Daily Kennebec journal., 1902-05-03

ideas as expressed therein about what
we want here in Maine and undoubted-
ly there are some that you can use, If
not all of them. Yours very truly,
F. f. Boothby.
1t will be remembered that eX-Gover-
nor Rollins, formerly governor of New
Hampshire, was the originator of the
old Home week idea, and his ideas in
regard to the proper manner Of re-
organizing the event are Of special inn
pOrtance. His letter is as follows:
Concord, N. H., March 10, 1902
Mr. N. j. Bachelor, Concord, n II.
My dear Baehelder:-I suppose we
shall have our annual Old Home week
meeting before long. and have been
thinking over some suggestions to
make at that meeting, and to have sent
out in the form of a circular to the va
rious Old Home week associations ana
to the newspapers. Il will jot them
down in this letter for your considera4
ton. and should be very glad If YOU
would change them or add TO them in
any Way you think best, believing that
your good judgment is sounter than
my own. @
bonfires on the high hills and ringing
Of church bells at eight O'Clock Satur-
day night.
Second. Have all the churches. if
possible, or as many as WILL have u
reunion Of former parishioners ana pas
tors, on either the Sunday Of Old Home
week, or on Old Home day, as may be
preferred. There are thousands Of
people who have not only an attach
ment for their town. but for their ola
church. ana Of course this is true of
the former pastors, and many Of them
would be glad to come back if invited.
! think this might bc made Il special
feature of this ycar's Old Home week
ii the churches did this generally, they
might have Il big union meeting Of an
the churches III town i'll the largest
building there was there on Sunday or
Old Home day. You would get to-
gether lot Of speaking talent in this
way, ana have lot of pleasant remi-
niScenceS.
Third. Let every town, if possible
mark its historical spots with bronze
tablets substantially placed. | believe
these can bc obtained in Penacouk for
about $l5 apiece, depending. somewhat
on the size. Or course it is possible
they may be obtained elsewhere for less
money.
Fourth, On Old Home day, or during
OlG Home week, have d loan collection
in come hall or house. ana gather to-
ccther all the available paintings, brio
a-brac, curios, etc, i'll THO section as
was done at Dunbarton. 1t makes Il
Very interesting ANA enjoyable cx-
hihit. f.,
Fifth, Have historical essays pre-
pared for ola Home week, covering the
history &C the town. Also, on OH
Home day try to set q movement start
"a for having the town history written.
il il has not already been done.
Sixth, Get AS many Of tile old resi-
dents of the town, and those who have
gone away, to be ready to t;tlk or read
from their carly recollections. Such
rccollcctions il preserved or printed will
be Of great value twenty-five or fifty
years from now. Such articles are
really history, ana are not only of great
practical value, but are exceedingly
interesting TO the people Of q town.
In every town or village Of our state
there are elderly people whose early
fecollections arc priceless, ana should
be reduced to print for soon they Will
pass away, and the opportunity viii be
lost.
Seventh, A register in which the
names Of visitors can be entered with
their present home and business, ctc.,
should be prepared, and care should be
f.lI Iypn ~.
should register, in order that they may
be sent invitations in the future Care
full lists of all former residents should
be prepared and invitations sent them
this year.
Eighth, In the way of celebrations.
we have always advocated simple and
inexpensive ones as best suited to tht
spirit Of the occasion, and to its lasting
continuance, but there are great
many towns in our state where there
are many summer boarders in the
vicinity. where it is good business ana
good Judgment to have q more clabof-
ate celebration for the entertainment
ANA enjoyment of our summer guests.
ana we suggest in such places parades
of carriages decorated with flowers,
fruits, etc, also coaching parades, and
where there is water, boat and canoe
parades, which can be held at night
with lanterns, producing very beautiful
effects. In our manufacturing cities
where they contemplate celebrating, we
should recommend industrial parales,
which are Of good effect and tend TO
show what we are doing in the way Of
manufacturing ana general industry.
Yours sincerely,
(Signed)