Annandale Improvement Club
History 1898-1974

Town Hall to be dedicated. Women thought a piano needed. 17 women met on August 8, 1898. Plans made for opening of Hall: home talent entertainment, committee to consult Council. By-laws accepted September 6, 1899. Officers: President Mrs. H. K Kelly, Vice President Mrs. M.P. Satterlee; Secretary Mrs. A.M. Ridgeway; Treasurer Mrs. W.D. McDonald. Council favorably disposed toward proposition and asking for further information concerning same". Reception given by Club on afternoon of the day which Hall shall be formally opened. "Extended and invitation to the Council to assist their wives on the receiving committee." Motion carried: then President of Council and President of Club to make a speech at opening of Hall. Entertainment events were given each month with a charge. Gave a play, Committee Reports give - "accepted and discharged!" New England dinner on February 22 - 25 cents adults, children 15 cents. Piano was purchased.

1899 June, Mr. McDonald appointed a committee of one to see the council in regard to mowing the weeds in the street!

July, on motion., the president appointed a committee to see a out starting a circulating Library. Committee to secure a reading room.

August, special meeting. Club organized Library Association. Members 25 cents, outsiders $1.00.

September - $22.50 collected, Club to have room in Hall, by-laws adopted.

October - Club met in Hall, President appointed committee "to fit up the Library room". $50.00 has been collected. Library opened Saturday. October 22 - Reading room October 25.

January, reading room opened three night a month.

March 6, decided to incorporate. Membership 50 cents, dues 25 cents.

March20 changed name from Annandale Improvement Club to Annandale Improvement Club and Library Association. Adopted articles of incorporation.

April 1900- Annual Library report: 176 volumes purchased, 131 donated, $111.35 donated, $144.09 expended. Lease of Library room read, on motion order drawn on Treasury for $1.00, consideration of the lease. Vote of thanks to the Council.

1901, Mayor at meting to ask Library open as reading room and starting of a "Boys Club".

March - reading room open only on Saturday nights. Duties of members - care of room, entertainment. Regular bills: wood, cleaning woman, entertainment expenses, tuning the piano. No entertainment or food at regular meetings. Once a month entertainment proceeds varied $7 to $10. Plays averaged about 25 cents. Moneys: fee and fines, dues, entertainment, lecture courses. Average $20 for magazines, $25 for books. Annual reception first week in December.

1903 April Desk telephone for Librarian. May put in flight of stone steps from sidewalk to walk leading to Pavilion. Property of Club insured for $850. Mrs. Satterllee 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." September bill for dresser for stage $7.50.

1905 January Members of Club may have two Library cards at 25 cents each, and no more. Non - members $1.00. May Repair Library room, paint and Calsomime. Six tiles placed in Park, filled with black dirt and planted with flowers $10.00

1909 March Librarian instructed to receive no books or magazines from homes where Scarlet Fever exists until thoroughly fumigated, and no book or magazine to be loaned into these homes except back numbers of magazines, which shall not be returned. July Flower show in August. Admission 10 cents.. Light refreshments served.

1911 Each member be present and suggest something we can do that would benefit the town. February suggestions: sidewalks, metal flag staff, bath house, gymnasium, lawns, vacuum cleaner. March, put lattice work around the pavilion.

1912 February Questions of becoming a public library. 10 votes, 4 in favor - 7 against. August - motion Club see to enforcement of Curfew ordinance irrespective of families or position in the community.

1913 February Members of English class in High School allowed one book for two weeks only, 5 cents per book, and to be obtained on Saturday from 3-5pm.

1915 March Entertainment for Belgian Relief. $29.28 sent by Club

1917 Program "For Good of the Club". Take turns at each meeting. June Committee to see about organizing Red Cross Society here. Lecture courses, Fairs predominant interest of this period. Not to make money, but for interest of the community.

1918 Hire Librarian for summer months $1 per month.

1920 June Flower bed at Depot. July Second prize in Fourth of July parade $3

1924 February 5 Met in Rest Room. Move had been made to present building. Bought couch, rocking chair, mirror for Rest Room. $204.69 Soo Line picnic.

1925 Pay Librarian 50 cents for Saturday. Investigate condition of toilets at Park. Have man take care of them for three summer months. 150 to grade and fix up grounds around Rest Room. Interest in meetings - committee to take charge of each meeting. Each member to serve at least once per year, $1 allowed each time to committee for lu___(?)

1927 Program committee to plan for the year. Annual Pony Show, June 12. $20 Christmas tress,

1928 Extend water system to water lawn at Rest Room. Purchase 4 trees, Black Hill Spruce. Cleared $115 from serving Soo Line picnic. Dishes purchased for lunch at Library.

1929 Purchased another dozen plates and cup. Supported idea of county Nurse. July fence for sweet peas along drive & Rest Room lawn.. Some steps taken in regard to dusty streets.

