Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-07-12
COMMUNITY
CENTER PLAN
Be SHOWN
Model House and. Play
grounds to be Exhibited
at State Fair.

Fargo. July 12.-Making farm life
60 attractive that not only willsyoung
people stay on the farm but that some
of, the folks from the city will TO-
to the farm. is the, central idea be-
hind the rural community center,
which will be exhibited at the state
fair here, July 1872. 1t will be a part
Of the exhibits by the state agricul-
tural college and will be under the
supervision Of Prof. A. G.. Arvoid.
A statement from the college de-
scribes the exhibit as follows:
The North Dakota agricultural
college will present a typical rural
community center to the visitors at
the states fair here next week. The
fair management has turned over the
old, dairy building and the land ad-
Joining 1t to the Little Country Thea
ter of. the college, to be converted
ground. N'
The buildings are one hat a
be easily duplicated in any country
community In this or any other state:
The grounds are large enough for the
celebrations OF, the average .communi-
ty. The building is 40 feet wide and
60 feet long, with a white exterior and
a green roof. The seating capacity is
about 400 people.
.. lnc ain Ol tHlS community pro-
ject is to stimulate an interest in the
community which are: Athletics of all
sorts, exhibits Of every kind, music.
both vacal and instrumental; public
programs fncluding plays. festivals,
~pageants, addresses, demonstrations,
illustrated lectures, readings and
talks: and social functions. such as
picntcs,.parties, receptions and indoor
socials. In other words, this typical
rural community center, which will be
inaugurated at the state fair this
year. will serve as q medium through
nlunities. will be able to present, their
home talent programs.
Typical Programs Planned. p
Several programs, demonstrative
of what any community car do, have
beer arranged for the fair week. On
Tuesday afternoon. July 49,, at 4
o'clock, a program illustrating ath-
letics. exhibits, music, the drama and
social functions will be presented by
a group of country school teachers
and others Interested In country life.
a picnic will follow the program. On
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday aft
o'clock, the Bergen township Farm
49, 0AS 20
Pekin. N. D., will present Back to
the Farm" a comedy in three acts
by Merkin E. Shumway. The Bergen
Township Farmers club, one Of the
most active in the state, was organ
lied several years ago at the instiga-
ton of County Agent Krist Jensen.
The object. of the club. which has a
membership Of about 800. is to make
the township one OF the most attrac-
<;r,> - ~~n ~ =, - IL: 100 les 81. a. - -: ~.
to live. All of the members are inter
ested in better farming and in the
raising of more and better livestock.
The ten characteristic the play all live
on farms. The total acreage OF these
farms is over 5000 acres. The play
vas originally presented by the cast.
the las week in May, in Matt Hovell's
barn, a short distance from the Ber-
gen School No. 4, where the club
holds its regular meetings. The barn
was packed oAthe caves and between
crowd was enthusiastic in its praise
Of the splendid acting done by the
cast. The acoustics Of the barn were
perfect. The club has already started
a fund for community building
which will be right out in the open
country. The cast of characters.
which is an exceptional one, is as
follows:
Charles Merrill "a farmer Of the
old school)--Martin Stahl.
Merton Merrill CHS sonIrA. u.
Sand. :
Mrs. Merrill (the farmers thrifty
wife)-IAllian Reaen.
Rosemead (the schoolma-am)-
.4raceReaen.
Gus Anderson tthe hired man)-c.
o. Skaalrud.