KALONA

Just a few short weeks away, on Nov. 8-9, is the 67th annual Pleasantview Benefit. That means the Steering Committee is accepting donations for auction items, the website (https://pvkalona.com/benefit-sale/) gets updated almost daily, food committee members are seeking volunteers to help serve meals, and quilts are being gathered by the quilt committee. Businesses and individuals are also contributing monetarily to the cause in advance of the event.

There are some unique items collected for the sale, including a 60” x 72” quilt made by Marietta Yoder Fowler, which is pieced with Caitlin Clark fabric and comes with two pillowcases and two pillows as well; perfect Christmas presents for the young ones in your life. For the Hawkeye fan, she made a 48” x 56” throw or small quilt.

Esther Gingerich has donated a 54” diameter lace tablecloth hand-crocheted by Cora Yoder in 1940 and owned for many years by her mother, Suvilla Hershberger. It is flawless and absolutely exquisite.

Many community members will remember Lafena Hostetler. As a young woman, she began working at Reifs stocking shelves; later she worked as a cashier and also as a bookkeeper. She worked for four generations of the Reif family over nearly 50 years. After retirement, she volunteered as a cashier at Crowded Closet in Iowa City.

In January 2023, Lafena moved into Pleasantview; while cleaning out her home, a completed set of cross-stitched quilt blocks were found, which most likely she had done, or possibly her stepmother Katie Hostetler (at 99 years of age, she isn’t quite sure). Anna Fern King pieced the blocks together, added the border, and the quilt was hand quilted by Sunnyside Church women. It will be on display at Pleasantview prior to the Benefit.

There are some special handmade wooden items received as well. What young child wouldn’t love to play with the barn made by Brad McGowan? It measures 19” x 24”, and when opened, it is 49” long. Doors on the box stalls and gates open. Another perfect Christmas gift.

Heber Ramer is donating a handmade walnut child's rocking chair with a pullout drawer. The chair folds, but it cannot fold when a child is seated in it.

Also popular are the marble roller and doll house received from Mary Jane Miller and her family. These were made by the late Edwin D. Miller and are gently used.

There will be many, many more items for sale. Check the website (see above) frequently for updates. Quilts will be added to it by mid-October.

If you have items to donate or wish to volunteer to serve a meal in your home, contact Larry Swartzendruber at Pleasantview (319-356-2421). We hope to see you after 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 8 and the morning of Nov. 9 at Hillcrest Academy, 1421 540th St SW, Kalona.

Proceeds will go toward the purchase of a new wheelchair van.