By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - It is a sad time for the members of the Niles Business and Professional Women's Club. After 76 years of service to the Niles community the group is disbanding.
On Monday evening the group held its last meeting.
The group decided to give away a large portion of their funds in the form of scholarships to nine local young women who have completed at least one year of higher education.
Riddle added that she is really going to miss all of the women she has been in the group with for so many years. She also will miss the activities the group has done in the community.
Receiving $500 scholarships are Rikki Kaup of Niles, who is attending Western Michigan University, majoring in elementary education; Sara Pence of Niles who is attending IUSB, with hopes of transferring to Boston University to study marine biology and Emma Leigh Smith, also of Niles who attends Michigan State University, and is studying to become a medical practitioner.
Receiving $300 scholarships are Jessica Christine Cornelius who is attending Western Michigan University to obtain a degree in secondary education; Traci Payne of Galien who attends Lake Michigan College and is studying to become a registered nurse; Danielle Lynn Dickeson of Niles, who is attending Baker College of Michigan and is studying to become a veterinary technician; Stephanie LeClaire of Niles, who is attending Lake Michigan College and is studying to become a registered nurse; Miranda Perkins of Niles, who attends Michigan State University and is an anthropology and sociology major and Julianne Wing who attends Bethel College and is a business administration major.
Fifty-six year BPW member Olove Colcord said, "I'm going to miss the companionship of all these ladies in the group. I will also miss the things we did through out the community and the giving away of our scholarships each year."
The Niles Business and Professional Women's Club was organized in December, 1929, and became a member of the national federation in 1930.
During the time the club has been active they have had anywhere from 15 to 120 members.
Over the years the group has contributed generously to the community.
Funds the group has collected have been returned to the community through projects such as purchasing an iron lung at Lakeland (Pawating) Hospital, donating disaster relief kits for the city and township and the initiation of a family counseling service for the community.
The BPW has has also given annual cash grants to the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, the Meals on Wheels and to the Chamber of Commerce.
In addition, the group has also joined in ringing the bells for the Salvation Army and became the first women's group to help in the United Way drive.