assembled a sizeable selection of books. Then a discussion group was started and speaking skills were developed. A sewing circle attracted the women, and their work added conspicuously to the financial standing of the society. When more women still joined the society, it was possible to start a dramatics group. That in turn fostered the demand for a new, large hall, dedicated in 1912. The dramatics group became a permanent one, with the activities as usual directed by the more talented laymen members. These included, first Antti Viitanen, followed for a briefer time by A. Laupiainen. There were guest directors also, including Otto Laine. Performances in nearby communities were given, developing eventually into an organized and successful venture, with as many as six communities often included in the course of a single `tour.' A chorus was started in 1910, and although there were periods of inactivity due to a lack of directors, interest was revived when the new hall was taken into use: for years the chorus was directed by U. Walo. There was no lack of occasions for the chorus to perform, or it was requested Lo sing at the society's own functions and received many invitations from neighbor
ing towns during that flourishing period of cultural activity. A brass band was
started at the same time as the chorus; it was directed first by Miettinen, previously cited, and then y Matt Niemi, Jal mar Laupiainen, Isaac Walma and Antti Viitanen. Later, in the
absence of directors, band members took their turn with the baton. The society counted 66 members in 1910. In 1914, when the split occurred, the industrial unionists were in the majority, and the Aurora society was removed from the socialist party. The property fell into the hands of a new, independent society which rejected the Työmies as its organ and took the Sosialisti and later the Industrialisti as its spokesmen. Activity within this society,

Aurora Gymnastic Society. On floor: J. Elo and Kivelä. Seated: H. Onkalo, Huotari, Kalle Tanner, director, Charles Laakso, John Mattson. Back row: Oscar Möttönen, Herman Korpi, Emil Mattson, John Waltonen. John Lahti.

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