davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
FIRE COMPANIES GET $1,000
Kent Levy Court Pays Ia Volun-
teer Companies $500

The Kent County Levy Court
has ordered payment of totat of
$1,000 to the ID volunteer fire COM
panies of the county, making a to-
tai of $4,000 paid them by the
court this year. Each of the COM
panies viii receive $500 under this
action. When the court of two Re-
publican commissioners and one
Democratic commissioner assumed
o;ce last January, it inherited from
the last Levy Court the 1910 obli-
cation to the fire companies, Ern-
est V. Keith, attorney for the court,
explained. The court paid off the
1910 allotment last spring and de-
spite the unexpected burden it i'm
posed on this years funds, it was
able to make the 1941 payment on
schedule. The court assured a del
egation representing the Kent
County All clubs that it will pro-
vide whatever assistance it is able
in the All program as any partic-
ular situation develops.
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
CENTURY CLUB
NAME PROGRAM
Schedule for Ensuing Year
Planned; Copies Mailed
to Members
FIRST MEETING OCT. nth

Mrs. Harley Bodley, Program
Chairman of the Twentieth Cen
tury Club, has completed the
schedule for the ensuing year, and
copies of the program have been
mailed to club women in this town
and throughout the state. Follow
ing is the program for 1941-1942:
October b Regular opening meeting
postponed; Officers and Chairmen attend
ing Fall Conference, Wilmington.
October l7-Public Welfare: Chairman,
Mrs. George Robinson Red Cross meeting
speaker, Mrs. Margaret H. McVaugh, di-
rector of Branches and State Chairman of
Junior Red Cross. Also display of gar
ments made by Smyrna Branch of Red
Cross 2.30 p. m.
November 7-Kent County Institute meet
ing; 10 a. m.
November 21-2.30 D. M: Demonstration,
Mrs. Ethel Hunter, Eastern Shore Public
Service Company; Chairman. Mrs. Arthur
Moffett.
December 5-Open meeting; s D. M
Welcome. Faculty and New Members
Play, In Grandma's Garden" Chairman
Mrs. Howard Deakyne.
December 19-Christmas program Chair.
man, Mrs. George Carter.
January Legislation, Motion Pictures
Chairmen, Mrs. Lucy Conwell. Mrs. Nor
man Shorts.
January 16-Fine Arts Christianity as
experienced in the Fine Arts; music, liter
ature, painting; Chairman, Mrs. Thomas
Russell.
February 6-Public Safety. Chairman,
Mrs. Harvey Wright. Program to be an
nounced later.
February 20 = International Relations
South American Silver Display Chairman,
Mrs. G. Roland Miller.
March 6-American Homes; Demonstra-
ton Wetherill Paints Mr.. Edward Haines
Chairman, Mrs. Glenn S. King.
March 20-Girl Scout Program; Chair
man, Mrs. Francis O'Neill: program to be
arranged and presented by local troop.
April Good Friday; no meeting.
April 1O-1230: Annual Birthday Lunch
con program to be arranged.
April 24-Annual business meeting, 2.30
p. M. flower show, p. m.
May $3.50 p. M: installation of ofic-
ers
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
GIRL SCOUTS ON
CAMPING TRIP
Senior Patrol Visits Redden
Forest Lodge for Week
end Camping Trip
JUNIORS GO THIS WEEK

The first of two autumn camping
trips was made by the Smyrna
Girl Scouts last week, when the
Senior Patrol visited Redden For
est Lodge. The scouts departed
Immediately after school Friday
and returned Sunday afternoon.
Those attending the weekend trip
were Audrey Westfall, Gene Kirby,
Sarah Stevenson, Patsy Carter,
Nancy Wilson, Frances Ann Davis,
Betty Russell, Jean Ellen Russell,
Margaret Springer, Wanda Jenk-
ms, Irene Moffitt, Sylvia Harris,
and Lorraine Donovan. Miss NAL
vina Stevenson, assistant leader of
the Girl Scouts, was director of
the camp, assisted by Mrs. Thomas
Russell, leader of the group, Miss
Mildred Reynolds, an6 Mrs. Francis
O'Neill. The Junior Patrol will
make the same weekend trip to
the Lodge this weekend. Members
of the Senior Patrol participated in
a program of activities, including
trail laying, treasure hunts, tree
identification, nature study, social
and folk dances, games, shadow
graph plays, and handicraft.
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
STATE LEGION
NEW OFFICERS
Installed at Dover Last Week
Everett E. BOrtOn, New
State Commander
PRAISE EHINGER'S WORK

