Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1914-05-08

gave a travel talk illustrated by Ian
tern slides, views taken while jour
neying in Egypt and different parts
of Europe.
The program committee have also
added to the lectures of the University
Extention Course, vocal and instru-
mental music and reading by differ
ent people who kindly gave their SER
vices.
In all our committee meetings we
have been most ably assisted by sug-
gestions by the president, Mrs. Cra-
ven.
Report of Music Section.
The music section report, as given
by Mrs. H. c. Eakin, chairman and
Miss Edith Starbuck, secretary, fol-
lows:
The music section of the Woman s
club took up the study Of the French
school of music for this year. Our
first meeting was held on October
20. 1913 We began with the life and
works of Lully and Rameau, French
composers of the seventeenth century,
md 1yiench opera, beginning with
that period.
The life and works of such early
composers as Gretry, Cherubini, Boil
dieu, Herold, Auber, Meyerbeer and
Halevy have been taken up and care
fully studied by members OF the sec
ton. Songs have been sung, piano
compositions have been played and
both graphophone and piano records,
to illustrate the works of these great
men.
One interesting meeting was given
up to the study of Charles Gounod
and his world-famous opera, Faust, -
and the biography of Hector Berlioz
and his "Damnation of Faust"
AT our sixth meeting the life Of BIZ
yet and the story of his opera, Gear
men," was given, also that of Jules
Massenet and several of his compo-
sitions together with the life of Of
fenbach and his Glove Tales Of Hoff
man." At these meetings several Sc
lections from these operas were play
ed by piano and phonograph.
Our last meeting of April %, was
devoted to the life and works of two
great French composers, Camille Saint
Saens, who is alive today at the age
of 81 years, and the much beloved
Caesar Franck, who died a few years
ago.
One of the most delightful numbers
of this meeting, and one which was
thoroughly enjoyed by ALL was the
story and description Of the opera
"Parsipal,' told by Mrs. Casey and
Miss Helen, as seen and heard by
them in Portland few weeks ago.
The ladies who have taken part
on these programs, and who have done
so so willingly, are Mrs. Oscar Hay
ter, Mrs. S. B. Taylor, Mrs. MacGreg-
or, Mrs. Casey, Mrs. Zeller, Miss Ed
nellie Collins, Miss Caroline Burch,
Mrs. Allgood, Mrs. Van Orsdel, Miss
Edith Starbuck, Miss Helen Casey,
Miss Cora Luft, Mrs. A. B. Starbuck,
and Mrs. Asa Robertson.
Much of the success Of the music
section of the Woman club is due
to our director, Mrs. G. p. MacGreg-
OF, who has outlined our course Of
study for the past three years, and
who is so ever-ready and willing to
help us with the work. Every mem
Der of the section feels very grateful
to Mrs. MacGregor and thoroughly
appreciates what she is doing for us.
Our next meeting and the last for
this year will be held on May 27.
The meeting will be delivered to the
study of Chaplin, his life, his compo-
sitions and his piano playing. Sew
eral of his compositions will be play
ed. Piano playing up to 1880 will
also be one of the topics.
For next year our director has plan
ned that we take up the German
school of music, and devote the fol-
lowing two years to that study
Report of Civic Improvement.
Mrs. Van Orsdel, as chairman Of
the Civic Improvement committee,
made the following report:
There have been five meetings held
during the last year. On September
26, at which time the following of
fcers were selected, Mrs, Casey, Sec
ietary; Mrs. John Miller, director ad-
iouIned to meet at the call of the
chairman. In March Professor Peck
of o. A. c. gave us talk ON land
scape gardening That was very in
telesting and helpful. In the even
ing his illustrated lecture was enjoy
ed by "A large and appreciative audi
ence. Mr.. Ayers kindly gave the
Star theater and Mr.. Miles, secretary
of the Commercial club, helping with
the advertising.
The work we have been able to do
has been mostly confined to the Ii
brary grounds. A very faithful com
mite undertook the work. Mrs. Eak-
in, Mrs. Casey, Mrs. Algood. They
have selected fine roses and lilies
and planted them on the grounds, and
ivy next to the walls; also planted
some at the court house. Mrs. Othel
Williams, Mrs. George Hawkins and
Mrs. John Grant were the committee
to look after the improvement of the
ground around the city hall. This