USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1937-1941 > Part 7
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117
X. NECROLOGY
It is with sincere regret that we record the death of Mrs. H. V. Hildreth, who passed away April 18, 1937, after a long illness. Mrs. Hildreth was a graduate of the Academy, Class of 1880.
We are sorry to record the death of Miss Clara Smith, of the Class of 1870, who died March 1, 1937. Miss Smith became a succesful teacher and taught for a number of years at the Frost School.
We are sorry to record the death of Mr. Leonard W. Wheeler, who died July 4, 1937 of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on June 26, 1937. Mr. Wheeler was a graduate of the academy, Class of 1882.
It is with regret that we record the death of Alfred Tuttle, who died September 4, 1937. Mr. Tuttle, who graduated from the Academy with the Class of 1912, was mail carrier here for the past twenty years.
We are sorry to record the death of Mrs. Edson G. Boynton of the Class of 1881, who passed away on December 1, 1937, after an illness of several months.
It is with regret that we record the death of Mrs. Ida Wilkins, who died December 4, 1937. Mrs Wilkins was a graduate of the Class of 1877.
It is with much regret that we record the death of two under- classmen, during the past year. Norman Curley of the Class of 1939, who died January 31, 1937, and Dorothy Gould of the Class of 1939, who passed away December 14, 1937.
XI. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I wish to extend my thanks and appreciation to teachers, students and others who have aided, for their splendid co- operation and efforts in the interests of Westford Academy.
Respectfully submitted,
JULIUS H. MUELLER, Jr.,
Principal of Westford Academy.
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GRADUATION EXERCISES Assembly Hall - Westford Academy Westford, Massachusetts Wednesday, June 16, 1937 -At 8 o'clock P. M.
ENTRANCE MARCH
Hilda Blanchard, '39
PRAYER
Rev. William W. Lewis
WELCOME
Albert Leroy Hall President of Graduating Class
ESSAY-The Life of Horace Mann
Barbara Jean Blackadar
SUMMER DAYS WALTZ Van Normer School Orchestra, directed by Julius Woessner
PRESENTATION OF CLASS GIFT Leslie Virginia Swanson Secretary of Graduating Class ($25 to Alumni Loan Fund)
ACCEPTANCE OF CLASS GIFT Richard Hanson President of Class of 1938
AS TORRENTS IN SUMMER Elgar
Girls' Chorus, directed by Miss Lilley Moran
ESSAY-
William C. Roudenbush, the Horace Mann of Westford Academy Leonard Wesley Cavanaugh
KEEP SMILING MARCH Zamecnik
School Orchestra
PRESENTATION OF PRIZES Hon. Edward Fisher Trustee of Westford Academy
ADDRESS-"Life Does Not Begin at Forty" Alfred R. Mack State Supervisor of Secondary Education
IN OLD MADRID
Trotere
Girls' Chorus
119
ESSAY-Horace Mann, Father of American Schools Harold Clifton Malloy
FAREWELL
Mary Irene Dudevoir Vice-President of Graduating Class
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS
Principal William C. Roudenbush
CLASS SONG-
Music by Alexander Belida, Words by Lois Evelyn Hanson Singing of the School Salute by the Graduating Class
EXIT MARCH
Hilda Blanchard. '39
a Francis Roosevelt Barretto
b Alexander Belida*
a Barbara Jean Blackadar*
b Stephen John Brown
b Kenneth Joseph Carbo
a Leonard Wesley Cavanaugh*
b James Richard Crocker
b Marguerite Ellen Dudevoir
b Mary Irene Dudevoir
b Albert Leroy Hall
a Lois Evelyn Hanson
b James Edwin Harrigan
a Mary Hildreth*
b Janet Stuart Johnston
b Herbert Peter Kazeniac
c Margaret Patricia Kelly
a Priscilla Knowlton*
b Henry Alfred LeDuc
b Robert Philip Lord
a Harold Clifton Malloy*
b Esther Poznick
b Helene Marjorie Reeves
a Peter Sawosik
c Helen Sechovich
b Frank John Stepinski
b Helen Sullivan
c Leslie Virginia Swanson
a David Bruce White*
a Michael Wolkowich
b Anastasia Worobey
a Helen Margaret Zubowicz*
a-Classical Course. b-General Course. c-Commercial Course *- Pro Merito Society
CLASS MOTTO-Tonight We Launch; Where Shall We Anchor? CLASS COLORS-Red and White CLASS FLOWER-Red Rose
WINNERS OF PRIZES (Given by Trustees)
