Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-03-21
FLORIDA VERMONTERS.

FLORIDA VERMONTERS,
Annual Midwinter Picnic Held ON
Daytona-Ormond Beach.
The Volusia County association of
Vermonters has become a we'll estab-
lished institution Of Florida. Each mid
winter sees the members gathered to-
gether In some favored spot to enjoy old
and make new friendships. February 26
was the date this winter. The place was
Seabreeze, on the Daytona &C rmond beach,
where the Nautilus Casino overlooks the
Atlantic ocean. The weather conditions
were above reproach. Early in the day
automobiles began to arrive, filled with
happy people and we'll stocked baskets
Of goodies. Mrs. f. J. Ranslow Of Swan
ton had In charge the registration and
bestowal OF badges The book showed $50
names. This did not include guests other
| than Vermonters. which helped to swell
the number we'll up to the 200 mark. The
, local committee, consisting of Mr.. and
! Mrs. w. w. Marshall Mr.. and Mrs.
N. A. Johns and DR.. and Mrs. A. T.
Bigelow. had prepared long tables upon
which to spread such feast as only
Vermont women know how to prepare,
even under wartime restrictions. At
| 1900 o'clock steaming hot coffee was
served to the picnicers. During the in
terval between the close Of the luncheon
and 80 p. m. there was visiting or STROLL
ing upon the beach. as suited the fancy.
/ At 1880 p. m. DR.. A. T. Bigelow, a
Vermonter born. but long absent from
his native state, and now a permanent
resident of Seabreeze, called the assoc
citation together in the large auditorium
Of the Casino which had been decorated
for the occasion with native palms and
bamboo. The following program was
carried out: Invocation, Rev. George o.
Howe; presidents address. DR.. A. T.
Bigelow; business: address. DR.. c. S.
Caverly: original poem. Mrs. ]. M. Taylor:
address, DR.. d. c. Hawley: original poem.
Mrs. e. j. Ranslow; address, Rev. George
o. Howe; music on a monograph at fire.
quent intervals by Dr. Houghton: singing
| of America.
| The president. DIR. A. T. Bigelow, in
his address, said in part: LET us Ver-
monters on this occasion cast aside all
cankering cares and thoughts of war.
and give a free rein to enjoyment. AS
years ago B. p. Shillaber MRS. Parting
toni wrot of Hampton. SO may we Of
Seabreeze:
"'Oh, Seabreeze beach.
No power of speech
Can half thy wondrous
Beauties teach!'
Though seemingly extravagant claims
may be made for our State to-day. they
will all be true to the true Vermonter.
according to the theory of ex-President
Cleveland. who In a magazine article
asserted that to the true fisherman all
fish stories are true! We take much
pride In the prompt and efficient response
of our State to the call of the government
for men and munitions to insure the Wig
orous prosecution of the war. This was
to be expected. for the Green Mountain
Boys were ever brave and patriotic. and
the girls winsome and capable. We cher
ish the happy days of DID, when fond
recollection brings them to view." but are
saddened by the thought that many of
our dearest relatives and friends have
passed beneath the low green tent.
whose curtain never swings" The presi-
dent closed with the aphorism. lit is
better to cherish a great love for a little
State rather than a little love for q
great State
DR.. c. s. Caverly. being a health oficer
and feeling sure that all would be glad
to know what the little Green Mountain
State was doing for health conditions
gave interesting information relative tc
improvement in rural schools. He did not
forget to be loyal to his home State
while paying tribute to the advantages
Of a southern climate. He also wa.
generous in his praise Of Florida's activ
tiles along health lines.
DR.. d. c. Hawley was introduced BY
, Hhr,r nfn ,,r1
prietor of the Ridgewood Hotel at Day
tona. Fla. The colonel assured the asso
cation that while DR.. Hawley was hi
; friend and family physician. he had mo-
, brought him from Florida to look after hi!
own or his family's health. as he wa!
present to make all the money he cOult
ana not to gain added health. of which
ne had plenty. but he would Introduce
MIN as q present member of the Legis
, iature OF Vermont. DR.. Hawley. in hi
talk. sketched briefly what Vermont hat
done In times past. as a loyal part o.
the nation. giving Of her men and wealth
IN unstinted measure. In the presen
crisis the State Is keeping up its record
aided greatly by its daughters as wei
as by its sons. He expressed appreciation
OF the advantages for out-of-door, near
to-nature living. which means SO muci
, In these days of extremely cold northern
winters.
DR.. Howe of DeIand spoke eloquent!
: OF the Joys to be had in a northern eli
, mate. amidst the beautiful green hills o
which none surpass those Of Vermont
But the fact~that he has become per
manent residentTof Florida speaks quit
eloquently as to his opinion Of the JOY
to be had In a southern cline.
The two original poems by Mrs. ]. NJ
Taylor and Mrs. f.. ]. Ranslow wer
Z received with much appreciation.
The following officers and committe
. were elected for the ensuing year: Presi
F: dent, Rev. George o. Howe; vice-presl
!, DENTS N. A. Johns. C. A. Phillips, MI
Z. Morse. Mr.. Stone of Orange City an
Fred Robinson; secretary. ]. F. Ballard
:. treasurer. ]. O. Robinson; entertainment
committee. Mr.. and Mrs. Charles l
{ Heath OF DeLand. the Rev. and Mrs
0 George O. Howe Of De Land. Mr.. an
: Mrs. Stone Of Orange City and Mr.. an
Mrs. w. W. Marshall Of Daytona Beach