Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1948

INVERCAULD (Community House) 1060th Meeting January 8, 1948

After luncheon the 1060th meeting of The Association was called to Order by Helen Harquhar at 1:45 P.M. at the Community House with Alice Farquhar as hostess.

There was a moment of silence for Mary Hutton who had passed on since the last meeting.

As this was Alice's first meeting as hostess there were no minutes of the last meeting at this place - the mintues of the last meeting were read and approved.

The Rules and Regulations were read by the secretary protem followed by the Treasurer's report.

Since this was the meeting for elections, Mary Reading Miller and Margaret Bancroft were reelected Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.

The question was asked - "Shall we continue the school committee?" Yes. but without too much detail in the report.

The next three places of meeting were Rose Gilpin at Rose Hill, Emmelene Hill and Louise Hough.

Sentiment of the Hostess - Alice Farquhar, "A Morning Wish" by W. R. Hunt from Elbert Hubbard's Scrap Book.

Question - "Should we check ourselves on calling the hostess when unable to come?" Six were unheard from - answer - Most Certainly.

Sarah Buchanan, an article - My Favorite Tree - Frances Parkinson Keys.

Margaret Jones - an article on Juvenille Delinquency. Question - "What shall we with all burners do without oil?

Alice Pierce - "Nothing."

Bertha Crum - an article on Michigan - Everybody Goes to School Here

Elza Thomas - an article on the 1st writing of Dickens Christmas Carol and its effect upon people.

Helen Hallowell said Dickens grandaughter has written a very fine book. Question - "How did Alice Make the salad" Answer - "It is an old family recipe: 1 can tomato soup, 3 pkg. cream cheese - melt on stove until blended. When nearly cold add; ½ envelope Knox gelatin, (1 T in ½ C water) 1 C Mayonaise, ½ C chopped celery ½ C chopped olives, onion if desired - serves 8.

Helen Moore - told a joke she heard on the radio.

Stella Moore - read an article from an English paper on the King's Archers.

Mary Brooke - some short sayings on manners, chinese provergs and her grandfather's statement that it was lucky this country was first settled on the East coast - otherwise would be wild.

Esther Stabler - read exerpts from a book on Yorkshire, England.

Helen Hallowell - had some wool that was left at the Cedars - Elza claimed it. The Clubbooks would be sold at the Cedars Thursday the 15th at 1:30. Any suggestions of books for the next time are welcome.

Florence Bentley - Nothing - (Guest)

Deborah Willson - read from The Days of H.L. Mendeson. "Rural Delights" describing parts of Ellicott City 1888. Question - "Who lives opposite Walnut Hill?" Elza may know when she gets home.

Rose Hutton - nothing.

Elizabeth Bathgate - nothing - (guest)

Fanny Iddings - article - "What is wrong with womens' club?"

Ethel Thomas - read a composition written by a little African Girl on "History, Georgraphy, and The Earth" - it was found among her mother's papers. Question - 1. What is the price of stewing chickens? ask Charlie Hines. 2. She scraped some corn last summer before freezing. How can she make pudding from that? Let thaw and mix as usual.

Elsie Stabler - an article, "If you are the best don't be ashamed to admit it."

Sallie Brook - "What you want" by Henry Canby. Question - "Who is building in Sandy Spring opposite the Davis'? Someone thought it was a relative of a friend of Davis.

Margaret Jones - said she was interested in the young people - suppose dances were allowed in a hall- at what time should the hall be closed? Should it be closed early so the children would go somewhere else, or stay open as long as the youngsters want? Ans. Stay open under supervision as long as the young people want to stay.

Elza Thomas said Lindley Clark called her on New Years Day. In the old days it was the custom to call on the young ladies on New Year's Day - He was making his call by phone.

Sallie Brooke was asked to reread her article.

Under unfinished business Elsie Stabler was put on the committee for places of Meeting.

Stella was asked to please take our love to Margaret Bancroft.

Helen Farquhar will call Rose Gilpin.

The School Committee reported that over $100 was collected by the children for care packages and many new articles were sent on to Friends Service.

Rose Hutton was greeted as a regular member in Mary Hutton's place.

A motion that the balance or part balance in the treasury at the end of each year be set aside for a Memorial Fund for a donation toward a worthy cause in the name of any member who might die was made and seconded. After much discussion it was tabled until the next meeting.

The meeting then adjourned.

Elizabeth Grey

Secretary protem.

The Briars,

March 4th, 1948

After a delicious luncheon, the 1,061st meeting of The Association was called to order by Alice Farquhar at the usual time. Each meeting place has its individuality, and at the Briars we always enjoy the daughters and grand-daughters of Margaret Jones, as one of the out standing features there.

There was no February meeting due to the weather, of which we have had a great deal this winter, and to other circumstances.

After reading both sets of minutes, and the approval of the minutes of the Jan. meetings, the Treasurer's report was read by Stella Moore, and approved.

It was with a real regret but equal understanding that we accepted the resignation of Margaret Bancroft as Treasurer of the Association. We realize what a tax it is, and hope that in releasing her from the office it will mean that she will be able to meet with us more often.. It was moved and duely carried, "That a Committee be appointed to bring in the name of someone to fill the office of Treasurer." The Chair named Helen Farquhar, & Eliz. Grey.

