The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-04-02
SOCIETY FINDS
THAT IT NEEDS
MORE MONEY
Village Improvement Society
Appeals for Funds
COSTS HAVE BEEN RAISED
This Organization Looks After Vii
Iage Cemetery and Park at
the Entrance
,OSTS HAVE BEEN RAISED

The 34th Annual meeting OF the
Village Improvement society was
held on Tuesday at the home OF its
president, Miss Valentine Of Pleas
ant street. The old board Of officers
was reelected as follows:
President, Miss A. Valentine.
Secretary, Miss Helena No ton.
Treasurer, Mrs. j. NJ. Ayres.
Auditors, Mrs. w. b. Walker and
Mrs. w. ]. Meagher.
Trustees, Mrs. j. S. Holden and
Ms. VIM A. Root.
Following the routine business, a
full discussion of general matters de-
veloped, and survey of the situation
confronting the Society was taken.
Like many another organization do
ing community service Of stated
character, the Vermont Improvement
Society finds itself with financial re.
sou. ces exactly the same as for years
past and the cost Of the work it was
founded to do and is therefore OBJ
liged to do more than doubled.
The care OF the village cemetery
and park it its first responsibility
though 1t aims to do other things just
so far as is possible. Unless this
responsibility is efficiently met year
by year the att active Cemetery Park
on Main street will be an eye-sore, in
stead OF pretty green spot in our
very midst; the cemetery itself will
be unkempt and disg ace to Ben
nington, The stones in lots belong
ing to families not now represented
in town will lean north, east, south
and west without let or hindrance,-
and numbe. less forms of neglect Of
the place OF our dead will speak
loudly against Bennigtnon and its
people. Unless. then. the society's
money resources, can be increased, its
usual work must be curtaiIed to the
point OF serious damage. Those who
stroll through the park on summer
evenings and Sundays. as crowds do,
give little thought, perhaps, TO the
expense and oversight involved in
keeping the stones up and the weeds
and & ass down. yet every household
er knows that 1t is a fight and con-
tinual outlay from May to Nov. to
have home grounds neat and trim.
Ir the years OF old prices for labor
tho 5000 from the town and tho small
dues--ffty cents till this yea. when
they were doubled--from small
membership ba ely kept the Village
Improvement Society able to do its
tasks without appeal to the public,
except G few times. Now this income
is about one half the actual need for
routine work, without dollar for
work outside the cemetery.
/ A review OF the situation led TO
serious talk as to how this desperate
state Of affairs may be emedied so
that the cemetery shall present its
customary appearance Of care and at
tractiveness this season, and 1t was
decided to publish this frank state
ment as a forerunner to concerted
effort to increase the membership
and receive donations. The truth Is,
every Bennington family should have
at least one membership in this socie-
ty especially, Of course, every fami-
ly whose lot is there. Men, women
and children are eligible; two or
three hundred new members would
make unnece ary any general appeal
for funds, which, otherwise, is uh-
avoidable.
This is Bennington's Village Gene
ltery, and self respect and decency de.
mand it's proper upkeep; the fact that
ones family lot Is in one Of the othe
two cemeteries does not at all relieve
a self respecting Benningtonlar
from the obligation to contribute
towards the maintenapce Of this one
Mrs. Louis r, Whitney, Of Union
street is chairman of the membe shil
committee and stands ready to receive
donations eat and small whether
intended as membership dues or a.
gifts to meet the emergency of the
hour. Tho officers, also, are equally
ready; it Is hoped the response t
this statement may be as prompt ant
adequate as the needs are urgent.
Jennie A. Valentine.
Pres. Y. |. S.