Et cetera North Eden Willing Workers learn about Haiti, share holiday spirit

By Sarah Kreutner, Club Reporter

The North Eden Willing Workers learned all about Haiti at their meeting December 6th. Leo Wobeter presented on the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, showing pictures from his visits to the country. Haiti would fit inside Iowa, but its people are far poorer – many Haitians eat less than one meal per day. Members tried to imagine carrying five-gallon buckets full of water on their heads and having one school in an area the size of Benton County. Mr. Wobeter’s presentation left everyone more appreciative of life in Iowa, and club members began collecting medicine and school supplies to send to Haiti in January.

In other business, the club voted to purchase a flash drive for storing and distributing record book photos. Members also moved to visit the Grout Museum District in Waterloo for the 2016 club trip. The trip may include the Sullivan Brothers Veterans’ Museum, the Science Imaginarium, and the Rensselaer Russell House Museum as well as the Grout Museum. The date is TBD. Leaders announced a club Photography Workshop planned for January 3rd, and reminded members of the County Beef Weigh-in December 19th. The club was confirmed plans to go caroling at Vinton’s nursing homes on December 11th.

During the program, Tess Lillibridge demonstrated how to make a mousetrap with a bucket and pop can. Unfortunately no test subject was present. Kate Hyland showed the club a birthday card design, and Anna Becker made a hula hoop from rubber tubing. Samantha Walton shared a very good fruit pizza recipe. Sarah Kreutner taught the club to wrap a box and members practiced by wrapping gifts for an adopted family. Snacks were provided by the Clark, Aragon, and Hantz families. 33 members attended.

The following Friday, residents at the Vinton Lutheran Home and Windsor Manor enjoyed cheery Christmas music with the North Eden Willing Workers. Members sang carols and several girls even presented a small instrumental concert. 16 members were present.

Seven members learned that photography judges love the rule of thirds on January 11th. Helen Grunewald, a former Kirkwood professor, taught the workshop on cameras, settings, and composition. 4Hers brought their cameras and discovered Scene Modes and cropping. Mrs. Grunewald explained what County Fair judges look for and gave helpful hints – winter photos can be refreshing in the summer, for example. After her presentation the members enjoyed practicing their photography skills on nearby objects and each other.

At the January club meeting later the same evening, a committee reported that the club’s Crayon Initiative project will begin soon. Members plan to place crayon donation boxes in local schools. After collection, Crayon Initiative will recycle the crayons and send them to children’s hospitals for patients to enjoy. In other business, there is finally enough snow for the club’s long-awaited sledding party, which will be held January 9th from 2-3 p.m. Leaders are also arranging a sewing workshop in February. An important note: the club’s February meeting has been moved to January 31st at 5:00 p.m. due to the County Bowling Tournament date. Members, please be ready to sign up for bowling teams at the January 31st meeting.

Presentations began with Lydia Radeke, who taught the club to make custom headbands. Jonathon Kreutner demonstrated different types and uses of calf halters. Maren Redlinger showed the club how to make scrapbook pages, and Luke Radeke shared a method of growing alum crystals in an eggshell. Brock Radeke made slime. Tucker Clark organized a Circle of Life game in which members became animals, plants, and so on, sharing the sun’s energy. The Redlingers, Lillibridges and Hylands provided snacks; 29 members attended.

Upcoming 4H events:

·         4H Jump Night, January 24th, 5:00-8:00 p.m., AirFX Trampoline Park in Hiawatha (Cost: $10)

·         NEWW February Meeting, January 31st, 5:00 p.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton

·         Benton County Bowling Tournament, February 7th, Berry’s Lanes in Vinton

·         NEWW Sewing Workshop, February 21st, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton

·         Benton County Volleyball Tournament, March 20th