Newspapers / The Pilot (Southern Pines, … / Oct. 9, 1925, edition 1 / Page 1
Part of The Pilot (Southern Pines, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
)ber 2, 1925 \ hiffh :arry tlack; Solid the p fall Icity >re in • Town y ''V t proper- ates to / VOLUME THE PILOT NUMBER 46 Is a Paper Devoted to the Upbuilding of the Sandhill Territory of North Carolina Address all communkacioas to the pilot printing company. VASS. N. C. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1925 SUBSCRIPTION $2.00 NOSICAL FESTIVAL AT SANDHILL FAIR Chorus Of One Hundred and Twenty-Five Voices to Sing Rose Maiden (Bion H. Butler) Tuesday night I dropped in at the Congregational church where Charlie Picquet is training his chorus to sing Frederick H. Co wen's cantata, the “Rose Maiden.” To my mind this cantata, which is to be sung at the musical festival of the Sandhill fair is likely to find a greater popularity than the weightier choruses that Mr. Picquet and his singers have given on the previous occasions. In turn ing from the profound religious work of Mozart and Handel and Hayden to that of Cowen nothing is sacrificed in the material that is given the chorus to exhibit their ability, for Frederick H. Cowen is one of the fore most comi)osers and directors of the present time. In 1882, when only 30 years old he became director of the Edinburg Academy of Music, and five years later he succeeded Sir Arthur Sullivan as conductor of the London Philharmonic, and from that time on his triumphs have been numerous. He has a long list of famous compositions to his credit, but the “Rose Maiden” is given first rank by many of his admirers. At any rate it is one of the most entertaining things musically that will be heard in North Carolina in many a day. I have expressed my opinion before this as to Charlie FicqueVs ability as a trainer and conductor. Were it not that a question of his family^s health brought him to the Sandhills where he caught that Sandhill fever that has held so many others in this section he would be in some broader field. But he is here, and there is no use to say anything to encourage him away. The main thing is that while he is here his remarkable work should be appreciated and enjoyed. He has gathered up this fall a chorus, as I have said, of 125 voices, and the large bulk of these are of better than ordi nary ability. They have taken hold of the work, for they have the full confidence in their leader that inspires them to effort, and it is rather sur prising to see the progress they are making. I listened through the entire cantata for the purpose of getting a line of the manner in which the sing ers and the conductor handled the work, and if my advice is worth any thing the theatre at Pinehurst on the night of Wednesday, October 28, at 8:20 o’clock, will be full to the loft. Here we are, a small rural com munity of three or fdur villages, far from any big center that might be expected to bring out patronage to warrant a pretentious thing of this sort, and solely because Charlie Picquet and those who will sing under his direction have an interest in choral singing we have the chance to hear this fine presentation. It is not possible that such an entertainment could be offered in any but two or three of the bigger cities of the state, and even at that they would be rare. It is hardly worth while to go into a detailed description of either the cantata or the work. The cantata is one of the best that Cowen produced, and he is deservedly famous for half a dozen operas, two oratorios and a number of cantatas and other compo sitions. It has a marked simplicity in much of its chorus as well as in its solos, and its harmonies at times are impressive in this respect. Its move ment will probably be more intelligible to the average listener than the ora torios of last year were, and alto gether I imagine it will be more gener ally comprehended and admired. The singers Tuesday night showed a remarkable control of their execu tion, and with several rehearsals yet until the entertainment is presentee on the stage I am looking for them to show a proficiency that not many in the audience will be able to dis tinguish from that of professionals I was not able to recognize any of the individual performers as 1 sat off at one side to be out of the way, but one or two sopranos showed a wonderful power. Miss Erskine at the piano al so evidenced a command of her scores that is highly clever. On the night of the i)erformance the chorus will be assisted by Grady Miller and Dr. Bates, of Greensboro, bass and tenor solo singers of reputation, and by the Carolina orchestra and the organ. I am told that a large delegation is coming down from Greensboro to hear the singing, as the reputation of the Sandhill chorus has gone out into the surrounding communities, and a num ber of visitors are expected from the other towns. While the fair this year has advanced to many new and I think higher lines this chorus work by Mr. Picquet and his group of local singers strikes me .as the most outstandmg single feature of the whole affair. It is so much in advance of anything that is ordinarily to be found in a small community, and of such a high quality in both voice, training and the selections attempted that it stands in a class by itself. To my notion this is about the finest thing that is to be encountered in the Sandhills this winter. OXFORD SINGING CLASS AT ABERDEEN MONDAY OLD TME PICNIC AT CANERON HILL Gathering of The Pec^le From a Wide Territory For Annual Picnic The Oxford Singing Class will be at the High school in Aberdeen Mon day night at 8 o’clock. The work these boys and girls are doing has become so familiar to this section that the announcement of their coming should be about all that needs to be said of them. They represent the or phanage at Oxford, and their work in this line is in aid of the institution. The school at Oxford is one of the most successful of its kind in the state, turning out a large number of boys and grirls who on going into the world’s activities are trained young men and women who become useful members of society. They put on a program that has always been highly appreciated and The Pilot is always glad to make the announcement of their coming to any place in this part