South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-06-13

The first annual reunion of the
Impromptu club held recently at the
Robertson tea room gives occasion
] for a brief history OF this infiuen-
/ tial organization among the WON
ems clubs OF the city which dis
! banded on June 10. 1919. after 6
/ years of active partic-p patton in the
| club life OF the city.
The Impromptu club was organ
| lied in November, 1900. and be-
came a member of the state fed
Grafton in 1901 and Of the national
federation in 1907. It's name, I'm
promptu," fully describes the man
ner in which the club was formed,
but gives little hint Of the breadth
and depth of it's ultimate develop
ment.
From its first years program OF
current events and readings from
favorite authors. interest along
broader lines developed rapidly, and
with increased enthusiasm on the
part of all the members, the pro-
grams became varied embracing
subjects of a more serious nature.
To amplify and add inspiration,
lectures were secured. and in many
shared with guests invited TO listen
to talks on history. literature, art.
travel. psychology, sociology civic
and many other topics Of deep in
terest.
An entire years program was CIV
en- over 20 household economics and
bacteriology and another to the
study Of child life. with lectures by
the late Mrs Alma Oliver Ware,
and by Miss Ada Hitler and her
assistants Thus did the club en-
deavor 10 round out those influ-
ences which make for best homes.
Nor was this the event OF the
clubs activities. Beginning with an
annual program consisting OF finan-
ciaI contribution to local organized
charities. holiday dinners for the
needy. and fruits and candies for
nearly 100 children OF the city's
the clubs philan-
thropic fund further provided aid
for various state movements. After
general federation membership In
1907 the club also contributed TO
worthy appeals from widely sep
arated portions of the United
Prompt end generous assistance
rendered 20 food sufferers IN CEN
trail Indiana ELECTED from South
Bend newspapers editorial comment
and reference 10 the organization as
the club that does things"
The initiative in medical inspec-
ton and manual training In the city
schools was taken by the Inn
promptu club, and the first parent
teachers club was organized at
Muessel school under its auspices.
II was also among the first in the
field to champion public play
grounds, supervised. With charac-
teristic enthusiasm the club mem
bers entered the Red Cross work and
equalled in their contributions OF
money and personal effort the rec
ord OF any local club Of It's size.
The activities and philanthropies
mentioned by no means represent
the sum total OF the clubs interests
but are taken at random from it's
mem bership OF the club at the time
IL disbanded numbered d, four less
than the maximum limit. or these
five were charter members. includ-
ing Mrs Richard Elbel. who with
Mrs. arthur B. Turner, OF Memphis,
Tenn, took the initiative In organ
tztng the club. During its exist
ence so names were entered upon
its membership roll. Fourteen OF
these women were members OF the
club for nearly the entire is years.
Only two died during active mem
bership.
The club roll at the time II dis
banded included the following
names: Mesdames c. A. Bacon, Nor
man Bleuier. c. p. Drummond.
Richard Elbel, J. A. Freeman. s.
y. Goodman, Clinton Huffman,
CharlAs Kelfner II i Nfillar = Il