One of the main attractions of the Fourth Annual Young Men's Business Club Water Carnival of 1941 was an hour long "battle" staged by troops from Fort Lewis and McCord Field. In a coordinated invasion of Point Defiance Beach, landing boats hit the shore as a trio of bombers roared in and "strafed" the beach. As the troops made their way onto dry land, they had to fight a second force of soldiers who were defending the park. Noicy but harmless ammunition was used. (T.Times 6-16-1941 p.1)

Organizations--Tacoma; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Soldiers--Tacoma;Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma; Beaches--Tacoma;

Corsages are worn by the incoming and outgoing officers of the American Legion Auxiliary on August 2, 1958, as they posed for a group portrait in the Elks Temple. The woman seated to the extreme right lacks a corsage but wears a ribbon and name tag labeled "Greetings from Tacoma." All the women are dressed in white and wear dark narrow sashes. Mrs. Everett Eaton of Battleground, was elected as new department president, succeeding Mrs. Frank S. Evans of Sedro Woolley. In addition, twelve new district auxiliary presidents were chosen. $74,000, the amount earned through the sale of veteran made paper poppies, was spent by the auxiliary for rehabilitation of the veterans. Photograph ordered by the American Legion Auxiliary. (TNT 8-3-58, A-11)

American Legion Auxiliary (Tacoma); Veterans' organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

These six ladies would be manning the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital booth at the Puyallup Fair in September, 1958. They represented three Valley District guilds belonging to the Tacoma Orthopedic Association. The women are posed with a large bulletin board. On the board are calendars, one for each month of the year, and each calendar has various tray favors pinned on it. The favors were made by junior volunteers, presumably belonging to the junior guilds sponsored by the Orthopedic Assocation. Seated from left to right are: Mrs. Everett Dickinson and Mrs. James Peterson, association president. Standing from left to right are: Mrs. George Eade, Mrs. R.A. Cross, Mrs. Howard Thomas and Mrs. Everett Peake. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Orthopedic Association. (TNT 9-5-58, A-6)

Tacoma Orthopedic Association (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Calendars;

Young Men's Business Club trip to Clemmons Tree Farm. An unidentified club member joyfully waves his hat as he climbs a power pole during the YMBC's visit to the Clemmons Tree Farm on August 1, 1941.

Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma); Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Hats--1940-1950;

On August 14, 1941, this unidentified youngster smiled at the camera as he waited by the Tacoma totem pole to board an automobile at 10th & A Street that would whisk him off to camp as the guest of the Kiwanis Club. Sixty underprivileged boys stayed at the YMCA's Camp Seymour at Glen Clove as guests of the Tacoma Kiwanis' Club.The following week it was the girls' turn as 50 girls, sponsored by the Kiwanis, departed for Camp St. Albans.

Kiwanis Club (Tacoma); Tacoma Totem Pole (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Annual photograph of the Last Man Club. The 21st reunion of the American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2's Last Man Club occurred in the Peter Puget room of the Olympus Hotel on November 10, 1958. Each year the club met at varying locations in Tacoma for a reunion banquet. View of members posing with flags; flags draped over empty seats signify respect for deceased commanders. There would be one more flag-draped chair in memory of A. Walter Olson who died earlier in 1958. (TNT 11-9-58, A-19)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); American Legion Club (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flags--United States; Last Man Club (Tacoma);

On September 3, 1941, the volunteers in the Red Cross Sewing room are busy knitting, crocheting and sewing clothes for the European victims of war. The production room, at 721 Commerce St., is buzzing with activity as thousands of garments are being made by the Pierce County Chapter. Volunteers are putting in hundreds of hours in an attempt to reach their January 1, 1942 quota. A plea went out for more volunteers. Pictured are, back row left to right, Mesdames A.W. Paulson, O.R. Smith, C.M. Gerwells, Z.S. Starks, L.C. Starks, L.C. Aston, A.J. Rosen, W.H. VanHorn, C.M. Fraser, J.L. Geisbert, W.L. Quest and A.D. Fay. Front row Expressman M.C. Hansen, Mrs. Henry Du Four, Mrs. Edward Armstrong and Mrs. M.C. Hansen (at machine). (T. Times 9/8/1941, pg. 3)

