Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1912-07-24
HORTICULTURAL PICNIC
annual Picnic of Winneshiek County
Horticultural Society Held
Sunday.
A VERY ENJOYABLE OCCASION.
President and Mrs. Brakeman De-
lightfully Entertain Members of
Society and Guests. Pleas-
ing Program Given.

shiek County Horticultural Society
at the farm of President and Mrs. Ed
Blakeman west of the city on Sunday
twas one of the most enjoyable SIM
Iilar occasions in the fifteen years
History of the society. Mr.. and Mrs.
Brakeman are delightful entertainers
and their hospitable home was visit
ed on this occasion by quite large
number, in spite of the inclemency
of the weather, which undoubtedly
kept away more than attended.
After the picnic dinner program
was carried out that was enjoyed by
everyone. An orchestra of seven
pieces from Decorah furnished pleas
ing music at intervals throughout the
program. President Brakeman well
coined the guests in few we'll chos-
ne remarks, as follows:
ITO my friends. neighbors, and
members of the Winneshiek County
Society, greeting.
Il am indeed greatly pleased to
see so many present on this occasion,
the seventh anniversary of the Win
neshiek County Horticultural Picnic
/ ! hope this day will be enjoyed by all
present as all previous picnics have
been. This is an age of great prog
ress and this society is endeavoring
l 20 keep in line with the procession
as our past record will show. We be-
gan fifteen years ago with few men,
berS and very little interest taken
! in horticulture. Now we have a
membership of nearly hundred and
it is increasing yearly. Fifteen
years ago there were few well kept
! homes with nice we'll kept lawns,
flower beds and ornamental trees.
Now you will find them on every
hand, with fine garden containing
nearly every kind of vegetable, also
an orchard containing all the differ
ent kinds of fruit adapted to this
lclimate. This is as 1t should be. We
/ must make the farm home more at
Jractive for the young, as we'll as the
old, we must hold out more induce
ments for the young people and
make home so pleasant that they will
not want to go to the cities for re-
creation and enjoyment. The horti-
cultural societies are working along
this line and this is one of the rea-
sons why we have established the
horticultural summer picnic. 1t
brings the young as we'll as the old
together, which makes it day OF
mutual interest to all. 1t removes
the thoughts of worldly things and
gives us one day OF friendly inter-
course and enjoyment. We have as
a people too few of these social gath
erings, which tend so much to bring
us together in thought, word and ac-
ton. and which helps us to remove
that selfish feeling which so Of
ten takes possession of us in our mad
rush for wealth. It is my opinion
that it is a part at least or lies mis-
sion to aid and assist our fellow man
sharing in his joys and sorrows and
! lending a helping hand in adversely
Let us then press onward in the good
cause in which we have enlisted. that
! in the end we may be enabled to see
our fondest hopes realized.
Secretary o. o. Lomen gave an ad-
dress in which he expressed his pleas
ure at meeting so many hortlcuitur-
lists. Several young fruit growers
have joined the society durinS the
past year, he said, and welcomed al.
who grow fruits and flowers to the
society. The local society Las be-
come recognized throughout the fruit
growing world, for he as secretary,
receives mail from all over the Uni
ted States and Europe as well. lie
then said:
Before l close my remarks | have
a pleasure to perform on pehali Oh
the society. We decided not to let
this opportunity pass without snow
ing our appreciation OF the long ana
faithful service of Mr.. Brakeman as
a valued member and worthy presi-
dent. We therefore present this re-
membrane of this day, accompanied
by kind hearted wishes from the
Winneshiek County horticultural So
ciety. Fifteen years ago Few OF us
met at the old court house for the
purpose of organizing county horti-
cultural society. Quite a number OF
the local fruit growers attended that
meeting. Four of these, Rev. A. ia
cobson. John Elwick, DR.. E. Cart
wright and II. A. Bigelow have pas
sed away, never TO return. others
including Mr.. Rygg and Rev. j. Rid
lev of Burr Oak, have moved away
One of those who have remained
with us to this day is our honoreo
president, Mr.. Brakeman. AT tha'
meeting fifteen years ago ne was ASK.
ed to call the meeting to order aht
he was elected its first president, ahe
for fifteen years he has been re-eiecs'
ted every year. have no better evl
dence than this to prove how the so
, ciety values his services. In all thes'
} years ne has. without compehsaeiUi
or reward, cheerfully and faithiuli'
served as our president, always pres
; ent, discharging his duties witt
marked ability and foresight AM
{ we have certainly every reason 10 p'
r grateful to Mr.. and Mrs. Blakemai
for their kindness and hospitaiity
| a.