Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-19
PRESS EXCURSION.
Editors Forsake Blue Pencil for the
Blue Deep.
Graphic Story Of the Entertainment Afforded
in and Around Portland.

Years ago after very enjoyable and
pleasant outing spent in and around
the Forest city by the members of the.
Maine Press Association and their
ladies', the promise was given their en-
tertainers that some day they would
wander back again, little thinking that
! almost a quarter of 4 century would
pass before that promise would be full
| filled. Year by year the Association
has wandered where fancy lead, from
the land of Evangeline and the Garri-
son City to the Castle City in the
Queens Domain, through byways and
hedges from Kittery to Quoddy Head
Almost every county has welcomed the
Maine Press Association and their
ladies. and now they have returned to
| Portland and its environments, to re-
| new the acquaintance so pleasantly
formed in the long ago. Many changes
have taken place in the intervening
years. New faces are seen in the Press
party ranks. while many of its found
ers and participants in its early pleas
ures and enjoyments are sadly missed.
When the Maine Press Association
through its aDle committee Messrs.
Rich, Wood and Robbins, decided upon
Portland. the City by the Sea. as it's
vintage ground for the annual excur-
sion in 1900. they no doubt had in mind
that fact that there is scarcely a city
in the East which offers the attractions
as u summer resort as does Portland
and its surroundings. There are so
many beautiful trips one can take from
the Forest City that the tourist be-
comes bewildered and hardly knows
where to commence.
The local committeeman, Mr.. NJ. n.
Rich. knows Portland like an open book
and tn him we We're in measure in
debted for the very pleasant outing in
Portland and along the shores of old
Casco bay. The Maine Central Rail
road. through its efficient general pas
senger agent, Col. +. f. Boothby, with
his open handed liberality. spoke the
welcome to Portland in no uncertain
tones. He extended the usual court
estes to the members of the Press and
their ladies as did the Washington
County. Grand Trunk. Bangor & Aroos-
took and Somerset roads. The Press
party rendeZvoused in Portland. Mon
day, July .. with headquarters at the
Preble Congress Square and Falmouth
hotels. The Journal scribe had the
good fortune to stop at the latter hotel.
Words of praise for the hotel and the
genial landlord would be like gliding
refined gold. His motto is, only the
best is Good" The curtain was rung
up on the first act at 3 =. Nj. The
party. through the courtesy of the
! Portland Railroad Company boarded
the special cars provided at Monument
square for a trip to Riverton Park. one
of the many beautiful suburbs of Port
| land. arriving at the park the party
spent the hours socially and informally.
sight seeing and admiring the natural
beauty along the shore of the winding
| Presumscot The river for miles
and miles runs through a stretch
Of country unsurpassed for nat
ural scenery and panoramic views.
painted by the greatest of all
| painters. Nature Here and there
one sees the many beautiful
| buildings erected by the railroad COM
| pany in developing its property. The
| bicycle house. the canoe house, the
band stand and the elegant casino are
| architectural dreams. air castles built
| on solid foundation. Part of these
| immense grounds are enclosed to form
Il deer park of several acres. where the
caribou elk and deer roam at will.
| The open air theater. where perform
ances are given every afternoon and
evening, are attractions that draw the
multitudes from the cities. An elabor-
ate lunch was served the party in the
casino. after which they attended the
| theater and later rode home by special
! in the moonlight. well pleased with
Riverton and its attractions.
| BY special invitation of c. W. T.
Cooling, general manager of the Casco
| Bay Steamboat Co.. Tuesday. the
steamer Forest Queen was placed at
the disposal of the party for a day
outing among the islands of Casco
bay. The party embarked at 10 A. NJ,
accompanied by Mr.. Brown of the
Steamboat Company who took charge
of the party and presented each mem
Der with an elegant souvenir of the trip
and did much to make the event pleas
ant. The points of interest along the
line We're pointed out. the government
| houses. hotels and club houses and lit
| tie summer colonies, description OF
which was given by Mr.. Brown made
the trip doubly delightful. The day
was a perfect summer day. The sur
face of the bay was like glass. The
many yachts and steamers in holiday
attire made marine picture long to
be remembered Having enjoyed the
sail some three hours. the party re-
turned by the way of Cushing's Island.
giving the party an excellent view of
the reef where the Inflated California
found a resting place in spring gale.
The landing was made at Peak S island
at +. NJ. The party was entertained
| by Mr.. Sawyer at the Peaks Island
house with a shore dinner. as the eX
preston goes, one of Sawyer's best
which is sufficient guarantee of the
quality and quantity was served. At
go p. NJ the party attended the Gem
theater. 1t is rightly named Gem"
for it would be difficult to find a pref
tier little playhouse on the Maine coast.
Manager Cooling. who never half enter
tains, had the boxes reserved for the
Press party who We're entertained by
the strong company, in Augustine
Dailey's eccentric comedy, The Lot
terry of Love"
! After the theater luncheon was SER
| yad and the marty returned to Port