Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-12
PL.AINFIELD
Simple Pleasures of the Close of the Past Century-When the Flat Rock Schoolhouse Was a Social Center.

Simple pleasures satisfied the young people in the farming districts in the Z0's, sos and early 90's. The old schoolhouse at Flat Rock was social center in those days. During the summer and autumn there were relig- ious services held there every second Sunday afternoon, conducted by the pastors from Ekonk, PackerviIle, Hope . vile and Plainfield, and the building was always well filled.
 In the winter of 1S79-SO Charles B. Montgomery held a. successful singing class in the schoolhouse which was attended by the young people from other districts. The next winter an even larger class was started, but was soon closed by the serious illness from diphtheria of MT. Montgomery, who was little more than a boy at that time.
 The same winter a weekly prayer meeting was started by the pastor of the PackervilIe church at the home of MT. and Mrs Alvin Park, next to the schoolhouse. and the following spring the Flat Rock Sunday school was or ganized and kept up summers for 20 years. Floral and harvest concerts and one Independence Sunday school concert were held, when the old school house was made beautiful by flowers, evergreen and fruit, according to the season. In these concerts the local choir was assisted by Hon. Joseph Roode of GrIswold, MT. Miner of Jew ett City, c. B. Montgomery of Pack erville, Turner Greene and Daniel F. Greene of Plainfield, Misses Maggie F'rink of Ekonk, Sarah Amidon of Hopeville and Ella Hawkins of Jewett City. At one time Rev. Mir. Shipman of Jewett City attended and gave a pleasing address.
 During the winter evenings the peo- pie held rings" at the homes where there were musical instruments-Allen Davis, Joseph Gallup's, Denison Rich mond's, Warren Wilkenson's, Robert Knowles and Thomas J. Barber's- and there were music, games and re- treatments. Other homes, among them that of Samuel Palmer. were often opened for a neighborhood good time.
 The golden wedding of MT. and Mrs. Alvin Park was one of the best re membered events. Later came the of Charles L. Gardiner, B. F. Colburn, Joseph Gallup, Allen Davis and Frank Knight, to raise money for an organ, library, singing books and Bibles.
 Then a Ladies' Aid society was formed and money raised to hire first Rev. Mir Jackson of Jewett City and later Rev. Jared Tillinghast (then of Griswold) to preach every second Sunday; also Rev. William Palmer of Griswold came for time.
 Mrs. Alice Hoyner of Oneco conduct ed a. revival there and several joined tRe church and Sunday school at Ekonk. Tie death of some and the removal of others practically closed the Sunday school and all other social and religious work in the Flat Rock vicin- ity.
 Heard About the Village.
 Charles Potter of Oneco and Miss Ida Clark of Peacedale, R. l., were re- cent guests at the home of Elmer Cas- kill.
 MT. and Mrs. Elmer Gaskin and three children visited relatives in Ster- ling a few days past.
 William A. Devolve Jr., is seriously ill.
 4 family has moved into the Shea house on Gallup street, which has been empty several weeks.
 Miss Ella Barber is i'll this week, be- ing unable to attend to her work in the cloth room at LaWton mill. Spring is coming ForerunnerS in the shape of tops, kites, marbles, balls and bats are here.