Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1918-12-27
PILGRIMS AGAIN
HONORED HERE

For the nth consecutive year, the
Middlebury Historical Society last
Friday afternoon and evening observed
Foreiathers' Day, commemorating the
landing OF the Pilgrims at Plymouth
Rock pos years ago, with speech-mak-
ing, music and ieasting, The celebra-
ton was held as usual in the century
old Congregational church, where at
five o'clock in the afternoon Prof.
Stark Young of Amherst College de-
livered the commemorative address,
which he made unusually brief but
which was charged with inspiration
aud delivered in most pleasing man.
ner, The organ music, as it has been
for many years, was rendered by Mrs.
q. ID, Miner, and the historic ode "The
breaking waves dashed high" was read
in unison, The anthem, God of Our
Fathers" was sung by the choir,
prayer was rendered by the Rev, l.,
b, Holmes Of St, Stephens Church,
and following the singing of America,
the Rev II. c, Newell, who had pre-
sided, said the benedicton.
Adjournment to the lecture room of
the church found a still larger number
OF persons on hand for the supper
which was served by the ladies of the
Labaree society, with Mrs, R. H. White
as chairman of the supper committee
assisted by Mrs. W. H. Brewster and
Mr., W, S, Burrage. Extra tables had to
n mo ha
persons. Miss Susan Parker, in charge
OF the decorations, had seen to it that
the room was most attractively hung
with patriotic colors, while the 'ahles
were garnished with smilaX and behind
the speakers table a picture of the
Pilgrims landing
The ten hosts and hostesses were the
Rev. and Mrs, Newell, DR.. and Mrs.
P. L, Melen, Mr., and Mrs. Philip
Manchester, Mr., and Mrs, A. J. Black
mer, Judge and Mrs c. l. Button, the
Rev. and Mrs, f. b. Holmes, Prof.
and Mrs. L, J, Hathaway, Mr.. and Mrs.
Homer Balm, DR.. and Mrs. Howard
Averill and Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Hub
bard Girls dressed in sailor togs were
mattresses and served bountiful portions
of chicken pie, salad coffee, cake and
ice cream.
DR.. E. d, Collins, acting president
OF the college, acted as POSTMASTER in
a happy and witty vein throughout
the proceedings. The absence of Prof.
I. B. Wright and of President Thomas
of the College, who had for many years
been present at these celebrations, was
keenly felt, and it was, upon motion OF
Mr. Newell, the unanimous vote to
send them kilograms expressing regret
at their absence, In addition to the
speaking program, music was furnished
by Mrs, Susan Miner, at the piano
ard Mrs. Harry Cushman with violin.
There was vocal solo by Dr. Mellen,
a particularly pleasing number, and a
quartet consisting of Mrs. Collins, Mrs. |,
Button, Mrs. Voter, and Mrs. Dickens
also sang.
Dean George H. Perkins who next
year will have rounded out his .,
year as dean of the University of Yer
mont was the first of the after-dinner
'PNohSioi anu opOhS Ill appreciation OF I
what the American boys had done the
past year or more in France. The Rev
R. E. Whittemore of the Baptist
Church spoke with much feeling of his
pride in being able to bring up his
family in a town which had so many
fine deals as Middlebury. Charles E.
Crane of The Register, spoke in appre-
citation of the privilege of succeeding
to Mr.. Joseph Battells interest in
Forefathers' Day, and among other
things expressed the hope that the ter
centenary of the Pilgrim landing in
1920 might be commemorated by a
Middlebury pilgrimage to the shrine of
Plymouth rock. The last speaker of the
evening, Prof. Young of Amherst, who
traces his ancestry back to Molly
Stark and many other celebrities, kept
the house in an uproar while he merc-
lessly exposed some of the failings and
virtues of his ancestors.
What everyone had apparently
deemed pleasant evening, concluded
with the singing OF "Auld Lang Syne."