Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1920-07-16

ket ball There are also social room for pool
cards, and other games which is used for
general Informal meeting room a committee room,
Two rooms for caretakers. two coat rooms, i've
paths, toilets, four bowling alleys, and heater and
storage rooms. The basement also contains a
Well-equpped kitchen. The house is entirely self
supporting through the earnings of the recreation
department, the receipts from motiOn-plcture
SHOWS, entertainments, dances, card parties pool
tables, bowling alleys, basketball games, and the
rental of the auditorium for lectures and con-
scerts. An average of 800 people use the build
ing weekly
Two problems faced the people of Woodstock
living in the open country far from town rail-
way, in Shelby county, Tennessee. They were
animated by strong desire for the betterment of
community life. cooperative club had been
formed but there was no adequate meeting place,
no building whose arrangement would lend itself
to the successful carrying out of their plans
Moreover, these farming people could not COM
mand funds sufficient for the erection of such a
building.
The second problem was what to do with their
tworoom schoolhouse, abandoned through CONSOLE
dation, the pupils being transferred several miles
to the new building. The schoolhouse old
and dilapdated, had been used as gypsy camp,
and the school authorities had offered it for sale
for $780,
Both problems were soon solved by the decision
of the club to secure control Of the old building,
and to reconstruct and equip it as their social
center home
The club had fixed as its purpose "the better
ment of community life from the social, educa-
tiona and economic standpoint" and had planned
an ambitious but practical program for its ac-
complishment 1t had enrolled practically every
person in the neighborhood over sixteen years Of
age, elected the usual officers, together with a
board of six directors, who were given charge OF
the carrying out of the building plans, and APP
pointed committees sanitation, education, civic
Identification, and recreation.
After the proper guaranty Of its future use for
civic welfare the county school officials were
induced to give an indefinite lease of the grounds
and building to the cooperative club, the county
retaining title. Then began fine example of
community co-operatior in public work. The
grounds two acres in extent put into con-
dition and the building reconstructed, entirely
through voluntary effort. Some gave lumber,
some labor, some material, some equipment. All
took part.
The club realized the value Of pleasant APP
proach and beautiful setting for their home. APP
preaching roads were laid out the grounds were
leyeled and drained, trees both useful and orna-
mental were planted weeds were destroyed, and
gravel walks were laid, leading in various direc-
TONS At the front of the house beds of fragrant
flowers were planted AS an aid to their future
club work in experimental agriculture, the vacant
space in the rear was planted to vegetables and
berries In connection with this a well dug
and pump installed.
The building was neatly painted without and
within, rugs, shades, and curtains placed, floors
waxed and the walls hung with appropriate pic
lures The furniture installed included number
of easy chairs, several dozen folding chairs,
library table bookcases, heating stove. an oil
stove several dining tables, a kitchen cabinet
china and glassware, cutlery, and kitchen uten-
sils The building is of cottage form, one story
high, and is provided with an entrance, hall, by
20 feet used also as a library and reading room ;
an assembly hall 81 by 40 feet, with stage, and
plant is valued at $1,000 and is signal monu-
ment to community spirit and practical neighbor-
hood cooperation and a fine example of what
may be accomplished in rural community Of
limited financial resources.