The Somerset reporter., 1908-01-02
Annual Report Of the Skowhegan
Woman's Christian Temperance
Union,

Union.
Another years history has been
recorded In the annals of the w. G.
T. U. of Skowhegan. The history
made during the past year makes our
hearts rejoice. Surely God has bless
ed and furthered our endeavors TO
serve him through the w. c. T. U.
The following departments of tenn
perance work have been conducted
profitably by the union the past year,
Scientific Instruction, Sabbath OBJ
servance, Temperance Literature,
Benevolence, Flower Mission, Rail-
road, and Non Alcoholic Medication.
Besides the work done in the pre-
ceeding departments the union has
held three "Mothers Meetings"
when pleasing programs were carried
out and the little room at the rear OF
the hall was converted into a nursery
where the children of the mothers,
who attended we're delightfully."- en-
tertained.
One food sale has been held, one
Sabbath Observance meeting has
been held with an appropriate pro-
gram and one Temperance prayer
meeting. In February occurred a
Frances Willard meeting. The pro-
gram arranged by Mrs. L. w. Weston
was one of unusual interest and re-
vived in the hearts of the ladies pres
emit their love and admiration for
Miss Willard, the Apostle of Temper
ance. An offering was received at
this meeting to raise the $500 re-
quested by the National Organization
for the Memorial fund.
At the first meeting in April Mrs.
Weston gave talk on the organiZa-
ton of the Union in Skowhegan and
bits of it's history since organization.
All present were forcibly convinced
by this talk of the loyal allegiance
to the temperance cause of the early
members of the Union and especially
of her who for 80 many years has SO
nobly served the Union as its honored
president. Two petitions have been
circulated by the Union the past year.
1t was the great privilege ofthe Union
in May to entertain the 22nd annual
convention of the w. G. T. U. of Som
erset county. This convention was
such a success and inspiration that
the Union ladies felt more than re-
paid for all the thought and hard
work which they put into it.
This year makes the ninth year that
the Union has conducted summer
sewing school for the girls of our
town. The work of this years school
has already been published in the
REPORTER.
The annual basket picnic was held
at Coburn Park in August and was an
enjoyable occasion. In all twenty
two meetings have been held seven OF
which were public meetings. Good
average attendance has been main
tanned throughout the year.
The treasury of the Union is in a
of the benevolence of the Union this
year is 1854. The Union sends the
CRUSADER Monthly to all the schools
in town excepting the High school.
The National Advocate, the Union
Signal, The Woman's Journal and
The Independent are sent TO the pub
lie library and the American Messen-
ger and The Farm and Fireside are
sent to the Town Farm. 9840 pages
of literature and 934 papers have
been distributed to people who had
but little reading matter and to the
Jail and supplying the wall pocket at
the Railroad station.
Twice this year the Union has been
called upon to mourn the loss of be-
loved members. In Nov 1906 Mrs.
Estabrook, loyal member, died and
in the early winter the Unions honor
ed and faithful secretary was called
to the higher life. In January the
Union held a memorial service i'll
memory of Mrs. Clifford.
At the close of the old year and the
beginning of the new year the w. c.
II. U. looks to God with hearts full of
gratitude for past blessings and
help, and with an unspoken pray r
that they may be worthy of the con-
tinuance of His blessings. With the
w. G. T. U. motto "For God and
Home and Every Land" before them
a new year of Temperance work Is
begun by the w. G. T. U. of Skowhe-
gan.