The GFWC PA Woman’s Club of Emmaus completed its 75th anniversary year of celebration recently with a picnic in the park.

The members gathered in Emmaus Community Park in the pavilion built with the Woman’s Club funds in 1982.

As part of the celebration, Shane Pepe, the Emmaus borough manager, talked about the state of the Borough of Emmaus, describing the changes taking place such as the new location for the borough hall, and equipment and infrastructure changes.

Pepe praised the local organizations, such as the Lions Club, Kiwanis and the Woman’s Club for stepping up to help the borough in a variety of ways. He used the pavilion as one example of the Woman’s Club’s contributions.

Maureen Storck, who chaired the program that provided the funding for the pavilion, shared with the audience the steps and costs from 1982 to 1984.

A review of some of the club’s other contributions to the community included a description by Ruth Schmoyer of the “Call Police” car banner sale in the pre-cell phone era as a part of the safety effort.

Ruth Kemmerer shared photos of the club members dressed in colonial outfits as they participated in the Emmaus 250th Anniversary Celebration in 2009. All three of these activities were honored with awards from the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Pennsylvania.

At the picnic, Krista Pegnetter, director of the Emmaus Public Library, received a donation of a tapestry from Pat Waller, club president.

During May 2015, the club took part in the Emmaus Library sponsored program, “Woven Welcome.” The General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Pennsylvania awarded the 2016 Arts Community Service Program of the Year recognition for the Emmaus club’s participation in “Woven Welcome.” The Club’s participation was also nominated to represent Pennsylvania in the International GFWC Convention in Baltimore earlier this summer.

A feature of the anniversary program was a visit by alpacas from Harley Hill Farms, near Quakertown. Bill Oraschin described the major characteristics of the alpacas and why he and his wife Lori raise these animals. Two alpacas joined Oraschin at the picnic; May, a soft brown female and Pearl, a white female. Oraschin also showed samples of the fiber, yarn and items that can be made from alpaca fleece. The softness of teddy bears made from alpaca fleece surprised women’s club members.

Other guests included Donna Marks, owner of the Emmaus Jewel Shop. Marks provides the Emmaus club with bracelets presented as part of the Girl of the Month award. The Girl of the Month award recognizes achievements by senior high school students.

All present enjoyed the bag lunches provided by Bachi’s in Emmaus.