Wedding Bells

June was once thought to be the traditional wedding month and wedding gowns seemed to be thought of as white.  This picture taken about 1942 at the Riverside United Methodist Church in Kezar Falls shows that, in fact, wedding gowns varied greatly and surely not all of these weddings were in June.  Although there were 28 gowns modeled, only 26 are shown in this picture.  Do you recognize anyone?

1^st Row: Flora Ridlon Carpenter, Barbara Mason McGowen, Helen Stearns Merrifield, Helen Anderson, Ruth Mason, Helen Churchill Black, Marguerite Bradeen Wright, Gloria Stanley Davis, Mildred Pillsbury Banks, Natalie Caston Doe. 2nd Row: Leatrice Maloon, Olga Fox Wadsworth, Esther Ridlon, Lorraine Stocks Coolbroth, Elizabeth Syphers Palmer, Avis Caston, Marge Marston Churchill, Gertrude Cross, Idolyn Hussey Dunning, Frances Shorthill Stanley, Vera Jane Champion, Virginia Holmes, Leah Merrifield, Edythe Ridlon Day, Eula Tarbox Stanley, Elizabeth Batchelder.  (Christine Elliott and Dorothy Leavitt Davis  are missing.)

Wedding Gown Parade

Newspaper Article Circa 1942

The Wedding Gown Parade which was given in the auditorium of the Methodist Church at Kezar Falls on Tuesday evening was a most enjoyable occasion.  There were 28 wedding gowns modeled.  The oldest was 102 years old, loaned by Mrs. Sadie Sawyer of Porter Village and modeled by Gloria Stanley. [3^rd from right, front row.]  Those modeling their own gowns were Gertrude Cross, Mildred Banks, Avis Caston, Ruth Mason, Marguerite Churchill, Elizabeth Batchelder, Christine Elliott, Elizabeth Syphers Palmer, Frances Stanley, and Dorothy Leavitt Davis.  Others who modeled were: Mrs. Flora Carpenter, Mrs. Marguerite Wright, Mrs. Helen Anderson, Mrs. Eula Stanley, Miss Virginia Holmes, Miss Natalie Caston, Miss Leatrice Meloon, Miss Esther Ridlon, Miss Edythe Ridlon, Mrs. Helen Merrifield, Miss Leah Merrifield, Miss Barbara Mason, Miss Olga Fox, Miss Vera Jane Champion, Miss Lorraine Stocks, Miss Idolyn Hussey and Mrs. Helen Black.

The following musical program was a part of the evening’s entertainment with Miss Margaret Chellis presiding at the organ and Mrs. Florence Norton at the piano.  Wedding hymn: solo, “O Promise Me”, Mrs. Flora Carpenter; duet, “The Sweetest Story Ever Told”, Mrs. Ina Emery and Orion Stanley; solo, “Because”, Miss Vera Jane Champion; trio, “At Dawning”, Miss Margaret Strout, Mrs. Ina Emery and Miss Margaret Chellis; solo, “I Love You Truly”, Gordon West; chorus, “Moonlight and Roses”. 

Mrs. Evelyn Flood was the commentator.  The Daisy Class sponsored the affair with Mrs. Ina Emery, chairman, assisted by Mrs. Myrtie Stanley, Mrs. Evelyn Watkins, Mrs. Florence Norton, Miss Margaret Strout and Mrs. Alice G. Merrifield.

Stalking Maine Wildflowers

Diane and some Lady Slippers

Dianne Sinclair has been stalking wildflowers in northern New England since 1988. Her PowerPoint presentation will sharpen your knowledge of local wildflowers, including some curious facts. Did you know that a Jack-in-the-Pulpit can change its sex? We will also discuss where to find these beauties. And to add a historic perspective, Dianne will share the story of Kate Furbish, a 19^th century Maine botanist, who struggled against poverty and discrimination to create a lasting scientific legacy.

Her talk will begin at 1:30 pm, after a short business meeting, on Saturday June 18, 2016.   It will be a highly informative presentation and I hope you will be able to attend.  Also, you can purchase your garden tour tickets and quilt raffle tickets after the presentation.  See you there!

Social Media circa 1883

This is how our great grandparents stayed on top of local happenings.  These are excerpts from the Oxford County Record, regular reading in Kezar Falls back in the day.

These clippings are part of the current exhibit at History House which opened on June 4, 2016.  The next time you can see it is at the June 18th meeting when member Diane Sinclair will do a presentation on Maine wildflowers.  Hope to see you there and don't forget the Garden and Artist's Studio Tour on June 25th.  See the information on where to buy tickets on the right.

 The lovely quilt will also be on view and we hope you buy some raffle tickets.  It is a major part of the Society's fundraising each year and your support is very important.

In fact, although your financial support is crucial to the continued efforts at History House, we need your participation as well.  We have a small, dedicated group but we need a few more helpers.  It needn't be a big commitment of time but if History House is to remain open and accessible to the community people need to step up.  Could you help out in some small way?

Please contact Jan Iler at 625-7019 to find out what you might be able to help us with.  Many hands make light work and it will assure that History House stays open.