Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Stanislaus County

History: Newsletters, Music and Flowers

Newsletter History:

We published a monthly announcement calendar called "The Lamp" beginning in 1955. William Fitzhugh edited it at first. Helen Pierce took over for him. In 1958, Leonard Kirkegaard persuaded Mary Johnson to write a newsletter. She kept copies, which provide almost a weekly history from that date, with some gaps. If you happened to have missed the Sunday services you could always count on Mary's newsletter with her summary of the program. She and Fred spent many hours typing, duplicating, folding and mailing the newsletter (all before computers and copy machines).

Some of the other editors were Ann Arnold, Fred Herman, Kay Barnes, Ben White and Phila Madsen. Name changes have come and gone. It was once called the "Unitarian Highlights", then the "Focuus", [the double "uu" being a play on "UU"]. It spent a short time as the "Nuusletter" and is now "In FocUUs". We now have a copy machine, and a committee which mails the newsletter twice a month.

Music:

Music has always been a part of most programs from the beginning and many members have shared their talents through these years; Genevieve Jones Merriam, Babs Chad, Diane Tanner, Elizabeth Bernardo, John Freemyer, Anita Hatlen, Olive Lab, Ruby TenBrink, Margo Myer, Evelyn Neubaum, Craig Currier, Stan and Linda Rau, Mary Menz, Chris Carr, Pat Gonsalves, Bobby Gills, Audrey Lawson and Lee Binna.

Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Bernardo both taught piano. They provided talent from among their students on many occasions. We always appreciated Edith Wheeler's flute, Anita Hatlen's singing and Lee Binna. Lee played the piano and organ for the Sunday Services for over 30 years. All of those above and many others have enriched the Fellowship with their performances over the years.

Flowers:

I could not close without a mention of the floral arrangements by Rebecca Heckendorf, Thelma Zingel and Mary Johnson. For years they have appeared as if by magic. They have graced our services and we appreciate them.

Credits:

1953-78 Researched by Mary and Fred Johnson (source: Newsletters)

1964-92 Researched by Dolores Niemi (source: Board Minutes)

Revised 12/92