Members of Luverne's Beta Sigma Phi sorority gathered for a 50th anniversary celebration of the group's founding Monday at the Luverne Country Club. Pictured are (seated, from left) Florence Helle, Bonnie Jordahl, Ellamae Josendahl, Vangie Golla, Bernadine Merrill, (standing, from left) Penny Cattnach, Darlene Boisen, Bev Mann, Joyce Herreid, Barb Carrigan, Evelyn Reyne, Ellen Cinkle, Jean Knips, Kay Franklin, Marcia Moeller, Mary Keck and Fran Appelt.
By Lori Ehde
Luverne's Vangie Golla enjoyed warm recognition Monday by her fellow Beta Sigma Phi members during their celebration of the local group's 50th anniversary.
The national sorority is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, but the local chapter started in Luverne 50 years ago.
Golla, who spoke at the Beta Sigma Phi luncheon at the Luverne Country Club, said the group was started in Luverne by Dorothy McIntyre, who moved here from Jamestown, N.D.
For 31-year-old Golla and many other young homemakers in Luverne, the timing was perfect for such a group to start here.
"It just came at such an opportune time. The Mrs. Jaycees were also starting at that time, but we had to be 35 to join," Golla recalled.
"We were looking for a place for fellowship and friendship, and there was a national outreach for service projects."
Not only did the group provide a social outlet for the young women - most of whom didn't work outside the home - but they agreed with goals of the organization.
The national organization of Beta Sigma Phi was founded in 1931 during the depths of the Great Depression. It was created for women in search of cultural and social activity.
According to their own printed information, "Beta Sigma Phis are doers. Their great strength comes from thousands of projects of helpfulness to others."
Golla, a charter member, said the group has held true to those values since she joined 50 years ago.
She remembers her group doing things in the community that the Rock County Emergency Food Shelf and the holiday SHARE program do today.
For example, they adopted needy families at Christmastime, and Golla recalls making seasonal favors for trays for rooms at the County Farm, also known as the Poor Farm.
Golla said she's pleased with how Beta Sigma Phi has evolved through the years.
"We started out with 22 members, and that's about what we have today. And I do believe in its ideals," she said Tuesday. "It was just so nice to be recognized yesterday. I appreciated that. I'm just realizing today how nice that was."