Evening star., 1928-06-02
CITIZENS OBSERVE
10th ANNIVERSARY
Woodbridge Group Dedicates
Tree on Birthday of
Association.


several educational and civic leaders as
their guests Of honor, the citizens of
Woodbridge last night turned out en-
nlaSSe TO celebrate the twentieth anni-
versary OF the founding of the Rhode
Island Avenue Citizens Association
The dedicationS of a community tree, a
band concert. an original stage presen-
tauon. community singing and short
speeches featured the program, Laud-
ing the association for its accomplish
ments OF the past two decades, the city
ofhcials joined in the enthusiasm of
the celebration, and before the program
was finished had promised to assist the
community in obtaining a branch pub
lie library, additional schools and new
parks.
The dedication of the tree, young
Norway spruce intended TO serve in
community Christmas celebrations. off,
cially opened the exercises. George S.
Dodge, first vice president of the assoc
ciation. presented the tree which was
recently planted in the triangle at
TTenty-fourth street and Rhode Island
avenue northeast. Calling attention to
the fact that the tree was intended to
serve as a memorial of the association
Dodge turned it over to the Office of
Public Buildings and Public Parks, and
In the absence of Lieut.. Col. y. S.
Grant, Sd, officer in charge. the gift
was accepted by Chester r. Smith. for
mer president of the association.
Band Gives Concert.
The dedication followed a concert
by the Washington Boys Independent
Band on the lawn of the Sherwood
Presbyterian Sunday School Hall and
q parade from the lawn to the triangle
via Twenty-second and Kearney streets.
Returning along Rhode Island avenue
after the dedication. the paraders found
the Sunday school hall already filled to
capacity and the public was welcomed
by Meredith c. Wilson, president of the
association
Addressing the assembly in the hall,
Commissioner Proctor l. Dougherty
suggested marker be placed at the
tree. Col. William B. Ladue, Engineer
Commissioner. praised the citizens as
sociatton movement as an aid to city
officials in understanding the sentiment
OF each community. He told the resi-
dents progress had been made in
acquiring property for an addition to
the Langdon School and expressed the
hope that the community would have
junior high school within short
time
Promises More Parks.
Mai. Carey H Brown in bringing
greetings from the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission prom
1sed TO say It with parks"
Assistance of the citizens in es.ab-
fishing a night school In the new
Mckinley Technical High School was
solicited by Asst. Supt. OF Schools Walter
3. Patterson. James G. Yaden. presi-
dent Of the Federation Of Citizens
Associations. extended the congratllla-
fions Of the federation and asked In
return the continued cooperation Of
the Rhode Island Avenue group. Ralph
L Thompson Of the Public Library
asserted he expected funds TO be avail
able for branch library In Woodbridge
soor.
The birth Of the Rhode Island Avenue
C1t1zens Association was reproduced on
the stage by six Of the original ten
members ia q sketch entitled, Wood /
radge-Y yesterday. Today and Toraor- |
row- The association vas organfzed on
1fle rfoni porch Of Schuyler s. Synons !
On May y. 1863, and Mr. SYn1ons.
Charles l. Mendel, Joseph Ashley, Henry
With. Charles Giles and Herman Har-
besS. al Of whom were present on that
oocssaon, appeared Ga Ihe stage last
night.
Past and Future Pictured.
The muddy streets and widely scat
tered houses of Woodbridge 70 years ago
and the modern buildings il is hoped
viii grace the community 10 years
hence wege yisualized in photographs
and lsntegn-slsde drawings presented
b. George r. Goergens. These were
accompanied by q stage presentation IN
which the leading roles we're taken by
1fE- and MrE. A. z. EngefbFecht. Mrs.
Charles WeckeT1y. A. E. cowBez. author
o. the sketch: Miss Alice Moon and
George r. Tucker.
Songs 0f % years ego were sung by
fhk woodbridge Male Quartet. acc1xfa-
panied By Earl Masincslp, and dramatic
readings were given By Mrs. Eva r.
EDFs1rock. Mrs.. Jessie w COgieg. chair
man Of the celebratlon committee led
community singing BY the audience.
Tne guests Included the following
PRESIDENTS and representatives Of other
cstizeTas associations: Marvin M. Ne
Lean. Thomas Y. Lodge. Harry Etn.I. J
MslasTc Hall. }. Clinton Hiatt. A, B.
Cary, w, q. Henderson. William v.
LeHaE. z, L. Turner, Fred Meyers and
C3sfoEo LAnham, superintendent of
trees and parking