of the state. HALF MILLION IN NEW BUILDINGS Pinehurst and Southern Pines Hammerin’ Nails—New Struc tures Going Up The amount of new work in build ing around the Sandhills has been big ihis year. The total amount of new construction at Pinehurst is figured around $375,000, which includes several big jobs like the $100,000 that las gone into rebuilding the Holly Inn, $20,000 in the Pine Crest, nearly as much in improvements in the Carolina, $50,000 in the Market Square new )uilding and extension, a dozen new hofuses runing up to $20,000 for some of them, and the Pinehurst Ware houses and changes at the railroad. Over at Southern Pines the new building of the Citizens Bank and Trust company is one of the most pre tentious and impressive buildings in this part of the state, and it gives a different tone to the street. All over the town new houses are under way or recently completed. Dr. Dickie is building half a dozen new cottages out at his hospital. A number of new houses are projected and will be car ried on during the winter. It is doubt ful if so many new buildings have been in progress in Southern Pines in a long time as are now under way. At Aberdeen the builder is active while the new hotel at Pinebluff adds another $100,000 down in that section, with a number of smaller jobs around the edges of all of the towns. Taking the towns of the Sandhills and the new building on the outlying lands and on the farms it is likey that three-quar ters of a million dollars will not more than cover ttie new work that has been done or that is in progress. On Wednesday of this week, John Warren Watson, of the John Warren Watson Company, Philadelphia, pur- (Continued on page eight) (L. M. McDonald) There exists an eminently success ful, widely recognized institution whose beginning the younger people do not recall. It is one which has never had a chief executive; secretary or other official, and during its exis tence although it has contributed to treasuries of church and school and ac cumulated an immeasurable measure of good for the community which gives it life, it has never had a treasury of its own, nor indeed has it ever had a slightest need for one. This unique institution is the an nual picnic at old Cameron Hill, picnic, community reunion, homecoming or what you will. One who has attended one day there will need no name by which to know it. Its life is the old Scotch spirit that lingers yet around the prominent, high-shouldering red hill that first caught the eye of the wandering hie- lander weary of seacoast and the sameness of the coastal plain, a spirit that will live until the last Cameron of that ilk has gone from the Hill. Its success depends alone upon the clan nish friendliness and the love of home land peculiar to Carolina folk of the Sandhills; its continuance has been and is assured by the wish within each heart, within which is flowing the Gae lic blood, to assemble again with the Camerons, the McLeans, the Darrochs, Stewarts, Shaws, McKays and Camp bells near the old kirkyard where their past generations are sleeping; where the first grave was filled by a child whose body was brought on horseback from the level reaches of Long Street twenty miles away by a father who wished it to rest upon the crest of the one great hill of the New Land that he had found, as his sires were resting upon the bens (mountains) of his ain countrie. There they gather, whete the old Plank Road crossed, against the spot where the mail stage driver winded his horn across the backs of his four horses as they thundered down the steep slope *to signal his ap proach to the old Confederate post- office of Johnsonville; there they walk to and fro among the throng that in creases during the morning and de creases with the day. Watching for the old friends that they know will be there ere the day has gone; missing with the one touch of sadness that the day ever brings the few who will come no more. No exacting program to ad here to; no chain of ritual to hamper the freedom of the day. Greeting of the old to the old; of the young to the young; of all to all. Handshakes free from all taint of formality, with sometimes a catch of the throat the while. A table overflowing with the best of a goodly land. Informal, sin cere talks from pulpit-side or entry way. .Songs, simply thrilling, by choirs that volunteer. Then home, as the glow of the west tints the blue of the ridges with the mellowness of gold, to remember perhaps curling locks about laughing eyes; perhaps grey heads bearing none too firmly the weight of years. Always to look for ward to the day of the succeeding year when the gathering will be again. One there was who, not by appoint ment but by common understanding without need of formal request or special appointment, always stood to talk to a hushed and intent assemb- age; the “silver-tounged orator of Harnett,” Colonel Dan Hugh McLean, whose head teemed with the traditions and the history of the people who sur- roimded him and whose heart went in earnestness with the words that tumbled like a silver torrent from his lips whenever he told the old lore; outlined the coming of the clans after Culodden, or spoke of Flora Mac Donald and her home at the foot of the hill below him and lauded to the skies her loyalty and that of her countrymen for the bonnie Prince Charlie. But his presence is only in memory now. MacLean has gone to the gathering of his chiefs in the Far Country. Old friendships, true ideals, loved memories and fond traditions are never forgotten or forsaken by these people sprung from the race of “Scots wha hae wi’ Wallace bled,” who have grown up in the romantic envi- (Continued on page eight) KIWANIS STARTS LOT OF GOOD PROJECTS School Affairs Prominent Ammig: The List of Plans AUTO POLO AGAIN AT SANDHILL FAIR At the Wednesday dinner of tiie Ki- wanis club in Southern Pines one of the most aggressive programs ever introduced unfolded itself as the meeting advanced. The thing started with a letter from Charlie Picquet who asked the backing of the people more vigorously in the production of the pageant at the Sandhill fair, say ing that the pageant is one of the best advertising features the com munity can present, and that to the big crowds that gather it is a forcible bit of information