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From left, Pat Riley, outgoing president; Sharon Yackley, new president; Charlotte Seckler, treasurer; Joan Lennon, secretary; and Anne Miller, vice president at the Septmber meeting of the Vendredi Club, where 2008-09 officers were elected. Courtesy photo by Ellie Palmer.

The Vendredi Club held its September meeting at the home of Pat Blake in Otisfield. After a potluck supper and a business meeting, election of officers was held for the year 2008-09.

Club member Sharon Yackley was elected president, Anne Miller was elected vice president, the new treasurer is Charlotte Seckler, Joan Lennon is the new secretary.

The Vendredi Club was founded in 1944 by a group of Casco women who wanted to get involved in the World War II effort. They met to roll bandages for the American Red Cross, took turns at aircraft spotting, and held luncheons and afternoon games in their homes to support one another while their men were fighting the war.

When the war ended, club member Alma Hancock invited everyone to her home to discuss forming a club that would keep everyone together socially and one that would also be of service to the community. Because they met on Friday they called themselves The Vendredi Club, as the word Vendredi is the French word for Friday.

The club now meets every other Wednesday in the homes of members. Club contributions for 2008 included two scholarships for Lake Region High School seniors from Casco, donations to the food banks of local churches, the Casco Public Library, the Casco Fire Association, the Raymond-Casco Historical Society, the Community of the Resurrection, Meals-on-Wheels and the Otisfield Volunteer Fire Association.

To join the club or for more information call Anne Miller at 627-4989.