1930 January 12 boxes packed for families at Christmas. Note to Advocate "thanks to W. Keane, Council for decorating tree. Importance of this month "World demanding peace! April - $25 allowed for planting hedges along borders of Rest Room lot. May - Omitted listing of fees and fines from secretary’s report as they are in the Library. Soo Line to send car of dirt for flower beds at Depot Park. List expenses and send to Superintendent of the Division of the Soo line. June - Clean up committee report, Boy Scouts to take care of grounds around old school house. July - Make arrangements for pre-school Clinic. Tar to be laid from Tri-County Oil station to Lano’s corner. September 57 children examined at Clinic. Great majority underweight due to lack of sleep rather than nourishment. Food Sale - $31.70. Library 1578 volumes. December Children’s books from Start Library, 6 months $150 and return postage.

1931 June Mrs. Ridgeway attend to articles of Incorporation of this Club. Committee to investigate needs of Tourist Park, consult with council. October voted to discontinue Incorporation. November serve banquet for 4H Clubs $35.82 December filled basket, trimmed growing tree and also donated one.

1932 April Mrs. Kingstedt given rising vote of thanks for 18 years on Library Board. May 29 joined Horticulture Society. Decorator from Dayton’s, Minneapolis. Committee appointed to decorate Library. Continue free books from State. September Rooms redecorated. Rugs and drapes $49

1933 Free Library cards during education week. Paid $44 for Summer Band. Food sale $58.15

1934 Committee for month, first name responsible for program, second for lunch. All members of Committee share. Vote on federating defeated 16-7. December all receipts from Library cards and fines to be used for purchase of books. Additional funds by vote of Club members. $7 to two 4H girls to attend Farm Forum.

1935 October $5 toward expense for two 4H boys for trip to St. Louis. Mrs. Robert Lee talk on Dome Club, trip to Walker Gallery. November - Constitution Change name to Annandale Improvement Club. December at April meeting Club to set aside definite amount for books and magazines. If additional needed, vote later on.

1936 for 6 months new books for one week only and not to be renewed. Waiting list. Club History. Letter from Mdmes. Rennie, Scatterlee, Ritchie. Mrs. Ridgeway only first present.

1937 September Mr. Glazier demonstrated that oil stove more effective than electric plate. Purchased same for $4./89, oil can 52 cents. November $10 for Boy Scouts..

1938 Exchange oil stove for electric plate! Plus $2! $50 to Library Board. History of Club given by past presidents nine of which were present. Birthday cake for club and Mrs. Satterlee (April), Names of new books and magazines to be published in Advocate. Petunia, village flower. Plant sale $4.25

1939 October Way and means committee reported visit to Council asking for $100 or at least $50. Donation in no way to affect status of Club. Motion - Resolution to be sent to Congressman and Senators to this district against War. Pledge to flag to be given at each meeting. Community meeting at School President Myrtle Sawyer outlines object of Club. Reverend Andreen, Cokato, speaker. School quartet. November Check for $50 from Council on condition that Library cards free to public. Motion carried, no more funds from Club for books. Motion, Library to open to public as soon as rules and regulations be formed.

1940 $20 from general fund for magazines. Voted to support "Ridgeway Day" in honor of the Doctor’s 50 years of service in Annandale. November $75 from Council.

1941 Separate account for money paid out for books. Two sections for summer food sale. Each to furnish food to retail for 75 cents. B.H. Thayer, C. McDonald, from Commercial Club, explained special election - tarring of all streets in village limits and how it would be paid for. June- Sponsor supervision bathing beach. Boat for beach $20. Library kept open Wednesday evenings until January 1. December Librarian buy covers for magazines. First grade gave program. Each child introduced himself & told whether from country or town. Sang Christmas songs.

1942 January Library give books and pay postage for books sent to boys in service. Library room open for group learning to know for Red Cross. 91 books sent - old books taken from shelves . March- Country Agricultural Agent, Nutrition Classes. Mrs. M. McDonald leader of classes, assisted by Adelaide Smith. Voted to put on play. Money from play to go for summer recreational projects. $75.50 clear from play. Voted all bill pertaining to Library except Librarian salary to be paid from boo fund. Recreational supervisor secured for $70, one month. Another box of books for "Victory Drive". Summer program considered success by businessmen. Meetings - "Salvage", Care for rayon and woolens.

1943 Launch fee raised for 10 cents to 15 cents, Finance necessary shelves for magazines. Flag presented by G.A.R. Club to cooperate with Red Cross for Blood Bank. Library available to Red Cross for making bandages. October - Constitution amended. All officers except Librarian hold office for not more than two consecutive terms. Council to be asked for $75. Sell tower at Beach. December - Paper drive $130.71.

