The guardian., 1950-01-07
WEST MEDFORD

Medfordites celebrated the first
half of the goth Century last
week with programs Of religious
reform as well as gaiety. The
Shiloh ChoirS honored the occa-
sion. Pastor Daniel w. Wynn
preached he New Years evening
service and Rev. Phillips deliv-
cred the morning message. Dur
ing the week, the Rev. Isaac Hig-
genbotham, general secretary Of
the Mass. Baptist Convention,
called upon all churches for
greater unity and effort and he
was a guest at Shiloh during a
meeting of its members. Shiloh
is perhaps the oldest institution
in the community, having been
established just prior to the 1900
1850 era, in 1898; its 50th anni-
versary now past. Too much can
not be written about Medford's
early pioneers who gave us last
ing inspirations which have with
stood the ravages of time, criti-
cisms or misunderstanding. They
were made of strong stock and
lasting quality. Only a few re-
main today, although some were
here before railroad tracks, cars
or buses came to this district.
They broke ground for the first
local business, including a widely
recognized riding school, moving
van company, laundry services,
real estate, carpenters and floor
layers, grocery stores, caterers,
landscape gardeners, printers, city
contractor and cement sidewalk
business, interior decorators, and
many other fields. They bequeath-
ed us the church. Among their
other establishments which have
stood time in he last so years
are the Daffodil Club (190I and
the Lsnd-A-Hand Club (1902)
which have benefited the com
munity. Although the younger
generations, too, have contributed
to the achievements of the early
pioneers, they still face chal-
lenge to prove that the accom-
plishments which they ~, = ate
not merely for a very brief
period, like overnight swallows
that disappear in cloud. With
educational advantages made
possible by the now departed
elders, what will younger Med
forditeS achieve that will prove
them worthy of the rich heritage
handed down from poor bu'
proud parents who were ne
ashamed to sacrifice for theil
children. That is the question
and the challenge for all COM
munities during the next half OF
the 20th century. It is not merely
a Medford problem, a Boston,
nor Cambridge problem. 1t is
one which challenges all Goth
century citizens and should be
viewed in that light and not un-
fairly spotlighted onto any spe-
cial area.
New Years Eve was Saddened
by the tragic accident suffered
by Miss Louise Swan Brent and
Mrs. Dittami, struck by a car
driven by a youth last Saturday.
A report this week from Law
renee Memorial Hospital said
both were improving. Miss Brent
is the adopted daughter Of Mrs.
Brent, and the late John Brent,
both long time residents and
pillars of Shiloh. The Mediord
Plan E government went into
operation this week. More about
this later. The name Of the be-
loved young musician Harold
Phillips, was among the departed
Medfordites of 1949, which should
have been listed last week. The
Medford H. S. track team this
year has potential local talent.
In the Metropolitan Track meet
in Boston last Saturday, Medford
toppled Brookline. Stanton Bowen
won the 500 yard run. WV
Kountze ran anchor for the win
ming Medford relay team SAD
scored a third in the 800 yard
run. Both boys just took up
track "a few weeks ago. And
thanks to all Of you readers who
sent cards during the holiday
season. Let's face the New Year
marching together.