Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-09-14
Old Folks Day Prooram.

Friday was distinctly Old Folks dav.
Old Folks day has been feature of
previous fairs, but never have the ell
derly friends of the fair been so royal
ly entertained as they were on this
occasion
The program was given in the CCoIi-
scum and had been the subject of Il
lot OF work on the part of Supt j. G.
Fuller and the committee in charge
Everything passed off like clock work.
First came a stirring selection by the
Horatio Falns Orchestra, after which
President +. =. Mayo Of the Central
Maine Fair Association was intro
duced. President Mayo extended Il
warm welcome to the special guests of
the afternoon. He said that he believed
that old Folks day is one of the most
important events in the course of the
fair. "'Thc 'old folks have been with
us sine" the fair opened. five years
ago" said President Mayo. "Thcy have
reioi"cI with us in our successes and
they have become an important factor
in the life Of the fair. They have been
with us from the start and | believe
that We are to have their advice and
counsel to the end. 1t is my opinion that
the second thought of the old people
Is worth q good many first thoughts
Of th'a young people.
Mr.. Mayo said that the Central
Maine fair IS only four years old. but
il is wonderful 4-year-oli." In its
grow tn and development, the speaker
said, It had profitcd much by the adj
vice of the older heads among its
friends.
The second speaker was Rev. George
W. Hinckley of Good Will. Mr.. Hinck-
ley had seen on the present occasion
for thu. first time the artist whose work
he had watched for a number Of years.
lie was glad of the opportunity. but
he (Mr DavcnporD was only one ar
fist The speaker said that he was now
standing face to face with great
number Of artists-'artists who have
mastered the art of growing old grace
fully and happily"
The speaker was one sitting at res
laura mt table and was engaged in con-
versation with n man about 80 years
of age The man said that he was now
= about 80 years old, and that he had
gotten together as much money as ne
wanted for himself. but he hoped TO
be able to get Il little more Tor me
comfort Of his wife. as he was getting
old and soon would have nothing 7"
enjoy. The speaker said that he pic
tured to himself that man in q rev
years living an unhappy, dlsgruhtleu'
withcred-up old age.
HE is not here this afternoon. ana ne
Is not here because he has lost touch
with this busy, busting world.
Tho speaker congratulated his hearers
on their presence at the fair winch
showed that they had succeeded IN the
beautiful art of growing old grac'lul :
ly. Mr.. Hmcklcy declared that he hau
two homes:
"'rhr first one is that | may grow Ola
as gracefully rS YOU are doing y. anu
the other is that Nour life may PC Is
the bright ana shining light that Shih-
eth more and more unit" the perfect
day
Tho orchestra then played b3auiliui
medley combining Il large number OF
old airs.
Rev. +. c.. Page. % years of age, OF
Oakland. was the next speaker. lie t"lo
OF his pleasure at being present oer
tainly at this period of his life, lie
said. he had great respect for aScd
people. He had not prepared speech
Usually when he spoke he prepared
himself. hut sickness had almost de-
t"rred him from being present. Had II
not been for his steadfast determina'
ton to come he would not have Deer
present
He said that he was born in New
Sharon. Me. Dee. -. 1914, and that ac-
e"rdingly il he should live until ncX'
Christmas he would be % years old
The ancestors on his mothers side al
lived 20 Il ripe old age. His mother was
VOL? years old when she died. Hi:
mothers youngest sister lived to three
months beyond 100 years. The speaker
remembered being present at her looti
anniversary He said that it was
characteristic of his family that IL
aged members did not lose their facui
ues and this was one of the things up
or which he conSra tulated himself
mat he had tho hope that he would no
lose is faculties when he became ola
uaughter)
The speaker attributed his long III
10 his ha bits. He signed the Temperance
pledge when he was Is years old. AM
mad always kept ii from that day I
mis-. He had never smoked. except o.
one occasion he smoked his mother
Pipe for the toothache, and nc came t
Me conclusion that he preferred tn