Soup Supper honors Vets By Sarah Boldt The Washta United Methodist Women are gearing up for another Veterans Day soup supper this November 11, starting at 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Methodist church. Soup suppers began at the church long before member Ranee Goettsch can remember, but the tradition continues with the ladies group serving chili, chicken noodle and ham and bean soups along with a variety of sandwiches, corn bread muffins, different kinds of desserts and something to drink. The supper hasn't always been a Veteran's Day event but after 9/11 the women's group decided to hold it on Veterans Day and has left it that way ever since. United Methodist Women president Ranee Goettsch helps organize the fundraiser supper which brings in hundreds of dollars each year that the women's group gives to mission work. The best year the fundraiser has had in recent years profited $700 and the money goes towards organizations such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross and International organizations to help the needy in a variety of ways. The Washta UM women make the decision about where to donate their profits from fundraisers and donations every year in December before they start planning for the next year's fundraiser, and the soup supper is always on the calendar. There is a total of 26 women involved with Washta Methodist Women's group and each one of them helps cook the soups, sandwiches, corn muffins and dessert for the big night. Plus the women hold a bake sale that they bake for as well. "It helps generate a little extra money," Goettsch pointed out. She also pointed out the unending list of baked goods available for purchase at the supper, such as homemade breads, bars, cookies, pies, sweet rolls, canned pickles, jellies and jams and the list goes on. On top of all the baking and cooking the women of the church donate, they also take the time to set up the church fellowship hall in patriotic theme. Red, white and blue cover the tables to honor those who have served and are serving our country. Washta United Methodist isn't out of practice when it comes to cooking meals and celebrating with the community. The local church just celebrated its 125th birthday on August 30, with a special Harvest Festival and worship service. The special festivities brought former pastors of the church back to celebrate with the current congregation and pastor. It also had the ladies making a meal similar to the ones made years ago for fundraisers at the church. Chicken and noodles were served and once again a bake sale for all to enjoy. The Veteran's Day Soup Supper is a tradition that does not see an end in sight. The meal is a free will donation again with all the profits going to support local charities. Washta United Methodist The Washta United Methodist Church celebrated their 125th birthday in August with their annual Harvest Festival. The celebration brought former pastors back to share memories of the church for the day Photo by Sarah Boldt

- Ranee Goettsch is the president of the Washta United Methodist Women's group. The women are holding their annual Veterans Day Soup Supper from 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the church on Nov. 11. Photo by Sarah Boldt

Community Center brings town together By Sarah Boldt Quimby's community center sits on the main street of businesses in the small town and has the support of the entire community keeping it up and running. The 20th annual turkey dinner is being held by the community center this Sunday, Nov. 1 to help raise funds needed to keep the building open. Every organization that uses the community center is involved in making the annual dinner a success. The Methodist church makes the gravy, the Baptist church provides the corn, the Lutheran church makes the stuffing, Don and Carol Fiser do the potatoes and the community center board members will be making the dessert for this year's meal. Board members include Deb Clark, president, Don Fiser, treasurer and Shirley Perrett as secretary. Slim Jennies, Entre Nous, American Legion, American Auxiliary, the fire station and Senior Citizens group also help with the meal by donating funds to put towards coffee, paper products, cranberries, dinner rolls and setting up and tearing down tables at the fire hall. "We have our groceries delivered about 9 p.m. Saturday night and Don and Deb start cooking turkeys about 2 or 3 a.m.," Shirley said. "Then about 6 a.m. we have volunteers come in and cut the turkey up and put it into roasters to serve." The turkey dinner has at least 30 volunteers cooking, serving and cleaning up when all is said and done. Without the volunteers, the dinner would not take place. As it does every year the proceeds are put towards the up keep of the building and this year some of the money will be put towards a new roof air conditioner. Some of the money raised last year went to a new door on the front of the building that was put on about six months ago and to a new coat of paint. Those in the community that are part of the community center organization can use the building when needed throughout the year. The building has seen many uses such as Bible school classroom, a place for funeral meals to be served, a location for the Slim Jennies to meet and for card groups to get together, along with a meeting hall for different organizations. The Quimby Community Center has been in the town since 1963 and has always been supported through fundraisers and donations from people in the community. Perrett recalls a time when 'feather parties' used to be held playing bingo to help raise funds before the turkey dinner was started. The building is also available to rent for $25 a day and can be reserved by calling Shirley Perrett at 712-445-2674. The turkey dinner meal is $8 for adults, $5 for 11 and under and free for preschoolers and smaller and will be served at the fire hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All carry outs can be picked up at the community center and are all $8. Photo by Sarah Boldt