i Record-Courier 4 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29,2015 ■■■■■■■■■■■■■ Longest Tenured Club in Oregon Celebrates 99th Annual Banquet By Gina Perkins On Feb. 13, 1916 Belle Fisher founded the Rock Creek I Muddy Creek Mu­ tual Improvement Club which celebrated its 99th Annual Fall banquet Sun­ day, Oct. 25 in the Fellow­ ship Hall of the Haines United Methodist Church. The Mutual Improvement Club was, and still remains, a social and service club for rural women. Philanthropic, community-minded and home-oriented, the Mutual Improvement Club is the longest tenured club in the State of Oregon. In addition to Belle Fisher, there were 12 charter mem­ bers in 1916 which in­ cluded: Cora Fisher, Grace Perkins, Ella Brown, Francis Brown, Lizzy Caster, Electra Spend Halloween at the Frontier in Haines Adults '21 and over can enjoy a fun time at the Fron­ tier in Haines. There will be music (no cover charae), a costume contest, horror movie trivia, scavenger hunts and cash prizes. g Fisher, Georgia Hoberg, Nannie Hoberg, CJ Os­ bourne, Nena Perkins, Edith Polley and Cornelia Potter. For many years, member­ ship was limited only to women living in Rock Creek or Muddy Creek. That re­ quirement no longer exists and members are from throughout the community. The club also met twice monthly for years, but now meets monthly. Beginning in 1943 and continuing until 2007, the Club partnered with OSU Extension Service to offer members education, Skills, and information on a broad topic of homemaking skills. Following president Ruth Cole's welcome and intro­ duction, several people spoke about what being a member in the Mutual Im­ provement Club has meant to them. Mac Kerns was asked to give the response and shared that his family had moved tp the Haines area in the late 1930s. He said there are two ways go get involved in a new commu­ nity: one was to have kids ’’99 Years And More Ahead’’ By Debbie Cole Oct.24,2015 Photo by Gina-Perkins Debbie Cole It's been over 99 years Since our club got its start And, as we look back and ahead, It's still close to our hearts. We've reached out to help When we knew of a need To help our neighbors God's will to heed. We've climbed many mountains Of various sizes With determination and courage That brought some surprises. In spite of our size, We still have the drive To move onward and upward And keep Club alive. In times of crisis or illness We've tried to be there In person to help, or at least Offering prayer. The military, Red Cross, schooU^ t bdfnhluniiyas*a whole Have all been important In reaching our goal. We're a service organization^ And proud of it, too. We hope that our existence Is important to you. As we face the century mark, And start looking back, It's pride and accomplish­ ment we acknowledge And not what we lack. We have a diversity of talents With which we’ve- been blest; By using them all gladly, Our Club is the best! (written for 99th Mutual Improvement Club banquet) Belle Fisher / Photo courtesy of Mutual Improvement Club and the other was to join an Shetler who played guitar organization like Mutual Im­ after the dinner catered by provement Club. Kerns Trish and Chuck Everson. Boyer, whose mother, complimented the excellent service work of the women Joann, was a long time member who passed away throughout the years. Evelyne Fisher of Haines in 2005 at the age of 96, said she has been,a mem­ reminisced by saying, "We'd ber for 75 years. She get out of grade school at shared history from the Muddy Creek and we'd walk Club's archives about the to wherever the club meet­ 25th Banquet which was ing was." Lynn Perkins, whose held at the Hotel Baker with 100 in attendance. She grandmother, Nena Perkins noted that founder Belle was a charter member, said Fisher remarked at that time that he remembered one how amazing it was the club meeting in particular as a lit­ had existed for 25 years. tle boy where he was fasci­ Evelyne wondered how she nated with the baby chicks might feel knowing it was in the hostess's basement. Members honored Betty well on its way to 100. "Perseverance is the Vanderwall who passed keynote to success," stated away earlier this year. She Fisher, who then added, had been a faithful member "Friendship is the cement to ■ for years and was known for her beautiful singing voice hold our club together." Marjory Peck also shared and exceptional cooking several thoughts and stated ability. She and her hus­ that on Founders Day in band, Bert, often