The Westford Wardsman, April 29, 1916
Center. The grounds and shrubbery at Whitney playground are having their spring cleaning in the hands of Edmund Baker and S. H. Balch. Considerable thinning and much pruning has been done to the shrubs, which promise a fine appearance this year. The common and the grounds at the soldiers’ monument and at the library and academy are also being put in order for the season.
Mrs. A. W. Hartford and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler entertained the Ladies’ Aid society at the home of the latter on Thursday afternoon of last week. Needlework, sociability and a chafing dish luncheon occupied the afternoon. There were about twenty-five present.
The new electric lights which fill a much needed want at the town house will be used for the first time on Friday evening for the Grange costume and dancing party in charge of Misses Beatrice Sutherland and Grace Robinson.
Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher was among those present at the Board of Trade banquet at the Lowell Kasino [sic] on Wednesday evening and witnessed the demonstration of talking by telephone with San Francisco.
The Ladies’ Missionary society of the Congregational church held its monthly meeting with Mrs. Clarence Hildreth on Friday afternoon of last week. There was a good attendance present and the subject, in charge of Mrs. Quincy Day, was “Social Christianity in India and Burmah [sic].” A pleasant social tea was served at the close of the meeting.
The baby son of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Greig, who has been seriously sick with bronchial pneumonia, is much improved.
Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Wheeler attended the funeral of a relative in Bridgewater last Saturday.
Miss Gertrude D. Fletcher entertained a group of music-loving friends at her home on Tuesday evening to listen to a concert given with her new Victrola, playing a general program of some of her best records.
The first ball game of the season is scheduled for next Tuesday afternoon between the Westford academy team and Littleton high school. This will take place at Whitney playground provided there is dry weather enough in the interval to dry out the grounds into proper shape for a game. At present they are wet and soggy and the game may have to be deferred until a little later.
Miss Sarah W. Loker and Mrs. Q. W. Day attended the meeting of the North Middlesex Branch Woman’s Board of Missions held in North Leominster on Tuesday.
Speaking Contest. In line with the interest in the Shakespearian tercentenary it is hoped that the coming prize speaking contest by the academy students will be appreciated and supported by the townspeople. This will take place in the town hall on Friday evening, May 5, at 7:45 o’clock. The prizes are furnished by the trustees and the contestants are Elva Judd, Beatrice Hosmer, Frances Wright and Eleanor Colburn. The boys are Leo Connell, Artemas Griffin and George Perkins. These latter are being drilled by Principal Roudenbush while Miss Young and Miss Osborne are drilling the girls. Additional assistance is being given by Mrs. Dorothy B. Carpenter of Boston, a professional Shakespearian reader and student of ability. The dramas from which the recitations are selected are Julius Caesar, Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and Taming of the Shrew. The girls will appear in costumes suitable to the characters they impersonate.
The musical program will consist of songs by Miss Marion C. Moreland and piano duets by Misses Carolyn and Daisy Precious. No admission will be charged and it is hoped that the contest will receive the interest support that it deserves. Home-made candy will be on sale.
Easter Services. The cold, northeast rainstorm for Easter was most disappointing, especially to those who had worked hard to make the church service of sermon, music and decorations worthy of the day. At the Congregational church in the morning the pastor preached from the text, “If a man die, shall he live again?” The music was most appropriate to the day and was assisted by Mr. Cummings of Boston, who sang a tenor solo. In the evening the choir gave the cantata “The dawn immortal.” Mrs. Perley E. Wright read the story and the solo work of Mr. Cummings, Mrs. Charles D Colburn, Mrs. Cyril Blaney, Mrs. Charles H. Wright, Leonard Burland and Harry Ericson, as well as the violin solo and accompaniments of Walter Steele, were finely executed. Much appreciative credit goes to Mrs. Chas. H. Wright choir leader, and Miss Hazel Hartford, organist, for the success of the day’s musical program. There were suitable decorations of Easter lilies and potted plants.
Burglary. Our quiet community was troubled to learn on Wednesday that the residence of Julian A. Cameron [on Graniteville Rd.] had been entered during the previous night and a quantity of silver stolen valued at $150. One of the members of the family heard some slight noises downstairs at about one o’clock in the morning, but thought another member of the family had gone downstairs and did not make an investigation. The thief or thieves evidently entered by forcing a dining-room window. The print of a man’s shoe, about a number nine, was traceable. They confined their depredations to the dining-room and stayed long enough to help themselves to refreshments in the dining-room and pantry. An automobile was heard in town about 12:30, but whether that had any connection with the robbery is not known.
Ai Bicknell’s house [2 Main St.] was also entered recently and ransacked, but nothing of value was taken. The house was closed, as Mr. and Mrs. Bicknell are spending the winter in Royalston with their married daughter. Entrance was gained to the house by forcing a rear window.
New Books. At the close of the Agricultural Extension school the sum of twenty-eight dollars remained in the hands of the committee. This was given to the J. V. Fletcher library for the purchase of books along the same general line as the subjects treated at the school. A careful selection was made from lists of books approved by the agricultural college library. The collection covers a wide range of subjects and should prove a useful addition to the library. All those interested are invited to examine them as they are now ready for circulation.
