In commemoration of its 35th anniversary, Mrs. George. Woodard, through her diligent and untiring efforts, compiled the history of the Norwood Mothers' Club. Numerous hours were spent in reading through the secretary's and treasurer's reports as well as publicity reports through the years. There has long been a need for a record of this type and Mrs. Woodard has performed a great service by compiling these facts.
This history was presented with its attending costumes, music and frivolity at the March meeting with many past presidents in attendance. These past presidents and former members as well as many others helped to supply the facts and costumes necessary for the presentation. This is the second of three installments.
The annual meeting In 1928 was held at Weber Duck Inn in Wrentham on Saturday, May 12, and Mrs. Arthur Hartwell was elected President. During her term of office, Mrs. Hartwell wrote a Prayer for Mothers and it is included in this history in her memory.
A PRAYER By Maude Ray Hartwell
"Teach us mothers how to pray, How to work and how to play, How to laugh and bravely live, How to give — and give — and give
How to comfort, how to heal How to think and plan and feel! All the pain and all the joy Of our priceless girl and boy."
The opening of the 1928-29 seaion took place on Wednesday, October 3, 1928 with the largest attendance ever experienced by the club. The Chairman of the Membership Committee informed the club that sixty new members had joined, and among them were a number of school teachers. Several innovations in the regular year's Program were announced and outstanding among these was "Fathers Night", which took place on Wednesday evening. November 7, 1928 in the Parish Hall of the Universalist Church The Kings Daughters served the supper.
According to the newspaper clipping of the affair, "Fathers Night — will go down in club history as an event that may not be omitted " Community singing was one highlight of the evening, the other being the speaker, Mr. Robert W. Kelso, who gave a very interesting talk on "The Disappearing Home" About 125 mothers and fathers were present and they were unanimous in pronouncing the evening a great success.
A Movie Committee was formed in January, 1929, and it was decided to present an approved list of pictures for the members each month.
The February meeting took the form of a trip to the State School at Wrentham. The Annual Meeting was again held at the Weber Duck Inn in May, 1929. At this meeting, the Mothers' Club endorsed the appointment of three members who. with three members from the Norwood Women's Club: formed a joint committee to arrange for the establishment of a Habit Clinic in Norwood. They must have worked very hard indeed, as the announcement of this clinic was made at the first meeting of the next season.
The speaker for the first meeting of the 1929-30 season, Dr Oliver A. Cooper, Assistant Director of the State Division of Mental Hygiene, came to Norwood to explain the functions of the Habit Clinics and he announced that through the efforts of the Mothers' Club and the Woman's Chib, Norwood was to have one □f these clinics within a very few weeks. The Trustees of the Norwood Hospital generously offered facilities there for the use of the clinic, which was entirely state-supported.
Announcement was made of a course in Child Psychology, and at the November meeting it was announced that 90 members were enrolled in the study class.
Miss Alice G. Albee, Educational Secretary of the Florence Crittendon League gave a most interesting talk on the work of the League at the December 1929 meeting This talk was illustrated by the cinemascope. At this meeting it was announced that there were 140 paid members.
This year all meetings were held in Odd Fellows Hall and then refreshments were served at Fraternity Hall.
In January, an original and artistic revue. "Glorified Mother Goose of 1930", was presented at' the Junior High Auditorium.
At the February meeting, an appropriation of $50.00 for the Milk Fund was made, with the understanding that more would be given later.
The Habit Clinic that had been established through 'the efforts of the Mothers* Club was held every Friday morning at nine o'clock at the Norwood Hospital as long as there were patients. There was no fee as those in charge of the Clinic were employed by the State The Clinic was meant particularly for children from 2 to 8 who presented any misbehaviour problems.
The annual luncheon was held May 6. 1930 al Weber Duck Inn. The speaker, Dr. Cottrell, Assistant Superintendent of the Medfield State Hospital gave a short address explaining a Mental Hygiene Clinic for older children and adults which they hoped to establish In Norwood.
At the annual meeting the club voted to give an additional $75.00 to the School Milk Fund Mrs. Herbert Johnson was elected President.
At the first regular meeting of the 1930-31 season, announcement was made that the Habit Clinic was again taking up its work and that the new Mental Hygiene Clinic for those from nine to ninety was being held on Tuesday afternoons from three to four-thirty The speaker for the afternoon was Mrs. W, A Bedford of William Filene's Sons Co. Her subject was "The Educational Value of Play" Toys of every description from animal dolls and games to an electric stove were exhibited to illustrate her point that since play is the chief characteristic of childhood it is the natural way to teach. Today, of course, many toys are listed as educational toys.
