The Brenda Club
A Lasting Legacy of Women Crafters in Beaufort
story by KATE HAMILTON PARDEE photos by PAUL NURNBERG
Helena Langford Bennett’s lovely home sits along a private lane on Lady’s Island. On this particular late afternoon, you can hear a lively group of women gathered around the dining room, chatting and laughing with the ease of those long comfortable with each other. Displayed in the middle of the table are a variety of handmade crafts. Flower pots, an oyster shell wall hanging, and a beautiful fabric handbag are all shown surrounded by the women who proudly made them. This group of women are the current members of The Brenda Club #3.
Named after co-founder Brenda Powell, this crafter’s group has been in existence for over 60 years and has been passed down through generations of women. It meets monthly on Tuesdays at Helena’s home.
Brenda Powell and Pilma Golloghugh created The Brenda Club in the 1950s for young mothers and their friends.
“My mom, Brenda, was very crafty, and she could do anything with her hands,” Norma explained. “She loved to sew, and she also owned a fabric store in Beaufort.” Having moved to Beaufort from Tennessee, Brenda found like-minded friends who shared a mutual love of stitching. Soon they began meeting each month for an afternoon of needlework and enjoying refreshments as they made crafts. “Back then, you sewed, and many women didn’t work. So this was a big social gathering for all of them,” Norma adds.
The daughters and friends of the original group then continued, and it was now called The Brenda Club #2. Although it always involved working on a craft, the social aspect was every bit as important. The group loved to get together, including bringing many delicious dishes to share. As Norma says, “We loved to meet and eat!”
Regina Brantley Wilson, another crafting member, shared that Club #2 member’s children wanted to join Norma’s group but were too young. “So we formed our club, The Brenda Club #3. With our young children, we had fashion shows, and we made everything they wore,” shares Regina.
The Brenda Club #3 now boasts ten members who create various kinds of crafts. Although all are talented, it is not a prerequisite to be crafty. As Jean Drew shares with a smile, “Some of us are more talented than others.” Doreen Zablatskey, originally from New York City and now a local member of The Brenda Club #3, adds with a laugh, “Some can paint beautifully, and some cannot paint.”
From the far corner of the dining table, Sue Sassmann shares, “I am not a crafter, but this group was very nice to take me in. I am Helena’s backyard neighbor. We met over the fence, and she was sweet to invite me and reassured me that it was okay that I wasn’t crafty.” Helena told Sue, “we will teach you.” Although Sue admits she is a northerner from Pennsylvania among born and bred southerners, “I am the only one without an accent, but everyone feels welcome.” They are now my friends,” says Sue.
Several of the women in the group have a long history of growing up together in Beaufort, having known each other for more than 40 or 50 years. Many of them have had their children together and have incredible memories to share.
“When we were growing up, we had one high school in this town, so we were all at the same school. It was initially in Mossy Oaks and now is on Lady’s Island,” Diane Brantley Deer explains.
Rose Reedy recalls that she worked for the Beaufort Police on Bay Street and remembers, “You would cross the Wood’s Bridge past the Dairy Queen; it was all woods. It was like this just 40 years ago.” Jean Drew added, “I would play every day on the open land where the Lady’s Island Publix supermarket is now.”
“There was one road into Beaufort with Palmetto trees on each side. If you had to see an orthodontist, you went to Charleston.” Norma added. “During this time, Highway 170 was just two lanes, and Sam’s Point Road was all dirt.”
Now together again in The Brenda Club #3 they enjoy working on projects. Many of the members are self-taught, learned in home economics class at school, and watched others who crafted. Helena remembers, “My mom tried to teach me to knit. She quickly observed this is not for me, so I learned macrame from my father.” Norma’s mom was a great sewer and focused on teaching her patterns. Norma remembers, “This was, of course, after she had to rip out many of my incorrect patterns.”
The members find out what craft they will work on and what they need to bring about a week before the monthly meeting. Each crafter contributes $20.00 a year for dues, which cover crafting supplies and refreshments. The group has affectionately dubbed Helena “The Dictator” because she decides what craft they will be working on each month. Helena confirms that she gets many ideas from Pinterest and craft shows as she points to the table and describes each craft, beginning with the oyster shell hanging, followed by a pocketbook made out of beautiful fabric. One of their favorites is a decorated horseshoe and three wise men made out of Michelob bottles. For the oyster shells, Helena says, “They begged, borrowed but did not steal the oysters and all worked to clean them to prepare to make the whimsical hanging.”
They do not do craft shows. “We don’t want to do shows because we don’t have a lot of inventory,” Helena laughs, “but I will personally ‘borrow’ ideas to make our crafts.”
They make so many items, but Doreen notes, “There are only so many walls in the house!” “Different people have different talents,” Doreen continues, “I like making my jewelry; Regina paints lovely coastal art; and Rose, well, Rose can do anything.”
In December, near the holidays, we have a potluck dinner, and we all bring a gift for a drawing. Sue adds, “Since I am not as crafty, I usually make a flower arrangement.” Marcey Andrews, originally from Texas and also a flower arranger, says, “I am a gardener, and I make many wreaths from the lovely hydrangeas that grow here.”
Five years ago, they started doing a community project each year. Recently they made “fidget blankets” for some of the local nursing homes to assist those with dementia. Organizations do not ask them to give, but each year they find ways to donate discreetly. After moving from Spencer, Massachusetts to Beaufort, Donna Garcia became a group member after meeting Rose. Donna crochets and makes cards. “One of my main things is making angels for the tree at the CAPA Shelter (Child Abuse Prevention Association). Donna explains, “In 2013, I started making one for each child with their name and the year to be hung on their Christmas tree as their special ornament.”
You can hear the joyfulness in the room from the laughter and warmth coming from their ongoing conversations. Everyone gets along, and their banter includes the support they feel for each other. As Rose shares, “There are times when I am quiet and don’t feel like coming, but then I leave in a much better mood after being with this group.” Helena responds to Rose and laughs, “So when you don’t say anything, we know you are in a bad mood.” Sue adds, “I so enjoy sitting here and listening to these Beaufortorian women tell their stories.”
The pandemic did affect the ability of some members of the group to gather, yet, although attendance was less, The Brenda Club #3 safely carried on. The group worries about continuing the club with the next generation. The general sense is that people are so busy with their own lives.
These women love getting together and especially living in Beaufort. Great-grandchildren are a priority and also volunteering. Doreen, a nurse, as was another member, says, “Something about nursing — we were all crafty. It all goes together.” They love the waters close by, and many feel that the saltwater is in their veins. Sue says, “This club is a social activity that runs through and connects us all.” The husbands of the members get involved as well by cutting wood, etc.
So what is in store for the continuation of The Brenda Club #4? Is there enough interest for the club to continue for the next generation? Denise Gregg Locke, Helena’s daughter, is quite crafty and loves scrapbooking and volunteering at her church, where she hosted a tea-themed party doing the decorating and food. When Denise’s daughter is home from college, she brings her to club meetings to spend time with the group. “These women mean the world to me, and if I am not even working on the craft, I just like to visit.”
Although it is challenging to find new members, our town has so many new families or women are too busy to join,” Denise says, “I feel this is a legacy, and I would love the tradition to carry on.”
With the future in question, that doesn’t stop The Brenda Club #3 from meeting monthly and making crafts while enjoying time together. This group of women carry on a Beaufort legacy and confirm the anonymous saying: “Sometimes your heart speaks best through your hands,” which rings very true for these talented generations of women.