Retiring State Commander
George Ehinger installed new Of
ficers of the Department of Della
ware, American Legion, in Legis-
lative Hall, Dover. They are: State
commander, Everett E. Borton;
first e-commander, James H.
Campbell; second e-commander,
James R. Webb; historian, William
E. White; chaplain, the Rev. G. A.
Burslem; adjutant, Inkerman
Bailey; finance officer, William R.
Marvel. Due to ill health, William
Tillson asked to be relieved of the
office of sergeant-at-arms. At an
executive meeting Theodore Sim
mons was named to the post. Past
State Commander Samuel Green
presented Mr.. Ehinger with a past
department commanders badge
and lapel button. He also praised
Mr.. Ehinger's work as command
Ier. Among other speakers were
George D. Hill, national executive
committeeman; John c. KERN, for
mer adjutant, and Mrs. ]. Paul
Green, representing the state aux
iliary. A poster from the U. S.
Treasury Department was exhibit
ed.
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
CLAYTON CLUB MEETS TODAY
Century Clubs First Meeting a
Drive For Membership

The Clayton Century Club will
hold its first meeting of the new
year at 7.30 p. M, today, October
End. Mrs. Malcolm Burris, presi-
dent, will preside and have charge
of the program. A special drive is
being made to bring in new men,
bers and several new members will
be received into the Club Thursday
evening. On Monday, September
10Th the Executive Board met at
the home of Mrs. R. w. Slaughter
and made plans for the coming
year. Mrs. Slaughter, Chairman of
Program, read the program and it
was approved by the board and will
be sent to each member as soon as
possible. On Friday, October 3rd,
members of the executive board
will attend the State luncheon
meeting at the Y. w. c. A. in Will
mington. Those planning to attend
include Mr.. Malcolm Burris, Mrs.
r. w. Slaughter, Mrs. Harry Bos-
tick, Mrs. Carroll West, Mrs. Har-
vey Boggs, Mrs. Ernest Davis, and
Mrs. Richard w. Comegys. Two
new committees have been created
by the President and Board, and
Chairmen have been appointed:
National Defense, Chairman, Mrs.
Carroll West and American Citi-
zenship Chairman, Mrs. Ernest
Davis. A flower show will be held
on October 9th at 7.30 p. m.
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
NEW ENTRANCE
WCI BUILDING
Architects Will Furnish Insti-
tute With Designs of
Colonial Period
SEEK LIVING QUARTERS

AS part of the plan to improve
the old Wesley Collegiate Institute,
designs will be submitted for en-
frances in keeping with Dover CO.
lonial architecture. The architec-
tural firm of Wenner and Funk,
Philadelphia, made survey of the
building and will submit drafts of
new entrances, as we'll as for the
new chapel, for the approval of the
committee and the institute trus-
tees. The building has two en-
frances, one for the boys on the
east side off the State Street cam
pus and the other for the girls off
Fulton Street on the south side of
the red brick structure. Both of
the first floor entrances would lead
into large Railways. The hallway
on the boys side leads back to the
spacious dining room. On one side
of the corridor would be a lounge
and on the other the presidents Of
fee. Along the hallway at the
girls entrance are classrooms. Be-
cause of the high outside steps the
Railways are dark and unimpres-
sive, a condition which would be re-
moved by first-foor entrances.
Seek Living Quarters
The building committee, has in
vestigated several possible loca-
tions for rent or purchase as resi-
dence for the president of the ac-
credited junior college to be opened
in the institute building next Sep
tember. The Rev. DR.. Arthur j..
Jackson, Wheeling, w. Va, recent
ly-elected president of the college,
is expected to arrive in Dover with
in the next two weeks to start his
duties in preparation for the open
ing.
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
BOOSTER NIGHT AT GRANGE
Two Hunred Persons Hear State
Grange Officer, A. b. Thomas

