Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1917 — VAN RENSSELAER CLUB HELD ANNUAL MEETING [ARTICLE]

VAN RENSSELAER CLUB HELD ANNUAL MEETING

Will Occupy fcjlegant New ’Quarters In Ellis Opera House Building In the 'Near Future. The regular annual meeting of the ‘Van Rensselaer Club was held in the quarters in the Hollingsworth bufid-. ing Monday night. The election of the board of directors resulted in the selection of the following members: Vernon Nowels, Samuel Fendig, Van R. Grant, B. <L Jarrette and George Hopkins. , The directors reported having contracted with James H. S. Ellis for the rental of quarters in the opera house building. The second floor of this building is to be converted into one of the most elegant club rooms in th's part of the state. The entire second floor will be occupied by the club. In front there will be two large rooms elegantly furnished. The Lower room will be used for billiard and card tables and reading room. Just above this room there will be another of tire same size and will be arranged for a reception room. The front window in the building will be changed and the long one will be replaced by shorter ones for each room. Off of the lower room will be a gent’s cloak room, toilets and baths. Similar apartments will he arranged for the ladies off of the upper room. The remaining part of the building will be converted into a dancing room. It will be 41 feet 9 inches wide by 60 feet long. The walls will be 16 feet high and they are to be beautifully The floor is to be of the very best hard wood and to be

highly polashed. At the south end of this room there is to be a kitchen which is to ‘be arranged so that it can be used when banquets are served. Mr. Ellis’ architect of Chicago has the plans and specifications almost completed. These plans are to be submitted to the board of directors and no expense is to be spared in making for the club a home which is to be palatial in all its apartments. The club now has a membership of eighty-eight resident and four nonresident members, making a total membership of ninety-two members. A booster membership committee consisting of ten members of the club has been appointed and a number of Rensselaer’s busihess and professional men will be invited to become members. A number of persons outside of Rensselaer and Marion township will be invited to become non-resident members. A committee was appointed to suggest needed revision of the club’s bylaws. One of the points this committee will recommend and which the club will no doubt adopt is the raising of the initiation fee. • This club provides a most excellent place for the fellows of the city to meet and enjoy themselves and furnishes a splendid recreation from the hum-drum of a strenuous business life. It fosters to a very great degree the sociability and good fellowship that is so essential to real enjoyment.