Fall Dinner 07

Chriss A. Winston - Guest Speaker Scheduled for the Annual GOP County Dinner September 22, 2007 (bio previously posted from here) - pictures by Marilyn Wedel.

A good time was had by all. After great conversation, excellent food, some candidate speeches and political updates we settled in to hear from Chriss. It was worth the wait.

Everyone should buy and read the book Chriss Winston co-wrote with Myrna Blyth, “How to Raise an American”.

You can find a link to the website and how to buy the book on the front page, which we will leave up until NOV 1, then you can find it in the archived favorite websites and quotes page.

Calling Iowa her home until she left for Washington with Jim Leach’s staff in 1976; this Maryland citizen felt right at home, walking to the mic joking that she may get a standing ovation by simply saying “Go Hawks!” and sitting down. (We had to choose between attending the dinner or watching the Iowa-Wisconsin game) In her talk, Chriss connected her life in the political arena, what that time meant to her and how it moved her to write this book.

“Kids don’t understand they’re part of history too,” Winston said. She said we should also help them cut through the noise of media reporting and teach our children to be more skeptical of the media. Her book is filled with suggestions on how to do that and more. A good summary as well as part of the first chapter is on the subject website here.

Winston’s father was on Utah Beach during D-Day and fought in the Battle of the Bulge but as most WWII vets did, he rarely spoke of those years. Chriss and her husband took their son to the Normandy Beach and traveled the path her father did on the march to Germany. Her son collected some sand off the beach in a small plastic bag to show his Grandfather.

Chriss urged us to use any excuse to talk history to our children. Driving them to the soccer field? Who is the field named after - let’s talk about it…

Unfortunately Chriss’ father passed away suddenly so they never shared the pictures of their trip with him. During the interment ceremony, on his own - their son stepped forward and opened the bag of sand and let the grains fall softly over the lowered casket. Clearly, Chriss and her husband have raised an American Son. Buy the book for yourself or a parent you know. Good stuff.

Evelyn Schauland and Shirley Jean Drake introduce Bob Howard (picture below) who announced his candidacy for Iowa House seat District 80. This is a critical race for Muscatine Republicans. Much more on Bob’s campaign and how you can help in the coming weeks.

Steve Rathje asked for our support in his attempt to unseat Senator Harkin look here for more information.

The Wade family (above) and some of our great College Republican group (below) shown enjoying the evening.