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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 1958)
Yeoirs off Anniversary of Girls Club Here Observed Monday A story of 25 years of com munity service, particularly to young women, was re-told Monday evening at a dinner of Medford civic leaders. The event celebrated the 25th anniversary of founding of the Girls Community club, and the dinner was held in the . new clubhouse on North Bartlett st. which was opened for use a little more than a year ago. Presiding over the program was Mrs. Dolph Phipps, the 10 MAIL TRIBUNE, Medford, Oreqon, Sunday, December 7. 1958 woman who was largely in strumental in formation of the club 25 years ago and who has served continuously as president of the board of di rectors during the entire per iod. Greet Guests Eugene Thorndike, retired Medford banker who has serv ed on the board of trustees for many years, greeted the guests and conducted a joint meeting of the two boards, with election of officers. As Mrs. Phipps reviewed the first days of Girls Com munity club, and major events during the 25 years, she intro duced a number of individ uals who have been identified with its progress. The club was formally in corporated in May of 1934 the papers listing Mrs. Phipps as president; Mrs. I. E. Schul er, vice-president; Miss Mar garet Kerri treasurer, and Mrs. Aletha E. Vawter, secre tary. First Directors The first directors were Mrs. R. B. Hammond, Mrs William Holloway, Mrs. Port er Neff, Mrs. Lewis Humph revs, Mrs. Lawrence Penning ton, Miss' Laura Drury (now Mrs. Norris Porter) Miss Mar- jorie Kelly, Mrs. W. V. Aid rich, Mrs. H. M. Weishaar and Mrs. M. M. Morris Mrs. Vawter and Mrs. Neff both remained on the board until their deaths. Mrs. Phipps paid tribute to both women sne told now Mrs. xs'eff. as la-Jit l'iW NEW CLUBHOUSE - This handsome brick and concrete structure at 229 North Bartlett street was erected in 1957 to replace the old frame building which had been in use by Girls Community club for more than 20 years. The new building was a gift from the late John R. Tomlin, retired Medford lum berman, who offered the club's board of directors a large sum of money without ever having been asked for a donation. The donor's name was unknown to the public until his death, shortly after the dedication -of the building in September, 1957. Other individuals and groups of the valley do nated funds to furnish the clubhouse, which supplies low-cost housing for young women coming to Medford to find employment. Many groups also use the clubhouse as a meeting place; parties, weddings and re ceptions are often held at the club. iiiynjMinH i uiui ....... .i.u w:.v:k wm'hw. .....,.. . ... j..Wi-: - - '." i,'.jw - i.,. "liv:".- - , - ' , :i '-- i ' YT?' . vr ...H- A;-L . . : FIRST HOME - Girls Community club, which celebrated its 25th anniversary of organization at a dinner Monday night, took over this building at 229 North Bartlett street when the club was first formed. Originally the residence of the well known Haskins family, the clubhouse was later used by the Medford YWCA. It was recalled Monday night that the site of the two buildings has now been used for community pur poses for 38 years. In 1955 the Medford Fire department declared the old wooden structure a fire hazard, and use of the second story as living quarters was stopped. purchasing agent, worked hard to keep the clubhouse furnished and equipped on the slimmest of budgets, and how Mrs. Vawter had served as treasurer throughout the years. Mrs. Newbury- and Mrs. Pennington no longer live in Medford, but Mrs. Penning ton came from California for the dinner. Mrs. Morris is still on the board. Eight Organizations Mrs. Phipps pointed out that the first board represent ed eight organizations of the city, plus representatives from the former YWCA board. Mrs. Phipps, assisted by Dr. B. R. Elliott, reviewed the his tory of the YWCA, Girls Com munity club predecessor, and told how support was with drawn from that organization because of the expense of pay ing the salary cf a secretary approved by YWCA national headquarters, and of paying national dues. The new organization took over the YWCA clubhouse on North Bartlett, the former Haskins' home, and the pres ent clubhouse was erected on the same site. Dr. Elliott men tioned that the site has now been used as a community center for 38 years. Purpose of Club Purpose of Girls Communi ty club when organized was to provide low -cost housing and supervision for young women trying to get a start in the business world, to pro vide a recreation and program center for girls out of high school but not yet ready for a program such as offered by the business and professional women's organizations, and to operate club rooms where various organizations of the valley might hold meetings and social functions. Throughout the years, this policy has continued with year -by -year adaptations to meet the community's needs. Early activities included courses and classes l n eti quette and social culture, sex education and health; bridge and dancing, and handicrafts. A girls' basketball team was organized and played games throughout the area. Badmin ton and Softball was also played by club members. .An orchestra was organized, and directed by Mrs. E. E. Gore. A free employment bureau for domestics was maintained for several years. Useful Service One of the most useful of the club's services was pro viding quarters for group meetings, and more than 40 different organizations have used both the old and the new clubhouse for this purpose. In addition parties, weddings and receptions, bazaars, hob by shows, and various other functions have been held in the buildings. Mrs. Phipps stressed that all the leadership and teach ing had been on a volunteer basis. She introduced Mrs. C. Rease Braley, who had