The Dayton Homemakers’ 100th anniversary celebration marked a full century of meetings, programs, and community events. Looking back through the old programs, you can see the range of activities that kept the club going year after year.

Practical Talks & Demonstration

These were the backbone of the meetings — the Homemakers prided themselves on being both cultured and useful.

• “Poultry Raising and House Cleaning” — discussion at Mrs. Frank Trumbo’s
• Question Box sessions — open‑floor problem solving
• Corn Varieties & Seed Selection — talk by Frank Beach, president of the La Salle County Farmers’ Institute
• “Country Community Life in Illinois” — lecture by Miss Mabel Carney of Normal
• California Travelogue — Miss Molly Strait’s winter trips out west
• Sewing Bee — practical work session at Mrs. John McGrath’s, featuring “fancy things”

These programs were half education, half community support.

Musical Programs

The Homemakers loved music — and they had a deep bench of local talent.

Instrumental

• Piano solos by Miss Dwyer, Miss Barrett, Irene Barrett, Lucile Bultman, Gertrude Beach
• Violin selections by Miss Charity Sage
• Mandolin & piano duets by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Belrose

Vocal

• Solos by Mrs. Frank Beach
• Solos by Mr. Louis Chally
• Solos by Miss Josephine Trumbo

Music was the social glue — and the newspapers always noted who performed.

Literary & Dramatic Features

Dayton loved a good reading.

• Readings by Mrs. Frank Funk
• Readings by Mrs. Fannie Tucker
• Dramatic dialogue by the Misses Erickson
• “Corn Conundrums” by Frank Beach (a comic highlight at the Corn Party)

These were the moments when the Homemakers showed off their flair.

Social Events & Special Programs

These were the showpieces — the events that made the Ottawa papers perk up.

The Corn Party

Held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Beach

• Corn‑themed decorations
• Corned beef, corn bread, popcorn
• Corn games, corn riddles, corn everything
• Open to both ladies and gentlemen

Fourth of July Picnic

At Henry Schmidt’s farm

• Formal program
• Sports
• A massive dinner
• A crowd large enough to impress even Ottawa

Fundraising Programs

• Raffle of a sofa pillow made by members, proceeds to the school treasury

Red Cross Work (1940s)

• Sewing
• Knitting
• War‑effort support

This was the Homemakers at their most civic‑minded.

Conclusion

The Dayton Homemakers were practical, musical, literary, dramatic, social, and charitable.  They accomplished a lot in their first hundred years.