Bailey, L. H. Farm and garden rule book. | 630-B8 |
Blanchan, N. American flower garden. | Y16-B2 |
Buell, J. One woman’s work for farm women. | B-M473 |
Corbett, L. C. Garden farming. | 635-C |
Dame, L. L. Handbook of trees of New England. | 582-D |
Day, G. E. Productive swine husbandry. | 636-D1 |
Eckles, C. H. Dairy cattle and milk production. | 636-E |
Farwell, P. T. Village improvement. | 710-F |
Favor, E. H. Fruit-growers’ guide book. | 634-F2 |
Fullerton, E. L. How to make a vegetable garden. | 635-F1 |
Graves, H. S. Principles of handling woodlands. | 634-G |
Holt, L. L. Care and feeding of children. | 649-H1 |
Kline, H. and Cooley, A. M. Shelter and clothing. | 640-K1 |
Lincoln, M. J., and Barrows, A. Home science cook book. | 641-L |
Meneever, W. A. Farm boys and girls. | 173-M2 |
Parsons, H. G. Children’s gardens. | 716-P1 |
Richards, Ellen H. Cost of living. | 649-R1 |
Roberts, L. P. Autobiography of a farm boy. | B-R645 |
Root, A. L., and E. R. ABC and XYZ of bee culture. | 638-R |
Warren, G. B. Farm management. | 630-W1 |
Watts, A. L. Vegetable gardening. | 635-W |
White, E. A. Principles of floriculture. | 716-W |
In addition to this list two books have been presented. J. W. Rafter has given two finely illustrated volumes on “The apples of New York,” and W. J. Merritt a copy of “Forage crops,” by Voorhees.
About Town. The next meeting of Middlesex North Pomona will be held on Friday, April 5, at Odd Fellows’ hall, Bridge street, Lowell. The lecturer has arranged the following program for the forenoon: Paper, “Accidents experienced or narrowly averted,” E. F. Dickinson, of Billerica; paper, “The Grange—it’s influence,” Mrs. Alice Colburn, of Dracut; “The Grange—it’s opportunity,” Mrs. Frank J. Spalding, of Lowell: “The Grange—it’s purpose,” Henry W. Day, of Billerica. Afternoon address by F. G. Wadsworth, of the State Board of Education, subject, “Team play between the school and home.”
At a meeting of the Middlesex-North Agricultural society last Saturday evening it was voted to hold the annual fair on the grounds of the Lowell Driving club at Golden Cove, Chelmsford street.
The next meeting of Westford Grange will be held next week Thursday evening. The lecturer’s hour will be in charge of Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, lady assistant steward.
The children of the Sunday school of the First Parish gave a very pleasant entertainment of song and recitation last Sunday, and a contribution to the Children’s Home, Boston. Next Sunday a collection will be taken for the American Unitarian association in the morning service.
Ernest Drew, a former resident of the town, was a visitor here last Sunday. He is living in Billerica, where he has bought a large farm.
The town averaged above the average of nearby towns in votes cast at the primaries Tuesday with our own townsman, Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher, as high leader of the host. The mind of the voter is thus recorded: Delegates at large, Cushing 46, Bird 46, Gardner 45, Washburn 45, McCall 83, Lodge 79, Weeks 77, Crane 79; district delegates, Lewis 26, Glazier 23, Fletcher 111, Cole 97.
This is Arbor day by command of the state. It should command the aesthetic spirit. Go read Governor McCall’s proclamation—the best yet—on the subject of Arbor day. It will brighten up the indifferent spirit into action sadly needed to reclothe the barrenness developed by a top-heavy materialistic spirit. The day, like the Sabbath, is holy for what it would do for us, if we would reciprocate and do for it. Let it be a day of reciprocity with Nature.
The Perkins family have moved from the John H. Decatur farmhouse [Lowell Rd. near Providence Rd.] to the Julian Whitney house on the Carlisle road [near Minot’s Corner].
Is it too early to plant an acre of potatoes? Well they are in the ground with tears in their eyes from the cold chills.
The body of Mrs. Benjamin Brooks [nee Frances E. Downer], who recently died in Manchester, N.H., was brought to town on Tuesday and buried in Fairview cemetery. The family are pleasantly remembered in town and elsewhere.
Forge Village. Last Sunday being the glorious festival of Easter, special services were held at St. Andrew’s mission at nine o’clock in the morning, at which the vicar, Rev. Williston M. Ford, officiated. The vested choir under the direction of Miss Mary B. Raynes, rendered several selections, assisted by Miss Raynes, on the ‘cello. Miss Sarah Precious presided at the organ. Choice flowers and potted plants adorned the altar, the Easter lilies being the gift of Mrs. Wetmore. The flowers were distributed among the sick of the parish after the services. The Easter offering was counted at the conclusion of the services and it was found that $87.16 was collected for the pews, which are to be installed shortly. In addition to the twenty-five dollars already given by Mrs. V. C. B. Wetmore, a check for ten dollars was given Sunday. The amount collected thus far for the pews is about $160, and the committee in charge deserve much credit for their efforts.
The Ladies’ Sewing circle held their regular meeting in Recreation hall on Thursday afternoon.
The Young People’s Social club will meet on Thursday evening in Recreation hall. Miss Isabel Carney, of Groton, will have charge of the meeting.
Many from here attended the Good Friday services held in St. Catherine’s church, West Graniteville, last week Friday evening.
The holy sacrament of baptism was administered on last Saturday afternoon at St. Andrew’s mission by the vicar, Rev. Williston M. Ford. Four infants were baptized, Roland F. Pendlebury, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Pendlebury; the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Orr received the name of Genevieve; the baby son of Mr. and Mrs. James Whigham was christened Wallace Iliffe; the little daughter Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bennett was baptized Hilda L.