa Virginia Class Nuclear Powered Submarine.

Vernette Knapp Updates Club Members on the 2024-25 IC AM Budget

Tom Novak introduced Michael Vittetoe of Washington, Iowa and a multi-generation family farm, who spoke on the topic of "Getting the Most Out of Your Pasture" (70 acres with three main areas), regenerative farming,  and using cover crops to cut down on chemicals and reduce erosion. Michael has a cattle operation, which he manages by moving the cattle to various pastures. The cattle are contained within a temporary fence inside a perimeter fence. After the cattle are through with a pasture, he leaves cover down, which feeds insects, etc. He uses cover crops to prevent erosion such as perennials, an alfalfa mix, cereal rye, a warm season mix, and oats.In the summer, he has mobile shade for his cattle. In the winter he feeds hay, which is rolled out in bales.Michael markets his cattle directly to customers in quarters and halves. He checks his cattle every day to make sure they have water. Steak tenderness is one of his biggest challenges, and he strives for good flavor for eating, working continuously to create a healthy ecosystem. 

John McKinstry Talks About His Hobby: Guitar Making

Karin Franklin leads discussion of Club Survey results.

Nancy Quelhorst introduced Michele Heinz, Executive Director of Inside Out Re-entry Community.  The mission of Inside Out Re-entry program is to support people involve in the criminal legal system.  Education in which they are able to encounter each other, especially across the public in order to promote healing interrelationships and achieve success in our community.  The Mission is to support people who are involved in the criminal legal system.  The promote healing relationships and help to achieve success in the community.   

There are many barriers:  Housing, employment, transportation, citizenship-voting, social stigma isolation, acquiring basic services, lack of family support and mental health issues.

Inside Out Re-Entry provides:  Awesome center, mentor support, help finding employment, access to community resources, transportation, skills training, friendship, social opportunities, correspondence and rent planning, 

August 10, 2024 they are opening a house in Iowa City.  A person can stay up to 24 months.  

How you can get involved.:  Volunteers, help finding mentors.  

Financial Donations are also welcome. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vernette Knapp, President Elect, John McKinstry and Mark Patton led a Club Assembly.

Vernette thanked President Theresa for allowing the assembly to happen during her year.

 

The purpose of the assembly was to engage all members in one of the 7 Areas of Focus

 

The Area of Focus sheets were distributed around the walls and each member was to place three dots on different Areas of Focus.

 

The 7 Areas of Focus are:  Water and Sanitation, Maternal Child and Health, Basic Education and Literacy, Community Economic Development, Support the Environment

Pease and Conflict Resolution, Disease Prevention. 

 

After each member voted, the top 4 Ares of Focus were selected, and the members place a dot in round 
# 2..

 

Those 4 areas sheets were place on separate tables Wherever you placed your dot for round 2 is where you went for discussion. 

 

The 4 Areas of Focus left were:  Basic Education and Literacy, Maternal and Child Health, Disease Prevention, and Support the Environment.

 

Members were to come up with several projects.

 

Vernette Thanked everyone for coming to the meeting today. 

Vernette will compile the results of the 4 Areas for next week meeting.

 

 

 

Margy Winkler introduced speaker, Randee Fieselmann speaking on Iowa City Congregational Church Tiffany Window.  Paul Jehle took a picture the church in 1870.  The beautiful Tiffany window was given to the church by the widow of Rev. George Hebard.  The inscription on the window is Rev. George and Margaret Hebard George died in 1970.   Thirty-Two years after George died then Margaret died.  The window was given to the church in 1904.   Randee showed pictures of Margaret and her sons and daughter.  They moved here from New York.  They then moved to Wyoming where she was a professor. 

Randee talked about the Tiffany Company being in business for 40 years.  She talked about the window being in landscape mode.  The window show "The River of Life" with grape vines and flowers. 

Randee talked about beautiful Tiffany windows in Dubuque at a Methodist Church.