Putnam patriot., 1926-08-20


 Academy attended and participated in the reunion at the Academy last Sat. nrday, held in honor of the I25th an. niversary of the founding of the school. Uncertain weather kept down the attendance and made it necessary 70 hold indoors many of the exercises that would have taken place on inc Academy lawn. '''s
 The reunion luncheon at noon was the principal event of the day. A com mittee under the direction of Mrs. hyrtice Jordan had prepared an ex- ceilent meal, which was served hv Academy students. The dinner was held in the basement and chapel of the woodstock church. showers making it necessary to 20 indoors. Blue and gold carnival hats gave gay appear ance to the POO diners.
 Following the lunch the church au- oltorium became the scene of the pro- gram. with ten five-minute speakers being introduced by Dr. welles Nj. Partridge, of Boston. toastmaster for the day. Dr. Partridge was first in- troduced by George Nj. Sampson of Woodstock. who had general charge of the arrangements for the reunion. He mentioned that at the time that the Academy was founded the United States had been independent for only twenty-five years. there were only six. teen states, and Washington had been dead only two years.
 Mir. Partridge said that it seemed to him that Woodstock was his ancestral home. He found it a nice place to which to return, and observed that it was a town where the fundamentals of truth, righteousness and patriotism were observed.
 The Speakers
 The first speaker was Mrs. Anne Hall Gaylord, who recalled incidents of school days. Judge Clarence H. Child. state senator from the district which includes Woodstock, also remin- isced. William Dutemple, a former principal of the school and now in the salesmanship field. returned to give the Academy his greetings. James V. Perrin of Quebec, mentioned that in the Dominion, education has not been developed to as high level as in this country.
 Maurice F. Childs, principal for four years at Woodstock, but now leaving the town to become viee-prineipal at Mt. Vernon. N. Y. next year. lauded the cooperation of the townspeople in making Woodstock Academy success ful. He said that he believed the sue cess of the Academy was based on their support and interest. He cited as an example the fact that thirty-six prizes. the gifts of townspeople. were awarded last commencement. He also believed that the Aeademy's long years of service to the community, its roots borrowing far back into the past. help to establish 1t in it's high place in the community.
 Dr. R. c. Paine of Thompson men tioned that a few Woodstock people are supporting all the worthwhile movements in that town. He suggest ed that by small contributions to the Hall Memorial Gymnasium fund. now being subscribed, townspeople can show their interest and loyalty to the school.
 Clarence W. Bowen followed the drive for the gymnasium funds from it's start. While it amounted to only 5000 in January, the fund now totals over SIT 7.500, and he is confident that the $i2,500 still needed can be quickly raised. MT. Bowen emphasized that the committee would like particularly to receive small subscriptions. Miss Harriet Sampson of New York City, a graduate of the Academy, read three of her poems. George Lord, pro- lessor at Dartmouth, and many years ago principal at the Academy. spoke briefly.
 Suggest Improvements
 Hamilton Holt. president of Rollins College. Florida. suggested several improvements which he believed were desirable for the Academy. Changes in the athletic field, a home for the principal. and the use of some of the Academy rooms for district school pu- pills. were among his suggestions. He urged that the Academy should play as great a part as possible in the life of the town.
 Mir. Sampson closed the meeting by putting through unanimously the mo- ton that another reunion should De held in five years.
 In the evening there was dancing Tn the Academy hall with music by the East Woodstock orchestra.
 While many people came from con- siderable distances to attend the re- union. Lady MeMillan, whose home IS British East Africa, was furthest from her residence. She is the daugh-