sang duets 2016, members can be together and were members proud of being part of a club of the last graduating class which has remained vital of Muddy Creek School in and dedicated to its purpose 1947. Community service proj­ ects have been, and con­ tinue to be, an integral role of the Mutual Improvement Club since its inception. They have always sup­ ported the Muddy Creek and Haines School projects and have made hundreds, if not thousands, of pies and popcorn balls throughout the decades. They also have faithfully sent pack­ ages to soldiers from the area. Their 2015 project list alone has included: • Sponsorship of the 4-H Livestock Junior Photo by Gina Perkins Showmanship Trophy Evelyne Fisher • “We Are Thinking of You I" care packages for local military personnel and service to the commu­ stationed abroad and nity for 100 years. within the U.S.A. Duane Boyer was another • Donations to: Haines one of the handful of men Food Bank, Neighbor­ present. He played the hood Watch, Haines banjo and sang with Janie School ‘Hawk Store’, Sierra Bingham Medical Fund, Canine Compan­ ions for Independence, Ronald McDonald House, and Save One Life • Warm Coats for Rikki’s Room • Over 150 popcorn balls made for the Haines Grade School Holiday Program • Gifts for children in the Angel Tree Gift program • Homemade cookies/baked goods for causes such as Red Cross Blood Drive and Friends of Haines • Volunteer hours at the Eastern Oregon Museum and in the Reading For Literacy In Schools Program Following the dinner, pro­ gram and entertainment, the 2016 installation of officers was held. It is fitting that Evelyne Fisher, having been a member for three quarters of a century, will lead the Mutual Improvement Club into their 100th year as president. During her speech, Fisher reminded members to look ahead and be thankful. "We still have a future," she said. New residents to the area, Helen Marsh and Lori Thompson will serve as co­ vice presidents, Dotty Miles will serve as the Secretary I Treasurer, Historian is Ruth Cole, and Mary Rider is in charge of Hospitality. If you are iriterested in joining this organization, contact Dotty Miles at 541-377-5795. Those in attendance of the 99th Annual Fall Mutual Improvement Club Banquet Included: Mary Boyer, Mary Rider, Florance Mahugh, Marjory Peck,. Viola Perkins, Edgar and Elsie Newman, Cliff and Debbie Cole, Evelyne Fisher, John and Linda Berg, Jacqueline and Virgil Borger and their youngest daughter Cheryl Anderson, Betty Kuhl and daughter, Barbara Kuhl, Lynn and Gina Perkins, Helen Marsh, Valerie Russell, Lori and Ren Thompson, Sue Richard, Beth Bigelow, Dotty and Myron Miles, Tina Edwards, Mac Kerns, Janie Shetler and Duane Boyer. Cliff Cole gave the invocation, Myron Miles provided interesting history on the Star Span­ gled Banner and led the flag salute. Debbie Cole read two poems, one of which she wrote in honor of the occasion. Lori Thompson, Helen Marsh, and Mary Rider decorated for the event. Viola Perkins secured the caterer, Trish Everson who, along with her husband, Chuck, provided a delicious meal which was also beautifully plated. Honoring'the Past Presidents of Rock Creek/ Muddy Creek Mutual Improvement Club 1916-19 Belle Fisher* 1920-21 Cora Fisher* 1922-23 Grace Perkins* 1924 A. Angell 1925-26 F. Coleman 1927 E. Badsky 1928 E.lla Brown* 1929 V. Spense 1930-31 B. Kooch 1932 G. Perkins 1933 N. Polley 1934 G. Scott 1935-36 H. Osborne 1937-38 F. Christenson 1939-40 J. Hobbs 1941 R Lillard 1942-43 A. Loennig 1944-45 E. Loennig 1946-47 L. Bond 1948-49 J. Boyer 1950 D. Leggett 1951 J. Brownell 1952 V. Perkins 1953-54 H. Fisher 1955 D. Green 1956-57 B. McCullough 1958 T. Pritchard 1959-60 B. Boesch 1961 E. Newman 1962-63 V. Gard 1964 N. Stephens 1965-66 , R. Stephens 1967 B. McCullough 1968 I. Daniels 1969 H. Fisher 1970-72 H. Proebstal 1973 M.J. Jacobs 1974 J. Griffith 1975-76 I. Fisher 1977 T. Jackson 1978 E. Fisher 1979 M. Peck 1980-81 M. Maxwell 1982-83 G. Kirkland 1984 T. Pritchard 1985 B. Vanderwall 1986 J. Boyer 1987 D. Leggett 1988 N. Shull 1989 V. Perkins 1990 M. Peck 1991 D. Boyer 1992-93 L. Seymour 1994-95 D. Rosmond 1996-97 E. Newman 1998-99 K. Thee 2000-01 E. Fisher 2002 T. Edwards 2003-04 M. Boyer 2005 J.Johnson 2006-08 M. Rider 2009 M. Boyer 2010-2012 S. Maxwell 2013-15 R. Cole ★ Denotes original members along with members: Francis Brown, Lizzy Caster, Electra Fisher, Georgia Hoberg, Nannie Hoberg, CJ Osbourne, Nena Perkins, Edith Polley and Cornelia Potter