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The Plains Woman’s Club is looking for new members. What better way to search for new members than to put on another kind of search?  The club is kicking off its annual membership drive with a scavenger hunt, said Michele Furry, who is co-chairing the event with Alana Johnson, the club secretary.

“The hunt is specifically designed to introduce new residents to the different services in the community that they may not be aware of,” said Furry. The scavenger hunt will start on Saturday, Sept. 17, by picking up forms in a plastic box on the outside back part of the old log schoolhouse or at the Plains Library, both located along Railroad Street in Plains.

Those who want to participate in the scavenger hunt can complete it at their own pace and bring their findings to the party, which is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Plains Paradise Senior Center at 205 West Meany Street at 6:30 p.m. There will be prizes for completion of the hunt and door prizes, games, snacks, and a short club meeting at the “Membership Outreach Party.” Those not interested in participating in the hunt are still welcome to come to the party.

The Plains Woman’s Club is a nonprofit organization made of local women interested in camaraderie of community minded ladies and who are interested in helping make Plains a better community. Its motto is: “Women working together sharing time and talents to enhance our community.” This is the 15th year for the club to have an annual membership drive. All women are welcome, said Furry, who’s been a member for more than 20 years and is a past president and past vice president. 

The Plains Woman’s Club will be celebrating its 100th anniversary of getting its charter next year. It is a non-partisan, non denominational club and part of the nation’s General Federation of Women’s Clubs. The club membership varies between 25-30 women from Plains and Paradise, but women from outside the community and of any age are also welcome, said Furry. “Young members are great to have and if they work and can’t attend the lunch time meetings they can still help on projects when available,” said Furry, who added that attending the club’s monthly meeting is important, but not necessary.

“It’s always important to have new members to supplement the club roster. New members bring new ideas and can super charge a club,” she said. The club has fundraising projects and events throughout the year. One of its biggest accomplishments is maintaining and operating the 136-year-old log schoolhouse, located on the corner of Railroad and Clayton streets. The club has been taking care of the schoolhouse for over 40 years, maintaining it with the help of government grants, private donations, and volunteer labor. The club did a major facelift on it four years ago. They open the schoolhouse for the public several times during the year and provide visitors with historical data on the building. Furry said the schoolhouse is important to the community because it is part of Plains history.

The club also sponsors the Missoula Children’s Theatre at Plains School every other year and Shakespeare in the Park every summer. They also sponsor a high school scholarship, books for babies, teacher appreciation day and a highway clean-up. “We get together and sew Christmas stockings for Sanders County Coalition for Families. In the past we have catered dinner to fundraising organizations and deliver May Day items to shut-ins. We like to say, we’re doing things,” said Furry. She said that it’s a way for a group of like minded women to get together and have fun working project that benefits the community. “It’s fun to get together with the other members and work on projects and to get to know more people in the community while doing volunteer work that helps others or brings entertainment into our town,” said Furry.

“Come as you are and bring a friend. All women, any age, welcome to join us. See what Plains Woman’s Club is all about,” said Furry. “With roots in Plains going back 100 years, we work together, sharing our time and talents to enhance our community through many volunteer projects.”  Those who are interested in more information on the party and scavenger hunt can visit the Plains Woman’s Club Facebook page.