Approximately 200 people attend
ed the annual Booster Night of the
Smyrna Grange last Thursday
night. The speaker for the even
ing was State Overseer A. Bailey
Thomas who delivered a talk on
Boosting the Country, Home,
Church and School," The program
was as follows: Reading, THE
Way of Life" Agnes Moffitt; read
ing, National Masters Booster
Night Message" Mrs. Bason quar-
tette, Mrs. Mary H. Fleming, Mrs.
Helen Deakyne, Harry Johnson,
Robert Deakyne, speaker, A. B.
Thomas; group singing; recogni-
ton of Past Masters, 25-year men,
bers and 50-year members. Re-
freshments were served by the
committee in charge. The program
this week is to be a horse show
and each member has been asked
to bring a picture of horse.
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
CIVIL UNITS AID
JOB CAMPAIGN
Clearing Committees" Will
Aid Draft Boards to Reem-
plOy Returning Soldiers
INCLUDE CIVIC LEADERS

Clearing committees" composed
of business, labor, and civic leaders
in various Delaware communities,
will assist the unemployment COM
mitteemen of selective service
boards in obtaining jobs for return
ing soldiers, sailors, and marines,
Gen. William Berl, Jr., state draft
director, announced. The cases of
ex-servicemen whom the local
board is unable Immediately to
place in employment will be refer
red to these committees, being or
ganized throughout the state, he
said. These groups, being fully
conversant with local conditions,
can deal more intelligently and sat-
isfactorily with such problems than
can any outside agency, and with
less disturbance to industry and
commerce, he added. Explaining
the procedure for providing civilian
employment for ex-service men in
Delaware, General Berl said: "All
cases of unemployed ex-service
men, or those who desire new jobs,
are referred by local committee
men to the State Employment Of
flee. This facilitate cooperation by
employers, for they can and should
list their employment needs with the
State Employment Office and state
preference for former members of
the armed forces.
All Soldiers to Report
"All returning Delaware soldiers
are instructed to get in touch with
their local board unemployment
committeeman as soon as they
reach their homes. These commit
teemen will have received data
from our national headquarters
concerning each man-his civilian
occupational skill, training and ex-
perience, and his service record
well in advance of his return and
will transmit this information tc
the State Employment Office. Il
the employment office does not
have an immediate job opening fol
an ex-serviceman, it will advise his
local board unemployment commit
teeman, who then will bring the
case to the attention of his local
clearing committee. Working thus
together, and treating each local
case as a community problem, ii
should be possible to take care of
every man in quick and satisfac-
tory way" The local clearing
committee also will assist local
board unemployment committeeman
in dealing with unusual problems
of former employers of returning
soldiers, General Berl asserted.
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
STUDENT BEFORE ROTARY
Miss Elizabeth Phillips Talked on
Training in Opt0metry

Miss Elizabeth Phillips, daughter
of DR.. V. Lay Phillips, a student in
Optometry at the University of
Pennsylvania, addressed the Smyr-
ma Rotary Club last week. Miss
Phillips talked on her activities as
a student, her training in Optom-
etry, described from her freshman
year up to graduation. Miss Phil
lips said that animals are largely
used by the students in their study,
but in the upper classes, bodies of
deceased persons are examined.
She also discussed various glands
and the nervous system and their
relation to eye diseases. Miss Phil
lips recounted many experiences in
the three years of study. DR.. v.
Lay Phillips was chairman of the
evening. Visitors from Dover,
Del, and Dallas, Texas, were pres
ent. Harvey c. Jones, president,
presided.
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
KENT Al CLUBS
FALL ACTIVITIES
Clubs Prepare For Busy Fall
Social Activities; Hal
lOwe'en Plans Made
HARTLY MEET

