PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CONTACTS 127 



play spirit, but of teaching useful lessons in working to- 

 gether as well. This means of arousing community spirit 

 should be more widely used than it is. In the same way 

 the historical or allegorical pageant has wonderful possi- 

 bilities for community development. Both help to train 

 local talent. They may also be useful in bringing about 

 needed improvements in the community. 



Many persons hesitate to undertake local plays or pag- 

 eants, because they fear that they have not the necessary 

 skill or ability to give them. One does not need to be a 

 professionally trained actor to take part in a simple play 

 or pageant. With a very little study and drill he can take 

 part to his own credit and good and to the advantage of the 

 community. Many suitable plays are available. Some- 

 times local talent is available to write them for the occa- 

 sion. Usually helps may be secured from the State Uni- 

 versity. 



COMMUNITY CLUBS 



No means of personal and social contact is more impor- 

 tant than that in the local grange, farmers' club, union, 

 or other community group which meets regularly for the 

 discussion of local problems or for recreation. This fre- 

 quent meeting at regular intervals, usually in a hall of its 

 own, is a great advantage possessed by such organizations 

 as the grange, which as yet is not as generally enjoyed by 

 farm bureau groups. This vital need must be remedied 

 either by closer cooperation or by local organization of its 

 own if the farm bureau is to function locally. Here the 

 influence of leadership has full play. The finest of con- 

 tacts may be established in such groups and the influence 

 of personalities should be at its maximum. The alert 

 county agent will make the most of these opportunities 

 and see that other local leaders do also. 



