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 accepting positions in rural 
schools. 
Entertainments to which all members of a community are invited 
are frequently given by rural club women. At Ren wick, 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 hall, 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 x are held in many 
rural places. In Shelby County, Tenn., there were seven such enter- 
tainments 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 
