Alumnae Supplement to The Twig
MEREDITH COLLEGE, RALEIGH, N. C., MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1946
ALUMNA AND CHILD ARTIST
Nina Binder Heads Drive
To Aid Jimmy Osborne
-o
Five Chapters Report
Variety of Programs
Chapter activity since the No
vember issue of the Twig Supple
ment has been enthusiastic and
varied. Reports have been received
from groups meeting in Greenville,
Kinston, Raleigh, Durham, and
New Bern.
Greenville Chapter
The Greenville Chapter met on
November eighth at the home of
Minnie Cahoon Brooks, with Mrs.
Brooks and Lucy Hayes Pittman as
hostesses. Olivia Moye Ward, presi
dent, was in charge. The decision
was made to invite alumnae from
neighboring towns to meet with this
group and to make the chapter into
a Pitt County Chapter. Expansion
plans were discussed, and the chap
ter project for the year, assistance
in the Expansion Program, was dis
cussed. During the social hour
which followed, the group enjoyed
informal discussion of school days
at Meredith.
Kinston Chapter
The Kinston Chapter met on De
cember 6 at the home of Isabelle
McKenzie Moore, with Frances
Pittman Woodard, president, in
charge. Featured on the program
was Marguerite Mason Wilkins,
president of the Alumnae Associa
tion, who spoke on “A New Day.”
The meeting was well attended.
Wake County Chapter
The Wake County Chapter held
a Christmas meeting on December
11 with Margaret Craig Martin in
Raleigh. Martha Medlin Wardlaw
presided. The guest speaker for the
evening was Rita Paez of Ecuador.
Miss Paez, a junior at Meredith this
year, spoke on Christmas customs
and celebrations in her native coun
try. Hostesses for the occasion were
Margaret Craig Martin, Bessie Gray
Gill Holoman, Martha Medlin
Wardlaw, Lois Stafford Kelly, and
Dorothy Vann.
Durham Chapter
The Durham Chapter was enter
tained on December 12 by Lina Lee
Spence Stout, president, at a dinner
(Continued on following page)
Blind Musical Prodigy
Now Studying in America
The experiences of Nina Binder
(’36) as a Red Cross worker over
seas began with her arrival in Scot
land on April 18, 1944. The suc
ceeding months saw her first in
England, then in France, and finally
in the Austrian Alps. They brought
her in addition to the usual chal
lenges involved in opening new
clubs an opportunity to help Jimmy
Osborn, a nine-year-old blind boy
who arrived in America during the
summer of last year to become a
student at Perkins Institute in
Watertown, Massachusetts.
In November, 1944, while at
Chipping Ongar, Miss Binder in
vited Jimmy to play for the Post
Club there. The letter which she
wrote home following Jimmy’s ap
pearance best tells the story of his
reception: “Tonight (November
24th) we had quite a successful and
unique entertainer—an eight-year-
old blind boy who has never had a
piano lesson and who plays beauti
fully — everything from classical
numbers to boogie-woogie. The boys
loved it; in fact it is by far the most
popular entertainment we have had
in some time—I could even say,
dver.”
Jimmy was asked to return to
the club every Thursday night, and
a fund was begun toward providing
him an education in America. Stars
and Stripes soon printed a story
about him, and Ben Lyon began
negotiating to get him on the British
Broadcasting System.
On January 17, 1945, Jimmy
made his first radio recordings.
Although plans called for only fif
teen minutes in the recording room,
Jimmy proved so successful that he
was given an hour and a half.
On February 4, 1945, the Red
Cross Club at Chipping Ongar
staged a carnival for the purpose of
augmenting the “Jimmy Osborn
Fund.” This enterprise, over
whelmingly successful, brought six
hundred pounds ($2,400).
Jimmy made a broadcast over
CBS’s “Report to the Nation” in
early March. On being questioned
as to what state he wanted to visit,
he replied, “North Carolina.” A few
(Continued on following page)
Reunion Class Notes
1932
THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS
Marguerite Mason Wilkins
Nineteen forty-six is still quite new
when this is being written. Think
ing people are telling us that the
decisions made by individuals and
nations during this year will de
termine the course of history for
the next generation. What a thrill
to be alive in such a year, but what
a responsibility! Dr. Raymond Fos-
dick compares this year to 410 A.D.,
the year after the fall of Rome.
