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EXTENSION CLUB
Recently several of the new members of the
DeBeque Extension Club wanted to know more about the club. So Esther Bo hl & Ruth Novinger gave us an
interview. “I moved to DeBeque in
1965. I didn’t know anyone and I
thought I would die ‘because it was so lonely. I met a couple of the girls and joined
the club.” Esther said. Ruth Latham
joined the Roan Creek Extension Club in the 30’s and Elda Hiatt in the
1960’s. All these ladies are still
members. Esther said “The DeBeque
Extension Club provided the Hot Lunch Program at the school. The school let them have the kitchen to
can all the food during the summer.
Serving the lunches, preparation, and the canning was all
volunteers. We bought an air
conditioner for the kitchen because it got so hot with all the
cooking. We served lunches until the
government got involved and had all the health issues.” When the new school was built in 1999
Marcelle & Esther made sure that we had an area to have a concession
stand. The Club has always served at
the Basketball home games. At the
beginning we served pie & coffee.
There was not a café in town; the families had to have food for the
kids at the games, so Rhea Davis donated her old family recipe for Sloppy
Joes. We’ve been using this recipe
now for over 40 years. You can’t
believe the spices that are used. We
started serving hot dogs, Sloppy Joes, pies, and doughnuts. The doughnuts were a big job and fizzled
out, so now we serve pies, brownies, Sloppy Joes, hot dogs, and chili
dogs. Everyone comes for the
pies. They are wonderful and
homemade pies!!!
The basketball games are our only
fundraiser. Upon request from
families, we have served dinners at funerals-with help from the community,
help families during illnesses, or disasters.
Claude Davis made the heavy duty picnic tables
for the park. The tire swings at the
school playground, and a commercial mixer for the kitchen are just a few
items that the Extension Club has provided to the community. The Club has made donations towards
scholarships to the DeBeque Graduates, Domestic Violence Program, Pregnancy
Center, Hospice, Salvation Army, and the Rescue Mission. We used to make “Welcome Baskets” for the
newcomers to town. Each month we
have a Club meeting. At these
meetings we have someone teach us a craft, put on make-up, fix our hair,
sew or alter clothing, arrange flowers, cake decorating, bread making, even
rug making, & water witching to name a few. They are always fun. Once a year we have a Foreign Food
Banquet, Appreciation Dinner for the Town Officials, Spouses, &
Ministers, A Girls Day Out, Christmas Party and we provide the treats at
School Christmas Programs. We had
cookbooks printed and sold throughout the years. Ruth Novinger found out the starting date
as 1926 that’s 80 years existing in our Community. “Each member in our club
is unique, devoted, inspiring and a good asset to our community.” Ruth
said. Cathy stated “All these ladies
are so much fun to be around. I’ve
learned a lot from them. You
wouldn’t believe the fun that they have had. The stories they tell……” Currently there are 12 members, the most
we’ve had is 35, and the least is 5.
We would love to have you join and get to know a wonderful group of
people. Call Esther Bohl at 283-
5397.
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