The speaker at the next meeting, Mrs. Jennie Loitman Barron of the Boston School Board, had as her subject "Is Anything Wrong With Our Schools?", * question still being asked today
In December, 1930, Miss Margaret Slattery', a nationwide authority on boys and girls, spoke on "What Is Right With Modern Youth'" Remember this was over 25 years ago.
January 0, 1931 was guest day and over two hundred people Were entertained in Odd Fellows Hall by Mrs. Isabella Taylor, a reader, who presented "The Royal Family" by Edna Ferber.
The outstanding event in the Mothers* Club program for the season was the Fathers' Night Supper. 150 people attended the supper in the Congregational Church, entertained themselves with community singing and then listened to Dr. Abraham Myerson, Professor of Neurology at Tufts College Dancing in Pingree Hall was enjoyed afterwards.
Two delegates were sent to a Youth Conference at the Hole! Statler in Boston on March 11, 12, 1931 The club also voted to send $50.00 to the Schoo! Milk Fund The scheduled speaker for the March meeting was unable to attend as he had been in an automobile accident, so Miss Cora Stanwood Cobb spoke on "Education of the Child thru Nature" Cocoa and crackers were served at the close of the meeting.
The Annual Meeting was held at the Hotel Hixon in North 'Attleboro on May 5, 1931 Mrs. Harold L. Alden was elected President.
In October, 1931, the Norwood Mothers* Club sponsored the movie "Alexander Hamilton" with George Arliss and realized a profit of $90.00.
In November, an announcement was made that the next meeting would be a birthday party, the Club being 10 years old, and that small bags would be passed at the November meeting to be filled by each member with as many cents as she was years old and brought in December to be added to the Club funds. Miss Jane Hewitt gave a brief talk on how books are selected for our library and the care given to books which have come from homes having persons with a contagious Illness in them.
On December 1, 1931 the Mothers' Club marked the 10th anniversary of the founding of the organization Miss Olive Elliot, the founder, and several past presidents were the guests of honor A feature of the occasion was the presentation of a shoulder bouquet of yellow chrysanthemums to each person present.
All during this year the club was providing for daily quarts of milk for babies, upon the recommendation of the District Nurse,-and also contributing regularly and generously to the School Milk Fund. Remember these were depression years.
The meeting of February 2, 1932 opened with the singing of "A Hymn to Mothers'' dedicated to the Norwood Mothers* Club, a song composed by Mrs, Francis Archibald and sung by the members of the Sextette. Here are the words to the Hymn.
HYMN TO MOTHER , By Mrs. Franck Archibald
Our hearts are so full for the love of a child,
Our days are made happy by each joyous smile,
We cherish, protect them and hold them so dear
And pray for right guidance through each passing year.
For each step that they may take, in work or in play
Be patient and helpful and show them the way
So here's to the children through this nation wide!
Be Mothers, real Mothers, and stand by their side.
If there is anyone who has the music or knows where it .ean be found, the Mothers Club would appreciate hearing from them.
Fathers Night on March 1, 1932 was again held in the Congregational Church, where a Turkey Supper was served for $.75 per person. Dr. James Gordon Gil-kie of Springfield was the speaker and his subject was "Modern Young People". Dr. GHkie defended the young people, contending they were not different than the older generation was at the same age. At a board meeting on March 30, 1932, it was voted to reimburse the Woman's Association of the Congregational Church $2.00 for nuts served at the Father's Night Banquet and that nuts served at the annual luncheon be paid for from the treasury.
At the April meeting, the members voted a number of disbursements including $25.00 for Unemployment and $50.00 for the Milk Fund, and also voted that any surplus left over $50 00 In the Treasury be distributed al the discretion of the Board.
The Annual Meeting and luncheon was held May 3, 1932 in the Universalist Church — the price $.50 a ticket. Mrs. Harry F. Howard was elected President.'
For the 1932-33 season, meetings were held in the Parish Hall of the Universalist Church and the rent was $8.00. At the first meeting in October, Judge Emma Fall Schofield was the speaker of the afternoon, and gave a most instructive talk on "Interesting Laws That Concern Our Homes"
The movie "Emma" with Marie Dressier was played as a benefit on November 25, 26, 1932,
The speaker for the November 1st meeting was Carl Schrader, supervisor of physical education for the State of Massachusetts. An interesting point was made when he blamed the present-day problems to conditions and the added temptations Instead of to the young people. Mr Schrader fell that average high school students had too much money and that this gave them a freedom for which they were not prepared Remember the date of this meeting was November 1, 1932.
