A Century of Service

By TIM HIRSCH

of the Sun

The storied history of the Nesko Women’s Club will be celebrated when the longstanding group of philanthropic-minded ladies host the organization’s 100th anniversary celebration on Saturday, May 3, 2-5 p.m., at Kiawanda Community Center, 34600 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City.

Open to all in the community, the celebration will feature a video of the group’s history, refreshments, and a 100th anniversary celebratory cake — plus plenty of opportunities to share memories and create new ones. There will also be a silent auction of several gift baskets plus a few speakers — including a number of descendants of original members. As well, students from Nestucca High School’s production of “Mamma Mia!” will perform. Also taking a turn at the microphone will be club historian Karen Petersen, who assembled a cookbook filled with recipes from old Nesko cookbooks, as well as with recipes from current members. The cookbook, which is a fundraiser for the gala event, will be available for purchase ($25) at the celebration on May 3. The cookbook is also available for purchase at Kiawanda Community Center.

Nesko Women’s Club first was established on Sept. 3, 1925, when several ladies — Clara Affolter, Dorothy Nash, Emma Rock, Florence Scherzinger, Mildred Sutton, Zada Affolter, Edith Owens, Evelyn Rock, Mamie Scherzinger, Alice Ward and Anna Whiteman — came together in an effort to help those who lost their homes to fire, and other worthwhile projects. Initially, membership included women from Neskowin, Slab Creek and Oretown. They met the third Thursday of every month.

“How they started Nesko Club is they would get together and sew things — quilts, pillowcases, blankets — and collect things from the neighbors for people that had been burned out,” club member Jeanette Hagerty told the Sun. “Because, in those days we didn’t have the fire department that we have nowadays. And, so, they started making things for people that lost their homes.”

Then known as the Nesco Club, they funded their activities by auctioning pie and other money-making projects.

It was in the 1950s when the club changed to its current name — Nesko Club. Highlights following included a “Cancer Tea” that was the club’s main focus from 1952 to 1979. 

“When the American Cancer Society started donations for the first cancer research, (Nesko) started the tea. Every year they did a fancy tea and raised money for the Amer-ican Cancer Society,” Hagerty said.

According to Nesko, these efforts were so successful that the American Cancer Society awarded the ladies a “Silver Dish” in honor of their efforts.

Fast forward to the late 1980s when the club introduced its Fourth of July Book and Bake Sale at the Neskowin Fire Hall. Later moved to the lawn in front of the Neskowin Marketplace (now the Neskowin Provisions Company), it’s an event that has continued to this day. Proceeds — which often top $6,000 — help pay the way for various needs throughout the community.

And in 2025, the service continues. Philanthropic projects in 2024-25 alone have totaled more than $11,000 and have included the Good Neighbor Program, Tuesday Stitchers, emergency water purification kits for STCEVC, Nestucca Valley Lions Club Christmas Baskets, Grub Hub, Backkpack Food Program, Beaver, Hebo and Pacific City food pantries, language and literacy books, emergency clothing for the elementary school, the NHS School Leadership Project, the Esther Milne Scholarship at TBCC, Nestucca High School Cross Country and Track uniforms, and emergency food needs.

In addition to its community donations —the organization has contributed scholarships to Nestucca High School graduates for many years. Since starting the program in 2005, it has contributed $35,400 to graduating seniors.

“I feel fortunate to be able to be part of this group to see the results in our community of our giving,” Hagerty said.

“(I’m) very happy to carry on what started in 1925 and has lasted this long,” added fellow club member Teresa Smith. “That doesn’t happen with a lot of organizations, but the commitment of the community and the women who belong to the club (have made it happen).”