Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1988

1522nd Meeting January 7, 1988 Peg Gibian Pen-Y-Bryn

The 1522nd meeting of the Association met on a chilly January 7th at Peg Gibian's 'Pen-Y-Bryn', with Helen Farquhar as chairman. Guests were Peg's sister Babes Hartmann and daughters Janet and Barbara, plus assorted grandchildren.

Three sets of minutes were read: those of the last meeting here, last November's (postponed for lack of time), and those of the last meeting. The Treasurer was absent, but we collected dues for this year.

The yearly reading of The Rules and Regulations followed, and that the Election of Officers for the coming year. Joy Shotts was re-elected Treasurer, and Peg Gibian nobly agreed to act as Secretary for one year.

The next meeting will be with Betty Grey; there is a question about the March meeting - we will be informed about it in February of all the moments we garner in our lives- Caroline Hussman comes in April.

The Sentiment of the Hostess was a quote - "The ones we cherish most , are the moments shared."

Contributions:

Mary Reading Miller read an amusing parody on grammar mistakes - some real 'bloopers.'

Beth Bullard told us that having no children for Christmas, she and Jim decided to go to Cancun in Mexico. From there they took a trip inland to see the Mayan ruins,following advice from Tom Gibian. They encountered very serious speed bumps going through the villages and met some nice fellow tourists - a Czech pair travelling for the same reason they were - no children home for the holidays.

Mary Moore Miller read a very good quota about the importance of building relationships between people of diverse groups.

Betty Grey, whose great-grandfather was a Sherman, had found an article about the discovery of a trunkful of letters from the Civil War General. They were found by a Mr. Joseph Ewing, and referred to the Georgia Campaign and Sherman's distain for the press. They were never published.

Martha Ligon passed around a lovely little book by Mary Birkhead, "Adventures in the Wild", a book of poems and drawings, dedicated to Sarah Haviland.

Caroline Hussman had a nice quote from the Kansas City Times about the lasting value of things learned in kindergarten - the 'dos and donts' are good for all life, and how nice to have a nap in the afternoon!

Jane Stabler wondered about the difference between shell-barked and shag-barked hickory, and was only somewhat enlightened.

Kay Metcalf read a 19th century poem about wishing by J.G.Saxe. Caroline Schauffler had read an article about the tv series called "East Enders" coming on PBS at 11:30 at night - a bit late to watch. The Cockney language it celebrates has survived against all odds, and emphasizes our two countries separated by the same language. Her question was - does Caroline's sister teach calligraphy? Yes, she does. Could she start a class locally?

Mary Lillian Moore had a photograph to be identified, and then read a 17th century prayer found in an Eastern Shore church, on growing old. she said the Museum is

setting up a Post Office exhibit, and also they want pictures of Deborah Stabler (1824).

Chris Kolstad read a moving and sensible bit from a Seneca Indian in 1855. The earth does not belong to man; all things are connected; whatever he does to the earth he does to himself.

Nell Johnsen read from Garrison Keillor's latest book, "Leaving Home". He talked of children returning to school,galloping around, on the verge of bursting. Nothing we do for them is ever wasted.

Louie Canby has been reading on her favorite subject- earth studies. From "The Turbulent Sun" she read us bits about sun spots and the aurora, and how they affect us on earth, and what people in the past made of it all.

Beth Bullard added a word to us about a project of a local ornithologist, Al Geis, who would like someone to volunteer as an observer of birds' eating habits at feeders. He would pay them a bit for 1/2hours observation a day. Anyone interested?

Committee Reports : The Museum has an exhibit on now about Sherwood.

Nell mentioned that her mother, Betty, is now at Meridian Nursing and Rehabilitation Home on Bel Pre Road, and is able to have visitors.

We then adjourned to meet in February with Betty Grey.

Wendy Lawrence Secretary Pro Tem

1523rd Meeting February 4, 1988 Betty Grey Grey's Landing

The 1523rd meeting of the Association met on February 4, 1988, at Betty Grey's Grey's Landing, with Wendy Lawrence as chairman.

Two sets of minutes were read: those of the last meeting here, and those of the last meeting. The Treasurer was absent.

The next meeting will be with Rose Hutton at Riverside; the April meeting with Caroline Hussman at Roslyn; and the May meeting with Betty Ligon at Homestone (or Great Ease). The September meeting will be with Betty Hartge.

Betty Grey had a card to Betty Ligon for each of us to sign to tell her that we missed her. Sylvia Woodward was missed too. She is not well, and is scheduled to have surgery on her knee on February 12. She will be in the Hospital for two weeks, and then go to the Nursing Home for two weeks. Joy was absent to spend the lunch hour with her Father. Mary Lil said that Sylvia sends her love and looks forward to her next Association meeting.

The Sentiment of the Hostess He prayeth best who loveth best All things both great and small; For the dear God who loveth us, He made and loveth all.

Beth Bullard's question was for the exact quotation that Chris Kalstad had given at last month's meeting from a Seneca Indian.

Mary Reading Miller read from a letter she had received from Hue, the second daughter of their Vietmanese extended family, who is now living with her husband in Rome. Ha, the youngest daughter is in graduate school in Chicago. Hoa , the oldest daughter, and her husband have secure jobs and comfortable lives in Arizona. Their Mother has joined them there. It has been almost 15 years since they arrived in the USA. Today home means USA. Hue has a job with IFAD as an accountant. She and he husband are on short-term contacts. They have traveled in Switzerland, France, Netherlands and Germany during their stay in Europe. The family has done phenomonally!

