LIONS CLUB
Club makes plans for chili supper; hears about library
BY BILLY WATSON SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR

The annual chili supper will be held on Friday night, Nov. 9th at the Rusk High School Cafeteria. This event is the club's main money maker of the year. The funds used from the chili supper last year allowed the club to give four $500 scholarships for our high school seniors. Price for the chili supper is $5.

Lion Bobbie Burch said the Cub Scouts Derby Daze Race would be held at 9 a.m. Nov. 10 at the Intermediate School Gym.

Small car kits are $25. Everyone who enters, Dads included, makes their own cars, which are judged and awards are given. The race starts at 11 a.m.

Boots Burfoot presented a program on the formation of the Rusk Library. It was first organized on Oct. 4, 1902, as the Bachelor Girls Club. The Motto was "United We Stand, Divided We Fall". Colors were white and green. Flower was the white rose. The aim was mental and spiritual growth. There were 15 charter members who wanted to gather and maintain a lending library. Each member gave a book and donated $1. This was the first public library in Cherokee County. By 1904 they had 122 volumes.

There were several name changes such as "The Maids and Matrons Study Club." In 1935 a spin off for younger women was formed. It is the Thalian Club which is still functioning. In 1966 the club gave its collection and furniture to the City of Rusk which also received a generous gift of money and property from the Ed Singletary estate. A new building was built at 207 E,. 6th Street and the Singletary Memorial Library was opened to the public. The original collection is currently housed there in the original bookcase. Through the efforts of the late Ethel Pledger a Texas State Historical Marker was placed in front of the library in 1993.

Guests were Rev. Cliff Horton, Lucy Horton, Emily Tierman and Norma Daniel.