THE MAINE ALUMNUS June-July, 1922

The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine University of Maine Alumni Magazines University of Maine Publications 6-1922 Maine Alumnus, Volume 3, Number 6, June-July 1922 General Alumni Association, Univeristy of Maine Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/alumni_magazines Recommended Citation General Alumni Association, Univeristy of Maine, "Maine Alumnus, Volume 3, Number 6, June-July 1922" (1922). University of Maine Alumni Magazines. 27. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/alumni_magazines/27 This publication is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Maine Alumni Magazines by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact [email protected]. JUI 2 s rtf C Entered as second-class matter October 1, 1921, at the post office at Augusta, Maine, under the act of March 3, 1879. Vol. 3, No. 6 JUNE-JULY, 1922 Twenty Cents the Copy Scene 1 of Part One forsook the Maine Pageant a Wonderful Success symbolical for the actual in depicting the signing of the Morrill Act by Showing Surpasses All Expectations— Rain Necessitates Postpone Abraham Lincoln. John Hay and ment until Sunday, When Vast Commencement Audience President Lincoln entered upon the Gathers for Feature Event scene, conferred on matters of state for a moment, when Senator Morrill Seldom does a dramatic representa and as a result she received a pro tion of the history of an institution longed ovation at the conclusion of the and supporters were announced. Lin become a part of the history itself, performance. coln, ably represented by Prof. Dougal yet so ably and wonderfully was the Tableaux, scenes of action, graceful of the History Department, in char Maine Pageant rendered June 4 that interpretive dancing, accompanied by acteristic fashion signed the bill pro popular opinion always will keep the spotlight of history focused upon it. The rainstorm of Saturday, altho necessitating the postponement of the affair until the following day, cleared the atmosphere so that when 4 P. M. Sunday rolled round a perfect June afternoon greeted the 2500 people who witnessed the affair. The stage setting on Alumni Field, with the tow ering Temple of Learning and the rows of cedars flanking it on either \ side, was a revelation to those who had witnessed a ball game on the field two days previous and wondered how under the sun the field could be trans formed into the artistic stage setting the advance publicity had described. A score of carpenters, with their plans carefully worked out, erected the structure overnight. duced by the Senator. It was an im It was no mean task to coach the the music of Prof. Sprague’s Univer pressive scene and brought a vigor 300 participants so that the spirit of sity student band, all combined to ous round of applause. each scene might be truthfully and make the pageant of unusual merit. dramatically represented. Mrs. Ralph The familiar strains of a selection Quaint, dignified and truly typical Kneeland Jones accomplished all this from the “ Poet and Peasant” an of the middle seventies was the scene nounced the opening of the Prologue. wherein the citizens of Orono and Old Simultaneously there appeared at both Town presented the $11,000 site for What the Spectators ends of the stage setting the daintily the college and the citizens of Bangor Thought of the Pageant clad figures of the two maidens rep the purse of $14,000 for the erection “A fine Pageant showing lots of resenting Ambition and Aspiration, of the first buildings. Some 50 men time spent and fine management. followed by a score or more farmers, and women appeared as citizens with “It was worth the money and mechanics and artisans clad in their the swallow-tail coats and crinoline of effort. working garments. Upon reaching 50 years ago, many of the costumes “Congratulations to all those the steps of the Temple of Learning, worn being genuine and treasured. who helped to make the Pageant Aspiration climbed the steps and The arrival of Dr. and Mrs. Fer- the success it was. knocked at the portals. The massive nald was one of the most dramatic “ The Pageant was a splendid doors then swung open, revealing to scenes. First to appear was a typical success and far surpassed all ex the eye the flowing-robed figure of buggy of 1868 supposedly driven by pectations. Knowledge. Presenting their peti Prof. Samuel Johnson, Dr. Fernald’s “ I enjoyed the entertainment tions for an education, the maidens co-worker, impersonated by Herman very much. led their group thru the portals of P. Sweetser ’10. Drawing up at the “ My party enjoyed it as much the Temple. The scene typified the tiny Stillwater station platform, the as anything