USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Berlin > History of the town of Berlin, Worcester County, Mass. from 1784 to 1959 > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
A group of thirty-three members organized a Rifle Club under the supervision of Raymond C. Baum, but the inconvenience of assembling at the Marlboro Rifle Range resulted in its abandon- ment. A very successful community Christmas party was spon- sored and arranged by the Council in 1954. Over 400 gifts were distributed among the children, and a dance for the seventh and eighth graders was held at the Memorial School in the evening. The lack of interest and nonsupport of parents resulted in the decease of the enterprise (1957).
Berlin Schools Association
One of the most thrilling nostalgic occasions was the annual assembly of the "Reunion of Berlin Schools." For many years prior to 1919 independent groups assembled at their respective school buildings and celebrated a reunion of old classmates. There were five of these gatherings held on the same date, generally Labor Day or the day before school opened. The place, of course, was at the North, South, Center, East and West school- houses.
On September 1, 1919 (Labor Day), the schools of Berlin met on the Common at the Center. After the picnic dinner the meet- ing was called to order by Lester M. Bartlett, and it was proposed that the organization should include all of the pupils of the Town. As a result, the "Reunion of the Schools of the Town of Berlin" was organized. The following officers were elected: President, Sidney Carter; Vice President, Walter Wheeler; Recording Sec- retary, L. Ada Berry; Corresponding Secretary, Nellie Keizer; Treasurer, Bessie Jones. The Executive Committee consisted of a
195
SOCIAL INTERESTS
representative from each of the five school districts, and it was recommended that the meetings be held annually on the Com- mon where they would have access to the Town Hall and Church building in case of bad weather.
Two hundred and fifty old schoolmates assembled the follow- ing year. Frank H. Crossman was chosen President, which posi- tion he held repeatedly until 1932 (the year of his decease on February 25, age eighty-six years). L. Ada Berry continued as Secretary until 1931.
Following the business meeting, a list of the deceased school- mates since the last assembly was read. This produced an atmosphere of serious reverence, as one reflected that year by year their ranks were reduced. Frank H. Crossman, being Town Clerk, could produce some interesting data. "There was a certain T. J. Sanderson who taught at the East 'old red school' in 1856 when he had forty-two scholars. By research, it was found in 1896 that thirty-eight of these were located among the living and four had died. By 1931, thirty-eight had died and only four remained living. These were Frank H. Crossman, Martha Pierce, George Ellis, and Sarah Wheeler."
No reunion was held in the years 1932 and 1933. On account of the Field Day conducted by the Board of Trade on Labor Day of 1939, the School Reunion was omitted. During the years of World War II (1942-1948) no reunions were held. They were resumed in 1949 and at this time it was decided to change the name of the organization to "Old Home Day and School Re- union." On the advent of the dedication of the new Memorial School (1951), in cooperation with the P.T.A. and Grange, the event was designated as the annual "Community Fair and Old Home Day."
It was a pleasure to have such persons as Lester M. Bartlett of Boston; Charles D. Cartwright, Charles Staples of Leominster; Dr. Frank Staples, President of State Medical School of Colum- bus, Ohio; Dr. Ernest B. Maynard of Choteau, Mont .; Perry H. White of Taunton, Mass .; or Lester Maynard (either present or by letter) contribute of their talent to the meeting. Many local personalities contributed with their talent in song, music, recita- tion or manuscript to enliven the program of the assembly.
In 1920, Mrs. J. Ida Sawyer was elected Historian of the As-
196
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
sociation, and for ten consecutive years she kept the association informed on "The Playmates of Yesterday." Her remarks were prefaced by a poem, written by Perry H. White, with the above title. At the meeting of September 7, 1936, Mrs. Marion Fromant presented a paper which depicted the status of the Berlin schools of that period. There were six classrooms located in five build- ings, with six regular teachers and three special instructors for drawing, music, and penmanship. Three bus drivers and the Lovell Bus participated in transporting the pupils. The School Committee and Faculty were complimented upon the way they maintained schooling with the present equipment. In conclu- sion, "Berlin's greatest need is a consolidated school, which I hope to see in the not too distant future."
Community Fair and Old Home Day
The Annual Community Fair and Old Home Day was in- stituted in August of 1951 in connection with the presentation of the new Memorial School building to the Town. In addition to the facilities of the school building, there was Sawyer's Field, which the Town had purchased for a playground and recreational field in 1948.
