The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 20, Milford, Kosciusko County, 1 July 1987 — Page 44

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., July 1,198

20

Su/tacuse laiim <-> quote/ I <?)nc/. 118 W. Main St. — P.O. Box 941 Warsaw, Ind. 46580

Jfappy Birthday Syracuse 150th Year We've Been Insuring The Syracuse Area Since 1878 118 West Market WARSAW 267-8841

*s» * ’ U . I 'FAMILY I ‘FARE ■ NAPPANEE - LIGONIER W GOSHEN J “ Cong/tatu&rtione" Syftacuse We Very Much Appreciate All The Business You Send Our Way I ( WE'RE STILL NO. 1! 1 Mo. 1 In Prices — No. 1 In Service — No. 1 In Quality f ■ 4.

Wednesday Afternoon Club chartered in September 1900

“On September 19, 1900, six Syracuse ladies, feeling the need of both mental and social contact, met to organize a literary club, the first organization of its kind in Syracuse.” The preceding sentence is the opening statement for the “Scrapbook of the Wednesday Afternoon Club” of 1901. The charter members were Mrs. D. S. Coontz, Mrs. Joe Miller, Mrs. Estich, Mrs. A. A. Norris, Mrs. Charles Knorr and Mrs. Joe Dolan. The first six years the courses of study included general history (outlined by Professor Norris), American literature of the Colonial and Revolutionary Periods and the biography of Washington Irving. In 1909-10, the Constitution and By-Laws and the year’s program were printed for the first time. The membership at that time had grown to 13. The next year, there were 17 members. The subjects studied were taxation, Alaska and the British Isles; also debated that year was “General Suffrage for Women.” By 1920, there were 20 members and two associate members. The Wednesday Afternoon Club continued as an independent club, generally studying literature, history, current events and music until 1934 when it joined the Federation. For several years in the 19305, the club sponsored a community Christmas Party and treat for children at the grade school building. In 1940-41, “Revolution in Morals” and “Revolution in Styles” were subjects for pro-

grams. During the 19405, “Theater” appears as the subject matter for several programs. In the golden anniversary year of 1951, Mrs. Joe Miller returned to Syracuse and became active again, so the Wednesday Afternoon Club still had an active charter member. The club collect was the subject of several programs in 1951 — various members interpreting single lines of the collect. The 50th anniversary program was a buffet luncheon at the Johnson Hotel. Mrs. Miller reminisced about the early years of the club. Mrs. Fred Clark sang an anniversary parody, written by Mrs. E. L. Fosbrink. The 1952-53 year was devoted to study of all facets of life in Indiana — from schools, fiscal policies, arts and handicrafts of Indiana’s teenagers and Indiana literature of yesterday to Indiana’s Public and Social Welfare systems. The programs of the 1960 s looked back to the “Terrible 305,” World War II and the “Fabulous 505.” Over the years, the Wednesday Afternoon Club has donated trees to the city park, shrubs to Syracuse Cemetery, books, and in 1976, the Bicentennial Memorial Plate to the Syracuse

h?,i*' H _ _ MAIN STREET IN LATE 1940 S — This photo shows Main Street looking east towards Syracuse Lake in the late 19405. The marquis at the Pickwick Theater shows that “Two Smart People” “Under Nevada Skies** and Baseball Shorts were playing at the time. “Under Nevada Skies” stared Roy Rogers. Looking closely at the photo one can see the old street lights, and that there was no stop light at Main and Huntington Streets. The tower of the old Syracuse High School is shown above the business block.

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Library and made contributions to EMS and Enchanted Hills Playhouse. From the 1930 s through the 19605, the club entertained the senior girls from Syracuse High School. On September 23, 1976, the Wednesday Afternoon Club celebrated its 75th anniversary. There were four members present who were honored as charter members since they were members when the club was federated. The entertainment was provided by the Wawasee High School Barbershop Quartet, directed by Mrs. Ralph Bushong. In November 1977, Dr. Margaret Mead visited Syracuse to renew an old acquaintance, Katherin Rothenberger, a member of the Wednesday Afternoon Club. A present member, Mary Bushong, entertained Dr. Mead and a group of Syracuse couples at a Spanish dinner in her home. In 1983, the club members voted to withdraw from the Federation, so it is now an independent club again. The programs of the 1980 s has continued along the vein established when the club was founded. There are presently 20 active members, seven associate members and two honorary members: Ruth Rapp and Lucy Miles.