Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1896-02-01

The dedication of the beautiful 'Hast-
ings Memorial Parish House" in Walpole
last Wednesday evening was the event of
the season. Every feature OF the program
was finely carried out, and nearly the whole
village of Walpole as well as large num-
Der of visitors from distance testified to
their appreciation of Mr.. Hastings tender
thoughtfulness and generosity by their
attendance.
Long before the hour named for the
exercises of the evening to commence, the
beautiful auditorium was filled to its capac
ity. The house was well lighted and
heated from top to bottom, and its beauty
and utility were praised and admired by
all. The reception hall and the parlors
were adorned with profuse array of roses,
callas, pinks, and chrysanthemums The
life-size picture Of Mrs. Hastings in the
reception hall was surrounded by a wreath
of smilax.
A reception committee consisting of I.
Nelson Hastings, G. B. Williams, G. Z.
Porter, Mrs. Mary Hastings, and Miss
Amy Gaskell welcomed all corners, and
G. b. Williams, Jr., and Fred j. Perry,
as ushers, saw that all were made as com
Portable as the quarters would permit. In
the front of the auditorium next to the
stage seats were reserved for Beedle's
orchestra of II pieces, of keene, and just
back of the orchestra seats were reserved
for the special guests Of the evening.
Those occupying these seats were Mrs.
Frank Jennings, Mrs. G. B. Williams, DR.,
Mrs. G. |. Bard, Miss Helen Wotkyns,
Mrs. F. w. Pratt, Mrs F. A. Carpenter,
Mr.. and Mrs Z. NJ. Holden, Mrs. Lucy
Schultz, Mrs. j. W. Hayward, Miss l.. b.
HAYWARD, Mr.. and Mrs. G. B. Holland,
Mr.. Hastings four sons, Mrs. Harriet
Hastings, Mr. and Mrs. II. A. Perry, Mrs.
F. M. Gilbert, Henry Clifton, Judge and
Mrs. j. G.. Bellows, Miss Rena Porter, W.
F. Hayward, Mrs. S. II. Porter, Mrs.
Mary Hastings, Miss Amy Gaskell, Mr..
and Mrs. George T. Sherman, all OF Wal
pole; Miss Annie Wood, Woburn, Mass. :;
Mrs. c. B. Elder, Keene Mr.. and Mrs.
| N. G.. Williams and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert
Bancroft, Bellows Falls Mr.. and Mrs
Charles Hartne,t and Charles Stone of
Keene.
At 500 o'clock the curtain rose on a
beautifully arranged stage. 1t was par
lor scene, and the plush chairs for the
speakers of the evening and the trustees OF
the Unitarian society, the table loaded
with books and flowers and the large
shaded lamp, made picture for an artist.
In his prayer, the pastor of the church,
Rev. +. w. Pratt, touchingly referred to
Mrs Hastings and how her cherished plans
had been carried out SO nobly by MIR.
Hastings. The pianist of the evening was
Miss Grace Perry of Keene, who did
ample credit to the splendid instrument she
performed on, a new Ivers and Pond piano
George b. Williams made an ideal chair.
man; his remarks were always to the point
and in introducing the various speakers Of
the evening he made many happy hits
In his chairman's address he paid glow
ing tribute to the character and worth O
Mrs. Hastings. He said .Her horizon
was not bounded by her own household
her own relatives and friends ii was wider
She was liberal and public spirited; {
wifely wife, motherly mother, womanl!
woman"
In his presentation of the parish hous'
to the trustees of the Unitarian society
Mr.. Hastings spoke very touchingly of tn
plans and desires of his wife. He recite'
I with good effect beautiful poem by tn
deceased son of Edward Everett Hale
He stated that he had executed a trus
securing the building to the use of tn
society and so arranged that the propert
would not be liable for any debts til
| society mas Contracted OF may eohtiao'
He had also insured the building for tire
years and presented the policies to tn
trustees. Mr. Hastings is a man of fin
. presence, and his brief remarks made
most favorable impression.
The speech of acceptance was made h
Hon. j. e. Bellows. addresses wei
. made by Rev. F. w. Pratt, the pastor,
II. Porter, Rev. G. 1. Bard, Congreg'