A mid-summer break from organized activities is drawing to an end for the Bedford Women’s Club. Those interested in joining can stop by the club’s annual coffee – a meet and greet for new members – at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, on the lower level of the Bedford Public Library, 3 Meetinghouse Road.

The not-for-profit club has deep roots in the community. The membership booklet notes that the group was founded in 1905 by Mrs. Gordon Woodbury, who christened it the Child Study Circle.

The club in the early days was a haven mostly for young mothers who met at a little green house in Bedford Center. In time, the club joined the Federation of Women and became the Home Study Club. Nevertheless, the club’s social focus evolved toward assisting community charities.

The Bedford Women’s Club, christened as such in 1949, matured into a well respected organization for ladies from Bedford and other towns.

A scholarship committee initiated in the 1940s has helped fund continuing studies for hundreds of recipients. The club hosts scores of activities that assist Bedford-based charities and service organizations.

New members find opportunities to do what they find pleasurable and fulfilling. There are special interest groups for ladies who enjoy lunching out, playing bridge, cooking with friends or knitting. Members gather to play scrabble or do scrap-booking. In the winter, a snowshoeing group takes forays along the town’s scenic trails.

This year, co-presidents Kathleen McMillan and Kathleen Catania said they look forward to making sure that the ladies of the Bedford community – and other towns including Amherst, Merrimack, Nashua and Manchester – know that there are many ways to have fun.

“Come on by and have some coffee, tea or lemonade with us at the library,” McMillan said. “Besides having our charitable outreach to the organizations of the area, we have so many other events and activities. We have opportunities for everyone – retired ladies, ladies who work during the day, ladies who have children and others who prefer activities in the evenings.”

Among the highlights of the year are the annual Time and Talent Auction Fundraiser; the annual Garden Tour, conducted this year in conjunction with the Bedford Garden Club; and the annual High Tea, a white-glove and fancy-hats party.

Luncheon meetings take place 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month from September to May at the Bedford Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall and usually feature a guest speaker and tasty dishes.

General information about the Bedford Women’s Club can be found at BedfordWomensClub.org. Inquiries can be made by calling membership co-Chairwomen Terry Chapman, at 472-3642, or Jackie Lucas, at 472-5214.

Loretta Jackson is a freelance writer and Merrimack-based member of the Bedford Women’s Club.