The place of meeting had not been definately fixed, so the members will be notified.

Sentiment of the Hostess, "Every day is afresh beginning", etc. also a lovely sentiment quoted from a letter from Edith Green, whom we missed having with us.

Elizabeth Grey, "What we see depends mainly on what we look for.

Katherine Adams told of a Gallop Pole of the "Women America admire most," and Eleanor Roosevelt lead by a large majority. Evidently a good many people did not participate.

Helen Farquhar, an article urging gardening instead of golf. Price of day help for women were discussed, from $4.50 to $5. a day with lunch was the price paid by those who indulge.

Mariana Miller - read of Howard Chandler Christy, the originator of the Christy Girl, and who with Charles Danna Gibson did much with their pictures to emancipate women.

Mary Brooke had nothing.

Isabel Wesley, on the Flowering World.

Helen Moore some jokes.

Fanny Iddings read from "Home Country", by Ernie Pyle. Her lovely reading voice makes us all want to read each book she reads from, and when we do, it just isn't quite the same.

Alice Pearce nothing.

Esther Stabler. read from the catalogues of the Longwood and Warren Schools, some startling and question facts.

Ethel Thomas read of the Washington, Sandy Spring and Ellicott City Railroad, as written in a Baltimore Newspaper of 1910. There was a discription of the richness and and beauty of the country thru' which this railroad was to pass, mentioning our Bank, and "Folly Quarter".

Rose Hutton read "smart talking", the story of a ventriloquist.

Sylvia Woodward, "I see by the paper", an amusing article on the irristible facination of old newspapers.

Helen Hallowell told of "Kreb's" a famous eating place.

Stella Moore recommended baking soda for cleaning porclain.

Elsie Stabler, a joke.

Elza Thomas read a letter from Amy Jane Englund. She asked if anyone had a Franklin Stove for sale. No one did.

Deborah Willson told of the Chest Exray outfit which was to be at Sherwood, and urged everyone to go, and see that others know of it.

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The Membership Committee recommended the name of Grade Thomas to be placed of waiting list.

The name of Elizabeth Stabler, our eldest member, was placed of the list of Honorary members, relieving her of the responsibility of entertaining, but leaving her full priviledges of membership otherwise.

There was no report from the Hospital Chairman.

The School Cahirman reported there will be an addition of four new rooms on the Elementary Building.

Under old business, the Memorial fund was again discussed. After some discussion the motion was made, seconded and carried, "That the Memorial Fund be tabeled indefinately".

It was suggested that in the fall each member bring a 2 new garments for the Needlework Guild, in memory of Mary Hutton.

There was no new business.

The meeting adjourned, the place of meeting to be decided later.

Mary Reading N. Miller

Sect'y.

Fairfield

April, 1st. 1948 1,062 meeting.

Meeting at Fairfield is always a priviledge, and as we gathered once again in the dear old stone house I wondered how many meetings of The Association had been entertained here, certainly more than at any other one place. Here one sits in museum chairs and eats from lovely old china, and if they go modren with a wonderful green salad, they serve it in an old butter tray, making it like no other salad in the world!

We settled down about two o'clock, and the meeting was called to order by Margaret Jones. Both sets of minutes were read and those of the meeting at The Briars were approved.

Margaret Bancroft had sent her report showing a balance on hand of $33.00. The nominating Committee appointed to bring in a name for Treasurer had no report.

The next place of meeting will be The Community House with Louise Hough at the regular time.

The Sentiment of the Hostess, Fanny Iddings, "You can't give what you haven't got no mo'ren you can't come back from where you've never been." Mrs. Iddings said she wondered of we would like to have her read her mother's journel telling of her trip to America in a sailing vessel. Everyone was enthusiatic. Those who have never heard it have a treat in store, and those who have will be glad to hear it again.

Alice Pierce, Louise Hough, Grace Thomas, Rose Hutton and Catherine Adams had nothing.

Helen Farquhar's article queried, "Do you want to be wise, rich or pleasant".

Elza quoted her father's saying, "People who get up early are connected all the fore-noon, and sleepy all the afternoon."

Sylvia Woodward told of two new wall coverings which are washable. She also recommended a new book, "The Proper Bostonian"..

Isabel Wesley told of a trip to New York.

Esther Stabler read from The National Geographic, a quaint article about smoking, back in Sir Walter Raleighly's time.

Helen Hallowell, "The taming of the Shrew", a story of the Washington Zoo, and a small animal called the Shrew.

Elsie Stabler read a letter from her friend in Germany.

Helen Moore told us why we sneeze.

Mariana Miller read a delightful treatise on being eighty.

Catherine Adams told us the Miss Amy Huttons is having her 95th birthday today, and The Secretary was directed to write her a note.

Roderick Adams sharpens scissors.

Bertha Crum read from an old newspaper, probably the fall of '27, "What kind of a President would Mr. Hoover make?". A very fine tribute.

She was told to send her old waffle iron to the Thrift Shop.

Alice Farquhar read from, "Science Illustrated", some things people would like to have next.

Anne Bussler read another letter written The Montgomery Press by Cousin Al Thomas from Gibraltor lm 1905.

Stella Moore, who professes not to understand poetry read "Lines to a daughter", when to say Yes and when to say no, which Stella says she did understand.