The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-07-14

1
notice, and if teh present promise OF
the work is fulfilled, it seems likely
that it will carry the name of Ben
| nington to all parts of the country
| A general outline of the leagues ac-
IIvites, and a sketch of some of its
more important recent undertakings
will be given in this article.
The work of the civic league is
| roughly divided into four sections
School, social, outdoor, and special
activity. These, of course, overlap in
certain instances, but each of them
has a definite reason and definite
| schedule. Athletic and social work
continues throughout the year under
the direction of Mathilde Vossler, SUI
pervisor of recreation Miss Vossler,
by the way, is the only year-round
salaried person connected with the
league.
The school section OF the league is
designed to provide the organized
play and athletics for girls. After
school supervision is furnished, and
this instruction places the emphasis
on vigorous and natural forms of re-
creation. Many folk kdances, which
particularly answer these require
ments. are taught to classes which in
clude pupils from the high, grade and
parochial schools
Under the social section, the ac.
fiNritiaC a..ia
ing and recreation athletics for girls
have place here also, but it is a
comparatively small place. About
a year ago successful community
center for young people was establish
ed under this section. The young
women's club rooms were opened
six evenings in the week for various
purposes, which included glee club
meetings, instruction in cooking,
sewing and millinery, folk dancing,
informal lectures and dancing and
dancing alone.
The outdoor section undertakes to
provide organized play and athletics
for boys and girls. young men and
young women during all seasons of
the year when the weather conditions
permit. This means winter and sum
summer and as much of the fall and
spring as possible. During the wint-
er of 1913-1914, the board of trade,
the Y NJ c A and generous-spirited
citizen combined with the league to
start an open-air skating rink. There
were five weeks of good skating and
only an unexpected thaw prevented
big community event from being
held on the rink.
The civic league has a well equip
ped playground which is operated for
all the children of every age. The
local organization of the Camp Fire
girls have become affiliated with the
league through the outdoor badge
tests as outlined by the Playgrou -.
and Recreation association of Amerl-
ca used by the league to establish in
dividual standards of physical efIic-
iency. These tests are also a means
of afliliating the Bennington boys and
girls with playground children
throughout the country
The socialevent section of the
leagues work covers a great many
gatherings and celebrations. which
have been the means not only of
bringing all the members of the COM
munity together but of spreading
spirit of fellowship and good will.
F3r the most part, these celebrations
have marked some holiday or some
athletic event, and yet one OF the ev-
ents that attracted the greatest
amount of attention was community
sieigh-ride of which more will be said
later on.
The community Christmas tree is
not a new thing in Bennington for
they had one in 1913 which drew an
attendance of 5000 out of a total pop
ulation of 1900, but last year even
Bennington out-did itself. Stress OF
conditions brought. 1pon py the Eur
opean war was felt in Bennington
and this, perhaps more than anything
tiSti hitl MUM w VI ms bllC pSOplC lO-
gether, although it would not be fair
not to give credit to the. growing feel
ing of fellowship which has been fost-
cred by the league.
Anyhow. Arthur Il IIollister, presi-
dent of the village of Bennington sent
out Christmas proclamation in
which he invited everybody to the
tree and said: "in Bennington this
year we have special cause to remem-
er the Nativity, and to celebrate its
Inauguration of brotherly love with
carols of praise. In time of great
strife and bloodshed, when the signi-
ilcance of Christmas is banished
from half the earth. we have found
it in abundance in our community,
and have reached hands of helpful
ness across the sea to those in dis
tress. To all our number for whom
Christmas held no promise Of happin-
ess we are bringing Christmas cheer
Churches, fraternal organizations,
and those of no creed or aiiliation.
are bound closer together in Benning-
ton this year than ever before,
through this Spirit of Christmas.
''It is fitting that at this time we
pynraea orr common inv for what ua