Holly Celebrates Washington Club Dinner, A Tradition Since 1893
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 25, 2020)
Holly, MI – Back in 1893 the people of Holly decided to throw a giant party in honor of the First President of the United States. The George Washington Club Dinner has been a tradition ever since – with speeches and performances of a patriotic theme. And of course there is a feast that has changed little over the decades. A meal of ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, rolls, and a slice of cherry pie is always accompanied by Copper Pennies salad, a mix of carrots cut into circles, diced bell pepper and onion, tomato soup, sugar, vegetable oil, white vinegar and mustard served cold.
Proceeds from the meal are used for a scholarship for a local student. This year it was Kate Brown who was awarded the scholarship based on her essay and her roster of extracurriculars including National Tech Society, golf, basketball and tennis. She wrote about how George Washington set the tradition of term limits so that America would intentionally not have long term rulers like England had. “Without George Washington life in America would be so different because he shaped the way America is today,” she said.
Members of the Holly High School Choir and Jazz Band also entertained the crowd of over 150 people. And volunteers, including those from the Friends of the Holly Township Library, took care of serving and cleaning up.
George Washington Club President Ina Golden spoke about Washington and the emphasis he put on respectful engagement. “He was 15 years old when he was given the book Rules for Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation,” Golden said.
She shared the sentiments of a Harvard Professor, who said nn 1906 that patriotism was a duty, and good citizenship was a duty as well, and that George Washington was a great example of a person with such values.
Over 150 people attended the dinner held at First Baptist Church in Holly on Feb. 20, many of whom had been each year for decades. Korean War Veteran Bob Dixon was recognized as the oldest vet, and he led the Pledge of Alleigance. Golden also recognized Marlo Davison and Edy Miner for having attended for more than 40 years.