With the approach of the Hal
lowe'en seaon, always busy per-
iod for rural social affairs and the
shaping of programs for the new
year, Kent County All clubs vi!ft-
ed by the County All agent, Miss
Helen L. Comstock during the past
week, were with little spare time
on their hands. Securing complet-
ed records, enrolment of new men,
bers and community recreation
programs are occupying the atten-
tion of most of the clubs as a
whole. The Clayton Clodhoppers,
meeting at the public school re-
Gently planned seasons activities,
including the organization of bas-
ketball team which will play in the
gymnasium every Monday evening
after October. A check on the
project reports was made by Will
lard Hickman, local leader, prepar-
atory to completing the years
work by November /. A feature
of the program was the showing
of a sound film in technicolor
"Trees and Homes" by Miss Com
stock. Miss Florence Yetter, coun-
ty home demonstration agent, was
a guest. The Hartly All Club met
at the home of the leader, Mrs.
Carlton King, on Tuesday evening
with the president, William Pome-
chalek in the chair. Reports were
given of the clubs representation
at the Kent-Sussex Fair. The club
discussed the problem of replacing
members who have enlisted for mil
itary service and enrolled in COL
lege. Three prospective members,
Gertrude and Margaret Mitchell
and Betty Storey, were guests. The
October meeting will be a Hallow-
cen party at the home of Louis
Continued on Page Five)
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
'REBEKAHLODGE
NAME OFFICERS
Installation Monday Night of
New Officers; Guests Pres
ent at Ceremony
MISS LOGAN NAMED N. G.

Mrs. Margaret Sharpley, presi-
dent of Rebekah Assembly and her
staff, presided over installation of
officers at the Laura Rebekah
Lodge, No. IL, Monday night. Of
ficers elected and installed include:
Noble Grand, Miss Margaret Lo-
gan; Vice Grand, Mrs. Anna Logan;
Secretary, Mrs. Pauline Pappas;
Treasurer, Miss Anna Lewis. The
following were appointed and in
stalled: Past Noble Grand, Miss
Helen Lewis; Right Supporter to
Noble Grand, Mrs. Alva Nils; Left
Supporter to Noble Grand, Mrs.
Gladys Johnson; Right Supporter
to Vice. Grand, Miss Cora Ford;
Left Supporter to Vice Grand, Mrs.
Mildred Snow; Chaplain, Mrs. Anna
Draper; Warden, Mrs. Edith Riggs;
Conductor, Mrs. Frances Still; Out
side Guard, Mrs. Frances Diacum-
akos; Inside Guard, Miss Mary
Leinberger. Guests were present
from Wilmington, Georgetown, Mil
ford, FELTON, and Middletown. In
cluded were: William E. Matthews,
Jr., Deputy Grand Master and
staff: Joseph Ennis, deputy grand
warden; John Still, deputy grand
secretary; Frank Hynson, deputy
grand treasurer; w. w. Hynson,
chaplain; James Fleming, deputy
grand inside guard, and Ernest
Blendt, outside guard.
Rally at fredericksburg
Federal Lodge, Ma. 35, I. o. o. F.
and Federal Rebekah Lodge, No.
SO will hold a joint Rally, Friday
evening, October 8, at Federals-
burg, Md. A parade of Grand Of
ficers, lodges, bands and floats will
begin on north Main Street at 7
o'clock. Prizes will be given for
the best band, SIS; band from
longest distance, $40; lodge from
longest distance, $5; best float, $40.
After the parade an entertainment
at the High School for the Odd
Fellows, Rebekahs and their friends
has been arranged. A special fea-
ture is a drama entitled "The First
Five, which will be presented by
the Fairfax Lodge, 1. o. o. F., No.
Continued on Page Five)
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
BOND BURNING
BY FIREMEN
Firemen Burn "Debts" in Ger
emOny at Lake Como; Do
yer Mayor Speaker
SPIRIT OF COOPERATION

