The Groton Columbian Club: A constant since 1892

The venue was the Elm Tree Inn in McLean, New York, where 11 of the 17 members of the Groton Columbian Club (GCC) met on Feb. 9 for their monthly meeting.  

The GCC was established on Feb. 27, 1892 by Kate Mackey Shoemaker Baldwin, who acted on her thought “that if a few ladies, old and young, and congenial one to another, could meet together and think together upon various matters of interest, how much zeal would be added and how our ideas would be sharpened by mutual contact.”  

Baldwin acted on that by inviting friends to her home. There were 12 charter members of the GCC, among whom were Mrs. Benn (Florence) Conger and Mrs. Dexter (Welthea) Marsh, who became the first and only woman president of The First National Bank of Groton from 1896 to 1901.  

At the time, the Columbian Exposition in Chicago was taking place, so the ladies decided to use the name. The purpose of the club, then and now, is “for the intellectual and social development of its members and the betterment of the community,” and monthly meetings have continued every year from October through May. 

The current GCC has a maximum of 20 members. There are currently 17: Rosemarie Tucker, president; Rosalie Cook, recording secretary; Rebecca Gamel, treasurer; Linda Bonavia, Polly Case-Codner, Diane Dempsey, Terry Donlick, Donna English, Irene Gutchess, Nadine Haddock, Margie Molino, Charlotte Moore, Kay Newman, Frances Sovocool, Patty Stamm, Tanya Winney and Karen Zirbel. 

Members may offer the name of a proposed member and invite her to a meeting. The membership then submits two separate votes via secret ballot to the GCC president to determine whether the candidate may join. 

As president, Tucker selects annual themes, and members make presentations on an assigned topic within that theme. At this Feb. 9 meeting, there were two presentations based on the theme “Vice presidents of the United States born in New York state.” Zirbel presented on James S. Sherman and Gamel on Theodore Roosevelt.  

Every meeting begins with the members reciting “A Collect for Club Women,” written by Mary L. Stewart in 1904. The treasurer then gives a financial report, dinner is consumed and the meeting concludes with the presentation.  

Gamel has been the GCC treasurer for the entire 20 years she has been a member. She said she loves the variety of women who are in the club – their intellect, friendship and graciousness.  

In 1892, annual dues were five cents. Today, they are $30. As part of her treasurer’s report, Gamel read a letter of thanks from the Friends of the Groton Public Library for a recent donation from the GCC. Several members spoke about the many things the GCC does for the Groton community. 

“We do a lot for the library and for the food pantry,” Stamm said. Bonavia added that the GCC awards an annual scholarship to a Groton High School female student who plans to attend college, with a preference for one who plans to become a teacher.  

Bonavia was a teacher at Groton Central School (GCS) herself for many years and was brought into the club by the late Martha Smith in 1976.  

“Being in this club forces you to look at areas of study you might not choose yourself,” Bonavia said. “It widens your horizons.” 

Case-Codner, also a GCS teacher, joined in 2019 and said she enjoys coming because she likes to visit with everyone and knows the programs will be interesting and fun. 

Similarly, Dempsey said she enjoys the conversation and the different presentations. She has been a member for eight years.  

“I’ve been in the club for 12 years,” Gutchess said. “I was brought in by Ginny Schaffer, who has since passed away. I learned a lot when I did my own research topic, and I love getting to know others in the club.”  

Haddock joined in 2015, one year after her husband had passed away. She said she “was a hermit for a year.” Being in the GCC caused her to meet people she may not ever have met, and the social aspect has been wonderful for her. 

The newest member, Moore, joined in May 2022. She is proud to represent the legacy of her grandmothers, Charlotte Houghton and Rose Gleason, who were both members in their day. 

Stamm is a lifetime member who has been in the club 45 years, the longest of any current member. She remembers feeling honored to be asked to join.  

“I cherish the friendships I’ve made and the wealth of knowledge I’ve gained,” Stamm said. 

Winney has been a member for three years and most enjoys the social aspect of the club, the friendships and the dinners.  

“Everyone makes you feel so included,” Winney said.  

Zirbel joined 10 years ago and said she appreciates “the historical continuation of learning things you may not have realized about New York.” 

“The women met in one another’s homes for years,” Tucker said, “but we started meeting for dinner in restaurants about 15 years ago, and we do our best to keep it local in our community.” 

The dedication of these club members to one another and to “the betterment of the community,” as the GCC purpose states, was clearly evident and heartwarming to witness. 

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922.  

In brief: 

Not too late to Share the Love 

Just a reminder that Groton Food Providers’ Share the Love food drive prizes will be awarded on Saturday, Feb. 18, so it’s not too late to put a box together, decorate it and fill it with cereal, pasta sauce, peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna or other meat or any nonperishable items. 

Label your box with “Share the Love,” put your name and contact information on a card inside it and drop it off on Feb. 18 between 10 and 11 a.m. at the Joyce Crouch Benevolence Building on the corner of S. Main St. and McKinley Ave. If you are unable to deliver your box on this date and time, contact grotonfoodproviders18@gmail.com or phone Jean Wannall at (607) 382-4581. 

Dental care at school 

Finger Lakes Community Health will collaborate with Groton Jr./Sr. High School for dental services during school hours March 13 through 16.  

In order for your student(s) to receive this service, please fill out the enrollment form at https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSc8IiwJx…/viewform. The school will also mail enrollment materials to homes if you prefer that method. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school nurse at 607-898-5858 or via email: lpitcher@grotoncs.org. 

Zumba is back!  

Get ready to Zumba on Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. beginning Feb. 28 in the Groton Elementary School cafeteria. There is no fee, and registration is not required. Email recreation@grotonny.org with questions.