General manager
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS—The Keystone Heights Woman’s Club celebrated its 100 years of service to the Lake Region during a January 20 ceremony.
President Brooklyn Hayes-Yelin recognized longtime members, including 50-year member Tina Bullock, 28-year member Joan Vaughn, 24-year member Joanne Motter, 15-year member Barbara Crawford, 14-year member Sally Linton, 13-year member Darlene Hart, Mary Lewis: 10 years and Maria Walker.
Three clubhouses and 50 years
Longtime club leader Tina Bullock told the crowd that the organization’s first clubhouse was built in 1924.
“The land was donated by the Lawrence Development Company, and a 20 by 30 building was used,” she said.
The following year, a larger building was constructed on a lot purchased from the Community Church.
“For the next 37 years,” Bullock said, “it was used as a community center.”
In 1958, the club joined the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs, and the first Keystone Heights Junior Women’s Club was formed.
In 1962, a fire destroyed the clubhouse near Community Church, which also housed the first public library in the city.
The church bought the lot back and provided interim space for the club until 1969, when H.T. Williams and Charles Oliver donated the former site of the Chautauqua Opera House, and Triest Construction built the club’s current home.
In 1974, the Junior Woman’s Club launched the Keystone Heights Christmas Parade, which, 50 years later, still exists and is operated by Lake Region Kiwanis.
In 1985, the first junior club dissolved.
Bullock said that throughout the last century, the club has provided scholarships to deserving students, and supported animal rescues, the Lake Area Ministries food bank, the Seeds of Grace book bus, and countless other worthwhile projects.
“A house is just a house until a family moves in and makes it a home,” she said. “And this building is just a building until the members and community make it a club of its own.”
A fusion of legacies, values, and wisdom
The celebration also marked the merger of the Woman’s Club and Junior Woman’s Club. Bullock recognized the outgoing board members, including co-presidents herself and Sally Linton, Secretary Charlotte Evans, Corresponding Secretary Karen Lake, Treasurer Patricia Hatch, and Card Party Chairs Darlene Harp and Maria Walker. Bullock added that Walker is also the club’s 2023 Volunteer of the Year.
Bullock said that several years ago, as she watched many community organizations, especially those with clubhouses such as the Lions Club and the Jaycees, close their doors, she began to look at the inevitable for the Woman’s Club and had many sleepless nights.
“I worried and then prayed,” she recalled, “and that prayer was answered two years ago as Dana Bennett Eatmon, whose mom was also a junior back in the day, talked to me about forming another junior club.”
Bullock said the new group formed and proved volunteerism is alive and well as the new group put its time, energy, and resources to work.
“I met with our board and proposed that we merge and become one and turn the leadership over to them,” Bullock said. “Our board said, let’s make it to a hundred. And so today, it gives me great pleasure to hand this gavel over to Brooklyn, and I challenge each one in this room to support and encourage the longevity of this club and its leadership.”
Hayes-Yelin introduced the combined club’s new board, which includes Vice President Heather Abrahamson, Past Co-presidents Tori Hersey and Dana Eatmon, Secretary Janice Goetzman, and Senior Liaison and Rental Chair Patricia Hatch.
Hayes-Yelin said the merger is not just the coming together of two groups.
“It is a fusion of legacies, values, and the collective wisdom of years gone by,” she said, “As we move forward, we carry the torch of tradition while also embracing the winds of change that will propel us forward. As a club, we’re very committed to our community and building upon the legacy these incredible ladies have set before us.”
Summary and outlook
Hayes-Yelin added that the younger members led the group in painting the clubhouse and cleaning the landscaping around the building.
“We’ve begun the daunting task of replacing our aging roof,” she said. “This project will be a huge undertaking, so we hope that you will support us.”
Hayes-Yellin said the junior group had two successful festivals in 2023 and will have another one this fall.
“We had a scholarship golf tournament in April and raised enough money to give five scholarships worth $500 each,” she said. “Our goal had been two scholarships, so five was a huge accomplishment.”
The club’s president added that this year’s scholarship golf tournament will be on March 2, with a goal of funding 10 scholarships.
“We participated in Boo on the Boulevard,” Hayes-Yelin said. “Our Christmas float won first place. We had very informative, entertaining meetings from music bingo to unarmed self-defense to gardening classes.”
She added that over the holidays, the group gave 12 high school students backpacks full of items they needed and some fun items as well.
“We also had a wrapping party and helped wrap lots of presents for our local holiday helpers,” she said.
The president said that the organization’s goals in 2024 are to continue to bring the community together and bridge the gap between generations.
“As we are now one club,” she continued, “we hope to reach more women in the community and remind the community what the club is all about.”
Bullock honored
Hayes-Yelin then called Bullock back to the podium to thank the organization’s golden member for her 50 years of service to the club.
“It’s only fitting on today’s celebration that we also dedicate the clubhouse in her honor,” Hayes-Yelin said of Bullock while handing over to her a metal plaque that will be posted on the clubhouse. “She has been a guiding light, offering not only her time but also her wealth of knowledge. This space will forever be a living tribute to her legacy.”
