OFFICIALLY OPENED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 March 1943, Page 2

OFFICIALLY OPENED

U.S.A. SERVICES CLUB OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF FORCES. EFFECTIVE FLORAL DECORATIONS The official opening of the American Red Cross Service Club, which took place in Masterton on Saturday afternoo’n, was largely attended. The gathering was an informal one and there were no speeches. A feature cf the opening was the wonderful floral decorations. The bowls and vases of summer flowers were most artistically arranged and the colour schemes showed discriminating taste. The official party included Miss Hannah More Frazer, supervisor of Service Clubs throughout the Dominion for the American Red Cross; Mr W. J. Enders, Field Director; Miss Rose Jaboolian and Miss Helen McDonald, director and assistant director respectively of the Wellington Services Club; Miss M. Gadsby; Colonel R. H. Pepper; Mr J. Robertson, M.P., and Mrs Robertson; Mr T. Jordan, Mayor of Masterton, and the Mayoress, Mrs Jordan. Mrs Learmont is the ’ club director and Staff Sergeant Matthew D. Guidera, who is assisting the American Red Cross clubs in the setting up of kitchen economics, is helping in the running of the club. Mesdames Mackintosh and H. G. Moser headed the committee which was responsible for the floral decorations. Miss Mona Patrick is in charge of the canteen, assisted by a large committee; Miss Kirsty Cameron is chairwoman of the dance committee; Mrs Guy Williams is chairwoman of the advisory committee; Mrs Colin Dean’s is in charge of the home hospitality section, and Mrs Studholme is in charge of the volunteer help section. On Saturdaly afternoon a large number took , the opportunity of inspecting the spacious club rooms. Provision is made for table tennis, dancing, darts, letter writing, billiards and there are easy chairs and occasional tables for those who desire relaxation. There is an information bureau and further oh a particularly spacious canteen which features all the modern innovations of kitchen management. The club is not being run for profit, a fact which is made obvious by the fixed scale of charges on the menu: Ham and eggs, bacon and eggs, etc., cost 'the nominal sum of sixpence. On Saturday night a dance was held at the club and many citizens were present by invitation. Splendid music was provided for the dancing by a Marine band, under the direction of Sergeant W. Moore. The duties of M.C. were carried out by Sergeant Magner. Consideration regarding the running of the dances is under way at present and a public announcement will be made shortly. The club is open to all members of the Armed Forces. If the atmosphere of co-operation which has marked the opening of the club continues the success of the club is assured.