Member of Junior Class with highest percentage improvement in general average over last year:
Ten Dollars-Mildred Richard, '38
120
Member of Sophomore Class with highest percentage of improve- ment in general average over last year:
Ten Dollars-Grace Zanchi, '39
Member of Freshman Class with Highest General Average for the Year:
Five Dollars-Harriett Mann, '40
Member of Senior or Junior Class with Highest Rank in Sten- ography for the Year:
Two and One-half Dollars-Anastasia Worobey, '37
Member of Senior or Junior Class with Highest Rank in Type- writing for the Year:
Two and One-half Dollars-Helen Sechoviclı, '37
Member of Senior Class making greatest improvement in English over last year:
Five Dollars-David Bruce White, '37
Washington and Franklin Medal for excellence in United States History, (Given by Massachusetts Society of Sons of the American Revolution)
Leonard Wesley Cavanaugh, '37
CLASS SONG
1. Dear friends and teachers, listen awhile To a story you all know.
One more class has passed the last long mile, And one more class has to go.
CHORUS
Friendly, honest, helpful to each one, We always tried to be.
And we're proud to say that we once went To Westford Academy.
2. Through the past four years we always found time To have fun as well as work.
And we hope as we go forth alone From our tasks we will never shirk.
(Alexander Belida and Lois Hanson)
121
SCHOOL SALUTE
Hail to Westford! Our Alma Mater! And her sons and daughters true. We will strive to give as we work and live, The best of our service to you.
(Words by W. C. R.)
GRADUATION CALENDAR
1. Baccalaureate Service for Graduating Class at Unitarian Church, June 13.
2. Field Day Exercises on Whitney Playground, June 15.
3. Class Day Exercises on Whitney Playground, June 15.
4. Graduation Dance in Assembly Hall, June 18.
5. Alumni Banquet and Business Meeting in Assembly Hall, June 19, 7 P. M., preceded by Social Hour at 6 P. M.
USHERS
Rowena Curley, '38
Barbara Chandler, '38
Annie Denisevich, '3S Mildred Richard, '38
122
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
January 14, 1938.
Mr. Robert Barclay, Superintendent of Schools, Westford, Mass.
Dear Sir:
Following is the report of the School Nurse from January 1, to December 31, 1937:
Daily School Visits
School Children examined for minor ailments 24
Dressings and First Aid 32
Children excluded for Pediculosis and other skin infections 28
Children recommended for exclusion because of Contagious Disease Contact 43
Vaccinations checked
Eyes and Ears Tested
Assisted at all State and County Clinics held at the Schools.
Assisted School Physician with Physical Examinations.
Respectfully submitted,
VERONICA P. MEAGHER, R. N.,
School Nurse.
123
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Members of the School Committee:
The following is my report as school physician for the year ending December 31, 1937.
The usual physical examination was made on all the children at- tending the public schools of Westford twice during the school term.
All of the cases in which major physical defects are found are rechecked by a special physical examination every school term and the parents of those found with a major physical defect are informed at once in order that the children may receive treatment at once, if needed.
A special examination of the pupils who are to take part in athletic sports has always been made on request of the coaches of the athletic teams and those found with a major defect are not allowed to play without the special permit of their parents.
I have always responded to calls at the schools in the emergency cases when called by the school principals.
The relatively few undernourished children have been under the observation of the Board of Health nurse during the school term and she has most ably assisted me during my examinations and calls at the schools.
In my work for the past year I have had the splendid cooperation of the Board of Health nurse, teachers, and the parents of the children.
Respectfully submitted,
DR. D. W. COWLES,
School Physician.