Historians agree that the selfish
ness, indecision, and debauched liv
ing of the people of the Roman
Empire during that year caused the
800 years of Dark Ages.
If we are inclined because the
war is over, to lead selfish lives of
indecision about great world prob
lems, the world may again enter a
period of darkness. Sometimes we
feel that we want to get away from
the press of responsibilities the war
has laid upon us, and just enjoy our
postwar homes with all their elec
trical conveniences.
But, Meredith girls, we dare not
draw into seclusion and forget the
rest of the world. This war has laid
the nations of the world on our
front door-step. Not only do we
not dare live selfishly for our fami
lies and our own interest, but we
dare not waste our time on flip-
peries and foolishness. This year
1946 will pass quickly, and history
will be determined. We’d better
watch our scales of values, and put
first things first during 1946. Those
who think are warning us.
Aren’t we glad that we spent
some youthful years in a Christian
College, and know what things
should be first?
Dr. Ira D. S. Knight recently
said that he didn’t think we should
allow the scientists to name this
age “The Atomic Age.” Why
shouldn’t it be “The Christian
Age”? Let us resolve that the next
century will be just that. May the
Lord bless each of you and keep
you.
Bessie Allen (Mrs. J. H. Mobley),
Winterville. “After leaving Mere
dith, I taught Science for four
years. Then I started housekeep
ing but have kept in close touch
with school as my husband is an
agricultural teacher. With three
daughters, life is quite fascinating
and there’s never a dull or idle
moment.”
Elizabeth Barnes (Mrs. Carl C.
Wilson), Thomasville. “I have lived
in Thomasville since my marriage
to Carl C. Wilson, in 1937. We have
one daughter, Mary Lib, who was
four in December. I teach science
at Main Street School here in
Thomasville. My husband prac
tices law here and is, at present,
judge of the court.”
Sadie Brandon, Barium Springs.
“I am still teaching third grade at
Barium Springs Orphanage. Classes,
meetings, activities, dates, what not
—all such things keep me on the
trot!”
Pauline Cagle (Mrs. J. A. Butts,
Jr.), South Hill, Virginia. “As for
a personal note about myself, I’m
afraid there’s nothing very excit
ing to tell. However, my days are
certainly well filled with looking
after my home, and my three-year-
old daughter, and doing church
work, Eastern Star work, and club
work. I assure you there are no
extra hours left over in the day.
Still, I wouldn’t exchange places
with anyone! Regards to class
mates of ’32.”
Alma Carter (Mrs. J. A. Alphin),
Fayetteville. “I’m still living and
teaching in Cumberland County.
I have two boys, ages five and
seven. My husband is still in serv
ice aboard the U. S. S. Card. He has
served in both the eastern and
western hemispheres of the war.
The boys and I are looking forward
to his return.”
Prue Choate (Mrs. H Linwood
Edwards), Salisbury. “I have a pub
lic relations position with Burling
ton Mills, editing a company house
organ with a circulation of 4,000.
My work covers public relations ac
tivities in five of the fifty odd-plants
of the company—the ones located
in Alamance County. As regards my
‘love life,’ I was married Decem
ber 16 to H. Linwood Edwards, at
home in Salisbury.”
Mary Elizabeth Elam (Mrs. Zebu-
Ion B. Vance), Macon, Georgia. “I
am at Mercer University where I
have been for the past three years
teaching in the Department of Busi
ness Administration and where my
husband is head of the Health and
Physical Education Department.
We have three children, a daughter,
ten years old, and twins, a son and
daughter, five years old. This year
I am devoting my time, outside of
home and school activities, to being
president of the Macon Branch of
AAUW and chairman of the Col
lege and University Section of the
Southern Business Education Asso
ciation.”
Edith Griffin (Mrs. W. B. Rankin),
Quincey, Mass. “I have been living
in Quincy, Massachusetts, since
June. My husband is with the U. S.
Food and Drug Administration as
food inspector and works in Boston
I have a full time job making
a home and being a mother. There
are not many empty moments.”