con ducted some of the classes; Mrs. Charles Champlin, who had lived at the club as a young girl just out ol hign school; Mrs. H. G. Wilson, who had been on the YWCA board and supported the new club; Mrs. Norris Porter, who had attended some of the early classes, and Mrs. Nellie Laing, who had played on one of the basketball teams. First Matron Mrs. Florence Laing, who became the first matron of the club in 1935, was intro duced. Mrs. Laing, now 85 years old, recalled that she had been paid $20 a month for her services. The former matron spoke of the club's early days, said "there were no idle girls in the clubhouse" and added that only one had been asked to leave because of misconduct. Following Mrs. Laing's res ignation, Mrs. Stella Hend rickson served at matron for a number of years until ill health forced her to leave. Mrs. Mabel Houck was then hired as matron, and remains in the office at present. Mrs Houck spoke of the manner in which girls wishing to live at the club are interviewed and chosen. Twenty -two girls are now living at the club, and the average living at the club during each month is 26. Al most all are in their 'teens, a time limit is put on their length of stay since once they have become established in a job, the club directors believe they are able to find other suitable quarters. Interest Shown The president spoke of the interest shown in the club and its program by other cities of- the state. Mrs. Phipps was asked to establish a simi lar club at Grants Pass, and served on a state committee which gathered and dissemin ated information on the sub ject for cities in Oregon. The National Youth association used the club as a plan for setting up other Oregon clubs. Activities of the club dur ing the war were reviewed. In addition to routine war work, the club aided the wives of soldiers at Camp White in finding housing and employment. Thorndike reviewed the club's methods of financing it self, spoke of the years when it was a Community Chest agency, and of the develop ments brought about by the club's being dropped from the Chest. The club then conduct ed its own fund-raising drive, with success, and continued to operate. Fire Hazard In 1955 the club building was termed a "fire hazard" by the Medford fire depart ment, and the upstairs was closed as living quarters. It was then that the club's building committee, headed by Thorndike, redoubled ef forts to find the money for a new structure. Thorndike and Mrs. Phipps related how the late John R. Tomlin, retired Medford lum berman, selected the. club as the recipient of a large dona tion for the proposed building. Mrs. Phipps stressed that the directors had never sought Mr. Tomlin's help, but that in his efforts to find a worthy place for disposal of his for tune, he had decided that, a community clubhouse would best suit his ideas. Mr. Tom lin made the gift anonymous ly and only after his death was it revealed. Building Completed The building was completed in the summer of 1957, and dedicated in September. One of the organizations which had met in the old building, and now meets in the new, is the Medford Chin-Up club. Harry Chipman, long - time Chin-Up member, related how Mrs. Phipps had determined what special planning was needed for the club members, many of whom are in wheel chairs or on crutches. As a result, the clubhouse has extra - wide doors and one floor -level entrance for the convenience of the physically handicapped. The meeting closed with election of directors and trus tees. Named to the board were Mrs. Phipps, Mrs. Martin Luther, Mrs. M. M. Morris, Mrs. "Mamie E. Sleeter, Mrs. G. R. Owens, Mrs. Hugh Cole man, Mrs. T. K. Oliver and Mrs. Marrs Gibbons. Mrs. Oliver read wires and letters from Mrs. W. W. Aid rich, now in Hawaii, and Mrs. Don Newbury, who spends the winters in Arizona, and Mrs. Holloway, who now lives in Tempe, Ariz. Named to the board of trustees were Thorndike, Dr. Elliott, H. H. Pringle, Edward Branchfield, John C. Boyle, John P. Moffat and T. K. Oliver. Mrs. Sleeter was chairman of the nominating committee. Faith circle of First Presby terian church, Medford, pre pared the dinner and five residents of the club served it. Handi capped Children Get Care in Doll IKIouise MORE FOR DEFENSE New Delhi (TJPD India must spend more for defense be cause of the outside military aid received by neighboring Pakistan, Prime Minister Ja waharlal Nehru said Friday. Nehru called Pakistan un friendly. During a discussion of military expenditures in parliament, he said: "Person ally I am convinced there is little chance of a conflict with Pakistan, but my government cannot take risks." CONSIDERS VISIT Montgomery, Ala. -!UPD-The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Negro integration leader, is considering a visit to Russia next May, his secretary said yesterday. The secretary did not say whether King had been invited by the Russian government or planned to make a private tour. Ilt 'T7frarrri'twl W'M: 1 1 i:irff PLAY-TIME IN DOLL HOUSE - Mrs. L. L. Poutre, proprietor of the Doll House on Buckshot rd., Medford, hands one of her little charges a rattle. All of the children staying in this home are mentally handi capped. This small patient is in one of the MM play-pens in the nursery. Children are en couraged to entertain themselves and are prepared for the care they will receive later at Fairview Home which will give them more specialized treatment. By JOE COWLEY Mail Tribune Staff Writer Many children are thinking of doll houses for Christmas. However, parents of south ern Oregon are thankful for the Doll House, the name of a home on Buckshot rd., which care for mentally hand icapped children.