Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1922

Our first meeting for the New Year was held on Jan. 5th at "Ingleside", and was rather an unusual gathering, from the fact that only two members of the Association were absent. Several guests were also present, and it added to the interest of the meeting that all the daughters, and even the new daughter-in-law of our hostess were there, and were not only useful but ornamental. Mrs. Scott was asked by our hostess to preside over the meeting.

Estelle Moore read a paper, and Corrie Brooke added information about the condition of the jail - some of the men eating from tin cans which had been gathered from the garbage pile - now way of bathing &c.

Mae Thomas was appointed to visit the jail on the 17th of Jan. and to be a permanent member of the County Committee.

The Secretary was requested to inform Sallie Janney Adams that she was now a member of our Society, - which was done.

All who had remembered to bring the yearly contribution of .50c to our treasurer. Mrs. Downey took this time to pay up their dues, - and all who had forgotten it will be given another opportunity.

The Secretary, Hallie J. Bentley, requested that some one be appointed in her place, as it was just a year since she was elected, and as it was known that this was principally on account of illness in the family she was excused and Mrs. Davis was elected in her place, and kindly accepted the office with only gentle protests.

The sentiment of our hostess was to the effect that most of us attempted great things in the past year, starting out with excellent ambition and far reaching plans, yet when we look back we find little has been done, because we were beset with little difficulties, petty grievences and tiny details to divert our interest. And when we realize that life speeds on so rapidly we find that we must not give time to the petty cares that fret us.

Miss Amy Hutton read a charmingly written article by Walter Eaton about woodland voices, especially the hermit thrush.

Miss Elise Hutton gave us a little poem on

Gifts

Not to have taken much from life, But to have given well Not to complain amid the strife, But lost amid its spell; Not to be yearning for our share, But giving all our gain To lift some other toiler's care And ease some neighbor's pain - These are the blessings that divert The mind from troubled things, Until the heart forgets its heart And love within it sings. Not to have asked for this or that, But to have given all In answer to the world's great needs That ever call and call; Not to have questioned or complained, But trusted and gone on - These are the gifts by which we've gained The privilege of the dawn.

Mary Hutton started to read "A Millinery Man" but upon being told that Fanny Snowden had read it at a previous meeting she retired with great dignity, but recovered sufficiently to read an article for Mrs. Scott on forestry, though she seemed much afraid of unexpected big words.

Mrs. Nichols' selection was an interesting article on birds, and Sadie Adams read of American educational Mission in Peru. A compliment to us that we were asked to do the work. She also gave an astonishing number of jokes about doughnuts.

Margaret Bancroft's article was on "If Winter Comes" by Mr. Hutchison. "A fascinating and at times bewildering" novel.

Rebecca Stabler brought a selection found among her mother's things. "It is a blessed secret, this of living by the day. Any one can carry his burden however heavy until nightfall. Any one can do his work for one day no matter how hard. Any one can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly and purely until the sun goes down. And this is all life ever means to us, just one little day."

Mrs. Davis' article on silk stockings shows that advertisements showing silk stockings may mean electric washing machines, dye flakes, tooth brushes, typewriters, anything but silk stockings.

Mrs. Thomas read "The log-book of Columbus bore again and again this entry, "This day we sailed on". That was all. Behind lay defeat, ahead is

hope, aboard ship seethed distrust and deceit. In the face of fear and suspicion and tradition itself, Columbus sailed on.

Pattie T. Farquhar read of The Strong Box, "Pack all your troubles and worries in it and sit on the lid and laugh."

Cousin Ellen Farquhar gave us the benefit of a Christmas card she received from a new neighbor.

"There's something that's so comforting And permanent and good, So kindly and so friendly when one says 'Our Neighborhood'. It means the place where one has lived Where folks are dear and true Where one knows the shrubs and flowers And the little children too, And on the blessed Christmas Day I hope for all things good For you and yours, and one and all In our dear Neighborhood."

Mary Bentley Thomas read selections from "The Frugal House Wife" published in 1835, a few being,

"Never put out sewing, it is better to have a woman come to the house".

"A hot warming pan passed over them will take the white spots out of furniture".

"First young leaves taken from current bushes and dried are hardly distinguishable from tea".

"Balm of Gilead buds soaked in rum is recommended for cuts". First catch your rum!

Mrs. Tilton's interesting article followed on the Stevenson's life in Samoa. Their home must have been most attractive, being a bungalow set in a garden of tropical beauty, where around their open fire - the only one on the island - they entertained all white folks who came to Samoa. The writer of the sketch was an intimate friend of the Stevensons who visited the family shortly before his death.

Anna Nesbit told a story of a little colored boy who fell out of a 3rd story window, and half way down "the Lord saw fit to turn him upside down so he lit on his head and never busted nothing".

Cousin Ellen Stabler told us that 105 years ago this month

ice cream was first invented by Samuel Johnson, a colored cook in New York.

Sallie Janney read an amusing account of "Dish Washing and Divorce", the former a symbol of house work and an ever increasing source of discontent if not divorce.

The bill of dues to County Federation and our annual appropriation for the oratorical contest were ordered paid.

Stevenson's Lamplighter asked for, can be had from Cousin Ellen Farquhar.

Pattie Farquhar gave notice of children wanting homes. The Board of Childrens' Guardians paying some board for them.

Then adjourned to meet at Sunnyside the first Thursday in February, but afterwards in accordance with the custom of dropping a meeting upon the death of a member it was postponed until the first Thursday in March.

Hallie J. Bentley, Secretary

On April 6th 1922 The Association held its 786th meeting at Belmont, the home of Mary B. Thomas and Mae E. Thomas. Two meetings had been dropped as a mark of respect to the Memory of our late members, Elma P. Chandlee and Albina O. Stabler. Before taking up the routine of the day Margaret C. Bancroft and Mary B. Hutton were appointed to write an expression of the Society's sense of loss and of sympathy with those even more deeply bereaved. Our hostess asked the Secretary to take charge for the day. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved, next the minutes of the last meeting at Belmont.

The reports of Committees being next in order Estelle T. Moore director, gave an account of the meeting held March 24th at Chevy Chase by the County Federation of Womans Clubs, the salient features of which were

1. A new County demonstrator Miss Corwin has been appointed to succeed Miss Comsill who is incapacitated by ill health. 2. The Clubs are asked to each contribute 20 jars of canned food for exhibition at Rockville Fair, about 5 jars of meat the rest fruit and vegetables, preferably in Thrift jars and marked with attractive labels. 3. The General Federation has opened a Club House in Washington D.C. at 1734 N St., N.W. for the use of all members. 4. Miss Blunt, director asks for special effort in the Social Service cause as the need is great. 5. Mrs. Caut, chairman of Education reports six medals given this year Oratorical contents and expresses satisfaction in the line of her work. The girl sent by the Federation to the Maryland University is doing well and Clubs are asked to contribute to her support there for another year, our quote $18. 6. Miss Annie Wilson, chairman on Art asks each club to have an Art Day sometime during the year. 7. The Federation hopes that one or two vacancies in the School Board may be filled by a woman. The delegates appointed to represent The Association at the Annual Meeting to be held this year at Germantown on May 24th are: