News : Eden Aid members gather for century celebration

100 years of Eden Aid: Members celebrated in Newhall Wednesday.

One hundred years of Eden Township history filled the Newhall City Park pavilion on Wednesday, as the current and former members of Eden Aid and their family gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the club.

They discussed the history of the township, the schools they attended, 4-H clubs they joined and neighbors they remembered.

The club formally organized in 1915. Maud Inman was vice president. This year, Karen Inman, the wife of Maud’s grandson, Roger, is one of the vice presidents. Many of the members had mothers, aunts or grandmothers who had been members. They shared memories of attending events and meetings as children.

Eden Aid is open to any woman who lives or lived in the township. There are approximately 20 members in the club who meet monthly.

Some of the people at the gathering shared memories of attending the rural schools known as Eden No. 2 or Eden No. 5. For a couple of years, the Vinton district had moved all of the rural school houses to the area surrounding the West elementary building, so some reported they went to town to attend “country” school.

After the consolidation was complete, an Eden resident purchased the old Eden No. 5 School at an auction, and it returned to the township. The building later became the Eden Hall, and was a voting place a half-century ago.

The group also recognized several people who had lived in Eden Township all of their lives.

4-H history

Maud Inman played a big role in bringing 4-H to Benton County. Eden 4-H clubs included the Willing Workers and Blue Racers. Several 4-H members helped prepare and serve the meal on Wednesday. At times, there were North Eden and South Eden clubs.

Current members include Chris Biershenk, Pauline Grovert, Beth Jensen, Lori Lang, Kris Boyles, Rhonda Happel, Jennifer and Sarah Kreutner, Bonnie Sanders, Rita Fix, Sharon Happel and Kimberly Weiss. The ladies made a special presentation to Chris Biershenk, who has been an Eden Aid member for 63 years.

Officers are President Trish Decker, Vice Presidents Tammy Surface and Karen Inman, Secretary Ellen Olson, Treasurer Donna Wiese and Historian Jenny Janssen.

Poetry

The celebration included the reading of correspondence from former members who were unable to attend, as well as two poems. Sharon Happel, who now lives in what used to be Eden Hall, converted to a house, read a poem that G.A. “Gus” Carlson wrote for the club’s 50th celebration in 1965. Karen Inman read the poem she wrote for this year’s centennial:

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

By Karen Inman

It’s really quite an honor

For any “Aid” to see

The labors of their group

Performed throughout a century.

With much determination

And endless hours of giving,

Just Neighbors Helping Neighbors

One hundred years and counting.

Raising monetary donations

Sewing and knitting, too

Rolling bandages and dressings

For the men of World War II.

No one could have imagined

The work that needed to be done

Until the war was over

And the battles had been won.

Ambulances, fire departments care centers,

Hospitals, theater and libraries, too

Were all given help

By the Eden Aid crew

Giving charitable donations

The list is long, it’s true

Cancer, heart and diabetes funds

Just to name a few

Helping members’ families deal

With misfortune, illness or grief,

By cooking meals or lending a hand

Eden Aid was there to offer relief

No matter what the trials

“The Aid” is always there

Helping with what must be done

To show how much they care

For future needs –

Whether community or children

“The Aid” will be there

Once again

With willing hearts and hands

This promise we convey

“Neighbors Helping Neighbors”

It’s the Eden Community Aid way.

See a photo album of the 100th celebration HERE.