Put-in-Bay O.W.L.S. Celebrates 40th Anniversary
The Put-in-Bay O.W.L.S. (Old Ladies Literary Society) was established in 1982 by our founder Evelyn Manter. Membership was 14, later 16 – a number which most members could assemble in their homes for conversation, a poem or reading, coffee and dessert. Each year a list of books is selected for discussion at the monthly meeting, gatherings which usually evolve into lively conversations as members often share personal tales, history, and insights. Every summer the group takes a mainland outing which includes an educational tour at a regional destination and a relaxing lunch. Summer and fall highlights also include a pastoral outdoor gathering at Duff’s Vineyard.
Charter Members were Lulu Bowe, Gerda Crowe, Hilda Ellery, Evelyn Manter, Mildred Miskimen, Anne Parker, Geri Zura Parker, Kaye Rothert, Lois Rubright, Marge Rudd, Winifred Schmidt, Joan Schroedel, Muriel Sneller, and Fran Spafford.
Among Past Presidents were Evelyn Manter, Fran Spafford, Kaye Rothert, Gerda Crowe, Marge Rudd, Mildred Eaker, Rory Woischke, Barbi Barnhill, Sharon Duggan, Winnie Schmidt, Barbara Jean Hays, Annie Parker, Judie Bahney, Caroline Wood, Fran Beck, Mary Ann Market, Sarah Toole, Mella Davies, Nancy Russell, Joan Ziegler, Carol Roberts, Carol Root, Mary Lou Ramsbottom, and Valerie Chornyak.
Today, members include Linda Frederick. Jean Hilt, Valerie Chornyak, Mary Ann Meyers, Julene Market, Sue Duff, Mella Davies, Louise Titchener, Anne Parker, Sarah Toole, Carol Roberts, Jeanne Burgess, Sharon Duggan, Joan Ziegler, and Carol Root.
The O.W.L.S. also sponsor The Little Library located near the Put-in-Bay Post Office, and monetary donations to the Erie Islands Library, Put-in-Bay StoryWalk in Dodge Woods, Ida Rupp Library, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (via Ottawa County United Way).
The O.W.L.S. have read an estimated 286 books.
The previous piece is published in this month’s Put-in-Bay Gazette. The Gazette has been producing incredible independent Put-in-Bay island news for over 40 years. If you have any interest at all in what is happening on South Bass Island, we urge you strongly to subscribe to the Put-in-Bay Gazette. One-year online subscriptions are only $15, and print subscriptions are available as well. To subscribe please click here.
This piece of Put-in-Bay journalism has been provided to putinbaycondos.com courtesy of the Put-in-Bay Gazette, Put-in-Bay’s only local newspaper. Visit their website putinbay.news for more information and to subscribe!
