Woman's Club of Lodi installs officers

The Woman’s Club of Lodi installed a new slate of officers in May, for June through May, 2008-09. They are Norma Reeves, first rear director at large; Betty Wiederrich, first year director at large; Barbara Williams, parliamentarian; Sandy Preszler, past president; Barbara Wakeham, auditor; Ulla Steele, events coordinator; Linda Faria, treasurer; Gayle Riley, financial secretary; Andrea Violett, second vice-president; Lois McCarty, second year director at large; Brenda Poore, first vice-president; Brenda Hall, second year director at large; Pauline Meyer, president; Deanna Goehring, first year director at large; Lou Lang, secretary; and Pat Lynch, second year director at large.

The Woman’s Club of Lodi was organized in 1906, by 28 women, to assist in the beautification and betterment of the Lodi community. The club performs many charitable deeds within our community, including continually stocking the children’s’ library at Lodi House, which they decorated and helped set up in 2000; and providing personal hygiene items to the Women’s Center and Lodi House several times a year, through their Graciously Giving program. The club also has a strong connection with the Salvation Army, through donation of food, clothing and toys during the year to support the family programs run by the Salvation Army, and by employing the men who reside there for various club functions and fundraising events. The men provide the labor for the setting up of tables and chairs and do all the dishes and clean-up duties after each event. The club also has a Senior Citizen Advocate program for which $1,500 was donated this past year, and participates in several Christmas toy programs such as Toys for Tots, Boys and Girls Club, and others previously mentioned for a total of $1,850. Every year the club provides $1,000 in scholarships for students at our local high schools, and another $1,000 in value from coupons and labels which are then redeemed for educational equipment for local schools. This is a short list of charitable and community enhancement programs performed each year throughout the long history of this club.

The cornerstone for the Club House was laid in 1922 and in 1988, the building, located at 325 W. Pine Street, was designated in both state and federal registries as a historical building. In order to keep the building in beautiful condition for our community, some of the fundraising events the women hold each year are for upkeep and maintenance. Since the fall of 2006, the club has replaced the stage drapes and installed new carpeting in the foyer and office areas. This coming year, the club plans include upgrading the plumbing and fixtures in the bathrooms, beginning a roof replacement fund and the redesign and replacement of the kitchen area for safety and fire reasons. The responsibility for the preservation of the Club House falls on the directors at large. These responsibilities include interior and exterior painting, building, roof and plumbing repairs, and maintenance of the kitchen area and upkeep of the small garden areas. It is especially gratifying to the membership, that various clubs and businesses are starting to use the Club House for their own events, and that many families are using the facilities for wedding receptions, anniversary celebrations and memorials. The Woman’s Club goal is to have a well-maintained building that will give the community of Lodi a beautiful venue for all to enjoy.