Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-11-19

a gymnasium. shower baths, ETC., and
ail other necessary equipment, at a
cost of approximately $4,000.
The following February a drive for
FUNDS was made which resulted in the
raising of $4,000. 1t was understood
that this money was to be used to pay
the expenses of remodeling the build
ing and running the club for one year.
MOI only was the cost paid, but by
careful management the club was run
Tor two years instead of one on the re-
naming $1,000. The past year the
BOARD of directors purchased the build
ing from the Waterville- Winslow
chamber of Commerce for s17,4OO, and
the tltle is now vested in the Water
Vile Boys Club.
Inc approximate cost of maintain
ing the club is $500 a year, and now
.he time mas come, if the good work
is TO be Kept up, to seek aid from the
trends OF the boys. The club has
round warm place in the community
life of Waterville and the public ap-
preclates what is being ACCOMPLISHED.
Words of gratitude that come to the
of1iceof the club from parents would
indicate this to be true. vet many do
not realize the scope and growth of
the club.
Starting as 1t did December -. 1924.
with no membership at all, it would
seem to be proof sufficient of it's popu-
iarlty when the records show that
since that time 1926 boys have Joined
ana paid due to the club. The lads
come from every type of home, the
rlch ana the poor. And to a great
many the 25 cents g. year for dues
comes very near being a hardship. To
others the money Is of small conse-
quence. But the club means more to
all the boys than mere money terms
can express. For the club makes 1t
possible to gather under one roof a
cosmopolitan gathering of Youngsters
such as could hardly be found else
where.
Since the club was organized the
records show a total attendance of
o0,608, giving a daily average of 900.
This means that boys in 50,6OS in
stances have done big part of their
playing in wholesome environment
and under the careful supervision of
experienced men in charge of the club.
The records of the gymnasium show
an attendance of 22,S92. Six basket
ball teams are being organized which
Will include boys from the ages of 10
to II. To give an example of the cali
Der of the boys and the training they
receive, 1t might be mentioned that the
seniors out of Is games played were
never defeated.
In the winter all kinds Of games
claim the attention of the boys. Carom,
checkers, pool, etc. And then the
reading room and the music in the par
Tor, and occasional parties and sup
pers and what not The last Halloween
party was a great success, 500 boys
attending. SO Of whom were dressed in
costume.
All these things are mentioned to
show what the club is doing. 1t is a
live, active, growing institution, and
well worthy of the full support of the
community, which indicates general
interest in the club. If it were backed
only by a few rich men it could never
attach itself to the community close
ly enough to arouse much enthusiasm
But with the entire city behind it
o Boy! What a place for boys.
And under the plans of this drive
1t has been arranged that whatsoever
donates 50 becomes a member and
may have voice IN the annual cleo
ton, and disposition of other mat
tiers. Those who donate larger sums
are to be enrolled as sustaining mem
bers.