The first officers of the Canyon Lake Woman’s Club were installed during a luncheon on December 12, 1972. Pictured in the front row from left to right are Barbara Paris, Nanda Skinner, and Marlene Lord Cathro. Pictured in the back row from left to right are Bebe Garcia, Edna Ingle, Emilou Barnes, Winnie Gibson, and Elaine Williamson.On Wednesday, October 18, 1972, a group of Canyon Lake women received a wake-up call inviting them to “come as you are” to breakfast. That October breakfast resulted in the organization of the Canyon Lake Woman’s Club 50 years ago.
Two months later, on Tuesday, December 12, 1972, the club held its first installation luncheon in the Fireside Room at the lodge. Nanda Skinner was installed as the president of the newly formed club. Other officers included Marlene Lord, first vice president; Barbara Paris, second vice president; Bebe Garcia, third vice president; Edna Ingle, parliamentarian; Emilou Barnes, treasurer; and Winnie Gibson, secretary. The officers were installed by Elaine Williamson.
Skinner chose the theme “Fun with a Purpose.” To this day, the tradition of the incoming president choosing a theme still stands.
The new officers were presented with corsages courtesy of Worley’s Nursery. The United States and California State flags were donated to the club by Bill and Dorothy Shoemaker. Elaine Williamson sang “Be the Best of Whatever You Are.” She was accompanied by Martin Fox at the piano.
In keeping with the “Fun with a Purpose” theme, 15 members met the following day at the residence of Billie Palmer and created 80 Santa Doll favors, which were delivered to the Sun City Convalescent Home on December 22.
At the meeting the following month, in January 1973, the club was off and running. A date had been set for the first Rummage Sale — March 3 and 4, a Book Mobile (Riverside Library) and an exchange library had been started through the efforts of member Ruthe Lee, a bike hike was scheduled for January 19, and Florence Miller had offered to teach any of the members knitting, crocheting, and embroidering. The guest speaker was Sandra Gray, a director of nurses at Lakeview Hospital in Elsinore, who spoke of the many needs at the hospital.
The 1972 charter members were Orsolina Aime, Mary Albanese, Mary Anderson, Barbara Bailey, Phyliss Bailey, Anne Barillaro, Emilou Barnes, Gloria Becker, Lydia Bennett, Marge Bonelli, Louisa Brower, Joan Brown, Estelle Cain, Faith Carter, Donna Cathro, Edity Cathro, Marlene Lord Cathro, Joyese Connell, Jo Cross, Zalia Dawson, Winnie Denning, Pauline Dickson, Bonnie Donaldson, Shirley Drahos, Clare Ducoff, Shirley engler, Mona Fox, Lavona Francis, Bebe Garcia, Winnie Gibson, Gaye Gilbert, Kay Goetz, Doris Grimm, Ruth Gunthrie, Betty Halderman, Rose Harriman, Helen Harris, Alice Helm, Dorothy Herendich, Ann Holden, Thel Humen, Lone Hyde, Edna Ingle, Maire Jones, Marion Keller, Yvonne Keller, Vera Krock, Lois Droesen, Ruthe Lee, Doris Lewis, Anna Lodwick, Mary Lodwick, Lydell Bauer, Gay Mabel, Marge Lynch, Elinor Martin, Freda May Mauvais, May (Carl) Jean, May (Don) Jean, Jane McDowell, Nivea Messerschmidt, Helen Mickel, Flrence Miller, Lucille Moore, Mitzie Mordkin, Billie Palmer, Edna Pancoast, Barbara Paris, Jackie Perrenoud, Jane Randolph, Gloria Reister, Elaine Sanderson, Dorothy Shoemaker, Priscilla Shulman, Janet Simonson, Marion Sisson, Betty Skidmore, Nanda Skinner, Jo Soldoff, Betty Spradling, Anna Spray, Helen Stamper, Lea Stanton, Darline Stevens, Ethel Strosky, Cecilia Sweet, Chris Todhunter, Barbara Wagstaff, Anna Mae Wolf, Terry Woodward, Peg’e Worley, and Catherine Zensen.
The Canyon Lake Woman’s Club is a non-profit and non-partisan club. According to the club’s by-laws, as amended on October 15, 2014, its objective is “the promotion of Canyon Lake property improvement, cultural interests, moral and public welfare, and philanthropic services.”
Membership is open to “any woman of high moral standing who is a Canyon Lake president and who is willing to abide by the rules of the club.” A non-resident may become a member if sponsored by a member in good standing. Non-resident members have all privileges of the club’s members except for the privilege of being elected officers and voting.
Currently, general club meetings are held from September through July on the third Wednesday of the month in the Holiday Bay Room at the lodge. Membership is $20.
