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THE FEDERATION JOURNAL
April, 1954
Greetings From Alpha Art
The Alpha Art Club anticipates with an
enormous amount of enthusiasm the meet
ing of the State Federation of Women’s
Clubs here in High Point on the four
teenth of May. This club has a special in
terest in the State Convention, as it is the
oldest of the High Point Clubs affiliated
with the State Federation and is respon
sible for the organization of the City
Federation.
Organized in 1924, the club at first was
purely a social club, but soon came to
realize that although social activities were
worthwhile, the civic needs of the com
munity demanded attention. The object
of the club as revealed by its constitu
tion is to promote the interests of mem
bers in art, to aid and promote civic bet
terment in the town and to aid delinquent
Negro girls in North Carolina.
The subsequent history has proven the
truth of the saying, “Rest is rust and real
life is in love, laughter and work.” Wom
en who have been with the organization
through the years look back with happi
ness and pride to many evenings spent in
social enjoyment; point to many pieces in
their homes that were made by their own
hands during club hours; but above all
they are glad of the things they have
been able to do to help others in the
community and the state and particularly
Efland Home.
The club is able to boast the fact that
Mrs. O. T. Griffin, one of its greatest in
fluential characters was an executive
member of the State Federation for a
number of years and at the present time
Mrs. L. B. Curtright, a charter member of
Alpha Art is on the executive board of
the Federation.
Annual donations are made to the Red
Cross, Community Chest, Empty Stock
ing Fund, Girls Training School at Kins
ton, Polio Drive and the Cancer Drive.
Other varied activities of the club have
been the support of the Youth Center by
a purchase of a piano, the maintenance of
a rental shelf at the public library, gen
erous contributions to the Hospital Drive,
free lunches to children of need, and'
maintenance of a linen chest at the hos
pital.
These civic projects have been heart
ily supported by the entire community.
The club has been made to feel that it
has a real place and all members are
now willing to agree that they are just
as happy working hard to put over some
civic project as when spending a quiet
evening in some home for recreation.
Among the memorable trips Alpha Art
has enjoyed are visits to the Morehead
Planetarium in Chapel Hill to witness the
Christmas and Easter performances and a
day spent sight-seeing on the Blue Ridge
Parkway.
Each year finds club members prepar
ing articles of handicraft for the annual
THE ALPHA ART CLUB
man.
Seated, first row, left to right are: Mesdam.es Lillian B. Merritt, Janie K. Wil
liams, Dahla D. Ingram and Gwendolyn P. Davis. Seated, second row, left to right
are: Mesdames Lola B. Curtright, Thenia Y. Brincefield, Terah W. Whitten, Mar
garet J. Simmons, Cornelia B. Smoot and Mattie J. Haizlip. Standing, third row,
left to right, are: Mesdames Ethel B. Ballenger, Ethel P. Wilson, Ora K. Martin,
Julia I. Hall, Ethel G. Hughes, president; Mary H. Blackburn, financial secretary;
Lavinia M. Greenwood; Sara B. Davis, treasurer; and Alice P. McLeod.
club exhibit. These exhibits are seen by at
least three hundred persons annually.
Enthusiasm is inspired each year by
a program booklet which among its leaves
are words of wisdom. Found in the book
let this year is a . . .
“RECIPE FOR AN AMERICAN”
Sift one cupful of patriotism with
an equal amount of tolerance. Stir in
a heaping tablespoonful of ambition,
tempered with a proportionate
amount of restraint.
Beat well slowly adding the milk
of human kindness in bountiful
measure. Fold in a half-cup of broth
erly love mixed with charity.
Flavor to taste with Christian, Jew
ish, Mohammedan or any desired ex
tract. Pour mixture into a mold and
let it rise in the heat of competitive
spirit. Bake at an even temperature.
Frosting may be any desired col
or: Red, white, brown or yellow.
Serve in unity — enough for one
hundred forty million people.
—Robert J. Otstot
Mrs. S. E. Burford,
Program Chairman.
Aid to the less fortunate people of
High Point is oft-times discussed at the
bi-monthly meetings of Alpha Art, whose
motto is “To lift as we Climb.”
BLIND BARTIMEUS
Blind Bartimeus at the gates
Of Jericho in darkness waits;
He hears the crowd—he hears a breath
Say, “It’s Christ of Nazareth.”
And calls, in tones of agony,
“Thou Son of David, pity me.”
The thronging multitudes increase;
“Blind Bartimeus, hold thy peace!”
But still, above the noisy crowd.
The Beggar’s cry is shrill and loud;
Until they say, “Oh! wouldst thou see?
Take courage, rise. He calleth thee!”
Then saith the Christ, as silent stands
The crowd, “What wilt thou at My
hands?”
And he replies, “O give me light!
Rabbi, restore the blind man’s sight.”
And Jesus answers, “Follow Me,
Thy faith hath made thy blind eyes see!”
Ye have eyes, yet cannot see,
In darkness and in misery.
Recall those mighty Voices Three,
“Thou Son of David, pity me!”
“Take courage, rise. He calleth thee!”
“Thy Faith hath made thy blind eyes see!”
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow