Years ago, before I was born, the little postoffice nearest our place bore the quaint name of Sunrise. In those days, the postoffice was the black walnut desk of my grandfather. He came to the open prairie when there was nothing such to be seen except sky and prairie grass They must have chosen the name as the Indians choose the name of the newborn child. They name it for the first object that meets the view when the Indian mother opens her eyes. The sunrise on the prairie was probably the most prominent, and, indeed the only object, except the sky and land, when grandfather cogitated on a name for his postoffice. The old name is only a memory now, but in this column, I shall call our community that still. The country now is well-settled, amply planted, prosperous and beautiful. The years have rolled along and our children are the fourth generation to live on the land. Unless we consolidate, they will attend the same one-room schoolhouse their father and grandfather attended. The family is not unique; in our community, and probably in yours, too, there are a number of the pioneer families clinging to the same communities. This old stock is important to America. Even though it came to America from the Old World only three or four generations ago, it is the realest American stock we have It is important that our children carry on the traditions.
Just now I don't mean the sober tradition of the strenuous labor, either, though that is essential, but I am thinking of the spirit that many of us remember nothing about; the spirit that kept those brave pioneers from despairing in the midst of danger and privation - the spirit of play.
Interest Change
We are beyond the good old days of the quilting bees and husking bees and square dances in those mammoth living-room kitchens of long ago. The telephone, automobile and radio have changed our interests much. But we farm people ought to stick together for part of our social life, at least. We are gradually learning to work together; let us keep on playing together, too.
Here at Sunrise we have a community club for young and old that meets once a month for a program, and often serves lunch afterward during a social hour. We have a building owned by the club and occasionally give plays and pageants and bazaars in addition to the regular meetings We have an open-country church, too, It is none too well-supported to be true, but many own churches are not, either We have other clubs and meetings that keep us somewhat together in spite of attractions in the towns. In that degree, we are continuing the old-time spirit of our ancestors But just this summer, amusement parks and dance halls have opened up along the hard roads. What these will do eventually to our rural meetings no one can tell.
I wish you would tell us bout your communities, your recreations and churches and how you meet the problem of keeping the young people satisfied on the farm.