Footnotes to Long Island History
by
Thomas R. Bayles
Navy
Clubs were surely trumps in the life of Patchogue during the early years of the present century, and there were 80 organizations of all kinds. Even the babies were "clubby," with their cradle rolls, and there were clubs for all, young, middle aged and old. The following article from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle for April 19, 1908, gives some idea of them:
EXCURSIONS to Bridgeport Conn.
Steamer "CATSKILL"
Leaves Port Jefferson, LI
Phone HR 3-0286
BRIDGEPORT AND PORT JEFFERSON STEAMBOAT CO.
"Few towns on Long Island member as many clubs and kindred organizations as Patchogue, according to 'clubdom,' a recent publication by Paul Bailey, which shows a total of 80. The list includes all forms of organizations, from women's social, with Sorosis at the head, to scooter and other organizations. There are women's clubs, men's clubs, mixed clubs, clubs where 'clubs are trumps,' and even clubs for the babies, as shown in the cradle roll of the different churches, chief of which is the "Little Light Bearers."
"Among the women's social clubs is the 'Bachelor Maids Sexette.' Then there is the 'CCC' which has been described as 'catch' Charlie's cash.' Another is the 'NOT,' who are not over 20. The elderly mastrons have a club called the 'LUBS' circle, defined as 'let us be sensible.' The 'Thimble Club' would naturally be a sewing organization, but it is not simply being a social gathering of women, and remarkable as it may seem., has no officers. Then there is the 'Tam-o'Shanter Club' the 'Thursday Afternoon Euchre,' the 'Afternoon Pedro,' 'Women's Study,' 'Young Ladies Literary,' 'Evening Pedro,' 'Embroidery Class and the 'Blue Ribbon Clubs.' The Women's bowling clubs include the 'Oak Social Circle,' and the 'Linden Grove Bowling Club,' the members of which can roll a bowling ball with equally as good a score as their male competitors.
"The men are not far behind their fair friends in the club line, and one reason, it is said why there are so many women's clubs is that the women banded together, so that when the man of the household informed his wife at supper time that he was 'going to the club this evening,' his better half could reply, 'And so am I, my dear.'
"In the men's organizations the 'South Bay Yacht Club' heads the list. There is the 'Men's Business Club,' a very exclusive clan; 'Patchogue Athletic Club,' 'Patchogue Bowling Club,' 'Good Enough Bowling Club,' 'South Bay Scooter Association,' 'Patchogue Scooter Club,' the 'PGTC,' supposed to indicate the 'pretty good times clcb,' and the 'Fidos Decimos,' have as their feature some very fine dancing programs during the Winter season to which their women friends are invited.
"Among the church organizations are the 'Brotherhood' of the Methodist Church, the 'St. Paul's Institute of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the Women's League, Ladies' Aid Society, St. Paul's Guild, Junior League, Epworth League, Girls Friendly Society, Sunshine Band, Daughters of Israel Aid Society, Women's Missionary Society Women's Christian Temperance Union, St. Paul's Missionary Society, King's Daughters, Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, and the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor.
"The schools have seven, the Sigmo Beta, Mu Sigma, STB, Alpha Mu Sigma Alumni Association, Debating Society and Athletic Association.
"In the list of fraternal orders are the Patchogue Commandery No. 65, K.T; Suwassett Chapter No 195, RAM; South Side Lodge No 493, F & AM; Paumanake Council No 778, Royal Arcanum; Patchougue Council, Knights of Columbus; Patchogue Camp Modern Woodmen of America; Brookhaven Lodge IOOF; Sanctuary of Suffolk, Shepherds of America; Court Advance , Foresters of America; Farragut Council Junior Order United American Mechanics; Patchogue Manufacturing Company's Employes Benefit Association; Local Union United Carpenters & Joiners of America; Baymen's Protective Association; E. Bailey & Sons Employes Sick Benefit Association.
"In the miscellaneous list are Lincoln Republican Club; Exempt Firemen's Association; Patchogue Clerk's Association; Civic Association; Patchogue Socialist Club, Patchogue Branch Workingmen's Circle of America. At the head of the list is the Patchogue Board of Trade.
"Clubdom,' however, fails to give a list of the semi-public organizations such as the four fire companies, the base ball association, and also fails to state that Patchogue in itself is one big club, the spirit of which is reflected in that 'get together' plan that has made the 'Queen Village' famous.
"The oldest in the official clubdom in Patchogue is the Brookhaven Lodge No. 80 IOOF, organized in 1846, and still in a sound condition."