T he CHEMAWA AMERICAN
AN OPEN DATE
To every Indian school, regardless of size, there
comes one day and one evening in the school year
when there is or there seems to be nothing for the
students to do. Such evenings are known to the cit
izens hereabouts as open “dates” and it requires no
little brain racking to devise a means of passing it
pleasantly for all concerned. The evening of October
21, 1933, the Saturday past, was such an evening and
it was our good fortune to have on the grounds a
number of persons awaiting such an opportunity.
Mrs. Wilcox, the girls’ advisor, had planned on giv
ing a small party for the girls who had the most home
like and the best-kept rooms in Winona hall. The
girls were to invite their boy friends over and spend
a quiet evening at home. However as this gave en
tertainment for only about one fourth of our people,
another plan had to be concieved. This plan, with
the cooperation of the orchestra boys, was accepted.
Now all those who wished to be entertained could be,
at a very small cost or at no expense at all. A dance
was held and an admission charge of ten cents a couple
was thought advisable. The boys escorted their lady
friends to and from the dance. In connection with
this the girls who had the best kept rooms in Winona
hall were allowed to invite their boy friends to the
dance. As refreshments, doughnuts and apple cider
were served. For the boys who didn’t go to the dance,
games were provided and supervised by Mr. H. L.
Shilling in the McNary sitting room.
CHEMAWA EXHIBITS AT GRANGE FAIR
It was surprising how little the surrounding terri
tory knew about our Salem Indian school. The ex
hibit shown at the Chemawa Grange, Saturday Oc
tober 14, was well received. Many were the favorable
comments. It was news to many that Chemawa school
taught so many vocational subjects. All the depart
ments of the school were well represented and many
first, second and third prize ribbons were awarded to
Chemawa.
The exhibit was under the direction of Mrs. Milton
Smith, assisted by Myrtle Dupree and AlfredaSwann.
Donna May Lafonso, Miss Clara Strouch, and the
Messrs. Milton L. Smith, Herman Hudson, Edward
Mason, Carl Turner and Fred Ratzburg also lent their
services. Mr. and Mrs. Mason donated the flowers
that set off the booths so well.
Mrs. Kleihege, a former Chemawa neighbor, as
chairman of the Grange, invited the school to take
part in the fair. As part of the Chemawa exhibit Ber
nice Clairmont of the hospital gave a demonstration
of washing a baby; Pearl Boyd of the beauty shop
gave a finger wave to Dorothy Mercer; Catherine
P age 3
Bailey gave two readings; The Chemawa Serenaders,
an organization sponsored by Mrs. Mabel Cornick,
gave three vocal and two “string” selections. And
last, but not least, the Chemawa boys’ dance orches
tra furnished the music for the dance which followed
the fair.
SHOPS
Since September 30, the shoe repairers have heeled,
half-soled and repaired 219 shoes.
The beauty parlor girls are forming a group of ser
enaders. A name has not been selected so far.
The auto-mechanics have recently over-hauled the
school bus. The athletic bus is also in good running
condition again thanks to the work of this department.
Grinding ensilage has been the order of the day at
the dairy. Winter is not far away and this labor in
sures food supply for our herd during the coming
months.
A tool compartment has been constructed for each
lathe in the machine shop. This will, it is expected,
add greatly to the efficiency of the lathe workers and
machinists generally.
The tonsorial artists have an abundance of free
customers for the promising group of beginners to
practice upon but the chief barber has SOS’ed ye re
porter that cash customers will be welcomed in great
er numbers. The very life of this fine branch of our
school depends on the patronage of the students and
employees and we urge one and all to continue to use
Chemawa’s convenient and efficient barber service.
The culinary department in Cramton hall has great
activities to report. In conjunction with working in
the “Altamot Cafe” and the ever present and unceas
ing chore of cooking three fine meals a day for the
students, the Chemawa chefs have canned 1100 gal
lons of fruit and vegetables and 100 gallons of saur-
kraut. As soon as the department has become better
organized the “feeds” will be resumed at the Altamot
for various groups.
The carpenters are working in Hawley hall putting
the finishing touches to the cabinet work in the foods
department.
James Dupais is busy constructing a
black walnut hexagon occasional table.
It really
should be seen to be appreciated. The graceful de
sign, fine quality and good appearance of the wood
combined with the craftsmanship of the worker will
undoubtedly result in an article of rare charm and
beauty. Leonard Vivette is working on a couple of
projects of unusual interest, a floor lamp and a radio
table. The radio table besides supporting the radio will
also have two compartments for magazines, books, etc.