On May 20, 1901 a group of 12 women met and formed the Manning Woman's Club. The first officers were President, Clara Lewis; Vice President, Jessie Kuhl and Secretary, Kathryn Eden. By February, 1902 the membership had grown to 22 members, and in April, 1903 they affiliated with the General Federation of Woman's Clubs.

They began a course of study and became active in community projects. During 1904 the club purchased and installed a water fountain on main street. In 1908 they prepared and presented the program for the dedication of the new school house. During 1912 and 1913 they were instrumental in having a sidewalk built to the cemetery and trees planted along the way.

The club held many of its meetings during the W.W.I years of 1916 to 1918 and again in 1942 to 1945 in the Red Cross headquarters, helping to roll bandages, making up packages to send overseas, selling bonds and collected 294 old keys for the scrap drives.

Throughout the years they have sponsored many community projects. A room was furnished in the Wyatt Hospital, money was donated to help establish a local library, children were sent to camps, toys were collected for the Children's Home in Toledo, Iowa, the AFS student project was supported, each year money is given to support the Brownie Scout Troop and in 1968 a piano was purchased for the Plaza. In 1969 and 70 a fund for football bleachers was collected and the bleachers were erected. They also helped to purchase new nets for the tennis courts in the city park. About five years ago a program, encouraged by the Iowa Commission for the Blind, was started to test pre-school children for Ambliopia. This program continues each year along with many Federation and local projects. On July 11, 1979 they helped host an open house and reception which was the 50th anniversary of the local library and also honored Fredda Hinz, one of its members, who has been librarian for 35 years. They contributed to the fund used to commission a portrait of Mrs. Hinz. It was painted by Virginia Michunaas of Des Moines, daughter of Ethel Lee, a former member of the Woman's Club.

In 1947 Blanche Wiese was elected president of the Iowa Federation bringing honors to the local club. At present the membership is 25 active members and two honorary members. The object of the club is still the same, to promote a spirit of comradeship and to assist in developing a higher womanhood.

Manual Lodge No. 450 was operated under dispensation of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, from Jan. 3, 1883 to June 15, 1884. The Worshipful Master at the time was Van Saur. On June 15, 1884 a charter was granted to Manual Lodge No. 450 by Grand Master C.P. Granger; Senior Grand Warden, Lafayette Young and Junior Grand Warden E.A. Charles. The following brethren were installed as the first officers of Manual Lodge; W. Master L.L. Putzell; Senior Warden, W.F. Howard; Jr. Warden, H.W. Reed; Treas. O.E. Dutton; Sec'y, S.L. Wilson and Tyler, J.R. Ryan.

The meetings have always been held in the Masonic Hall located over the First National Bank. The minutes of all the meetings from January 3, 1883 to the present are recorded and filed in the Lodge Hall. The present officers are W. Master, Ronald Frahm; Sen. Warden, Clifford Tank; Jr. Warden, Tom Williams; Sen. Deacon, Donald Lamb; Jr. Deacon, Jack Lorenzen; Treas. Wm. Opperman; Sec'y., Cleo Chamberlain; Chaplain, Herbert Frahm; Sr. Steward, Lester Joens; Jr. Steward, Orland Fara and Tyler, Orville Hinze.

At present there are 56 members with eight living 50 year members. Seven members of the lodge have affiliated with the Shrine in Sioux City and Des Moines.

During the late 1940's various basement recreation rooms became the site of several groups and couples who became interested in the desire to master the art of square dancing. Furniture was moved aside, square dance records were purchased and the fun began.

About 1953 one of the original couples, Lester and Elsie Rowedder contacted Elsie's brother-inlaw, Marion Lund, a square dance enthusiast and accomplished caller, to come to Manning to give lessons at the Firemen's Hall. About that time Bob and Arlene Hoffmann moved back to Manning from Trent, South Dakota where they had belonged to a square dance club. With their added enthusiasm it was decided to form a club with Marion Lund as caller and Bob was elected the first president.