1944- -$100 to be placed in interest, rest in general fund. Cooperate with Council to improve Main Street at the lake. Fireplaces & tables. Paint over "ladies" on Rest Room door. December - Council asked Committee to meet and give account of money used for books.

1945 April - Club purchased 10shade trees to be placed near fireplaces in park

1946 $5 for Girl Scouts. May 1000 trees $2.79, planted by Mr. Betsinger & his Ag. Classes. Fire Department to water through the summer. Discussion of possible garbage collection for summer. Council to decide on garbage disposal.

1947 Anne Cawley Boardman, Book Review. Invited groups & friends. Subscriptions to "Life" for Veterans Hospital. June - picnic with Commercial Club. Bench for Depot Park. President to attend to putting away and getting out all tables and benches.

1948 Discussed "East Side, West Side" . Hesitated to put in library! Change Library rules. More than one book per person, take many old books, limit new.

1949 Library Rules: Summer visitors in area welcome, no charge for residents. Visitors $1 per family. November - Halloween party at school. Several hundred children entertained. Club furnished cookies and donuts.

1950 February Lunch raised to 25 cents. Drapery material acquired. Meet at Neva Peterson for sewing. March - Mrs. Boardman Book Lectures at Town Club. Sold tickets. Members furnished sandwiches & cookies, 50 cents. Net $57.43. November Halloween Party. Served cookies, 3 bushels apples. Sold pop, made $12.90. December Gifts to Gillette Hospital. Spaghetti supper $42.59.

1952 Removed glass doors from book cases.

1953 Library Day at "Dayton’s" $147.26

1954 April, Club History. June meeting time to 2:30. Library Board solicited business men to help the over "the hump"

1955 January. Tour of Nicolette Hotel. Lunch Waikiki Room. May - Library day $77.05./ September 600 books, magazines taken out during 3 summer months. October- Rummage Sale$39.35. November Benefit Tea at School. Mrs. Boardman, tickets $1. $91.51. December voted $2 for each campaign $ drive from now on. Secretary report for Club, notice of meetings & review in Advocate.

1956 January Discussion of affiliation with Federated Clubs. Tabled change of name to Library Club. Council advised that they had voted to increase funds to library from already existing tax fund to around $150. March Library Day $130. Voted to pay librarian $15 a month. September New deck $15. Tour Homes - Cliff Lund, Lee Miller, Hal Carnes, Prahl flower garden, Dayton Barkley. Lunch at the later. Flora Logais 35 year as librarian.

1957 January Report good use of Library at noon by school children.

1958 June., Commercial Club asked for assistance for July 4^th queen coronation, select judges, luncheon for candidates, flowers for queen. Voluntary committee. Suggest better street decoration for or Christmas season.

1959 June Garden flower sale presented by Julie Barkley. Voted Club salad books $35 cents. September -flower sale $234.44. October Librarian salary $ per hour, $20 per month. Club pay salary hours to be given to treasurer. December gifts to girls at Sauk Center home. Voted for community Chest plan. (Last use of flag salute for opening meeting.)

1960 January Hot dish and casserole recipe book at 50 cents. March - Members urged to attend Council meeting concerning location of bowling alley. April, old dishes to whatever churches could use them. June - $50 for Library lawn floral bed, wooden planters & plants for street corners. September Food and apron sale voted down. Enough money from flower sales. Decided to use small cedar trees sprayed green in boxes for winter. November dues raised to $1, $1.25 if not paid on or before June meeting. Mdmes Saltmarch, Barkley interviewed columnist George Grimm. Suggested Christmas wreath sale. 100 ordered at $1.10 to be sold at $2.25. Nyberg camp - thanks to Veterans for building flower boxes.

1961 February Council gives $350 for improvements in Library. Club makes suggestions., Council in charge. March - special meeting. $250 fir shelves. Club to pay for paint & 6 chairs., $100. September - Flower sales net $279.80. Club voted $250 to paint, window treatment, folding chairs, coffee urn $33. October Ordered 150 wreaths @ $1.20, sell @ $2.25. November voted "Open House" at Library. Each member furnished 2 dozen cookies. Voted metal blinds. Coffee maker rental $1 and only to members.

1962 E. Beecher, President first used purpose of Club for opening meetings. Club assume cost of wreath for Library. Gave $150 for books. Meeting time 2:00 Basket social Nyberg Camp, $124.50 for Foreign Students program. Flower sales $340.77, expenses $55.50 210 wreaths ordered. Buy 10 paintings from Lotus Williams. Well plain wreaths $2.50. Dessert recipe folders 35 cents. Each 50 cents Christmas project candy wreaths for Veterans Camp.

1963 $200 for Library. Mrs. Martin (Monique’s mother) paper comparing impressions of America with those of France. Habits of living. Read by Theresa Peterson.

