The Fairfax City Council honors the 60th anniversary of the Woman’s Club of Fairfax. Back row, from left are Jo Ormesher, Scott Silverthorne and Joyce Wegner; (front row, from left) Ellie Schmidt, Jane Albro, Diane Tuininga, Betty Powell and Dolores Testerman. Photo by Bonnie Hobbs.
It takes effort, care and dedication to reach a 60th anniversary – and that’s exactly what the Woman’s Club of Fairfax has done. This Sunday, April 17, it will commemorate six decades of service to the community with a champagne celebration at Old Town Hall.
The club was even honored with a proclamation in February by Fairfax City Mayor Scott Silverthorne and the City Council, commending the members on their anniversary. The document praised them for continuing their emphasis on enhancing the lives of families and strengthening their community through “generous contributions of volunteer time and financial support of many, worthy causes.”
About 25 people are in the club, which was started in 1956 by a group of friends wanting to make a difference in the community. They then joined the state and national General Federation of Women’s Clubs. They meet the first Monday of the month at Fairfax United Methodist Church; and although the club comprises mainly residents of the City and surrounding area, new members are welcome.
“We hold various events throughout the year,” said Diane Tuininga, club president. “And each June, we award an annual scholarship or two to graduates of Fairfax or Woodson high schools, or Robinson Secondary School, going to a Virginia college or university.”
THEY RAISE FUNDS for it all year round, including via a fashion show/luncheon they have held annually since 1984. This year’s event is Saturday, May 14, at the Sherwood Center and is open to the public. It is being held in conjunction with the City’s Spotlight on the Arts activities, and the designers and models are students at the Fairfax Academy. Each designer has a five-piece collection, and club members will also model clothes from Draper’s & Damon’s.
Speakers often address club meetings, discussing a variety of topics. For example, City Police Chief Carl Pardiny spoke about safety issues, and a representative from the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial talked about the women who fought to achieve voting rights. Al Leightley, treasurer of Historic Fairfax City Inc., discussed Fairfax’s historic properties, and Louise Armitage, the City’s Human Services coordinator, spoke about human trafficking.
“One of our big projects is maintaining the exhibit of historic photographs in the Ford House,” said Dolores Testerrman, a 40-year club member. “It features photographs of Fairfax and Antonia Ford, a Civil War Confederate spy, plus narratives of different events. Our Woman’s Club established the exhibit and our members are docents there during the City’s annual Chocolate Festival.”
“We had over 160 visitors there, this year,” added Joyce Wegner. “And each year, a Christmas ornament is designed by a local artist, depicting one of the historic buildings, and we sell them at the Fairfax Fall Festival.”
Testerman said they’ve been selling the ornaments since 1987. It’s one of the club’s scholarship fundraisers, along with a bake sale held during the City’s Holiday Craft Fair at Fairfax High. She also noted that, for many years, the club maintained the furnishings and dishes in the historic Ratcliffe-Allison House.
The club donates to the City’s Independence Day celebration. And, added Dee Schmidt, “We contribute to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs projects, such as pinwheel gardens that bring awareness to the problem of child abuse. And we support the Salvation Army at Christmastime.”
“We each fill a stocking or two for them to give to children in need,” explained Tuininga. Altogether, that is 25-50 stockings.
“We’ve also donated items such as socks and toiletries to the Lamb Center,” said Suzanne Grimsley. “And we adopt a family at Thanksgiving and Christmas through Our Daily Bread.”
“This year, we adopted a mom and her three children for Thanksgiving,” said Betty Powell. “We had Bob Evans [restaurant] prepare a meal for them that they just had to pick up, and we also gave them some food staples. Then at Christmas, we gave them presents.”
Wegner joined the club about a decade ago and was secretary for three years. “It’s a great group of ladies,” she said. “We do a lot of fun things, as well as charitable things, and I like the social aspect.” Schmidt has participated, off and on, since 1975 and said the members get along well and work toward their common goal.
Powell joined to support the community about 17 years ago. “My favorite thing is what we do for families for Thanksgiving and Christmas,” she said. “I also enjoy our meetings and getting together with everyone. I’ve been a widow for many years, so this is another outlet for me.” And, added Tuininga, “We care about each other.”
Grimsley came aboard a few years ago at Schmidt’s invitation. “I enjoy the camaraderie and getting to know new people,” she explained. “And I wanted to feel I was of use and could do something for and give back to the community. I believe it’s important to get involved with where you live and know what’s going on.”
A FOUR-YEAR MEMBER, Tuininga also likes taking part in events and becoming friends with her fellow club members. “I like being part of the community and supporting the historic buildings and citizens,” she said. “It’s a good feeling. And recently, we went on a walk to support Alzheimer’s research. I’d much rather participate in the community than be on the sidelines.”
Testerman, a member since 1976, also likes helping her city. She began the ornament sale and initiated the creation of a fundraising tote bag featuring Fairfax’s historic buildings. It’s now sold at the Fairfax Museum. And she’s worked on the adopt-a-family program for many years.
“I think the scholarship program is one of the best things we do,” said Testerman. “And over the years, we’ve helped Inova Fairfax Hospital and the Lamb Center.”
They also hold an annual Pound Party among themselves to raise money for the club. “We nicely wrap a pound of anything and an auctioneer takes bids on these mystery items,” said Schmidt. “Some are good gifts are some are funny.”
One member paid $25 for a pumpkin, and Testerman once ended up with a gift card and a big rock. “One year, [former] Mayor Mason’s wife got a huge box with a pound of cotton balls in it,” said Testerman. “We had so much fun.”
Another member got light bulbs and bird seed but, said Tuininga, “She was happy because she needed them.” To join the club, or for more information, contact her at diane8294@aol.com.