The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-04-12
MY COMMUNITY LEAGUE
By Bessie Gregory

by Doooio uio4oiy
In the community where | taught,
like all other communities | sup
pose, we had both Boosters" and
Knockers when anything practi-
cally new was introduced.
My superintendent asked me to
organize Community Interest
League" for the purpose Of arous-
ing the interest of the people in the
district.
I talked Ia several Of my patrons
and found they were divided as ]
have said before. The trustee said
they had enough tom foolery' and
found this was true. Teachers
had oragnized moonlight schools and
literary societies, but had made
failures in them and only caused
the pupils to waste their time.
| asked my trustee To let me only
organize the league and have only
one meeting: then il he saw that ii
would be a waste Of time or q non
beneficial organization, We would
stop il then and there without fur
Their loss Ia the school. He finally
consented and we met the second
Friday evening in August Ia ar
range FOR the first meeting.
Several of the patrons, as well
rs pupils. came. some for curiosity
and some to aid in getting il start
ed. | called them to order and ex-
planned our purpose and how we
were To carry on the meetings.
Then we organized, electing a presi-
dent and secretary and appointing
a program committee. was elected
president and was also Ia aid in the
preparation Of the program.
In these meetings we were To
discuss problems that confronted
farmers and farmers wives. and
such things as would interest and
be- of use Ia country people. We a.
first agreed 10 meet every month. n
permitted Ia continue our meetings,
but the Boosters" objected 10 this
and said We should meet. at least
every two weeks. To this all finally
agreed. then we sang a few familiar
songs and adjourned.
We knew the first meeting would
be the pivot on which the
Knockers would turn. and we
could not afford Ia let them con-
tinue to he against il and fail as
former teachers had done.
! wrote notes to some Of the men
who were in favor Of il and sue
cceded in getting two Of them on
the program. The pupils were TO
give recitations and read stories
that they had written in school.
When Friday evening came all
were anxious To hear what we had
prepared to give and by seven o'clock
more people were there than we
had seats 10 accommodate, but they
remained nevertheless.
We began our program with a
song by the audience. prayer by
the trustee. After this we proceed
ed with the program.
When this was ended we opened
the meeting for anyone who wished
Ia speak. The trustee was the first
Ia volunteer. He told how he en-
jOyed the program and said il was
sure the people would be benefited
by coming and was in favor Of con-
tinuing the League. Others spoke
in favor Of the meeting after which
We announced the next program and
adjourned.
was greatly pleased with the
results and resolved TO Keep the
Wheel Rolling
We continued the meetings until
school closed, with good attendance,
the women taxing part, as wen as
men and children.
The following topics are some
discussed by men and women: How
to Raise Wheat" SHOULD Ranges be
HIrnrd? How To Raise Cane and
Make Sorghum" (which Pay Bet
ter Hogs or Cattle?" How TO Raise
Watermclons," The Vaule Of Sun
day School," How 10 Take Care Of
Milk and Butter How To Laundry
Clothes These are only few
among the many.
The pupils wrote themes and read
them at the meetings. Some Of their
topics were: What Flies Do for