Jane Stabler reported on an article from Colonial Homes about a New York banker who now does metal craft, and sells his work in his wife's craft shop in Milford, Connecticut. He had learned his craft at Deerborn, Michigan, and is especially interested in colonial lighting, tinder boxes. Jane's question was for books, etc., for a lonely Iranian woman.. Caroline Hussman said that many of the Iranian students at Sandy Spring Friends School had connections in Towson, when she was working at School. Beth Bullard will inquire of an acquaintance of hers for information.

Caroline Hussman read from an article the Christian Science Monitor regarding the importance of the study of Geography in Education--the relationship of people and the land they live in. She had an answer to a question: To unstop a drain, pour down the drain 1 C baking soda, 1 C Vinegar and boiling water.

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Caroline Schauffler's question: Is there another woman who does cartoons like Helen Hockinson? Can you plant paper white narcissus indoor a second year? A suggestion was to call Brookside.

Chris Kolstad had a comical poem about kicker-baby who keeps yelling is the one who gets fed. In answer to her question abut her cactus: it does not need water every week.

Nika Thomas read from The Coastline Times, a joke about judgment, the good part was that someone was headed for the Pearly Gates, but the bed part was that he would have to change in Atlanta.

Rose Hutton, from Yankee Magazine, told about a collecor of charity cook books, 800 volumes, the oldest 1875.

Louise Canby read from The Heyday of Natural History by Lynn Barber. Charles Willson Peale, American portrait painter, established a museum in his house. He exhibited his own paintings and had a repository for natural curiosities.

Deb Willson read an article by Erma Bombeck. Women are very territorial creatures when working in their kitchens. She had a warning for all. Do not buy a spool of thread on sale. She had done this twice with dire results.

Mary More Miller read a piece: "Be gentle with yourself."

Henny Bregliano told of visiting a house on Georgia Avenue to look at the furniture from a model house. Amongst the furnishings was a portrait of Benjamin Hallowell, a mystery.

Helen Farquhar had a place from AARP with definitions of ages50's, 60's, etc.

Nell Johnsen told about her sister's grandchildren. The Mills family had appeared on Good Morning America. Phoebe is a gymnast, Nathaniel a speed skater and Jessica too skates. Jim Ligon will be a judge for equestrian events in Korea.

Mary Lillian Moore had an article about the Federal Patuxent Reserve. She had questions that she asked for answers for the Museum. Where was James Brook buried? Where was Esther Scott born. It was suggested that the answer might be found in records in Washington. Did Mary Hopkins have a tea house at Grove Hill?

The Membership Committee submitted three names for membership waiting list. They were accepted as follows: (1) Dorothy Janney, (2) Jane Riggs (3) Sylvia Nash.

From the Civic Association report, it was reported that owners on Chandlee Hill Road had been offered large sums of money for their property. Land on Gold Mine Road had been sold for 50,000 amd $135,000 an acre.

The Museum plans two exhibits. One is of old Valentines in connection with the old Post Office and an old letter from Susan B. Anthony in connection with Women's Suffrage to observe Black History week. A case is being prepared with donations from Robert Johnson and others. There will be a general meeting on the 29th of March. Dudley Finnefrock will be the speaker.

[?] [Gibian?] Secretary

1524th Meeting March 3, 1988 Rose Hutton Riverside

The 1524th meeting of the Association met on a pretty March 3, at Riverside with Rose Hutton. Mary Lillian Moore presided. Rose Hutton introduced her guests, Susan Mertz, musuem director, and Doris Chickering.

Minutes of the last meeting with Rose Hutton were read, and those of the last meeting.

Sylvia Woodward is leaving the hospital today to go to Friends House Nursing Home. She is to be there for a few weeks before going to her own home.

Henny Bregliano had an operation last Friday and is doing very well. A number of friends are suffering with flu and colds these days.

Caroline Hussman asked if she could change the date of the Association meeting at Roslyn to 31st of March (instead of April 7). There were no objections to this change.

The sentiment of the hostess was ditto to her last meeting, "Thank God for Ellen and Riverside."

Jane Stabler reported on an ariticle from the current Maryland Magazine about Harvey Ladew's topiary gardening.

Kay Metcalf read from writings of Richard Farquhar, former Ashton Postmaster. He had followed Isaac Smith, the former postmaster. When a shipment of persimmons was not delivered to Sam Rice one year, he sued the Post Office. He was very fond of his wife's (Edith's) persimmon pudding!

Louise Canby's question was about the portrait over the mantle, a copy, of Deborah Pierce whose sister married Charles Willson Peale. The original is in a Baltimore Museum.

Ellen Hartge's sister Kate is an archeologist. Rose Hutton said that she knows all kinds of underground things and would love to work at the Mueseum.

Caroline Hussman reported on a book Simple Cooking by John Thorn. It was about cooking, eating, some recipes, and napkin rings. Their use gained favor with Victorians. They were made of pewter and silver, some embellished with initials or figures.

Helen Farquhar told of news in a letter from Barbara Hallowell who wrote to her from Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Mary Reading Miller read an article about an unusual number of similarities in names and dates in the careers of Lincoln and Kennedy.

Doris Chickering read from Chronicles of Georgetown 1897, about sociability, oysters, cake walks, taffy pulls, Glen Echo, a Chautauqua Association, Great Falls, Cabin John Bridge, Electric trolley.