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HOME > Civic Groups > Improvement Club > History > Article, 1988
Improvement Club History
Article, 1988
News article- Annandale Advocate
January 27, 1988
Not Much fanfare, but a big impact on the city
By Brian Hurd
Without much
fanfare, The Annandale Improvement Club has made numerous contributions to the
city of
The Improvement
Club has quietly made a big impact on the city, said Neva Peterson.
Its been a big part of this city since the beginning.
Founded by 17 women
on August 9, 1898, the Improvement Club currently has more than 50 members.
In addition to its main goal of maintaining and improving the library,
the club has also been involved in many other projects through the years.
A year for the club
starts and ends in April. The
program for the following year is planned in April, introduced and is voted on
at the June meeting, and begins in September.
There are no meetings in July and August.
But while the club
has carried out many projects which have benefited the city, membership has
always meant more than that to those involved.
Besides all the
worthy projects for the town, its always been a sociable thing.
Mildred Shadduck said. You
get a chance to meet people you may not have met otherwise.
Its always
been a cross section of our town, Peterson said.
People from the town and country, older and younger members, people
from all churches. Its a good way
to get acquainted.
Its been a
good club, said Monique Provo. Not
only for the city, but for the people in the club.
I look back at all the friendships Ive developed over the years.
A lot of us wouldnt have been together if it wasnt for this
club.
Besides a similar
club in
Over the years
people have told me theyre surprised that a town this size has a club like
this, Minnie Cheney said. I
guess that makes us kind of unique.
To raise money, the
club has sold aprons, flowers, cookbooks, Christmas wreaths and stationery.
Its been a
lot of hard work, Doris Kalash said. But
its been worth it. Weve had a
lot of fun over the years.
The club tries to
take at least one trip annually. Over
the years club members have visited the prison in
Programs have
featured such speakers as writer Mary Higgins Clark, media personality George
Grim, political writer Carl Rowan, television cook Momma D., and weatherman Mike
Fairbourne.
Its been a
good learning experience, Shadduck said.
Weve learned things we may not have if it wasnt for this
club.
In addition to
conducting programs and fundraisers, through the years the club has also
maintained flower pots throughout the city, worked on old
Weve always
had some project or another going on, Peterson said.
An annual
membership to the club costs $1.50. To
belong, each member needs to serve on one luncheon and program committee each
year. Every member shall serve on
all money making projects. Each
program has a committee which designates specific responsibilities for each
event.
The next
Improvement Club program will be a noon lunch in the library February 4.
The title of the program is You and the Law.
Guest speaker will be Kathleen Marac, Clerk of Court,
Club Notes and
local history show growth of Improvement Club
By
Brian Hurd
The object of
this club shall be the improvement of the city, by improving its property and
making such additions thereto as shall be for the benefit of the city in
general, to be accomplished by the individual and united efforts of its
citizens.
These words can be
heard before each meeting of the Annandale Improvement Club, a volunteer group
which has been in existence since 1898.
The early history
of the club was documented in Music in the
Big Woods, by Julia Barkley.
The
time of the tax-supported public library did not arrive in
The
early fund raising activities of the group centered on musical affairs.
On September 6, 1898, Mrs. MP Satterlee, chairman, turned over $6.91 to
the club as a result of a musical given at the L. Cofield home.
And on October 3, of the same year, Mrs. AM Ridgway gave the club $8.15
as the result of a violin entertainment sponsored by the club and held at the
M.E. church. In May of 1903, a
cantata chaired by Mr. Satterlee added receipts of $14.40 to the club treasury.
A minstrel show netted $27.65 in October of 1899.
One
of the first purchases of the club was that of a piano of the new
It
is readily apparent by reading the club history that there were not many pianos
in
Apparently
the fine was big enough that no group ventured to move the piano again and no
more repair bills are recorded by the club until a decade later when they had
the instrument refinished. It is
enjoyable to read between the lines of the club notes and speculate on all the
fun and furor this first piano created in
The following
highlights were taken from a club history which was compiled by Marion McDonald
in 1974.
1903Mrs.
Satterlee presented subject of furnish stage in Hall with wash stand, bowl,
glass (mirror?) and such little articles as are necessary to beautify ourselves
and place them in the proper places.
1905Repair
library room, paint and Calsomime. Six
tiles placed in Park, filled with black dirt and planted with flowers.
1909Flower
Show in August. Admission 10 cents. Light refreshments.
1915Entertainment
for Belgian Relief. $29.98 sent by
Club
1930-
Soo Line to send car of dirt for flower beds at
1935-
$5 toward expense of two 4H boys for trip to
1940Voted
to support Ridgway Day in honor of doctors 50 years of service to
1942Library
gave books (and will) pay postage for books sent to boys in service.
1943Cooperate
with council to improve
1945Club
purchased 10 shade trees to be placed near fireplaces in Park.
1947Bought
subscription to Life for Veterans Hospital
1957Report
good use of library at noon by school children
1960--$50
for library lawn flower bed, wooden planters and plants for street corners.
Decided to use small cedar trees sprayed green in boxes for winter.
1962Club
to assume cost of wreath for library.
1969Letter
to Mayor requesting library become part of The
Since 1969, the
Improvement Club has no longer had to furnish books to the library.
This caused the club to concentrate its efforts more on the library
building and its non-book contents.
The library is
still our primary interest, Doris Kalash said.
The club has done
repairs and maintained the library in addition to purchasing a record player,
television, a video recorder, and other equipment.
We transformed
and remodeled this library many times, said Monique Provo.
Were responsible for how it looks today.
The most pressing
problem facing the library today is lack of space.
There has been some
discussion about fixing up the basement for use as a meeting room.
Were
hopeful, said librarian Sandy Otto.