Wylie, October 10, 2025
News Summary
The Wylie Book Review Club celebrated its 60th anniversary with a community gathering at the Rita and Truett Smith Public Library. The event showcased the club’s legacy, featuring musical performances, historical insights, and vibrant decorations resonating with the club’s identity. Founded in December 1965, the club continues to foster friendships and promote literature appreciation within the community. The warm atmosphere highlighted the club’s cultural impact, creating nostalgia for longtime members while introducing newer participants to its rich history. This anniversary marks a significant milestone in encouraging reading and community connections.
Wylie — The Wylie Book Review Club marked its 60th anniversary with a community celebration on September 24 at the Rita and Truett Smith Public Library, bringing together members and guests to commemorate six decades of reading, friendship and cultural engagement.
Key details
The Wylie Book Review Club celebrated its 60th anniversary in an event that emphasized the organization’s long-standing role in the local community. The celebration took place on September 24 at the Rita and Truett Smith Public Library. The club was founded in December 1965 by Callie Click and Rita Smith with 34 initial members, and it continues to operate with a mission established at its start. The club’s mission is to promote friendship and stimulate interest in books and literature, and it is recognized as one of the city’s oldest continuous organizations.
Event highlights
The anniversary gathering featured table decorations and refreshments in the club’s colors, creating a visual theme that honored the group’s identity. The event featured table decorations and refreshments in yellow and green, the club’s colors, and the signature flower of the club is the yellow rose. Guests attended a musical program delivered by a local performer and former educator, and program selections reflected classic popular standards enjoyed by wide audiences.
Guests enjoyed a musical program by Jackie Payne, a retired teacher from Princeton, who performed classic songs including “Thanks for the Memories” and “Moon River”. A family member of an original founder contributed historical perspective on the club’s early days: Donna Lewis, daughter of founding member Callie Click, shared insights on the club’s inception. The club’s formation was influenced by similar groups seen elsewhere in the region, with the club’s formation was inspired by similar organizations Click had heard about in Dallas. Initial gatherings took place in a downtown location that reflected the club’s modest beginnings, and initial meetings were held on the second floor of a bank building in downtown Wylie.
Attendance and atmosphere
The milestone event drew a strong turnout from current members and invited guests. The celebration underscored the continuity of the organization and the social bonds it has fostered. Observers described a warm atmosphere of recollection and connection as attendees marked the club’s decades of activity. The anniversary marks six decades of camaraderie and cultural engagement among book lovers, and the celebration highlighted the club’s impact on the community and literature appreciation. The gathering reinforced long-standing friendships and introduced newer members to the club’s history; the milestone event was well-attended and featured a warm atmosphere of nostalgia and connection among members.
Why it matters
The Wylie Book Review Club represents a sustained local effort to encourage reading and social interaction around literature. As one of the city’s older continuous organizations, it provides a stable forum for discussion, community ties and cultural programming. The anniversary event served both as recognition of past achievements and as a public reminder of the club’s continuing role in local cultural life.
What comes next
Club leaders and members are expected to continue regular meetings, reading programs and community engagement activities consistent with the group’s founding mission. The anniversary provided an occasion to reflect on how the club began and how it can continue to support literary interest and community connections in the years ahead.
FAQ
When did the Wylie Book Review Club celebrate its 60th anniversary?
The Wylie Book Review Club celebrated its 60th anniversary.
Where did the celebration take place?
The celebration took place on September 24 at the Rita and Truett Smith Public Library.
Who founded the club and how many initial members were there?
The club was founded in December 1965 by Callie Click and Rita Smith with 34 initial members.
What is the club’s stated mission?
The club’s mission is to promote friendship and stimulate interest in books and literature.
Is the club considered an established organization locally?
The Wylie Book Review Club is one of the city’s oldest continuous organizations.
What decorative elements and symbols were used at the event?
The event featured table decorations and refreshments in yellow and green, the club’s colors. The signature flower of the club is the yellow rose.
Who provided musical entertainment at the anniversary?
Guests enjoyed a musical program by Jackie Payne, a retired teacher from Princeton.
What songs were included in the musical program?
Jackie Payne performed classic songs including “Thanks for the Memories” and “Moon River.”
Who spoke about the club’s origins?
Donna Lewis, daughter of founding member Callie Click, shared insights on the club’s inception.
What inspired the club’s formation and where were initial meetings held?
The club’s formation was inspired by similar organizations Click had heard about in Dallas. Initial meetings were held on the second floor of a bank building in downtown Wylie.
What did the anniversary represent for members and the community?
The anniversary marks six decades of camaraderie and cultural engagement among book lovers. The celebration highlighted the club’s impact on the community and literature appreciation. The milestone event was well-attended and featured a warm atmosphere of nostalgia and connection among members.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Anniversary | The Wylie Book Review Club celebrated its 60th anniversary |
| Date and venue | The celebration took place on September 24 at the Rita and Truett Smith Public Library |
| Founding | The club was founded in December 1965 by Callie Click and Rita Smith with 34 initial members |
| Mission | The club’s mission is to promote friendship and stimulate interest in books and literature |
| Local standing | The Wylie Book Review Club is one of the city’s oldest continuous organizations |
| Event accents | The event featured table decorations and refreshments in yellow and green, the club’s colors; the signature flower of the club is the yellow rose |
| Music | Guests enjoyed a musical program by Jackie Payne, a retired teacher from Princeton; Jackie Payne performed classic songs including “Thanks for the Memories” and “Moon River.” |
| Origins shared | Donna Lewis, daughter of founding member Callie Click, shared insights on the club’s inception; the club’s formation was inspired by similar organizations Click had heard about in Dallas |
| Initial meeting location | Initial meetings were held on the second floor of a bank building in downtown Wylie |
| Community impact | The anniversary marks six decades of camaraderie and cultural engagement among book lovers; the celebration highlighted the club’s impact on the community and literature appreciation; the milestone event was well-attended and featured a warm atmosphere of nostalgia and connection among members |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Wylie News: Book Review Club Marks 60 Years of Friendship & Literature
- Wylie News: Texoma Two-Step to Boost Lake Texoma Use by 2029
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wylie Book Review Club
- Publishers Weekly: Frankfurt Book Fair 2024 Rights Listings
- Google Search: Wylie Book Review Club
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