The Cumberland Times-News Tue Sep 27, 2011, 09:45 PM EDT
OAKLAND — Members of the Civic Club of Oakland are preparing to celebrate an important milestone — a century of service to the Garrett County region.
As the group prepares to celebrate its 100-year anniversary with a banquet Saturday, members cannot help but reflect on the history of the group and the profound impact members have had on their communities. The current officers of the club include Barbara Frantz, president; Beverly Jo Gallagher, first vice president; Peggy Nelson, second vice president; Judi Schiff, recording secretary; Betty Ellington, corresponding secretary; Beverly Maynard, treasurer; and Ellen Fritz serves as the publicity chairwoman.
The Civic Club of Oakland was founded in 1911 by Thekla Fundenberg Weeks. Oakland was in a state of disrepair and Weeks wanted to organize an effort to clean up and beautify the community. Under her guidance, 22 area women joined to form the Women’s Civic Club of Oakland, with Weeks as their president. The women immediately began a cleanup campaign and wagon loads of dirt and trash were removed. That first project was deemed a great success and grew with each passing year.
Just a few years later, the women embarked on a second project, creating a free public library. That project grew into the Ruth Enlow Library System of Garrett County, which continues to serve the residents of Garrett County with five branches.
The Civic Club joined the national General Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1916. The group is now one of the largest clubs in Maryland with more than 80 members on the roster.
Early projects included support for the Girl Scouts, Public Health Association, garden club, recreational parks, forest conservation, orthopedic clinics, upkeep of local cemeteries and a program that provided milk for area school children.
The club has been active throughout the past 100 years with the exception of the time between 1938 and 1949, when activity was halted during World War II. However, many of the members continued their philanthropic endeavors as volunteers for the American Red Cross.
One of the most notable activities held by the group is the annual antique show. The show was inspired by a centennial tea and antique exhibit in 1949. The Antique Show and Food Booth is now considered one of the highlights of the annual Autumn Glory celebration and is the club’s main fundraiser. Funds raised by the club are then distributed to nonprofits throughout the county. In 2010, the Civic Club donated more than $10,000 to more than 20 nonprofits. The club also sponsors college scholarships for Garrett County students and holds various events in support of area veterans.
On Saturday, the Civic Club of Oakland will hold a “Century of Committent” dinner-dance at Dutch’s at Silver Tree. The evening will include special music and a video debut depicting the history of the club.
Gallagher said she learned a great deal about the club during her research for the anniversary celebration.
“We uncovered some exceptional information that was nearly lost to the group. For example, we learned that the club played a major role in the women’s suffrage movement as some of our members were among the first to be able to vote in the nation,” she explained.
Ellington said the research allowed the group to consider and reflect on the many achievements and successes of the club.
One of its most recent successes is an award from the GFWC for the club’s publicity book. In this book, all the activities, news releases, invitations, programs and other club events for an entire year (2010) were compiled. The book won the state of Maryland contest in June, and was later named the national winner. Members of the local club traveled to Washington, D.C., to the national headquarters to receive the award.
As the Civic Club of Oakland prepares to celebrate “A Century of Committent,” the women are mindful of the need for new members to continue their legacy.
“Membership is open to any woman in Garrett County that has a willingness to join and a desire to serve and volunteer,” Ellington explained.
Contact Angie Brant at abrant @times-news.com
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