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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 Bohl & Ruth Novinger gave us an interview. “I moved to DeBeque in 1965. I didn’t know anyone and I thought
I would die ‘cause 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 volunteer. 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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