125 years of reading and learning
Ingleside Club marks milestone year
Trending
In 1901, a group of Fort Dodge women got together to study anything related to art, poetry and literature.
On Monday, the current members of the group they started --- the Ingleside Club -- celebrated its 125th anniversary
"The women who started this were amazing women," said Judy Shimkat, who has been a member of the club for 20 years.
"When they started in 1901, I don't think they realized how far this would go," she added.
Monday's birthday event, held at the Vincent House, recognized the efforts and accomplishments of the club since its beginning.
The program for the event, a panel discussion prepared by Shimkat, gave a glimpse into club meetings over the years.
Pat Bennett portrayed a charter member, Mrs. J.M. Schaupp. In period dress, Bennett shared that early meetings featured topics such as current events, such as the Great Depression, popular books, and often a theme such as the study of India. She also spoke of the successful efforts of the club to establish a visiting nurse program in the city.
Sherri Schill portrayed Mrs. Otto Glesne, who became a member in the 1930s. She spoke of club discussions surrounding World War II. Club members also continued to support the work of the visiting nurses by providing food and gifts for families served by the nurses. Following the war, Ingleside collected items for returning service members and for those rebuilding their lives in Europe.
In the 1960s, club members were referenced by their own first names for the first time.
The longest serving member, Sarah Kelly, spoke of the programs and traditions observed during meetings when she joined in 1963. She remembered being the only member with young children at the time and appreciated how they welcomed her children when a babysitter was not available.
According to Shimkat, the club is named after a word that means nook next to the fireplace, which she said is a good place to sit and read.
Over the years, the club's focus has evolved and it is now a book club. But it is a non-traditional book club because the members do not all read the same book each month. Instead, a member provides a book report each month.
Deb Zemke, a club member who was part of Monday's panel discussion, said the book reports are personal, with the presenter giving a thumbs up or thumbs down to what they have read.
Each year, club members read the book presented by the All Iowa Reads program and discuss it during the April meeting.
On Monday, event chairperson Peggy Murphy recognized fellow committee members Rose Buda-Claussen, Jane Gibb, Sondra Holmstrom, Delpha Holtzman, and thanked students from Iowa Central for providing videotaping of the program.
Ingleside membership is by invitation and there is a 25-member limit to ensure that each hostess will be able to accommodate the group in her home.
Club officers are Jeanine Nemitz, president; Deb Zemke, vice president; and Sherri Schill, secretary.