(5-28-23) The Twenty First Century Club met on May 23, 2023 at the Rockford United Methodist Church Cafe for a regular meeting. President Janet Steffy presided over her last meeting and wished everyone well as she is moving to another city soon and is leaving our club. She welcomed everyone with reading a childrens book called Laugh Out Loud Baby, which made us laugh. Roll-Call by acting Secretary Karla Butler was completed with everyone naming a song that made them laugh. The treasurers report was given.
Minutes from the April meeting will be read in the Fall. Members wer asked to vote on new member for Fall, Janie Roll Overley, who was heartily accepted.. Karla Butler thanked the members for past donations to Helping Hands. The group discussed a news story for the media and a birthday party for our 100th year as a club. New 2023-2024 president, Karla Butler, VP Kim Carr, Secretary Cindy Canary and treasurer Val Fritzinger will figure out the details for next year. Sheila Baltzell remains as reporter.
Funny Girl – Funny Guy the theme for the year was continued as Valerie Fritzinger presented her program on comedienne Yvette Nicole Brown, born in 1971, in Cleveland, OH. She attended Akron University, graduating in 1984. She was in over 100 shows but known for her supporting actress roles after going to Hollywood. She continues to work on celebrity game shows like Hollywood Squares and in movies. She does voice overs for big cartoon movies, like Legos and DC Super Heroes. Shes never been married or had children. She has been nominated for numerous acting awards.
Melanie Shindeldecker continued the evening program with her funny entertainer Molly Shannon, once a big star on Saturday Night Live where she did unique skits. She was born in 1964 in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and lost her mom and sister early in life in a drunk driving accident where her dad was driving. Growing up with only a father to raise her, she developed some unconventional habits. Her father told her if she wanted to travel, she should just hop on a plane and go. So she and a friend stowed-away on a plane to NYC and spent the day there, sight-seeing and shop lifting. Her dad encouraged her to break the rules to get what she wanted and encouraged mischief. When they couldnt find a place to safely stay in NY, he told her to go back to the airport and stowaway on a flight to Cleveland. Security caught them. Molly had to repay her dad for the plane ticket he was forced to buy. Molly had a memorable character on Saturday Night Live named Mary Katherine Gallagher, the teen cheerleader who sniffed her armpits.
Melanie explained that cast members on Saturday Night Live had to create and present their original characters and skits to the producers. If the producers liked the character, the performer got to go on with the creation and present it live on the show,
Delicious refreshments were served by Sheila Baltzell-Linn and Julia Henkle. Club will meet again in September 2023. If you are interested in joining club, contact Karla Butler or Sheila Baltzell-Linn.
Mercer County Outlook 