Looking Back

By Louis Bruns

Way Back on April 21st,1961 a group of 38 farsighted citizens (with chairs in hand) headed for the home of Mr. & Mrs. Bill Krumpelman. Foremost in their minds was the problem of what to do about the streets. (So you see our problems of today are not too much different than they were then). From this meeting ( held in Bill's basement) came our Villa Hills Civic Club. And what a wonderful thing was born

Over the years more dedicated people joined and new ideas were presented. The activities have grown too. We have the Christmas Party, the Easter Egg Hunt, and the Halloween Party for the younger set, the family picnic and the Carnival for the family as a group, and other activities as they were planned such as trips to the ball game, boat rides and brewery parties. We also sponsor football teams and both boys and girls baseball teams. And we have other obligations on the serious side to fulfill, such as helping families in need. We've done this by collecting money, groceries and having raffles whe the need arises.

Since that original meeting more and more people have joined in the fun and this year our membership is 161 beautiful families! Through the effort and hard work of many of these people we have acquired the Civic Club Lodge with an option for the adjacent acreage. This we foresee will develop into the Villa Hills Swim Club and Recreation Center. The Civic Club meetings are held on the third Monday of the month (now third Tuesday) at 8:30pm (7:00pm) It was at one of these meetings that another idea was suddenly hit upon. And that was the fact that the distaff side could be of great help in raising money for a building fund. ( At that time the Civic Club was planning to build a Civic Club building on Rogers Road. Since we aquired the Lodge these plans have been abandoned.)

So on April 25th 1967 a group of 16 women headed for the basement of Wanda and Jim Griffith, (these basements sure come in handy!) and the Villa Hills Women's Club was born. These ladies set about to raise money by holding bingos, dances and varied other projects. Their efforts now are directed toward improving and providing extras for the Club. They also have plans for bigger and better things in the future. The Women's Club meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at the Lodge at 8:30pm (No active Women's Club at the moment)

It would take page upon page to name all the people who have served these two organizations so faithfully and list the good works they have performed through the years. (Some have moved on to other areas) But I'm sure they know who they are, and have received their thanks in the knowledge that they worked hard to serve their community. And now we would like to invite the rest of you to do the same. Join with us in our work and our play. Give us the benefit of your ideas and ideals We Welcome Them!

And there is more. This past January a Jr. Civic Club waw formed to help our young people get started in Civic Action. The age for member is 13 - 18 and they meet on the second Sunday of the month at 2:00pm at the Madonna Manor. This group, although just getting started, we expect will be the future leaders of our community.

So actually we are not only "Looking Back" but ahead too.