124
REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. Robert Barclay Superintendent of Schools,
Westford, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The following is my report as Supervisor of Music in the West- ford Schools:
I have been much pleased with the advancement in music in the schools this year.
Our Rhythm Bands are doing fine work in all of the schools and have been presented in each of our programs during the past year.
Our Harmonica Bands in the Cameron, Sargent, and Nabnassett Schools are also doing splendid work. At the closing of school in June, grades seven and eight of the Cameron School were doing three and four-part work while this fall the fourth grade at the Sargent School has been attracting attention with its two-part work. Three-part numbers in that grade were started last week. Many favorable com- ments have been passed by parents and spectators who have heard this band at the school entertainments.
On account of time limits, the Harmonica Band at the Frost School was carried on by the teacher of music in that school and rehearsals held during the noon-hour.
In our Singing Classes we are still specializing in individual work, reading, writing, and singing of notes.
There has been much progress in our chorus singing, and our concerts and graduation music were creditably given in each school.
Grade II is the first grade to use books in singing. There is still a shortage of books in these grades, both in Cameron and Frost Schools. These books are needed to replace the old books that are badly worn and torn.
Progress seems rather slow at the Academy; there is a shortage of books for the Glee Club. I sincerely hope more books may be prov- ided during the coming year.
In spite of these conditions we are trying to accomplish our goal and I want to thank the Superintendent and Teachers for their oc- operation in furthering my efforts.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLEY M. MORAN,
Supervisor of Music,
125
SCHOOL CALENDAR
WESTFORD
1937 - 1938
FALL TERM
Begins-September 7
Ends-December 23
73 days
WINTER TERM
Begins-January 3
Ends-April 1
64 days
SPRING TERM
Begins-April 11
Ends-June 15 45 days
182 days
DAYS OMITTED
Columbus Day October 12
County Convention October 29
Armistice Day November 11
Thanksgiving Recess
November 24 (noon) to November 29
Christmas Recess December 23 (noon) to January 3
Washington's Birthday February 22
Spring Recess April 1 to April 11
Good Friday April 15
Patriot's Day April 19
Memorial Day
May 30
GRADUATION DATES (Tentative)
Elementary Schools-June 14
Academy-June 15
Academy teachers must be in the building by 8:00 A. M. Elementary teachers must be in their building by 8:15 A. M. School busses to arrive at the Academy not later than 8:30 A. M. No bus to leave before 3.00.
Annual Report
OF THE
J. V. FLETCHER LIBRARY
OF THE
TOWN of WESTFORD
F
WEST
TOWN
1729. €
Co
RE
POR
SEPT. 23
ED
For the Year Ending December 31, 1937
128
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE J. V. FLETCHER LIBRARY
January 1, 1938.
The trustees of the J. V. Fletcher library respectfully submit their annual report for 1937, including the report of the librarian and the list of books added in 1937.
The trustees ask for the following appropriation, viz:
1. The sum of twenty-four hundred dollars ($2400.00) to meet the current expenses of the main library and its branches.
2. The receipts from the dog licenses in 1937.
JULIAN A. CAMERON, Chairman, WILLIAM C. ROUDENBUSH, ALICE M. HOWARD, Secretary.
129
FINANCIAL REPORT OF LIBRARY FOR 1937
Expenditures
Salaries and wages
Librarian
$ 700.00
Janitor
350.00
Assistants
202.50
$ 1,252.50
Books and periodicals
Books
$ 749.89
Periodicals
158.85
Binding
44.98
$ 953.72
Fuel
181.50
Light
23.95
Buildings
Water
23.00
Janitor's supplies
11.80
Repairs
3.90.20
$ 425.00
Other expenses
Telephone
$ 22.51
Cartage and express
32.23
Stationery, postage and printing
34.87
Miscellaneous
4.45
$ 94.06
$ 2,930.73
Income
Town appropriation $ 2,400.00
Receipts from dog licenses
510.37
Interest from funds
20.36
$ 2,930.73
130
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
January 1, 1938
To the Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library:
For the twentieth time the librarian presents the annual report of library conditions for the past year. During her time of service several changes have taken place in library routine, among them be- ing the opening of the stacks to the public, a very great help to both librarian and readers as a wider selection is thus available; and second the establishment of deposit stations in the villages whereby bor- rowers may choose from a collection changed at intervals instead of receiving two books assigned to them from numbers on a card. A pic- ture collection has also been started which has been most used and appreciated by the teachers in the schools; and the catalog has been changed to the dictionary form giving author, title and subject in one alphabet, thereby making it much easier to find the books wanted.
