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CHAPTER 12

Entertainment and Recreation BRUNSWICK RECREATION COMMISSION After the initial delegation of March 9, 1954, requested the town to pass an ordinance creating a recreational program for teenagers, the council acted with lightning speed. At the April 13, 1954, meeting Mayor Stanley Virts appointed the first Recreation Commission members: W. Carlos Myers, acting chairman, Mrs. Henry (Sarah) Beard, Harry George, Jr., William U. Weller, Mary Margrabe, Eva Albert, Anthony J. Cincotta, Nelson A. Strathern, S. Millard LaPole, Richard Bowers, Gerald Shewbridge, John H. Moore, Harry L. Hill, Jim Cummings, and William B. Gross. Gerald Shewbridge, whose group had been holding dances at City Park, requested at the May meeting that the pavilion be painted. By the June meeting the pavilion was painted on the inside. A summer playground program was introduced with four sites used: City Park, Social Club of Brunswick (S.C.O.B.) Park, Wenner'sHill, and West End School. Later the total program was held at City Park, with a school bus transporting the children. Finally, dances for teenagers were held, being moved inside to the American Legion home in cold weather. Hikes and bike rides were enjoyed. In the early year "Tag Day" sales augmented the town's appropriations. Later, Revenue Sharing (Federal funds) brought much funding to the recreation program. For ten years, 1967to 1977, Wayne Carter served as president. He recalls innovative programs of sponsoring a bus for roller skating at Braddock, annual trips to the IceCapades, iceskating at Cabin John Park, and other out-of-town programs. Some overnight camping trips resulted in two complete bike rides of the 184-mile C&O Canal in short, annual segements of 30 to 50 miles each. Town trucks were used to haul bikes, food, tents, and sleeping gear. Sometimes parents transported the supplies to the various starting points. And 155

sometimes the B&O, sometimes the bus, transported riders. Free family swimming evenings proved popular, as did other programs. The Recreation Commission managed the campground, which was dedicated in 1969, until a permanentresidentwasplaced there. They had the City Park pavilion floor sanded. They bought a Bell and Howell movie projector. Summer playgrounds were continued . Playground equipment was purchased and refurbished. From 1977 to 1986 Mary Jo Rouda bousch Brown also served a very productive term as president. Summer playground programs were continued, scattered _throughout town until centralized at City Park. Without a bus for transporting the youngsters~ attendance decreasaed. For half a dozen years tennis tournaments were held. Recreation Commission cooperated with the Express Running Club, whose funds provide scholarships for seniors in field sports programs. BRC helped the Lions present their annual Halloween gift to the youngsters. Once-a-month dances for elementary and middle ~ades were instituted. A bus trip to a Harlem ulobe Trotters game was a highlight among recent trips. . Updating c~ild ren' s playgrounds was an ongoing program with Mary Jo. lJpgrading the Kim Weddle Park included improving the basketball court and replacing the deteriorating equipment salvaged from the former East Brunswick School with safer, modem equipment. The commission also improved City Park apparatus as well as that on the Second Avenue/Souder Road blacktop. The new swimming pool of 1980 and improvements at the 1969 campsite came during Mary Jo's decade at the helm of BRC. Currently, Charles Beardsley, president; Walter Stull, vice president; Mary Jo Brown, secretary; and Patty Owens, treasurer and leader of the summer playground are now at the helm of this successful 36-year-old program.