Clarice Holder (Mrs. Rand
Bryan), Garner. “I taught school
for seven years and since then I’ve
been very busy with housekeeping,
helping my husband care for our
poultry farm, and devoting my
spare time to church and commu
nity activities. I’m looking forward
to our reunion this spring.”
Lucille Johnson (Mrs. Hubert C.
Dixon), Boiling Springs. “I am still
at Boiling Springs—directing the
church choir and B. T. U., teaching
Public School Music at the College
(Gardner-Webb), doing a little
club work, and keeping house. Just
now I am looking forward to the
return of my husband from the
Navy! Best wishes to classmates
and to Meredith!”
Beth Kemp (Mrs. James E.
Allen), Zebulon. “I have been liv
ing in Zebulon with my parents
since my husband went into service
nearly two and a half years ago.
He hasn’t been discharged yet, but
I surely hope that he will be soon.
We have a daughter, Mary Beth,
who will be two years old in April.
She keeps me quite busy but she
is so much fun and I certainly
enjoy taking care of her.”
Mary Lee (Mrs. John Wright
Register), Florence, S. C. “During
the past two years while my hus
band has been in the Navy, I have
been making my home with my
parents in Florence. I’m still teach
ing—but now instead of having
many pupils, I have just one, our
little girl, Mary Katherine, two and
a half years old. There’s no doubt
about her receiving the major por
tion of my time and attention, but
I do give some time to music, which
I’ve continued to find an unfailing
source of pleasure, and to some
community and club work. My hus
band has not yet been discharged
from the Service, but probably will
(Continued on following page)
Alumnae To Take Part In
Founder’s Day Celebration
Morning Broadcast Will Present Meredith of
Today; Alumnae Messages Will Be Posted
Alumnae will again be featured in
the Founders’ Day celebration of
the College on Friday, February 15,
when they will sponsor a fifteen-
minute broadcast over station
WPTF (Raleigh) from 9:45 to 10:00
on that morning. President Wilkins
has named a committee composed of
Laura Weatherspoon Harrill, chair
man, Kate Matthews, and Mary
Lynch Johnson to arrange for the
program. Plans are to present a short
program on “Know Your Meredith
of Today.” Marguerite Mason Wil
kins will preside and short talks on
the status and activities of the Col
Executive Committee
Meets At Meredith
Regional Divisions To
Have Spring Meetings
The Executive Committee of the
Alumnae Association met at the
College on January 4, with Mar
guerite Mason Wilkins, president, in
charge and nine members in at
tendance.
Mae Grimmer reported for
Blanche Burke Satterfield, chair
man of the nominating committee,
that Lieut. Betty Brown MacMillan,
USNR, a graduate of the Class of
1941, would be the commencement
speaker.
Maude Wall Cheek reported that
forty dollars had been realized from
the magazine commissions, of which
twenty-five dollars has been given
to the Friends of the Library and
fifteen dollars to Ida Poteat Loan
Fund.
Margaret Craig Martin reported
that 15 per cent of the alumnae
were at this time active members of
the Association. The suggestion was
made that alumnae should be re
minded as they send in donations
to the Expansion Fund that alumnae
dues are not taken from that dona
tion unless the donor specifies her
wish to that effect.
Norma Rose spoke of expanding
the two-page Alumnae Supplement
to the TWIG to a four-page issue
and expressed the hope that the
Association would soon be publish
ing its own magazine.
Alumnae trustees, Maude Davis
Bunn and Mabel Claire Maddrey,
reported on the building program.
Mrs. Bunn, referring to plans for the
new auditorium and music building
which are now under consideration,
expressed the hope that alumnae
will show interest in plans which
look forward to future needs and
progress of the College.
Mae Grimmer called attention to
the addition of another alumna
trustee. Buna Lawrence Clark, ex-
’20, of Asheville. The group ex
pressed their approval and appre
ciation of her acceptance of this
appointment.
A report by Catherine Wyatt on
hospitality plans for commence
ment brought up the question of the
class dolls. On recommendation of
the group the president appointed
a permanent doll committee and
authorized them to investigate the
possibilities of permanent display
cases for the dolls. By vote of the
Executive Committee Mrs. Eliza
beth Bryan Pittman, who made the
lege will be made by Carlyle Camp
bell, president of the College; Nancy
Harris, president of the Student
Government Association, and Eliza
beth Shelton, president of the Bap
tist Student Union. Music will be
furnished by a sextet of students.
