WOMEN ^S RURAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR ACTIVITIES. 11 



of Rural Clubs in Grand Junction, Colo., provided funds for the 

 equipment for manual training in one rural school and for domestic 

 science in another, the school trustees agreeing to provide the rooms 

 and the instruction in both instances. In a rural community in 

 New England, club women taught sewing to the children after school 

 so successfully that in the latter part of the year time was given 

 during the school day for this work, and provision was made for 

 paying for such instruction from public funds. The Pettis County 

 Home Makers' Club, a Missouri rural club of nearly 200 women, was 

 instrumental in introducing domestic science into 10 of the rural 

 schools in that county. Women's organizations in a number of 

 Western States have promoted the building of homes in connection 

 with country schools, in order that adverse boarding conditions in 

 the country might not deter teachers from acceptmg positions in rural 

 schools. 



Entertainments to which all members of a community are invited 

 are frequently given by rural club women. At Renwick, Iowa, these 

 take the form of evening socials for the entire family, more than 100 

 attending. In another locality an annual picnic is held, to which 

 everybody is invited, each county club contributing to the general 

 entertainment; the Midland County Club, for instance, agrees to 

 furnish a tableau representing the Thirteen Colonies. Sometimes a 

 club secures a speaker to give an evening address in the church, in the 

 Grange haU, or in the community building. Amateur theatricals and 

 rural pageants, such as the one held in Thetford, Vt., are arranged 

 for by rural club women. In one county an annual hunt is held; two 

 leaders choose opposing teams and a score card is planned to encourage 

 only the killing of farm pests. The women join in the hunt and pro- 

 vide the dinner. Community Christmas trees ^ are held in many 

 rural places. In Shelby County, Tenn., there were seven such enter- 

 taiimients one year. The trees were trimmed by the school children 

 with homemade decorations. The programs consisted of the singing 

 of Christmas carols, Testament reading, and stories told by the older 

 people of their first experiences at Christmas. Those born in foreign 

 lands told how Christmas was observed there. 



Community singing has found general favor. The Farm Women's 

 Club of Edmond, Okla., started community singing in the school- 

 house. A competent person to direct and a suitable place for meet- 

 ing appear to be the chief requirements. Club songbooks and official 

 club songs frequently develop a social spirit. 



The interest in rural history, which some rural clubs are promoting, 

 helps to develop community life. Members of the Women Farmers' 

 Club in Missouri, living in adjoining counties, arranged for markers to 



1 See report entitled "Community Christmas Trees," published by the Pan-American Union, Washing- 

 ton, D. C. 



