The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-07-06
18TH WEDDING ANN|VER.
SARY OBSERVED
DIR. and Mrs. F. E. yarney, Formerly
Of Skowhegan, Enjoyed Delightful
Occasion at Their Home in North
Chelmsford, Mass.

The Lowell-Courier Journal has
the following interesting account OF
Dr. and Mrs. F.. E. Varney's 25th
wedding anniversary. They were
formerly residents of this place. They
now live in North Chelmsford, Mass.
One of the prettiest events which
have yet happened in our town was
that which occurred at the home of
Dr.. and Mrs. F. E. Varney on Mid
dlesex street, last evening, the occa-
sion being the celebration Of the
twenty-fifth anniversary of their mar
riage. No printed cards had been
sent out but general invitation was
extended to all residents of the town
to attend the informal reception
which was held in honor of this aus
picious occasion. If any one was
ever in doubt as to the popularity OF
doctor and his charming wife, his or
her mind would quickly have been
set at rest could they have but wit
messed the happy throng which con-
gregated at the Doctors residence
Monday evening to congratulate the
happy pair as well as to wish them
many more years of future happiness
and welded bliss. The lawn had
been Hastily arranged with shrubbery
among which had been placed garden
seats, the whole being Offset by a
great display of Chinese lanterns,
which greatly added to the appear
ance of the outside surroundings.
But this was nothing compared with
the various rooms inside the commo-
dious and well appointed home,
where the floral decorations and trim
mings were eral masterpieces of the
decorators art, rejecting the greatest
credit upon those whose taste was
responsible for this splendid coup
doeil," part of which had been done
by members of the Lowell Educa-
tional club. Between 300 and 400 per-
sons took advantage of the opportu-
nifty to come and pay their respects
to the doctor and his wife, all being
most happily and pleasantly enter
tanned from o'clock until a very late
hour.
During the evening musical and
literary program was given which in
cluded the following Pianoforte duet,
Misses Marion Varney and Mildred
Foote; song, Mrs. I. o. Palmer,
Mrs. Varney's sister, of Newton
Vile, Mass.) who performed her own
violin obilgato to the pianoforte ac-
compartment of Miss Ida Cushing,
which was a feature of the evening;
songs, Miss Marie Palmer and Mrs.
A. Duncan; piano solo, Miss Faith
Twombly; readings, Miss Alice Liy-
ingston, and vocal duet by Mrs. |.
o. Palmer and Miss Marie Palmer,
Adams three-piece orchestra was al
so in attendance and played several
pleasing selections during the even
ing.
The presents were both costly and
numerous, including many beautiful
pieces of silyerware, the entire town
being represented in some form or
other in these gifts, which went far
to testify to the great esteem in
which both recipients are held. The
event was also attended by a large
number of out of town relatives and
friends who came from long dis
tances, being only too anxious to be
present on this occasion. Dainty and
tasty refreshments were served at
frequent intervals during the evening,
the catering being done by Mrs. A.
o. Dickinson of North Chelmsford.
The ushers were DR.. Leon Gage,
John Shaw and John Varney.
DR.. F. e. Varney was born at
Skowhegan, Me-, on Jan. 26, 1861, be-
ing the third of a family of four
children. His father, Fred Elbridge
Varney, was born in the same town
on May IS, 1929, and was carpen-
ter by occupation, his mother being
Rosetta w. Thomas of Oakland, Me.
The former Is now living on Newfield
street and has but recently celebrated
the SIND anniversary of his birth.
Dr.. Varney was educated in Show
hogan, and after spending six years
in the drug business, entered Bow
doin Medical college from which he
graduated with the title of M. D.,
ranking as an honor man. After
practicing in Norridgewock, Me-, he
spent the winter of 1899. in the New
York Post Graduate Medical school.
Meanwhile he was married at Show
hogan in 1886 to Helen NJ Cushing,
daughter OF John Gushing of Sidney,
Me-, two children, John and Marion,
having blessed their union. The form
err, following in the footsteps of his
father in being most promising
young man who seems to have a
great future before him, is now TAX
ing a course at Yale Divinity college
and Marion is student at the Lowell
High school