Columbia resident, Pat Stepanchak, clarified the origin of the Montwaybia Book Club in a letter to the editor of the Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era yesterday.

A September 2011 article in The Merchandiser began with the founding of the book club.

“It was 1923 when Mrs. W.P. Breneman moved to Lancaster County from Maine. After settling into her new house, which was located a mile east of Mountville, she began to seek out a “cozy little literary club” similar to one she had been part of in Maine. Unable to find a pre-existing club like that, in 1924 she founded the Mountwaybia Club, a women’s literary club named for the three areas from which most of the members hailed: Mountville, the Lincoln Highway, and Columbia. ” Click here to read the article in its entirety at The Merchandiser.

The Columbia Public Library recognized the work of Montwaybia Literary Club member, Marian G. Kresge in its October 2013 newsletter.

“The Mountwaybia Literary Club of Mountville has been one of our most faithful donors. Each time a member passed away, memorial books were purchased by the club in memory of that individual. And this kindness was spearheaded by Marian G. Kresge. The Mountwaybia Club was only one of Mrs. Kresge’s many activities to support her community. She was a friend of the Mountville Library for over 50 years. On Tuesday, September 10, this vital woman passed on to her reward, leaving a legacy of service and support which few could match. The Columbia Public Library would be remiss if we did not honor Mrs. Kresge in some way. Tenof our incoming bestsellers in the month of October will contain a plate honoring Mrs. Kresge andall that she has done to support literacy and her community as a whole. We are very grateful to her and the other members of the Mountwaybia Club for their kindness to us.”