Living in Montville in the Late 1940’s
Longtime resident Donna Stillman and her family moved to Montville Towhship in 1945. Life was mostly rural in Montville in the mid 1940’s. Donna Stillman relates how different life was then compared to the Montville Township of today with beautiful neighborhoods, parks and businesses.
Going to School in Montville Circa 1945
Longtime resident Donna Stillman and her family moved to Montville Township in 1945 where she began attending the old Poe School (razed in 2018). Shortly before its demolition she returned to her old school building and shared some memories.
The South Pike Ladies Club
Donna Stillman reminisces about the South Pike Neighborhood Club, originally founded in 1904 as the “Do As You Please Ladies Club” and later renamed. She still has the journal full of memories (see the gallery in the sidebar).
Donna Stillman’s ledger from the South Pike Ladies Club
South Pike Ladies Club
In 1904 Leah Kennedy had a birthday party for her mother, Mrs. Myra Kennedy, with neighbors and friends. At the party they decided to form a “Do As You Please Club.”
The object was to promote “friendship” among the families, to become better neighbors for a better community. Their motto was “Do As You Please.”
One of the pleasant features of the club was the fact that the women were supposed to come dressed as they pleased, bring mending, sewing or do just as they pleased. Club members could choose any form of entertainment they desired. Through the years all women who moved into the area were asked to join, but they still did as they pleased.
The meetings were held the first Friday afternoon of each month, except August and September. The club annually elected a President, Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer. Annual dues were $1.00, from this contributions were made to the Red Cross, Polio and Cancer Funds.