Mothers' Club retains traditions

Though the names and faces have changed in the 68-year history of the North Augusta Mothers' Club, much remains the same.

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"It's geared to mothers with young children," said Rebecca Wall, the previous president of the club and a member since 2001.

Meetings of the 24 mothers always have been on the third Tuesday of the month at a member's home.

The number of members has always been 24, Ms. Wall said.

When a mother's youngest child reaches first grade, it is time for her to retire from the club and for another mother of a preschooler to take her place.

"Mothers typically stay in the club from three to five years," Ms. Wall said.

Some are members for a year, while a few might stay as long as 12 years, depending on the ages and the number of children.

The club's history has been documented through scrapbooks at the Nancy Carson Library and through a tablecloth introduced in the 1960s. The tablecloth has the names of all members and the years of membership embroidered on it.

Founded in 1938 by Mrs. Robert Smith and Mrs. Harry Brinkley, the North Augusta Mother's Club started as a "neighborhood social," according to a printed history of the club.

At the meeting, mothers gather for dessert and a speaker. Topics haven't changed much over the years because the mothers have always looked for tips on how to rear their children.

The meetings are held during the evening.

"The best part is, the daddies keep the kids and we can come together, take a deep breath, have dessert and learn something," said Laura Kaminer, who joined last year.

There also are events to include the children. At Christmas, there are cookies with Santa, and at Easter the club holds an egg hunt. Valentine's Day brings card-making.

The group often reaches out to the community. One of its community outreach activities is to make cards during the holidays to hand out at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.

This year, the mothers adopted the Ronald McDonald House as their featured charity.

The culminating event for the year is the Father of the Year contest, Ms. Wall said.

Children write letters explaining why their dad should be named the Father of the Year. The previous winner of the title picks the winner.

"My experience has been wonderful," said Mary Louise Smith, the club's president and a member since 2004. "It's an incredible support network."

Women come from different backgrounds, she said. There are different churches represented and different schools.

"I've met women in the community I wouldn't have met otherwise," she said.

Even after a woman retires from the club, the relationships developed continue.

"I'm still close to some people who are not in it," Ms. Wall said.

Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.