Social club works to renovate building

From the Daily Republic // Sept. 14, 2005

By Ian Thompson

SUISUN CITY - The 80-year-old home of the Wednesday Club is in need of renovation and the club's members are rallying together to fix up the Old Town Suisun City landmark.

"Over the years, just as with your own home, it needs repairs," said renovation committee co-chair Polly Valeriote.

Wednesday Club members are kicking off their efforts with a renovation raffle at the club's annual Fall Festival on Oct. 12. The proceeds from the bazaar's booths will also go to fixing up the club.

"Usually, our money goes to scholarships," Valeriote said, adding that since the club's scholarship fund is in good shape, "this year, we are putting all of our money towards renovation."

The Wednesday Club is one of the oldest women's social groups in Solano County, founded in 1911 by 16 Suisun City women who felt their town needed a community group.

The present home of the Wednesday Club, a stucco building, was put up in 1925 on Sacramento Street and the club moved in a year later.

During the club's lifetime, it has been a part of dozens of civic and community projects as well as offering scholarships to local students and hosting speakers and performers at its monthly meetings.

The club's top-to-bottom needs range from a new roof and work on the floors to replacing the bathroom kitchen fixtures. One local builder estimated the cost at $160,000 to get everything done.

"It needs a lot and any little bit we can get is appreciated," Valeriote said.

Several local businesses have been generous with donating prizes to the Wednesday Club's raffle, according to Valeriote.

"People can donate directly to the renovation fund, but if they would like to have some fun while they are doing it, they should come to the bazaar," Valeriote said.

The bazaar will be held at the Wednesday Club from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with reservations required. For reservations to the luncheon, to get raffle tickets or for more information, call 483-0748.

Renovation donations can also be made to The Wednesday Club of Suisun City, P.O. Box 294, Suisun City, 94585.

Reach Ian Thompson at 427-6976 or at ithompson@dailyrepublic.net.