St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-12-06
WOMAN'S CLUB MEET
Mrs.W L. WATSON, President of
State Federation Gave Pleasing
Address-A Reception

Monday afternoon for the December
meeting of the ST. Johnsbury Wo-
mans club. After the reports of
the secretary and treasurer two new
members were presented: Mrs. Ralph
Lowe and Mrs. ]. Edward Alexan-
der. On recommendation of the ex-
ecutive board the club voted to con-
tinue their pledge of $25 to the nor
NAL school scholarship given by the
State Federation. Mrs. Cross spoke
of the excellent work now being
done by Miss May Wiley of St.
Johnsbury who was the recipient of
this scholarship while student at
Johnson Normal school. After two
delightful vocal solos by Mrs. Don
G. Stiles, the chairman of the civics
committee, Mrs. Rebecca P. Fair
banks, took charge Of the meeting.
OF course the interest of the after
noon conferred in the presence of
the president of the State Fedora
Waterbury. 1t was a real pleasure
| ton, Mrs. Watson L. WATSON of
to the club to have Mrs. WATSON
here and her charming personality
quickly won the attention of all. Her
talk on 1.-The Influence of WOmen's
Clubs on the Civic Life of the Com
munity'' was helpful and practical.
in beginning her talk she spoke very
prettily of the fttingn that the
st. Johnsbury club, which was the
founder of the State Federation,
should be the first club in the state
to own club house. She said that
every department of club work is
deeply concerned with civic life. In
our grandmother's day it was said
that the place for woman was in her
home What was true in the day
when the home was the only centre
and everything was done in the
home is true today but to smaller
extent The four walls of the home
have simply been extended to take
in the school and the other inter
ests of the family. Spencer has said
that the perfect education is that
which will fit the child to adapt him
self to his environment. The OBJ
iect of the club should be to see that
this environment it what it should
be. Mrs WATSON expressed great
admiration for the motto OF the Boy
Scouts, physically strong, mentally
keen, morally straight" and thought
it could well be adopted in all work
for the young of our land. She re-
ferred to the move for greater Yer
mont which is now so much talked
about and said that the women can
help greatly as to them is entrusted
the training of the future citizens OF
Vermont. Club women must not be
selfish but must work first for the
home, then for the town, the state,
the nation. The State Federation
has voted to send a lecturer to eight
towns in the state to lecture on So
cial hygiene We must not be sell
fish but must work for better Yer
mont by making her future citi-
zens physically strong, mentally
keen, morally straight.
After Mrs WATSON, Mrs. G. H.
Merrill, one of the early members OF
the club, gave a short but hopeful
talk on what our club may DO for
women and girls. A. B. Noyes in the
few minutes allowed him told MS
impressions of the work done by the
club. He said that wOman's best
weapon is persuasion and touched
lightly on the subject of suffrage for
women. Rev. F. S. To1man express
ed great admiration for the club and
gave three especial reasons: lst that
it stimulates to learning about many
things which would not otherwise be
known, 2nd, for the work it is doing
through the district nurse and 81,
because it concentrates its influence
on definite lines. Mr.. TOlman offer
ed five suggestions for things the
club might do to cOunteract the de-
generating influences now at work
in the town: LIST, a curfeW law znd,
to have the alley ways and courts
lighted until midnight; 3rd, mothers
meetings to interest all mothers IN
better care of their children; 4th,
gather evidence and give it IN cases
Of violation of the liquor law; oth,
see that pool rooms and bowling al
leys be compelled to have windows
giving clear view from the street.
Rev. B. F. Butler was the last
speaker and he gave the club very
helpful talk, taking as his princi-
pal thought that the club should
/ have as it's aim service. Anybody
/ is great only as he serves and he
made a strong plea for greater ser
vice among club members.
On motion of Mrs. Susan II. smith
and after some strong remarks had
been made by different club women,
it was voted that the club as club
purchase five shares of stock IN the
/ Woman's Club House Association
and Mrs. Smith was elected to rep
resent the club at stockholders meet
ings.
Reception at Club House.
A reception was held at the club
house in the evening when the club
members and their friends who at
tended were received by the presi-
dent, Mrs. George H. Cross, the Fed
GRAFTON. president, Mrs. Watson L..
WATSON, and the chairman of the
civics committee, Mrs. Rebecca P.
Fairbanks, to whom they were pre-
scented by Mrs. Gordon G. Weeks.
The house was thrown open for in
spection and recent additions Of pic
lures and small furnishings for some
of the rooms has added to their at
Effectiveness. The rest room was
frequently inquired about and much
admired, and in this room the guest