The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-01-20
WOMAN'S CLUB DEPARTMENT
Report of the Hospitality Committee
January 18th, 1919, by Mrs E. C.
Bennett. Chairman

January llth, 1919 oy MIS- l. u
Bennett, Chairman
Organized hospitality work is
something new in Ocala, and with
such large committee, it was diff
cult for the chairman to decide just
what move to make first.
A meeting was called the first week
in November, with fifteen members
present. Each one was asked TO give
some idea of what she thought the
hospitality committee should go.
Quite a number of splendid ideas
were advanced, all of them pertaining
to the making of Ocala attractive and
comfortable, both for visitors and
those who come here to live.
AS every one was so enthusiastic,
and there were so many things sug-
gested, it was decided best to wait
awhile before planning anything def
mite. After this meeting, the COM
mittee was invited to do things which
kept it busy for awhile. First, the
fair association offered it a booth at
the fair grounds which was to be con-
verified into a rest room for the con-
NCAACnCC VI NASAIOIo " bnC q
committee of ladies to be on duty each
day. The offer was accepted and as
the ladies all entered into the work
with the right spirit, it proved to be
success. A phone was placed in the
booth and it was used as an informa-
ton bureau as well as rest room. The
members of the fair association COM
plimented the work and said that
hospitality" should be a part of the
fair hereafter.
Mr.. c. W. Hunter, president of the
Florida State Fair Association, in
vited this committee to help entertain
the delegates of the National Farm
ers' Congress. Mr.. Hunter original
ed the plan Of a tour of the state for
these people and did everything he
possibly could for their pleasure land
time has proven that this form of
hospitality has meant one Of the
greatest advertisements Mario1s
county has ever had). OF course, the
ladies were delighted to help him,
and as they were only given one
days notice, they had to get to work
the quickest way possible. A COM
Il VI LlGu ndQ DGGu dpHOlnICu W
assist in the entertainment of these
visitors, so the two committees plan
ned their work together and it was
decided that the ladies carry the
wives of the delegates for a drive
around the town and meet the men at
Silver Springs at noon for lunch,
boat rides, etc. The ladies were to
assist in serving the lunch. A tea
was planned at the club house fof
the afternoon and a picture party at
the Temple theater in the evening
The work was carried out as planned
and everyone seemed to enjoy the
hospitality" of Ocala and Marion
county.
| Another meeting was called in
November, at which a letter was read
from the merchants association, Of
fering to cooperate in any way pos
sible with the committee in the worl
it was. undertaking. At this meeting
il was decided that if Ocala is to bs
made attractive and comfortable fol-
visitors a tourist camping grounC
should be provided for the people whc
are passing through our town. i
was also decided that the rest room
be moved to a more convenient place
A committee was appointed to call OF
the city council and ask that this b.
done. The council very readily agrees
TO this plan and provided the camp
ing grounds, had them cleaned, waite
piped to a convenient place, and hai
promised to make other Improvement
if needed. This camping ground i
located in beautiful little oak grow,
one block west of the Florida House
The council also gave the ladies, tn,
privilege of moving the rest room
from its present location to the build
ing on the corner of the civic cente
on which the library is situated, AM
money will be advanced from tn,
|, rest room fund to make the needles
Improvements on the building which
viii be used as a rest room. Thi
committee hopes to have the co
operation of both the civic and JUNO
civic committees in identifying tn
grounds around this buildings
Having been informed by member
: of the board of trade of the demand
for real nicely furnished apartment
and houses i'm Ocala, the Chairman
appointed a committee to see how
many of such apartments could b
found. Very few were available, bu
this viii be part of the work which
this committee will undertake. I
we expect people to come TO Ocala L
spend the winter, we certainly mus
make an effort to find comfortable
rooms for them as they have in othe
towns.
A subcommittee has been forme'
to locate new residents, and they re
, port over thirty new families. An
other committee will endeavor to Civ
} some manner of welcome to these peo
pie. The Womans' Club of Ocala ex
, tends cordial invitation to all new
/ Tcomers TO attend any of the meeting
held at the club house on the first AM
third Saturdays at three o'clock. B.
this means, they hope to become bet