A large group of people responded to the classes and soon a large portion of Manning's young marrieds had succumbed to the square dance craze! Later on the club moved to the V.F.W. hall where the dances have been held ever since. A contest was held to find a name for the club and Ila Rix's entry, "Belles and Beaus" was chosen. As the dancers became more proficient and experienced they occasionally invited guest callers and would also attend other square dance events in the area. The Club has had 26 different presidents and secretary-treasurers and is still very active.

Several members have observed their anniversaries with the club and there have been two reunion dances for those who have not kept up in attendance, but still like a turn or two for old times' sake.

The club celebrated their 25th year of square dancing in February of 1978.

Salona Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star was organized in 1897. Officers were, Worthy Matron, Mrs. O.L. Russell; Worthy Patron, Mr. O.L. Russell; Associate Matron, Blanche Patton; Secy., Mrs. C.M. Barber; Treas., John Lewis. Star points were Myrtle Steele, Ruth Hall, Edith Halford, Azubah Pollack, and Mrs. Hollingsworth; Conductress, Clara Lewis; Associate Conductress, Mrs. Gertrude Campbell; Warder, Mrs. Halford and Sentinel, James Halford. The meetings were held in the Masonic Hall located on the second floor of the First National Bank Building.

In past years several members have been honored with state appointments. They are Bertha Sutherland, district instructor and Past Grand Esther; Clara Breckenridge, Clara Claussen, and Hazel Meyers were appointed as Grand Representatives; Mrs. Arthur Rix, district instructor and Past Grand Chaplain; Henry Meyers, Past Worthy Grand Patron and Grand Chapter Committee member.

The International Temple is located in Washington, D.C. and all Star Chapters contribute to its maintenance. The Chapter's main project is the maintenance of the Eastern Star-Masonic Home in Boone, Iowa. In past years the chapter raised funds to furnish a room in the Wyatt Hospital and also took part in various local projects.

The officers for 1980 were W.M., Winona Hill; W.P., Arthur Rix; Assoc. M., Ruby Bucklin; Assoc. P., Cleo Chamberlain; Treas., Mary Ann Miller; Secy., Dorothy Arp; Conductress, Helena Tank; Assoc. Conductress, Ruth Crandall; Chaplain, Gladys Schmidt; Marshall, Ila Rix; Organist, Velaine Curlile; Adah, Fredda Hinz; Ruth, Mildred Bennett; Esther, Emily Schelldorf; Martha, Sharon Williams; Electa, Gerry Lamb; Warder, Wilbur Hill and Sentinel, Clifford Tank.

Pastime Club is an organization for senior citizens. It was May, 1968 when Orval Fink and several business men called a meeting for the purpose of organizing a Senior Citizen Club. Everyone interested was invited. The meeting was held May 8th in the lower level of the Plaza. Fifty people attended. It was decided to have two meetings a month, one to be a pot-luck luncheon and the other one to be games and crafts. Christina Mohr, Wilda David, Lillian Andresen, Caroline Clark and Norma Taggart volunteered to plan the events for the year.

Hazel Hansen from Audubon has organized numerous senior citizen groups in Carroll County and surrounding area. She has a very interesting craft program as well as being the tour guide for Hawkeye Tours Inc. for seniors and this gives them the opportunity to travel by bus throughout the U.S. and Canada. September 21, 1976 was "Senior Day" in Manning and over 200 attended including folks from neighboring towns. A Bicentennial theme was followed with decorations in red, white and blue. The Pioneer Trail Nutrition Project was announced by Dorothy Kusel, executive director of the Terrace and Elm Crest Apartments. The club is still very active and the meetings have good attendance with 35 or more. The present officers are Olivia Petersen, Wilda David and Viola Spieker.

In the mid-1920s, when the dirt road which is now Iowa Highway 141 was "planked" one mile west of Manning in Carroll County and a half-mile farther west in Crawford County. Natural springs in the center of the road at both locations made it almost impossible for autos to travel in the spring of the year.

---Alice Grau