Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-10-30
My Trip to Springfield
BY Lorraine Heenie, Member of
BoWdoinham Boys and Girls Club

BY Lorraine 7eenIe, Member OF
Bowdoinham Boys and Girls Club
This is what I claim to be the
highest honor in club life as yet.
Springfield is in the dearms of every
club member and this year by the
hard work of a good many people
the dreams of $50 boys and girls
were made to come true.
BY the hard labor of Mr.. Shibles,
State Club Leader, Miss Browne,
assistant State Club Leader, and a
large number of the officials in the
State government, it was made pos
money needed to send $50 boys and
girls with their chaperones. to
Springfield as representatives of
club work in the State of Maine.
Friday night, September IT, 1.-THE
Maine $780," the name given our
band, met at the Falmouth Hotel
Portland, where we passed the night,
in the meanwhile enjoying a ban
quet given by the Rotary Club, along
with all the luXuries of the hotel
Saturday morning bright and early
we paraded to the station where we
boarded our special train for Spring.
field. 1t was very nice as we had
the train to ourselves, because an
all day trip is tiresome, and / am
afraid we were not real quiet when
we got tired. In Springfield we took
special trollies for the exposition
grounds and arrived there just at
supper time, with about a mile of
Camp Walters lined up in front of
the ''messent' ahead of us. Mr.
Shibles gave US our meal ticket
books, as we ate cafeteria style. We
all felt much better when we came
out OF the mess tent.
That night we slept eight in a
tent, including chaperone, on army
cots, three army blankets apiece,
no pillows. Everything came from
Maine on our train.
The next day being Sunday cars
were supplied for all those who
cared TO attend church at East
Springfield. We had the day to our
selves to get acquainted with the
place and people. In the evening
we marched to the banks of the
AgaWan, a small river or stream on
the far side of the fair grounds.
where Camp Vail held vesper SER
vices.
Monday was the beginning of
busy, but most enjoyable week. 1t
was really an Introductory day.
We were made acquainted with the
idea that We were not there for
pleasure and a good time entirely.
but were there to be of service. to do
what was assigned us. and to look
around for place to be of service
ana be willing to volunteer if called
on.
In the Camp Vail building.
brick and stone. one story building.
booths We're parted off for each of
the eastern states using the club
colors, green and white Maine had
two booths. One a sewing booth
where three girls were kept on duty
sewing, mending, pressing, cleaning
and demonstrating for a half hour to
three hours. The other booth was a
lunch counter where from eight to
twelve girls were on duty at once
making and serving chicken sand
Witches and drinks.
The boys duties We're at the State
of Maine building where they took
charge of the registration swept ana
performed what duties they couIa
around the building.
There were meetings. educational
tours, etc, all the time which we
were supposed to attend if we were
not on booth duty. That always
came first
Every morning there was meet
ing of the Maine 15o." at which we
We're assigned our periods Of booth
duty and given orders for the day.
At one o'clock each day an assembly
was held on the Camp Vail lawn
which included everyone Here we
heard from prominent club workers
from all over the United States,
sang club songs. gave cheers and had
a general good time for an hour.
EVERY evening vesper or campfire
service were held on the banks of
the Agawan. Tuesday we had the
nonor OF a call from Governor and
MRS. Brewster At one o'clock when
the Governor was called upon to
speak he bragged so about his chill
oren the Maine $780," we were ready
70 burst. Wednesday, Mr.. Shibles in
formed US We were to attend a ban
quet given in honor of "the Maine
10y, at the KimbalI Hotel. SPRING
neld. You can guess everyone of us
We're in uniform and waiting when
the taXis came at $50. That evening
"Hen we returned to the fair grounds
we paraoed the arena in the Coli
Seuiii' After we were announced one
couid not realize the sensation $50
IMdlne poys and girls could cause
WV POOPlC. IL seemed TO be
a real novelty to see $50 bovs ana
girls from far off Maine. 1 guess the
novelty was mostly in the method bv
which we were sent and YOU NAV he
sure everyone of US were proud to
say Maine" when asked where we
were from. I think if Maine was
eyer boosted it surely was by "the
Mdlne Ioo" delegation. don't think
the people who worked so hard to
make that trip possible worked IN
vain for there was not one of us hut
reailze the cost of time and labor
mat trip cost. I hope the Maine neo-
PIE VIII be impressed enough nv it's
success this year to make it possibIe
another year so other club members
may see, hear, and learn the real
value OF club life at Camp Vail.
ERhWk I'LL m EADkn nlInrsI,