At one time, the Navarino Merri Maids, organized in 1935, was one of the largest homemaker clubs in Shawano County. In 1994, they were named Club of the Year.
The club now has nine members who are very active in the community. They meet at members’ homes and have dessert after the meetings.
“I like the people in the club and the food,” said President Barb Erb, who has been a member for 54 years.
Each meeting features a lesson pertaining to food, health or subjects selected by the University of Wisconsin-Extension.
“The lessons are interesting,” said Pat Zuiches, a member for 35 years and the unofficial scrapbook recorder.
The members take day trips and make desserts for benefits. In 1955, they helped get signals at the railroad tracks in Navarino where several people lost their lives. During elections, they furnish food for the voters at the Navarino Town Hall.
“The voters look forward to the food and the fellowship,” Zuiches said.
The club used to have a float in the Navarino Days parade and did projects such as making bird feeders out of plates and wine bottles.
In February, they sent valentines to shut-ins. For their Christmas party, members bring items to donate to Safe Haven and Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center.
Jen Erb, great-granddaughter-in-law of Barb Erb, is the youngest member, joining five years ago. She is a third-generation member, following her grandmother, the late Phyllis Krull, and her mother, the late Beth Schinke.
The members meet during the day, so Jen, the club’s secretary and treasurer, has to do some juggling with her jobs.
“I work my schedule around them,” she said.
This year, they planned the Spring Event along with two other clubs, the Landstad Ladies and WISC, a club from Bonduel. Joy Christianson and Elle Borre co-chaired the event.
The club does not meet in the summer. The first meeting in September is a Stanley party, with proceeds donated to Safe Haven, SAFPARC or families in need.
Phyllis Christianson is the club’s vice president. Meetings are held at 1:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the Navarino Town Hall.
For information, call Barb Erb at 715-758-8324.
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