ORGANIZATIONS

     The Waveland Mite Society (picture on proceeding page), was organized in June 1873 by a few ladies who had been meeting for a short time, making Regalias for the members of the Grange which had recently been organized in the neighborhood. Because of the pleasant times they had spent together they decided to form a society and continue to meet. There were about 15 charter members. A fee of 5 cents (a mite) was paid at each meeting, held every two weeks. The earnings were small but throughout the years they were used for good. The ladies sent aid to the Christian Home, helped pay the salary of ministers, and each year gave some money to help with the care of Waveland Cemetery. The society continued for more than 40 years.

     Elliott has had a number of clubs and lodges over the years. Newspapers mention the following: IOOF -chartered in 1882, GAR organized in 1884, Knights Tempelar - 1886 and Rebekah's -1896. It is uncertain how long they remained active, but a 1915 paper states that the following have elected new officers for the coming year: Maccabees, Oddfellows, Modern Woodmen of America, Knights of Pythias and Royal Neighbors Lodge.

     Two other Federated clubs were once active. The Entre Nous existed from 1933 - 1970. Elizabeth Viner, State I. F. W. C. President, was also a member of the Entre Nous Club.

     The Elizabeth Simmons Junior Federated Club was organized in March 1937, with Catherine Carson as sponsor. Later  Mrs. R. B. Stewart was sponsor. The club existed three or four years.

BOY SCOUTS

      Boy Scout Troop 486 was started in 1965 with Cecil Conry as Scoutmaster. Rev. Robert Jones, Neighborhood Commissioner was of great help to the troop. Jim Lewellen followed Conry as Scoutmaster. Bill Reed was also Scoutmaster, and Steve Jurshak assisted him as Ass't Scoutmaster for the last two years. The entire troop attended summer camp at Camp Wakonda, Griswold, three years; Camp Cedars, Fremont, Nebr., one year; Little Sioux, Ia., one year. They were at Amikaro at Little Sioux, and also attended several local and district freezeouts. Steve Jurshak attended National Jamboree, Farragut, Idaho; and Chuck Reed was at Philmont, Cimmaron, New Mexico. Bill Reed, Steve Jurshak, Chuck Reed and Larry Williams were made members of Order of the Arrow. Steve Jurshak attained Eagle Rank Nov. 30, 1969, Mark Stoneking, Todd Turner and Larry Williams. Troop 486 disbanded in 1973.

CUB SCOUTS

     Cub Scouting was started in 1930. Though Elliott's Cub Scouts organization is not that old, Elliott has had a group going, off and on, for a number of years.

     There are seven members of the present troop. The Den Mothers are Cheryl Towne, Betty Holmes, and Martha Mundorf.

     We are Den 2 of Pack 69 which is of the Griswold School District. Our Den meets once a week during the school year, and once a month during the summer. Once a month we get together with the other Dens of Pack 69.

GIRL SCOUTS

     In the fall of 1974, Brownie Troop 208 was organized by Linda Kennedy and Marla Turner. There were 13 girls who joined. The next year 1975, there were 14 girls with Joy Smith and Marla Turner as leaders. One of the community projects was taking the Senior Citizens individual pies. In 1976, Becky Hill and Joy Smith were in charge of the troop. Lynne Peterson and Mary Jones were leaders in 1977 with 10 girls. Each girl made a mobile with decorations on it, to hang up, and gave them to some of the older people in town.

FOUR   H   CLUBS

     In 1914 the Smith-Lever Act organized Boys and Girls Agricultural Clubs in the United States. In the 1920's the name was changed to Boy's and Girl's 4-H Clubs. In the 1940's Girls 4-H was on a three rotation of study, Nutrition, Sewing, and Home Furnishing. These areas are still stressed, but many others have been added: Safety, Citizenship, Photography, Woodworking, and others in the Creative Arts. Boy's 4-H has always dealt basically with Livestock. (Girl's are also member). Areas added include Welding, Veterinary Science, Photography, and others. At County Fairs a Blue Ribbon is how worth about $3.00, originally it was 25 cents.