Cooperation between commun-
tiles as well as individuals, was the
theme of the ceremony of "burn-
ing the debt" by members of the
Citizens Hose Company at Lake
Como on Monday evening. Wal
lace Woodford, Mayor of Dover,
was guest of honor and principal
speaker, and the Middletown Band
gave a concert on the beach before
the program. Clifford Jones, pres
ident, presided over the program
and gave an outline of the history
of the company since its organiza-
ton in the 1905. The Rev. F. M.
Barton, chaplain, opened the cere-
mony with prayers. Mayor r. F.
Corley, in his speech of welcome
said that the firemen are at call
365 days in the year and are indis-
pensable. He introduced Mayor
Woodfond, of Dover, who said that
the invitation to participate show
ed a good spirit between commun-
tiles. "It was significant in these
days to be paying a debt" he said
praising the cooperative effort that
made this possible. Cooperation
is the trademark of Civilization, u
the Mayor stated. He paid tribute
to the men of the past who had vi
sion and to the men of today
"whose heroism of peace goes un-
recorded and un-sung." He further
said that it was an indication of
progress to want new equipment
and gives us faith in the future.
Bond Burning Ceremony
The actual ceremony of burning
the papers was conducted by John
Mannering, a member of the COM
mittee to choose the site of the
Fire House in 1928, and now treas
urer. Frank O'Neal, president of
the State Volunteer Firemen's As
sociation, also spoke to the firemen
and their guests. He reminded
them of Fire Prevention Week be-
binning October and said that it
was the job of firemen to fight
fires and the job of the public to
prevent them. He also said that
he hoped to see 46 other debt
burnings" while in office. There
were about three hundred in at
tendance and the evening was con-
cluded by a clam and oyster bake
at the open-air grill. The carnival
committee had charge of the plans
and included: John w. Jacobs,
chairman, John Mood, Carl Bart
lett, Harper Jones and Clifford
Jones.
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
SMYRNA LITTLE THEATRE NAME
OFFICERS, PLAN BENEFIT PLAY

by Director Jay Davis Jr. Rehears-
ais will start next week, upon COM
pletion of typing the script, the Di-
rector announced. March Hares"
is a fantastic satire on temper
mentalism, written by Harry Wag-
staff Gribble, with cast of eight,
including five women and four men.
The play was produced at Shuberts
Theatre in New York, has been
used by amateur drama groups
throughout the country, and has
recently been revived. The Smyr-
ma Little Theatre will produce this
play for the benefit of the Curtain
Fund, to be used in purchasing a
new curtain and cyclorama for the
Club House stage. The committee
in charge, representing the Twen-
tieth Century Club, the Grange,
the Girl Scout Troop, and the Lit
tie Theatre, will hold a rummage
sale Saturday in the empty store
next to Pyle's Market. Proceeds
will go to the Curtain Fund.
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
RECKLESS DRIVING ARRESTS
Drive Against Speed Continued
Here; Several Are Fined

Hearings were held at the court
of Magistrate Frazier for those ar
rested over the weekend in the
continued drive against reckless
driving and failure to obey traffic
laws Clarence E Handy, Dover,
paid a fine of $40 and costs for
speeding and failure to stop at a
red light; Julian Enoch Leager,
Millington, Md, paid $40 fine, as
did William Leon Hubbard, FELTON,,
and John Smith, Kenton; Albert l..
Hurd, Cecilton, Nd, fined SIS for
parking on the pavement, John o.
Connell, Wilmington, fined for
bucking traffic on the Boulevard.
Willie Ward, Negro, of Savannah,
Ca, arrested in Kenton Hundred
received a total sentence of so
days and was committed to Jail
on three counts: failure to report
accident, operating car without
operators license, and operating an
unregistered car.
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02

Executive officers for the ensu-
ing year were elected at the regu-
lar meeting of the Smyrna Little
Theatre Monday night, and chair
men of various production commit
tees appointed. Serving on the
Executive Board will be Mrs Louise
Hoffecker Burslem, President; Miss
Elizabeth Thornley,, Vice-President;
Mrs. Luther Lapham, Treasurer;
Miss Louise Denney, Secretary;
Mr.. Jay Davis, Jr., Director, and
Miss Blanche Lee, Production Man.
ager. Heading the committees as
general chairmen are Miss Hen
rietta Denney, Properties and Cos
tunes, Miss Barbara Gordy, Make
Up, Mr.. Robert Burrage, Stage
Manager; Mrs. Henry G. Webb,
Publicity; Mrs. Burslem, Tickets,
and Mrs. Glenn King, Assistant
Production Manager. The three
act play, March Hares", selected
for the next production, will be
cast at the meeting next Monday
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
RETRIEVER TRIALS HELD
Meet at Voshell's Pond; Two Smyr-
ma Dogs Are Winners

