Wooster Emblem Club announces officers, reviews year

Wooster Emblem Club No. 374 met at the Wooster Elks Lodge. Deb Blough-Schmidt presided in the absence of President Paulette Douglas. The meeting was opened according to ritual, with 17 officers present and eight past presidents in attendance.

Year-end committee reports were given.

Highlights of the Americanism report were giving more than 1,200 flags away, including a large 15-by-25-foot flag and an 8-by-12-foot winter flag for over the Wayne County Courthouse. Wooster Emblem Club has given flags for the courthouse for 50 years. Thirty flags were given to the City of Wooster for light posts downtown, municipal buildings and parks. Small flags were passed out during the Memorial Day parade, Farmers Market and Kids Day on Flag Day, to those in attendance at HOPS Quilt Presentations, Honor Flight return and at veterans programs.

Ten wreaths for Wreaths Across America were provided for members and spouses at local cemeteries.

First responders were given fruit, cheese and other snacks on Sept. 11.

The Literacy Committee was also active for the year. More than 203 books were donated to a child care center, first-grade class and Free Little Library. One thousand five hundred bookmarks were distributed to local elementary schools and the Wayne County Library. Donations of word puzzles, adult coloring books and puzzles were given to Wayne County Care Center and Homeward Bound.

The Ways and Means Committee reported on a successful year of fundraising to support the activities of the club.

The election of officers was held with the following results: President Flo Oldaker, Vice President Pat Gerber, Financial Secretary Lola Schubert, Treasurer Barb Moore, Recording Secretary Deb Blough-Schmidt, Press Correspondent Dottie Roberts, Historian Barb Flickinger, Chairman of Trustees Freda Ross, second Trustee Pat Hartel, third Trustee Kathy Roby, fourth Trustee Ellen Smith, fifth Trustee Val Fulton, first Assistant Marshal Sharon Mickley, second Assistant Marshal Keri Merickel, Chaplain Sharon Stevens, Organist Martha Hancock, first Guard Connie Kittle, second Guard Vera Rouhier. Paulette Douglas was elevated to the office of junior past president, and Ardenna Hurt and Carol Wise were appointed to corresponding secretary and marshal, respectively.

Installation of officers is May 16, with dinner at 6 p.m. and installation at 7 p.m. Junior Past Supreme President Molly Velez will serve as installing officer. The next business meeting will be at 2 p.m. May 26.