The Republican journal., 1915-04-29
Maine Folks in San Diego.

odH OleRO, CallIoIhoS' oons " Ae4ueSs
of Mr.. Arthur E. Blethen. We are also
indebted to Mr.. Blethen for copies of
The Federation, monthly publication
representing the federation of the State
and other societies of San Diego. Mr..
Blethen was born in Unity in 1870, is
treasurer of the Maine society and a
member of the executive committee of
the Federated State Societies. With
Mrs. Blethen he conducts the Hotel Arno
in San Diego, a comfortable homelike
family hotel with special attention given
to ladies travelling alone, elderly people
and families. Maine people visiting San
Diego should patronize the Hotel Arno.
From the report of the meeting of the
State of Maine Society March 18th by
Mrs. J. W. Watson, historian, we quote
as follows:
Among the guests of the society were
the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Newell, natives
of Maine, who have passed over quar-
ter of century in Japan; Mrs. Flor
ence Collins Porter, native of Maine,
now in charge of the seven counties ex-
hibit at the Exposition; DR.. and Mrs.
Bates of Bangor, Me-, and Mr.. and Mrs.
H. D. Black of Maiden, Mass, formerly
from Maine. These several gentlemen
and Mrs. Porter gave interesting talks
along the varying lines of their expert
ence.
In the January number of The Fedora
ton Mrs. Watson tells how this State of
Maine Society came to be organized:
New Years greetings to friends of the
old Pine Tree State. send this greet
ing to those in our new home in San
Diego, and a more hearty e to all in
the old home State and also the wish
that before 1916 many will come to our
Exposition and see for themselves why
we are so charmed with this new home
beside the Blue Pacific, and our dream
on the hill in our IA hundred acre park.
Pen cannot picture the loneliness, the
eye can hardly grasp it !. Every turn
brings out new beauties always changing
and restful, always pleasing. Come and
see US in 1915 is the wish of our society.
We will be here to welcome and enter
tain you.
| think it would be we'll at this time to
give review of our society. Early in
the fall or late summer of 1907, the New
Englapders had field day at Coronado
Tent City, and l bethought myself l
would attend. My daughter and myself
went over, hoping to find some one we
knew, or that we might make the ac-
quaintance of some New England people.
On returning from the outing we did
meet lady from Brooks, Maine, and an
other from Stockton, and one from Au-
gusta; ourselves from Searsmont. That
night resolved l would form State of
Maine Society in the city at this time. l
put a notice in the paper with our phone
number, and asked all interested in form
ing society to call me. However, we
three from Maine had had several meet
ings and this was the plan we carried
out: received three calls before $50 a.
M, after the notice appeared. We be-
gan with eight members and met after
we just could not leave the men out, so
meeting and those were good days. We
met Thursday. Well, Halloween was
near and we had party at Mrs. Wat
sons, corner Laurel and Fifth street,
and such supper as only the good New
beans and brown bread, mince, apple and
pumpkin pies, doughnuts, cake and coffee.
The house large and commodious, was
stored to overlooking; we had rs for sup
per that night and from then on we be-
gan live society that has been credit
to ourselves, our home State and to San
Diego.
On cur register we have the names of
nF no
the city bankers, clergy, attorneys,
merchants ard ladies in club and all pub
lie work, although New York claims the
first place in an organized society, l,
still as mo her of this society, claim this
to be the first to adopt a constitution and
bylaws. We went on like the book until
it was deemed wise thing to incorporate;
now we hold the distinction of being the
Diego. We also own shares in the Ex-
position; we hold regular meetings on
the second Friday of each month with
business meeting, followed by bountl-
full supper. We have had the compli-
ment paid US often of having the most
talent of any one society, and l believe
it to be so. We can usually call on three
or four of an evening for songs or reci-
tations and piano solos without any warn
ing beforehand. Maine surely has no
need to blush for her sons and daughters
in any place or time; they always give
good accounts of themselves and l be-
lieve they live up to the State Motto
"Dirigo," (meaning we lead). At our
last meeting we had very pleasant sur
prise in the return of Mr.. and Mrs. A. E.
Rogers of Orono, and Miss Lnnie S.
Lord, also of Orono. Last year they
came as guests, this time they came as
permanent residents. The call Of our SUM-
shine and lovely climate was too strong
for them. They came, and came to
stay. We welcomed them with glad
hand. They all became members. We
had many guests, among them Mr.. and
Mrs. L. E. Newton, Mrs. McLain, Miss
M. X. Jorden, Miss Lord, Mrs. Bowen,
Mr.. and Mrs. Rogers. And such sup
per! We had most enjoyable time as
usual. Although not as large as some
we make up in quality what others have
in quantity believe Rose Thorpes de-
scription of San Diego would be appro-
pirate here:
"Low swaying pepper bow, bloom of magnolia;
Summer and sunshine and roses galore;
Song of the mocking bird, morning and even
ing hears;
Murmurous waves breaking white on the
shore;
Fogs waking up from the crest Of the ocean;
Langurous moon sailing into the west;
Fruitage of tree and vine, all the year sum-