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The Lotus Country Woman’s Club was organized on December 9, 1911, in Spring Grove. The first meeting was held at the home of Ethelyn Baker Hatch, the second wife of Fred Hatch. They named the club after the lotus flowers that grew in Grass Lake. It was a philanthropic group and programs were given by members which varied from home life to educational subjects.
In 1927 they held a special program for George Washington’s birthday, put on by Emma Furlong and Frances Shotliff. After the program the guests formed a grand march around the hall, with music performed by Mrs. Walter Winn. As a reminder of the Washington Cherry Tree story, a large sack resembling a cherry was filled with gifts, suspended from the ceiling. Each guest reached into it to receive a present.
Celebrating Washingtons birthday every February 22, now known as President’s Day, was a fun day for townspeople to get together and show off their patriotism.
Later that year, they held a card party and dance in Spring Grove for the Mississippi River flood sufferers. The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 was the most destructive river flood in the history of the United States, with 27,000 square miles inundated in depths of up to 30 feet over the course of several months in early 1927. The entire proceeds of $135 was sent to the Red Cross.
Story by Laura Frumet
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