Middletown transcript., 1916-11-04
THE CLUBS HISTORY
The First Report is Dated Feb
ruary 18th 1898
NON-SECTARTUM ORGANIZATION

'Ihe Lhlr0 meeClng Ol Clle WOhCH VI
Middletown and vicinity for the purpose
of organizing a New Century Club was
held at the Y. NJ C. A. headquarters,
Mrs. Chamberlain, George g. pre-
siding. The FIST business of the meet
ing was the election of officers which
resulted as follows:-P President, Mrs. j.
P. Cochran, Jr.; 1st Vice President,
Mrs. Chas. Derrickson; End Vice Presi-
dent, Mrs. W. B. Biggs; Recording
Secretary, Miss Mabel Parvis; Cores
ponding Secretary, Mrs. 5. B. Bordley;
Treasurer, Miss Ellison.
1t was decided by rising vote that
Friday instead of Tuesday as formally
agreed upon should be named as a regu-
lar club day and that the hour of meet
ing should be half past three O'Clock.
Ten more names were handed the sec
retary. making membership of fifty
one B" This report is dated February
18th, 1898, and from that time until Oc-
tober 10th, 1905, there are no minutes
of the New Century Club of Middle
town to be found. From programs and
bv word of mouth. much however is
known Of the organizations history
during that period. At some meeting
the same year, 1898, the club adopted
as its motto, "The best is yet to
Gomez" as its emblem, the daisy; as
its colors, green and yellow; framed
constitution and bylaws, and Joined
the Delaware State Federation of Wo-
mems Clubs Later the club day re-
verted to Tuesday, and the hour of
meeting was changed to two-thirty
o'clock
The club was a lusty infant, strong
and very active, but the community had
diverse opinions concerning its exis-
tence and without any hesitation ex-
pressed them, ''Not desirable, " Never
will live through its second summer, :"
''What use is it, anyhow" 30, well,
perhaps it has fighting chance, and
this statement prophesied the truth
precisely. Under the guardianship of
devoted sponsors Middletown's newest
child, daughter, thrived and rapidly
grew-to be sure, there were hours Of
depression, seasons of tears, and some
few spasms of temper, but, for all of
these the Faithful were ever ready with
the proper remedies.
y The purpose of the club as stated in
the constitution is to ''build the founda-
tions for greater usefulness in the home
and a higher appreciation of citizen
ship" in short, to serve. Like all
women's clubs, when first created, the
reason for being was construed to mean
opportunities for becoming leading
lights in the world Of literature. In
teIlectuals as it were, a glance at the
early calendars bears out this assertion
for one winters work had scheduled
seventy three papers and the subject
matter was simply staggering in the
breadth of its scope; for instance,
yRirds-eye view of Russia, the Country,
boundaries ttsnd Physical Features. -
''Shall the Constiution follow. the
Flag?'', t'Lives of Motley, Bancroft,
Prescott, Parkman" (all in one article)
"Reform in Government and decline OF
the Feudal system" evidently of
France; poland, Its Glories and Its
Sufferings;;" The Eastern Question and
the Trans-Siberian Railway and the
Foreigner from a Chinese point Of
view" 1t is mystery how such pun
ishment was ever SurviVed-to be per
fectly frank reason did totter on its
throne and interest sadly waned Hap
PLY in May 1903 the act of being hostess
to the Delaware State Federation O.
WOmen's Clubs, at its sixth annua
meeting, revived the dropping spirits O
the local club and proved to be an in
spiration as well as pleasure. Like
fair debutante, becomingly gowned fo
the occasion, Middletown conducte,
herself with such ease and grace tina
only commendation was heard on ever,
side, at this her coming out party.
Gradually a change in the genera
trend of the club mind became apparent
papers as papers were eliminated, an
how best to serve as women and citizen
became the all absorbing thought o
the club members.
In 1908 is recorded the first civic wor
attempted; namely, "The New Centur
club has received from the Levy Cour
the privilege of getting fine grave
from the county's gravel pit, for tn
purpose of making a nice promenad
walk to Forest Cemetery" and eve
since the desire and purpose has bee
to live pro bono publicOs
The club is non-sectaEum and nor
partisan, and is composed of the etern;
feminine.
AS history is merely a record of deed
driven in the flesh it is only right ths
some of the accomplishments Of tn
Middletown club should be enumerated
There has been annually a sale of Re
Cross Stamps, response by way {
Christrnan checks to the demands of tn
Anti-Tuberculosis society, a contribl
tion to Hope Farm. to the Paine
Home, and to the Town Library
room has been furnished at the w,
mems College of Delaware, money d
uated the Students Loan Fund and Pi
lures given ''The Travelling Picture L
brary." In conjunction with Mr.. H.
Newman. the club was the first in Il
oAAA-Aa .arrcr,d 70 the Enuernnr,s n1