Turner's Public Spirit, April 10, 1920
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Easter Sunday was fittingly observed at both churches. At the Congregational
church in the morning an excellent musical program, with a full choir, was given under the
direction of Mrs. Colburn, with Miss Colburn at the organ…. At the Unitarian church services
were resumed after a few weeks’ interim and an impressive Easter service was held at four
o’clock. Rev. A. R. Hussey preached the sermon….
“The Easter dance under the management of the Legion post, Monday evening at the town
hall, was very largely attended. Curtis’ colored orchestra of Boston furnished music for
dancing….
“Children’s day in the Tadmuck club was very successful. There was a good attendance of
members, parents and friends at the Unitarian vestry on Tuesday afternoon to hear the program
given by the children. Miss Doris York was heard in a number of recitations, and Miss Betty
Prescott gave special dancing. Phyllis Wright made her first appearance before an audience with
a recitation and there were several motion songs by groups of children. All the children acquitted
themselves well….
“Much trouble is being experienced with water in cellars. Some who have never been
troubled this way, and others who have had dry cellars for years, have water collected. A number
of householders have had their cellars pumped out.
“Men’s Supper. The men of the Congregational church managed a pleasant supper, social
and entertainment in the vestry on last week Friday. An excellent fish chowder supper was
served to about 100 at 6:30, and later in the evening the entertainment consisted of a pleasing solo
by Miss Elinor Colburn and responded to with a spirited encore…. Harold W. Hildreth, who was
a member of Company A., 28 th Engineers, A.E.F., gave a most interesting talk of his experiences
in France. With the spirit of a good optimist he dwelt more upon the pleasanter phases of these
experiences, telling especially of a furlough trip to Lyons and Aix-Les-Rains…. Mr. Hildreth
was assisted by Mrs. Hildreth in illustrating the talk with many good pictures on the screen. The
evening was in charge of A. H. Sutherland, W. C. Roudenbush, W. J. Rafter, F. A. Hanscom and
L. W. Wheeler.
“About Town. Blodgett Bros., Millstone hill, so close to Groton that their barn is in Groton,
commenced plowing last week as the first ones in town to arrive at the plow handles thus early.
“Seth W. Banister, who was listed as being ill, recovered to be listed with the church choir last
Sunday, and sang an Easter solo with several others. It was edifying and inspiring, as well as on
the key.
“Ora P. Young, of Parkerville, planted peas last week, and if we can only have some rain to
moisten up the ground they will likely sprout themselves into bearing ahead of those not so soon.
“Mrs. L. H. Buckshorn is building a small barn at her residence [at 17] Depot road….
“Forge Village. There were two services held in St. Andrew’s mission on Easter Sunday, the
first at 8:30 in the morning, and the other at seven in the evening…. The evening service was a
special one for the Sunday school children, at which they presented their mite boxes. Dr.
Endicott Peabody of Groton was present and delivered an inspiring sermon.
“An interesting and instructive ‘safety first’ lecture was given with illustrations in Abbot hall
on Monday evening, chiefly for the employees of the Abbot Worsted Co.
“An exceptionally good entertainment was provided by the Abbot Worsted Company on
Tuesday evening. Preceding the motion pictures the Abbot band furnished a concert lasting for
about half an hour. The numbers were well rendered and varied effectively….
“Graniteville. Easter was appropriately observed in St. Catherine's church on last Sunday,
when two masses were celebrated by Rev. J. Emile Dupont, the first at 8:45 and the high mass at
10:30….
“Philip Healy, a well-known young man of this village, broke his ankle while in the
performance of his duties as brakeman in the Ayer yard on last week Wednesday morning.
“Joseph Wall, local fish and game warden, was elected second vice president of the Lowell
Fish and Game association….
“Westford Post, A.L. The members of Westford post, A.L. [American Legion], held a
largely attended and interesting meeting in their new quarters here on Tuesday evening, with
Frank Johnson, commander, presiding…. Acting on the suggestion of the members of the
Westford [Civil War] Veterans’ association who feel that they should place the care in younger
hands, all arrangements for Memorial Sunday and for the exercises to be held on Memorial day
will be in charge of the members of the Westford post, A.L.”
Seth Banister (1893-1969) and Harold W. Hildreth (1887-1949) on Oct. 5, 1917, on the Town Hall steps before going to Camp Devens with five other drafted Westford men. Courtesy Photo/Westford Historical Society.