Travel continues to be the most used group of non-fiction among the adults (611 vol.), with biography a close second (582) followed by useful arts third (452), the same order as last year.
For several years the furnaces have not been giving satisfactory service, due to escaping gas. It was planned to replace the worn out parts with new this year but after the work was started this was found impossible as the furnaces were so old the parts were no longer made, so it was necessary to patch them up for the present. This means that the heating system must have a complete overhauling with- in a few years.
The library still opens on Tuesday and Thursday from 12.30 to one when school is in session for the benefit of the grammar school children who go in busses and so are unable to come after school. This year the high school pupils do not have a chance to come to the library except those who go on the second busses to Forge Village and Graniteville and thus have a few minutes after school. Therefore the librarian has been taking books needed for the required English and History reading to the Academy on Tuesday morning once in three weeks where she spends two hours in the necessary library routine.
This year the library facilities were much used by the summer residents at Nabnassett, Forge and Burgess Ponds.
131
Miss Kate S. Hamlin, formerly of Westford but for many years of San Francisco, died in November. Her continued interest in the town of her birth was manifested in her "Reminiscences, 1847-1937," of which she sent a typewritten copy, that has been much enjoyed, to the library. This supplements Judge Frederick Fisher's reminiscences which the library already owned. She also presented a large number of brasses from India collected by her sister Miss Sarah Dix Hamlin, founder of the Sarah Dix Hamlin School for girls in San Francisco, which school recently sent us a short story "The Fringed Gentian" written by Miss Kate Hamlin. Other articles are expected from her estate.
A few more pictures have been added to the Westford collection. Mr. Allan C. Sargent presented four framed photographs taken by him and enlarged. These are pictures of the Unitarian church and the old Decatur house with a copy of the inscriptions on each. Miss Grace Lawrence presented a framed picture of the house of Abram Prescott in Forge Village and of Judge Oliver Prescott of New Bedford, son of Abram and two also were received from the Charles O. Prescott estate. Among some postcards received from the Wheeler estate were eight views of the town, including a picture of eight members of a sewing club taken on the steps of Charles L. Hildreth's house in 1909 and of the old electric car with motorman Sherlock and conductor Cutter.
Once again we have received a gift in memory of happy days spent in the library during boyhood. Albert D. Taylor, president of the American Society of Landscape Architects and Consulting Land- scape Architect for the U. S. Forest Service, has presented us with a copy of his book "Camp stoves and fireplaces".
For the past year Library Hall has been used by the W. P. A. surveyors who have been making a new map of the town. This work started at the town hall but needing a large space on which to place their map it was transferred to the library where it could be spread out on the floor. The work is now practically completed. This has been a very desirable project as there has been no map of Westford since the one made by Edward Symmes in 1853-55.
The old fashioned table loaned for use in the children's room for many years has been returned to its owner, Mrs. Julian A. Cameron who has replaced it with a modern reproduction, a gift much apprec- iated.
Three new shelves were added to the tall stack in the children's room to relieve a little the crowded condition of the shelves. The two easy chairs in the conversation room have recently been attrac- tively recovered in brown leather.
132
The librarian collected and turned over to the town $38.71 in fines.
When closing the library on February 6 the fire door leading into the stack room was pulled half shut after which it refused to move either way, remaining in that position for several months till repaired by Charles L. Robinson after much study and work on the problem of getting the door out when the trolley had slipped from its track and was badly worn.
The jig-saw puzzles were more used this year than last as sev- eral children became interested in them. They make good recreation for the convalescent or for children during the stormy weather.
