(11-26-24) The Twenty First Century Club met on November 19, 2024 at the beautiful home of member Sheila Baltzell-Linn. Hostesses Sheila and Janie Cindy Canary prepared a delicious snack of apple cake and apple cider. President Kim Carr was absent so vice president Twyla Hayes welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. Twelve members and one guest were present. Roll-Call was completed with everyone sharing their the vacation spot they regretted leaving.(11-26-24)

Minutes from the meeting in October were read by secretary Cindy Canary and approved. Valerie Fritzinger’s treasurer’s report was approved.

Dues of $5 were still being collected as well as donations to the Rockford Museum and the Log Cabin Refurbishing. Members had items for the Helping Hands Food Pantry in Rockford which still needs peanut butter (or member’s choice) to be collected at January’s meeting.

Our theme “Adventures Await” was presented by three members: Melanie Shindeldecker; Rozann Maurer and Valerie Fritzinger. Rozann spoke first about the trip she and Robert took to Ireland several years ago. She passed many beautiful photos. The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland split between Catholic and Protestant religions were beautiful country sides with much farming and animal raising. They took layered clothing expecting to be in cold wet weather, but were pleasantly surprised to have only one day of rain in May-June. There was much mist and fog, though. They toured the Waterford Crystal factory where they did etching on the glass. Rozann lamented that the Irish don’t cool their drinks with ice and was always looking for it. At one grocery they found ice. They traveled to a Norman destroyed 10th Century Cathedral, and Irish National stud farm for racing horses, a national pass-time. Agreeing with Rozann about no ice, lush green countryside and the beautiful castles of the region, Melanie prepared a power point slide show of her pictures from the trip she and Loren took to Scotland in 2022. Scotland and Ireland are just a short distance apart. Melanie, whose maiden name is McCullough, has traveled twice to Scotland doing genealogy on her family. She learned that Robert the Bruce (her ancestor) served Edward of England, and her family was ousted from Scotland after the fateful loss at the Battle of Culloden. Melanie was able to visit the site of the massacre. They visited the Castle of Edinburgh and heard the cannon shot that sea captains daily set their watches by.Melanie told of eating specialties like Frickles, dirty mayo and haggis. They learned that the McCulloughs married into the McIntosh clan, and she could not find her rare McCulllough tartan colors on the trip, but she did buy a handbag that was close to it. She displayed the bag.

They listened to bagpipers and watched a shepherd herd his flock of sheep with three dogs. Melanie had video clips of some interesting things on the trip. Valerie Fritzinger then delighted the members with a pseudo-rip to Buenos Aries Argentina, where she hope to go some day. Her travel guide found many interesting spots including a beer Spa, a sauna, tango lessons, hop-on-hop-off bus tour of the city and ending with a trip to the gorgeous coastline of Mar Del Plata where shark fishing and surfing on the sand dunes are very popular tourist attractions.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 7 PM at Rockford United Methodist Church Tea Room. Rozann Maurer and Toni Bollenbacher will be evening hostesses. Members sharing their Adventures will be Karla Butler and Ann Gage.

Contact Sheila Baltzell-Linn if you are interested in attending a meeting.
419-733-3326.