Montgomery County sentinel., 1927-07-22

WI OA SSnVVA LuNuSo by hoover.
Miss Maude V. Broome. teacher of home
economics at the Gaithersbure High School.
has received letter from Herbert Hoover,
Secretary of the United States Department
OF Commerce and president of the board
OF directors Of Better Homes In America,
impartine the information that the better
homes project carried out under her gen.
eral direction at Gaithersburs has been
awarded a special prize of $50 for the
best school demonstration in the 1927
national campaign.
Miss Broome conceived the idea that an
old shack, near the Gaithersburg High
School, formerly used for manual training
purposes. could be reconstructed and equip
ped as model home. and with the con-
sent of the County Board of Education the
plan was put into execution.
Most of the work of remodeling the build
ing was done by the boys Of the high
school. who ranged in age from IA to 20
years. The shack was partitioned into
four rooms and a bath, hardwood floors
were laid. the interior was painted two
tones with dark oak trimmings and the
exterior was painted light cream, with
white trimmings. A portion Of the money
was raised by pupils selling candy.
The dining room furniture was purchased
unfinished, serving table was made by
the boys, French door was used in build
ing corner cupboard in the dining room.
some Of the furniture was purchased with
the proceeds of play given by the girls
Of the school and much Of the furniture
was donated by patrons and other friends
of the Gaithersbure school.
The curtains for the entire house were
made by the pupils, the complete fixtures
of the bathroom were donated. the kitchen
floor was covered with linoleum and much
OF the kitchen equipment was purchased
with money contributed by pupils who put
the money they would have otherwise
spent for motion pictures. soda water. ice
cream, etc., into the fund. The pictures
were studies cut from various magazines
and the frames were made by boys of the
school who bought the glass and moulding.
A bookcase and magazine rack also were
made by the boys. The grounds surround
ing the building were beautified. shrubbery
being donated by the County Board of
Education.
In connection with the observance of
Better Home Week, program extending
throughout the week was given In this
practice house" and included lectures,
contests. pageant and other features.
In his letter to Miss Broome. Secretary
Hoover says:
THE Better Homes project carried out
under your general direction has been
awarded special prize for the best school
demonstration in the 1927 campaign. and
Congratulate you and your fellow workers.
THE committee ON awards felt that the
whole project made an unusually strong
appeal to the boys and girls of the high
school. and the others who worked with
you. The low cost at which the project
was carried out. and the fact that there
was no call on the school authorities foE
funds, showed great resourcefulness and
initiative.
II understand that the building is the
first home economics cottage owned by 9
high school in Maryland. 1t should serve
not only as great aid in the home eco.
nomics work of your school. but should
encourage other communities toward simi
lar undertakings.
Progress toward improved housing TO
the country as whole may seem slow Il
some Of US. but our national productivity
is increasing at an amazing rate and Il
rapidly placing more personal and house.
hold equipment within reach of the aver.
age family. At the same time the Better
Homes committees are furnishing splendid
leadership which is encouraging more and
more families to buy and build good look.
ing, we'll built homes. and to make theil
homes more attractive and convenient by
thoughtful study in furnishing and equip.
ping them. Such leadership helps to raise
the general standards and level Of housing
conditions and home life. and helps tC
prevent us as a people from dissipatint
our added resources in obtaining mere
ease or passing pleasures.
"The devoted work OF groups like yours
in Gaithersbure is a great constructive
force and hope it may continue. know
it will serve as an inspiration to others"
James Ford. executive director of Better
Homes in America, also wrote Miss Broome
regarding the award. Among other things
he said:
ut was a remarkable and distinctive
achievement for your committee to have
arranged for the establishment of home
management cottage. and you have done
such an effective piece Of remodeling with
the cooperation Of the school and other
interested agencies. Your unusual pro
gram Of contests must also have had wide
spread educational value. as well as you
lecture program and pageant"
SeCo Theatre-Program.
Eridav InIv % Il oia William and No.