The Del-Bay Field Trials Club,
Dover, held trials for retrievers
at Voshells Pond, Rising Sun, To-
Gated on the farm of T. H. Ingram.
Judges were Lawrence Thompson
and Austin Smith, both of Dover.
In the puppy stakes, with 13 en-
tries, first award went to Toni, Bill
Holden; second to Nipper, w. l..
Parrot; third, Ben, j. Everett Lof-
land; fourth, Rex, R. S. Mcneil, all
of Dover. In the all-age stake:
First, Dell, R. S. Mcneil; second,
Poochie, Lester Goldsborough,
Smyrna; third, Chris, Joseph Colds
borough, Smyrna; fourth, Polly, B.
R. Slaughter, Dover. There were
nine all-age dogs entered. This
was one of the series of work trials
preceding the final two-days meet
at Woodland Beach, Nov. 1-2
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
DEATH RECORD OF WEEK
William Darrell, so, Dies at His
Home Near Downs Chapel

William Darrell, aged go, died at
his home near Downs Chapel, on
Wednesday, September oath, fol-
lowing a lengthy illness. He is sur
vived by his wife, Mrs. Laura ].
Darrell and the following children,
Mrs. Enrico Gargalli of Philadel-
phia, George Darrell of near Downs
Chapel, Mrs. John Spencer of Clay
ton, Mrs. Roland Smith of Dover,
Mrs. Norman Blendt of Clayton,
Mrs. Roy Jones of Newark and
Miss Maude Darrell of Dover. Two
sisters also survive, Mrs. Howard
Reihms of Clayton and Mrs. Basil
Huselton of Wilmington. Funeral
services were held Sunday after
noon at FAIRIES Funeral Chapel at
2 o'clock with Rev. Kelso officiat-
ing. Interment was in Odd Ftl-
lows Cemetery, Smyrna.
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
ST. PETERS CHURCH NOTES
Rev. Frederick Marx Barton, Rec
tor. Announces Services For Week

ST.. Peters Episcopal Church,
Rev. Frederick Marx Barton, rec
tor, makes the following announce
ments for the Seventeenth Sunday
after Trinity: 10 a. M, Church
School; IL a. NJ, celebration of the
HOLY Communion and sermon upon
the subject of Going Forward
The Presiding Bishop and the Fed
eral Council of Churches, of which
we are members, have designated
this as a day when all Christians
should receive the Communion and
pray for the peace of the world,
and that we may go forward IN
Christian Service. Let us be loyal
to our Country, to our Church, and
to our God. Let us partake OF the
Broken Body and Shed Blood OF
the Son of God praying that we
may be followers of Him who gave
his life for the sins of the world.
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
JUNIOR RED CROSS MEET
Chairmen Meet With Negro School
Faculty; Plan Program

Miss Callie Diacumakos, chair
man, Junior Red Cross, met with
two members of the faculty of the
Smyrna Negro school recently to
arrange the winter program of Red
Cross work to be done by the chill
dren. Miss Inez Burton and j. A.
Taliaferro represented the school.
The plans include the making of
baby layettes, the presentation of
program for Armistice Day, pros
pective program of music for the
veterans at Perry Point Hospital,
and a First Aid class. Miss Dia-
cumakos was the only person from
Smyrna to donate blood to the Red
Cross Plasma Bank in Wilmington
on Tuesday.
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
AIRPLANE SPOTTERS MEET
Bay View Observation Post to Meet
For Final Instructions

Chief Observer George R. Miller
has announced that the Bay View
Observation Post, airplane spoilers
group here, will meet in the Legion
Room for final instructions at 7.30
p. m. Monday night, October 9th.
At this time, schedules for the
Army airplane maneuvers during
the period of october 9th through
October 10th.
Smyrna times., 1941-10-02
ASBURY SOCIAL GROUP
Covered Dish Supper Opens Sea-
sons Activities; Plan Party

The seasons activities of the AS
bury Social Group began last even
ing with covered dish supper.
There were approximately thirty
five members present. Harvey j.
Pollen, president, took charge of
the meeting and new plans were
discussed for the coming year. A
nominating committee was ap-
pointed to report at the next meet
ing, October %, 1941. This meet
ing will be Halloween party, all
members requested to come mask
ed. 1--WE sincerely urge all men,
bers to come out and join the fun,
and new members are always well
come" the president stated.