Telegram-herald., 1891-01-09
The POPULAR CLUB
EXrrlIKy1 szaxBG re- TIC IElI


-o8<sss kss<<sa.
TIE annual neeting Of The owsshsar
ssous Club u4s held IN ths Kynanznuns
nAli u th< elab ROOMS lsss night, Press
dsns Cnsuaeey prsadlax. ths sttsodr
anes orlns soouE two hundred
The mlnetes Of the last meeting uese
read and approved. after wnlcn the
pressasns read his annual report -
follows
1sstisues II the ow2shtaneng Boat Club:
Another year has relied around and
an proud 10 cay that our club u IN
every way more prosperous than ever
before- During the past year ~ The
generous donations OF many OF our
members and large aaount Of hard
and energetic work on the part OF the
committees, appointed for the purpose,
the club has paid in full bank indsbt-
sdness OF 5000. Our restaurant has
been much improved, both IN quality
and patronage, being now upon pay
ING hasis and receiving praise from AL
quarters. The active membership has
e<Su 4k4So W i~S iituAb "a wv "ss4sih W.
and applications are continually being
presented which will be compelled ~
await vacancy for sdmiss,on.
Our large increase IN membership has
made u necessary TO enlarge on. club
nouse and Q. mpelled the addition OF
new dininG-room. coat room, pantry
and . large committee room or banquet
ball on the first door. During the year
II was thought desirable to construct .
summer roof garden in order to AFFORD
our members and their guests cool
and comfortable retreat during the ex.
tremely hot weather Of the summer.
This was done at small expense aud it
has proved = grand success.
Our commendable custom OF provid-
Ing the worthy poor OF the city with
food, clothing, bedding, furniture, fuel,
ETC., on Thanksgiving Day. Was carried
out this year ION . grander and more
bouutiful scale than ever. The num-
Der OF needy people supplied with food,
furniture. bedding. clothing, fuel, etc.,
WAS about 400. Five charitable insti-
tutions were sent donations of various
kinds, The amount of cash donations
was $l175.50, and donations OF food,
clothing, bedding. furniture, fuel, etc.,
amounted to about 1868, making
value Of about $l73S.50 distributed.
Besides the above mentioned distri-
buttons dinner was given on Thanks
given Day TO 4l6 of the local newsboys,
1t which about eighthy of the most
prominent citizens Of Grand Rapids
acted Is waters and served this plenti-
full repast.
Our gymnasium, which proved 90 sat-
isfactOry TO the members and their sons
last winter. has been put IN order for
the winter sports, and judging from the
interest 90 far taken, this feature will
be more popular even than last year.
The athletic exhibitions will be given
frequently. The indoor baseball fea-
ture OF 1he club, 10 something new and
attractive, and much interest is display
ed by members OF aimost all ages.
The club enter. severai crews last
summer ~ the lcgattas Of the MIssls-
slppi Valley, Duluth and Superior As
ISOLATION, At Duluth, and the n. w. A.
K. Association. 1t Detroit, but regret
to say our conquests were not 50
numerous as in the past. Our crews,
however, achieved several victories ut q
private regatta, gwen under the
auspices OF the G. q w. NJ. Railway
Company and the Ottawa Beach As
ISOLATION, at Ottawa Beach, Oh August
% last, having won the handsome
silver trophy, which they 60 generous
ly presented to the club.
The only severe losses our most
fortunate club has sustained during the
year, were those which were beyond
the power of man to divert. refer TO
the taking off of our respected and be-
loved fellow members, John Goldsmith,
5. p. Bennett, Fred A. Holcomb and +.
B. Perkins, their memory will long be
cherished and their loss regretted.
have but few recommendation to
make. II would, think, seem advis-
abse to put aside one afternoon each
week for q class in the gymnasium, for
the little daughters OF our members,
where they could receive instructions
IN calisthenlcs III systematic manner.
would renew the recommendation of
my predecessor, Hon. ]. NJ. Weston,
each year for the purchase of necessary
books for the formation of library,
and wouldgo fu rther and invite each
member of the club to donate during
the coming year, at least one bound
u
not be long before our club would be
the possessor Of magnificent collec-
ton OF interesting and valuable books.
desire to call the attention of the
members generally to one important
matter. winch mas OF late been much
talked Of, the boat house and rowing
department.
regret very much to be compelled
! TO state, that, although the club house
, ut the lake and the boating interests
were the foundations upon which the
present club was built. they have both
become old stories, and aside from the
!, active oarsmen the attendance at the
boat house Tor the past two seasons. has
not averaged five per day. We have
invested at the lake as follows: Boat
house building, f6U7S.70; furniture and
| fixtures. s2315.97; boats, etc., $24l1.
Total, SIC. s65.67.
The expense of carrying on this por-
ton of the club, last year, Was as fol-
lows: Music. 1857 .0s; meals for crews
/ $20a.5s; interest on about $1,000 in bonds
at per cent, S237; help, 1886, sup
| Plies, $2Ss.0 repairs, 5000; transpor.
tatIon. etc, crews, $196.50. Total
$2D7l.s6; to gay nothing OF the wear and
tear on building, furniture, boats, etc
We have lease of the grounds upon
J which the bost house stands, from the
street Railway Company, running
| ninety-nine years from March |, 1885
for which We pay . rental of si.00 pei
year. Whether IL would be best to dis
pose of this portion Of the club, pay Oh
our bonds, and save an expenditure o.
ah<,rrt 1890 r,nr anuuu and usa on,