they ever saw staged burning ambition of the laboring professor emerged and awaited the in out-of-doors.” i classes for the acquirement of a col coming train with its historic passen lege education. gers. The old “Lion,” black smoke p — X •J v '\ » I V 4 i THE MAINE ALUMNUS June-July, 1922 belching from its stack, with the re as he drummed the familiar beat nowned Ed Veazie (himself) at the which had inspired those first stu throttle, soon slowly hauled the lone dents 50 years ago? An historic epi coach into view. In a moment there sode was featured by the appearance Jr appeared Dr. and Mrs. Fernald and of Harold Hamlin ’13, impersonating their young daughter. Albert K. his father, Prof. George H. Hamlin Gardner ’10 impersonated the doctor, ’73 driving his buggy onto the cam and Prof. Laura Anderson, a member pus. Hardly had the horse been of the faculty, charmingly represented hitched than out came the two stu Mrs. Fernald. Greetings were ex dents who proceeded to take off the changed and then the newcomers were rear wheels of the buggy and sub escorted to the buggy and off the stituted the front wheels in their scene. places. The absent-minded professor Following the chronological order returned and without sensing the of events, the next groups to cross the change drove off. green were the first students. Strag The appearance of Uncle Ben’s old gling in they came until thirteen had bus driven by Benjamin Mosher, his sauntered up the steps of the Temple. son, now the chef at the University Their transformation into college Commons, was the signal for pro men was then depicted. Lacking the longed applause. Uncle Ben could social features of the present-day col never have looked more natural than * lege boy, they were shown at work the portrayal by his son represented on the campus, in a brief interval of him. play, and finally drilling under the The first Commencement scene pro stern authority of old Capt. Jim voked a ripple of amusement as Ben jamin Flint Gould (in pantomime) Deane. Charles Mudgett, the Civil was completing his oration on “Maxi- War drummer who was as well known on the early campus in 1870 as he is millian.” The scene was impressive now in a local Memorial Day parade, and carefully rendered. On the Tem Above Top to Bottom— Students Fol was right on the job with his drum ple stage besides the six graduates lowing Bolivar— Uncle Ben Mosher— were Governor Perham, imperson Interlude Dance — Prologue Scene. sticks beating the regular cadence. Below— Old “Lion” and Coach— Scene What must his memories have been ated by Frank G. Gould ’94, and from University Interlude President Allen in the person of A. L. T. Cummings of the faculty. Following a musical interlude, Part Two opened with the arrival of the first co-ed. A pretty little bit of act ing it was as the timid and hesitating miss, in shawl, poke bonnet, with her reticule, overcame her fears and after a moment’s hesitation mounted the steps to the Temple and was wrapped under the protecting folds of Alma Mater’s flowing costume. Edson F. Hitchings ’75 featured in the establishment of the first frater nity. The scene, to every fraternity man at least, must have brought back memories of similar impressive mo ments when the dignity and worth of the Greek letter brotherhood first be came apparent. The scene was por trayed by members of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, the present-day or- THE MAINE ALUMNUS 75 ganization descended from the ancient came out in togs and snapped through signals; the baseball team warmed Q. T. V.’s. * The second symbolical scene of the up; the tennis players put up a net Pageant was the graceful solo danc and lobbed some over; the basketball ing of the three maidens who, repre men passed it around; the track men senting Botany, Chemistry and Ento pranced; the dramatic club in cos mology, came to the aid of Science tumes made believe act out, the boys’ and thus figuratively illustrated the and the girls’ rifle' t ams cracked at establishment of the Experiment Sta the targets, and numerous other col tion. lege activities were represented and Perhaps the most elaborate feature all in action at once, something of a of the entire Pageant was the inter 15-ring circus. lude showing the changing of the Peace and her Attributes, symbolic name to the University of Maine. In figures in a dance movement, were this about 75 girls took part, all in scattered by a charge of mounted flowing white costumes. Beginning horsemen, following the god of war with a series of dances in groups, then who swept across the scene like the making a line—with a single move Four Horsemen—and a few more— ment they raised an over-drapery over of the Apocalypse.

Load more