In 1924, residents of Black Forest donated logs from their trees and pitched in to build the Black Forest Community Club on land donated by Gertrude Burgess at the intersection of Shoup Road and Black Forest Road. Back then, there were only about 30 families living in the area, but they wanted a place to hold meetings and social events.Many Black Forest organizations and clubs have had their start in the community club: the Black Forest Fire Department, the Black Forest Arts and Crafts Guild (formerly the Black Forest Arts Guild); the Men’s Club, which later evolved into a preservation group; the Black Forest Protection and Preservation Society; and the Black Forest Saddle Club.In the earlier days, the club also housed a photography club, skating club and square dance group. In the 1960s, members voted to allow roller skating in the club. There were dances, dinners, bingo, melodramas, the Black Forest Festival, bake sales, flea markets and auctions. Many church services, by different denominations, were held at the club before the particular churches were built. The all-volunteer Black Forest fire department was made up of club members.Since then, the club has become rooted in the community as a center for everything from weddings to the arts and crafts shows. Today, the club has 134 members, who sponsor Boy Scout Troop 70 and Cub Scout Pack 70. They also continue to host the Black Forest Festival and the Black Forest Arts and Craft Guild. The club also hosts Black Forest Acoustic Society concerts, and many activities like yoga are held at the club center.A sound system, a full kitchen and tables and chairs are all available for a deposit. Alcoholic beverages can be served, and there is a deck that looks out into the forest.To become a voting member of the Black Forest Community Club, club spokeswoman and the former editor of the clubís newsletter, Caroline Brown, said that one must live within certain boundaries, as outlined in the Black Forest Preservation Plan. Other people outside that area interested in becoming members are welcome, but they donít have voting rights. Membership per family is only $15 a year.After many years of use, the club had a facelift that spanned from 1999 to 2012. Brown said the exterior was re-done, including the roof; the interior was re-chinked and re-stained. Brown said today the building is still in high demand. ìWeddings are booked a year out,î she said.Their next project is a park in back of the club. ìWe would like to have something that looked a little old-fashioned, so it tied into the look of the club,î Brown said. Plans to work with the adjoining log school pavilion are also under way. ìIt would be nice to be able to book the pavilion and the club for a wedding,î she said.For more information about the club, to book an event or to become a member, visit http://bfcommunityclub.org.
