Happy Homemakers raise money for school
Nick Ianniello/Mineral Independent Happy Homemakers Beth Robertson, right, and Ada Messenbrink sell baked goods to Jodi Stevens Saturday morning at the Haugan exit. The Happy Homemakers are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the Old DeBorgia School.
The DeBorgia School House Happy Homemakers held a bake sale Saturday morning to raise money for the upkeep and maintenance of the Old DeBorgia School House.
“We don’t really generate any other money,” said Happy Homemaker Beth Robertson.
Robertson, along with Susan Charles, Ada Messenbrink and Grace Haubale sat near the Haugan exit with a tent filled with baked goodies for sale starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.
The funds they raised from their fresh baked goods all went directly into the schoolhouse, a landmark that survived the fire of 1910.
Robertson said that the schoolhouse and a bar were the only two buildings to survive the enormous fire.
The building has stood the test of time, and it is celebrating its 100th year as a landmark in Mineral County.
The schoolhouse was constructed in 1908 to serve the people on the west end of Mineral County. It was the first two-story building in the area and children would have classes in the lower floor and play in the upper floor.
The first floor is used mainly for meetings, weddings and other gatherings. While the upper floor is closed to the public today, it is filled with old school desks and other artifacts from the school.
Charles said that the kitchen was added onto the building when the Happy Homemakers started using the building for meetings and gatherings. The original building consisted of the staircase and two large rooms.
Teachers taught students in first through eighth grades. Before 1920, Muriel Whinnery taught only one student, Neil Stoughton, each of the eight grades. The one-student class earned the DeBorgia Schoolhouse a place in Ripley’s: Believe it or Not.
The school closed to students in 1956, and the Happy Homemakers took over its maintenance and care in 1969.
The Happy Homemakers, which consist of Robertson, Charles, Messenbrink and Haubale are responsible for cleaning and maintaining the building.
They offer the building for groups at a small charge, $45 for the building, $70 if groups need to use the kitchen as well.
The women take time out of their days to volunteer and clean the building for incoming groups and make sure that everything is in order after they leave.
Saturday’s bake sale is one of two activities the Happy Homemakers use to raise money for the building, they also hold an annual spaghetti dinner. This year the event will be held on Oct. 25 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Anyone is welcome to the event and the cost is $6.50 for adults and $3.00 for those 10 years old and under. The dinner includes spaghetti, bread, salad and fresh pie for dessert.
Robertson said that they have not been able to hold an event celebrating the building’s centennial but they are proud to be part of the DeBorgia Schoolhouse’s history.
She added that if enough money is raised they plan to give the building a new coat of paint but for now they are raising money just to pay the bills for the schoolhouse.