“That is what matters most” – (PIP #97)

By Louise Peloquin

Over the past four weeks, our “peeks into the past” have focussed on Lowell’s centennial.

The following “PIP” shows Lowell officials putting final touches to the city’s hundredth birthday party, the March 1 afternoon program and an example of a local business advertisement.

 The editorial below highlights the importance of transmitting to schoolchildren a love of history and a profound respect for all the diligent, tireless, and, alas, sometimes overlooked workers who so greatly contributed to fashioning the city. It underlines the importance of cultivating a “patriotic spirit” and nurturing “fond recollections” of the place called home.

L’Etoile’s team demonstrated the special bond with the city they chose to love and to serve. That is precisely why front pages and headlines prioritized local news.

As Lowell celebrates its bicentennial this year, may everyone everywhere with “a Lowell connection” be inspired by this simple editorial.

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L’Etoile – February 27. 1926 editorial

THE CENTENNIAL

 Without donning the splendor and solemnity that some had wished for, it is nevertheless certain that Lowell’s centennial will not go unnoticed. And it remains a memorable event if indeed, as the City Council has so often repeated, our finances do not allow doing more.

     Under the circumstances, it was especially important to give our schoolchildren the opportunity to participate in the celebration. At the very start of their planning, the Centennial Committee included this aspect into the program.

     Like all self-respecting cities, ours should instill into the children the utmost respect for those whose work, perseverance and energy contributed to make Lowell what it is now. The “canal builders”, referred to lately with a certain contempt, possessed noble qualities to be recognized and honored. And what better occasion to do so than on next Monday’s anniversary?

     Once again, if it is really impossible to find within the City Hall coffers enough money to celebrate Lowell’s centennial with great pomp and circumstance, may our sincerity, our fond recollections and our patriotic spirit largely compensate the real or imagined absence of funds.

     After all, that is what matters most.

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L’Etoile – February 27, 1926 front page

EVERYTHING IS READY FOR MONDAY’S FETE

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The official program of Monday’s events is announced – A celebration like Lowell has rarely seen – Symphony orchestra of 45 instruments and a grand choir of 400 voices – Bleachers in the hall.

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AN ENORMOUS CAKE ILLUMINATED WITH 100 CANDLES ON STAGE

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     After a six-hour session yesterday, the Centennial Committee directors announced the details of next Monday’s official program. It is sure to be one of the most magnificent commemorative celebrations that Lowell has ever seen. The program will honor the generosity of the person who made it all possible, the late Hapgood Wright, that good Lowellian whose portrait will be on the program distributed to attendees.

     A general focus on the evening ball tends to make us forget the afternoon ceremony. The program we are publishing here will be a revelation for many. Among the afternoon’s highlights is a choir of 400 voices and a concert performed by Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians.

     Arthur C. Spalding, president of the committee who organized the choir, said that Lowell will hear what it has never heard before. Mr. Spalding was filled with enthusiasm at the idea of an unprecedented musical triumph. The heart of the choir is composed of quartets from Lowell churches completed by the Masonic Choir, former members of the Lowell Choral Society and individual singers.

     Two stages have been built. An eighteen-inch platform directly facing the actual stage, will seat guests. Then, the day’s speakers will be seated on another, higher platform directly below the stage, just above the special guests.

     Still slightly higher, the symphony orchestra will play on the second special platform while the choir will be on the permanent stage behind. The general visual effet will be that of a grand staircase where the governor’s aide-de-camp uniform and the gala attire will stand out.

     Arrangements for radio broadcasting were minutely prepared. A monitor will be installed in the rear of the hall for A.F. Edes’s program.

     The directors inform the public that almost half of the hall will be open to the public without tickets. Doors will open on time. Ticket holders will use the main entrance. As clearly indicated on each ticket, at 1:45, vacant seats will be left for those without tickets.

     Regarding the ceremony, several banquets are being organized for special guests and centennial directors. Afternoon guests will be hosted by the Centennial Committee in Memorial Auditorium Veterans room. Members of the Centennial Executive Committee will have tables reserved at Marie’s Restaurant  between the afternoon ceremonies and the evening ball. Finally, members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra will dine on the Auditorium lower floor.

