Club Minutes: The Home Interest Society, 1929

1929

624 The Home Interest Club met at Roseneath, the resdience of Mrs. and Mifs. Kirk on the evening of Jan. 22nd - Many of the members were absent but there were some invited guests who filled the vacant places - There was time for pleasant greetings before supper - It is needless to speak of the supper, except to say that it sustained Mrs. Kirk's reputation for good things to eat, and was much enjoyed by all. As for the ham, a poem should be written about that.

After supper there was a half hour for social intercourse, then the meeting was called to order by Mr. Wm. John Thomas, and the Sec. read the minutes of the last meeting at Roseneath: followed by the minutes of the previous meeting at Leacroft.

Mr. Janney read a fine tribute to Mr. Alban Thomas, our late honored and beloved member, which was ordered printed and a copy sent to Mr. Fred Thomas, Mrs. Hallowell and Helen Farquhar -

Mrs. Morris read a very interesting forethought on philosophy, which was food for thought - There was no unfinished business. The membership committee went over the list, and found 17 active places of meeting. The question arose as to whether there had not been an amendment to allow 18 places of meeting - It was moved and seconded that we raise the No. to 18. And this is to be acted upon at the next meeting -

Forethought for the next meeting - Dr. Weld and Mrs. Massey. Allan Farquhar's essay on "Insurance" followed, and the subject was handled in the most comprehensive way.

Questions followed -

Anna Farquhar asked about lawn - a coarse grass has come up, which has annoyed her, and she wanted to know whether to rake it off now or wait till Spring. Robt. Miller said leave it until Spring. Mrs. Roger Farquhar asked if there was a magic key to get into the Home Interest - Mrs. Weld asked about the time to plant tomato seed - Feb. was advised - Leucy Moore said she wanted to make some money, and a young "Leochinvar had come out of the West" to her house, with the best vacuum cleaner in the world, and she was ready to sell on commission - There was some laughter at the expense of your Secretary, because she wrote that "Mr. Weld answered Mr. Snowden's question about exterminating honeysuckle in a very unsatisfactory way" and this would have passed unchallenged, but for a guest for a thirst for knowledge, who asked "What was the satisfactory way?" Fortunately Mr. Weld was there and answered as follows - Use a preparation of sulphiric acid, and the Arizona Horticultural Society publishes a bulletin on the subject -

After some amusing anecdotes were told the meeting adjourned to meet Feb. 26th at "Springfield" the residence of Mr. Maurice Stabler.

Alice C. Farquhar, Secy.

Written by Joe Janney For th eHome Interest In apreciation of Alban G. Thomas.

The passing of Alban G. Thomas mars the close of a period in the life of the Home Intererst. While not a charter member he and his wife identified themselves with the society soon after its founding and he was the last one of that group of early members to survive.

It seems fitting that at this time instead of a short appreciation of his life and character we should set down in black and white some intimate record of his career as an exemplification of the best that this organization has to offer. Such things should not be left to tradition.

In writing a biography there are various methods. One may enumerate certain sets and deduce certain characteristics as a result, or knowing the attitude of mind and heart one may with certainty predict certain definite results. A certain way of life made certain acts a logical outcome in the long life of our friend.

From a part of the old Thomas home, Ashland, Mr. Thomas made a home for his bride and called it Tanglewood. As the family grew, the house grew - here a room, there an extension. Large as the house became the hospitable spirit of the host and hostess was still more generous. It might be said of Mr. Thomas and his home as it was said of Jefferson and Monticello - all his hopes began and ended in Tanglewood. Here he cultivated a spirit that embraced home life everywhere.

The Home Interest Society was very dear to him and he enjoyed seeing all of his family become members. He loved growing things and the garden at Tanglewood he made famous. To the last he was keen on picking up new methods of making things grow.

He was clever with his fingers, and with a knife and a few simple tools he made numberless houses which were much sought after by young couples going to housekeeping. He was a big real estate promoter in Bird Land.

Handsome and distinguished in appearance, his genial manner won him friends quickly. A stranger coming to the neighborhood was told that everyone here was related. The answer was, "There is no one to whom I would rather be related than to Mr. Thomas."

His qualities of leadership were pronounced and continued with him to the end. While in his latter years he felt he had not the strength to preside at our meetings, and

while the majority were much younger than he, one involuntarily gave precedence to him and his opinions always carried weight. He had a keen and inquiring mind and he was quick to share his knowledge with others. From his travels and his wide contact with the outside world he brought back to us many an interesting description or story told with all the zest of an appreciative nature.

He had a keen wit but was never malicious. He was simple and sincere and he enjoyed giving a thrust through pretense and sham. He loved calling a theoretical farmer a theatrical farmer. He held tenaciously to what was good of the old and yet he was well abreast of all that was fine and new. In one of his forethought reports he suggested we should take our Bibles and read the Ten Commandments.

