| CRETE WOMAN'S CLUB AND WORLD EVENTS TIME LINE April 2, 1912: Crete Woman’s Club organized April 12, 1912: The unsinkable Titanic strikes an iceberg and sinks June 14, 1913: Dedication of Bandstand in Park erected by Crete Woman’s Club 1913: Bubbling fountain donated by CWC placed on sidewalk at Main & Exchange 1914: Club affiliates with Illinois State Federation of Women’s Club & 11th District IFWC 1916: Club begins meeting twice a month and continues until 1931; then reverts to monthly Nov. 11, 1918: Great War ends in Europe 1919: Club becomes affiliated with Will County Federation of Women’s Clubs 1920: Junior Auxiliary begins and lasts through 1923 Aug. 18, 1920: 19th Amendment to Constitution ratified giving women right to vote 1921: First Men’s Guest Night meeting held and continued sporadically for years 1921: Gymnasium classes held for members 1922: Publishes 56-page booklet, Crete’s Early History, based on family memoirs of residents 1924: First Club Chorus forms with 25 members; lasts only one year 1926: “Flapper Grandmother” with cast of 40 members presented at children's Christmas party May 22, 1927: Charles Lindbergh lands in Paris marking first transatlantic solo flight 1929: Club started its own lending library which lasted several years 1931: Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag replaces singing “America the Beautiful” to open meetings 1931: First printing of “The Collect” by Mary Stewart in club yearbook Dec. 5, 1933: 21st Amendment ratified repealing Prohibition Dec. 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor bombed by Japanese; US enters World War II May 7, 1945: VE Day — Germany surrenders June 1945: San Francisco Conference held, leading to formation of United Nations September 2, 1945: VJ Day — Japan formally surrenders 1947: Club becomes affiliated with General Federation of Women’s Clubs July 1, 1950: U.S. ground forces land in Korea, launching “Korean Conflict” 1953: Resumes recitation of The Collect following the Pledge to open meetings, continues today 1957: Club meetings move from second Friday to third Thursday of month October through May Nov. 22, 1963: John F. Kennedy assassinated 1964: U.S. involvement in Viet Nam war begins 1966: Open Board meetings in May begin 1971: First Art Fair held in Crete-Monee Warrior Dome Aug. 8, 1974: Nixon resigns Presidency 1973: 3rd District supplants 11th District in Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs 1974: Crete Woman's Club Chorus launched 1974: CWC helps Crete Twp. launch The Pantry; continues support with funds and womanpower 1974: First Club newsletter appears 1976: 6th annual Art Fair opens in new location—Balmoral Park; repeats for 23 years 1976: U.S. Bicentennial April 1977: CWC Chorus sings for the IFWC State Convention at the Palmer House 1977: The Club’s first cookbook goes on sale for $3.50 1979: Great Decisions group begins meeting, continues today 1979: The violet supplants the lilac as the Club flower, to match the Illinois state flower 1980: Club enrichment endowment begun 1981: Bubbling fountain, donated by CWC in 1913, moved to lawn of Crete Village Hall 1982: Book Review Group formed; first modern-day Book Club in CWC and is still meeting 1989: First time Club year begins with September meeting instead of October 1991: Garden Walk begins with luncheon venue at Plum Creek Nursery 1991: General meetings move to new Crete Town Hall for 2 years 1991: Club begins tradition of ringing bells for the Salvation Army at Christmas 1992: Full lunches catered at meetings, replacing desserts prepared by members 1992: Pinochle Club begins 1993: Club’s second cookbook called "Celebrate" is published with holiday menus 1993: French Club begins and continues until 2000 1993: Club meetings return to Crete Park Building 1994: Fund established for $10,000 donation to new Crete Library for outdoor reading patio 1995: Affiliation with GFWC ends, including state, county and district units 1995: Club’s long time relationship with Crete Pantry upgraded to a formal committee 1998: “Ladies Who Lunch” salad cookbook pamphlet published 1999: “Cookie Jar” pamphlet published with 60 cookie recipes 2000: Art Fair skipped this year — Balmoral being remodeled 2001: Art Fair moves to Will County Atrium in Peotone September 11, 2001: Twin Towers destroyed by planes, Pentagon assaulted 2002: CWC web site launched by member Maureen Marthaler 2002: Garden Walk venue moves to Goodenow Grove Nature Center from Plum Creek Nursery 2003: Club begins tradition of sending boxes to military serving in Middle East 2004: Club Chorus disbands after 32 glorious years 2005: Diann Smith becomes Webmaster of CWC web site: www.cretewomansclub.org Feb. 11, 2006: Last Art Fair held at Will County Atrium in Peotone 2006: Meetings move to Village Woods; evening meetings discontinued 2007: Garden Walk venue moves to Lincolnshire Country Club 2008: Book Club Too launched April 1, 2008: First No Fools Feast held at Banquets of St. George, Schererville, IN 2009: Meetings move to Lincolnshire Country Club 2010: Revised dues structure; dues now $30 a year |