This project was sponsored under the auspices of the Berlin Grange P. of H., No. 134, the Berlin Parent-Teachers' Association, and the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture co-operating. It was conducted annually in August from 1951 to 1954 inclusive at the Memorial School. The program covered the period from 10:00 A.M. to 11:55 P.M., with the following arrangement:
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 Noon 12:30 - 1:30 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
1:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
5:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. 6:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. 8:30 P.M. - 11:55 P.M.
Judging Exhibits Dinner
Business Meeting, School Reunion Fair and Exhibits
Hobby Exhibition Professional Animal Show and Exhibit Baked Bean Supper
Square Dance Competition
Dance in Town Hall
197
SOCIAL INTERESTS
The exhibits were arranged into eight classes or departments, with a Chairman for each. The following is a sample:
I. Vegetables
II. Poultry and Poultry Products
III. Flowers
IV. Canned and Preserved Goods
V. Home Cooking
VI. Hand Work
VII. 4-H and Junior Dept.
VIII. Senior Hobbies, Junior Hobbies and Handicraft (Art Paint- ings)
Cash or ribbon awards were given for first and second places in all classes. Agricultural prize money not to exceed $25.00 was awarded on the list by the Massachusetts Department of Agri- culture. Other sources for the prize money came from the ad- vertisements and host of patron contributors. The occasion not only furnished a school reunion and social gathering, but an opportunity to exhibit the local products in art and industry.
Golden Age Club
Not only the youth and middle-aged, but the older-aged persons have provision for recreation and entertainment. Rev. Robert W. MacNeill, Pastor of the First Parish Church, invited a group of the "oldsters" to the parsonage on the evening of June 11, 1953, to discuss the advisability of organizing a club. The Berlin Golden Age Club was organized in October of 1953 with fifteen members, and chose Charles M. Field as its President. It is sponsored by the Evening Guild of the First Parish Church. They meet on the third Tuesday afternoon of each month. Some- times they provide their own entertainment. The program is generally finished by playing cards and all sorts of table games. Speakers from outside have been invited to discuss problems of the aging, which has proved very interesting and helpful.
Each town and city in Massachusetts was requested by Governor Christian A. Herter to appoint a Council for the Aging. The Selectmen of Berlin appointed the following committee in
198
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
1955: Mrs. Ethelyn Baum, Mrs. Blanche Nutting, Mrs. Laura Cole, Miss Lucy Wheeler, and Mrs. Annella Dunfield. The duties of the local council are to coordinate the work of the local de- partments dealing with the problems of the aging and to promote local facilities for the health, education, welfare, and recreation of the aging.
Mrs. Earle C. Morse was elected President of the Golden Age Club in 1955. The membership has more than doubled. The Council has arranged for transportation of dependent members to doctors, church, voting or meetings.
One hundred and fifty-seven letters were sent to senior citizens of Berlin. On Saturday afternoon, May 12, 1956, a party was held in Parish Hall in observance of "Senior Citizens' Week." Prizes were given to the couple married the longest, the oldest man and woman present, most recent bride present, and the person having the largest number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Berlin Art and Historical Society
At the Annual Town Meeting of February 7, 1949, Mr. J. Adams Puffer stated that there is a wealth of objects of art and historical interests in the homes of Berlin that should be collected and preserved in some suitable place within the Town. Therefore, he proposed that some person with interest and ability should be appointed to head such a project, and he presented the name of Mr. Vincent S. Eager. Under Article 38 of the Warrant of 1950, it was voted "to appoint a committee of three to receive objects of art and historic value, and to encourage interest in providing a place for their safekeeping; Mr. Vincent S. Eager to be Chair- man, and empowered to select the other two members." Mr. Her- bert H. Guild and Miss Emily C. Wheeler were named as the other two members of the committee.
The committee functioned and the Berlin Historical Society was instituted at a meeting held in Carter Hall on April 29, 1950. Bylaws were adopted on September 30, 1950, and Vincent S. Eager was chosen President and Hattie B. Woodward Secretary- Treasurer. Forty interested members assisted in arranging pro- grams for the year, covering the period from September to June.
199
SOCIAL INTERESTS
The meetings to be held on the last day of each month, except when that day falls on a Sunday, then the last Saturday shall be the date.
