Maple Grove celebrated 75 years with one charter member present, Lou Rosen, on June 16, 2025, which was the date of the first meeting.
We had eight members, and two guests present for the celebration. Members were Rita Kirkpatrick, Sandra Lightle, Eileen Matricia, Judy McBride, Linda Miller, Lou Rosen, Carol Vice and Claudine Whalen. Guests were Cheryl Luzader and Mag Rosen.
On June 16, 1950, a small group of ladies met at the American Legion Hall in Waynetown to form Maple Grove and that is why we decided to have our monthly meeting on this date to celebrate 75 years. The original officers were president Barbara Rusk, vice president Lou Rosen, secretary Edna Legg, treasurer Mable Harlan, reporter Estella Furr and the rest of the charter members were Frances Bratton, Ruth Comingore, Lillian Coons, Virginia Edwards, Bessie Fay, Millie Fay, Helen Grenard, Joan Grenard, Pauline Grenard, Betty Harpel, Joyce Karlson, Hazel Lewellen, Ruth Pierce and Delores Switzer.
They chose the name Maple Grove because they thought it best described Waynetown. At that time if you entered Waynetown from east or west you would drive through a continuous arch of maple trees. In the spring there was a beautiful green arch to drive through, and the fall brought the glorious colored leaves. They chose the club flower as the aster and their colors of lavender and yellow, and the motto was “Better Homes Make Better Living” and the annual dues were $0.75.
The club presented Waynetown High School with a United Nations flag which was made by the members and an American Flag on Oct. 25, 1950. They also had the “Ugly Quilt” project where members made guilts for the homeless veterans in Indianapolis.
Today Judy McBride was our hostess, and she had our meeting at Williamsburg Healthcare in Crawfordsville. She had the room decorated in lavender and white and a cake with lavender and yellow icing. McBride welcomed each one and Sandy Lightle placed a banner that stated “75 and Fabulous” along with a crown which was placed on Lou Rosen who was a charter member. Rosen was also presented a certificate for being a 75-year club member and also one from IEHA of Indiana.
Celebrating 75 years was presented by Kirkpatrick. Presentation to School was read by Miller, Vice gave a list of current members and a list of all the members of Maple Grove over the last 75 years was read by Matricia, Miller and Kirkpatrick. We finished our celebration by closing with the Homemaker’s Creed and singing “Happy 75th Celebration.”
We enjoyed the cake and punch provided by McBride and thanked her for all the work she did to make the celebration a happy occasion. Each member received a coaster that showed the maple trees in fall colors.
Our meeting next month will be held at Lightle’s on July 21 at 1:30 p.m.
We thank our founding homemakers .... and.... for the club we have today because of them.
