By Dr. Ferrell Miller
JC Breakfast Optimist Club
Mary Hogan, President of the Ladies Reading Club in Junction City, highlighted some of the history of the organization for JC Breakfast Optimist Club members at their March 25 meeting at the Hampton Inn. She stated that the Ladies Reading Club “began in 1875 and was formalized with 15 charter members meeting in various member homes and Centennial Hall. It is called a reading club because Club members read a book to the group while working on charitable projects. The intent of the organization was then and is now to be community minded.
The Ladies Reading Club grew out of the Ladies’ Aid Society, which was a response to the needs of the community following the Grasshopper Plague in August 1874. The women, in cooperation with the Davis County (Geary County) Commission, ministered to 1154 destitute persons.
The current building where club members meet was given by Captain Bertrand Rockwell and dedicated on September 1, 1897. The clubhouse continues to be used for meetings today.
The books for the Club’s library were collected by members who had books sent from the east coast. At one time, the books could be accessed by the public. In 1934, the Club turned the concept over to the City Library.
Early on, the club had a focus on community beautification. They sponsored roads, sidewalks, parks and planted trees. Today, the Club supports Arbor Day with a seedling and perennial giveaway. During the Spanish Flu epidemic, which started at Fort Riley, club members made several layered masks to be worn in a similar experience when masks were worn during COVID 19.
The state of Kansas established music scholarships in 1938 to support the arts. Florence Whitebread, Club member, continues to lead in this area. Five $500.00 scholarships are awarded to those selected who perform a vocal or instrumental composition in competition with other high school students from around the state. The scholarship originated from the late J. Abbie Clarke Hogan, who was a world-renowned violinist and is credited for having begun the first high school orchestra in Kansas.
The Junction City Little Theater presented their first productions at the Clubhouse. Scholastic recognition began with a luncheon in 1960 sponsored by the Rolfs family and continued for 50 years. The Club then voted to provide two annual academic scholarships for JCHS students which are awarded each year.
Current Officers are Mary Hogan, President; Marilyn Smith, Vice-President; Jolene Stackhouse, Secretary and Susan Moyer, Treasurer.
The JC Breakfast Optimist Club is having a fundraiser at the American Legion at the corner of Fourth and Franklin in Junction City on Saturday, March 28 from 7:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Biscuits and gravy, eggs, hash browns, coffee and juice will be served for $10.00. Tickets may be purchased at the door. The money raised will go towards the JC Breakfast Optimist Club’s $1,000 Scholarship, which will be awarded to a Junction City High School student who enrolls in a vocational-technical school following high school graduation.