Cedar Rapids Area Reciprocity

Former Iowa State Chapter President Glenda Dixon and Linda George, President of Chapter CS Marion, enjoyed a visit at a Founders’ Day Brunch hosted by Cedar Rapids area Reciprocity at The Kirkwood Hotel. Current Iowa State President Carrie Wilkinson, many former state presidents and 50+ year members were among the 120 P.E.O. Sisters who attended on March 18, 2023.

After their business meeting, Chapter LX  had a fun activity  It was intended to connect and unite us. I think we managed to live up to the expectations. It was hilarious. Each person asked a question and the first to answer was thrown the ball of yarn until we had come to the end of the yarn! We learned a …

A Founder’s Day brunch was held with sisters from Chapters C, MB and OO at the historic McElhinny House on August 6, 2022. The program was sisters each portraying one of our founders and it was delightful. A great time was had by all!

  Chapter president, Sue Ashenfelter, recently received a blue ribbon at the Plymouth County Fair for her counted cross-stitch of our P.E.O. Star emblem. Sue purchased the kit at the 2019 Convention of Iowa State Chapter.       Sue Ashenfelter, Chapter CD, Le Mars, performs a piccolo solo, “Fantasy on ‘When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again’ ” by Robert …

Chapter FR served pie and coffee to RAGBRAI riders as they passed through our town on July 26. Over 100 pies were baked and sliced for these hungry visitors! It was a fun opportunity to inform people about P.E.O. and to meet other sisters as well!   A RAGBRAI sister from North Carolina stopped to say “hi!”!

Chapter DL’s May meeting included a tea party, with everyone sharing the story of their favorite tea cup or mug. It was a fun evening!

The four chapters in Henry County celebrated 100 years since the opening of the P.E.O. Memory Room in Old Main on the campus of Iowa Wesleyan University. Carrie Wilkinson, Iowa State Chapter President, and Lisa Reindl, Iowa State Chapter Organizer, also attended the lawn party commemorating the 100 year anniversary. Chapter NZ was a hostess for the lawn party.  

On May 16, 2022 P.E.O. Chapter GC celebrated their 100th birthday with dinner and socializing. Chapter GC was founded May 11, 1922. 100 years later and still going strong! 50 year members Maxine Sornsen and Marcia Jacobsen were also recognized.      

P.E.O. Sisters in Newton began working in the cemetery to care for the gravesite of Alice Virginia Coffin. Alice and other family members are buried in Newton Union Cemetery, Section 6 Lot 7 Block 4. In March of 2022, a tornado skirted the edge of Newton and the spire of the family monument was toppled. The spire will be picked …

Chapter OV enjoyed a day trip to Pella hosted by former OV member Diane Carlstone, Chapter ND, Pella.