- The home is called the Doll House because Mrs. L. L. Poutre, 2653 Buckshot rd., thinks of her patients as "lit tle dolls." These children, most of them from four months to five years of age, are of de layed mental growth. There are a variety of 10 to 15 syllable medical words to define their cases. Perhaps two of the most common cases are hydrocephalic and micro cephalic. That means young sters either have . over-sized heads caused by too much fluid, or. development of their heads is retarded, resulting in small-sized heads. To the parents who place their children in . Mrs. Pou tre's care, the Doll House is a miracle. It's a place where they can put their children where they .will receive both loving and efficient care. It j is a stopping place en route to Fairview, where the young patients will receive more ex pert care. "Trouble Is," a welfare de partment official said, "the parents of these children de cide to send them to Fairview, then because of the long wait ing list, they may have to wait as long as three or four years. Keeping the children at home a little longer works a strain on the parents. At the Doll House, the children re ceive the same loving care and ' they are prepared for the treatment they will re ceive at Fairview." Parents are allowed to visit their children often and when ever they can. Mrs. Poutre sets no visiting hours since practically all of her patients are from other counties. In fact, during the two years the Doll House has been in licen sed operation comparatively few of the youngsters have come from Jackson county. The children at the Doll House are mostly from aver age families. These children may come under welfare spon sorship since their care is ex pensive. A medical ' bill for one of the youngsters often runs $85 a month. - Mrs. Poutre keeps children up to 10 years old. The Doll House capacity is 18. The children receive loving care but at the same time it is firm. They must be given the control which they are incap able of providing- for themselves. Mrs. Poutre raised her own children, then missed having them around the house. So, 10 years ago she became a foster parent in the. welfare department's program. She developed strong affection for handicapped children, and later, founded the Doll House. The plain spoken, kindly woman manages, the home with usually only a 'young girl assistant. Mrs. Poutre takes care of the children and does all the washing and meal preparation. Her assistant does the house-cleaning. Since the children have lit tle or no control over them selves, washing is a continu ous operation. Although not especially trained in the care of these children, Mrs. Poutre has a knack for understanding the particular needs of each child, and the best way to handle him or her. However, all th children are placed firmly in a strict routine. They are awakened at 7 ajn. for the first feeding. Nap time comei in mid-afternoon, then finally at 7 p.m. it's lights out and nursery doors stay closed against everything 4,but - an earthquake . or fire," Mrs. Poutre said. Feeding, in some cases, hat its problems. The children need solids but some cannot be spoon-fed. So, Mrs. Poutre uses a plastic baby - bottle capped with an over-size nip ple with a large hole cut in it. As the child sucks on-the nipple, food is squirted down its throat. "How do I feel about these kids? Why, like any woman should feel about children. They're no different. They just don't. talk back!": Mil Poutre said. Mrs. Poutre Is licensed by the state board of health. Al though there is no waiting list for her home, she has no trouble filling the cribs in the eye-appealing, little nursery. Often she finds herself in the position of the woman in the nursery rhyme, "she had so many children she didn't know what to do." Then she thinks of expanding her home. But it, too, would have its problems. She would have to almost double the number of patients received in order to make it pay its way. It would mean more equipment, 24-hour service, and more staff. So, the little Doll House on Buckshot rd. will remain just that the little Doll House. 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Sold at all drug stores on a money-back guarantee. . i C0TT'S PHARMACY 322 EAST MAIN STREET PHONE SP 2-6440 $.M,.M:u.....H.wniminmwmmjm m mm i Jiril'll Hit fill J LONG - TIME LEADERS - Medford civic leaders who have worked for many years to keep the Girls Community club in operation attended a 25th anniversary dinner Monday night at the new clubhouse: Among those participating were (left to right) Dr. B. R. Elliott, member of the board of trustees; Mrs. Martin Luther, board of directors mem ber for many years and now vice-president; Mrs. Dolph Phipps, one of the club's found ers and president of the directors continu ously for 25 years; Eugene Thorndike, chair man of the building committee and trustee for a long period; Mrs. M. M. Morris, 25 year member of the board of directors and treasurer and Mrs. T. K. Oliver, board member and secretary. ATTEND DINNER - Among the guests at the 25th anni versary dinner of Girls Community club Monday night were (left to right) Mrs. Lawrence Pennington, Redding, Calif., Mrs. Florence Laing, the club's first housemother, and Col. W. H. Payne. Mrs. Pennington was a member of the first board of directors and Colonel Payne is one of the city's civic leaders identified with the history of the club. Mrs. Laing recalled that the girls aided by the club during her years as matron were for the most part hard-working, re sponsible young women who appreciated the fact that they were being helped. IMPROVE YOUR FIREPLACE! CALL NOW1 SP 2 7 1 6 6 No Sparks No Smoke No Floor Drafts LOWER FUEL BILLS Uniform heat from floor to ceiling. Burn wood, presto-logs or briquets. You con trol fire . . . your home and family safer! SEND FIREPLACE WIDTH and HEIGHT, RECEIVE Colorful Booklet FREE! PHONE SP 2-7166 8th St. at Fir SMITH-DYNGE LBR. CO. You rely on her for many things. 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