Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-31
MAINE WRITER'S
RESEARCH CLUB
WORK SUCCEEDS

Of the State, many who have arrived n
the writer's world and many who are
easily winning recognition. The cluo
was formed In 1915 as the outcome OF .
contest Of stories. The club now num-
bers IS members. Honorary members
Of the club are, Kate Douglas Wiggtn.
Laura E. Richards and Esther Dunn.
The first mentioned honorary member
of the club is one Of Names best be-
loved authors. Her close second -
Laura E. Richards Of Gardiner, another
who holds a spot in the hearts of all
who know her and who are familiar
with her works. The third honorary
member is professor of English at Bryn
Mawr college and the club feels honored
in having this lady Of letters included
on its roster
Each year the Maine Writer'S Re
search club endeavors to accomplish
something definite which will be OF
lasting benefit in a literary way. Maine
in History and Romance" was the first
book published by this remarkable club
This book is composed of the stories
which were used by the contest and
which were the prize winners-that
marked the start Of the club. Fifteen
hundred marked copies were published
and all were sold within three weeks.
this closing the edition. Therefore the
first endeavor Of the club may soon be
a rarity.
CorabeHe Bickford Of Biddeford was
the clubs first president. Mrs. f. c.
CARL Of Augusta was its first vice
president. And the secretary was Eva
Beane of Saco. Miss Bickford served
year and then Mrs CARL became
president, serving most effectively for
two years.
Miss Jessica Haskell of Hallowell. a
member of the Current Events club Of
the club. The vice president is Mrs.
Florence Danforth OF cA... nee an sd
the secretary and treasurer is Miss
Louise Coburn of Skowhegan.
The club meets four times each year,
the meetings being held usually in some
leading hotel in the State. Two home
meetings have taken place. one at the
home of Mrs. CARL in Augusta and the
other at the home of Miss Dingley in
Auburn. Because the members come
from all over the State, some of them
coming long distances. the meetings
are all day sessions and the noon lun-
cheon is one of the delightful features
CT the program.
In order to become a member of the
Maine Writers Research club one must
have literary ability as acknowledged
by the Board of Review. When book
is being written by the club an open
contest is conducted. If story proves
its worth in being printed between the
covers of the book the author becomes
a member of the club. The Board of
Review is now composed of Miss Anna
l.. Dingley of Auburn. Mrs. Z. c. CARL
Mrs. Boyd Bartlett and Mrs. Florence
w. Danforth of skowhegan.
Trail Of the Maine Pioneer" was the
second book published by the club. And
this book kept up to the high standard
established by the first book The third
book. Maine My State" their latest
endeavor, is meeting with marked ap-
prevail in educational circles. A. o.
Thomas. state superintendent of
schools, is very much interested in this
gem of Maine lore and advocates it
highly for school purposes.
AS a prominent member Of the club
expressed it. this third book, Maine
My State" is readable for the younger
generation, perhaps more so than the
other two books, chiefly because the
various authors bore in mind the larg-
est class of readers to whom they were
to veal, the younger ones.
This third book contains an article by
the late beloved Theodore Roosevelt
and the club is the proud owner of the
original manuscript in the late authors
own handwriting. This priceless piece
of handiwork is without doubt, their
most valued possession.
A delightful summer meeting was the
one which was held at the summer
home of Mrs. CARL, which is but
two miles from the summer home
Of Kate Douglas Wiggin. The club
was invited to Miss Virgins charm
ing home for the afternoon and
there they enjoyed most delightful
visit. While there they met Nora
Smith. Miss Wiggin's sister, who also
has done some very creditable work in
a literary line. They also met Alice
Hogan Rice. another author of note,
who wrote Mrs. Wigs of the Cabbage
Patch.'
Kate Douglas Wiggin has told Mrs.
CARL how she came to set her story,
''The Peabody Pew" to drama. Miss
Wiggin said that an organization wrote
to her telling her that they had written
play about her story. She asked to
see the manuscript. After reading It
she felt that the true import of the
story had not been brought out BY their
arrangement and she re-wrote the play.
The play, THE Peabody Pew" has been
presented in Augusta under the direc-
ton of Mrs. CARL and for the benefit Of
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