Club Minutes: The Home Interest Society, 1929

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number that can hardly expect to have public approval.

To bring the subject of "Roadside Improvement" to our own state, the following is part of an article published in "Civic Comment":

"The Maryland Department of Forestry has for some years protected the roadside trees of the state by means of tree-trimming permits. Such trimming must be done under the direction of a commissioned Forest Warden. Such action has been a means of preventing a wholesale slaughtering of roadside trees by electric power and telephone companies.

The State Forestry Department has for some years propagated trees for roadside planting, at It's State Forestry Nursey at College Park. This has resulted in numerous beautifying projects, but lack of funds has prevented a more aggressive program.

The State's power to limit outdoor advertising is limited to the road right of way. The private owner is protected by law, his written consent being required for the placing of signsand notices on his property. Many owners are indifferent regarding this, while others are all too willing to secure a few dollars annual rent for space occupied by a sign. Community organizations should take a more active part in stirring land-owners to action, even the public sentiment has been locally lacking. Ther have, of course, been notable exceptions. The Community Council of Sandy Spring Neighborhood in Montgomery County is now pushing a drive for the removal of roadside signs Many other such endeavors are needed. Probably no more outstanding need for a curtailing of sign-boards exists than along the heavily travelled WashingtonBaltimore Boulevard. Public spirit is often-times as important as favorable laws. Public roads can and are being beautified in Maryland but an enlivening of public interest is necessary in order go bive the movement the propert impetus."

Driving thru the country, one may observe individual efforts, the colored family, living in a shanty, freshly white-washed, gay geraniums blooming in a tree stump, pass on to different and more prosperous sections, well

7 kept, leading further on to estates requiring and having expert landscape architect.

Beauty, simple or elaborate, is an essential element in human life and the enjoyment of beauty is the highest form of pleasure of which human beings are capable.

Roadside Improvement will continue to progress with the help of worthy people, prominent in public life and the welfare of the nation, who have organized associations for the principal purpose of cultivating higher ideals of civic lifeand beauty in America. The promotion of city, town and neighborhood improvement, the preservation and development of the landscape the advancement of outdoor art and the eduction of the American people towards making America a better country in which to live, work and play.

Duane D Stabler.

The 632nd meeting of Home Interest Club was held at Leacroft Nov 26, 1929. After a most delicous supper served by our youngest hostess Doris and Anna Bussler, the meeting was called to order by Mortimer Stabler. We [?] our absent members, Bramar, Retreat and Lullworth not being [?] After the minutes of the last meeting at Leacroft were read, the secretary read the minutes of the meeting at Kennett Cottage. They were approved.

As our next meeting would fall on Dec 24th, it was moved and carried that we meet on Dec 17th at Norwood, our host is being very gracious in letting us choose our night.

The program comittee anounced a very delightful outline for our next seven meetings. The next to be Neighborhood Memories of 50 years by Allan Farquhar.

January.

Edgar Guest + others -- Jean Coulter.

February.

Fasts hard to belive about Insects. - Cynthia Stabler.

March.

Why this Pace? Edwin Morris.

April

Wintering in Florida. M L Fussell.

May.

Own gardens - Helen Hallowell.

April.

What makes an Efficient Farmer of the presentday Wm J Thomas.

For the Forethought Comm. Sallie Brooke gave us much good advice. Traveling by magazines, thumbing over plans for Xmas pleasure for the little ones, fruit cakes, plant [tohs?] for potting plants or vigoro lay in supply of list one & half, to ward off colds, Care of ice ponds unless one has elec. refrigerator or buys one.

As Mortimer Stabler was in chair he tried to slide out of forethought. Told us to kill our Thanksgiving turkey if not already attended to. Still time to plough but old winter decided differently. I hope everyone attended to radiator as advised. Next came a story that puts friend Mortimer among our humorists.

The letter from Community Council was read and the

secretary was asked to write them of our interest in their work. The secretary was asked to write Edward [?] thanking him for donation of land. Reminiscines of Edwards grandfather driving boys out of his land reminded us that boys were the same then as now.

Under new buisness Mr Bancroft told us of Prof. Ballards plans for beautfying the school grounds. The Home Interest appointed Elza Thomas to take collections for the cause. It was thought the matter should be brought up at Parents and Teachers meeting on the Bd.

The next Foultought Comm was appointed, Mrs Allan Farquhar and Mr Hartzshorn.

