The following article in the July 2006 newsletter gives a history and some more information on the Bower Hillers.
Every now and then, questions arise, such as “Who are the Bower Hillers?” or “Who can belong to the Bower Hillers?” Eventually, the questions are referred to me, as group coordinator. Since I have only been involved for a few years, I had to do some research. I dug into the “Dead Sea Scrolls” of the Bower Hiller archives. I call them that because Bower Hiller records are a rather loose, disjointed collection of documents. Here is what I found: It all started in the 1980’s when some retired members began to meet for lunch and fellowship on the fourth Wednesday of the month. In those days, luncheons were served at the church, with members of the group taking turns coordinating meals. Gradually, occasional entertainment was added to meetings. For a while, they were known as the “Retired Luncheon Group.” The connotation attached to the word “retired” kept some folks from attending. An October 1990 Newsletter clipping outlined the simple requirements for membership: “Adults who enjoy good food, fun and Christian fellowship are welcome.” Shortly after, a contest was held to select a new name. Jean Grabow submitted the winning entry, and in December 1990, the name “Bower Hillers” was officially adopted.
Since then, the luncheon format has undergone some changes. We still gather on the fourth Wednesday of the month, but now we meet at local restaurants, selected by volunteer coordinators. The size of the group has ebbed and flowed. Today, our average luncheon attendance is 25 to 30 people. Annual dues of $5.00 per person help defray any operating expenses. We are always looking for new members. If you think you might
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