SEPTEM
In September 1953, 15 women met with Extension Agent, Ruby Brant, to organize a new club. Wanting to be somewhat original, the ladies called themselves the Septem Homemakers Club. Dues were $1.00 per year and Virginia Haymaker was the first president. Three of the demonstrations that first year were ironing techniques, freezer meals and ABC’s of mending. Few of the members do much ironing; freezer meals are usually TV dinners and mending in general has become a lost art.
As the club grew, a larger coffee pot was needed so members sold vanilla in order to purchase one. Green stamps were saved in order to get enough snack trays to accommodate the growing club. In fact, that has always been somewhat of a problem – keeping track of where the dishes were.
The note, in the scrapbook, revealed some interesting facts about the early years. In 1954, members were called to volunteer to be airplane spotters. The club compiled its own cookbook entitled Favorites of Septem Homemakers which sold for 35 cents. The club began crafting aluminum trays, candles and purchased quite a bit of equipment for these crafts. Dress-up Halloween parties have been held. Several of the members came dressed as a tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush, as well as a letter and mailbox. Hats we still worn; so in 1961 a hat workshop was held. One year members had a baby month. In fact, when the annual report of the club was given that was all that was reported. Then the club had three pregnant presidents in three years. It was difficult to get anyone to accept the job the following year. As mothers of young children them members treated themselves to dinner out each summer; an at Christmas progressive dinners were frequently held.
The Septem Homemakers Club grew to such an extent that they began meeting in the library and when it was decided to divide into two clubs, the Septem Juniors came into being. Unfortunately, since the Septem Juniors were composed of many younger mothers who were also employed the club disbanded several years ago. but the Septem Homemakers Club continues.
The years since 1953 have brought many changes. The members have survived the raising of children, the challenges of juggling home, career and community responsibilities, and later caring for aging parents. The club tackled the early energy crisis, the attempts to convert to the metric system, the disassociation from the Maryland Extension Service to an independent club and the changeover to a new millennium. The Septem Homemakers Club has enjoyed the leadership of Sara Kidd and Dian Councill as home Demonstration Agents for many years.
As family situations changed and the club and its members matured, the focus as a homemakers club has changed. Personal and family health, energy conservation, retirement planning, stress management, CPR, Medicare/medical insurance programs all provided lots of food for thought and program planning. Field trips to various museums helped to broaden member’s horizons, both educationally and culturally.
The Septem Homemakers Club has continued the important tradition of community service. Since 1982, when the Upper Shore Mental Health Center opened, and until its closing in 2010, the club hosted an annual party for the clients providing entertainment, games, refreshments and gifts.
Club members volunteer annually at the Queen Anne’s County Fair and support the Queen Anne’s County Council scholarship program at Chesapeake College. Each year members make baby quilts to donate to Debra’s Angels and other programs in need of baby quilts. The Septem Homemakers Club is dedicated to donating money on an on-going basis to assist with the battered women’s program in Centreville.
Throughout these 58 years, members have always taken time “to smell the roses.” While still enjoying an occasional craft, the Christmas celebrations have moved from progressive dinners to covered dishes to dinners out! The annual “unbirthday” dinner-out in July still continues, but with monetary donations to the women’s shelter project instead of a gift exchange. The members have fun together!
Sadly, membership has diminished in recent years. Although membership has fluctuated, the club remains enthusiastic and optimistic about the future of homemakers and the Septem Homemakers Club.
(Note: The above article was written for the “Queen Anne’s County Council of Homemakers celebrating 75 years of Faith, Family, Friends and Community 1936-2011”)
Please note: If you would like to update the activities of your club, please send any additions to Elaine Dow at mom4kidsnow@msn.com and we will be happy to publish. Thank you for visiting our website.