Plains Woman's Club celebrates centennial

Members of the Plains Woman's Club gathered at the Paradise Center on Sunday afternoon to celebrate 100 years with an "Anniversa-Tea."

Forty-eight people showed up for the two-hour event, where the ladies had finger foods, games, door prizes, a slide show, history lessons, trivia contests, and tea. Thompson Falls resident Karen Gustavsen, president of the General Federation of Women's Club of Montana, was the main guest speaker for the event. She is a member of the Thompson Falls Woman's Club.

"The nearly 600 members represent 16 communities across Montana. From Culbertson in the far east, to the Madison Valley in the south, Glacier Park in the north, and Thompson Falls as the farthest west, the clubs work to address current community issues," said Gustavsen, who's been a part of the General Federation of Women's Clubs for 49 years. She told the attendees about some of the projects other clubs have done for their communities.

"We hold traditional projects dear and are always open to new ways to support our communities. Plains is joining 13 other clubs in Montana who have celebrated 100 years of service," said Gustavsen, who congratulated the Plains club for their past successes and looks forward to their future endeavors.

The Plains club has nearly 20 members, but Jamie Schmidt, the new president, said they hope to get more women interested in the nonprofit community organization. At least one signed up Saturday afternoon. It was announced that Mary Lou Hermes of Paradise was the longest standing member present with 29 years and the oldest member present at 89 years old. Carol Brooker, who was not there, has 30 years with the club, said Schmidt.

"I sincerely hope that current and future members can continue the hard work that has been done in the past. The Plains Woman's Club fought for clean drinking water, beautified our town with its parks, and advocated for education, literacy, and the arts. Plains women support partner community organizations, professionals, and local businesses," said Schmidt.

Several members have been with the club for numerous years. Shirley King and Debbie Kirschbaum have been members for 27 years. Judy Stephens has been a member for 20 years and Ellen Childress has been a member for 14 years. The youngest guest at the event was 6-year-old Ember Paquet and the oldest was 92-year-old Margaret Olmstead, both of Plains.

"To be a part of the club is an honor and if we can continue to do the community service that women before us have done, then we will be upholding a tradition," said Schmidt. Guests included people from Plains, Paradise, St. Regis, and Thompson Falls. The majority were not club members. Lorraine Renard, president of the Thompson Falls Woman's Club and the state secretary, was also present. The Thompson Falls club was established in 1921.

"For the last 100 years, the General Federation of Women's Club members that make up the Plains Woman's Club have worked tirelessly for the betterment of our community," said Kirschbaum, a past president, the club historian and the state treasurer. "The things that a group of women who come together with the same mindset can accomplish is amazing. Much has changed in the last hundred years, but the one thing that has not changed, is the desire to improve that which is around us, an investment in our community," she added.

The Plains Woman's Club sponsors several activities throughout the year as a service to the community, such as Shakespeare in the Parks, the Missoula Children's Theater, and the Cookies For Teachers program. On Friday, members will gather to make Christmas stockings for the Sanders County Coalition For Families. The club also maintains the old log schoolhouse along Railroad Street. "That was my mother's baby," said Hermes.

In her research about the history of the club, Kirschbaum told the crowd that the club was instrumental in creating Fred Young Park in 1925, getting the library established, and that it was the club that brought clean water to Plains.

"In the 27 years that I have been a member I've seen many changes. As present members we try to honor the past as we look to the future. Membership has ebbed and waned over the years bringing varied talents to the table, which has helped our club to continue to grow. I'm proud to be a Plains woman's club member, and I encourage those that want to learn more about our club to come to a meeting. Hopefully, you will join us on our journey to the next hundred years of making our community better through our volunteerism.

The celebration included door prizes and a trivia game that involved special dates, special people, music from the 1920s to the 1990s, television phrases and Plains history. Kirschbaum won with 11 1/2 points with the help of those at her table. The prize was bragging rights.