The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1922-08-09
FIRST ANNUAL
FARM PICNIC
HAPPY EVENT
Thousands of Rural Popula-
ton of Wayne and Adjoin-
ing Counties Enjoy Outing
at Glen Miller Park.
MAY REPEAT AFFAIR

Thousands of the rural population
of Wayne and adjoining counties, COM
ing in hundreds of automobiles, at
tended the picnic held Wednesday in
Glen Miller park under the auspices
of the Wayne County Farm bureau.
Family parties and township groups
later gathered in large circle under
the spreading shade of the great trees
for the enjoyment of a real country
picnic dinner
The scene presented a picture in di-
rect contrast and far removed from
the turmoil and unrest in many circles
at this time.
Preparatory to setting the tables for
the dinner, the farmers wives brought
large baskets of food from the various
points of the park where the cars were
parked
Meanwhile the men grouped them
selves all over the picnic grounds and
engaged in discussing the problems of
the farmer today. The children busted
themselves at the park Fairgrounds
Dinner was called at 1890 o'clock
and the various family and township
groups gathered around tables set over
a large area surrounding the park
Fairgrounds
Music was furnished during the din
ner hour by the Pershing band, which
conducted its program seated in the
large bandstand decorated in red,
white and blue bunting.
Directly following the picnic dinner,
those in charge of the program made
arrangements for the opening Of the
speaking program. The program
started at 1:45 o'clock with the read
ing of the speech of welcome to the
farmers sent to the picnic from the
office of Mayor Lawrence A. Handley.
Call for Attendance
Jackson township won the silk Am
eriean flag for the largest number of
men, women. and children present in
proportion to the membership of the
farm bureau. Webster township was
second and Franklin township was
third. ]. L. Dolan was chairman of
the committee of judges
Charles F. Patterson, farmer-banker
and farm organizer, outlined the rea-
son why the farmer should not be
perturbed over the present prevailing
market conditions. He tried to instill
a spirit of optimism in his character
istic humorous form of expression. His
talk was greeted by enthusiastic ap-
probation from all who heard him.
Former Governor Harding of Iowa
spoke in behalf of cheaper transporta-
ton by means of waterways
A reading was given by Mrs. Nettie
i Ingerman of Jackson township. The
program closed with selection by the
Pershing band
Attorney Gus Hoelscher, member OF
the city planning commission, repre-
SA6 fhn 81 h. oh ~
Mayor L. A. Handlely, who was un.
able to be present
Hunt In Charge
Everett Hunt, president of the
Wayne County Farm Bureau, was in
charge of the program at the picnic
He introduced all of the speakers and
was largely responsible for the success
of the affair. He together with Coun
ty Agent Dolan, general chairman ot
the picnic committees, and Ed Deite
meyer, secretary of the Wayne bureau
laid the groundwork and made the ar
rangements that made the picnic pos
sible.
The affair was the first Wayne coun
ty farmers picnic ever attempted bu
from the success experienced in it
initial trial, it is expected that it viii
become an annual affair The ide:
of the picnic originated when the Off
cials of the Wayne County Farm Blu
reau were laying out their program fo
the year in March 1t was a farm bu
reau project but invitations were ex
tended to all farmers in Wayne county
Times Have Changed
Travel isn't what it used to be,
said a Preble county farmer, as h
wandered among the scores of moto
cars parked at Glen Miller Wednes
day. Its a good % miles from m,
home over in Ohio to this park, We
here we are, on the grounds early an,
in plenty of time for the big show
few years back-and not so yer.
y many years, ether can recall hov
we used to get ready to come to tn
circus in Richmond We would ge
up while it was yet dark, feed AM
harness the horses by lantern ligh:
and be on our way early in the morn
ing"
Fairgrounds equipment was in de
mand all day at the park. The kiddie
from Ohio and Indiana kept tn
swings in the air all day; and as TO
the chute-the-chutes it was filled wit
a constant stream of youngsters.
looked as if that were the most in
portant part of the park at times.
Several were attracted to the mort
edge of Glen Miller lake, where tn
.sN