Dateline: September 18, 2001 10:59 AM

the bay view club holds opening meeting at palace theatre

The Bay View Club held their first meeting of the year at the newly renovated Palace Theatre in Grapevine on Wednesday, September 12.  Lunch was served in the Weems Alley room and was followed by a tour of the facilities led by Peggy Riddle, Historic Preservation Manager for the City of Grapevine.  The meeting was hosted by Margaret Wood, Shirley Holley and Peggy Smith.   

Shirley Holley receiving plaque from Peggy Riddle

Peggy Riddle led the members through the "inner workings" of the facilities, explained some of the history of the buildings, and described the process of the renovation and special features of the new rooms.  Several members of the Club have fond memories of attending events at the Palace over the last 60 to 70 years and have been contributors to the renovation of the Palace.  Member Shirley Holley and her husband, Cyrus, of Trophy Club, have been honored for their generous endowment of the preservation efforts.  Shirley grew up in Grapevine, and Cannon Elementary School was named for her father. 

The Bay View Club in the foyer of the Palace Theatre

President Margaret Wood and Beth Joseph

The Bay View Club was organized in 1908 in Grapevine as a study club for women, has met continuously since its inception, and is one of the oldest organizations in the city.  The Club's motto is "What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?".  Meetings are held monthly, usually in member's homes, from September through May.  Programs are presented in conjunction with a theme chosen each year by the president.  This year's theme was selected by President Margaret Wood and is "This Gathering of Women".  The theme is a quotation from the novel Dance A Little Longer by Jane Roberts Wood.  The full quotation from the book is "Even on the bitterest of days, this gathering of women kept the winter winds at bay".            

Cheryl Wall and Marjolyne Vermonden

Eleanor Kasper, Beth Joseph, Shirley Holley,  Peggy Smith and Cheryl Wall

The Club is composed of approximately twenty women, primarily from Grapevine, Colleyville and Southlake, many of whom have known each other for decades.  Margaret Wood's words in the introduction to the 2001-2002 yearbook aptly describe the relationships between the members.  "As The Bay View Club enters its ninety-third year, we think of the many women, multiple generations of women during the more-than-nine decades, who have found that little escape from the simplicities - or complexities - of life by sharing an afternoon's literary study, travelogue, civic plans or tea with their friends.  But, more importantly, they have shared one another's lives; births and deaths, joys and sorrows, the good days and bad days in the nation's history.  With strength and concern, they have made "life a little less difficult for each other", and have "kept the winter winds at bay"."  

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