Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1951

Community House, January 5th 1951 1,094th meeting.

Katherine Adams entertained the one thousand ninty-fourth meeting of The Association at The Community House, January 5th, 1951. After luncheon Rebecca Small called the meeting to order, and the minutes were read and approved

The Treasurer reported a balance on hand of $22.00. A rather sketchy election was at this time "railroaded" through, with the same incumbents remaining in office, i.e. Mary Reading Miller and Bertha Crum, Secretary and Treasurer.

The next meeting will be held, with Elsie Stabler as hostess, at St. John's Hall, Olney. The next two places will have to be announced later.

Sentiment of the Hotess, "Our Earth is but a small star in the great Universe. But of it we can make, if we choose, a planet unvexed by War, untroubled by hunger or fear, undivided by sensless distinctions of race or color."

Bertha Crum told us how to care for our Christmas gift plants, especially Poinsettias.

Rose Hutton read quite the most confusing letter one can imagine. It was from her former cleaning woman, concerning payments she had made Rose for a sewing machine she had bought, beyond that I hesitate to comment.

Mrs. Ashelman, a guest, had nothing.

Esther Stabler read some of this and that from that delightful book "Mrs. Appleyard's Kitchen."

Henritta Wilfry, an always welcome guest, recited one of her original poems, telling of the help she has received from her friends at "Wendover."

Mariana Miller, Nothing.

Sallie Brooke, a guest, read a christmas note she had recieved from Constance Albert Cook, whom many of us remember with a great deal of pleasure.

Rose Gilpin read from the Reader's Digest an article, "Teaching, the terrible profession". She assured us her daughter had not selected the article, or influenced her selection. For her question she asked if we are disappointed in the lack of birds. Some were and some seem to have as many as usual.

Dorothy Wetherald read from the little book, " Quaker Anecdotes" written by Ruth and Irvin Poley.

Stella Moore read from an article from her English cousin, Mr. Simmons, who was in this Country with the British Food Commission for three years after the war. He is with Lever Brothers, and the most excellent article was written for the Co. paper. It was interesting, if not always flattering, to hear what an Englishman really thinks of us, and tells his own countrymen.

Elsie Stabler, an article written by General "Jimmie" Doolittle, on his deep faith in God and prayer. Elsie has a letter from abroad, evidently thanking for a CARE package. She had not even been able to identify the language. Mrs. Ashelman has a friend who is a professional translator, and she took the letter to send him.

Florence Bentley nothing.

Ethel Thomas read the monkey's idea of evolution. They agree Man decended, but declare "not from us". She asked, for The Neighbours, what The Association thinks should be done with the bell

at Sherwood, which is a bell from Triadelphia, but not the original one. It was bought and given the school by some students some years ago. Some thought it is cracked. It is thought that it is to be placed in the new building.

Margaret Jones gave us some good "Do's and Don't" in recreation.

Sylvia Woodward told of the illiterate cherokee indian by the name of Sequoia, who gave his people an alphebet, and was honored by having the famous trees and park named for him. He was a thoughtful man, who in analizing the difference between the red and white men decided the printed word, and the whiteman's ability to read was the out-standing difference, so he worked out an alphebet, which was used. She asked how Spencerville got its name, and was told it was named for William Spencer.

Isabel Wesley told of Mrs. Alberta O'Connell, a fantastic person whom Isabel has recently met. With no musical education, and middleaged, she suddenly heard music in her mind, and wrote it down. She now has a stack of compositions.

Mary Brooke, nothing.

Helen Hallowell told of "Big Joe" the N.Y. radio character, M.C. made a collection of money before Christmas, to buy candy for the children of Korea. Coz. Helen had sent a contribution and had received a certificate of Happiness, with 5 shares of "Happiness."

Deb. Willson read, "I remember", reminiciences of Walter A. Poole on The Baltimore Sun, when that organization moved into their beautiful new building.

Alice Pearce, nothing.

Fanny Iddings a Christmas sermon given by a colored minister.

Helen Farquhar, a New Year's Poem

For the School report a very successful Opretta before Christmas was all.

Hospital report. As the Donation Day Canned goods receipts has not been officially given this was a Pre-view, but Deb told us 898 Qt. of home canned good, 1,861 tins and 549 glasses of jelly were received.

It was suggested, moved, seconded and duly carried, "That Dorothy Wetherald be made an Associate member".

Louise Hough has designated her intentions of resigning. It was to be in the hands of the Secretary by this meeting, but was not. If it comes before the next meeting the Secretary was instructed to fill the vacancy from the waiting list.

Faith Farquhar Morris is on the waiting list, and it was moved that "one of her daughters", be made an associate with her, this was carried.

Mary Reading N. Miller Secretary

Olney Parish Hall, Elsie Stabler, Hostess, 1,095 meeting, February 5th, 1951

Ice covered the roads the last of January and promise of improvement by our regular meeting day, which was the first, seemed out of the question, and so we postponed it until the following Monday. And so on Monday, Feb. 5th, we gathered, as the guests of Elsie Stabler, at The St. John's Parish Hall for our one thousand ninty-fifth meeting.

Katherine Adams called the meeting to order, several members are out of the neighborhood, but some guests brought up the number present.

The minutes were read and adopted, and the Secretary said the Treasurer had given her a report, which she had mislaid.

The next place of meeting will be announced later.

The Meeting was the only Sentiment of the Hostess.

Helen Farquhar read from a letter from Margaret, written early in January, telling of her work in the A.F.S.C. rooms in Paris.

Faith Morris told the story of Harry Hopkins taking Winston Churchill for a ride once when he was in Washington. They drove thru' Frederick, and Mr. Hopkins was surprised when his British friend quoted the poem of Barbara Fritchie.

