Keepers of the old schoolhouse celebrate another successful year

It has been an eventful year of raising funds, hosting events, and caretaking one of the oldest buildings in DeBorgia. On Dec. 10, the ladies who make up The DeBorgia Historic School House Foundation celebrated with a much needed rest with their Ladies Annual Holiday Salad Luncheon. The ladies who attended this year were Gigi Dubois, Debbie Fontaine, Joyce Goodenough,  Christie Carrillas, Helen Tooker, Wendy Garras, Shirley Iwata, Sharon Kortuem, and Naomi Stevens.

“Once a year we do something for ourselves,” said Sharon Kortuem, president of the group. “We bring salads to share, exchange gifts, sing carols, and wear sexy shoes, lots of bling, and cute hats. And we laugh, it’s a good time.”

The women deserve a little relaxation as they work to keep the historic school house, which was built in 1908, in good working order. The group started in the 1960’s and current member, Naomi Stevens worked with the original group of women called, “happy homemakers.”

She said it was before the school house was restored and Ada Mesenbrink, Grace Hauble, and Norma Hansen made up part of that group. They would make quilts and raffle them off during their biggest fundraiser, which was a spaghetti dinner. She said they later changed the name of the group because a number of men joined the group. With grants and fundraisers, the little white building has had a kitchen and restroom added. The first floor has been refurbished, and has been painted both inside and out.

Over the years, the white two-story wood frame schoolhouse has become the community center for the tiny town. According to a recent census, the town population is currently at 79. Located 16 miles west of St. Regis, the place hosts a St. Patrick’s Day corn beef and cabbage dinner; a spaghetti feed the day before hunting season begins; a Valentine’s Day concert; an annual lighting ceremony during Christmas; and they are part of the Montana Night Riders Annual Poker Run held in January.

The little building is the only structure left that survived the Great Fire of 1910. It closed as a school in 1956 and can now be rented out for special events like weddings, funerals, and family reunions. Over the years a baseball field was added, along with basketball courts, a pavilion and barbeque area.

Some upcoming projects include refurbishing the second floor of the building, as well as fixing up the old carriage house, said Kortuem. The carriage house is where students used to keep their horses when they rode to school over 100 years ago. Now, they would like to use it as a storage area.

They currently have 15 active members and meet monthly. Kortuem has been the president for the past few years and loves the comradery with the members.

Stevens also said she loves the comradery.

“It’s enjoyable to have dinners and fund raisers with such a great group. It’s a wonderful organization, with good people who make our little community a better place.”