The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-07-22
Il lot kzz1ch -Red Cross

ket ball. There also a social room for pool.
cards. and other games, which is used for
general informal meeting room; committee room,
two rooms for caretakers, two coat rooms. five
baths, toilets. four bowling alleys and heater and
storage rooms. The basement also contains a
well-eQuipped kitchen. The house is entirely self
supporting through the earnings of the recreation
department, the receipts from mOtion-picture
shows. entertainments, dances, card parties pool
tables bowling alleys basketball games, and the
rental of the auditorium for lectures and con-
certs- An average of 500 people the build
ing weekly.
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 schOohouse, old
and dilapidated, had been used a 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 their social
center home.
Inc CLUB naQ nXeQ as It's purpose the better
ment of community life from the social, educa-
tionaI and economic standpoint" and had planned
an ambitious but practical program for its &C
complishment. 1t had enrolled practically every
person in the neighborhOod over sixteen years Of
age elected the usual officers, together with q
board of six directors, who were given charge OF
the carrying out of the building plans. and ap-
pointed committees sanitation, education, civic
Identification, and recreation
After the proper guaranty of its future for
81 ofc1
induced to give indefinite lease Of the grounds
and building to the cooperative club, the county
retaining title Then began a fine example OF
community cooperation in public work. The
grounds, two acres in extent, were 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 a pleasant ap-
proach and beautiful setting for their home Ap-
preaching roads were laid out, the grounds were
IeveIed 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 wei was Dug
and pump installed
The building was neatly painted without and
within, rugs, shades, and curtains placed, floors
wsxed and the walls hung with appropriate pic
tures The furniture installed included number
Of easy chairs several dozen folding chairs, q
library table, bookcases, a heating stove, an oil
stove several dining tables, a kitchen cabinet,
china and glassware, cutlery, and kitchen uten-
sis The building is Of cottage form, story
high and is provided with entrance, hall, 8 by
20 feet, used also as a library and reading room /;
an assembly hall d by 40 feet, with stage and
q dining room and kitchen of the same size The
plant is valued at $500 and is a signal monu-
ment to community spirit and practical neighbor-
hood cooperation and a fine example Of what
may be accomplished IN a rural community OF
limited financial resources.