P.E.O celebrates 75th anniversary years ago
The 75th (diamond) anniversary of P.E.O. Chapter DB was celebrated May 27 at Marion Presbyterian Church. Forty-three sisters enjoyed a dinner catered by Marissa Makovec and served by B.I.L.s Bruce Skiles, Mike Thomas, and Larry Loomis.
A lemon-filled, tiered caked baked and decorated by Wanda Richmond provided the centerpiece for the head table and was served for dessert.
The table decorations were planned by Belinda Skiles and Laura Williams. They featured yellow and white candles and fresh flowers. Others assisting with the event were committee co-chairman Janice Case, Bettie Batt, Joni Crofoot, Jean Case, Lavonne Hannaford, Marge Summervill, Judy Reno, Gayle Thomas, and Randee Loomis.
Eileen Sieger, Belinda Skiles, and Suzanne Thole sang "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" while garbed in 1920s "flapper" costumes. Laura Williams played accompaniment. These "Sisterhood Singers" presented everyone with a fake diamond ring as a favor.
A program prepared and narrated by Ruth Viets, committee co-chairman, reflected the Marion chapter's 75-year history and featured a 1950s era 8mm film of members and meetings of that time. Bev Hoch concluded the evening by sharing a delightful, light-hearted song about "unusual" desserts and "God Bless America," accompanied by Anita Brookens and Laura Williams, respectively.
Marion P.E.O. Chapter DB was organized May 27, 1927. Longtime members are Norma Hannaford, who has been a member for 74 years, and Margaret Wolf for 73.
The P.E.O. Sisterhood was founded Jan. 21, 1869, at Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, by seven young women. It is a philanthropic and educational organization interested in bringing to women increased opportunities for higher education. Projects of the Marion chapter include Cottey Junior College, a fully accredited liberal arts college for women at Nevada, Mo.; grants, scholarships, and loans for traditional, non-traditional, and international women students pursuing higher education; and a scholarship awarded annually to a Marion High School senior young woman.