At the March meeting $50.00 was given to the Milk Fund.
The April 4th meeting was held at the Norfolk Prison Colony. Each member had an opportunity to view the living quarters of the men, the hospital and some of the Workshops in action. Dr. Howard B. Gill, the superintendent, spoke to the sixty members after their tour.
Mrs. Harry Howard was reelected President at the Annual Meeting of the Mothers Club in the Universalist Church.
During the summer preceding the first meeting of the 1933-34 season, much of the discussion of the Board meetings centered around a plan to federate with the Woman's Club as a Mother-craft Department. A special meeting of the membership was held on January 16, 1934 for the purpose of discussing this question. The pros and cons of joining the Woman's Club were thoroughly aired and It was decided that a secret ballot be take'n at the March Meeting On March 6, 1934, a motion was made that the Mothers Club dissolve This motion was seconded and a written ballot taken. The vote was tied which necessitated another ballot and that lost by four votes.
The speaker at the March meeting was Mr. Arthur F. Edes, who was the Boston Radio Program director. Mr, Edes' talk was based on the idea that radio censorship should begin in the home. He said, "If mothers do not like the types of programs that are being given, they should write to the station and not merely complain to their neighbors and friends. It is only by response received from listeners that the station knows ' what programs are appreciated And this is just as true with television today.
The speaker at the first meeting of this season was Mrs. Gertrude Hasbrook, authority on health and child welfare and her subject was "The Home Responsibility for Sex Character Education" The speaker at the April Meeting was Miss Louise A. Bronson who was the dietician at the Boston Floating Hospital. Her subject was "Food and its Relation to the Child". It is interesting to note that these two topics were both included in the program for the 1924-25 season.
At a Board meeting in April, 1934, the President read a letter from the Chairman of the Recreation Committee of the town asking that the Mothers' Club appoint a member to act on this committee. This was done, but the name of that person was not listed in the minutes.
The Annual Meeting was held at the Wellesley Inn After a lobster luncheon, Mrs. Parker Chick was elected President.
During the summer months before the beginning of the 1934-35 season, the Board voted to sign for the Norwood Mothers' Club the pledge card to join the Motion Picture Research Council in Boston At the first meeting on October 2, 1934, a report was given of the Com cil project, and it was voted that the Mothers' Club program for the year would be to educate the community concerning the effect of motion pictures on children and young people and to seek the cooperation of the school authorities and parents in improving the present conditions in motion pictures At this same meeting it was announced that there was to be * class in posture and reducing.
The November meeting was held in conjunction with the Parent Teacher Groups and the Norwood Teachers Club at the Junior High School. The speaker for the evening was Mr. James H Forman, news editor of the Literary Digest. He was working and writing for the Motion Picture Research Council and his subject was "What the Movies Do To Our Children". Mr Forman stated that he had discovered that after a months time, according to his studies, a child will remember 30% of what he has learned In a textbook, while often 90 or 100% of the content of a movie is retained. In his explanation of the contents of the movies, Mr. Forman told his audience that 75% of the movies deal with these three subjects' Love, Sex, and Crime.
On February 1, 1936, departing from their usual custom of holding an annual Fathers''Night banquet and entertainment, the Mothers Club held a cabaret for club members and their husbands. Here is a quote from the Norwood Messenger concerning this event. "The Norwood Mothers' Club will entertain its collective "HUBBY" next Tuesday evening with a cabaret. Thus do times change. Once the word had a very connotation of wickedness— or at least naughtiness, comparable to the night clubs of the prohibition era. But now it is as innocuous as the "movies". And we wish them a pleasant evening."
The evening was a great success. The decorations were carried out in Bohemian taste with bright-colored striped awnings over the windows and bright table covers with a candle on each table. Jwo shows were put on by a delegation of young people, all of whom were employed by the Employers Liability Assurance Corp of Boston.
At the meeting of March 5, 1935, a motion was made and passed that the Norwood Mothers' Club make a cash award for excellence in Home Economics at the Senior High School graduation exercises in June, 1935, the award to be not less than five dollars. The first award was won by Miss Marion Flemming, who Is now Mrs. William Cavanaugh of Walpole. This award has been continued as the Mothers Club Home Economics Award.
In cooperation with the American Legion, the Mothers Club superintended the baby parade event in the July 4th Parade. Barry Hirch, son of Dr. and Mrs. J. M. Hirsch was chosen by the Norwood Mothers Club to repretent their babies in the float used in the parade.
The Mothers' Club aided the Thrift Shop by providing helpers for two weeks in September of 1935 and many other times during these years.
