Scrapbook Page 3191

              been used by Miriam Mensch, of Miflilinburg, and Blanche Williams, of J Seranton, to develop an unusually soft j and restful room. A large trunk has | I been utilized as a stand and is covered J with this same material. Pictures on j Ihe wall harmonize and the pillows are j kept in green cases, a color that blends J well with the tan and brown. The room judging is one of the pro-1 jects of the house committee of the I Waller Hall Government Association 1 and this year was in charge of the fol- I lowing: Stella Johnson, chairman, of I Forty Fort; Catherine Oplinger, of Nan-1 ticoke; Virginia Dean, of Shenandoah; I Mary Driscoll, of Plymouth* Catherine j Bell, of Drums; Anna Tugend, of Dalj ton; Margaret Jones, of Taylor, and j Sara Birth, of Shickshinny. Other members of the committee are 1 the following: Mary Louise Miller, j j Wiconisco; Dorothy Thomas, of Wilkes- I 1 Barre; Mary Middleton, of Steelton; t a Elizabeth Auvil, of Noxen, and Editha of Shickshinny. A.A.U.W. Hears Report On Puppets by Teacher - Jt J* ?? V ??> The introduction of marionettes into the local high school, as well as the development of puppets from the days of the Greeks and Romans, was explained by Alex Fisher, art supervisor lof the Blooj.oburg schools, in an address Tr i>day evening before the members of the Bloomsburg Chapter of the American Association of University Women. Miss Maree E. Pensyl, of West Main street, was hostess to the group. A talented puppet, "Rubinoffo! lich." pianist, played Rachmaninoff's j Prelude in C sharp Minor to climax | the program. During the evening, Miss Pearl Mason gave an informative report on the | meaning of the terms "inter-American J solidarity" or "Pan-Americanism." Mrs. Terance Blake reported on the activity of the international relations study group, which has sponsored meetings for the discussion of the peace movement in the United States, known as "Union Now"; the status of Russia in the war, the history of German v and her present position, as well fas a general survey of the world sitluation.At the next meeting of the study group, it was announced, Dr. Marguerite Kehr, dean of women of the Bloomsburg State Teachers College, will review "South American Primer." Mrs. Kimber C. Kuster, president, had charge of the business meeting. Puppets were known to the Greeks and the Romans, declared Mr. Fisher in his talk, which was the main feature of the program and was followed by a demonstration. In the nineteenth century the immense possibilities which 1 puppets offer as a means of dramatic {expression at a minimum of expense were recognized. Following the re-birth of interest in marionettes, the figures were at first crude but gradually im- Sroved and began to gain the attention f sophisticated writers and painters. Robert Louis Stevenson and Charles Dickens both praised puppets. An important recent development has been the Teatro Del Piccoli, founded at Milan, Italy, in 1913, which up to 1934, had presented 14,000 performances before ten million spectators from thir- I ty countries. This development helped to revive interest which had lapsed and created a demand for knowledge of the art and history of puppets. The word "puppet" comes from the Italian word, "pupa," meaning doll. Tombs of the Greeks give historical evidence of the existence of puppets at that time. Aristotle, Horace and Plato mention in their writings dolls that were worked by strings. "Punch and Judy" shows were held in many parts of the country during the seventeenth and eighteen century. During Goethe's time the immortal play, "Faust", was enacted by puppets. Many musicians composed music particularly for the puppet shows. Mr. Fisher explained that each country has one characteristic puppet, and went on to list the different types of puppets used and the methods in which they are operated. In this country the revival of interest in puppets came in 1915 in Chicago when Ellen Van Volkenburg developed a little theater. In Germany there is a long tradition of puppetry, developed through the genius for toy making and wood carving. Nazis recognized puppetry as a medium for encouraging folk arts and national culture and also as propaganda. There are many puppet troupes traveling throughout Russia also, spreading the gospel of Communism. New uses for puppets were listed, including their use in education, advertising and television. Locally Mr. Fisher introduced puppets into the schools six years ago. Several shows have been held, including one out of town. "Pied Piper of Hamlin" will be this year's production. Assisting the speaker in his demonstration of puppetry were Jack Larned and William Rutter.Miss Mason, in her current events report, declared that Pan-Americanism is making substantial progress in its efforts to banish prejudices and to overcome such differences as those of race, language, government, social institutions, illiteracy, commercial rivalries and even prejudice against the United States because of the Monroe Doctrine. The emphasis at Pan-American' conferences has always been rather more on cooperation than on enforcement in their efforts to define neutral rights I and duties and to establish a code of j uniform practices to avoid conflicts and to maintain continental security. "The recent Graf Spee incident," she said, "has made it necessary to face the need for a stronger declaration, a collective security pact or an American League of Nations as it were, giving actual political form to the solidarity, rather than just a loose association of states, existing only by special agreements."Attending: Alexander Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Pensyl, Miss Maree Pensyl, Mrs. Kimber C. Kuster, Miss Miriam Lawson. Miss Edna J. Hazen, Miss Ethel E. Shaw, Miss Edna J. Barnes, Miss Marguerite Murphy, Miss Beatrice Mettler, Miss Pearl Mason, Miss Vivian Johnson, Miss Mary A. Allen, Miss Violet L. Simpson, Mrs. W. C. Forney, Mrs. Sheldon S. Groner, Miss Cleora McKinstry, Mrs. Terance Blake, Mrs. G. Paul Moser, Miss Dorothy Shelhamer, Miss Isabel Miller, Miss Phyllis Adams, Miss E. Ruth Beers, Miss Margaret Montgomery and Miss Mabel Moyer. Jack Larned and Bill Rutter assisted Mr. Fisher in the demonstration.