Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1971

Helen Moore Community House January 7, 1971 1323rd meeting

The Association had its 1323rd meeting on January 7th, 1971, with Helen Moore and Dorothy Wetherald at the Sandy Spring Community House. Bernice McLaury was chairman and the minutes of the last meeting at this place and of last month's meeting were read and approved. The Treasurer reported a balance of $2.00 and dues are now due. As this was the January meeting, the rules and regulations of the Association were read by the chairman.

Election of Officers:- For Secretary, Jean Coulter was nominated and seconded in absentia; for Treasurer, Deb Willson was reelected.

The next three places of meeting are:- Eugenie Riggs in February, Faith Morris in March, and Mary Lillian Moore in April.

The Sentiment of the Hostess was a quote from Abraham Lincoln on standing up for the truth and those who follow it.

Eugenie Riggs read a piece by the Rambler about turkeys, wild and domesticated. He said they were domesticated by the Aztecs in the 15th century, then they were taken to Europe and eventually brought back here.

Helen Moore told a story about President Johnson she had heard on the David Frost show. LBJ asked a guest to say grace, and when he didn't speak in a loud tone, told him "speak up, man". The guest retorted, "I'm not saying it to you!"

Mary Lillian Moore read a poem on meeting the new year, and one on "Winter". She had a question - who does quilting? Silvia has a list and will tell her.

Silvia Woodward read a New Year's poem, and reported 34 doves under her feeder recently.

Rose Hutton had a poem on the "Liberated Lady" - she can take on anything except Fatherhood!

Rebecca Small gave an up-to-date report of life at Riverside now that Betty and family are there.

Dorothy Weske read an article about the changes taking place at Eton, which has a new and forward-looking Headmaster. The school is trying to shed some of its more aristocratic and exclusive ways, but will still keep its tails and stripped trouserand its all male enrollment.

Louise Canby read a parable set in prehistoric times - two primitive men are gloating over their hoard of flints and don't notice the approach of enemies from another valley. Their scheming comes to an abrupt end when the new enemy kills them with spears for they have already entered the Bronze Age!

Betty Grey read a story of how a son's stay in Japan changed a family's ability to see beauty all aroud them in their simple farm life.

Deb Willson had a very interesting book titled "I Drove Mules on the C&O Canal", by George "Hooper" Wolfe. The Canal is 185 miles in length and was begun in 1828. There are few of the original boatmen left, so the author decided to set down his memories. The crew was made up of two adults and two boys, who kept the boats going 24 hours, in shifts, with two on the boat and two on the path. He wrote about how different the night was on the path, with scarey noises all around. The area will now be made into a National Park to Cumberland.

Lucy Manning read a piece from the Christian Science Monitor.

Camille Slade read a funny bit by Art Buchwald on the problem of a new "identity crisis" when teenagers don't bother to out their friends' last names. The boys and girls don't seem to worry about the confusion reigning as a result, but it drives the parents to despair sometimes!

Helen Farquhar had an exerpt from Anne Morrow Lindbergh's writing, about how our relationships are like islands. They are intermittent, with contacts ebbing and flowing like the tide.

Jean Ladson had a new version of the 23rd psalm - a very cutting one using environment and polution as the up-dated theme.

Henny Chichester told us about seeing thousands of swans and ducks in Round Bay, on the Severn River, north of Annapolis. The swans fly like geese and have trouble taking off from the water they are so heavy.

The Hospital Committee reported that the recent party in the new building raised approximately $125,000, including $50,000 from the Women's Board.

The Membership Committee submitted the name of Betty Hart[j]es to the meeting, and she was voted onto the waiting list. Anne Brown was also put before the meeting and was voted onto the list.

The meeting adjourned to be with Eugine in February.

Respectfully submitted, Wendy Lawrence Secretary

Eugenie Riggs Cherry Grove February 4, 1971 1324 th meeting

The Association held it's 1324the meeting at Cherry Grove, the home of Eugenie Riggs, on February 4, 1971. Dorothy Wetherald presided. The minutes of the last meeting at Cherry Grove were read, and the minutes of the January meeting were read and approved. The next three hostesses will be: Faith Morris at Olney Inn, in March; Mary Lillian Moore at the dining room of Friends School, in April; Camille Slade in May.

Our hostess contributed two thoughts. Our host, who had been an efficient coworker with his wife in preparing a delicious meal, had asked Eugenie why they had done all this work. She explained that this was a meeting of the historic Mutual Improvement Association. To this he replied,"Well, at least it's improving your house". In a more serious vein, Eugenie brought us the philosophy which describes the ever-expanding circles contributing toward peace, beginning with the individual, thento the influenced family, to the town, to the world.

Wendy Lawrence traced the interesting development of an American winery which covers 78 acres [?] HighTor. The owner, Mr Wagner secured and planted in 1951, hybrid vines which now produce excellent grapes for making wine.

