Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-09-20

ETHELLE A. GARSIDE
Efficient Head of Women's Depart
ment of Augusta "Y." Through
Been Increased in Scope to Pro-
vide Recreation to Over 200 Wom-
en- and Girls
A remarkable increase in the num-
Der of girls in this city and sur
rounding towns who take advantage
of the opportunity afforded at the
Augusta Y. NJ. c. A. to enjoy the adj
vantages of a gymnasium and SWIM
ming pool has been noted in the past
two years. This has been primarily
due, to the efforts of Miss Ethelle
Garside who took the position of Sec
rotary of the ladies department at
that time and has since bent every
effort to make this department one
of the most enterprising ones at the
local institution.
That this has been accomplished
needs no further proof than glance
about the building on any Tuesday,
this being the day set aside for the
women and girls to enjoy themselves
at the "Y". Splashing about in the
pool, busily engaged with various
sports and exercises in the gymnasi-
UNI and as busy upon the bowling al
leys, will be found girls, girls and
more girls.
Not only do they come from Au
gusta but there are many from Hal
lowell and Gardiner and from the at
tendance already chalked up by the
down river city girls, there is every
indication that they will turn out in
even greater numbers than before.
The total number of girls and wo-
men using the facilities of the "Y'
on a Tuesday is well over 200, with
the larger part of these taking q
plunge in the pool before they leave
the building. There are nearly 200
girls enrolled in the various SWIM
ming classes which are conducted by
Mrs. O'Connor of Lewiston, well
known in this part of the country as
an expert swimmer and a fine teach
er. Mrs. OConnor comes to this
city every Tuesday to conduct these
classes and she finds little leisure
while here.
Bowling Popular With Girls
Ranking even in popularity with
the swimming pool comes the bow
ling alleys where many sof the girls
| and women try their skill with the
can6llepins. The girls have become
SO enthusiastic over this popular
Indoor sport" that for the past two
years they have had Il bowling
league with several teams represent
ing different organizations about the
city and they have developed some
fine BOWERS. Many of the girls go in
for the sport with n determination
to roll some high scores, and strings
of over 100 are not uncommon.
This year the league will enter up
on it's third season with the same
teams that composed it last year and
already the girls are practicing hard.
as every team is determined to get
a hold upon the beautiful trophy
which is offered TO the winner i'll the
league.
In addition to this Mrs, J. T. II.
Bassett and Mrs. Ernest Wade are
now busy organizing married Wo-
mans bowling league which will bowl
in the enrly aft ernoon on other days
of tho week. 1t is hoped that there
| will be four or six teams in this
league and there is every prospect
that this league will appear upon the
~" alleys this year.
May Have Basketball League
Gymnasium classes which are con-
Quoted by Harlan :. Kennedy, the Y.
" G. A. physical instructor, also claim
Il share of the interest of many of the
members OF this department, and much
hcalthful exercise as well as good
deal of fun is secured in the gym.
There is a strong movement this year
to organize a city basketball league
with several teams entered in the COM
petition. these teams to represent va
riouS social and Industrial organiza
tions as in the bowling league. In adj
dition it is hoped that Nolley ball
league may also be started.
The members of the Augusta Girls
Community Clup have found this an
especially fine opportunity to secure
the privileges of gymnasium and
swimming pool. through the generosity
Of Miss Muriel Haynes. Miss Haynes
annually provides memberships enti--
Ting 80 members of the girls club to
these benefits and the class is always
filled to capacity. This club while
participating in these classes never
loses it's identity for a moment, having
| bowling team of its own in the
league and it probably will have bas-
lletball team also.
Besides these activities on Tuesdays
for the women and girls. a special
| swimming class has been arranged for
the married women on Thursday morn
ings. as it has been found that there
are a large number of women who can
come to the building at that time for
a swim.
There is. Of course. a slackening of
activities during the summer months.
but in spite of this fact the swimming
classes are well patronized throughout
| the summer and in addition various
picnics and other enjoyable parties are
arranged for the younger girls.
The work of this department is COM
plimented by all who come to know it.
| The girls of the city who participate
in the various classes realize the ben
efts as well as the enjoyment they arc
receiving from attendance at the Y. NJ.
c. A. even though it be for but one
day a week. while citizens of Augusta
who may themselves never enter the
building notice it through it's influence
upon the girls with whom they come in
contact. the interest the girls them
selves show is one of the tests which
prove beyond a doubt the value of such
department, while it rs distinct as
set to the association itself in several
ways.
Macomber Playground Notes