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Sewing;

Robert Hall, Kenneth Johnson, and C. M. Wienker present gifts on behalf of the Young Men's Business Club to young children at the Tacoma Indian Hospital. The Y.M.B.C. was a civics organization that performed many charitable works including supporting the Jessie Dyslin Boys Ranch. Just prior to Christmas, 1958, they traveled to the Tacoma Indian Hospital with gifts for the young patients. Many of the children came to Tacoma from out-of-state and would not be able to return home for the holidays, including Keith Pocatilla of Fort Hall, Idaho, and Thelma Jones of Poplar, Montana. Photograph ordered by the Young Men's Business Club. (TNT 12-23-58, p. 11)

Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Community service--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hall, Robert; Johnson, Kenneth; Wienker, C. M.; Pocatilla, Keith; Jones, Thelma;

Edward B. Rhodes Post Auxiliary. Group of women and two men pose for portrait in front of a Coast Lines, double-deck bus.

Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Double-decker buses--Tacoma; Bus terminals--Tacoma; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Edward B. Rhodes Post Auxiliary. Group of women and two men pose for portrait in front of a Coast Lines, double-deck bus. One of the men wipes the brow of the other with his handkerchief.

Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Double-decker buses--Tacoma; Bus terminals--Tacoma; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On Thursday September 25, 1941 the members of Sea Scout Ship No. 100 were the happy recipients of a 40-foot boat donated by the Tacoma Active Club. The boat was an old U.S. Navy sailor. The Sea Scouts planned to rebuild it into a cabin Cruiser. Standing at the bow of the vessel, temporarily named the "Active Scout" is Boatswain Doug White. Standing on top of the cabin are Skipper D.K. Cook and S.R. Hopkins, first mate. After it was rebuilt, the Sea Scout vessel Active became the SES Viking, and served into the early 1970s when she was sold. (T. Times 9/25/1941, pg. 12)

Tacoma Active Club (Tacoma); Sea Scouts (Tacoma); Boats;

New officers and board of the University Union Club, including one of the founding members, John S. Baker, seated. Standing, left to right, are Walter Frankland, ?,?,?, Howard A. Lincoln, James G. Dickerson, Ed Richards, Charles D. Hunter, ?, ?, Club President J. Corning Todd. (photograph also labelled D10285) (T.Times 9/26/1941, pg. 3)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Baker, John S.; Richards, Ed;

Junior League provisionals at Kathryn King's residence. Seated on a sofa are Mrs. James Will (the former Muriel McDonald), Mrs. Thomas H. Monroe (the former Marion Roseann Burns) and Martha (Mrs. Douglas) Gonyea. (T. Times 10/4/1941, pg. 5)

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Will, Muriel; Monroe, Marion; Gonyea, Martha;

Junior League provisionals at Kathryn King's residence. Pictured in front of the King home at 615 No. Yakima Ave. are Mrs. Henry Walker, Mrs. Robert Pfeiffer, Audsley Fraser and Leona (Mrs. Jospeph Jr.) Long. (T. Times 10/4/1941, pg. 5)

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Junior League provisionals at Kathryn King's residence. Mrs. Robert Pfeiffer and Mrs. Henry Walker pose on the street outside the home. (T. Times 10/4/1941, pg. 5)

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Junior League provisionals at Kathryn King's residence. Provisional members were the new members, or applicants. Pictured inside the King home are Miss Audsley Fraser, left, and Leona (Mrs. Joseph Jr.) Long. (T. Times 9/10/1941, pg. 10- no picture)

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Audsley; Long, Leona;

ca. 1959. Barbara Heil points out the circled March 17 on a 1959 calendar as a reminder of the opening day of the 11th annual Greater Tacoma Home Show. Three area contractors assist her in this promotional photograph. The show was to be held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse from March 17-22, 1959. Backing Miss Heil are, from left to right, R.L. Johnson - president of the Masonry Contractors Association, Robert J. Sproul - president of the Tacoma Master Builders and Roger Trolson - President of Unit Masonry Company. (TNT 3/12/1959, pg. C-5, TNT 3/15/1959, pg. B-2, TNT 3/16/1959, pg. 27+, TNT 3/2/1959, pg. 11) Ordered by the Tacoma Master Builders Association.

