5/6/2009:
On this date in 1958, the Congregational Christian Conference was held in the city of Lakota. Parishes in Crary, Lakota and Michigan hosted the annual event. The new Lakota Lutheran church was used for the Conference, with the Lutheran church ladies providing an "unusually fine meal in the spirit of cordial hospitality," as reported by The Lakota American newspaper. The newspaper continued to report that various local homes and hotels in the Lakota area" made considerable effort to house the guests comfortably." The Reverend John C. Preston said the local community gave "fresh appreciation" for fellowship among the areas churches.
The co-chairman of the parish planning committee, Maynard A. Morrison, served as toastmaster for the opening banquet. Musical entertainment was provided by the girls choir from Lakota high school. An instrumental quintet, under the direction of Mrs. Francis Sears of Petersburg, provided more entertainment.
The annual meeting included a 75th anniversary celebration banquet for the Michigan Congregational church. Walter Fowler, who served as toastmaster, presented a skit in costume with Mrs. Howard Gargrave. The city of Michigan provided musical entertainment at the banquet with a singing quartet. A history of the Michigan Congregational church was given, and members of the annual meeting gave newborn baby Joel Preston, whose father is the Reverend John C. Preston, a monetary gift for his college education. The banquet concluded with the 25 voice Michigan Congregational choir providing more music, while Miss Elsie Farris gave a speech on "The Power of the Resurrection."
The Lakota American continued to report that Mrs, Clyde Clayton and Mrs. R. A. Livingston "served as scribes" for the annual meeting, while The Reverend Eugene McAlister, former minister for the Crary and Lakota Congregational churches, was elected moderator for the conference. Finally, the Carrington church was chosen to host the 1959 meeting of the Congregational Christian Conference.
Dakota Datebook written by Jill Whitcomb
Source: The Lakota American newspaper-May 15, 1958