Imperial Valley press., 1942-09-15
ON THE FRONT
IN THE VALLEY

The marines in question had
made a beeline for the canteen, in
trcduced themselves politely, shown
their credentials so that Mrs. Vize
might be assured. Being used to
requests for anything from shaving
soap to securing hotel accommo-
dationS for visiting wives and
mothers, Mrs. Vie was not SUR
prised but promptly called Mrs
Percie Thacker who set to work.
BY tbs four dates were secured
for the four marines and everyone
had a good time.
All sorts of requests are received
by the workers at the canteen, from
mailing laundry to advice to the
lovelorn - serving cookies, fruit
juice, coffee and tea really being
a sideline some of the time.
The canteen is open every after
noon and evening as clubroom
for the service men with the eX-
ception of Sunday when it is open
all day and is operated by the citl-
zens of Ell Centre, with women OF
the city as volunteer workers. NO
salaries are paid except a small
one for janitor service. The Ell
Centro Servicemen's Recreation
Council, composed entirely of local
citizens, through a drive conducted
last spring in the city, supplies
the necessary funds for mainten-
ance of the building
Cookies Donated
HomemakerS of the community
supply cookies, obtaining sugar from
the canteen, and other residents
have contributed fruit, and all sorts
of other foods for the use of the
canteen. Furnishings were donated,
in fact everyone is so interested
in helping the service men that the
canteen's expenses are relatively
light.
Local date growers are contrib
uting dates, and any woman having
twopound glass coffee jars or SIM
liar containers which she is willing |
to donate is asked to leave them !
at the canteen on Main ST. between !
Sixth and Fifth streets.
No charge is made for any food !
served at the canteen and in addl-
ton to serving food the canteen
offers various types of recreation
on ping pong tables, piano, radio,
monographs, magazines, books, and |
a place to write letters. Strangely !
enough, despite the music from juke |
boxes, radio, phonograph or piano |
that is going on constantly, the cam
teen seems to be a favorite place !
for writing letters home. /
Cookies are welcomed at any
time, and any homemaker who is
baking a batch of cookies is asked
to increase her recipe just little
and send the extra cookies to the
canteen.
Well PatrOnized
In the hot weather the canteen
proved a godsend to many of the
boys. not only those on duty here
but the many who travelled through
the valley and also those stationed
in the Indio district. 1t offered them
a COOL restful place of their own,
and while many doubted the wisdom
of keeping open during the sum-
mer, it was proved beyond doubt
that the canteen was more than
worthwhile. Volunteer workers re-
mained on duty throughout the
hottest days and hundreds of gal
Ions of fruit juices and iced tea
we're consumed.
One of the most welcome fea-
lures of the canteen is the free
showers, made available through
the courtesy of Mr.. and Mrs. P.
H. Judd, so that visitors may have
a refreshing bath and shave If they
wish them.
With the coming of fall and the
completion of the various bases,
canteen workers anticipate an in
creased demand for their services
and may have to open the building
in the mornings. Women who will
be willing to work at the canteen
when needed should communicate
with Mrs Percie Thacker, telephone
9l6, who is in charge of hostesses.
RED CROSS MEETS
Members of the camp and hos
pital service committee for the Ell
Centre chapter of the American
Red Cross will, leave Wednesday
to attend council meeting in Bal
boa Park, San Diego. The COM
mittees from the two counties form
a council and discuss joint prob
lens concerned with the camp and
hospital service work T.
This Ell Centro chapter committee
has done marvellous piece of work
in arranging recreation for the
men at Camp Seeley and through
its efforts camp leisure hours have
been made decidedly pleasant for
the men.
Members of the committee who