Portland High School - Tifoon Yearbook (Portland, IN)

Page 3 text:

'Quin -gn? x Aff Q ri :AA V YQUTI-1 CENTER QPENED We are all awfully proud of our new Youth Center. For the last five years we had been calling the large Weiler house on North Meridian Street our Rec Hall and every- body knew that we had outgrown that. It remained for Mr. John Paxson, a member of our school board, and the Reserve Ofncers Association to sponsor a movement for a new youth center. Our parents contributed generously to the fund, and many business men became members of a S100 Club, even offering to double their donation if necessary. Civic clubs added their share and the crown- ing gift was 35,000 from Dr. and Mrs. A. A. Braddock. The total amount pledged was 527,000 Ground-breaking ceremonies were held last June, and the building, located in Weil- er's Park across the street from the high school bulding, was completed and formally opened in December, 1949. Mr. Donald Woodworth was secured as director, and hundreds of us kids began streaming over there after school and in the evenings. It's fun to dance to the juke box, play canasta at the new card tables, or just to watch a game of pool and talk. Plans for the future of the Youth Center include landscaping, a picnic oven which will be used by all members, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and just us kids, and a black top basketball court. Our thanks go to Mr. Paxson and every- body in the community who has helped make the Center a reality. It is really swell and we appreciate it.