The Wilmington Morning Star

Boy's, Girls Of Bethel
Form Community Center

Boys and girls in Bethel don't sit back and bemoan the fact that there is 'nothing to do and nowhere to go.' When life seems dull and uninteresting they do something about it, according to Mrs. Virginia Sloan Swain, Family Life Specialist of the State College Extension Service.

The young people asked that some help be given them in organizing a community activity center. A week later Mrs. Swain met with leaders of the community and with Miss Verona Lee Joyner, home demonstration agent, and F. F. Hendrix, farm agent, to see how all organizations could combine efforts in doing something for these young people.

Representatives from the following organizations were present for this first planning meeting: Rotary club, John P. Hooker: home demonstration clubs, Mesdames W. R. Bullock and C. G. Garrenton; Baptist church, Rev. L. D. Holt, and Mesdames L. D. Holt, Alton Carson. W. O. Grimes and E. O. Burroughs; Methodist Church, Rev. W. M. Howard, Jr., and Mesdames W. M. Howard Jr., C. M. Burton and J. L. Gurganus: P. T. A., Mesdames R. L. Goodall, David T. House, Jr., and Dennis Hardee; Holiness Church, Rev. J Floyd Williams: High School, Mr. Walter Latham; Boy Scouts, Rev. L. D. Holt and Rev. W. M. Howard, Jr.; Girl Scouts, Miss Lois Staton.

A joint organization meeting of young people and adults was held to elect officers and make plans for the project. The following officers were elected: Mrs. Sallie B. Taylor, chairman; Dr C. S. Garrenton, vice - chairman; Miss Frances Hardee, secretary and treasurer: and Katherine Council and Jimmy Taylor, co - workers with the committee.

At the same meeting, the following recommendations were made:

1. That a community activity center be established where young people could have weekly "fun nights."
2. That families plan for more fun within the family, and make home more interesting and attractive to their children and their friends through encouraging parties at home.
3. That the local theatre try to have more good pictures for young people.
4. That games suitable for family fun and large group participation be bought and placed in the library where they could be checked out.
5. That discussions on social and family adjustments be held at stated intervals for youth and adults.
6. That more opportunities be offered the young people for active participation in community organizations.

These goals soon became a reality The town of Bethel gave financial support to get the program under way. A Teen-Age Club was organized and meets once a week, sometimes just for fun and sometimes for open forums. The members have had lively discussions on the following topics: What it Takes to Be a Good Family Member: How We Develop Fine Character: The Ethics of Dating: and Social Hygiene. Dr. C. G. Garrenton assisted Mrs. Swain with the Social Hygiene discussions.

The churches have taken an active part in meeting the needs of the young people. The girls and boys are proud of their Junior Ushers, Junior Choirs, and their Sunday night music services.

The Home Demonstration Club and P. T. A. have sponsored three discussions, to help strengthen family life in the community Their topics were Understanding The Adolescent; Improving Family Morale: and Character Development in Children.

"The program is young," says Mrs. Swain, but it is strong in spirit and cooperation. You can see a growing interest and understanding between youth and adults."