Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-07-02

will be the orator of the day at the
exercises of dedication. Congress
man John f. Nelson of Augusta was
to have been the speaker, but owing
to the serious illness of his friend
and law partner, Charles L. Andrews.
Congressman Nelson was obliged to
cancel his engagement.
Available to Everyone
Though the tract of land has been
decided to the James FITZGERALD
post, to be held and administered by
them in trust for the benefit of all
Legionaires and their families of
the county, and their invited guests.
the officers of the holding corpora
ton have decided that the commun-
ity park should be made available
to all, ana their invited guests
VIII at the outset mean everyone.
So long as the advantages are re-
spected there will be no bars across
the entering roadway, and the ex-
ecutive group hopes that citizens of
central Maine will be appreciative
of the facilities which have been
made available by the development.
Organizations, such as service and
civic clubs, Sunday school groups,
lodges and industrial groups, who
desire a place to hold a picnic or
field day observance will find the
community park open to them with
out charge Of any kind. except fo'
running the lights if their observ-
ance carries into the evening hour.
There are to be no public dances
conducted for profit held in the spa
cious pavilion. This building is d
part Of the equipment of the park
and will be given over to the uses
of all who may go TO the park for
recreation.
A Community Service
In the development of this tract
Of land, the members of the Amer
lean Legion believe that they have
an opportunity for genuine service
to the community, thus bearing out
their articles Of organization. as
service men, in the times of peace,
even as they were Service Men
when this nation was at war
against a foreign foe.
Ever since the announcement Of
the original gifts by Messrs. Hus-
sey and Mace, there has been great
interest in the venture, which has
no parallel in this state. On every
hand the promoters of the develop
ment have met with hearty coop
GRAFTON, signifying the sympathy of
people everywhere in the project.
There has been absolutely no So
licitation Of funds and there will be
none. Three members of the Amer
lean Legion with vision and a high
belize in the soundness of their pro-
position, underworld loan for
$1,000 with which the initial devel-
opment has been carried out. The
American Legion has assumed the
M ~ GO 0f fhn ,.l-
maintenance, and this will be done
without any solicitation of funds or
the charging of fees for the use of
the equipment.
AS soon as the plans for the i'm
provement of the property We're
made known by the committee of 20
in charge, other public spirited citi-
zens came forward with prefers of
assistance or with gifts to increase
the equipment. 1t was from this
source that the staunch flag pole and
flag were secured; also the field kit
chens, a Spanish war cannon, the
loan OF the lighting plant and vari-
Gus other material.
Volunteer Cooperation
Each Sunday there have been VOL
unteer working parties at the
grounds laboring from early till late
WIN PICKS ana ShOVelS, axes and
saws. hammers and nails, and rakes.
Several acres of the heavily wooded
grove have been cleared Of under
growth, the shore line cleaned ITO.
besides the major work of construc-
ton OF the pavilion and auxiliary
kitchen.
The women OF the Legion Auxili-
airy have toiled shoulder to shoulder
with the men, and even the children
who have accompanied their parents
have contributed TO the completion
Of the program OF development laid
out for this year. Lunches at noon
have been served. from the field
kitchens by loyal group of women
from the Legion Auxiliary.
The Guiding Genius
Behind the whole extensive deyeI-
opment and guiding the progress of
the work has been one energetic
member of the James Fit,gerald
Post with genuine vision and n be-
lief In the results of coop grafton.
George r. Weber has oeen the gen-
eral chairman of the American Le-
gion Community Park, and it is due
TO his ability to conceive a vast CEN
ter, available for recreational pur-
poses to all who would enjoy the
Lakeside and the forest, that the Eve