Lucy Manning of the bird census and the world of birds before construction of high-rise buildings, which affected the bird population. The conclusion brought a rather optomistic outlook. "It is good that the world is still there and that some care".

Elizabeth Grey read from the Art of Maturity. Life is too short for hatred and the baser emotions. Charles Eliot was quoted as feeling that moderation is always, good. Trouble helps us to grow, and time is a great healer. Her question, "What does one do with a pig's backbone?" remained unanswered. It is the chine -

Dorothy Weske told of the findings in the Shendoah Valley which indicate that Indians were hunting game there as early as 9000 B. C. Under the aegis of the National Geographic, further study will be made of artifacts already found, and a search for more ancient settlements.

Gladys Stabler read a most interesting answer to "What is a farmer?" His work encompasses all areas of life and business. He is a scientist, purchasing agent, production expert, capitalist -- and much more.

Elizabeth Canby introduced us to Jenny Lind Fever. She read most interesting excerpts from the book.

Deborah Wilson brought, via a Christmas letter, a fascinating description of a trip made by a retired couple, to the U.S.S.R. Their aim was to observe people. These observations were wide-ranging and very enlightening.

Doubtless a "first" in Association contributions was that of E.B.Morris. He sang a charming song in a charming manner, with a slight assist from Patty. Faith cordially welcomed us to the March meeting.

Apropos of the world's communication problems, Patty Stabler repeated a dialogue between a husband and wife, I don't believe you understand what I said".Reply, "I'm not sure that what I heard, is what you meant.

Jean Ladson brought amusing words of wisdom from an almanac. Samples: "one thing wrong with the younger generation is we don't belong to it." "People want the front of the church, the back of the bus and the middle of the road." " Before offering a seat to a girl, be sure it is."

Helen Farquhar read and distributed copies of the Sandy Spring Creed.

Sylvia Woodward read an amusing article---an imaginary report by a nervous patient, onhis psycciatrist's finding about "colds". Sample, "The ideal cold is a shared experience."

Her question was answered, but rather unsatisfactorily. She wanted to know Where she could find a china egg. Antique shops and craft shops were suggested-- but tgis was not what Sylvia had in mind.

Mary Lillian Moore had read the Russian childrenseldom cry. This makes one wonder the reason may be.

Bernice McLaury passed around an African cookbook for inspection.

Dorothy Wetherald described some of the honors received by Abb EVans. One of these was the publication of a book on her eighty-third birthday, containing all of her poems. Her first poem was published after eighteen years of submitting poetry. She writed lovingly of her heritage and of nature.

Unfinished business: a check of members' phone numbers for the permanent list.

There was no report from the hospital representative, and no new business.

Respectfully submitted, Jean O Coulter Secretary

Faith Morris Olney Inn March 4, 1971 1325th Meeting

On March 4, 1971, the 1325 meeting of the Association was entertained at Olney Inn by Faith Morris and Patty Stabler, in absentia. In their absence, Gladys Stabler served as hostess. She welcomed Ann Brown, Margo Brown and Mary Reading Miller as guests. The Association members individually and collectectively expressed disappointment that Faith was unable to be present, and the hope that she may soon return to good health.

The treasurer reported $36 dollars on hand. $8 was collected, making a total of $44

The next three places of meeting will beMary Lillian Moore in April at Friends School, Camille Slade in May, and Dorothy Weske in June. D. Weske and Gladys Stabler have exchanged months.

Patty's sentiment extended greetings to the association. A letter of thanks will be writted ot the hostesses expressing our disappointment in not seeing them.

Nell Beebe's sentiment was a brief introduction to the recently published book by Charles Lucey, once a Sandy Pringer, entitled Ireland and the Irish. The author has long had an interest in the country. His book does not deal with the political or religious aspects, but with the land and the people. Her questions was, "what do bees eat?" She has observed them at her bird feeder. Many others have had similar frequent visits from bees, which were thought to be searching for food.

Ann Brown reminded us of the importance of the propler directions of educations. She also pointed out the danger of excessive noises, garbage in the streets and other environmental hazards. On request, she recited the charming poem of T.S.Eliot whose title is "Naming Cats".

Hennie Chichester told of her recent visit to the Youngs in Louisiana. The social life of a guest in their home sounds as colorful and interesting as in the Old South.

Lucy Manning told of the death of Wendy Lawrence's father, noting his varied interests, and humanitarian services. Attached is a clipping enumerating some of his activities.

Dorothy Weske read from Frear Stark's Perseus in the Wind, part of an essay on memory. It is a storehouse of recollections. Pat of the contentment of age comes from past recollection. Her articulate use of language is most satisfying.

Rebecca Small brought us light to the subject of bores and boredom. Advice, "Stay alive and interested. To be interested is to be interesting."

Helen Farquhar quoted Abraham Lincoln. "You can not bring prosperity by discouraging thrift".

Syvia Woodward gave Lork Clark's assessment of himself as part of the present world. He characterizes himself as a "stick in the mud".

Dorothy Wetherald made a special plea for peace in the world.