By the vote of the Town, March 10, 1952, the Selectmen were authorized to lease the South School building to the Berlin Historical Society for a meeting place and storage of property. In September of 1956 the Society accepted the privilege of using a basement room of the Public Library for their meetings and housing of the collection of objects of art and historical value. In January of 1953 the Berlin Historical Society became the Berlin Art and Historical Society. At their annual meeting in September (1952) Herbert H. Guild was elected its second President. The annual meeting was changed to June (in 1954) and Katherine A. Bacon was elected President and Vincent S. Eager Custodian. In 1958 Mrs. Doris C. Eager was elected President.
Their programs are varied and interesting. Under the caption of the "Preservation of Antiquities" there is the presentation of papers and exhibits in music, arts, drama, crafts, or history. In order to refresh and instruct the membership in the history of Berlin, "papers" and "exhibits" are given on such phases as civic life, the church, the school, military affairs, transportation and communication, or agriculture and industry. Another feature is the exchange of visitations with other historical societies as Hudson, Northboro, and Clinton.
The public has been favored with many exhibitions of articles of interest. Public exhibitions were conducted in Parish Hall on November 29, 1951, May 23, 1952, and in May and November of 1953. There was also an art exhibit in connection with Old Home Day held at the Memorial School on August 22, 1953. In the year 1954 the society held a craft exhibit of handmade rugs in Parish Hall in February, and in March an exhibit of paintings of "old houses" of Berlin. The annual exhibit was held in May in the Town Hall. In June the society joined with the First Parish Church in arranging an exhibit of church relics and papers in connection with the 175th anniversary of the Church.
During the years' programs, several interesting speakers have been procured. There was the illustrated lecture on "The Restora- tion of Old Colonial Williamsburg," and also "A Tour of Mexico" by Lewis R. Paine. Mrs. Harriman Reardon gave a very instruc-
200
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
tive talk on "Winter-Thur." The illustrative lecture by Roland Wells Robbins on "Treasure Hunting in America" revealed the projects of restoration of Jefferson's birthplace, Shadwell, Va .; Saugus Ironworks, Saugus, Mass .; and Thoreau's cabin at Walden Pond, Concord, Mass. Miss Elvira Scorgie gave a very illuminating lecture on the "Shakers" of the Harvard Settlement.
Another interesting feature of their program are the field trips and visitations. Among these was the visitation of the Holder Memorial in Clinton; the meeting held in Holder Social Club House and Friends Meetinghouse in Bolton (before its removal to Sturbridge Village); the pilgrimage to the Sandown Meeting- house of Sandown, N. H .; a pilgrimage to the Concord Anti- quarian Society Building in Concord, with tea at the Hartwell Farms in Lincoln; and tour of the "Old Sturbridge Village" in Sturbridge.
Another feature of the society is to develop some project for the annual program. On May 30, 1957, the central feature of the Memorial Day program was the appropriate dedication service for the placing of grave markers and flags at the graves of the thirty-four Revolutionary War veterans who rest in the Old Cemetery. At the meeting of February 28, 1958, the program consists of appropriate papers and exercises for the re-installation of the portraits of the noted citizens-Artemas Barnes, Chandler Carter, and Rev. W. H. Houghton, on the walls of the auditorium of the Town Hall.
Drama
During the later years of the nineteenth century, when there were not so many organizations, a group of public-spirited citizens banded themselves together to produce some form of entertain- ment. The Berlin Players, a dramatic club, was organized in 1889. While these volunteer players furnished entertainment for the public, their ulterior motive was to raise funds for commu- nity improvements. About $11,000 was thus secured for the new Public Library building.
Furthermore, these Players used to put on an act on the evening of Memorial Day to aid in meeting the expenses of this annual holiday. On the occasion of the observation of the fiftieth
201
SOCIAL INTERESTS
anniversary of the order of E. H. Hartshorn Camp 43, S. of U. V. (April 18, 1938), Charles S. Knight, a charter member, made reference to these Berlin Players in the following manner: He experienced a thrill as he entered the Town Hall and recalled that it was within these walls that he made his stage debut with Christopher S. White (the director of the Players ) in a melodrama in which he spoke four words, in trembling voice and with even more shaky lower limbs, as he held a dark lantern while Mr. White robbed a safe.