The Annual Luncheon was held t the Verne Inn and Mrs. Parker Chick was re-elected President. The first meeting of the 1935-36 season was held on October 1, at which time over forty new members were welcomed. At this meeting the penny collection was introduced, the proceeds of which were to be used to send cards to sick members and to new babies. This was the beginning of the Sunshine Collection of today. On November 1 and 2, the Mothers Club presented "Winners All a Comedy-Drama with music, with an all-amateur cast, at the Junior High School Auditorium. Expenses of this undertaking were paid from the proceeds and the profit was divided between the director and the club.
At the November meeting, 1935, Dr. Joe Vicent Meigs spoke on certain diseases peculiar to women. He outlined symptoms for detecting these diseases. Dr. Meigs throughout his lecture greatly stressed the point that women should find ' out more about themselves and cut down the death rate and suffering by not waiting for treatment. In January, 1957, the Mothers* Club listened to Dr. James F. Kenny, whose subject was "Early Diagnosis of Cancer in Women and the Current Treatment".
Fathers Night, January 31, 1936 was again a cabaret, held at the Callahan School. The scheme of decorations covered about every phase of sporting life in which gentlemen display an interest.
At the meeting of April 7, 1936, an appeal was made for a crib for the social service project then in progress. An appeal was also made for the placement of a very capable and dependable woman.
The annual meeting and 15th anniversary of the club was celebrated at the Pat-Pan-Eto Log Cabin in Stoughton. Mrs. Sidney Jordan read a most complete history since the founding of the Mothers' Club. But unfortunately, it was not put In the files. Mrs. Raymond MacDonald was elected President.
During the summer at the Board Meetings, it was stressed to have teas for regular meetings just as simple as possible. The speaker for the first meeting was Dr. CraWford O. Smith of Lexington. Dr. Smith chose a very timely subject — that of friendship. He said that in any organization or community there must be harmony in order to build a firm foundation, and become a lasting institution. As we are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Mothers Club, we are proud of the harmony and friendship of its members, old and new. The past 35 years have provided many happy memories for its members.
In line with the announced policy of the board, at the November, 1936 meeting, bouillon and sandwiches were served.
The December meeting was held at the Junior High School. Over a hundred of Norwood's teachers were present to hear Mrs. Mortimer Seabury of the Judge Baker Guidance Center in Boston. Mrs. Seabury presented a motion picture which showed how the Center served children and adolescents.
Fathers Night returned to a dinner dance affair this year of 1937, with a chicken pie dinner served at the Unitarian Parish Hall in Canton for $1 a person, followed by a one act play and then dancing to music by Gerelstel's Harmony Boys.
As it had been announced that this year there would be no "Charity Ball", the Mothers' Club reserved the Junior High School Auditorium for the evening of February 22, 1937 for the "Mothers Club Ball". It was reported as a great success, financially and socially, with net proceeds of 67 dollars.
On April 21, an informal dance was held at Social Hall at $1.00 a couple. A report showed that 40 couples attended and were served ice cream and cookies. Receipts equaled expenses.
At the annual luncheon held 'at the Weber Duck Inn, on May 4th, 1937, Mrs. Raymond H. MacDonald was re-elected President.
On October 5. 1937, Mrs. Albert B. Carter gave an informal talk about modern mothers. Mrs. Carter said: "There is nothing so tiring, nothing so depressing, nothing so discouraging, but nothing so grand and beautiful as a woman who brings up two or more children and keeps them out of the penitentiary.
At the November meeting, the treasurer reported the sum of $390.12 In the treasury and also reminded the club members that a fine of $.25 was to be levied if the dues were not paid on or before the November meeting.
A report on the 2nd Mothers' Club Charity Ball, held February 22, 1938 showed a profit of $.75, and this was the last such ball held by the club. The program Chairman introduced Mrs. Bedford, a childrens stylist from Fi-lene's, whose topic was "Growing, up With Clothes". Together with her talk there was a style show — models being the children of club members. At this meeting, Miss Sylvia Koose, local (field secretary for the Norwood Campfire Girls spoke to the club on the Campfire Program, and ten of the Campfire Girls gave a demonstration council fire. One of the girls taking part was Marjorie Bodge, who in 1941 became the first winner of a scholarship fund established at the next meeting.
In March a motion was made and passed to set aside each year the sum of $25.00 to start a scholarship fund to terminate every fourth year, making a total of $100.00.
On March 16, 1938, the Mothers Club members made a tour of the Childrens Hospital in Boston.
The Annual Luncheon was again held at the Weber Duck Inn, and Mrs. John Rizzo was elected President.
