The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-09-07
ABLAzE WITH LIGHTS
AND OLD GLORY
The Exhibition Hall of the Somerset
Central Agricultural Society APP
prOpriately Dedicated

The new Exhibition Building at the
Somerset Central Fair Grounds at
Fairyiew Park was ablaze with lights
and bright decorations last Friday
evening when the structure was dedi-
Gated with a grand ball for which
music was furnished by Tinker's Or
chestra Aside from the orchestral
concert, Jimmie Hunter and "Bea-
trice" the ragtime vioinist, delighted
the large audience in specially acts.
The address of welcome by Mayor
Niles of Augusta, formerly of Skow-
hegan, now of Augusta, was aptly put
and clearly expressed.
In anticipation of the event, the in
terror of the building had been hand
somely trimmed. Numerous booths
We're adorned already for the fair and
lent thereby additional attractiveness.
IN the center of the building, stage
had been erected with liberal trim
mings of greenery and gold flowers
and here the orchestra was stationed
and the entertainment program was
presented About the walls were
brilliant touches of red. white and
blue, a huge American flag falling
from the north wall Evergreen
trees were stationed at the north and
south and the supporting posts were
adorned with flags and sprays of
green. The balcony was draped with
flags, as was the check room at the
left of the south entrance. The en-
tire effect was both patriotic and
charming, and when the bright lights
the stunning gowns and soft music
We're added the spectacle was indeed
a brilliant and animated one. The
grand march was led by c. W. Day,
president of the society and his
daughter Miss Dorothy Day. The
ladies who assisted in the decorating
We're Mrs. G. E. Avore, Mrs. w. p.
Ordway, Mrs. F, r. Philbrick and
Mrs. H. E. Smith. The general com
mittee in charge was comprised of
G. f. Ayore, Walter H. Hight, IIar-
vey E. Mcclure and Edwin L. Samp-
son.
Mayor Viles in his welcome speech
said:
1t is very good of your committee
10 invite me to speak here tonight.
I sually speaker will say that it is
pleasure for him to speak when
actually it is not, but in this instance
it is the truth that | am glad to
come and am honored by the invita-
ttOn. You know that in the heart of
every man there is love for his home
town; for the people among whom he
passed his bOyhood-for those with
whom he went to school. | am glad
Mr.. Chairman, of the progress of
Skowhegan, of the steady, substantial
growth of the town, | am prOGG of
the achievements of its citizens and |
am always proud TO refer to this as
my home town. We meet tonight
from all over Somerset County to
dedicate this beautiful and useful
building This building which has
been erected by this County Associa-
ton after great labor and persevCr-
ance. 1t is not an easy task to raise
funds for such purpose and the
members of the committee and those
who so generously contributed de
serve great credit This building
will be monument to their endeav-
ors for the Society It will be USE
full as we'll as ornamental and Will
add to the equipment of the Society
and enable it to hold even larger and
better regulated meetings than in The
past Here may be exhibited the
products of the farms of Somerset
County which are unsurpassed by
any section of Maine or any other
state Skowhegan is the shire town
of a rich and wonderful county, A
county of great area exceeded only in
this respect by Aroostook great
county of the north. The resources
of Somerset are as yet but little de-
yeloped; forests today cover by far
the greater part Of its area and these
are composed of useful woods well
suited to the needs and uses of our
people, Now, as formerly, its prin-
Continued on Page Four)