Turners Falls Bicentennial 1754-1954 Turners Falls Bicentennial 1754-1954 Text only Directory Pg. 150 Festival Opens Montague 200th on Bright Note The music was by men, women and young people from nine churches in the township. Pastors and ministers supported them by taking places in the band shell along with officials of the town, speakers and committee members. Miss Florence E. Argy served as director of the massed choirs, while Mrs. Florence F. Smith served as piano accompanist. The program was launched with the National Anthem sung by all while members of the armed services advanced the colors. Rev. Stephen R. Tucker of Turners Falls' First Congregational Church gave the Invocation, followed by the official welcome to the bicentennial by Arthur E. Burke, general chairman, who had been introduced by Wayne E. Pleasant, chairman of the evening's program. Following the first half of the program Dr. Hawkes spoke on the topic, "The 1954 Montague Watch" in which he used a watch as a symbol of Montague—its workmanship, character—and future. A bright and forceful speaker, Dr. Hawkes chose this opportunity not only to compliment the people of the town on what they have achieved in the first 200 years but to urge them to press forward with still greater accomplishments. He likened the history of the town to that of Massachusetts, which was settled by a little colony of people. From this small beginning became a great commonwealth. He cited 10 requirements of a successful town, some of which were its schools, ministry, the early commons for a drilling place and the noble character of its inhabitants. Choirs participating were St. Anne's and the A Cappella Choristers directed by Lionel Girard; Turners Falls Congregational Church Senior Choir, directed by Frank Bitzer; Turners Falls Congregational Church Girls' Choir, Miss Virginia Stoughton; Turners Falls Baptist Church, Mrs. Florence Russell; Our Lady of Czestochowa, Stanley Sojka; Millers Falls Congregational, Mrs. Wallace Stebbins and Floyd Maynard; St. John's Church, Millers Falls, Miss Margaret Bane; Montague Congregational, Mrs. Ralph Smith, and St. Mary's Senior and Junior Choirs, Miss Argy. Rev. James F. Hastings of St. Mary's Church pronounced Benediction. Montague Citizens Pay Tribute to Divine God Speaking of the Declaration of Independence, Fr. Hastings referred to it as the Magna Carta of Americanism. "In that declaration, in four separate paragraphs, the Founding Fathers gave graphic conviction that this nation must be erected under God and guided by his Divine Providence. Rev. Stephen R. Tucker, pastor of the First Congregational Church, in speaking on the subject, "Our Church-Past, Present and Future," told of the 20 church founders who kept the vision of the on-going church of Christ in their minds. Fr. Szczepaniank spoke of the Montague town fathers and their great work and of the original Polish settlers who arrived here 70 years ago and of the great sacrifices made by them. He mentioned the founding of St. Kazimier's Society 50 years ago, the society which started the Polish parish. Rev. George Burgess, vicar of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, stated: "While the church is small in size, yet it will continue to grow during the next 200 years and should become an even more important force and factor in the future history of the town of Montague. St. Anne's Church participated with an appropriate sermon and religious services. Transcribed with notes and observations by 1 Ed Gregory July, 2019 Turners Falls Bicentennial 1754-1954 At St. John's Church in Millers Falls, Rev. James Verity of the Passionist Monastary in West Springfield asked God's blessing for Montague and its bicentennial celebration. He spoke of God's goodness and asked God's blessing in the future. Robert Manley, summer student assistant at the Montague Church, spoke on the process of growth. You have grown as a town, for 200 years, and I only for 23, but the questions are ageless and the need the same," "Could we have been created by God? Can we establish the Kingdom of God in Montague? Are we being judged by God? A bicentennial seems a fine time to think about our growth under God." Lt. Gov. Whittier Gives Inspiring Address At Montague 200th Banquet by Bill Steinecke Turners Falls—The most important and awesome aspect of history is the activities of the everyday people, the small people who do not make the headlines but who nevertheless form the backbone of the nation, state and community, Lt. Gov. Sumner G. Whittier told more than 150 municipal, business and civic leaders at the Governor's Day banquet in St. Kazimier Hall last night. Whittier, who, due to a heavy schedule in Boston, arrived late for the banquet, delivered