     The centennial program will have an excellent portrait of Hapgood Wright, one of the first Lowell businessmen who left a bequest whose interest serves to finance this year’s celebration. The program will also include the following official list of centennial organizers:

Honorary President, Mayor John J. Donovan; president Frank K. Stearns; treasurer Fred H. Rourke; committee secretary William Trottier; Board of Directors, Frank K. Stearns, president; Joseph A. Gagnon; George M. Harrigan; John A. Hunnewell; Charles L. Marren; Ralph E. Runnels and John J. Walsh.

     Executive Committee: William P. Morrissey, secretary; Councilors James J. Gallagher; Daniel J. Cosgrove; Frank J. Hubin; John J. McFadden; Richard F. Preston; Robert R. Thomas; Francis J. Haggerty; John E. O’Brien; Frank F. MacLean; Edward T. Balley; Joseph A.N. Chrétien; Joseph F. Montminy; Arthur Genest; Abel R. Campbell; Thomas F. Inglis; Walter J. Cleary; John R. Higgins; Charles E. Anderson; George E. Barnett; John H. Beaulieu; George Bowers Jr.; Philip F. Breen; Edward B. Carney; Arthur B. Chadwick; Joseph P. Cryan; Royal K. Dexter; David Dickson; Charles A. Donohue; Eugene F. Fitzgerald; Frederick A. Flather; Joseph A. Gagnon; Joseph H. Guillet; George M. Harrigan; James F. Hennessey; Charles H. Hobson; John A. Hunnewell; Patrick Keyes; Richard J. McCluskey, M.D.; Thomas McFadden; Frank P. McGilly; Elmore I. MacPhie; Arthur McQuaid; Charles L. Marren; Joseph A. Molloy; George E. Murphy; Parker F. Murphy; Patrick Nestor; John P. O’Connell; William F. O’Connell; James O’Sullivan; Franklin B. Pevey; Harry G. Pollard; John E. Regan; John J. Riley; Stanley Robinson; Fred H. Rourke; Ralph E. Runels; Frederick A. Sadlier; Arthur T. Stafford; Alfred P. Sawyer; Frank K. Stearns; Joseph E. Sullivan; William Trottier; Jude C. Wadleigh; and John J. Walsh.

     Commemorative pins will be distributed to all schoolchildren next Monday morning. Schools which have received too many will have to return the surplus to the School Committee supplies office at City Hall. Schools which have not received enough will merely have to go to this same office to collect all they need.

     At Monday evening’s ball, one of the most beautiful decorations will be the gigantic birthday cake placed on the main hall stage. The vast Auditorium and Liberty hall will both be open for dancing. The cake, illuminated by 100 candles, will be six feet high and proportionately wide.

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L’Etoile – February 27, 1926 front page

THE CENTENNIAL

AFTERNOON PROGRAM

Wagner’s prelude to the Third Act of Lohengrin – Symphony Orchestra

Prayer – Rev. Appleton Grannis, Rector of Saint Ann Church

Opening speech – Honorable John J. Donovan, Mayor of Lowell

Speech – His Excellence Alvin T. Fuller, Governor of Massachusetts

Handel’s Alleluia choir – Lowell Centennial Choir

Speech – Frank K. Stearns, President of the Centennial Committee

Tchaikovski’s Fourth Symphony finale – Symphony Orchestra

Congratulations Message – His Eminence Cardinal O’Connell

Gounod’s Faust Choir of Soldiers – Lowell Centennial Choir

Male Masonic Choir – a. – Father’s Sunday song – Kreutzer

1. – Home Sweet Home – Geibel

Anniversary poem – Ralph H. Shaw

George W. Chadwick’s The Pilgrims – Centennial Choir directed by the composer

George W. Chadwick’s Anniversary Overture – Symphony Orchestra directed by the composer

Speech – Hugh J. Molloy, Superintendent of Lowell schools

Herbert’s American Fantasy Finale  – Symphony Orchestra

(The Star Spangled Banner will be sung by the audience after this finale.)

Blessing – Rev. Father John J. McGarry, D.L.C.

N.B. – The Symphony Orchestra will be composed of 45 Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians conducted by A. Jacchia. The Masonic Choir is composed of 75 singers under the direction of Ferdinand Lehnert the 2nd. The grand Centennial Choir of Lowell will be directed by Eusebius G. Hood.

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L’Etoile – March 1, 1926

Congratulations Lowell!

On this occasion of the 100th anniversary of Lowell, we offer our congratulations and express the firm hope that each day in future years will bring the most flourishing health, happiness and prosperity to all.

By the Bakers of

20TH CENTURY BREAD (1)

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1) Translations by Louise Peloquin.