Grand Meadow Country Club marks 100 years this month

This month marks the centennial of the Grand Meadow Country Club (GMCC), but the club doesn't feature a golf course or banquet facility. Instead, its eight members are involved in community service, something that has been a core value since 22 farm wives founded the club in Grand Meadow Township, in the northwest corner of Clayton County.

'Most of our current members had mothers and grandmothers that were also members of the club,” said member Emily Heying. 'It was something that they didn't want to miss if at all possible.”

Lillian Schutte has been a member of the club the longest: 53 years.

When the club was founded on March 24, 1916, women had little chance for interaction with other women outside church and the occasional visit to town.

The GMCC met twice a month on Thursdays. In its charter, the club said its mission was 'to secure the highest condition of home life, to broaden the outlook of home and family, encourage social intercourse and to elevate the character of farm life to the end that the farm shall be the best in America and the most attractive to the coming generation.”

Since 1920, the group has 'adopted” the Christian Orphans Home in Council Bluffs. In the early years, the club's members sent eggs to the home. During World War II, homemade children's undergarments and woolen shirts were sent. The group still sends a $100 donation to the home every year.

The group also made hospital shirts and pajamas that were sent to the Red Cross during World War II.

In the last few years, the group has volunteered at a number of area organizations.

'We have served at the Good Samaritan Home, contributed to the Clayton County Food Bank and the school children's fund, made food baskets for the elderly and quilts for the 4 Crosses Ranch, and provided staff for Postville Days,” said member Nancy Engelhardt. 'We have also entertained at the Scenic Acres Home and have given gifts so that they could be re-gifted for the clients there.”

At its peak in the late 1920s, the club had 28 members. Each new member had to be voted on before being accepted.

In 1930, the group voted to meet just once a month, but the enthusiasm for the gathering still exists.

The members meet at a different person's home each month, and sometimes visit interesting sites.

'It's hard to get new members now because women are now a part of the workforce,” Engelhardt said. 'We are trying to keep this going as long as possible, and we would welcome any new members.”

Marge Stansberry, a former Grand Meadow Township resident who makes the drive from Cedar Rapids to attend the meeting every month, said the group is like 'one big family.”

'We enjoy the conversation and the good meals when we meet,” Stansberry said.