The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-09-25
Annual Report of the Skowhe-
gan WOman's Christian Tenn
perance Union.

perance Union.
With the annual meeting, Sept. 8, the
W. c. I. L. Of Skowhegsn closed ar
other year Of work under the faithful
leadership Of Mrs. l.. w. Weston, presi-
dent. The Union has more than doubled
Its membership during the year, and an
increased interest and activity has been
manifested. Twenty-Five regular meet
ings have been held with interesting
programs, including talks and papers
from the members Of the Union Special
music each time has added greatly to the
enjoyment of the afternoons.
Several white-ribbon workers from
away have visited the Union, bringing
fresh Inspiration Mrs. Hunt of Augusta,
Mrs Chandler Of st. Adams, (the county
president.) Mrs. Marsh of Waterville,
Mrs. Rawles of Michigan and Mss Hath
away Of California.
AT several meetings invited guests
have been present and refreshments
served. At the teachers tea in January.
the law In our State requiring scientific
temperance instruction to be given in
the public schools was discussed and an
interesting program on ''What snail we
teach:" carried out. In the fall mass
meeting, participated in by the pastors,
was held and In July an open-air mass
meeting at Lakewood was addressed by
Mrs. Nellie Burger of Missouri, one Of |
the. national organizers. The county
convention was entertained in MAY, the
addresses by Mrs. X. L. Stevenson, pres.
ident of the Massachusetts W. c. T. L., |
and others, proving most helpful At
traetive music-solos, duets, choruses-
have been provided for all the publ
meetings.
Two boxes of clothing have been sent
to the Girls Home In Belfast. This.
with benevolent work in town, amounts
to S63.30. Twenty. five dollars have been
sent to the Civic League of Maine. a
cake sale, supper and refreshment sale
during the year have aided in the bal
anee in the treasury of $50 for work this
year.
One of the Unions most successful
lines of work is the sewing school, which
has been held now for four consecutive
summers. This year over one hundred
scholars have been on the roll and excel.
lent progress in sewing has been made.
Weekly lessons in temperance and
kitchen garden have been given, follow
ed by marching and the distribution of
temperance papers.
The new year of work is begun with a
sincere desire to make the w. C. T. u. a
power for good in this community
Every woman in Skowhegan interested
in this great cause is earnestly invited to
enroll herself in the ranks of the white
ribboners, whose rallying cry around the
world is "For God and home and native
land"
The Union has circulated 3,4l5 pages
of temperance literature and other good
reading matter during the year. In re-
spouse to anti-cigarette literature sent
out in November, 81 signers for the A.
c. l.. pledge were obtained. Pluck, the
A. c. L. paper, has been sent to each
teacher in town. Five subscriptions of
the Youths Companion and three of the
Saturday Evening Post have been sent
to the BARRIERS shops. The following
periodicals have been contributed to the
public library; The National Temper
ance Advocate, Woman's Journal, Civic
League Record, Defender Social Service,
Good VIII Record, Pluck and Boy. Dur
ing the winter temperance column was
contributed by the Union to the SoMER-
SET REPORTER.