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About The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903 | View Entire Issue (April 6, 1901)
THE COURIER an- sure of the interest and apprecia tion of an audience. The mother of today, who is worthy the name, knows something of the per sonality of the teacher who has charge of her child. Something of that teach er's influence upon her pupils, and something, too, of the new methods which are employed for the presenta tion of old truths. With a still better knowledge would disappear much of the senseless antagonism, on the part of the patrons, which has attended al most every departure from old meth ods. On the other hand, there has been in the recent past perhaps a ten dency of the teaching world to discard the old for the new, because it was new, and not because it showed a real scientific advancement over the old methods. Most teachers now realize this. They also realize that which makes the modern teacher welcome, the questioning into her methods which her predecessors would have felt a disagreeable meddling. They realize that they are engaged in help ing to make citizens for the commun ity, and that it is the right and duty of hat community to sit as judge upon the product which they are turning out. Surely with this feeling existing between the school and the home, with a common ground for meeting such as these patrons' meetings afford, many of the obstacles to advancement may be removed. Americans are accused of making too much of their children. In its better sense we might well be proud of such an accusation. The children should be the center of our lives, the center of our thoughts. Is not ours the responsibility of hav ing evoked from a "senseless nothing" a "conscious something? Our sense of ego is so great that it is difficult for us to realize that what is true of the lower order of life upon the earth is also true of man, and that liis mission here is to bring foith and rear his kind. The better this woik be done by us, the nearer do we leave the race to its high.-ct development. Respectfully, The industrial committee will pre sent a history of the state industrial Institutions, together with a paper on "Courts for Juvenile Offenders and Parental Schools." The household economic committee will leave the details of its program largely until the spring meeting of the state household economic association. The chairman is also president of this association. Mrs. W. E. Fischel of St. Louis may be one of the speakers. A stercopticon lecture on "Town and City Improvement" is in prospect; the views showing towns both "before" and "after" improvement. The lecture will give practical suggestions as to beautifying Nebraska towns and cit ies. Miss Margaret McCarthy will speak on "What to Study." It is ex pected Mrs. Hutchinson, president of the Iowa federation, will be present, and we are almost confident of secur ing another well-known speaker. There will be more than the usual amount of business. In addition to routine business, election of officers and delegates to the next "biennial," and a general revision of the constitu tion will be discussed; also the plans for a memorial from club women out lined by the recent Louisiana Pur chase conference and the question of admitting colored women's clubs to the general federation. The ideas controlling the program are co-operation of the federation with other organizations, agencies and in dividuals having a common purpose, and fewer or shorter papers and ad dresses, leaving more time for discus sion. The program will be issued in time for the clubs to become familiar with its details. Feeling lie value of closer associa tion promoted by our federation con ferences and positive of an interesting program we earnestly urge all clubs to recognize Wayne's hospitality by sending a large representation. Ella B. Lobingier, Chairman, 2315 Douglas St., Omaha. Belle M. Stoutenborough, J. E. Hainer. By its efforts libraries are established and nurtured, until a sentiment is aroused which guarantees their per manence and surety. Parks and city Improvements receive a share of at tention, and tji3 public schools in most of the small towns are closely in touch with the club idea, being the re cipients of generous and timely dona tions of pictures. Thus the club in the small town is sowing seed, which. In time, shall take root in the tender hearts of children and life will be come to them a garden of fragrance and bea'ity. I cannot conceive how the influence of clubs in the small towns, differs from that of the city, save in limitation. In quality the aim and purpose is the same, but in quan tity the city possesses greater advan tage because of the wider field for ac tion. Hut in the broad domain of clubdom, each has its specific place and value, whether we point with pride to the city club, with Its various departments, representing the Intelli gence and endeavor of many hundreds of earnest women or turn with equal pleasure and satisfaction to the club which stands as the exponent of social and intellectual life in the smaller town. Elizabeth C. Laugworthy. Program Committee Report. It is not possible for the program committee to furnish more than a skeleton of the plan for the October meeting. In the intervening time we hope to so clothe the skeleton that we may echo the statement of last year: "This is the best program given by the Nebraska federation." Meeting for the first time in the northeastern part of the state, we are especially fortunate in Wayne, the place chosen for our annual session. The clubs composing the Town Fed eration of Wayne are enthusiastically working on the plans for the entertain ment of the federation. Recognizing the excellence of last year's program, the same general plan will be again followed. There will be three business sessions one including club reports, one evening given to a reception, and two to special features; the remainder of the time will be de voted to the art, education, household economic and industrial sections. The music committee will combine its program with the four last men tioned. Following the short business session preceding each, fifteen minutes will be given to music. The art committee has decided upon "a helpful conference on art topics." The educational committee aims to secure the best talent obtainable, building up a program having as cen tral thoughts child study and co-operation between parents and teachers. It is hoped that Superintendent Conn of Wayne, president of the state teach ers' association, will take part. Editor Courier: As was stated in your paper a few weeks ago, a meeting of the presidents of women's clubs in Massachusetts was called in December for the avow ed purpose, as was publicly announced, of discussing the question, "What the small club can do fcr the country town." Unfortunately for the country towns and the small clubs, the women of Massachusetts were too intensely en