Milton rejoices 50 years of the ladies auxiliary

Fifty years ago, Milton resident Kay Willey joined a group of ladies to support their local firefighters and community.

At the time, Willey was just doing her part to support the local fire department, as well as the community, which gained just as much from the organization's holiday drives, penny parties, bake sale fundraisers, and of course, their famed chicken and dumpling dinners.

“I think we've come a long way,” Willey said, smiling at the large group of women gathered for a photo after celebrating the group's 50th year in existence. When Willey joined the auxiliary, she said, there were only about a dozen active women. Now there are 57.

Half a century later, Willey may be the only active 50-year member of the department's ladies auxiliary, but she doesn't plan on dropping out any time soon.

“This is a hard-working group and a happy group,” she said. Willey said she will continue being a member of the group until the day she dies.

“We love each other so much,” she said. “It's just like a family.”

Those friends and family of the Milton Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary gathered for a weekend-long celebration of the group's milestone anniversary, starting with a public event Aug. 7, on Front Street outside the fire house. The public celebration, to which members of the Milton High School Class of 1965 were also invited, brought the temporarily lost tradition of dancing in the streets of Milton on summer evenings, something the town probably hasn't seen since the 1980s, said auxiliary President Mary Ann Warrington.

The following day, a private luncheon celebrating the history and accomplishments of the women's group was held. The women were honored with tributes from the state House of Representatives, state Senate, Gov. Jack Markell, Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association Ladies Auxiliary, the Sussex County Ladies Auxiliary and the Town of Milton. Group photos and a small private celebration continued Aug. 9.

At the heart of the event, Warrington said, was a celebration of the deceased members who contributed to the continued success of the group. A new plaque that will be displayed in the fire house was unveiled at the luncheon Aug. 8.

“It seems like a very short time, 50 years. It feels more like 20,” Willey admitted. But for the next 50 to come, she said, “Just keep working hard.”