Leaf River Alumni Association: The Leaf River Alumni Association held its annual meeting and banquets at the High School in Leaf River. The class celebrated its 25th reunion was honored at each banquet. Local organizations served the banquet. From 1966-1975, there were no formal gatherings held at the School. The individual classes gathered for their own reunions. 1975 saw the reorganization of the Leaf River Alumni n the form of an "Old Timers Basketball Game." This tradition is still enjoyed yearly (2001). At these games, the alumni under 30 years of age play against each other, as do the alumni over 30. The following year (1976), a meeting of the alumni was held in the School cafeteria after the basketball game. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson (Red) Baker, who had organized the first alumni games, chaired the meeting. It was decided at this meeting that the alumni game proceeds would be given to any school or community organization in need of fianacial aid. Monies have been given to the Demon Club, L.R.H.S. Band, and the summer baseball program for building of new backstop. These meetings are presently being held the first Saturday evening in March with the classes graduating 10 and 20 years prior hosting the event. A new Website has been designed by alumnist Donna Tucker Baumann that has been a very important tool in High School Graduates listing e-mail address links for purpose of keeping in contact. The site also offers a wide array of other interesting items, photos including the title photo of the 1922 High School building taken in the 60's, that burned on August 20, 1993, also includes news, memorials and links. Click Here >>>>>>> http://www.lrdemons.com |
Organizations: |
Merry Martha Club: On February 22, 1917, the ladies of the Silver Creek Community met at the home of Mrs. John Long for the purpose of organizing a women's club. The purpose of the club was to develope community interest, have social affairs and to aid any charitable enterprise whenever possible. The following officers were elected: President, Mrs. Roy (Bess) Stuckenberg; Vice-President, Mrs. John (Libby) Long; Secretary & Treasurer, Mrs. Murray (Alice) Welty. The name given the club was Merry Martha, taken from the day, February 22, in faithfulness to our country. There were fourteen charter members: Mrs. John Long, Mrs. Roy Stuckenberg, Mrs. Jack Cornell, Mrs. Martin Zellers, Mrs. William Hammond, Mrs. Murray Welty, Mrs. Wilbur Zellers, Mrs. Grayson Welty, Mrs. Clint Croft, Mrs. Fred Cornell, Mrs. Fred Pauls, Mrs. Merritt Felker, Mrs. Floyd Zellers, Miss Vergie Welty. The rules were as follows: The membership dues for the year were 25 cents to be paid in advance and each member to pay 1 cent at each meeting. If any member was absent they were to pay 5 cents. Each member was asked to wear a plain house dress. The refreshments were to consist of not more than two kinds of food and one drink. Those eligible to join the club were to live on the roads around the section or there-in. A few weeks after the first meeting Mrs. Ben Horst, Mrs. Ray Avey and Mrs. Henry Schreiber became members of the club. Amendments added during the years: Work shall be dropped during the devotional period. A chaplain shall be appointed to lead the devotions. In later years she was elected along with the other officers. The first baby to be born to a member was Anna Frances Zellers to parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Zellers. During the first year, aprons were made and presented to the Methodist Church bazaar and one comforter was made and given to the Lake Bluff Orphanage. Numberous quilts and comforters have been given to families who had lost their possessions in fires. Donations through the years were given to the Red Cross, Christmas Neighbor's Club, Salvation Army, Cancer Society, American Bible Society, Council Bluffs Orphanage and Radio Free Europe. The Club now makes bibs and lap robes for residents of nursing homes. In earlier years, the members and their families enjoyed many activities such as Halloween parties, family nights and picnics during the summer. The Merry Martha Club is still in existence with 23 members and will celebrate its 65th anniversary in 1982. Since 1942, the club has met only once a month. There are four present members who are daughters of Charter Members: Florence (Zellers) Schreiber, Doris (Zellers) Kuntzelman, Anna (Zellers) Riley and Mildred (Felker) Lamm. The members are still growing today 2001, present members include: Helen Palmer, Kathryn Zellers, Doris Kuntzelman, Jan Lawrence, Florence Schreiber, Barb Bunting, Margaret Blake, Marge Diehl, and Jean Walker. Alice Aurand, Betty (Zellers) Lantz, Ruby Myers, Ruby Van Brocklin, Aleene Nelson, Jean Mahon, Debra Lucas, Clare Long, Joyce Long, and Shirley Lovell. |
