The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-06-10
Our Boys Club.
Continued from first page. [


Elm streets. were finally recon-
mended. An agreement for their oc-
cupaney has been entered into with
Messrs. Griffin and Dascombe, the
owners of the property and the
necessary repairs will be completed
by September LIST. There are five
rooms in the suite, very well adapted
for the purpose, and the annual
rental, including heat will be $3.50. 1t
is estimated that the club will re-
auire about $3.50 In initial outlay for
new furniture and the annual ex-
penses will include the rental above
mentioned with such cost as may be
necessary for water rental, electric
lights, etc. New quarters were i'm
perative If the club was to answer
ANYTHING like it's best purposes. The
room at present occupied could be
made attractive only in very limit
ed degree and of the 100 boys, be-
tween the ages of 10 and 20, who can
not attend the day schools and who
would doubtless avail themselves of
the chance for evening instruction,
only about 80, the number in the
present classes, could be accomo-
dated at the old quarters. This latter
consideration alone will appeal
strongly to every thoughtful citizen.
The sentiment of the day is to pro-
vide opportunity for education for
every one and the effect of evening
classes in the common branches, with
Accommodations large enough for all
who may wish to come, is OF the ut
most importance to the future we'll
being of the town.
1t should be said that the commit
tee have only attempted to provide
for the immediate needs of the club
in the plans for the Williams block
apartments. The feeling is deep
seated that Skowhegan will have
Young Mems Christian Association
building at no distant date and pres
ent plans should be, for that reason,
of a temporary nature. A gymna-
SUM is highly desirable in connection
with the club but not practical until it
can be established as a part of per-
manent association home. Since its
inception the Skowhegan Boys Club
has financed its own affairs without
outside help. The advisory commit
tee now contemplate permitting the
older citizens to assume the cost of
the annual rental of the new rooms
and they are already assured of as
sistance that will make the pledging
of the funds for this purpose COM
paratively simple task.
The present enrolment of the
Skowhegan Boys Club is just short of
fifty members. Elroy Lacasce is
president, Howard Weston is secre-
tary and Ralph Brown is treasurer.
In the summer season the club has
som, athletic features. A tennis
court has recently been constructed
on Turner avenue and an athletic
track meet is to be held with the
Knights of the Triangle, of Waterville
in the near future.
The Skowhe gan Boys Club, like the
other similar clubs which have been
organized in other Maine cities and
towns by the Maine Young Mems
Christian Association, is an exceed
ingly useful and thoroughly practical
association. 1t Is imbued with a
religious spirit and respect for sacred
things, but wholly without sectarian-
ism. A member must simply be
DESTROYS of strengthening his own
character and of encouraging right
living and increasing the opportun
tiles for wholesome enjoyment for
himself and others. All things indi-
cate future of great usefulness for
the Skowhegan Boys Club.