Mr. Frederick Coburn, a member of the staff of the Lowell Cour- ier Citizen and president of the Historical Society, made several visits to the library due to his interest in historical material and Edgar Allen Poe, who once frequented Westford. On one of his visits he brought with him a gentleman from Paris likewise interested in Poe and much pleased with the gift of two snapshots of the house where he visited. The librarian was invited to attend the meeting of the Lowell Historical Society held in memory of Poe at which she showed pictures of Miss Sarah Heywood whom he visited and the house in which she lived on Graniteville Road of which only the barn and shed are left standing, now owned by Mr. Julian A. Cameron. On one visit here Mr. Coburn read the diary of Albert E. Davis, preceptor of West- ford Academy, written between 1858 and 1862, making excerpts from it which were published in the Lowell Courier Citizen.
A beautiful book just added to the library is "Birds of America" by Jolin James Audubon, first accurate painter of birds. As the original copies are few and priceless, a reprint has been made that inany people may enjoy the fine work. The 1938 edition of Who's Who has been added to the reference collection.
The librarian attended the meetings of the Massachusetts Lib- rary Association at Boston, Plymouth and Springfield and the Ameri- can Library Association in New York. Her vacation during August was spent visiting relatives in New Brunswick where library facilities are scarce, there being none between Woodstock and Fredericton, two cities sixty miles apart, in contrast to which Massachusetts has one or more in every town in the state. During this time the library was in charge of Miss Alice M. Howard.
A few additions were made to the list of magazines last year after the report was printed-Consumers' Digest (January), Time (February 16) and Sky (June). The new ones for the coming year are Life and Games Digest. This latter is one of the numerous small magazines of which the most popular is the Reader's Digest. It is in- teresting to contrast the Illustrated London News-the British pictor-
133
ial with Life, the American magazine. All except current numbers may be borrowed for one week and the list for the coming year is as follows:
WEEKLIES
Geographic News Bulletin
News Week
Publishers' Weekly
Science Leaflet
Saturday Evening Post
New York Times Book Review Time
Westford Wardsman
MONTHLIES
A. L. A. Booklist
Hygeia
American
Instructor
American Boy
Ladies' Home Journal
American Cookery
Leisure
American Girl
National Geographic
American Home
Nature
Antiques
Open Road
Asia
Outdoor Life
Atlantic Monthly
Parents' Magazine
Better Homes and Gardens
Pictorial Review
Book Review Digest
Popular Aviation
Boys' Life
Popular Mechanics
Child Life
Popular Science Monthly
Consumers' Digest
Reader's Digest
Cosmopolitan
Country Gentleman
Country Life
Etude
School Arts Magazine
Scientific American
Games Digest
Scribner's
Good Housekeeping
Sky
Grade Teacher
Travel
Harper's Monthly
Wilson Bulletin
Home Arts
Woman's Home Companion
House Beautiful
Yankee
BI-MONTHLY
Horn Book
SEMI-MONTHLY
Library Journal
QUARTERLIES
Old Time New England
Subscription Books Bulletin
Illustrated London News Life Literary Digest
Readers' Guide to Periodical Liter- rature Saint Nicholas
Forum
134
PERIODICALS GIVEN, 1937
American Photography
Bell Telephone Quarterly
Books, N. Y. Herald Tribune
Camera
Christian Science Monitor
Christian Science Sentinel
Collier's
From Mrs. Alonzo H. Sutherland
Concord Journal
Consumers' Guide
DuPont Magazine
Federation Topics
Gardening Magazine
Horticulture
Journal of Calendar Reform- quarterly
Life and Health
Middlesex County Bulletin
New England News Letter
New England Poultryman
Our Dumb Animals
Our Message
From Miss Edith Judd
From Arthur L. Hope
From the Publishers
From Miss May E. Day
From the Publishers
From Taylor Instrument Co.
From Travelers Insurance Co.
From Miss Edna M. Hamlin
From the Publishers
NAMES OF DONORS, 1937
American Viscose Corporation-one volume.
Cameron, Mrs. Donald-oak book case.
Cameron, Mrs. Julian A .- a table.
