In honor of the 170th anniversary of Zion United Methodist Church in Hampshire, five of its members presented a skit highlighting the recorded minutes of the Women’s Missionary Society, now known as Zion United Methodist Women.
The actors were Hampshire residents Maile Edmonson, Leola Widmayer, Marie Maynard, Deanne Tamms and Eleanor Leitner.
“I appreciate the group’s sense of humor about themselves,” said Pastor Diana Otterbacher. “They are carrying on a legacy of good works as God has called us to do.”
“The ladies group had lots of changes,” said Tamms, “but they have always been faithful.”
The recent skit was a modified version of the play known as “Church Basement Ladies,” although Zion United Methodist Church did not actually have a basement for holding luncheons until 1955. Up until that time, the group would meet in each other’s homes.
According to the meeting minutes, it was very important to verify how many refreshments a member could offer at an event.
In February, 1911, the group approved a motion that “the ladies who serve lunch after the close of our meetings are to serve no more than three articles besides coffee and pickles.”
Two months later, the group noted that “our dear sister, Louisa Bowman, has disobeyed the rules of our society by furnishing more than five articles for refreshments, but nevertheless it will be forgiven her this time.”
In 1914, the president of the group “in her calm manner addressed the ladies of our society to be more strict in observing the rules. She made it very sharp and plain that no lady is to serve more than three articles besides coffee and pickles. If they do, they will pay a fine of 50 cents.”
Anyone today who might wonder why pickles were considered as important as coffee should watch an episode of The Andy Griffith Show where Andy’s Aunt Bea was known for her homemade jarred pickles.
In July of 1920, the group gathered for a picnic in the park. The minutes read that “before we were aware of it, it was almost 6 o’clock. We all had to hurry home, or someone else would not like such doings very often.”
The group was invited to serve the Hampshire High School alumni banquet in 1958. They had to provide enough silverware and dishes to serve 100 people.
The group’s first rummage sale was held in 1962 along with a luncheon and auction.
The minutes noted that “the day began at 9 a.m. with the Old and New Shop, Good to Eat Shop, Garden Shop, Hand-Made Shop, Merry Christmas Shop, and What Have You Shop. Coffee, rolls and donuts were served from 9 to 11 a.m. and luncheon was served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Doors were closed at 3 p.m. and reopened at 6:45 p.m. for an auction and dessert.”
“The rummage sale netted a total of $469.87, which would be equivalent to $3,683.28 today,” said Edmonson.
The group often raised money to fulfill different needs of the church, such as a carpet sweeper for the janitor in 1913, carpeting for the church in 1916, Testaments for the soldiers going off to serve during World War I, and flowers for the church sanctuary in 1943.
The group was also generous in providing money, clothing and blankets for needy families in the community.
The group held its first Father and Son Banquet in 1926. The banquet was not held in 1942 because of the food shortage caused by World War II.
In 1971, the minutes reflected that events were sometimes scheduled around a farmer’s timetable.
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“The Father and Son Banquet was held at a later than usual date, the exact time a bit vague,” said Tamms, “but possibly after the hay and grain and between the beans and corn.”
Bethany Diaz, 11, of Woodstock admired the women’s hats worn during the recent skit.
“I have a hat box that was given to me by my Aunt Judy,” Diaz said. “It has a red hat with a black feather.”
Widmayer said she has “oodles of hats, including her wedding hat.” She and Edmonson wore two of her hats during the skit.
When asked if she thought women should be wearing hats more often today, she said she is glad that they are not.
“You always have to worry about the hat falling off,” she said.
The church is located at 157 West Jefferson Ave.
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter