October 23, 2019
Lions Club – The regular meeting of the Rippey Lions Club included a meal served by Phyllis Bardole. The upcoming pancake breakfast on Nov. 16 was discussed. Bobbi and Neal Dollinger are joining the Lions group and are sponsored by Myron and Maralynn Rinker.
The program was provided by Roger Aegerter of Jefferson who shared his pictures and comments on a trip to China in 2018, including a trip to the Wall of China and a tiring walk up and back.
The next meeting will be on November 7, at 7 pm in the Rippey United Methodist Church. ~~ Nancy Hanaman
80th birthdayday, Oct. 15. Actually, she “crashed” their party, as they were meeting Larry and Darlene Johnson for lunch and to help Larry celebrate his 80th birthday. Fishing, “olden” days in and around Rippey and family were the topics discussed that day! They didn’t leave the restaurant until 4 pm and that was only because all had plans for supper elsewhere.
Larry and LaVere are Jean’s second cousins and she lives in the house their grandfathers built. Many years ago Jean did their family tree for and with Velda, and before that she typed some handwritten papers that Larry’s father Franklin had written about his mother Ella (Chambers) Johnson’s, side of the family.
Jean told them, “Try as I might, I couldn’t quite place me in their tree! I would have to be satisfied that the first name on the deed for this farm was their great-grandmother, Josephine (Carney) Johnson.”
Larry’s dad dated the house as being built around 1884. There is a board in the attic with “Johnson Bros.” written on it and square nails were used. Jean said she probably won’t be in the attic any time soon. The “winter creatures” are moving in!
Football meal – The Central College football team arrived at the Rippey United Methodist Church happy winners, and with empty tummies. Within a half hour the meal was consumed, the coach thanked the Rippey group for the great tradition, and the rousing fight song was sung before they were on their way to Pella!
Thanks to Kevin and Mary Hick for once again preparing the meat, potatoes, gravy and beans, as well as heading up the crew. The salad and pie tables were full. There were too many volunteers who provided the other food and worked, to mention without forgetting someone.
This tradition was started in 1985, a brainchild of Velda DeMoss, whose son Marc was a senior player on the team. They play Buena Vista University in Storm Lake every other year and the coach says the team looks forward to coming to Rippey to eat after the game.
Returns to Iowa – Coming home last Monday, one of my seat mates on the airplane was from Perry, and when I said I was from Rippey, that opened a discussion about the Central Football team!
Her son played on the team with my cousin’s son, and both experienced the Rippey meal twice. They graduated last year and have good memories about the after-game meal at Rippey.
Somehow, during the conversation, I must have mentioned I had a friend that didn’t mind “Driving Miss Daisy” and would be picking me up. I said I wouldn’t be surprised if he was wearing a hat this time. Sure enough, when I descended the escalator, there he was, not only with a hat, but also a sign! He was surprised when the two seat mates stopped to visit with him, before I appeared! Thanks to Dale and Nancy Hanaman for taking time to pick me up and then enjoying lunch together.
Rippey library
~by Phyllis Bardole
The regular meeting of the Rippey library board will be Monday, Oct. 28, at 5:30 pm. in the library.
We decided to have our library costume party on Wednesday, Oct. 30. The bus gets here early that day and the kids and their families can come back in costume at 4 pm to have a hot dog supper with costume judging. They can practice for the next night which is Beggar’s Night in Rippey. Adults are always welcome at these events.
The committee for Rippey’s 150th anniversary will hold a fundraiser on October 3 in the community room. Included is a soup supper with a movie. If you want to be involved in this Rippey milestone, come, eat, and visit with those in charge. August 1, 2020 is the date for the celebration and many volunteers will be needed to make it a great day to remember.
Rippey fire chief Pete Johnson brought the fire truck to the library on Oct. 16 and talked about fire safety. Some of the youngsters were able to climb into the truck and run the lights and siren. Thank you, Pete, for taking time to share. Board members Lyle Rychnovsky and Jean Borgeson helped with treats.
We have had many books and DVDs donated and the library is grateful for the generosity of the donors.
