For many Square B 4-H Club members, they need look no further than their parents or grandparents to learn about the group’s roots.
Even former members are getting a history lesson or two, reports Wade Vogel, a community leader and former member.
“Beverly Walden called me and asked if I knew how Square B got its name,” Vogel said.
He did not.
The name was derived from the four founding members: Webster Bennett, Esther Bennett, Patty (Baker) Howerton and Nancy (Baker) Summer Wille, who started meeting in 1953. Claude and Goldie Bennett served as community leaders. The club’s official charter came a year later.
Other nuggets of trivia will be featured Monday afternoon during a Square B reunion at Carlyle’s Presbyterian Church. Current and past members, leaders and volunteers are invited. Festivities run from 2 to 4 p.m., with the existing club’s official meeting starting up at 3 o’clock.
LIKE ITS 4-H brethren, Square B’s membership largely was dictated by geography, Vogel said. Square B’s coverage encompassed Carlyle and Geneva Township in the northwest part of the county.
Long-time affiliation with adult leaders is another of the club’s benchmarks, Vogel noted.
Claude and Goldie Bennett served as Square B leaders for 28 years. Then Gale and Mary Ann Ritter took the reins for another extended period. Others who have served as community leaders included Dr. Darrell Monfort, Rhoda Morrison, Glenda Pargman, Kim Beecher and current leaders, Vogel, Becky Meiwes and Debbie Bearden.
Square B has 15 active members today.
VOGEL HOPES Monday’s meeting serves another purpose. Through the years, a number of historic documents about the club have been lost.
“We’re really hoping some of the former members have old record books and photographs they can share with us,” Vogel said.
He noted many of the earliest members of the 58-year-old club are still alive, with more than a handful planning to attend the reunion.
Three of the four founders, Howerton and Esther Bennett, also should appear, Vogel said.
Many of the current members, including John Hutton, Levi and Abigail Meiwes and Shannon and Klair Vogel are children or grandchildren of Square B members, Vogel said.
“It’s exciting to see them learn about the club’s history,” Vogel said. “It should be a lot of fun.”
