Rotary Log: March 15, 2012
Eric Weinrieb was chosen to lead the group in song. Eric chose “When Irish Eyes are Smiling”. Fellow Rotarians bravely attempted to complete the song with all of the correct lyrics. Some humming from the group was noticed during more difficult sections of the song. Eric was fined a dollar.
Dave Holden introduced the guests and visiting Rotarians
President Tony announced Birthdays & Anniversaries and led a chorus of the Happy Birthday song
Announcements:
Neal Ouellette awarded fines to Rotarians for miscellaneous offenses in addition to Eric’s fine for choosing the song. Fines were for “Not wearing green”, “not wearing a badge” etc.
A fund was raised in an auction for in excess of $120 for Jay Gibson, who is retiring.
President Tony announced that the District Assembly will be held on Saturday, the 24th at the University of Southern Maine – Portland campus - and to see Nancy if interested.
Gene Bailey requested members to bring in cell phones!
Joanie Dickenson announced that the annual Rotary Auction will take place on Thursday, April 19th from 6pm – 9pm at the Portsmouth Country Club. Joan asked that anyone who knows someone that is willing to donate a product or service can contact her for the details. There will also be a sign-up Auction sheet at the check-in desk for donors or if you would like to help. This year will also include Table Sponsors (incl. 8 tickets to the auction), a wine raffle, and a dessert table.
Nancy Clapp introduced the keynote speaker, Jane Nylander. Jane has had a wonderful Historical Preservation career including: Director of Strawberry Banke Museum; President of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities; and Senior Curator at Old Sturbridge Village. A graduate of Brown University and the
University of Delaware, Nancy spoke to the Club about “Historic Parades”.
Nancy gave a very interesting and informative talk and slide show featuring many great pictures of historic parades in the United States. Included in Nancy’s presentation were slides including a George Fishley photograph, who at age 83 was one of the very few surviving veterans of the Revolutionary War to attend the opening of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1843.
Nancy colorfully described slides of historic parades showcasing the military & militias of the 19th century. Some of these parades had themes of suggested satire utilizing old clothes and pitchforks rather than uniforms and guns. In the 1840’s some of these parades were held in the early morning hours, often titled “antiques & horribles”. At 5am or 6am these parades were held using “grotesque costumes and boney horses”. Often times that same morning the participants would then be in military processions at 10am or 11am.
Other notable parades included a President, Millard Filmore in 1851, and in Manchester, NH in 1896 parades would include people wearing signs around their necks indicating their year of birth. Fire companies would showcase their equipment & decorations in parades, also often including their old equipment as a contrast. Communities would spend considerable time for parade preparation and organizing, decorating the community with flags and banners. A good example of this was shown on a slide of a Maine town in 1911 celebrating the state’s centenary.
Portsmouth had parades celebrating the Return of Sons from Abroad. Floral parades included hundreds of children with picturesque floats and poetry. Ship models were used in parades as far back as 1788 when New Haven, CT celebrated the ratification of the Constitution.
Nancy spoke of a book (by James Heard) that had over 100 illustrations of Portsmouth parade floats – including floats showing the changing role of women in the City’s history. Floats were often used as a representation of a state’s history, using young boys & girls as participants. Local businesses and trades showcased there products and services and Nancy showed a slide from Portland, ME in 1890 with architecture and house building floats. Printers, clothiers, and clock makers were also trades that showed their wares throughout the mid 19th century.
In 1875 on Bunker Hill Day in Boston, the parade was over 4 miles long, leading a local newspaper to label the parade an “interminable trade procession!” “Prosperity, Patriotism, and Progress” images were very popular in parades in those times and many processions included floats from the Red Cross, images of the “Spirit of ‘76” and of flags and Uncle Sam. These parades were often used to define and unify communities, while celebrating diversity.
Nancy graciously took several questions at the conclusion of her presentation.
At today’s raffle drawing there was a 50-50 winner, however this week’s ticket bonus of $800 was not won. Thus, next week’s bonus will be $825.
President Tony announced that Geno Marconi will be next week’s speaker, and also announced that there will be no “Funky Junky” this year.
Meeting was adjourned at approximately 1:15pm
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