In the mid 1980s, timber was king in Mineral County. The mills hired locals right out of high school and many men made their careers ‘making stumps’ and lumber that was shipped everywhere.

The wives of these men saw a need in the community for children’s clothing and gently used furniture, so they gathered together to develop a small store.

Adult clothing and appliances followed, and these good Samaritans kept on a-rolling by accepting donations that were ‘looking for a new home’ along with more clothing for all seasons and in all sizes.

“Then in years to come the Lions Club asked us to help them with food baskets at Christmas time. We agreed and then we got all of the food needed for the baskets and gifts for all the children in the families”, explained Joann Merseal, an original volunteer and secretary/treasurer today.

“Today, we put out applications for Christmas baskets at different stores and the food bank in each city in our county for people to fill out and send into the Lions Club for us ladies,” she said.

Then they purchase toys for the children knowing their ages from the application and an assembly line fills bags to be delivered the Saturday before Christmas by the Superior Lions.

Women in Timber closes each year by the first Friday in December because of the weather for safety as it can be treacherous with the ice and snow buildup on their porch.

But herein lies a problem.

“While we are closed, people leave things on our porch instead of calling one of us to come and put them inside. Some of the things left are garbage or things we can't sell,” said Merseal. “This makes our garbage bill pretty hefty. We ask that clothes not be stained or torn as customers will not buy that kind of clothing. We do need boys and girls clothing today as that is what we are most short on. Also, men's jeans,” she said as they opened for business Tuesday, March 9.

“We are a 501(c) (3) which means the store is nonprofit. We are all volunteers and don't get paid. We just enjoy working there to help people. We also have to pay for the things we get from the store just as the customers do, in case anyone was wondering,” she smiles.

With Easter next on the holiday schedule, the volunteers are back at it for the community.

“We also dye eggs for the Search and Rescue Easter Egg Hunt; usually a couple of hundred dozen. At our store we also give Easter baskets for kids whose parents put their names in our jar that we have out on our counter.”

As with most non-profits these days, volunteering to help is priority No. 1 and Women in Timber is no different.

Connie Ireland is President and Dee Rose is Vice President.

The public is invited to join their meetings the first Monday of each month located on Iron Mountain Road just east of Town Pump.

The store is open every Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. If the flag is out and the open sign is flashing, the store is open.