Reminiscences of Children's Fair (Page 44 - 45)
A friendly talk with friends
Records and Reminiscences of Children’s Fair
“Seeking to make idle hours useful hours, I have written it in my old age Please accept my old RECORDS AND REMINISCENCES.” - C. H. Obear - July 8, 1911
Pages 44 - 45
No matter whether from the haunts of childhood, or heights of middle life, or the descending slopes of old age, they are there! And friends, for whom I write this little book (you for whom I write it are all friends), will they die, "in the land to which we go," or shall we look back on the way the Lord our God has led us? Shall we know the influence the persons and associations of our earth-life have had on our home in the "Mansion prepared for us in one of the many mansions of the Father's house?"
Oh, wonderful power of Memory and its hidden pictures! How vivid and clear are the faces and forms of those with whom we mingled in the "long ago!" And where are they? Some yet with us; some parted by many a mile; some across the sea; and on some…
"The mossy marble rests On the lips that we pressed, In their bloom, Have been carved full many a year On the tomb."As the years that followed 1887, as I have said, were marked with only unimportant changes, and have been annual returns of pleasant reunion with old friends, and successful work accomplished, I will say little more in regard to them.
The continued favorable estimation of this fair, planted in 1862, is proved by the increase of numbers who attend its annual gatherings and partake of its harvest feasts. These are almost wholly composed of persons living in town, or from abroad, who in the past, have participated in the labor and the enjoyments of these yearly meetings.
Dear old friends of three generations, with whom I have lived (almost invariably) in friendly relations for nearly seventy years, did I make a mistake in deciding on the day I was ninety-one that it would please you to have a fuller knowledge of the Children's Benevolent Fair of New Ipswich than is in your possession?
A part of it had never been written, as I have told you. I held it in my recollection and in my home deposits. I believed I could do it before the half centennial in October. It would be the parting gift of myself and my husband to the Child ren's Fair, for my years make it improbable that I shall be able to return another summer to remain for any length of time.
You will see by the foregoing pages that this little work is just a friendly talk with the friends I am leaving behind with whom I have dwelt in love and harmony and exchange of friendly services for many years. It is so purely local, I could make it familiar, and have done so.
Mike Ordway - 151st Children’s Fair
James Roger diary entry
8th August 1913
Warm and sunny; wind southerly. David tarring the roofs of brooder house. I went for a load of wood from Walkers’ and cut some lots. David helped Lonie to move ladders, etc. to School House at centre; then went for sugar, etc. to Phelps’, who asked him to come tomorrow and work in store as he does not feel well. Got letter from Hamish who had narrow escape from a live wire. He is now only a sleeping partner in the N.C.E. at Albany and talks of getting married sometime next year. Went to Academy at 8 p.m. to hear address by John Cummings to Parent-Teachers Association.
Upcoming Event
163rd Children’s Fair - August 17, 2024
New Ipswich Congregational Church
150 Main Street, New Ipswich, NH
10 AM - 3 PM