grossed with the perplexing color ques tion, and not a word or thought was given to the original text. In lieu of their ultimatum, you now ask, "What of the club in the small town?" I would answer, that just in proportion as the club in the city is creating an interest in all that per tains to the social and intellectual de velopment of its members, so in the small town. All who come in contact with the genial atmosphere of club life feel the uplifting influence which ra diates therefrom, and become loyal and devoted adherents to the cause. It is true that this leaven which agitates the mass and purifies the various stra ta of society is no idle fancy of the women of our land, but results from a desire to avail themselves of the ben efits to be derived from intelligent in tercourse with one another. By this broader outlook upon life we escape from the arrogant presump tion and petty selfishness which too often takes possession of our being and of all things an extremely selfish club woman is least desirable. In the small town the woman's club is one of its most important features. The public sentiment which it creates is always for the betterment of society. Domestic Economics at the University. (By Prof. Rosa Bouton.) There is a small room on the- first floor of Mechanic Arts building at the state university about which there is a peculiar fascination. The odors which issue from it are quite unlike those of the chemical laboratory and appear to have a certain attractive power. If one follows his inclination and enters the room he will find what appears to be a cross between a chem ical laboratory and a kitchen. It is the kitchen-laboratory of the domestic science department of the university. Here are two long tables arranged thus: T. At these tables there are places for sixteen students to work at one time. Each is supplied with indi vidual cooking utensils, which are kept in the drawers of the tables. On a small gas burner with a tripod, which serves as a stove for cooking small portions of food. When large amounts are to be cooked, or baking is done, the gas range is used. At the sides of the room are cases in which are kept food materials, cooking utensils for general use and dishes for serving. In one corner of the room is the refriger ator, in another the porcelain lined sink, witli drain board at the left, near by is the gas range with thermometer in the oven door. There is also an Alauin oven used for cooking food at comparatively low temperature. Clean liness, order and system are first prin ciples in this department. While en gaged in cooking the girls wear white aprons, caps and sleeves. After the cooking is done, each girl washes her own dishes and puts her portion of the table in order before leaving the rom. Ine first year, general work in cook ing is given, including the preparation of all kinds of common foods, such as the making of soups, the cooking of cereals, vegetables and meats, the making and baking of various kinds of bread, while some attention is giv en to salads, cakes, pastry and other desserts. 'ine second year a study is made of the preservation of food. Fruits are canned, pickled and preserved, and jel ly is made. More attention is paid to fancy cooking. Meals are planned, prepared and served, and a course in invalid cooking is given. The work is done by the lecture laboratory meth od. Three hours lectures and six hours laboratory work each week. The lec tures include, first, detailed directions for laboratory work; second, discus- slous concerning the lr.turo, composi tion and manufacture of food mater ials: third, a consideration of both the money and nutritive value of foods with a study of standard dietaries. Readings arc also assignee and notes on tho same required. The students take both lecture and laboratory notes. Special attention is given to thu economy of food materials. Many nu tritious, palatable and attractive dishes are prepared from left-overs an . thu cheaper cuts of meat. A study is also made of the economy of time and strength. There are stools In tho kitchen and tho girls are encouraged to use them. They learn that by care fully planning and systematizing their work much time and strength may be saved. Not only the "how," but the "why" and the "wherefore" are studied. It is the purpose of those in charge of the department to teach the students to think as well as to cook, to train wio mind as well as the hand. In addition to the work as outlined above there Is a two-hour lecture course in houseuohl economics, which has been given this year for the first time. In this course a study Is madu of the planning and furnishing of a house, the problems of heating, light ing and ventilation and of the water supply and drainage system. The "domestic service problem," "the cost of living of different classes of people," "division of income," and kindred topics are considered. Some very Interesting and valuable papers have been handed in by students tak ing this work. No text book is used, but reference books and journals are faithfully searched. Much valuable information on the subjects above named has been collected by these stu dents from outside sources. The his tory people will doubtless admit that this work is done in accordance with the "source method." Visits have been made to various places of interest for the purpose of getting information concerning these subjects. For exam ple the Lincoln flour mills were vis ited, when bread was the subject of study, and the university boiler house when heating by steam was under con sideration. An extension course In cookery has been given during the past winter to ladies who were not regular univer sity students. The lectures were at Z o'clock on Saturday afternoons and the laboratory work from 3 until 5 on the same afternoon. The department is greatly in need of more room, a considerable number of students having been turned away the present semester because there was no room to accommodate them. The courses of instruction in the school of domestic science include, be side the study of home science as out lined above, subjects correlated with it as botany, bacteriology, chemistry of cooking and cleaning, hygiene, etc. To the Federated Clubs of Nebraska: Our honored president, in her econ omical, but still rich little leaflet, has impressed upon the club women of our state the present opportunity for club extension and has introduced to them the committee recently appointed to advance the work. The plan of procedure divides itself naturally into three parts; first, the democratic increasing of the member ship of existing clubs; second, the for mation of new societies among very young ladies who often find more pleasure and greater profit in a club of their own; and, third, the organiza tion of new clubs in untried communi ties. This last division offers the most beneficent returns, and also requires the most painstaking effort. It is safe to say that no town in our