Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-30
FAMILY FESTIVALS FEATURE
THANKSGIVING OBSERVANCE
- INcAPITAL CITY and VICINITY

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Thanksgiving Day In the Capital
City and vicinity was for the most
part home observance in the true
spirit OF the old rural New England
homestead. The day is essentially
one for the wandering members Of
the family to return to the flrestdes
and hearths to enjoy the turkey,
chicken. duck, pork. or whatever may
be the chief piece de resistance,
with the homefolks. Though our
American Thanksgiving is OF New
England origin 1t has come to re-
ceive world wide recognition and OBJ
servance, but nowhere is 1t more un-
tformly celebrated than in the states
Of its origin. and of this section, per-
haps the people of the state Of Maine
keep more closely to the Significance
or the day, as one Of Thanksgiving
for the blessings of a bountiful har-
vest and prosperous circumstances.
1t Is this oldtime significance of
the occasion that identified the OBJ
servance in this city yesterday. The
day was quietly passed with family
gatherings in the homes of the city.
where the boys and girls home from
schools and colleges and the various
members OF the family assembled
about the festive board.
The day was one of extraordinary
mildness as to weather, and after the
ritual of the family feast had been
carried out, many took advantage OF
the open highways and made auto
mobile trips to the homes of other
friends for goodfellowship calls.
There was no special public obser-
vance of the day other than the
thanks services in the churches. This
holiday is one of festivity, and for
those who desired some mode of ex-
preston for their jolity other than
that provided by the home circles,
there were dances at several places
in the city and vicinity in the even
ing.
Both theatres drew crowded hous-
es at the afternoon and evening per-
formances and the dances at City
Hall and at Golden Cross hall were
well attended. Things were quiet in
police circles, there being no arrests
OF any sort. Though automobile
traffic was heavy for the season of
the year, no serious accidents were
reported in this vicinity. The slate
at the central fire station was clean,
there being neither alarm nor still
calls for the apparatus.
For those who found it impossible to
go to their distant homes, the hotels
and restaurants had prepared partic-
ularly attractive menus and were we'll
patronized for the holiday dinner At
the Augusta House and Hotel North
several family parties found it more
convenient to join in Thanksgiving
feasts than at home. and the manage
ments of both these hostelries provided
features significant of the occasion for
their pleasure.
The inmates of the City Home and
or the county Jail were given extra
line dinners as is the custom on this
occasion, and at the hospitals the pa
tients and nurses were made to feel
the spirit of the day. The crest Of the
holiday traffic on the railroads was
reached Wednesday evening, and for
the most part the exodus was from
the large cities to the family firesides
in the towns and rural communities
Many of those who"come home for
Thanksgiving" will remain over the
week end.
Thanksgiving Service at St. Marks
The usual o'clock Thanksgiving
celebration of holy communion was OBJ.
served at st. Marks Episcopal church
with DR.. Stuart B. Purves administer
ing the sacrament. There was a very
large congregation and many partici-
pated in the holy communion.
The full vested choir was present
at this service and, led by the crucifer.
the procession marched around the
church. The sermon was given by DR..
Purves. who took as his text ooh
come let us worship and fall down and
kneel before the Lord our Maker" He
brought out the thought that adora-
ton is the highest act of worship and
that praise and thanksgiving lead to
alteration. The chief things for which
We are to be thankful are a bountiful
harvest. general contentment among
the people as evidenced by, the few
strikes of the past year. not much I'M
employment. and the fact that America
enjoys the respect and confidence of
the world.
Dr. Purves resently strongly the i'm
nutation made that the present, gov
ernment has been guilty of cowardice
in the past two years.
There was a large Offering of fruits
and vegetables which will be used for
the poor of the city. The Offering was
piled in the chancel near the altar as
has been the custom for many years.
The silver offering taken at the service