January Anthenaeum Club meeting

COLFAX — The Colfax Anthenaeum Club met for their January meeting on Friday, Jan. 17, at Hill Ray Plaza.

Members were reminded the Feb. 17 meeting will be ‘Guest Day’ and were encouraged to bring guests to enjoy the special program.

During the meeting, Art Contest Committee member Cheryl Lothspeich reported the committee members will be presenting the contest information to Colfax High School students next month so they can prepare their art piece.

Dressed in period costume, Marcia Tempel gave a presentation on First Lady Sarah Polk. Tempel researched Polk, the wife of eleventh President James Polk.

According to Tempel, Polk grew up on a Tennessee plantation, enjoyed wealth and unusual educational opportunities for the women of the day and inherited nine slaves of her own along with plantation property.

Tempel shared, Polk wore silk clothing and the finest boots made in France. Polk was lively, vivacious and comfortable socializing with both men and women, also writing many of her husband’s speeches and communications.

Tempel shared Polk weighed about 100 pounds and lived to be 87 years old, remaining active in politics throughout her life after losing her husband when she was approximately 46.

The next Anthenaum Club meeting will take place Friday, Feb. 7, at the Whitman County Library.