What began as a monthly gathering of five women in April 2021 to discuss literature has blossomed into a 17-member powerhouse committed to community involvement. The Lady’s Choice Book Club, originally formed to help citizens reconnect after the isolations of the COVID-19 pandemic, has significantly expanded its mission.
Members of the club consider themselves more than just reading enthusiasts; they view their group as a tight-knit family engaged in a variety of community activities. “We started out wanting to reconnect people to the community through books, but we quickly realized we could do much more,” said Patti Loveall, one of the group’s organizers.
In 2021, the book club joined forces with the Montgomery Event Venue to contribute to the Christmas Window Display. The women showcased their creativity by designing a Christmas tree made entirely of children’s books and teddy bears. After the holidays, the books found new homes at the Early Childhood Center, spreading the joy of reading to the next generation.
This charitable act followed their 2022 display, a heartwarming “Christmas at Home” window that featured a tree, fireplace, reindeer, and snowman, all skillfully crafted from books. These books were generously donated by the Excelsior Springs Museum and Archives and the Estate of Ken Fousek. The display also featured a holiday quilt crafted by local artisan Lee Watkins.
Looking forward to the upcoming holiday season, the Lady’s Choice Book Club has already started collecting books for their 2023 “Winter Wonderland” window display. In a celebration of their two-year anniversary, the club also donated canned goods to the local food pantry and contributed pet toys to the Excelsior Springs Animal Control Center.
In a poignant tribute, the group planted a tree in the Meet the Need’s Community Garden in memory of the family of Vicki Fiest-Reagan, who tragically lost their lives in a home fire.
As the book club continues its regular meetings, the members are eager to explore new avenues. Plans are in the works to launch a podcast and create Zoom Book Clubs to engage even more people in the transformative power of reading and community service.
If you’re interested in joining this remarkable group of women, Patti Loveall and LaVerne Woolston-Peek, the club’s co-organizers, welcome new members to get in touch.
For a group that began as a small gathering to discuss books, the Lady’s Choice Book Club has proven that the right group of people can turn a simple idea into a powerful force for community betterment.
Contact Patti Loveall or LaVerne Woolston-Peek for more information on how to start your own group. Photos from this article came from the Lady’s Choice Book Club.
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