as to the neighbor hood. The idea met with approval and action will be taken. Then the public affairs committee announced a resolution saying it rec ommended that a silver cup be offered by the club to the Moore county school having the best record of average attendance during the present school year. Contributions were asked to pay for the cup, and Dr. Poate started off with $25, and this was fol lowed by others until a sum sufficient to buy a right expensive cup was in the hands of Richard Tufts, treasurer, and more signified the intention of sweetening the pot when they could overtake a dollar or so. This cup will be ordered at once, and the school that wins it will have something to be proud of as long as they can hold it. They can begin now to work for it, and the only winning way is for every scholar to get out to school every day. With school matters under discus sion the Farm Life school came up again, and it was announced that in addition to the seven-boys and girls the club is helping through the school there two others are aided by members of the club privately, making a total of nine in all. That started some more talk and a proposition was made that all club members broach to outsiders the suggestion that a few dollars, running from $1 to $120 be placed at the disposal of the Farm Life school as a revolving fund to be loaned to boys and girls to help them through school. This would constitute a per- Tubercular Sanatorium, Forester I petual fund, and would be available A veteran showman, in going over the programme arranged by Secre tary Picquet for this year’s Sandhill Fair, said; “In all of my experience, I have never seen so many first class attractions crowded into a four-day fair. Among the largest fairs held on this continent this Fall, I cannot, at this moment, recall one that would be willing to risk the enormous expendi ture necessary to secure the head liners that are coming to Pinehurst, and some of these fairs run for a full week.” For many years, Mr. Picquet has kept several jumps ahead of the other fellows in the matter of picking good attractions, but this year he has left the whole crew so many ages behind that they’ll never catch up. Many, many times, showmen have asked; “How does he do it?” But this is a mystery so deep that even those who (Continued on page 8) NEW VENTURES BY CONNISSIONERS and Board of Conser vation LADY RACE DRIVER TO BE AT SANDHILL FAIR MUe. LeCosta, Europe’s Greatest Daredevil, To Participate in Races At Sandhill Fair In addition to the half score of men drivers who have signed up for the auto race meet that is to be a feature attraction of the Sandhill Fair on October 27-28-29 is Mile. Cozette Le Costa daring girl race driver hailed as champion lady race driver of Europe and Europe’s greatest daredevil. Miss LeCosta made a tour of Western Canada early this year and managed to win three out of five (Continued on page eight) The county commissioners Monday at their Carthage meeting ventured into new lines in the creation of a fund to help maintain a forest warden, a sanatorium for the indigent tuber cular patients, and a Board of Con servation and Development. These three things mark a positive step for ward in county work, to which might be also added the appointment of W. C. Donaldson, another rural police man. The sanatorium was sponsored by Miss Eifort, the welfare agent, and Dr. Poate, of Southern Pines. With the help of Dr. Cain, of the Sana torium, they presented a logical case, and the commissioners authorized a building at the county home, large enough to hold eight beds, and Tom Burgess, of Southern Pines was given a contract to build it at once. It will not be a very big hospital, but it will be a beginning, and will care for at least some of the invalids who have no other place of refuge. The state forester from Fayette ville, Mr. Kimball, appeared before the board and urged the appropriation of a small sum to help secure a fire warden for the county, and after making his case $500 was granted, to be met by additional sums from the state and other sources, and orga nized work against forest fires will be undertaken. The commissioners thought this a move in the right di rection and were with it. Mr. Kimball will have more to say to the people later. Following the lead of Grovernor Mc Lean in the attitude he has taken re garding the state Board of Conser vation and Development the com- (Ccmtinued on page eight) year after year, and the amount of good it would do would be great. This project met the approval of the mem bers and probably they will be strik ing some of their neighbors for con tributions for this purpose. Any sum is available, as several small contri butions will stake one boy or girl, as well as one big one will. Money can be given or sent to Dan McKeithen at Aberdeen or Richard Tufts at Pine hurst, and any sum will be a deserved endowment. The Kiwanis convention of North and South Carolina at Pinehurst No vember 5 and 6 promises to be the big gest gathering ever held at Pinehurst, as letters are coming in in numbers making reservations. The local or ganization will be a sort of welcom ing committee of the visitors and guide and chaperon while the bunch is here and they intimate that it will not be a quiet two days while the strangers are inside the gates. Arthur Newcomb started out to bring up that land speculation subject, and undertook to show that Bion Butler is a liar or not a liar, and so many members attempted to vote on one side or the other of the question that Newcomb arrived at a point where his hearers did not know which side of any of the questions he was on, and fearing he would start to tell about his uncle in Canada Talbot Johnson shut him off and adjourned the meeting. The land question will hang over until another meeting. L. H. Jenkins who had come in with Grene Stevens, said he had come down for a few days, and while here he wanted to suggest the virtue of more advertising of the Sandhills in Rich mond as he had been sending many folks down this way who knew nothing about the advantages here until he (Continued on page eight)
The Pilot (Southern Pines, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Oct. 9, 1925, edition 1
1
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75