THURSDAY LITERACY CLUB MARKS 90TH BIRTHDAY

The GFWC Thursday Literary Club celebrated its 90th birthday May 13, in the community rooms of the Jackson City Hall.

Lou Vera Wilferth provided piano selections prior to the meeting. The music was appropriate to the year 1909. A receiving line composed of present officers greeted visitors and guest as they arrived.

Dorothy Holmburg, president, welcomed members and guest and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and Missouri Flags. Also, Mrs. Holmburg displayed a certificate acknowledging the Club's 90th Birthday from Maxine S. Scarbro, GFWC International President. Communications of congratulations were read from Beverly Walker, president, GFWC of Missouri, Inc; Irene Popp of the Cape Girardeau GFWC Quest Club; Joyce Peerman and Susan Venable of Thursday Study Club; Louise Dunn, a member of our Club who is presently living in Spartanburg, S.C.. and from Velma McNeely, a member of the local Club but due to illness was unable to attend, as well as Loretta Atkins, who is traveling abroad and unable to be present.

Amanda "Babe" Short, chairperson for the celebration, introduced Shirley Illers Cooper and Barbara Popp, former GFWC State Presidents; Joyce Peerman, fifteen years editor of the Missouri Club Woman; and Mayor Paul Sanders.

Mrs. Holmburg presented a corsage to Lena McPheeters, president, 9th District GFWC of Missouri. Eula Limbaugh presented a corsage to Barbara Popp, guest speaker for the celebration.

In appreciation of Amanda Short serving as chairperson for the 90th Birthday Celebration, and in honor of her 96th birthday on May 14, Mrs. Limbaugh and Mrs. Popp presented Mrs. Short will a corsage. Also, a poem composed in Mrs. Short's honor, by Mary Beth Vogt, was read by Mrs Limbaugh.

The corsages were made of lavender flowers and purple ribbon, the GFWC colors.

The meeting room was decorated in lavender table coverings with purple floral arrangements (violets, roses and ferns) in white vases and on white fern stands. The GFWC emblem was vividly displayed on,,the piano surrounded by lavender lilacs. A banner, entitled Happy 90th Birthday GFWC Thursday Literary Club" was prominently displayed on the wall above a table displaying posters listing the many community activities the Club has sponsored over the years, as well as a poster listing various money making activities utilized to finance the projects.

Following the introductions, Mrs. Short proceeded with the program, which included: a devotional by Dorothy Palisch, entitled "Prayer Can't Be Answered Unless Prayed; "a poem, composed by Mary Beth Vogt, entitled "Our Past With Tradition" and read by Nelda Hinton; a piano solo "Red Wings" by Mary Beth Vogt, using sheet music published in 1907 thatis a prized pocession of her family; and Barbara Popp, the guest speaker.

Mrs. Popp reviewed the historical development of General Federated Women's Clubs and emphasized "the willingness of women to reach out to help others." She spoke of the early development of the clubsthroughout the United States and reported that on January 21, 1896, in St. Louis, the Missouri State club was organized. It was 1907 before the 9th District was organized. And, in 1910, at Bonne Terre, the Jackson GFWC Thursday Literay Club was admitted to the Federation. Mrs J.W. Trisler was the new club's first president.

Mrs. Popp reviewed the Club's numerous acts of community service to the Jackson area. She recalled that Amanda Short joined the Thursday Literary Club in 1930. A period of 69 years of continuous membership and community service.

~Mrs. Limbaugh presented a gift to Mrs Popp in appreciation for program presentation.

Following the program, Mayor Sander epressed his appreciation for the invitation to attend the celebration and acknowledged the Club's community service has significantly improved the community, especially the Jackson City Libary.

Mrs. McPheeters expressed her pleasure in attending the celebration and announced Lillian Bock is presently recovering from an illness.

Other visitors congratulated Mrs. Short for a pleasant afternoon. Mrs Short thanked the guests for their attendance and the Club members for carrying out the party activities.

The Collect was repeated in unison at the conclusion of the program. Following the program, refreshments were served from a table crapped in lavender undershirt and cream lace overlay. Four ! purple candles highlighted the floral centerpiece of lavender and purple, a gift from the Thursday Study Club, and a large cake, provided by Maple Sample, with the GFWC emblem, centering the table. Serving were Marie Haupt and Eula Limbaugh. Others assisting in serving refreshments were: Evelyn Brase, Nelda Hinton, Jean Null and Willa Dean Propst.

Various committees for the event were: name tags, Eula Limbaugh; decorations, Willa Dean Propst; guest book and registration, Edith Baker and Mable Sample, historical display, Mildred Brown and Dorothy Illers; and, musical entertainment, Mildred Brase.

Visitors attending were: Lena and Sam McPheeters of Poplar Bluff; Shirley Illers Cooper of Marble Hill; Shirley Hutton of Oak Ridge; Louise Hargans, Lou Vera Wilferth, Mary Lee Bishop and Lillian Stahly of Cape Girardeau; and Barbara Popp, Joyce Peerman, Mary Purull, Elda Ellis, Martha Wagner, Marilyn Prill, Leota Limbaugh, Marie Ruesler, Virginia Kies, and Mayor Paul Sander of Jackson.