A revival of the interest in dramatic presentation and enter- tainment developed on the evening of October 16, 1939, when a group of twelve met at the home of Miss Frances E. Rice and formed a dramatic club, to be known as the Parish Players. The officers were: President, Robert B. Coldwell; Vice President, Sidney Sawyer; and Secretary-Treasurer, Miss Thora Coulson. Their first presentation was staged in the Town Hall on Friday night, December 1, 1939-a three-act comedy entitled "A Howl- ing Success." On Friday evening, January 26, 1940, the Parish Players presented "Winning Winnie," a farce comedy in three acts. The cast of characters consisted of: Carolyn Bell, Dorothy Jones, Lulu Parmenter, Thora Coulson, Haydn Hunt, Josephine Rogers, Sidney Sawyer, Arthur Pierce, Robert Coldwell, and Rev. Ivan A. Klein. This was the second of a series of plays. The next production in the series was "Smoky Treasure."
When Rev. Ivan A. Klein transferred to a church in Boston in 1942, the Players lost a valuable member, not only as an actor but also as a designer (for he had designed and painted the wings and the main curtain of the stage in the Town Hall). According to the Worcester Telegram-"Before the days of political campaign- ing by television, it was possible for a candidate to lose votes be- cause he was too good an actor." At least that's the way it was in 1930 when Harris G. Field was first elected Town Clerk. He said, "When I first ran for office a woman (Miss Frances E. Rice, director of plays ) told me she wouldn't vote for me because she was afraid I'd stop taking part in plays."
Once in a score of years a group of entertainers becomes hilarious and stages a minstrel show.
A unique departure in community entertainment was the pops concert. On Friday evening, May 8, 1953, the Senior Choir of
202
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
the First Parish Church presented an old-fashioned "pops con- cert" in the Town Hall under the direction of Mrs. Barbara Krackhardt, with Mrs. Florence Ross, accompanist. Guest artists were Alex MacLaren, soloist; Charles Young, pianist; and Lewis Paine, violinist.
The concert was in cabaret style with tables, in a setting depicting all the beauties of an early springtime garden. The program was presented in three parts and during the musical interludes refreshments were served at the tables by members of the Evening Guild. A capacity house, with many more desirous of attending the concert, called for a repeat on the following evening, Saturday, May 9.
When the Senior Choir of the First Church of Christ ( Unitar- ian) of Lancaster arranged to present a "pops concert" they engaged pops talent of the Berlin First Parish Church to assist. The date was February 9 and 10, 1956. The Clinton Daily Item reported the occasion as follows: "Gay music, colorful costumes, and a striking stage setting combined to make the Pops Concert a very successful endeavor, and in addition provided the audience a wonderful evening of entertainment." The concert was repeated on the following evening.
The Passion Play
A sacred dramatization of portions of the Passion Play was presented to the public in the Town Hall by a cast from the St. Joseph the Good Provider Mission in three consecutive years of 1953-55. The plays were staged as follows:
March 21 and 22, 1953, "The Upper Room," Sat. and Sun. April 10 and 11, 1954, "The Dark Days," Sat. and Sun. Palm Sunday, April 3, 1955 "The Trial" @ 2:30 and 8:15 P.M.
The cast of twelve members was directed by John P. McGrail, accompanied by a chorus of fourteen voices.
Dancing
Dancing was a form of amusement, recreation and entertain- ment from the time of the very early settlements of the Town. Several old houses claim a room suitable for a rallying dance.
203
SOCIAL INTERESTS
The most notable of these is the "Bullard House" built about 1747, in which there is a large room covering the entire second floor that was used as a dance hall.
The "Howe Tavern" built in 1803 later became the head- quarters for public dances, more commonly referred to as "balls." Amory Carter refers to this practice in his History of the Parish and Town of Berlin whence he states that "there used to be two companies in the Town who had each their association of in- dividuals (the old company and the young company) and they held their social dances, then called balls. ... These were held at the tavern hall." Mrs. Sarah Howe presided over this "tavern hall." In her diary, under date of May 25, 1819, she recorded, "making arrangements for the ball, seventeen couples." This was evidently an election ball for she continued in her record, "the company behaved very well, and went away at an early hour for election. Had a good many spectators in to see them."
