The Westford Wardsman, December, 1909
Saturday, December 4, 1909
Center. Mrs. J. W. Pyne has the sincere sympathy of her many friends in the death of her sister, Mrs. Matilda Moses, who died at her home in Manchester, N.H., last week, the result of a paralytic shock. It is within the year that Mrs. Pyne’s daughter Olive died, and these two deaths in the family circle coming so conspicuously near together are indeed cause for sadness.
H. L. Wright spent Sunday with Henry M. Wright’s at Quincy this last week.
The Donald M. Camerons have gone for their annual winter sojourn in Lowell.
The Ladies’ Missionary society of the Congregational church held a well-attended meeting at the parsonage, Tuesday afternoon. Miss Loker, the president, gave an interesting report of the recent annual meeting of the Woman’s board in Boston, after which the first subject in the new book which is to be the study for the winter was taken up. This book is “The gospel in Latin lands,” Senator Fletcher’s stone quarry industry and the passing of the Lowell and Fitchburg electric railroad have been twin factors in this added wealth.
Senator Fletcher’s family have returned from the New York pleasure trip. The village life of Westford corner and the sunny slopes of Oak hill are more cheery and entertaining on this Christmas season.
Congratulations to Dr. Wells and family. Sorry it is not a voter kind [i.e., a male]. Extend the right is the proper remedy.
Forge Village. E. Hilliard, master at Groton school and superintendent of the Sunday school here, and his assistant, Mr. Gardner, who so cleverly impersonated Santa Claus, came from Groton in the afternoon to decorate the Christmas tree, and were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Carmichael at tea.
Excellent skating is to be found on Forge pond, which is frozen to a depth of several inches of black ice.
Several fishing parties from out-of-town have returned home well repaid for their trouble. The Boyle brothers of Lowell caught a fine string of pickerel Wednesday. This is the first year fishing through the ice has been allowed since the pond was stocked five years ago.
Rev. Thomas J. Crosby of St. Luke’s church, Malden, occupied the pulpit at St. Andrew’s mission, Sunday, December 19. He preached a forcible and interesting sermon, taking for his subject, “And a little child shall lead them.”
The Ladies’ sewing circle will postpone their weekly meetings until after the Christmas holidays.
The mills here will be closed from Friday evening until Monday, December 27.
Christmas Exercises. The annual Christmas tree exercises of the Sunday school children of St. Andrew’s mission was held in Recreation hall, Monday evening, and was attended by a large number, for the Christmas tree has an attraction for young and old. The tree, which was handsomely decorated and laden with gifts of every description, occupied a prominent part in the hall. A very pleasing program was given by the children, which consisted of readings, piano solos, duets and were well applauded. At the conclusion Santa Claus suddenly made his appearance and was greeted with shouts of laughter, and the greatest excitement prevailed for a short time, as Santa, dressed in his fur coat and cap and long white whiskers, insisted upon shaking hands will all the children, as he briefly told them of the long journey he had made in order to reach all the children before Christmas was over. This large bag was opened and the presents were quickly distributed. There were sleds, skates, games of every description for the small boys, dolls, work baskets and many dainty articles so dear to hearts of the little girls, while the larger ones and Sunday school teachers received beautifully bound books by well-known authors. No one was forgotten. But all things must come to a close, so Santa after wishing everyone a very happy Christmas, said he must hurry away and left for parts unknown, leaving nothing but joy and happiness. Every child also received a large box of candy.
Graniteville. The skating has been fine on the mill pond during the past few days, and the young people have enjoyed it to the limit. On last Saturday afternoon a spirited game of hockey was played between the mill and shop team, and both clubs were very evenly matched. During the past few moonlight nights great crowds have assembled every evening and enjoyed excellent skating under ideal weather conditions.
The children of the M.E. church Sunday school held their Christmas tree exercises in the church on Friday evening. The program will be given later.
On Christmas morning mass will be celebrated in St. Catherine’s church at 9:45 o’clock.
The children in the first and second primary grades of the Sargent school held a very pleasing entertainment and Christmas tree on Friday afternoon, December 17, the last day of school before the Christmas vacation. The tree was set up in Miss Dunn’s room, and a very nice time was enjoyed by all. Each child present received some pretty gift with the usual box of candy. The whole affair was in charge of the primary teachers, Miss Mary A. Dunn and Miss Frances Baumister, who deserved a word of praise for their untiring efforts in making the little ones happy.
Dr. S. Lees Joslin, formerly of this village, who has been absent in the west for several months, made a brief visit here this week while on his way home to spend Christmas with his parents in Lyndeboro, N.H. The doctor is greatly improved in health, and appears to be highly pleased with the western country.
Dr. W. H. Sherman has recently returned from a brief visit spent at his former home in Damariscotta, Me.
Christmas Concert. The Christmas exercises for the Sunday school children of St. Catherine’s church were held in the church on Wednesday evening, and were very largely attended. The children all did finely in their respective parts, which reflects great credit on Miss Catherine Conley, who had general charge of arrangements, assisted by Miss Fanny McCarthy and Miss Hattie O’Brien. Joe Wall made an ideal “Santa Claus,” and pleased the children very much. The success of the whole affair rests in a great measure to the kindness of the Abbot Worsted Co., who sent a substantial check, that enabled the committee to provide some suitable gift for every child present. The thoughtful and generous act is deeply appreciated by the members of St. Catherine’s parish. Following is the program:
“Let the bells of Christmas ring,” by the children; “Christmas,” Rosie McCullough; “Long ago on Christmas,” Bella Eli; “Getting ready,” Ed. Soha [Socha?]; “Jesus, the morning star,” Isidore Boucher; “Music of Christmas,” Perfano Piratto; song, “The little babe,” by the children; “Christmas offering,” Hattie Boyd; “Christmas dolls,” Laura and Ruby McCarthy, Margaret Healy, Claire Payne, Josephine Socha, Alice Heroux, Dorothy Shugrue, Alice Gower; “There came a little child,” Emily Dion; “Christmas night,” Harold Connell; “Christmas stockings,” Leo Provost, Raymond Wall, Gerald Defoe; vocal solo “The song the angels sang,” R. J. McCarthy; “The Christmas we like,” Drina Gagnon, Dora Lamie; “Christmas wish,” Bernadette Gladu; “Joy of Christmas,” Eugene Maloney; “My help in him,” Delia Parmenton; “Why bells for Christmas ring,” Thomas Elliott; “Christmas story,” John Provost, Chas. Douglass, Freddie Healy, John Payne; “Christmas bells,” Albert Reeves; “Christmas day,” Claire Payne; “Christmas star,” Delores Jasamin; “Santa,” Laura Couture; song, “Ring the jay [sic] bells,” by the children.