Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1912-07-26
PLAYGROUND A
Big SUCCESS
NEW INNOVATION lNAuCuRATED
BY NOTIFIES CLUB.
50 AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
NEWLY ORGANIZED MOTHERS CLUB
ALREADY DOING fine WORK IN
HOT SPRINGS.

The Mothers club has already made
name for itself as factor in the pro.
gress of Hot Springs. In keeping with |
the forward movement all over the
United States, the club decided to
spend its energies along practical lines
and concluded to institute q public |
playground.
As is generally the case with all in
novations, the plan was viewed askance
by few pessimistic persons, but the
women of Hot Springs rallied together
and knew that what could be done
elsewhere could be accomplished here.
The Mothers club was organized
June 10th and the following officers
were elected: President, Mrs. r. R.
Dolliver; 1st vice-president, Mrs. F. g,
Osmotherly; 2nd vice. president, Mrs.
Chas. Stewart; 3rd ce.president, Mrs
F. T. Evans; recording secretary, Mrs.
R. NJ. Wheeler; corresponding secre
tsry. Mrs. O. B. CLARK; treasurer, Mrs
8. Christensen. At the first regular
meeting on June 2lst the club took
steps to organize playground snd by
July 9Th the work was formally open.
ed.
DR.. F.. E. Walker gave the club its
first encouragement in that he pre-
sented them with fifty dollar check to
be used as the club saw fit. He also
showed his public spirit by announcing
that he and Mrs. Walker would give
series of educational picture show
mstinees, free to all school children,
and that these would continue fort.
nightly through the summer. These
shows are now being conducted under
the auspices of the Mothers club.
Ever at the head Of philanthropic
work in this town, Mrs. F. T. Evans
msgnanimously offered a beautiful
shsdy tract Of land on the brow of
Evans Heights to be used as the play.
grounds this summer Next came
musical entertainment and picture
show at the Morris Grand under direc.
tion of the club. This netted about
forty dollars.
Mrs. j. Gillespie, as chairman Of the
executive committee, has probably had
the greatest responsibility in connec-
tion with the organizing of the play
ground. She, with q committee to as.
sist her, saw to the equipment of the
npnrnAo "oknR
shelter, turning poles, merry.go-
round, and other furnishings had been
provided as il by magic when the first
flock of children arrived. Three teach.
ers had been engaged by the club:
Miss Jean Haverland, who has had ex.
perience in both Fairgrounds and
kindergarten work, and the Misses
Dorothy and Susan Osmotherly.
The playground is now in session
every weekday from two until five.
The average attendance is fifty. The
teachers are there to direct and super.
wise all the playing, and it requires but
one visit to the Fairgrounds to con-
vince the most skeptical that the play
ground is q "howling success" in more
ways than one.
In order to add to the enjoyment of
the children, few ladies have volur-
teered their services for the work. Mrs.
O. B. Clsris at one time physical direc.
tor of the public schools Of Cincinatti,
gave up several afternoons in order to
instruct the children in basket ball and
drills. Mrs. Ames attended one week
and assisted with the children's games.
A number Of the older boys, who have
become very enthusiastic, have obtain.
cd permission to solicit small contribu-
tions toward . tennis court and equip.
ment. The merchants of Hot Springs
have been very kind in giving their
goods and materials at cost price.
The finances of the club at present
ore not what might be desired, but it
has been whispered that the Mothers
Club is going to give grand tce-cream
social in August, and 1t is expected
that enough money will be raised to
insure the teachers salaries and to
cover the running expenses for the re
mainder of the summer.
Next summer might see q man in.
structor for the older boys, and reg
ular course or routine of daily work
suoh 40 kindergarten class, sewing
class. gymnasium class for boys and