In 1851 a group of women came together as the Daughters of Rebekah, now known as the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies. Created as an offshoot of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows it became a sisterhood for many women.
On April 17, 1914, the Fern Rebekah Lodge No. 33 in Kisbey was created. Thus, current members and their families celebrated the 100th anniversary quietly last week with a flag raising and tea.
Their larger celebrations open to the community and surrounding area will be hosted on Saturday, April 26, but marking the actual day was important for the members.
Over the years the Rebekahs have contributed to the community and although they are a club of 11, they continue to give to the community as much as they can.
Charlotte Hookenson, who joined in 1988, explained some of her fondest memories included the Rock-a-thons hosted each year to raise money. No the ladies weren't dancing to Rock 'n Roll all night, they would sit in rocking chairs and knit or crochet all day.
Verna Reed, a member of the Rebekahs for 46 years, remembered that in the 1970s the Rebekahs were a part of the very first Walk-a-thons in the area. Walking from Kisbey to Arcola participants included children as young as four-years-old and a gentleman in his 80s.
Raising approximately $700, Reed said this was a fantastic amount in those years.
The Rebekahs sponsor Old Time Dances on the fourth Monday of every month, excluding June, July, August, and December, Reed explained.
Although the tea and bake sales have now given way to hamburger lunches they continue to contribute to Kisbey and the surrounding area as they have always done.
"Donations have been made towards the Arcola Health Centre, Moose Mountain Lodge and the New Hope Pioneer Lodge," Reed wrote.
Members have been a part of Remembrance Day ceremonies in Kisbey each year as they purchase a wreath from the Kisbey Legion to lay during the ceremony.
In addition to helping locally they have given to provincial, national, and international services such as the Alzheimer Society, United Nations Pilgrimage, and Saskatchewan Visual Research.
Throughout the years the Rebekahs have also contributed to special anniversaries, such as the Village of Kisbey's centennial celebrations which included board game called, "The Game of Kisbey."
Celebrating their own centennial the Rebekahs have been looking through their records and have found it interesting comparing costs to today.
"In September 1946, supplies were ordered for a dance," Reed explained. "They consisted of 20 loaves of bread, [two] pounds of coffee, [five] pounds of butter, [five] pounds of meat, [one] gallon of cream at a cost of an unbelievable $8."
"There must have been a large crowd at the dance for the proceeds were $75 and the admission was probably comparable to that of a bridge party held about a month later, 35 cents lunch included."
The Rebekahs have changed halls a number of times as well. The Odd Fellows, which had been in Kisbey eventually disbanded and sold their hall to the Rebekahs for a $100, which they remained in until skunks moved into the lower part of the building. They moved to the Legion Hall and then onto an empty room in the school.
Despite constant change in the community and surrounding area the Rebekahs have endured.
"Throughout the years the Rebekahs at Kisbey have striven to fulfil their purpose of helping others," Reed wrote. "They have done this in many ways, but donations or their support to help other organizations in the district [has been at the forefront of their mandate]."
With current Mayor of Kisbey, Kalvin Nankivell, the Rebekahs flag was raised and the community looks to it in celebration of 100 years of community service, which continues to be given without hesitation by its members.