Thelma Anderson, our new member, was glad to be with us, but said as it is more blessed to give than to receive, she would let us be blessed.

Ruth Havens, a guest gave an original sonnet, written from her knowledge of some of our great musicians. Each seemed motivated by an humbleness, and fine attitude, to which Ruth paid beautiful tribute.

Edith Gillikin and Pattie Stabler, also guests had nothing.

Dorothy Wetherald a joke.

Alice Farquhar has had ten beautiful weeks in Florida, and has "sand in her shoes", and a wonderful tan.

Helen Moore gave us some good winter garden advice from, "Over the garden fence."

Helen Hallowell wants suggestions for books for the book club. She also asked what to do with the old-fashioned Marsaille bed spreads. They sell for big prices in antique stores, presumably to people who have never tried to launder one.

Betty Grey told us when argueing with a fool, take care that he is not doing the same thing. She also read a fine poem, "Some good in all."

Margaret Jones had Betty read, "How to form an intelligent opinion."

Ethel Thomas some scraps, such as only Ethel seems to find.

Rebecca Small read from The Readers Digest of a man who had been shown London by a Cabbie who loved it, and was pleased to find someone different from the general run of tourists.

Mariana Miller read of the catacombs which have been found under the old Lexington Market parking area. Three stories under ground, it was thought first it might have been storage space for illegal liquor during prohibition times, but reasonable proof seems to have been found that they were used for meat storage.

Sallie Brooke, a guest had an autograph album which had belonged to her mother, also a quotation from Ruskin, written in her mother's handwriting. It was noted, "To be read at Association at Brooke Place". This must have been over fifty years ago, as the name of the place was changed about that long ago.

Rose Gilpin an article by a man who thought "Grandfather" had it easy with a two dollas ax, and no complicated, expensive equipment, which would be put out of commission with a winter sleet storm or

a summer electric storm. This man had lived thought the Thanksgiving storm, and being entirely dependent on the electric current for heat, light and cooking, wished for a little cord wood, and the equipment to use it.

Deb. complained of a mocking bird which will not let another bird near the feeder. She also read one of Ogden Nash’s poems, than which there is nothing whicher.

Rose Hutton from the Autobiography of Lincoln Steffen.

Gladys Stabler nothing.

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Under Unfinished business the Secretary announced having gone down the waiting list to fill the place on our membership of Edith Louise Hough. Edith Thomas and Alice Dinwiddie asked that their names be taken from the list, as it seemed at this time that they would not feel that they could join us, even though they would like to. Gladys Tumbleson and Doris Lea could not come in at this time, but would hope another time they could. And so Thelma Sanderson was the next on the list. She is now one of us, and we were very glad to welcome her.

Under new business Helen Moore resigned as our Representative to the Hospital Board, and suggested Rebecca Small to take her place. She agreed to try it.

Adjourned, to meet in March, the place to be decided upon, at which time the Secretary will notify the members.

Mary Reading N. Miller Secretary.

Keemah, March 1st, 1951 1,096 meeting

After a delicious luncheon, the 1096th meeting of “The Association” was called to order by Elsie Stabler at Keemah, the attractive home of Esther Stabler.

The minutes were read and approved, and the Treasurer then gave the following report; Bal on hand Feb. 5th. $43. After sending $10. to the Sherwood Scholarship Fund, as directed at the last meeting, the balance at this time is $33.

The next place of meeting will be Tanglewood with Elza Thomas, in May with Ethel Thomas, and in June with Grace Thomas.

Esther Stabler had no real sentiment, but read a most interesting article telling of a riot in Sandy Spring during the Civil War, giving names of some who participated. Cox. Al Thomas was one of them, and Coz. Helen Hallowell will bring a letter telling of it.

Ethel Thomas read of a house painter who became a took up oils.

Fanny Iddings read some delightful jingles, including, “Consider the Cat.”

Rebecca Small, a story, “You live when you give”.

Dr. Crum told us Cold is a cure for tree scale, which was prevalent in the neighborhood last summer, so we hope for an improvement this year.

Dorothy Wetherald read from a book of poems published by a friend, the poem she read, “Drivers I wish I had never met”, struck a familiar note to all drivers.

Mary Brooke from the Rural New Yorker read us of the joys of ending the day with the family around a wood fire.

Ruth Havens read from The Cosmopolitan an article by a Doctor who told how to live easily with nerves.

Isabel told the story of some of our commonest flowers.

Helen Hallowell read Drew Pearson’s article from “the Post on the Iron Curtain.

Helen Moore of Oliver Wendell Holmes and some of his sayings which revealed the man.

Amy Jane Englund told of the french village of “Grasse” on the Mediterranean, where perfume is the sole source of revenue, so when we feel extravagant when we pay a lot for perfume remember it is bread and butter for a good many people. It is a lovely place with flowers blooming everywhere.

Deb Wilson read a letter from Josuah Pierce in June 1823, written to his brother-in-law Edward Chandlee who lived in New Jersey.

Rose Hutton read of “The Soap Saver” from the Atlantic Monthly.

Mrs. Winn, a guest read a letter to the Washington Post from a Britisher, telling how to make tea.

Helen Farquhar a poem, “I am a housewife”, describing the picking up one such does.

Thelma Anderson “The Top Ten”, words to live by.

Katherine Adams “Proverbs”, a poem. Proverbs are the poetry of a people who never had time to write them.

Grace Thomas asked Rebecca Iddings Small what she liked best in Florida. The difference both in the flowers, and the time of blooming.

Margaret Jones, “What are you doing that the non-christian is not doing.”

Henny Chichester told of an old stone two-story springhouse at there place.