Standing: Mildred Lamm (holding Anna Zellers), Alice Welty, Vera Reber Buskohl, Mattie Avey, Maude Felker, Ollie Gibbs, Annie Thomas, Ruth Cornell, Susan Schreiber, Ada Hammond, Annie Zellers. Seated: Anna Weirich, Dolly Avey (holding child). On the ground: Leta Schreiber (Kretsinger), Ella Zellers (holding Florence), Grace Horst, and Libby Long. |
Leaf River Grange: The Leaf River Grange, organized on September 30, 1921 by Deputy E.J. Johns of Rockford, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1971. The first meeting was held in the home of H.W. Palmer. Wilbur Light was elected first master of the Grange, Howard Palmer, Secretary, and Nellie Blanchard, lecturer. Two of the thirty three charter members of the Grange are still active, namely, Mrs. Wilbur (Grace) Light and Mrs. John (Alice) Wilson. When the membership became too large to meet in the homes, John Wilson presented the ide of purchasing the unused United Brethren Church in Lightsville. The committee in charge of unused buildings for the liberal branch of the United Brethrens were willing to sell, but there was "red tape" connected with the transaction. C.F. Croft was master of the Grange at the time, so he, along with O.A. Hawkins, decided to buy the building. More "red tape" was encountered when the Grange found they had to incorporate in order to own the property. By Autumn 1925, the Leaf River Grange had worked through the red tape and finally owned its own hall. At the 25th anniversary of the Grange, thirty-seven members received their 25 year pins, and certificates. The Adeline Grange consolidated with the Leaf River Grange in 1938. The Junior Grange was organized on May 18, 1927. The building was badly damaged by fire in 1939 but was fully repaired and rededicated in January, 1940. The Grange purchased the Lightsville School Property in 1950 for $ 150.00 after the School burned. In a National Grange contest Mrs. Grace Light won $ 100.00 for herself and $ 100.00 for the Grange when she placed first for her entry on "Why I like Dry Yeast." Three couples of the Leaf River Grange have been selected as Young Farm Couple of the year or Outstanding Farm Family of the year. They are, Loren and Marilyn Kappenman, Dwayne and Mary Jane Zipse, and Ronald and Alice Craven. The Grange recently purchased the Lydia Bowers property, giving them access on Leaf River road. A Complete history of the Leaf River Grange was presented at the 60th anniversary Celebration held of October 25th, 1981. The Grange is a Farm Family Faternity Service Organization plus it supports its State and National Organization. They also have Representatives in Washington, and make and send resolutions to Springfield and Washington D.C.. Leaf River Grange presently has 85 members and an active Junior Grange with about 20 members. Eldon Boomgarden is the Master of the Grange with Dwayne Zipse as the Junior Matron. |
Leaf River Alumni Association: The Leaf River Alumni Association held its annual meeting and banquets at the High School in Leaf River. The class celebrated its 25th reunion was honored at each banquet. Local organizations served the banquet. From 1966-1975, there were no formal gatherings held at the School. The individual classes gathered for their own reunions. 1975 saw the reorganization of the Leaf River Alumni n the form of an "Old Timers Basketball Game." This tradition is still enjoyed yearly (2001). At these games, the alumni under 30 years of age play against each other, as do the alumni over 30. The following year (1976), a meeting of the alumni was held in the School cafeteria after the basketball game. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson (Red) Baker, who had organized the first alumni games, chaired the meeting. It was decided at this meeting that the alumni game proceeds would be given to any school or community organization in need of fianacial aid. Monies have been given to the Demon Club, L.R.H.S. Band, and the summer baseball program for building of new backstop. These meetings are presently being held the first Saturday evening in March with the classes graduating 10 and 20 years prior hosting the event. A new Website has been designed by alumnist Donna Tucker Baumann that has been a very important tool in High School Graduates listing e-mail address links for purpose of keeping in contact. The site also offers a wide array of other interesting items, photos including the title photo of the 1922 High School building taken in the 60's, that burned on August 20, 1993, also includes news, memorials and links. Click Here >>>>>>> http://www.lrdemons.com |
Jerry Wickam Am. Legion Aux. Post 1148: Coming Soon ! |
Jerry Wickam Am. Legion Post 1148: Coming Soon ! |
Leaf River Historical Society: Coming Soon ! |
Early Merry Martha Club |
