New Virginia News
By Arleen McCuddin
The New Virginia Alumni Banquet was held at the New Virginia United Methodist Church on May 23, with 115 in attendance.
Pres. Norman Wilson opened the evening with prayer. The committees who helped with preparing for the event were recognized as well as the Hy-Vee Catering Service. Following the meal, John Cole and his wife Donna of Fayetteville, Texas entertained with their stringed instruments and song.
The special classes were introduced. Members of the 50 year class included Catherine Vickroy Stout, Linda King, Donald Wilson, Erville Smalley, Mary Stuart, George Mann, Louise McCuddin Ivener, Kathryn Denny Routh, and Melvin Stills. Those present from the 55 year class were: Gerald Stuart, Kathleen Brooks Stuart, Clyta Folger Howell, Denny Miller, Joann Foote Landin, Gary Spence, Jeannine Freeman Wood, Leonard Stuart, Wayne Weeks and Katherine Kimzey, wife of Bill Kimzey, recently deceased. Merrill McCuddin was the only member present from the 60 year class. Don Reed and Doris Oliver Young represented the 70 year class. Paul Lawrence reported from the class of 1940 and Frank Barnard was recognized for being the graduate present from the earliest class of 1936, or 73 years ago. Ashton Wickett graduated with the class of 1926 and Richard Smalley from the class of 1928 are residents of the Good Samaritan Care Center in Indianola and were unable to be present but they were recognized for being the oldest alumni. The new officers elected were: Herbert Taylor, vice president, Cheryl Boles, Secretary and Anna Mae Wilson, Treasurer. The meeting was then turned over to the next president, Don Wilson, who will serve for 2010.
A large crowd enjoyed the annual Memorial Day dinner at the New Virginia United Methodist Church. The menu included fried chicken and roast pork. Those who attended enjoyed visiting with many old friends and neighbors that they had not seen for many years. It was a great day for good food and fellowship.
Dan and Patricia Beardsley of Virginia have enjoyed visiting friends and relatives in the area, which included her mother Edna Warner at the Care Center in Winterset and her sister, Joyce and Lonnie Baughman.
Herb and Kathy Taylor invited friends to enjoy an evening of music in their large garage on May 19. Those who provided music were John and Donna Cole of Fayetteville, Texas, Duane Wineland of Lucas on the steel guitar, Karen Linhart on the key board, Mindy Ebert on the flute and Kathy Taylor, Marilyn Jones and Dixie Russell Rooker of Milo with song.
Kathleen Johnson Peterson of Xenia, Ohio, was a weekend guest in the home of her brother, Perry and Anne Johnson of St. Charles. They all enjoyed the meal at the New Virginia United Methodist Church.
Krista Wilson of Van Meter brought her mother Alice Banker of Altoona to New Virginia on May 23 where they visited Merrill and Arleen McCuddin.
Erville and Sandy Smalley of Colorado Springs were weekend guests in the home of Brian and Shelly Smalley. They attended his 50th class reunion at the church and enjoyed the Memorial Day meal.
Melvin and Sue Stills invited members of his 50 year class from New Virginia High School to their home for an afternoon of reminiscing. They all attended the Alumni Banquet and later returned to Melvin’s that evening.
Merrill and Arleen McCuddin enjoyed a graduation reception to honor a granddaughter, Molly McCuddin. This special event was hosted by her parents, David and Heidi McCuddin at their home in Pleasant Hill.
We wish for Margiza Akunbek Kyzy a safe trip home as she returns to her native country Kyrgyzstan. Margiza has attended classes at Interstate 35 this year and has made her home with Jerry and Sharon Dunkin while she was here. Her plans are to attend an American University in Rome.
The Gerry Allen Memorial Park Board is asking for your help. Volunteers of all ages are needed for the summer events that are planned such as the truck pulls and tractor pulls and the construction on the shelter house and other park structures. With the help of our community, we can make this a beautiful addition to our town. Please contact Erin Thornburgh or any park board member for more information.
Our farmers have been slowed down with their planting after the more than two inches of rain that fell over the weekend, although everyone was needing a good rain.
Happy Birthday wishes are going to Ronald Wickett on June 17, as he celebrates his 80th birthday. Cards may be send to his address: Box 109, New Virginia, IA 50210.
A Farmers Market will be hosted by the Gerry Allen Memorial Park on June 13, July 18, Aug. 8, and Sept. 12. Venders are invited and please bring your own tables.
