EXETER — The West Pittston Women’s Club celebrated a milestone during the last monthly meeting before summer break as it noted 100 years of service to residents of the borough at Fox Hill Country Club May 21.
The club’s objective over the century has been to provide help to the West Pittston community in as many ways as possible.
Approximately 30 members, friends and guests of the Women’s Club were in attendance to hear guest speaker Ellen Quinn, West Pittston Borough Council president, outline changes and updates to the borough.
At the conclusion of the meeting, George Ann Neff stepped down as president and handed the gavel to Mary Smith. Neff has been the longest running president in the club’s history, serving 11 years.
Over decades of service, the Women’s Club has planted trees in the borough, served and aided the West Pittston Library, helped the Meals-on-Wheels program, aided the Salvation Army during its Christmas campaign, as well as donated shoes, clothes and money, gave school supplies to needy students, donated plaques noting century-old homes and, more recently, donated money to the West Pittston Ambulance, fire department, library and created two scholarships of $500 each for Wyoming Area girls.
“I’ve been president since 2008 and I plan on doing nothing,” Neff quipped, as she stepped down from the position. “I’ve made a lot of friends, met all the people from the organizations we donate to.” Neff noted she and her late husband Paul were not natives of the area but, because of the Women’s Club, she’s been able to create many memories.
Incoming president Mary Smith noted the success of the longevity of the club.
“Members really did come together as women in their time and did good works,” Smith said. “Because of what they contributed over the years, the club has remained in effect. It’s changed over the years, but what doesn’t change? We all have to grow, we all have to flexible and we have to change.”
Smith is looking forward to the club reconvening in September with new members and new ideas to carry it into the future.
During the meeting, member Louise Smith noted how the Women’s Club is responsible for helping to purchase the West Pittston Library.
Mary Smith added the Women’s Club was, at one time, responsible for helping save the Firefighter’s Memorial Bridge, formerly known as the Water Street Bridge, when there was talk of tearing it down after the 1972 Agnes Flood.
Joan Pribula, a member since 1997, was present for the final meeting before the summer recess.
“I thought it was a good club and they did a lot,” Pribula said of joining the club. “We were a part of a federation and, at that time, we could not donate money to any of the town services. We eventually broke away from the federation and we began to donate to the fire company, ambulance, library, Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels and eventually giving out scholarships to high school seniors at Wyoming Area.”
“You don’t need to live in West Pittston to join the Women’s Club,” Pribula added, noting George Ann Neff resides in Harding. “I think it’s so important to support our town and I believe in our town.”
