In the early fifties, Andrew Jardine was leader of the Freetown Club. He was followed by Allan Clow and Elmer Smith who took over the leadership in 1960. Elmer remained in that capacity until 1979. Walter E. Stavert assisted Elmer with the calf project for many years.
Records from 1962 show that leaders were accepting greater responsibility in 4-H work. Clubs were having two calf inspections and supervised judging classes yearly. In 1964, a monthly program sent to the clubs had quizzes on the lessons. During the winter months, 4—H radio quizzes were conducted with the Prince County Clubs. They consisted of current events, study materials and general knowledge questions. In 1968, members attended the first Island 4—H camp at the Y.M.C.A. Camp in Holland Cove.
In 1970, the 4-H program went through an adjustment period. It changed from a provincially organized program to one that was more district oriented. District offices became the contact point for 4-H Clubs. In 1973, a new project, food management, began for those who wished to be members but not involved in the calf project. Elmer’s daughter, Linda Smith, led this project. The following year yet another project, gardening, was introduced to the Club. Linda supervised this project until 1975 when Helen Cairns took
over the leadership.
Nineteen seventy-eight was filled with celebrations as the Island marked its sixtieth anniversary in 4—H.
Freetown Harmony 4-H Club celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. In August, they held an Achievement Day at Scales’ Pond and had as guests some members from the first club in 1928 as well as Allison Profitt, first club leader. Members enrolled in the club that year were Nora Drummond, Todd Drummond, Blaine Drummond, Darrell Drummond, Tracy Drummond, Malcolm Cairns, James Cairns, Wendy Smith, Allison Smith, Kent Stavert, Gordon MacMillan, Bernadette MacMillan, Darla Clow, Tom Coolen, Stephen Howatt, Wendy Taylor and Kathy Kyle. Leaders were Elmer Smith, Marie Howatt and Helen Cairns.
The following year, Marie Howatt became overall leader with new assisting leaders Marion Drummond, Allison Smith and Percy Affleck. Members were from Emerald, Freetown and Bedeque. At the 1979 Provincial Banquet, the Freetown Harmony 4-H Club received recognition as being the oldest on the Island.
In 1980, the club was honored to be selected as the most improved in the Summerside District. In 1981, Wendell Cameron joined to assist woodworking members. In 1984, the Club leased the former South Freetown School from the South Freetown Sewing Circle. Members have been involved in various money making
projects in order to give their club house some needed repair and a new look.
The most marked difference from the early calf club in Freetown has been the branching off from the calf project to many other projects like food, gardening, crafts, small engine, woodworking, junior leadership, self determined projects, macrame, knitting, pony, goat, swine, rabbit, poultry and the great outdoors.
Public speaking has always been part of 4—H training and Freetown members have enjoyed repeated success in public speaking competitions, calf and other project competitions, exchange visits, judging competitions, provincial and dominion conferences and seminars. As a result, many of the Freetown Club members have had the opportunity to experience training in citizenship, personal development and leadership.
Submitted by Helen Cairns
SCOUTING AT FREETOWN
When Rev. Alex G. Crowe arrived in 1930 to occupy the Baptist Parsonage at Central Bedeque, the event was unheralded. It did not make headlines in the Charlottetown Guardian, but to many boys and teenagers in Bedeque and Freetown, it was a momentous occasion. In October of that year, he organized a Boy Scout troop with approximately eighteen boys divided into three Patrols. Rev. A.G. Crowe was our Scout-master and J.B. Lewis our Assistant Scout-master. The Otter Patrol had George Lewis for Patrol Leader and Ira Lewis as Second. The Fox Patrol had Morris Deacon as Patrol Leader and Horace MacFarlane as Second. The Beaver Patrol had Lorne Wright as Patrol Leader and Carmen Johnson as Second. Other members in the First Bedeque-Freetown Scout Troop were: Robert Burns, Arnold Callbeck, Allan Clow, Norman Clow, Cecil Burns, Robert Jardine, Douglas Leard, Keith Leard, Claude Lewis, Douglas MacFarlane, Ralph MacFarlane, Walter Paynter and Norman Wright.
Meetings were held weekly except in winter when they were held fortnightly. At each meeting, there were periods of worship, instruction in scouting and wood lore, as well as the Scout Promise and the Scout Laws. Games were an important part of every evening’s programme. Any Scout would not forget games like “Dog and the Bone”, “Rooster Fight” or “Kim’s Game”. One important part of each evening was the Scout master’s General Inspection. He emphasized neatness and cleanliness of person and uniform. Up to that point in our lives we had never realized how important it was to have our shoes shined. In addition,
138