an in- spiring address as a 200th anniversary highlight. He was introduced by Selectman Raymond M. Trudel. Chr. Arthur E. Stratton served as master of ceremonies and, along with Trudel, introduced industrial and civic leaders. Stratton read letters from Sen. John Kennedy and State Sen. Ralph C. Ma-har expressing their greetings to the town on its birthday and their regrets at not being able to attend. Kennedy stated in his note that he would be represented by Chr. Daniel J. Kelleher of the Democratic Town Committee, who brought greetings from the senator. As Whittier warmed up to his subject, in a talk that lasted less than 10 minutes, he remarked on the amazing historical facts which led to the world leadership of the United States in a period which covers less than 500 years. "The story of this nation," he said, "is the story of its states, and Massachusetts is one of the foremost in the history of this land. The story of our states is the story of our cities and of our towns, and in turn the story of communities is in truth the stories of our people. And so, as the second ranking state official in this commonwealth, I am delighted and proud to come here and salute the people of this community whose men and women have played a part in the history of our commonwealth and nation." One's Best Service Not always as Presidents or generals is one's part in history played, the state executive continued. "He serves well who is hard working and God fearing. He serves well who clears the hills, valleys, who fights the war whatever his rate or ranks—and many have left these tranquil acres to fight in every war. "He serves who farms well our arable lands and raises the agricultural products essential to life; he serves who manufactures our goods whether as management or labor; he serves who marries and brings up our children; he or she serves who is good father or good mother; he serves who teaches our children in schools, renders public service and help to others in each community. "Indeed, each individual in his way contributes and the better each individual the better and stronger is America." "In a democracy every citizen is a sentinel and each sentinel is responsible for the whole empire." Transcribed with notes and observations by 2 Ed Gregory July, 2019 Turners Falls Bicentennial 1754-1954 "And so," continued Whittier, "not just where the newspaper headlines are biggest and blackest, not where the radio or television newscast is longest or loudest, not in the marching events of major history but here, with the everyday people who are born, and live and love, and marry and bring up families, who till the soil and work in mills and factories; here where men and women and children worship God—here is history written; here has our past been built; here our present is growing; here is our future in promise bright and gleaming." He concluded: "And so I salute you of Montague, and tell you that time of effort and of work, of sacrifice and giving of challenge and of demand is not yet over. We live still in a perilous age when men die in distant places, and some of us must serve." "We live in an age of atomic bombs and hydrogen bombs but I have a faith and believe in the future of both this state and nation; for I have a faith in you, the people who have made us great and who will keep us free tomorrow and tomorrow." Governor's Councilor Bruce Crane spoke briefly to extend greetings from Gov. Christian A. Herter. Gen. Chr. Arthur E. Burke expressed thanks to all persons in the town who assisted with the planning for and are aiding in the execution of the bicentennial celebration. Members of the clergy seated at the head table were introduced by Selectman John A. Charron. They were: Rev. James F. Hastings, Rev. Joseph P. Szczepaniak, who gave Invocation, Rev. John McCormick, Rev. Albert C. Fleury, Rev. Charles Switalski, Rev. George Burgess, Rev. and Mrs. Stephen R. Tucker, Rev. T. Albert Lawrence and Rev. Henry Rohrs. Town of Montague Historical Tableaux Turners Falls—Two hundred years of life in Montague, from the settling of its various communities through its participation in recent wars for world freedom, were portrayed in a series of 14 scenes or "Bicentennial Portraits," entitled "Remember When?" The program, devised and directed by Frederick B. Oakes, will be repeated tonight and tomorrow evening at the same time (8 p.m.) and place. There was a capacity audience for the initial performance. In a 10-minute speech prior to the opening of the program Lt. Gov. Sumner Whittier, introduced by Arthur E. Stratum of Millers Falls, chairman of the selectmen, congratulated the people of Montague for their achievements and urged them to go forward with their building of a fine community.