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Heil, Barbara; Johnson, R.L.; Sproul, Robert J.; Trolson, Roger; Calendars;

For six weeks, "Pennies for Happiness" would be the slogan of the Dr. Edward Rich Orthopedic Guild as they collected pennies in their annual drive. The drive would take place October 15-December 1, 1941, and would benefit crippled children. Guild members pictured above were not identified. (T. Times 10/15/1941, pg. 20)

Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Dr. Edward Rich Guild (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Publicity for Young Men's Business Club (Y.M.B.C.) sponsored wrestling matches at Armory. The matches were scheduled for October 24, 1941. The money raised would go to the athletic fund of the 103rd Anti Tank Unit at Fort Lewis. The poster promises All Star Army - Civilian matches in both boxing and wrestling. The officer seated at right has been identified as William M. Adams. He joined the National Guard in 1931 and stayed 44 years, retiring as a full colonel. (Identification provided by a reader)

Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Adams, William M.;

Members of the Wauna Club planning committee admire a scroll with artful drawings of bamboo during a meeting at the home of the Arthur Reynolds. The committee is planning the club's first dance of the year, a Chinese extravaganza themed "Through the Moon Gate." It will be held Saturday, November 8th, 1941 at the Roof Garden of the Winthrop Hotel. Pictured are, left to right, Stella (Mrs. Arthur) Reynolds, Helen (Mrs. Otto) Siburg, Ethel (Mrs. George) Weller and Elva (Mrs. C.J.) Weller. (T. Times 11/1/1941, pg. 4)

Wauna Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reynolds, Arthur--Homes & haunts; Weller, Ethel; Weller, Elva; Siburg, Helen; Reynolds, Stella; Committees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Scrolls (Visual works);

Members of the planning committee gather Chinese artifacts to add ambience to the first Wauna Club Dance of the Season. The theme of the dance is "Through the Moon Gate" and it is scheduled for Saturday, November 8th, 1941 at the Roof Garden of the Winthrop Hotel. Pictured, left to right, are Ethel (Mrs. George) Weller, Helen (Mrs. Otto) Siburg, Stella (Mrs. Arthur) Reynolds and Elva (Mrs. C.J.) Weller. The group is pictured at the Arthur Reynolds residence. (T. Times 11/1/1941, pg. 4)

Wauna Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reynolds, Arthur--Homes & haunts; Weller, Ethel; Weller, Elva; Siburg, Helen; Reynolds, Stella; Committees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Scrolls (Visual works);

The Spinster Club held their annual tea at the University - Union Club on October 19, 1941. A young unidentified woman is pictured here with a floral piece in shape of an "S." Despite its name, the club was not restricted to unmarried women. It served as a social club for Tacoma girls, many from prominent local families. (T. Times, 10-25-41, p. 3) [Also dated 10-18-1941]

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flowers--Tacoma--1940-1950; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Three young women enjoy the camaraderie at the Spinster Club's annual tea held at the University-Union Club on October 19, 1941. The tea was to honor prospective members. Among the decorations on the table is a large "S" made out of flowers. The color scheme was blue and silver. Lea Mills, Club president, and Virginia Austin, secretary, were acting as hostesses. (T.Times, 10-25-41, p. 3)

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flowers--Tacoma--1940-1950; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Members of the planning committee for the University Union's Club pre-Christmas tea, scheduled for December 2, 1941, pose for this publicity shot at the Club. Standing, left to right, are Katherine (Mrs. John) Mueller, Mrs. Harry A.D. Smith, Kathryn (Mrs. H.R.) Pirret and Antoinette (Mrs. Harold K.) Nichols. Seated, L to R, Dorothy (Mrs. Jess) Read, Jane (Mrs. Edwin) Warren, Esther (Mrs. C.M.) Langhorne, and Marian (Mrs. J. Corning) Todd. (T.Times 11/29/1941, pg. 5)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Mueller, Katherine; Pirret, Kathryn; Nichols, Antoinette; Read, Dorothy; Warren, Jane; Langhorne, Esther; Todd, Marian;

