Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1955-09-29

At is did in the early years of
the camp meetings, the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad did its part
to promote attendance at the
Chautauqua programs.
1t ran continuous service be-
tween the Grove and Washing
ton, offering special rates on
Chautauqua tickets. On each
Tuesday and Friday of the sum-
mer months, round-trip tickets
cost IS cents. Round-trip tickets
for a ride to the Grove on Satur-
day and ride back to Washington
on Saturday, Sunday or Monday
cost so cents. Season tickets
for three months, good for $50
rides, sold for $18.75.
Chautauqua headliners includ-
ed comedians, dramatic readers,
stereoptician lecturers, singers
and musicians, animal acts -
and a host of others.
The 1906 program featured an
act called Pamahasika's Birds
and Dogs. The ads talked this
one up as Fifty Animal Actors!
The talk of every town and city.
Young and old enjoy this enter
tainment.
Years of painstaking train
ing put into the perfection of
this wonderful performance
which can not be duplicated orr
the continent. All the best Chau.
tauqua assemblies secure this
attraction whenever they can;
we were fortunate in booking
them this season."
The 1910 Chautauqua advertis-
ed Prof. Reno B. Welbourn, the
man who harnessed the sun.
Lectures and experiments on
the marvels and mysteries of
modern science. Throughout, the
lectures are exceedingly instruc-
tive and entertaining.
"Mr. Welbourn'S experiments
are numerous, quickly done, and
stunning in their impact. The
dreams of humanity are made
realities before the eyes of the
audience, and nothing seems
longer to remain on the list of
impossibilities.
"At times, when Mr.. Welbourn
becomes warned up to the mar
velousnesS of his theme, he dis
plays an eloquence which holds
his audience enthralled. Mr.. Wei.
bourn is learned disciple of the
great Marconi." n
Two years later, the Grove
Association was pleased to pre-
sent Miss Isabel Goodhue, with
her "elevating and inspiring lee.
ture-recital, bird lyrics"
The program writer noted that
Miss Goodhue illustrates her
story with initiative bird notes.
She eXcels in the Interpretation
of bird life in its subtle SuggeS.
tons to the life of the people.
Humor, folk lore and exquisite
taste all find place in this at
tractive hour with our feathered
and songful friends"
For those who preferred more
active sport than sitting in lee.
ture halls, the Grove sponsored
athletic field days and track
meets.
Athletic club houses were built
for the men and women on oppo.
site ends of Woodward Field. A
brass band, to play at these
events, was organized and re.
manned in operation until 1928
The Washington Grove Athletic
Association became a member of
the Southern Athletic Associa.t
ton. The annual track meets
attracted contestants from the
county, Washington and Balti-
| more.
Quot pitching became popular
and tournament was held each
year. Rogue was played on n
covered, lighted court built near
his home by l.. c. Williamson,
rogue enthusiast who lived at
Washington Grove.
A baseball team was organized
and for many years was one OF
the great attractions of the place.
With the advent of more com.
mercialized entertainment, like
radio and talking movies, the
popularity of the Grove Chautau.
qua assemblies waned and the
annual meetings were discon.
tinued.