Putnam patriot., 1929-01-17
FINE PROGRAM AT D. A. OPEN MEETING
Professor Robert s. Hillyer of Harvard Delights Audience
 With His Readings
Mrs. Herson's Singing Also ca7sivates
 Gathering


 ! The open meeting held by the Eliz- abeth Porter Putnam Chapter Of the 1 D. 4. R., last Friday evening. in the j Congregatlona church, was a most enjoyable occasion, and was appre- ! eiated bv A large audience of invited guests.
 Preceding the meeting, the church's beautiful organ was heard under the | able touch of Kenneth Sharpe, in short recital that was no small part of the evenings enjoyment. To spirited march, the members Of the l Chapter. marched in from the chapel. with their guests and the evenings entertainers.
 Miss Sarah Crosby, the Regent, called the meeting te order, and intro dueed Mra. (. D. Sharpe, the chap plain, who read q most stirring ad- dress, followed by prayer. The re. gent then gave aH able and spirited review of the years accomplishment i both by the National and the loea organizations. closing with vigorous setting forth of purpose and achieve mcnt.
 The entertainment program of the evening followed in two parts; Mrs. i Florence Herson of he Simonds sle- morial Cho.f Of Fitehsury, Mas, ably accompanied by Mrs. N. Lown gave two groups of songs. First. Do Not Go. Ny Love-" Hegeman; "The Silly ] Littta Fool" John Welsi Hills Frank LeForge; Little Yaller Dog
 Second. My Love. She's But a ] I.assie Yet" Hopekirk; Cradle Song" MaeFayden; As We Part, ] Ilgenfritz; "Once in Blue Moon, | Fisher.
 Mrs. Herson adds to voice of power and beauty, unusual interpre- tive quality, and great charm Of man ner. Her selections were carefully made, and ranged from classic dig nity to piquancy and charm. She cap tivated her audience, while the ae- compartments, played by Mrs. Lown were, in themselves. delightfui m color and force.
 Professor Robert s. Hillyer of Har- yard. though well known socially in the community. has never hetore been heard here in public reading. His opening talk on the Art of Writ ing Poetry was as Illuminating as it was simple and to the point. He made clear to the least initiated, how the classic and traditional product Of poetry had early in the present cen ! tury merged into the so-ealled mod ern school and traced the effects, good and bad. of the new growth.
 Value of Interpretation
 In his reading from his own work. he proved the value of poets inter- pretation. Probably nine out of ten of even the reading public would say, ! f asked that they do not understand poetry. that it has no message for them; that they cannot read it. Ger tainly every selection Of Mir. Hillyer's went home to his listeners. From the simplicity of New England, graphic picture of deserted farm or ! of Moo" melancholy COW ruminat- ing on the passing of grass and clo- yer. to the masterly cadences Of "Manobier," long poem of intricate pattern, and great technical beauty, not one selection failed to win deep ap preciation. The delightful fantasy of "a Mermaid Washed Ashore on Ply mouth Rock" the two Sonnets, the reversal of the ancient fairy tale of the Sleeping Beauty. the lovely an- nals of St. Sylv.as, all went to the hearts of Mir. Hillyer's listeners. and created, if not converts to the poetic art, at least converts to the pleasure of listening to the interpretation of poetic works. The community is greatly indebted to this local society for an opportunity to hear a poet of such distinction as Mir. Hillyer.