Name/Title
Welcome Wagon Newcomers ClubScope and Content
Historical information on Welcome Wagon Newcomers Club for 1976 Bicentennial Celebration in Waupun, WI.
*Facts are typed and was scanned with mistakes, if any, left uncorrected.
WELCOME WAGON NEWCOMERS CLUB, WELCOME WAGON BUILDING - 145 Court Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38103
WELCOME WAGON, International, Inc.
The Welcome Wagon Club concept began in 1928. Newcomers were eager to become better acquainted with their new community and with others.
From a very simple and sincere desire to be of help, Welcome Wagon through its hostesses has through the years called on people for the purpose of sharing friendships.
In September of 1970, Helen Gloudemans, Welcome Wagon Hostess of Waupun, and a representative from Green Bay organized the first Welcome Wagon Newcomers Club; Bonnie Mullen and Pat Scott shared the responsibility of presidency; Eileen Cleveland, secretary; Mary Zoroufy, treasurer; Ruth Nock, publicity; others attending were Sharon Vanden Heuvel,
Sharon Frigo, and Pat Mummers.
In 1971, Bonnie Mullen was nominated president; members of the club showed a great interest to have a Bazaar and Bake Sale, furry Humpty Dumpty's & doggies were made, Mayor Dunn accepted a check of $100.00 from the club to be put towards the Mc Cune Beach Fund.
In 1972, Lynette Be Larwelle was nominated president; that summer the club entered a float in the Parade, a hay wagon was decored with officers standing at the corners & Helen Gloudemans, Hostess, was in the middle with a hugh basket, symbolizing the Welcome Wagon basket surrounding her, Theme- "A Basket of Love". Funds were dropped for the 6th grade camp project, members husbands volunteered to play a game of basketball (should say kickball) against the staff at WLKE, all proceeds went to camp fund- over $300.00.
Active membership in the club is limited to three years. In 1973, completion of this 3 year membership came, but Jan Sullivan would not let the club die out, the club became more social with coffee's . In December, Barbara Gerritson became Welcome Wagon Hostess of Waupun.
In 1974, Nancy Rameker was nominated president; a number of couples events took place, a wine tasting program was excellently given and bobbing for apples was exciting at the Halloween party, the club gave out yellow ball stickers to be placed in all small children or an invalid's bedroom, also Mr. Vuk stickers were handed out.
In 1974, Judy Simonds was nominted president; first place was given to our float in the June Parade, a three tier cake was made on the top of a snowmobile trailer, decorated with red, white & blue, Uncle Sam standing in the center of the cake waving to the crowd. Theme-"Happy Birthday; America". The cities Bi-Centennial project was the Community Center. The club decorated the trash barrels at the Center and had a paper drive, with all proceeds going to the Center-$125.00.
Future projects for the Welcome Wagon Newcomers Club - to build better friendships within our community and to aid in improving the city we have choosen to live in.
The Welcome Wagon Newcomers Club was founded on Septmeber 29, 1970. The first President was Mrs. Ernest Mullen, and the first year the club had 20 members. Names are submitted to the Club by the Welcome Wagon Hostess after she calls on them. The present Hostess is Mrs. Barbara Gerritson. In 1970 the Hostess was Helen Gloudemans. The women are urged to attend to become acquainted with other new members and become aware of what our community offers. All year we run special projects to help our new community.
Our annual events have been the Family Picnic, coffees, rummage sales, bake sales , Sponsor Dinner, entering a float in the Trail Days Parade, and holiday. Parties. Some special projects have raised money for McCune B each in 1971. A B asketball game was held in 1972 to provide money for the Elementary Schools.
Due to several member moving, the club was not as active in 1973 but in 1974 was back in full force. That year we ran special projects to provide Mr. Yuk and Yellowballs for the children of the community. We also donated chairs to the Special Education Class at Washington School. Our float won 1st prize in the Trail Days Parade for Wanpun Entries. In June of 1975 we had a trip to the Paine Art Center and Lennox Candle Company.
Our 1976 Season has begun with trying to help all we can with ecology and helping with the Bi-Centenial Dedication. One of our contributitions to Bicentenial was to paint the garbage cans for the dedication. Naturally they were done in red, white and blue with stars. Our paper drive was made so we could donate the proceeds to the New Community Center Fund. We raised$125.00. This years activited include a bowling party, tours of the museum and hospital, Holiday parties, bake and rummage sales, and as in the past we have had and will still have many interesting speakers at our general meetings.
Our present membership is 12. Judy Simmonds, President, Linda Ryun, Vice President, Charlene Krueger, Secretary, Nona Wendt, Treasurer, Nancy Davis, Publicity. Other members include Barbara Cerritson, Welcome Wagon Hostess, Carolyn Dombrowski, Karen Joseph, Marge Schmaltz, Jane Sondalli, Bonnie McGraw, Bettey Habermas.Acquisition
Accession
2016.0075Source or Donor
Waupun Area Chamber of CommerceAcquisition Method
Donation
