The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-07-04

keepihs up the library, purchase OF
current boks, ETC., in April we had 2
whirl-wind campaign to obtain books
and money with which to purchase
other books to ill the shelves of ifs
new home, toward this the Civic
League contributed $4,000. We re-
ceived about $4,000 in money, and
several hundred dollars worth of ex.
cellent books. We expect to move
into the beautiful new building next
month and hope that the interest
which we may have created, or kept
alive. during these past years in our
modest quarters, may grow and bios.
som like the rose.
A special committee has been Mt
work from the League to get up q
suitabel tribute to the memory Of
Miss Dulcie Noise, the founder and
first president of the Civic League.
and always an ardent worker, especial
ly along library lines. This commit
tee decided upon q marble and bronze
tablet to be placed at the entrance of
the library. The money necessary for
this has been raised by subscriptions
from her friends.
The playground committee, under
its efficient chairman, Mrs. /. c.
Strauss, has done much work during
the year. having had as their aim, the
establishment Of permanent play
grounds. Up to the time Of the en-
trance Of our country into the war
we had hoped to accomplish this, hav
ing the promise Of over 100000 to-
wards the purchase of q suitable lot.
But in consequence of present condi-
tions it was deemed unadvisab BILE to
push such expenditure. The contin-
gency has been very happily met,
however, through the kindness of the
Board Of Education. who have loaned
the grounds at the Calhoun Street
High School for this purpose. At
present the public Fairgrounds are in
full operation, and in charge of a
trained supervisor. who with much
volunteer assistance from those inter-
ested in this work, hold morning and
afternoon hours there. and are the
means Of giving pleasure to an aver
age Of 100 children at a time.
The Civic Improvement Commit
tee has been somewhat handicapped,
and on the other hand much assisted.
by the street paving which was done
here last year. Certain plots and
places that they had planned to work
upon have been taken over for pres
ent or future work, and on the other
hand, the appearance Of the town has
been improved one hundred per cent.
and we have no doubt that much CT
Ttae Improvement in health conditions
Is due to better drainage and the lay
ing Of so much dust. Our committee
was instrumental in having the Coun-
ty Commissioners legislate against the
parking Of cars on the Court House
grounds. and having an appropriation
made for work upon the trees on said
grounds. Being unable to get suf-
ficient assurance from the Atlantic
Coast Line Railroad that they would
not interfere with our work on the
triangle at the foot of Main street, we
have done no work there this year,
but hope to accomplish something in
the near future. Much garden seed
has been given out to poor children
unable to procure it otherwise, and
two plant exchange days have been
held. Interest has been aroused
among the school children through
lectures and informal talks, upon the
need Of food production, and several
plots have been taken over by the diff.
ferent classes for gardens, under the
supervision of teachers.
The health committee has kept nj
touch with the municipal authorities
and has accomplished special results
in Improvement made in markets
and the slaughter pens.
The League has responded to calls
made upon it in assisting with the
welcome home given to the boys from
the border; in providing homes for
and helping with the entertainment OF
the Canning Club girls, and in taking
the entire charge Of the Women's De
partment at the County Fair in No
vember. We assisted here on Field
Day. and sent a committee to meet
tho M