A century of learning and service on Pine Mountain
By Kristin Yarbrough. Published in the Blount Countian on November 30, 2022.
Pine Mountain’s new Friendship Club revives a 100-year-old tradition. The group’s roots stretch to Congress’ 1914 establishment of the Cooperative Extension Service to educate the public on topics like agriculture, animals, nutrition, home crafts, and child-rearing.
Extension workers were charged with disseminating research from the state’s land-grant institutions, Alabama A&M, Auburn, and Tuskegee. In the area now known as Pine Mountain, occasional presentations were formalized in 1934 as the Blount Highland Home Demonstration Club, organized by Oneonta-based home agent Pauline Holland and local women.
At the first meeting, held at the home of Irene Bice, "A very interesting demonstration on cheesemaking was carried by Mrs. G.A. Hallman and Mrs. W.E. Jenkins with the assistance of Miss Holland," according to the Southern Democrat, now known as the Blount Countian.
Meeting records and newsletters from the group’s first two decades indicate that around 20 members enjoyed activities such as learning to can juices, giving birthday gifts, and exchanging tips on planting, pruning, chimney repair, and laundry.
Many of the ladies’ names are familiar. Eva Griffith, for example, hosted the November 1940 meeting. Griffith was the grandmother of lifelong Pine Mountain resident Sandra Liddicoat, who is now a third-generation member of the club. "I always loved going to Homemakers Club," Sandra said. "I kept minutes, called roll. And we ate!" Sandra started attending around 2000 but had to stop due to work. "I’m so glad I can be part of it again," she said.
The group’s name changed several times over the decades: in 1951, from Blount Highland to Pine Mountain; in the 1980s to Homemakers’ Club; and at the September inaugural meeting of the new group, to Friendship Club. Traditions changed, too: in 1987, club records began referring to the ladies by their own first names rather than their husbands’ names. And while previously men were involved only as guests at a holiday dinner, now they are welcome as full participants.
Lifelong Pine Mountain resident Brenda Reeves served as club secretary in the 1980s. She presented at Friendship Club’s November meeting on the organization’s history, bringing scrapbooks of materials and photos and a quilt with squares embroidered and signed by club members.
Brenda remembered her first meeting, in October 1984 at Myrtlene Mize’s house, where members shared arts and crafts, including an afghan and paintings, one member tatted without even needing to look at her work, and the hostess baked four homegrown sweet potatoes.
A highlight of Brenda’s many years in the club was a progressive dinner party, in which the ladies enjoyed an appetizer at one home, then a salad at another home, ate meat and vegetables at Sibyl Hallman’s house, and dessert at another member’s home.
The local club joined approximately 20 other Blount County clubs in hosting an annual Extension Homemakers Arts and Crafts Festival. In 1980, Pine Mountain ladies took home several awards, including Ellen Hallman’s first place for macrame. Betty Burtram was honored for macrame and wreaths; Wanda McCray for pillows, embroidery, fall décor, and tole painting; and Vivian Moats for canned goods.
The club celebrated holidays and each member’s birthday and anniversary with gifts and cards from secret pals. Each person’s mystery pal was revealed each year at Christmas.
Service was an emphasis. Members brought punch and cookies to nursing homes; turned on the electricity to the Blount Highland School building in 1976; raised $625 with a quilt auction at the school’s 1988 homecoming; bought the school new tile, a woodburning stove, and a kitchen stove; and hosted a tea for the American Cancer Society.
As part of another club project, Brenda wrote the historical landmark application for the 1933 Blount Highland School building. In turn, Blount County Historical Society designated the building as a county landmark.
The original club stopped meeting around 2017 as many of the members had passed. Pine Mountain residents Cindy Williams and Telitha Blackwood revived the club this fall. "I mainly wanted to reconnect with old friends and meet new neighbors," said Telitha. "Hopefully the club will give everyone a chance to come together for informative programs, community outreach, and friendship."
Friendship Club continues the emphasis of service to the community. At December’s meeting, attendees will assemble gift baskets "to let people in the community know that we care about them," said Cindy. Dirty Santa gifts will also be exchanged.
Each Friendship Club meeting includes devotion and prayer, a presentation or project, and a potluck lunch. The next meeting is on Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 10 to noon at Pine Mountain Community Church. Bring a Dirty Santa gift ($10 value) to exchange, any small items (lotion, chapstick, cookies, jam, etc.) to include in gift baskets, and a potluck dish.
Thank you to Brenda Reeves and Ellen Hallman for sharing club history and scrapbooks.