Root Beer Floats and Sweet Treats at Contemporary Club’s Goodie Sale

If you showed up at the Redlands Bowl Summer Musical Festival and wondered where you might be able to enjoy a root beer float, The Contemporary Club of Redlands could help you out with that. This summer the club is selling water, root beer floats, freshly baked cookies, and slices of watermelon on Fridays before the scheduled festival performances at the Redlands Bowl. The group will also sell chili dogs on July 26, Aug. 1, 2 and 3. The fundraiser is a continuation of one begun years before, known as “Floats for the Float,” which helped raise funds for the group’s float in the Pasadena Rose Parade, according to member Mary Burrows. Current Contemporary Club President Maxine Flater shared, “This is our second year that includes our handcrafted root beer floats for audiences of the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival and it, so far, has been a success.” Formed in January 1894 with 25 members, the club has a current membership of approximately 100 members, proving itself as an active force in the community as it works to identify needs in the areas of arts, conservation, health and safety, education and scholarships, social service and welfare, and then working to find ways to meet those needs. With 120 years of service to the community, it is the oldest club in Redlands, a city which this year is celebrating its 125th anniversary. Maggie Holt-Smith is a Contemporary Club member who has been involved with the club for the last 27 years, during which time she has served as second vice president, as the club’s head of communications, and with the club’s Ways and Means committee for 17 years. “I’ve met some wonderful women in this club,” she said, highlighting the strong relationships between club members. “I think the closeness and dedication we have makes us stand out among other clubs in the area,” she added. During the months of October through May, the club holds monthly member meetings, with board member meetings taking place throughout the year. The club is well-known for its community service efforts, which include giving scholarships to Redlands area high school students. The club will also sell refreshments during the Aug. 1, 2, and 3 performances of “The Sound of Music.” The Contemporary Club is located at 173 S. Eureka St. in Redlands.