    The Elliott Community presently is served by these Clubs: SHERMAN OVERALL GIRLS - was started in 1943 with 22 members. It was preceded in the 1930's by the J. U. G. They have sent two demonstration teams to the State Fair, in safety and home furnishing.  In 1975 the entire club went to State and did a shit for Share the Fun.

    SHERMAN ATOMS - Organized in 1946 with Jack Young and Lester Shires as leaders, they continues for years. Philip Turner has been a leader over 25 years, and Kenneth Peterson over 15. 

    PILOT GROVE PALS - was organized May 20, 1948, with 20 members. Lois Streitenberger and Ethel Jurshak were leaders. Their first demonstration team in Nutrition went to the State Fair, (Lois Ann Parker and Karen Thompson.) There are now 11 members.

    PILOT GROVE PUNCHERS - Started in 1947, with 8 members. Leaders were Kenneth Boyer and Gus Lofgren. Richard Barr and Leon Klindt are present leaders.

    WAVELAND BUSY BEES - Organized in 1944, with 8 members. Mrs. Clement Wilson, Frances DeKay and Mrs. James Casey, Jr. were leaders. There are 12 members in 1979. Leaders are Mrs. Larry Whiley, Mrs. Bob Barnes, Mrs. Fred Shaw, Mrs. Gordon Amos. In 1927-28 the Waveland Wonder Workers are listed, and in 1939-1940 there was a Waveland Peppy Farmerettes.

    WAVELAND RAIDERS - were first recognized as a club in 1947, with Harold Buckner and Lee Mewhirter as leaders. Previously, (between 1940-1947) the Boys 4-H Club in the Waveland area changed its name and boundaries several times. Merle Borkowski has been the leader the past twelve years.

    LADS AND LASSIES - was organized in the spring of 1978, consisting of boys and girls from the Elliott and Grant communities. Janielle Kenworthy is leader. They showed Clothing and Photography in July 1978. There are ten members.

    Many members of the clubs have served as County Officers, and have exhibited individual projects at State Fair and elsewhere.

ELLIOTT CONGREGATE MEAL SITE

    The Elliott Congregate Meal Site served their first meal on Dec. 17, 1976 in the Elliott United Methodist Church dining room. This was the home of the meal site for the first ten months. Elliott is under Area XIII Agency on Aging-Nutrition Program for the Elderly, and this is government funded.

    In Nov. of 1977 the meal site moved to their present location, the former Elliott Cafe. This building was purchased by the government for the Senior Citizens of Elliott.

    The meals are cooked and served five days a week at the Meal Site by Helen Scott, and are presently catering to the Red Oak site which opened on June 22, 1978. Betty Howell is Meal Site manager for Elliott. There are 23 meal sites in an eight county area and Elliott is the only one that is presently self supporting 

ELLIOTT EMBROIDERY CLUB

     The Elliott Embroidery Club was organized in the early 1900's/ "The object of the organization is to encourage an interest in Fancywork and to promote friendly social relations."

     Mrs. Bess Carson was a Charter member: Mrs. Ella Barnes, Mrs. Flora Jones, Mrs. Ida Reynolds, Mrs. Carrie Redmond are mentioned early in the Club's activity.

     In 1979 Elliott Embroidery is still active and have happy times together.

ELLIOTT SILVER TOPS

     The Elliott Silver Tops senior were first organized in 1967 under the leadership of Sandy Hildebrandt and Deanna Poettinger. They met in the Methodist Church. Different clubs and societies took turns furnishing refreshments and entertainment. They voted to name themselves "Silver Tops", with refreshments and programs to be furnished by the members.

     One year we met in the little red brick school building and another year we met in a class room in the new elementary building. We then started meeting in the Public Library, the first Monday of each month, with Bingo as the main entertainment.