From November 17-23, 1941, communities across America celebrated the second annual National Art Week. The Tacoma Art Association observed the celebration by sponsoring an exhibit of local artists at the former location of the Helen Davis dress shop in the Hotel Winthrop. An unidentified clubwoman was photographed opening the door to the exhibit, which featured a variety of art including water colors, oils, charcoal, pastels, wood carvings, photography and handicrafts. Local artists were able to enter their works free of charge, and the public was invited to view the show for free and purchase the works of the artists. (T. Times 11/14/1941, pg. 19; 11/18/41, pg. 8; 11/19/41, pg. 18- all story only)

Tacoma Art Association (Tacoma); Art exhibitions--Tacoma;

Annual meeting of the American Legion, Edward B. Rhodes Post's Last Man Club, Hotel Winthrop, on December 3, 1941. Three empty chairs are draped with American flags and 19 men sit and stand by them. The draped chairs are in honor of Club members who have died. The Club was organized December 5, 1938 by World War I veterans who were past Commanders of the Post. A bottle of 1917 Hennessey Five Star cognac was set aside for the last surviving member to drink a toast to his comrades. The first to die was Tacoma Mayor Dr. John Siegle on April 13, 1939. The sole survivor was Capt. Chester Chastek. By February of 1992, he had outlived all his fellow club members. He died February 23, 1997 at the age of 97.

American Legion Club (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Last Man Club (Tacoma);

The fourth annual meeting of the American Legion's Last Man Club was held at the Winthrop Hotel in December, 1941. Sixteen men pose with three flag draped chairs. The draped chairs are in honor of the Club members who have died, past Commanders E.A. Rich, Dr. J.C. Siegle (first to die on 4/13/39) and George A. Allen. The Club was organized on 12/5/38 by WWl veterans who had also served as Commanders of the Edward B. Rhodes Post of the American Legion. As each Commander stepped down from office, he was invited to join if he was a WWI veteran. A bottle of cognac, autographed by all members, was set aside for the last surviving member to drink a toast to his comrades. The Last Man was Capt. Chester Chastek. He became the sole survivor on February 16, 1992 after the death of Paul O. Brown. He retrieved the bottle of cognac after its 54 years of repose in a Puget Sound Bank safe deposit box but did not drink it. He had never had a drink in his long life and refused to break his record. (T.Times 12-2-41-article)

American Legion Club (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Last Man Club (Tacoma);

Mrs. Eleanor Dockeray, Mrs. James C. Ferguson, and Mrs. Dorothy Bottcher (l to r) of the Tacoma Junior Women's Club, examine one of the posters created by the club's art committee for the "Rice Bowl Party" that was scheduled to be held on December 12, 1941 at the First Baptist Church. The party and show, which was to include vaudeville numbers by prominent Chinese entertainers from Tacoma, Seattle and Portland, was part of the Tacoma - Pierce County campaign to raise money for China relief. The event was part of a national United China Relief Campaign to raise 5 million dollars; Pierce County had already raised $10,000, half of the County's goal. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the event was postponed. (TNT 12/7/1941 p.A-4)

Junior Womens Club (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Posters; Dockeray, Eleanor; Ferguson, James C.--Family; Bottcher, Dorothy;

Beginning April 6, 1942, the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) launched special "Keep Fit" classes at its 405 Broadway location. Instruction was being offered in golf, tennis, swimming and Badminton (pictured.) Classes would be held both morning and evenings to accomodate those working in the defense industries. The YWCA operated under the adage learned from war torn England, that adequate exercise was a morale builder. (T. Times 4/10/1942, pg. 3)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); Badminton;

Mrs. H. V. Davies (far left), in her Red Cross uniform, directed the activities of the volunteers at the new Red Cross production department on Commerce Street in April of 1942. The woman third from the right, in the pattern dress, is Mrs. J. L. Giseburt, chairman of the volunteers. The theme of the annual meeting of the Pierce County Red Cross, held on April 14th, was volunteer service. Tribute was paid to the over 15,000 persons in Pierce County who contributed their time and effort to the Red Cross. (T. Times 4/13/1942 p.8)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community Service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;