Club History

Over 50 years ago, a group of ladies with a common bond united to form a club. There were many background meetings in 1947, and the first "real" meeting that we have a record of was held January 15, 1948. An article in the COLUMBUS CITIZEN newspaper on January 26, 1948, gave this account of the meeting:

"A new and quite unique club was organized recently for mothers who have twins. Mrs. Richard Hardin, who is the mother of twin sons, got the idea of founding such an organization so that the mothers would have some opportunity to meet and discuss the various problems and methods of dealing with children that are common only to mothers who have twins. The group hasn't decided upon a name for itself, but the "Double Trouble Club" has been suggested. The group has decided to meet on the third Thursday of each month."

There were eight ladies in attendance, and the newspaper article listed their names and addresses. The group met monthly in members' homes and representatives attended the first conference of the Ohio Federation of Mothers of Twins Clubs in 1950, but did not become a member club.

From what can be learned, there were some lean years for the club, but it did survive, and was chartered in 1954 as "Columbus Mothers of Twins Club". We still have one active charter member, Dorothy Froehlich. Margaret Maher, who is an honorary member and also a charter member, was the driving force that reorganized the club.

They continued to meet monthly, and got numerous articles and pictures in the local newspapers. In 1958 the following quote was in the COLUMBUS DISPATCH newspaper:

"The Mothers of Twins Club was organized 10 years ago in order that these ladies who have both hands full could compare notes on rearing their children. Membership in the organization is limited to 30 and all are mothers of twins except two who are mothers of triplets."

The club joined the Ohio Federation of Mothers of Twins Clubs in 1959 and listed 21 members in the yearbook. Margaret Maher continued as president.

In 1960 - 61 there was an Easter parade of twins here in Columbus, and Margaret Maher was crowned OFMOTC Mother of the Year.

We again had the Mother of the Year honor in 1962 - 63 when Mary Jane O'Brien was crowned.

The "Gemini Gazette" was started in 1965 by Ethel Cline. There was a contest to name it and the winning entry was submitted by Louise Nilssen.

The club hosted its first OFMOTC convention in 1967 - 68 at the Neil House Hotel. The theme was "The Wonderful World of Ohio". Club members wore red net carnations in their hair to identify them as hostesses. The Friday night activity was in the beginning stages - we served buckeyes and cookies in the shape of Ohio with coffee, tea and punch. It was a time to meet and chat with friends from throughout the state. All decorations were along the Ohio theme. Another club joined with our club that year, Nedda Melaragno is the only remaining member from that club. (Note: Sadly we lost our dear friend of Nedda in December 2003).

The new Hyatt Regency Hotel was the location of the next OFMOTC convention that we hosted in 1980 - 81. It was called "German Holiday" and all members wore German style outfits with matching white aprons. The Friday evening activity was held in nearby German Village. We transported the guests to the location for a polka and beer party in chartered school buses.

Again in 1986 - 87 the club hosted the OFMOTC convention with the theme "Mythological Adventure" at the Marriott North. Club members wore togas usually made from satin sheets! We certainly caught lots of glances from the other guests at the hotel. Jo Skipton was installed as OFMOTC President and served for two years.

At the 1993 - 94 convention, Cindi Klein was crowned Mother of the Year.

Things have really changed in lots of ways newspaper coverage was very complete 52 years ago, and now we have great difficulty getting even a small article, not to mention pictures. Our club was the only such one in Columbus, but now there are four. The cost of mailing a letter was three cents, and now it's 32 cents. Club gifts of only a dollar received a thank you from the Central Ohio Heart Association. The club had eight ladies in attendance at the first meeting 52 years ago, but in May 1996 our membership reached 136.

For many years the meetings were held in member's homes, but we outgrew that in the 1960s. During the years many different activities/programs were initiated. To mention a few - Easter egg hunt, float and march in 4th of July parade, big sis, craft sale, clothing sale, outings, chartered bus ride to a TV show in Cincinnati, secret pal, adopt a mom, couples night out, State Hospital bingo party, Ronald McDonald House support, Downs Syndrome dance, layettes to the needy, member assistance, May banquet at a restaurant, husband guest night, visits to other clubs, holiday parties, etc. Some of these were dropped over the years, but some have survived. We have sold numerous items - pizzas, subs, coupon books, cards, chances, etc., but for several years our sole ways and means project has been the biannual clothing sale. Last year the total sales at one was over $12,000.00!

In 1996-97 to celebrate our 50th anniversary as a support group for Mothers of multiples, we hosted the OFMOTC, Inc. annual convention. The theme of the weekend was, "We've Struck Gold." The Holiday Inn in Worthington took on a gold and black look on the June 20-21, 1997, weekend. A "gold rush" party was held on Friday evening, a 50th anniversary party was the theme of the Saturday luncheon and it all ended with a gala dinner and ball. What a way to celebrate our 50th year!!

Modern technology is becoming a part of our club. It's not unusual for several cell phones to sound during a club meeting. We are now on the internet with our own web page (www.cmotc.org). Prospective members can learn about us from the web page and also about the state organization, OFMOTC, Inc. Their web address is www.OFMOTC.org.

The membership continues to increase with a grand total of 218, and the clothing/equipment sale is better than any bargain basement sale. Our latest sale March 2003 grossed almost $35,000!! The sales are open to members for two hours on Friday evening and the public for three hours on Saturday.

We have added new service projects - dinners for the residents at the Ronald McDonald House at Children's Hospital, numerous organizations with donated clothing and equipment from the biannual sales, personal care items to servicemen during the war with Iraq, spaghetti dinner to benefit a deceased member's five children, walks for various causes, adopted families, ... to name a few.

Even with all the changes, we still meet on the third Thursday!!

NOTE: There is very little written about the history of our club. I have tried to review newspaper articles and piece together stories from the memory of others in addition to my own. It is my desire that we can maintain better records in the future, so that moms of multiples in another 50 years can easily know us.

Contributed in 1996 by: Jo Skipton, Lifetime Member
Revised: 2003

Jo Skipton has been an important liaison and long-time contributor to both the CMOTC and the Ohio Federation MOTC. She has served two separate six-year terms as a Trustee for the OFMOTC. Her last term ended in 2003. She was OFMOTC President from 1987-1989. Since 1966 she has attended all but two OFMOTC Conventions. She has served our club in many different capacities throughout the years! Thanks, Jo!!