Hononegah Woman’s Club is making plans for the future while celebrating more than 60 years in the community.

Hononegah Woman’s Club was organized in February 1964. The club was federated on May 3, 1965. Becoming federated was what most Women’s Clubs in those days joined under.

“As time went on we didn’t find it useful. There was a lot of paperwork and reports that the federation asked for. It also cost the club money, and we voted to drop out, as did many other clubs,” said current and long time member and Treasurer Bonnie Estrada.

The club’s purpose remains the same, which is the pursuit of adult education and general philanthropic and community service.

The first meeting was on Sept. 23, 1965 when a cosmetics demonstration served as the main program.

Officers for the year 1975 were installed at the Wagon Wheel Resort.

Membership at one time was close to 50 members. Today, the club has an active 11.

Over the years many special guests have been welcomed to educate club members on a variety of subjects.

Former author, and columnist Mary McBride entertained at a meeting in 1983.

The club hosted a hat sale in 1969.

Programs have ranged from musicians, to Deb Perry and Linda Sonneson giving an overview of Macktown Living History’s background. Under the Direction of Dr. Joan Kole, members had a chance to use their acting chops.

Club members and the public learned about workings of weather by special guest speaker, Candice King-Michelle Abraham of “Good Day Stateline” was one of the guest speakers in more recent years.

Beekeeper Robert Arevalo taught bee facts in an interesting, eye opening presentation. Reflexology produced an evening of relaxation and fun. Members learned how to create mats to be donated to homeless Veterans.

The Hononegah Woman’s Club has kept true to their roots of philanthropic action. Over the years they have donated to local fire departments, have collected mittens for Floberg, hosted a book drop in 1971, and to this day sponsor a giving tree at Talcott Library.

The Hononegah Woman’s Club sponsored a style show where the Hononegah High School Home Ec. department made and modeled outfits created by sewing students.

Different types of beautification efforts have also been part of actions taken by HWC members.

Members have supported the Old Stone Church food pantry, Becca’s Closet, Under Share, Fair Oaks and our Troops. They are strong supporters of Talcott Library of which a standing committee is in place.

Keeping an old tradition of game nights alive the club plays Bunko in January.

The first Art Fair was held on Aug. 5, 1976.The art fair was one of the main sources of fundraising to give out scholarships to deserving seniors at Hononegah Community High School.

Over time interest in the art fair diminished on the part of artists, or crafters and the club decided to no longer hold the event. The art fair also took a number of volunteers, which was becoming tougher to find.

In more recent years the club has given between one and five camperships to young students who attend summer camps for the arts, culinary, clothing design, or scout camps.

Last year’s campership winner Roscoe Middle School student Karmin Boelk attended a horse back riding camp for six days at Camp Timberlee. Boelk shared her experience and photos at the September meeting. She talked about leather and craft shops, where “Shrinky Dinks” were made.

They had seven rooms with stars, constellations. She and others stayed in a cabin,

Boelk experienced riding horses, catching a horse, using a climbing tower, took a trail ride, and a Bible study at Chapel, twice a day.

Bonnie Estrada has been a member since 1974, and has served as the Treasurer for the past 15.

”There have been lots of changes through the years, from meeting in members’ homes to meeting at the library and at other available places. I remember all of the fun and hard work that we put into the art fair.

“We used to set up orange snow fencing around the Village Green Park. One time we had to use Hononegah High School’s old playing field,” Estrada said.

“We always wanted a little rain before setting up because the ground would get so hard and we had to pound in the metal posts to set up the fencing.”

“We had summer progressive meals in members’ homes. We experienced lots of interesting activities including a boat trip on the Rock River, plus a pie contest being added to the art fair with Andy Gannon as one of the judges.”

“We promoted a community calendar that showed names and birthdays. We have had lots of fun through the years.”

Marci Taets has served as the HWC President and Secretary. “I joined HWC shortly after moving here in 2013 to meet people and to feel connected to the community,“ Taets said. “I enjoy our programs, and I love seeing members around town between meetings.”

Looking toward the future the HWC is working on a second event based around all of the area’s non-profit groups.

This year, members of other organizations are helping with the planning. The first non-profit night was hosted by the HWC in 2019 where 20 organizations joined in a night of networking.

President Marianne Mueller, Vice President Ann Gearhart, Bonnie Estrada, Marci Taets and other members hope to make everyone feel that they are part of the HWC family.

Meetings are mixed between being offsite in businesses, or at places such as Nature at the Confluence, Macktown Living History, Rockton Township Historical Society, or at the Old Stone Church. All meetings are listed on the Hononegah Woman’s Club Facebook page.

 
 
 
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