(4-27-24) The Twenty First Century Club met on April 23, 2024 at the lovely home of Susan Coburn of Rockford for a regular meeting. President Karla Butler called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone with things that happened on this date 100 years ago in history. Roll-Call by Secretary Cindy Canary was completed with members answering whether they intended to stay in club for 2024-2025 and their favorite birthday meal, if cost was not a factor. There were lots of exotic answers. The treasurer’s report was given by Valerie Fritzinger. 

Minutes were read and approved for the March 26, 2024 meeting. There was a short review of Rozann Maurer’s 1954 program covering details of McCarthyism as well as 4 million illegal immigrants being deported from the USA. The program was implemented in June 1954 by U.S. Attorney General Herbert Brownell. Cindy Canary’s program for 1954 detailed Brown v Board of Education where segregation because of race was ruled unconstitutional. She also went into the how the “separate but equal” ruling in the case of Plessy v Board of Education was reversed in Brown v Board. 1954 was a hot topic year. Delicious refreshments were served by Kim, Melanie and Karla read the minutes. 

Under old business, the president said invitations were mailed with 11 past members, so far, planning to join us for the 100th May 28th Birthday Party. The details were discussed and an evening tea with delectable mini sandwiches, scones, tea cakes and teas is planned. The members are preparing the items. It’s going to be a fun evening of catching-up with each other and celebrating The 21st Century Club.  

Valerie Fritzinger then presented her program on her birth year of 1974. Val focused in on the block buster movies of 1974, some of which she has seen in her lifetime. Older members of the club were delighted to hear that these movies set records at the box office and won awards: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie; The Longest Yard starring Burt Reynolds; The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams; Airport; Godfather Part 2; Young Frankenstein comedy and the top movie of 1974 comedy Blazing Saddles which netted $119 million.

Member Ann Gage then delved into 1946 with her collection of family artifacts and history. She began with a Glenn Miller record of dancing music, and the popular dances of the 40’s.

She continued her birth year as she sang a scat song, just like Ella Fitzgerald. “Take me out to the Ballgame” with the counting improvisation, was a favorite of Ann’s and her dad. She has a recording of him singing. People of the 1940’s were still recovering from the Depression and then WW2. Ann displayed the radio that her mom carried to work as a nurse at Mersman’s Factory – she listened to the WW2 news on her breaks. Others were just trying to forget their troubles by enjoying movies, comedy, records and books. Family photos of the time revealed fashions for men and women that were tailored with a wartime look of boxed shoulder pads and crisp skirts, pants and jackets. Ann’s mother was an excellent seamstress and sewed all of their clothing, keeping up with the changes in fashion from year to year. Ann displayed a mom-knitted toddler snowsuit and little girls’ aprons popular at the time. Gardening and canning were important to feed the family. And people wrote letters to each other, Ann remembered with nostalgia.

Hostess Toni Fisher served sample chicken and cranberry finger sandwiches and sausage pinwheels, made by Ann Gage, for refreshments. There was also a cherry topped angel food cake dessert prepared and served by hostess Susan Coburn.

The next meeting will be our 100th birthday celebration on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. President Karla Butler will run the party with Sheila Baltzell-Linn as emcee.  Contact Karla Butler, if you’d like to join us for a meeting (419-203-2489).