After the erection of the new Town House (1870) its audi- torium became the suitable place for holding public dances. These were sponsored by civic groups, local organizations and even private individuals. The Saturday night public dances became so popular that they drew patrons from the neighboring towns. Unfortunately, some of these visitors did not conduct themselves in a gentleman-like manner in the hall. Then they persisted in parking their cars on the Church lawn and strewing a number of empty bottles around. This conduct irritated a number of the citizens, so that a special Town Meeting was called February 24, 1925. At this time the following resolution was adopted: "Resolved that we, the citizens of Berlin, do heartily endorse the recent efforts of the selectmen to provide for the proper use of the Town Hall and prevent intrusion by an outside undesirable element; and that in the future no dance be held unless strictly policed and chaperoned by matrons approved by the Woman's Club; that no one be allowed repeatedly to use the Town Hall unless person or persons abide by the regulations enacted or to be enacted by the Selectmen. A rider motion met with an affirmative vote that "the Town Hall shall not be let for dances if the proceeds shall go for private use."
Then, for a short period, public dances were abeyant. But sev- eral mothers said that they did not want their daughters attend-
204
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
ing dances in other towns. It was then that the Unitarian Society came forward with a recommendation for a solution. Their horse- shed barn was remodeled, converting it into a commodious Parish Hall, which was dedicated at the May Festival of 1926. This provided a convenient place for a party dance. The annual May Festival, with the winding of the Maypole, became a gala form of entertainment for several years following the dedication of the social hall. This May Festival was promoted under the direction of Miss Frances E. Rice.
Since the fall of 1939 public dances have been resumed in the Town Hall under official regulations. Provision is also made for the conducting of dances for the "graders" at the Memorial School building under the direction of an instructor. Thus the Town has three places where public dances may be conducted.
Card Parties
Throughout the community life of Berlin, card playing has been a form of amusement and recreation, but with the increase of leisure, due to the shifting from a pure agricultural to a modi- fied commercial and industrial population, card parties have be- come more popular. One's leisure varies according to whether he or she is employed eight hours in the day or from four A.M. to nine P.M.
There are several group or family card parties held regularly in different sections of the Town, so that one will say that "I cannot meet on Tuesday evening, for that is our card party night," and another will say, "I cannot meet on Thursday eve- ning, for that is my card party."
Then there is the associated card playing. Almost every organ- ization has a game of cards for a "nightcap" to its meeting. Thus the Board of Trade, Parish Men's Club, Firemen, Policemen, Golden Age Club, Grange, etc., have a game of cards for a friendly "good-night."
The public card party is the most popular social event. These are generally held for the purpose of raising money for some specified cause, and they are patronized by many card devotees from neighboring towns. The Board of Trade conducts a Military Whist Party near Thanksgiving in anticipation of funds for their
205
SOCIAL INTERESTS
Annual Ladies' Night. On December 11, 1941, the Board of Trade had a pitch party which netted $91.00 which was turned over to the 4-H Club to be used to send members to Camp Far- ley. In conjunction with the Fire and Police Departments, a pitch party was held in the Town Hall on February 27, 1941, which netted $103.35 that was presented to the family of a member who had been hospitalized for a long period.
The Berlin Fire Department ran a benefit public stag pitch party on Thursday evening, January 26 (1956), for the benefit of a depart- ment member who lost his home by fire.
The Berlin Tuesday Club held a military whist party in the Town Hall on Saturday evening, Jan. 28 (1956), for the benefit of their charity fund.
The Clinton Daily Item, November 2, 1957: The first of the winter public Grange pitch parties will start on Saturday, November 9, at 8 o'clock, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Burke, Highland Street. These parties are being sponsored by the Home & Community Service Committee of the Berlin Grange.
So, the calendar is filled and each society finds it necessary to plan weeks ahead in order not to conflict with another's date.
Sports
A fascinating form of sport was the Triangular Tennis Clubs that operated during the early 1900's. These contestants con- sisted of three groups, namely: The Kequasagansett of the Center, whose court was located on the Hartshorn lot between the gen- eral store and Coldwell's; the Minne-wa-wa Club, which was located in West Berlin on the property of Charles F. Harris (now that of Mrs. May H. Bowen); and the Shanondasee Club of South Berlin, the court of which was located on the property of Arthur Hastings. A great deal of interest was shown in their games and tournaments. One of the floats in the parade of the Centennial of 1912 consisted of a presentation of these three Berlin tennis clubs. Interest in the tournaments seemed to wane about 1917 when several of the members volunteered in the service of World War I. Many may recall some of the members, among whom was: Frances Rice, Ernest Ross, Lucinda Hart- shorn, Ralph Hartshorn, Maude Barter, E. Guy Sawyer, George Sawyer, Hermon Sawyer, Rev. Philip A. Goold, Sidney Wheeler,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.