As in the past, alumnae will avail
themselves of this opportunity to
send greetings to their Alma Mater,
either as individuals or in groups.
This feature of the day, which for
merly occupied a prominent posi
tion in the morning assembly pro
gram, has grown to such propor
tions that the messages can no
longer be read as a part of the pro
gram but are posted as received in
Johnson Hall, where students, fac
ulty, and friends read them with
interest. There is an off-the-record
report that at least one chapter is
planning to send a Victory Bond as
a birthday gift to the College.
Plans for the day include an ad
dress at 11:00 by Dr. J. Clyde
Turner of Greensboro, and a recep
tion in the College parlors from
four-thirty to six, given by trustees
and faculty for alumnae and other
friends of the College.
Local Chapter Honors
New Faculty Members
The Wake County Chapter hon
ored the visiting alumnae and new
members of the faculty and staff at
an after-dinner coffee in the Blue
Parlor on the evening of Homecom-
mg Day. Bessie Gray Gill Hollo
man, ’30, social chairman for the
chapter, was in charge of arrange
ments.
The parlors were decorated with
fall flowers. Two alumnae faculty
members, Mary Lynch Johnson and
Ellen Brewer, poured coffee and
were assisted in serving by the fol
lowing members of the Grand
daughters Club: Mary Elizabeth
Banks of Apex, Mary Louise Milli-
ken of Siler City, Helen Phillips of
Chapel Hill, Dorothy Massey of
Louisburg, and Ruth Hall of Lilling-
ton.
Mae Grimmer, alumnae secretary,
introduced callers to the receiving
line, which was composed of Martha
Medlin Wardlaw, president of the
Wake County Chapter; Marguerite
Mason Wilkins, president of the
Alumnae Association; President and
Mrs. Campbell; Miss Anna M. Baker,
dean of women; and the new mem
bers of the faculty and staff.
Members of the Wake County
Chapter who assisted the chairman
with hospitalities were Sallie Coun
cil, lone Kemp Knight, Edna Fran
ces Dawkins, Catherine Wyatt, Mary
Farrior, Hester Farrior, Minnie
Farrior, and Mary Lee Bivens
Tyner.
original suggestion of the dolls, was
made an honorary member of the
Association.
The group discussed getting un
der way a movement to emphasize
and use more effectively the re
gional divisions of the Association.
The motion was made and carried
that an attempt be made to hold one
divisional meeting in each of the
five regions this spring.
Final business was a discussion of
plans for Founders’ Day, February
15.
Can you realize that the New
Year is so far under way? It seems
that it was only yesterday that we
were starting out on our 40 per
cent drive. I’m sure that you will
be anxious to know how we are
progressing, and I hope that you
will be pleased that the Alumnae
Association as a whole has passed
15 per cent. The five leading
classes are:
1909 with 15 members.... 46%
1913 with 20 members.-.. 35%
1945 with 85 members.... 34%
1914 with 21 members.... 33%
1917 with 32 members.... 31%
That leaves us 24.5 per cent to
raise during the remainder of the
year. I know you get tired of our
“harping” on that two dollars, but
you see that we are getting results,
for 15 per cent was the entire
amount raised in 1941!
Now here’s what I want you to
do. You’ve seen elsewhere in the
TWIG that Founders’ Day will be
February 15. That’s a very impor
tant occasion at Meredith with ap
propriate celebrations, important
guests, pleasant receptions—to say
nothing of our important Alumnae
Broadcast that morning. It should
be a most fitting time to put on
that extra spurt to raise our per
centage to 25 or 30 per cent. Then
we could coast up to Commence
ment in a long happy ride. There
fore, if you haven’t done so, do send
in your two dollars before then.
Come to Founders’ Day if you
can, for there is nothing that recalls
pleasant memories like seeing the
old familiar places and renewing
old acquaintances. If you can’t,
tune in on our program and re
minisce on some happy “Meredith”
times in those yesteryears.
The following names have been
added to the active chain of names
since the last issue of the Supple
ment:
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