Williamsburg Women's Civic Club Goes Green

“Reuse, repurpose, and recycle” was the theme of the evening, last Monday night as the Williamsburg Women’s Civic Club got together for their June banquet to close out the 2023-2024 season. Emcee for the evening, Dottie DuBois, said she along with the committee really went all out for the theme – biodegradable plates, bamboo silverware and to-go containers made from sugar cane. DuBois said the silverware holders were old library card holders she found at the First Methodist Church, where the event was held. DuBois said the tablecloths would decompose in three months. Kathy Hearn, another committee member, made the centerpieces all out of recycled materials – a fairy garden out of toilet paper rolls, and Crisco containers and old jars for vases.

Following the meal catered by Sister’s Country Cooking based out of Clappertown, Assistant Treasurer Ellen Claar passed out club service awards – Sandy Norris for 30 years, Carolyn Clapper for 20 years, and Donna Tate with her continued service as president. DuBois also presented a special award to Peggy Mingle, who joined the Women’s Civic Club right after high school in 1956, making her the longest reigning member at 68 years.

“She always has a smile no matter what,” DuBois said of Mingle.

Sue Brubaker then presented the Perfect Attendance Awards, which seven members received. Those seven members included: Diana Barroner, Sarah Bowmaster, Shirley Kurtz-Flaugh, Sue Hetrick, Diana Hoffner, Sandy Kauffman and Anna May Very.

“I’m honored to be able to do this after 19 years as recording secretary,” Sandy Kauffman said before beginning the installation of officers.

The theme for the year was candy bars – which Kauffman said, people can reuse if they don’t eat it all at once.

Ellen Claar was sworn in as the Assistant Secretary, and was given a PayDay bar.

“She takes our pay,” Kauffman said to explain the meaning of the PayDay Bar.

Shirley Kurtz-Flaugh was then sworn in as treasurer with a Mounds bar.

“As she has mounds of work and figures to go over,” Kauffman said.

Anna May Very, who was absent from the event, received a Butterfinger as the corresponding secretary.

“You don’t want her to lose any correspondence,” Kauffman said.

New Recording Secretary Dottie DuBois was up next with a “Twix” bar for all of her new tricks – keeping records for the club and recording minutes for the meetings.

Second Vice President Robin Brantner followed, saying she would have to perform vice president duties, if Pam Prough could not fulfill her duties.

Kauffman gave Brantner a Joy bar.

“She is a real joy to be around, “ Kauffman said.

First Vice President Pam Prough received M&Ms candy as she could take over for the president and she plans a variety of programs for meetings.

Donna Tate was then sworn in for another term as president, and Kauffman gave her two candy bars – Snickers and Starburst.

“She presides over the meeting, and gets rid of anyone who’s snickering,” Kauffman said. “Starburst because she does it all — she’s our star, and our guiding light.”

Tate then presented a bouquet of flowers to Sandy Kauffman in recognition of her 19 years as recording secretary for the club.

“She’s very efficient and a very big help to me,” Tate said.

The Women’s Civic Club will reconvene in the Fall to start the 2024-25 term. The club would like to thank Potted Memories for the flower donation for the event.