Newspapers / The Echo (Pisgah Forest, … / June 1, 1948, edition 1 / Page 5
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Hon. Charles M. Johnson Will Speak Speeches by the Hon. Charles M. Johnson of Raleigh and Mr. Harry H. Straus will highlight the seventh annual Ecusta picnic which this year will fall on Monday, July 5, since the Fourth is on Sunday. It will be the same big, enjoyable affair that it has always been and, as usual, a crowd of at least 5,000 is expected to be on hand. For those who want to get in on the early con tests and races, it will be necessary to be at Camp Sapphire at 10 o’clock sharp. A few minutes be fore this hour, the band will officially open the day’s activities with several numbers. From that hour until the square dance is finished that night, it will be a day crammed with the traditional fun that goes with the picnics. There will be races of every description, pie- eating contests, swimming events, boxing, bingo, the greasy pole climb, ping pong, checkers, and hosts of other events. Cash prizes will go to the winners. All of these events will be reeled off before lunch. BABY PARADE Always a feature of the day is the baby parade, under the direction of Mrs. Harry H. Straus. This event will begin at 11:30 a. m. and all children under four years of age are invited to enter. Par ents and children alike get a big thrill out of this occasion each year. The talks by Mr. Straus and Mr. Johnson are scheduled for 2 p. m. At this time of the day, the crowd is usually at its peak, and this year, more than ever; these speeches are expected to have a large following. BASEBALL GAME For the first time since the picnics were begun, the baseball game will be at Camp Sapphire. The time is 3:30 and Ecusta’s opponent will be Sayles. Rounding out a busy day will be the square dance on the street in front of Brevard High School with music by the Ecusta String Band and Speedy Jones as caller. ABOUT OUR SPEAKER Ecusta is again fortunate this year in having a speaker of state and national prominence to de liver the principal address at our annual picnic. Mr. Johnson received the highest number of votes in the race for governor in the first Democratic^ primary May 29 and he will be a prominent can didate in the second primary Saturday, June 26. Born and reared on a farm in Pender County, Mr. Johnson has devoted most of his life in serv ice to the people of North Carolina. He entered this state’s employ some 26 years ago as a clerk in the auditor’s office and has been state treasurer for the lasP 16 years. He was appointed to the treasurer’s post in 1932 and during his term of office, the state has paid off its heavy bonded debt and emerged in the best financial condition in its history. He supervised a program of the local government commission under which cities and counties refunded their bonded debt and got on their feet. Transylvania County and the Town of Brevard were among the localities helped. In his long and distinguished career, he has accumulated a vast businessman’s knowledge of state and local government. Mr. Johnson was a sergeant in the army during the first World War and his only son, Charles, Jr., served in World War II and saw considerable overseas service. He is known to be a great friend of the veterans. Active in affairs of the church, Mr. Johnson is a deacon and treasurer in the Presbyterian Church. In his campaign for governor, Mr. Johnson has advocated, among other things, improved educa tional facilities, increased pay for teachers, im proved rural roads, and an expanded program for industrial development of North Carolina. The address he will make here will be a sig nificant one and citizens all over the state will follow his remarks here with keen interest. We are indeed proud to have such a well-known and highly respected speaker and the biggest crowd in the history of our picnics is expected to be present. 3
The Echo (Pisgah Forest, N.C.)
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June 1, 1948, edition 1
5
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