Chemical Industries Tercentenary Committee-one volume.
Deere & Co .- one volume. Doubleday, Doran-one volume.
Duguid, Mrs. John-64 jig-saw puzzles. Fisher, John-one volume.
Harrington, Mrs. William-9 volumes.
Hamlin, Miss Kate S .- 11 volumes; collection of brasses from India.
From New England Sanitarium From Middlesex County Extension Service
From New England Council
From the Publishers
From the Publishers
Popular Astronomy
Specialty Salesman Magazine Stamps
Starry Cross
Taylor-Tycos Rochester Quarterly
Travelers Standard
Travelore U. S. Army Recruting News
From Miss M. E. Day From American Telephone & Tele- graph Co. From The Old Corner Bookstore
From Miss M. E. Day
From Miss Mary E. Burbeck
From Miss Mary E. Burbeck
From the Publishers
From the Consumers' Council
From E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. From the Tadmuck Club
From Mrs. Roy L. Keizer
From Miss Alice M. Howard
From World Calendar Association
135
Hamlin, Sarah Dix, school-story by Miss Kate Hamlin.
Lawrence, Miss Grace-copy of journal of Eleazar Lawrence; 5 cups,
teapot and lacquered tray from Japan; bill fold; china plaque of Tip Top House on Mount Washington; button from uniform of Civil War soldier; 2 brass vases from India; cup and saucer from England, 1868; pictures of Oliver Prescott and of Abram Prescott house.
Prescott, Charles O., estate-3 pictures and clippings.
Sargent, Allan C .- 4 photographs.
Scottowe, Groton-letter to Rev. Ephraim Abbot.
Taylor, Albert D .- one volunie.
Walker, Gwendolyn-4 jig-saw puzzles.
Wheat Flour Institute-one volume.
Wheeler, Leonard W .- scrap book of Westford clippings.
Wheeler, L. W., estate-60 town reports; collection of post-cards.
Wilbur, Ray Lyman-one volume.
CIRCULATION
Total circulation of bound volumes 18,343
Volumes lent at Library
14,847
Volumes lent at Graniteville
1,777
Volumes lent at Forge Village
1,116
Volumes lent at Nabnassett
603
Circulation in Children's Department
6,411
Volumes lent through the schools
2,674
Periodicals lent 4,747
Pamphlets and clippings lent
82
Pictures lent
594
Jig-saw puzzles lent
150
Number of days open
153
Largest monthly circulation of bound volumes, November
1,491
Smallest monthly circulation, June
825
Largest daily circulation of books, November 9
201
Smallest daily circulation, June 17
22
ACCESSIONS
Volumes added by purchase
445
Volumes added by gift
30
Volumes received from the United States
1
Volumes received from the State
4
Total numbers of volumes added
480
Number of volumes discarded
75
Number of volumes in the Library
22,466
136
AMOUNT OF FUNDS
Legacy of Stephen S. Stone $ 1,000.00
Legacy of Augustus K. Fletcher 1,000.00
Legacy of Mary A. Henarie, Laws Fund 1,000.00
Legacy of John M. Osgood 1,000.00
Legacy of Jennnie Reed Wilkins 150.00
Legacy of Adeline T. Burbeck 500.00
Legacy of Albert E. Prescott
6,000.00
REGULATIONS
The J. V. Fletcher Library is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sat- urdays (legal holidays excepted) from 1.30 till 5, and from 6.30 till 9.00 P. M.
The Graniteville deposit station at the home of Mrs. Carrol M. Sawyer, in charge of Mrs. Agda Peterson, is open Monday afternoon and evening.
The Forge Village deposit station at the Post-Office in charge of Mrs. Josephine Connell is open daily.
New books of fiction can be kept only one week; but there may be one renewal. All other books may be kept four weeks. Renewals may be made by telephone or by postal.
No book shall be transferred, or acknowledged as returned, unless delivered to the librarian.
For each day that a book is kept beyond the prescribed time a fine of one cent is charged.
Borrowers finding books mutilated or defaced should report the fact to the librarian.
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