Sean Dengler.

Reading the recent North Tama Telegraph article about the Z.C.B.J. Hall in Clutier needing new siding brought up old memories. When my grandma, Ferne Pohlman, moved to Clutier from the farm after my grandpa, Vernon, had passed, she built the house standing across the street to the east of the hall. If this had not happened, I would not have known about this glorious hall.

This hall was fascinating as I spent time at my grandma’s house. As a child, I did not realize the significance of a hall like this in a small town like Clutier. The letter Z is cool to a child because no word besides zebra starts with it. To have a hall start with a Z made it feel different. Throw in the other random assortment of letters, and it makes a child’s head spin.

Seeing the beautiful wood flooring in addition to a hanging quilt with the names of past Clutier businesses, this building represented a distinct Clutier culture. This hall helps a small town still connecting its past and present. Throw in the grandeur of a big hall with the lofty ceilings as a child, and the place felt massive, especially compared to the petite Clutier Legion Hall.

This hall is special. It is also remarkable it is not the only hall of this stature in Clutier. The Decoy/Clutier Community Hall is the other hall. While this building has been worn down as long as I can remember, the Z.C.B.J. still stands as a gathering place on Clutier’s west side. Keeping a building like the Z.C.B.J. Hall in good condition is vital.

Donating to help with the siding is a promising idea for the Z.C.B.J. Hall and the community. Donations may be sent to Clutier Z.C.B.J. Lodge No. 104, 501 Main Street, Clutier, IA 52217. Funds are also being accepted via Venmo (@Michelle-Michelle-186).

A community needs gathering places. A gathering place like the Z.C.B.J. Hall in the town of Clutier is rare. This hall should create memories for future generations like it did for mine. A hall like this one positively impacts community life, and a community is only as good as the people who live in it. When people have a place to gather, this helps build a better community. Help support the Z.C.B.J. Hall so it can continue serving Clutier and neighboring communities for generations to come.

Sean Dengler is a writer, comedian, now-retired beginning farmer, and host of the Pandaring Talk podcast who grew up on a farm between Traer and Dysart. You can reach him at sean.h.dengler@gmail.com.