Ella Crookham | Newtownia Homemakers

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Mrs. Wm Relf, President

Reported in The Neosho Times on 18 October 1834, page 8

In 1934, on a Wednesday afternoon, Mrs. Wm. Relf hosted the Newtownia Homemakers Club. They opened the meeting with a roll call, answering the prompt, “The Worst Bargain I Ever Made” and participated in a discussion on “What to serve at Club Meetings and Parties.” Guests were invited and new leadership was elected, including Mrs. Wm. Relf as president.

Other articles from The Neosho Times, highlight some of her activities in the club:

• Led a discussion on “Feeding the Sick”
• Participating in planning committee
• Acted as parlimentarian
• Came as a guest and became a member

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In the early 20th century, the USDA Cooperative Extension Service initiated the creation of Home Demonstration Work. The home demonstration work was intended to improve the lives of rural families through teaching.

Newtonia Homemakers Club

Their Motto:

“Get acquainted with your neighbor, you might like her.”

The Newtonia Homemakers Club ran reports of their meetings in the Neosho Times beginning in 1933. From these reports, details from the meetings can be gleaned Refreshments were often served, including at one meeting banana pudding and cocoa. Sometimes, they charged absent members one cent, unless the absence was due to illness. They played games and organized picnics and charity drives. Below are some of the roll call prompts and discussion topics discussed.

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In 1941, three homemakers threw a party for a Home Demonstration Agent who had worked throughout Newton County with several homemaker clubs.