Hen party continues tradition in Plumwood

By Dean Shipley

Staff Writer

Plumwood United Methodist Church’s annual hen party dates to the Great Depression.

A group of ladies decided to hold a luncheon as a church fundraiser. Cost of the meal would be 50 cents or if a lady did not have the half buck, she could bring a hen in place of the cash admission.

Kathleen Yutzy said hens brought to the church would then be crated and taken to a local store and sold, with the proceeds returning to the church.

“It was not a bunch of hens (aka women) talking,” Yutzy said.

Chances are some talking and singing and praying will take place Tuesday, March 19, at the Plumwood Church for the 2013 Hen Party.

Doors will open at 11 a.m. with lunch served at noon. Donation is $10.

Yutzy said the theme of the festivities is “springtime.”

The event will include “lots” of door prizes, a baked goods and craft sales table.

Time will be allowed for sharing devotions as well as humorous stories, of the latter, they may or may not be hen related.

At a hen party in the recent past, one of the guests was a missionary to Kenya, Hosea Troyer and his wife. He said there widows were routinely given hens as gifts.

He said then on an occasion when the women of the church gathered, the sound therein reminded him of his mother’s hen house.

The Purdum sisters will sing and there will be singing by the group.

For more information call Yutzy at (740) 857-1235.