The Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library

The Stillwater News

During times of uneasiness in our nation, perhaps we could learn a lesson from "The Greatest Generation." Not long ago, Burrillville was a thriving community filled with enthusiasm. It was home to a vibrant work force and a source of many recreational and entertainment venues.

Community spirit was due in large part to the Stillwater mills operated by Austin T. Levy. His belief was that a happy employee was a better worker. For this, he provided educational incentives, health coverage, housing benefits, and what appears to have been profit sharing. The Assembly Theatre regularly showed movies as well as live performances. There were tennis lessons and company outings.

What may have been Mr. Levy's most caring accomplishment was The Stillwater News, a quarterly publication begun in December 1942, and written largely for his "boys and girls" in the service. It was a highly polished newsletter that covered local news and gossip. There were photographs of mill employees at work and at play, and of men and women in the military. There were reports of school sports, bowling leagues and tennis lessons, birth announcements and death notices, and who was "smitten" by whom. Letters from our soldiers addressed to "Dear Friends," (at Stillwater) were published. They told of battles and exotic places, of patriotism and homesickness. They expressed gratitude for letters received and Christmas and birthday gifts sent by the company.

(Please click on the above photo to see an enlargment of the picture and the accompanying article.)

Men and women in the service, receiving copies of the "News", were grateful for being remembered and informed of changes involving the company. It was also a link to their fellow soldiers stationed elsewhere.

Let us take a lesson from over fifty years ago. The Stillwater News was meant to lift the spirits of our soldiers and those back home. Take pride in your community. Wave at police officers, firefighters, and rescue personnel. Salute our soldiers. Raise your spirits as well as those flags.

— Linda Rivet, Reference Specialist

P.S. Copies of the Stillwater News are available for reading in the Jesse M. Smith Library.

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