(3-13-24) The Twenty First Century Club met on February 27, 2024 at the Rockford United Methodist Church Café for a regular meeting. Vice president Kim Carr called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone with things that happened on this date 100 years ago in history: famous births and deaths: King Tut’s tomb was opened; and President Coolidge did the first radiocast to the nation. Roll-Call by Secretary Cindy Canary was completed with members answering who was the oldest person’s birthday party they had ever attended. One hundred three was the answer for two of the members, and they were their great aunts from the Rockford area. The treasurer’s report was given by Valerie Fritzinger. 

Minutes were read and approved. Discussion continued on the upcoming May Birthday Party in Old Business. An invitation letter was approved for President Karla Butler to mail out. Updated addresses on past members is nearly complete, but any member prior to 1980 needs to contact Karla at 419-203-2489. All prior records for club before 1980 were destroyed. 

Toni Fisher then presented her program on her birth year of 1963. It was during the term of President John F. Kennedy and led to his assassination on November 22, 1963. Toni went over the great romance of the time that many in America felt for the young couple as they went into office together, suffered the loss of 1 newborn and one in infancy. The couple had John, Jr. and Caroline. On the fateful day that President Kennedy went to Dallas TX to campaign, Jackie went along and wore her “raspberry or strawberry” suit, which was a Chanel knock-off.  It is reported she didn’t like the word pink. The suit is in storage and banned from public view until 2103. Toni covered many details of the shooting and aftermath including Jackie’s famous last words to him as she held his body, “I love you Jack. I love you.” The Warren Commission investigated the sniper, Lee Harvey Oswald, and the assassination.  

Presenter Julie Henkle continued her birth year of 1963 by detailing Fun Facts. President Johnson established the Warren Commission to investigate the assassination of John F. Kennedy; Beatlemania got started; Martin Luther King, Jr., was the TIME magazine Man of the Year; ZIP codes were introduced; voted best movie was Cleopatra starring Elizabeth Taylor who made $1 Million for her role; Dr. No, the first James Bond movie was a hit, too; Petticoat Junction and The Andy Griffith Show were big on television; Rin Tin Tin , Roy Rogers and the Bugs Bunny cartoon were popular; Ragu Spaghetti sauce was 39 cents a jar; postage stamps went up to 5 cents; and the average new car was $3000 dollars. Julie shared 1963 treats of Sweet-tarts and Juicy Fruit gum with the members.

Sheila Baltzell-Linn served angel food cake and cherry topping in honor of President George Washington’s February birthday for refreshments. 

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Program leaders are Cindy Canary and Rozann Maurer (both born in 1954). Melanie Shindeldecker, Kim Carr and Karla Butler will be hostesses at Rockford Methodist Church. Contact Karla Butler, if you’d like to join us for a meeting (419-203-2489).