He cultivated beauty at home and he love beauty abroad, and he deplored the destruction of natural scenery by bill boards. To him, to feel was to act and he succeeded in clearing up a great deal by writing to the advertisers who offended.

He had natural ability in the business world but money never became his master. It was always his servant. He valued more the fact that he had never taken a drink of whiskey than he did that he had made a success in business. His interest in people who were in need led him to lean money which he never regained but it did not sour him. He did not loose his faith in human nature nor did he cease his efforts to help. He was indifferent to losses and indeed it seemed as if all came back to him by some other channel.

His business was of such a nature that a great deal of his world came in and out of his door. All was grist to his mill. Sometimes it was the wave of a hand, sometimes a hand on the shoulder, sometimes a word of encouragement. He had an understanding heart and he apreciated the struggles of a young men tryint to get a start in business and doing the right thing at the same time.

No movement for betterment has taken place in this neighborhood that he did not stand back of it although he may have been hidden in the background. His advice and encouragement helped start the Social Service League. He gave the final word of persuasion which caused the present judge of our county court to accept the office. He stood directly behind the movement to build the hospital. His contributions was the first to start a school at Sherwood.

His religious life he felt was best expressed in the Society of Friends and to it he was ever faithful, not in a casual half-hearted manner but by an undeviating constancy. He was sensitive to spiritual influences and while he was not much given to vocal expression, his reserve covered a warmth of feeling which disclosed itself in moments of confidence.

"Springfield"

The 625th meeting of the Home Interest was held at Springfield April 23rd 1929. We might mention the Springfield asparigas with the Springfield ham. And we might mention the Springfield efficient service of our hostess and her helpers - if a need were felt, it was immediately supplied. And as a home-interest, we note the delightful sun room, made from two smaller ones.

The meeting was called by Garland Ligon. The minutes of the last meeting at Springfield were read.

The minutes of the last meeting were called for. We would like to save our late Secretary embarrassment, and will only mention that in spite of her great concern about who had taken the notes, and who could possibly have written the minutes, they were found in the book, carefully prepred by her, and typed. It is [Homestons?] turn to be Secretary. When one's turn comes, one serves.

In forethought - Mr. Fussell said that he had been allowed to visit Mrs. Massy for five minutes, and that she had said that at this time of year in the old days a usual forethought was that it is time to get out the summer dresses, and to lengthen the girls skirts - and she didn't know a better forethought than that. Yet an Erceldown grandson wanted his Grandmother to shorten hers before he came again.

A motion was passed to have 18 places of meeting in the future.

A letter of resignation was read from Sam and Emma Bond - they do not expect to be at Magnolia for several years. It was accepted, and they were made Honorary Members with the hope that they will attend whenever they are in the neighborhood.

Emily B. Coulter and Sallie P. Brooke, Duane and Mortimer Stabler were elected to membership, filling the two vacancies.

The report from the Community Council was read, in which we were asked to report back to the Council, whether we approved of a business course, and an agricultural course at Sherwood, and to send a delegate to the annual meeting in May for electing three new Council members. We decided that a business course would be helpful - but that it

would probably be better to attempt no further course in Agriculture. J. E. James was appointed delegate, and Harry Stabler as Alternate. Our delegate was instructed to nominate Henry Clarke, Leonard Burns, and Snowden Athy, respectively.

A 12 yr. course, in place of the present 11 yr. course at Sherwood was discussed.

The secretary was asked to write to Edwin [Noris?] to ask him to write a memorial with memory of Ivan [Wild?]. She was also asked to write to Ms. [Filton?] and Mrs. Bancroft to express the sympathy of the Home Interest with the death of their brother. Then she was asked to write to Mrs. [Massy?], for we sympathize with her in her long illness.

Mrs. Hary Stabler wanted to know the probable name of an 8 ft. Chinese rose tree. The Hugosis, if yellow. She also wanted to know about serving boiled eggs - how they should be served. Mr Fussell said that north of Philadelphia they were served the shell and south of Philadelphia they wre served in the cups. 7 like eggs in the shell and 10 in the cup, but they were mostly women who wanted "them" to fix their own. The rest don't like eggs - they must be from Philadelphia. But she wanted to know the really nice way to serve eggs, she said so. Mistake is, that some one thought that she hadn't been nice about it. But we couldn't tell her what we didn't know, "almost."

The Norwood lawn has bare spots where stumps have been removed, and spots with moss. Will plowing hurt the network of roots, and is it too late to plant ^plant^ grass seed? Disk, instead of plowing, and it is not too late to plant.

Allan Farquhar wants copies of [Song] Spring Annuals, 2 & 3 for Eunice M. Speeden, of Wheaton. Try Philadelphia Friend's Book Store.

Rebecca Mills has asked for bids for publishing the last volume - it would simplyfy matters for her, if she could have some idea how many copies would be wanted. Possibly the Council could ask the different Clubs to send lists to Rebecca Mills.

Joe [??] has just been to the garden of Gunston Hall, and found it delightful. The Historical Society of