The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-11-04

the idea Of q nociey center is wrong,
but only that you have gone at II il
the wrong way. Try again. Study
the people. their needs, tastes, etc.
In Barnes County.
In Barnes county we have this year
three districts in which the teachers
are making the little white school
house the meeting place OF the resi-
dents OF the districts every two weeks
In each OF these districts thew have
formed literary society or district
club. In two OF the societies the
teacher is the president and in the
other one a progressive farmer who
is also member Of the school board Is
president Of the club. One Of these
centers is about ten miles from Valley
City 50 1t viii be comparatively easy
to do extension work there. There are
two schoolhouses in that district and
the teachers are cooperating in this
neighborhood center work. They have
already given two programmes. For
each meeting except when they have a
speaker from away they arrange a de-
bate, society paper giving the neigh
borhood news for the fortnight and
also have discussion each time OF
some important agricultural problem.
1t is an easy matter for them to find
material on this as our state and ma
tional departments Of agriculture are
only too glad to send IL for the ask
Ing. They are practicing on a play to
be given during the winter. Dialogues
and charades appear frequently on the
programme We have arranged for
several lectures during the winter. AT
the meeting OF the club next week
Prof. Hollis of the normal school at
Valley City will address this neighbor-
hood center. Miss Farnsworth OF the
domestic science department and Prof.
James OF the agricultural department
nave each promised to give an even
inG address to these people. The
county superintendent's ONCE has a
lantern now and we hope to be able to
help not only In the work in this
community but In the other social
centers which are springing up in the
air and before long will take root in
the little scholhouse In many OF the
districts OF Barnes county. This Ian
tern is not expensive, gas Is used and
post cards or any ordinary picture
can be projected on the screen. Glass
slides are not necessary. We antici-
pate many pleasant evening in these
rural meetings with A Trip Through
the Yellowstone Park, An Evening in
Washington, d. c.. or series OF views
or good ears Of corn and typical po-
tatoes Of various varieties or other
agricultural views. Why cannot ev-
cry district own a lantern and have
Its own picture shows? Pictures which
would enoble and not degrade the life
OF the spectator, hope the pleasure
which they will receive from this
county lantern may be the means of
bringing this about.
Districts which are not fortunate
enough to be near school town where
specialists can go to them often might
enlist the talent of local business peo-
pie in the nearby towns. In most
any town there are one or two busl-
men, lawyers. doctors, ministers or
bankers who would be willing to oc-
cupy the time OF whole meeting or
at least part of it in discussing some
Of the vital topics OF life. What would
be more potent than an address upon
household sanitation or personal hy-
giene by doctor or a nurse? Then
our state university has standing of
fer to furnish a. lecturer to any place
in the state for $3.50. Get up a so
cial and raise that amount and bring
one OF these men to your door TO fur