Huntington Woods Study Club combines learning with friendship

HUNTINGTON WOODS — A Huntington Woods group for women with a history of more than 80 years hopes to expand its reach and welcome new members.

The Huntington Woods Study Club has been in the city for 83 years. Its mission, according to Corresponding Secretary Joy Reade, is to develop friendships among members and to learn about topics one might not previously have been aware of.

Those topics range from a talk with someone from Telly’s Greenhouse & Garden Center about gardening, a conversation with a historian about Rosie the Riveter or meeting with an artist from the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Reade said that in the club’s early days, it had 100 members. Currently, there are 60 members, but she hopes the club will be able to grow.

“We’ve kind of lost a lot of members because, especially nowadays since so many women work, it’s mostly older women who are in the club now because we meet during the day,” she said. “In the beginning, when women didn’t work, the club was much bigger.”

The club also provides a scholarship to a graduating senior female student at Berkley High School who has yet to receive any other scholarship money.

Marilyn Sutton has been a member of the club for five years. She first heard about the group from a friend and decided to join after she retired.

“I went as a guest and I thought it was something that I would enjoy,” she said. “Some of the people I knew, but most of the people I didn’t, and I was kind of starting a new round of things in retirement, and I enjoyed the programs and I enjoyed the people, so I joined. I’ve been very happy with my decision.”

Sutton said joining the community club gave her the opportunity to meet other residents who lived close by and held similar interests. It broadened her range of friends.

“It’s an opportunity to be together, and I think that’s important, especially for me,” she said.

“I’ve lived here a very long time, but after my children graduated from school, I went back to work. So I didn’t really get to know a lot of people beyond the people that I met through my children. So this gave me an opportunity to meet other people,” she said.

Those interested in the club can call member Shirley Gillham at (248) 546-8288 for more information.