1943 $15 G.S. Investiture Ceremony - Christmas Wreaths $211.05 profit. Member not serving in floral committee pay $10.

1965 January wreath sale $222.50. Hire woman to clean once a month. Librarian to be paid $31. 2111 books in Library. 7500 charged out.

1966 Voted flower and wreath sales to be held each yea without yearly discussion. Decided Library needed new draperies. Committee: Roth, Cheney, Barclay, G.S. offered to assist at Flower Sales. Drapery committee to be long range one to select furniture, etc. Trees included in planter boxes with flowers, petunias. Special meeting protest "Fire Barn on Village owned Library property. Flower sales grossed $ 292.95. Ask Council to raise fire insurance to $7,138. Mrs. Simonet, Minneapolis book review. Voted Antique & Art Show in summer. Gifts for small children distributed by Ruth Homuth to County.

1967 Voted to discontinue 10 cents fee for new books. Voted to commission Mrs. Dawson for painting for "Flower Sale" to be placed in Library. Members volunteer service at Library, open evenings. Dead trees in planter boxes replaced at half price. Flower sale nets $250, Antique sale "262.03. Amount from Antique sale use for Library furniture. 325 wreaths ordered. Gifts for the children in County Christmas.

1968 Wreaths $307.75 Book Fair, members contribute books - $35. March Mrs. Sawyer honored for 45 year as member. Flower sale 75 cents. September New lunch sets, 12 sets of four each @ $1.59. Antique sale $659.83, flower $303.90. November furniture for Library Desk $206.30, swivel chair $47.50, carpets $329.25. Wreaths to be sold at $2.75.

1969 Treasury balance $999.98. Wreaths $313.92. Sales tax charged club. 8,454 books out. Antique sale $406.65. 275 Wreaths @ $2.75. Librarian $1.50/hour. November - letter to Mayor requesting library become part of "The Great River Regional Library". Library now public with tax levy for support. December adopted by Council.

1970 Wreath sale $311.45. Discussion of United Fund for charitable donations. Reported no longer needed to elect Library board. Will be appointed by council. Representatives from village, club membership not a factor. Club will remain "friends of the Library". April final report of the Library Association. $466.81 books purchased. Books and periodicals charged out. 8,819. March 3133 in Library. June Commercial Club asked us t take over Queen Coronation & expense in the future. Landscape in front of Library not more than $175. Bill later $127.52 Motion to sponsor Girl Scouts. 300 wreaths ordered. Remodel walls in library amount $500.

1971 Discussion of old depot as historical site and museum possibility. Balance $1156.01. Moved to do walls at $500 estimate. Express interest in Depot motion/ Ruby Thayer made an honorary member. March reported Soo Line will give depot. Julie asked for old flower boxes to put around store, granted. April -Depot will have to be moved. Girl Scouts change sponsorship to VFW. Phone put n Library. Invest $700 in CD for 90 days. May bus trip to Chanhassen Diner Theater. Alice Tickner to coordinate Queen contest. October $100 for queens to go to Aquatennial. Ask Council to better outer door arrangement for Library. Support Cancer Clinic.

1972 January discussion need of drapes for Library. February entertain Senior Citizens at their meeting. Club assist Committee in expense. March guest day at Ellis’ - "Dairy Ann" from American Dairy Association. April $500 to Depot project - "Minnesota Pioneer Travel Park". May curtains selected by committee $360. Motion to purchase shutters at $14.75 per pair. Voted meeting at 1pm. Temporary basis beginning September 1. $100 Queen contest. Architect plans for Pioneer Park displayed. Sell Flower $1. Council present building to club. Committee appointed to discuss remodeling. September plans for remodeling presented. 300 wreaths ordered. October estimate $900 for remodeling. Council paint trim repair roof. Utilities taken care of by village. November sell wreaths at $3. Village assume cost for heating, insurance, electricity. December - dinner with husbands at Steak House.

1973 Reported village pay all maintenance, shutters, sidewalks, Club asked for pledge for Medical Clinic. "Tour of Homes" suggested. Club to decorate Queens stage for Coronation. "Tour of Homes" in May. Proceeds go for Clinic. Return book slot made in Library entrance. Buy rug on credit! Change in constitution - meetings at 1pm lunch 50 cents. May, Mr. And Mrs. R. Fashant gave bookcase and table. French Lake plant flowers at library and summer project. June $500 to medical Clinic. 325 wreaths ordered $500 from village. November ordered 2 dozen folding chairs $$5. Old room to be decorated according to early period - Mission & Grand Rapids. December Repeat dinner at Steak House with husbands.

1974 January ordered 2 clothes racks. Profit $44.57 for November meeting, voted to use a started fund for guest speakers. $49.50 from chances sold at Christmas dinner.