Next came the paper or a talk by Miss Sylvia Such which was the like the goose in Dickens Xmas carol which for size, tenderness and flavor was hard to beat.

The talk for charm, interest and wit was delightful. It took us to places in southwest France not found by usual tourist. I have here some notes but why write down names I cannot pronounce. The many amusing little stories made us all wish we could travel with Miss Such, see the flowers, the mountains and the people with her eyes. She spoke of the French peoples absolute lack of interest in us and affairs outside their small circle. One can live there for about $12 a week and does not have to be a Hetty Sum.

Questions Mrs. Moore. Should she be reimbursed for a plant killed by fumes from a fire extinguisher. Opinions differed.

Edith Thomas anounced the Thanksgiving Servise at [?].

Cynthia Stabler. When is book club sale? Over with.

Fred Thomas. How to get rid of moles. Write to Howard Hoke, Lincoln, Va. Some thought the mice that follow do the real damage. Put in moth balls.

Mr Hartzham showed two beautiful apples. Asked our apple men their opinion of kind.

Mr Harry Stabler said you could lightning rods much cheaper from Mont-Wards than salesman that came around.

It was next moved we adjourn.

Margaret F Fussell, Secy.

The members of the Home Interest convened at Norwood, December 17, 1929, to hold the 633 rd. meeting. Several families were not represented. Altho Mr. Bancroft and Mrs. Tilton offered a most cordial welcome, the absence of Mrs. Bancroft was felt then , and during the entire evening.

After a veritable feast was served, reminiscent of Thanksgiving"goodies", a cheerful interval was spent in exchanging news and ideas.The meeting finally "got under way" with Garland Ligon acting as Chairman. He and the substitute secretary were seated in two comfortable chairs , divided by a lamp, over and around which they dodged to exchange information as to procedure.

Following a poor reading of the good minutes of the last meeting at Norwood, the minutes of the November meeting at Leacroft were adopted as read. The Chairman announced that the next place of meeting would be Overlook. Harry Stabler said for himself and bessie, who was absent, that they would be glad to welcome the Home Interest in January.

Mrs. Allan Farquhar, of the December "Forethought Committee", reminded the men that all corn should be in the crib by Christmas day - that firewood and back logs should be in readiness to complete the joy of an open fire-place. A covering of straw on the strawberry bed, coarse manure on the asparagus bed and protection of roses were also advised at this time. A warning concerning carrots followed. A sufficient supply should be placed in the cellar in a box of sand, and according to her suggestion, we suppose that Mrs. Farquhar stored one peck of an unusual crop of six in this manner and relegated the remaining five to a kiln in the garden.

The housewives were reminded to have the Christmas turkey dressed three days to a week before-hand; the dressing prepared the day before and stored in a tight can until used. Inferring that the mincemeat was made the first week in December, it would be wise to use it in pies now, as they always come in handy. An amusing story was read concerning pies andMaine, after which Mrs. Farquhar wished the Home Interest a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Charles Hartshorne, as the other member of this committee, recommended ploughing and enriching the garden with manure in preparation for the early vegetable planting. As the secretary could neither beg, borrow or steal notes on other forethoughts they will have to remain unrecorded. The Home Interest then had the pleasure of hearing the first public recital of Mr. Hartshorne's original poem, inspired by Nellie, one of his grandchildren, and the pet dog at Homestone. The closing verses contained an element of forethought, inasmuch as they warned us of over-indulgence in holiday sweetmeats.

William John Thomas, one of the Membership Committee, recommended the a approval of Jean Coulter and Doris Lea as additional members, as their families already held membership in the Home Interest. William John put this recommendation in the form of a motion, seconded by Mrs. Tilton and after several most favorable remarks, was carried. The secretary was instructed to ccast the ballot and to notify the prospective members.

The November report of the Council was read, Mr. Bancroft then spoke, concerning an item of particular interest at present - the landscaping of the Sherwood High School grounds. He regretted that there seemed to be an idea of an exaggerated scheme , whereas Mr. Ballard of the University of Maryland, had prepared plans calling for a nominal expenditure of about $175.00. Mr. Ballard hoped that the plans, which were simple and practical, would be carried out. Mr. Bancroft urged continued interest and contributions toward their immediate execution. An unofficial but gratifying statement was made , that Elza Thomas had already in hand about $30.00 toward the necessary amount.

William John Thomas suggested that no answer to the Community Council's report was necessary, and voiced the unanimous praise and appreciation of the meeting , for the Council's efforts and accomplishments, especially regard-