Norieta Rippentrop remembers looking forward to joining an Extension club in her neighborhood when she signed up at the Freeborn County Fair that year.

Tuesday, November 13, 2001

Norieta Rippentrop remembers looking forward to joining an Extension club in her neighborhood when she signed up at the Freeborn County Fair that year.

But because her neighborhood group was so large, she and another woman, Barbara Peterson, who was interested in becoming a member, were urged to start their own group.

&uot;The idea was that we’d both ask a few people we knew, and then those people would ask a few more,&uot; Rippentrop recalled. &uot;Before long, we had a dozen.&uot;

That was 25 years ago when the group met in Rippentrop’s living room for the first time. And since then, the Potpourri Home Study Group has been an active one, Rippentrop said. The club is holding its 25th anniversary celebration at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Cafe Don’L in Northbridge Mall. Former members have been invited.

&uot;It’s more than just a social group,&uot; said Adean Turner, a member of the anniversary committee. &uot;We learn every month and take turns hosting. We have some good discussions.&uot;