The people of Maddock happily await the next witty or wacky promotion from the Active Women of Maddock.
One time, the women marched in the Maddock Fourth of July parade led by the sign: "Are Active Women of Maddock active?" They wore adult diapers with "D-E-P-E-N-D-S" written on their behinds.
Another year, they did a precision lawn chair drill.
This year, the parade theme was "pickups." So, they marched in the parade declaring themselves Maddock's best pickups -- with their phone numbers on their backs.
The Active Women of Maddock may have fun, but they also are the ones to call when a local cause is in need. It's a small group, just 13 women, in the small town of Maddock, just 500 people. But a couple years ago, they donated $9,000 in one year to a myriad of causes.
Beth Olson, administrator of the Maddock Memorial Home, nominated the group as the Great North Dakota LIVING! Local Community Service Organization. "They're a good organization willing to work for the good of the community," she said, "and I admire them for having a lot of fun doing it."
The Memorial Home was the beneficiary of the first "Hometown Saturday Night" organized by the Active Women. The first show sold out, packing the new activity room at the home. So, for the past six years, it has moved to the school auditorium which seats 260. They sell out every time.
"We don't call it a talent show; some don't have any talent," laughed Jennifer Benson, the youngest member of the group. She's on the committee that organizes the show. They pick a theme, find the songs for the community choir and suggest songs for the adults and kids who perform. And, the Active Women of Maddock plan a "surprise" for every show -- a skit or some silliness, often at the expense of their emcee, Brian Bubach, superintendent of the Maddock School.
"They are a great group of ladies to work with," said Bubach, admitting that they often catch him off guard doing the show. "If something has to get accomplished or somebody needs help, they are the group to go to. They are one of the most outgoing and organized community groups I've ever worked with."
The school has benefited a number of times. "They spearheaded the project for new chairs in the auditorium," Bubach said. "That's a $40,000-plus undertaking." (The variety show's theme was "Musical Chairs" that year.) Once the women got the momentum going, the alumni association finished the fund-raising campaign.
"They help fund the Artists in Residence Program and provide volunteers to come to the school," he said. "And they sponsor a book giveaway for the elementary grades two or three times yearly."
Typical of the group, the book program started as a national program, but when the program didn't fit their needs, they modified it. They call theirs BARF -- Books Are Really Fun. And they give the kids books in BARF bags. "The kids think it's great," laughed Joann Bergrud.
"We do that to encourage reading," said Bergrud, the senior member of the group. "The national program gives coupons to Hardee's and places like that -- so we give BARF coupons that can be redeemed at stores in Maddock for pop or candy."
Bergrud explained the organization started more than 30 years ago as Mrs. Jaycees. It became Jayceettes, and then Women of Today -- all national organizations. They decided to drop the national affiliations about 10 years ago, but continue as a service group, calling themselves Active Women of Maddock.
The Active Women of Maddock meet monthly, to plan activities and approve donations. "We even follow parliamentary procedure in some modified fashion," said Bergrud with a smile. "We have agendas and committee reports and we vote." Officer positions change yearly. This year Val Karlsbraaten is president; Karen Smith, vice president; Jennifer Benson, secretary; and Kaaren Duren, treasurer.
What motivates them? "It's fun," Benson said. "We have kids of all ages. It's nice to provide something for all of them." "It's a social event that gets something accomplished," said longtime member Bergrud. "For me, it's giving back. If we are a community of takers, it will all fall in. We can't all be takers. And, somebody has to do it."
The people of Maddock happily await the next witty or wacky promotion from the Active Women of Maddock.
One time, the women marched in the Maddock Fourth of July parade led by the sign: "Are Active Women of Maddock active?" They wore adult diapers with "D-E-P-E-N-D-S" written on their behinds.
Another year, they did a precision lawn chair drill.
This year, the parade theme was "pickups." So, they marched in the parade declaring themselves Maddock's best pickups -- with their phone numbers on their backs.
The Active Women of Maddock may have fun, but they also are the ones to call when a local cause is in need. It's a small group, just 13 women, in the small town of Maddock, just 500 people. But a couple years ago, they donated $9,000 in one year to a myriad of causes.
Beth Olson, administrator of the Maddock Memorial Home, nominated the group as the Great North Dakota LIVING! Local Community Service Organization. "They're a good organization willing to work for the good of the community," she said, "and I admire them for having a lot of fun doing it."
The Memorial Home was the beneficiary of the first "Hometown Saturday Night" organized by the Active Women. The first show sold out, packing the new activity room at the home. So, for the past six years, it has moved to the school auditorium which seats 260. They sell out every time.
"We don't call it a talent show; some don't have any talent," laughed Jennifer Benson, the youngest member of the group. She's on the committee that organizes the show. They pick a theme, find the songs for the community choir and suggest songs for the adults and kids who perform. And, the Active Women of Maddock plan a "surprise" for every show -- a skit or some silliness, often at the expense of their emcee, Brian Bubach, superintendent of the Maddock School.
"They are a great group of ladies to work with," said Bubach, admitting that they often catch him off guard doing the show. "If something has to get accomplished or somebody needs help, they are the group to go to. They are one of the most outgoing and organized community groups I've ever worked with."
The school has benefited a number of times. "They spearheaded the project for new chairs in the auditorium," Bubach said. "That's a $40,000-plus undertaking." (The variety show's theme was "Musical Chairs" that year.) Once the women got the momentum going, the alumni association finished the fund-raising campaign.
"They help fund the Artists in Residence Program and provide volunteers to come to the school," he said. "And they sponsor a book giveaway for the elementary grades two or three times yearly."
Typical of the group, the book program started as a national program, but when the program didn't fit their needs, they modified it. They call theirs BARF -- Books Are Really Fun. And they give the kids books in BARF bags. "The kids think it's great," laughed Joann Bergrud.
"We do that to encourage reading," said Bergrud, the senior member of the group. "The national program gives coupons to Hardee's and places like that -- so we give BARF coupons that can be redeemed at stores in Maddock for pop or candy."
Bergrud explained the organization started more than 30 years ago as Mrs. Jaycees. It became Jayceettes, and then Women of Today -- all national organizations. They decided to drop the national affiliations about 10 years ago, but continue as a service group, calling themselves Active Women of Maddock.
The Active Women of Maddock meet monthly, to plan activities and approve donations. "We even follow parliamentary procedure in some modified fashion," said Bergrud with a smile. "We have agendas and committee reports and we vote." Officer positions change yearly. This year Val Karlsbraaten is president; Karen Smith, vice president; Jennifer Benson, secretary; and Kaaren Duren, treasurer.
What motivates them? "It's fun," Benson said. "We have kids of all ages. It's nice to provide something for all of them." "It's a social event that gets something accomplished," said longtime member Bergrud. "For me, it's giving back. If we are a community of takers, it will all fall in. We can't all be takers. And, somebody has to do it."