At the first meeting of the 1938-39 season on October 4th, in accordance with a decision of the board, tea- was served at 3:00 p.m., before the business meeting, and this policy was continued for several seasons. A barn dance was held in October, and the club took a trip to the Home for Little Wanderers on November 9th. In December, a Christmas party for the children took the place of the regular meeting.
In January, the guest speaker was Mr. Lester A. Dearborn, Chief Consultant of the Massachusetts Society for Social Hygiene and his subject was "Marriage Adjustments". In, March the speaker was Dr. Henry Gallup, instructor in pediatrics at the Harvard Medical School. His subject was "Modern Treatment of Infectious and Contagious Diseases."
The Annual Luncheon was held on May 3. 1939 at the Lafayette House and at this time the club passed an amendment to the constitution increasing the length of service of the Social Service Chairman from two to five years expressly for the purpose of reading Mrs. C. Roger Pearson to this office. Mrs. John Rizzo was re-elected President.
The November, 1939 meeting opened with a Ways and Means Committee project — a White Elephant and What-not Sale. At this meeting the club voted on the much-discussed parking problem with the majority in favor of angle parking. Even then women didn't like to park between two cars.
A letter was read asking the Mothers Club to cooperate with the American Mothers Neutrality League and sign a pledge card to Koope the WP2d7mp XZ &— Keep the United States Out of War. A motion was made and passed to sign the Pledge card.
During this season, the Ways and Means Committee had for sale all sizes of the Smiling Scot Cleaner, Chicken Pins and Capsules for window cleaning. The Smiling Scot Cleaner was on the Idea of Spic and Span, and there must have been a good supply as it was for sale for several years.
Guest Day was held in Social Hall on March 5, 1940. The speaker of the afternoon was Mr. Wm. Endicott Clapp, who spoke on the "Ten Legal Commandments." Mr. Clapp informed those present of the ten most important "don'ts" on the legal side of life.
The Annual Luncheon was held at the Country Fair in Hingham on May 7, 1940. Mrs. Keith Spauld-ing was elected President.
The first regular meeting of the season was held in Social Hall on October 1, 1940. At this meeting the Better Homes Plan was introduced by the Ways and Means Committee and explained in detail. The speaker of the afternoon was Miss Grace Bixby, who gave a very interesting talk on 'The Normal Daily Diet for Mother and Child."
At the November meeting, the President announced that the Board had voted that it was in the best interests of the club to have all members show their membership cards at each club meeting. December of 1940, the club enjoyed the afternoon with Flora Groves' Pease demonstrating Christmas decorations and flower arrangements.
Father's night took place on February 7, 1941, at the Civic Building. The evening consisted of entertainment and dancing followed by a buffet supper.
Guest day was held on March 4. 1941 and the speaker was Miss Muriel MacLaren Cox, Assistant Director of the Chamberlain School. Her subject was "Making the Most of One's Appearance" giving the high lights on what the, well dressed women would wear that spring and why.
During this year, it was decided that the Board would select the winner of the scholarship fund that had been building up for four years. At a regular Board meeting on April 15, 1941, the president read the list of applicants for the scholarship and their qualifications. After careful consideration, the Board, by a unanimous vote awarded the scholarship to Miss Margery Bodge, flow Mrs. Robert Dornfeld of Norwood.
Members, guests, and past presidents of the Norwood Mothers Club were present on May 6. 1941 at the Hearthstone in Seekonk for the annual luncheon marking the 20th anniversary of the club. Mrs. Keith Spaulding was reelected President.
The speaker for the opening meeting of October 7, 1941 was Mrs. Marie Andrews Kent, and her subject was "Family Fun."
Father's Night took the place of the November meeting and consisted of a Chicken Pie dinner, followed by entertainment and dancing.
At the December 2nd meeting, it was announced that Smiling Scot Cleaner was still on sale. Instead of the usual penny collection, a silver offering was taken for the Red Cross.
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occurred before th* next board meeting, of th* 'Norwood Mothers Club, and at that time, is was decided that regular meetings would open with th* sing-Ing of "America" and 'close with the "Star Spangled Banner."
Teachers Day was observed on January 6, 1942 with Dr. Augusta Brenner of the Judge Baker Guidance Center speaking on "Characteristics of the Normal Adolescent."
The annual luncheon was held at Verne Inn on Tuesday, May 5, 1942 and Mrs. George C. Whitney was elected President However, a wartime transfer of her husband made It impossible for Mrs. Whitney to take office and Mrs. Richard -I. Pike kindly consented to fill the vacancy.
(To Be Continued)
(All articles originally appeared in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)
