Sunbonnet Questers
Sunbonnet Questers met Oct. 8 in the home of Judy Swenson with eight members answering roll call. The meeting was called to order by vice president Linda Medland. A silent auction of “Something You Can Live Without” was ongoing throughout the evening with some lively bidding.
Summer meetings were summarized including a trip to Marshalltown to the antique shops, a trip to Colfax and Monroe for more shopping, the necessary board meeting to kick off the year and the September meeting at the home of Bonnie Rasmussen with a fascinating program by Russell Clayton, an Abraham Lincoln historian and collector
Sales in the surrounding areas were discussed as possible trips. Susan Grigsby sent a message that they will be joining Megan Pryke at the Hunter Mansion Tea Room by opening a boutique in the upper level. It is to be called the Purple Gardenia.
The State Questers Fall Fling will be held Oct. 17 in Story City. Three members plan to attend. International Convention volunteers are needed for the meeting in Des Moines on May 19-23, 2016. Volunteering as a group was discussed and we will request more information before making a decision.
The group is looking forward to decorating the 1940s dining room and bed room at the Historical Society for the holidays. It coincides with the Christmas Dollars for Scholars walk
Hostess Judy Swenson invited the group to her dining room where the table was set with 10 different place settings representing sets of dishes she has and uses regularly. Royal Dalton is durable for every day and to our surprise, is dishwasher safe. Before they became makers of fine china Dalton made pitchers and heavy items. Syracuse, although no longer making fine china continues to make restaurant ware and other heavy china.
Spode began making Christmas china in 1938 and continued until it dissolved in 2009. Her pattern of Calico by Stratfordshire Brownford China was a very busy pattern that mixed well with a solid color Federalist, from Japan, is ovenproof ironstone and she it is for everyday use. Johnson Brothers ironstone is also for every day. Others included Noritake, Lenox and Haviland.
Swenson told stories of each company and the people involved with them. Her one regret is that she sold a set of milk glass because she didn’t like having to dry the nubby surface which would no longer be a problem with a dishwasher Her placemats were very individual and special as well.
Refreshments followed, using the settings the group had just learned about.
The next meeting will be held Nov. 12 at the home of Shirley Mielke.