St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-10-07
WOman'S Club Meeting.

At the business session of the October
meeting of the St. Johnsbury Woman's
Club Monday afternoon announcement
of gift of $25 was made and the fol
lowing letter read:
Mrs. Mary Macknnon.
President St. Johnsbury Woman's Club.
Dear Mrs. Mackinnon;
The work of the Woman's Club has
greatly interested me from its inception
to the present time Its methods are
progressive and practical. | am aware
that much that has been accomplished
has required funds and | would suppose
it to have been an amount in excess of
what was received for membership tees
With this beg to enclose my check for
$25. 90 to be used in such manner as the
club shall determine
| do not make this grudgingly but
gladly. With my wishes for your con-
tinued success.
am, Yours very truly,
II. n. TURNER
This most opportune gift. evidencing
as it does again so substantially Mr..
Turner's interest in the clubs work is
most cheering. The thanks and graft
tude of the club is extended to the giver.
1t was unanimously voted to set this
sum of money aside as a nucleus for the
district nurses fund.
In the absence of Miss Florence J. May
Mrs. James A. lmpey acted as secretary.
These new members were announced /:
DR.. Alice E. Wakefield, Miss Kate Wake
field, Mrs. B. {. Peters, Mrs. {. F.
Palmer, Mrs. H. c. Ide, Mrs. Frank E.
Humphrey, Mrs. J. K. Kilbourn. Mrs. O.
W. {. Hill, Mrs Frank Z. Farmer.
Miss Bridget Rooney gave an interest
ing report OF the forestry exhibit at the
county fair, which was we'll patronlzed
and numerous questions were asked con-
cerning it. The public school teachers
have asked that the exhibit be used in
the schools tor the further benefit to the
pupils, which is being done.
Mrs. {. NJ Richmond favored the club
with a double piano number and accom-
panied Mrs. b. {. Peters, who sang a
double number, all of which were finely
rendered.
Mrs. David E. Porter, chairman OF the
education committee, announced the
program for the afternoon. DR.. Alice Z
Wakefield gave very practical paper or
Medical Inspection in Schools. She
spoke of this as a very necessary adjunct
to the work of parents and teachers
More attention is now being given tC
the site and construction of buildings
and heating and lighting. Systematic
physical examinations raise the standard
OF efficiency and more attention is being
given each year not only to prevent con
tagion of disease. but to correct diseases
OF the heart, lungs and nerves.
principal point emphasized was that th'
cost OF education is greatly increased by
pupils mentally defective failing of pro
motion, the cost of educating each pupi
being about $50 annually. The chile
should be made to know himself anC
parents and teachers should cooperat,
to this end.
Miss Dorothy Mills spoke OF physica
education in the schools. She empha
sized the fact that so much time is spen
in mental training that very little tim,
is left for systematic spiritual or physica
training. The mania of intellectual
power will result in moral deterioration
unless health is given more prominent
place. The methods now used in tn,
schools if imperfect can be improved j
the taxpayers will make a uniteC
crusade. An examination of the children
in the public schools shows that thei
physical conditions are far from perfect
and Miss Mills made a strong plea foi
more physical exercise.
Mrs. David E. Porter spoke of tn,
necessity of regular system Of keeping
accounts in the home to instil in tn,
children a sense of economy and thrift
and also to prevent unnecessary outgC
as compared with the average income
She said that each member of the family
should realize that he was part of tn,
working machinery of the household
and should do his part promptly anC
cheerfully.
Mrs w. P. Smith spoke of the savings
system in schools, as inaugurated here
two years ago by the education com
mittee. If all the homes were ideal the
state would not need to give this in
struction, but fit is neglected at home
study of thrift should be introduced and
encouraged in the schools. The penny
savings system is found to be most sue
cessful in the first seven grades, and
when encouraged children are found to
be generally interested in thriftiness. She
asked the interests of parents and club
members in this subject.
That the subject of education was an
interesting one was evidenced by the
large attendance and strict attention
of club members and guests.
The second meeting of the literature
study class, Mrs. George H. Ide leader,
will be held in the Museum class room,