By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
Sixty years is nothing to scoff at, and now West Unity’s Omnibus Club can join the list of things that can tell you all about it. Organized in 1963, the club was originally sponsored by Mid-Century Club of Montpelier, which was a federated club.
The lexeme “omnibus” was chosen by charter member Kathleen Flint, inspired by the notion that the club should provide “many things at once” (Merriam-Webster, “omnibus”). The members took this notion to heart and made sure to help facilitate many activities throughout the area.
The charter members alongside Kathleen Flint were Dorothy McKinney, Pat Keller, Nancy Short, Betty Smith, Marilyn Stoltz, Shenda Maneval, Barb Green, Sally Hinkle, Shirley Carter, Sandy Holmstrum, Dorothy Bristow, Delores Stuckey, Shirley Nofziger, and Sharon Miller.
They would have known John Kennedy as the President of the United States, fawned over The Beatles, paid 5 cents for a postage stamp, and paid $2 for their annual club dues. Traditionally, the members wore dresses and heels to their monthly meetings.
These monthly meetings cover different topics, with past and present members sure to remember Christmas secret gift exchanges, themed parties, and even one certain “progressive dinner” from which the Omnibus ladies needed some help from snow mobiles to get home.
As a doer of all things, the club sponsored the Egg – n – Fest parades, resulting in two first place wins, as well as sponsored Paula Ashenfelter, who was the first ever Miss West Unity.
In the club’s early years, members would raise funds through door-to-door sales tactics, including the production of 1,200 cheeseballs over the course of a decade.
These funds were used to better the community, being donated to the scouts, little league teams, humane societies, libraries, school projects, parks, and other worthy causes.
For many decades, the Omnibus Club has worked to beautify West Unity, working to put flowers downtown every summer.
In 1988, the club started hosting what would become known as their annual Christmas House Walks and Craft Show. Each year, the houses of West Unity were shown off for their decor, and the community came together to facilitate local commerce.
Over the years, 150 homes were hosted, with current club president Mary McCrea sharing that “it was the most rewarding of all projects.”
The proceeds from that project would see an accumulation of $19,000 go to graduating seniors by way of scholarships.
“The Omnibus Club,” McCrea shared, “is a group of dedicated ladies that has met to learn, promote friendship, and serve the community for over 60 years.”
The club’s 60th year sees Bonnie Bell, Cheryl Boldman, Shirley Carder-Secretary, Dortha Davis-Sunshine Member, Barb Green-Phone Committee, Ruth Grimm (vice-president), Pat Maneval-Phone Committee, Mary McCrea (president), Rose Miller-Program (chairman), Connie Priser, Rose Reimer, Peg Schmucker, Jane Short (treasurer), Ann Spiser, Linda Sumner, and Sue Thompson serve as proud members of West Unity’s Omnibus Club.
