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Standard
Aug 18/1875
Picnic Club meets at Mowatt’s Grove.
One of those very pleasant affairs, which the young men of St. Andrews know so well how to get up and arrange, was held at Mowat’s Grove on Wednesday last. The day was clear and fine, and the “St. Andrews Pic Nic Club,” had left nothing undone to make the Pic Nic what it really was—a most enjoyable reunion of the townspeople and visitors. The total absence of class or party, and the universal observance of those amenities which render such gatherings agreeable and pleasant, made all present feel happy. The “Club” had carriages in waiting at the head of the Town to convey persons to the grounds. The tables were nicely arranged, and filled with an abundance of good thing—wild and cultivated fruits with an ample supply of sugar and cream, cake, tarts and pies, chicken, ham and tongue, and those healthy beverages tea and coffee were dispensed by fair hands and generous hearts. After all present had partaken of the viands, some strolled about the grounds while many entered into the various games, and others enjoyed themselves by dancing on the platform erected for that purpose. The music was supplied alternately by Mr. Holden on the Violin, and by the Quintets corps of the St. Andrews Band. The polkas, galops, schottische and waltzes were above the average, there was no jostling, blundering or stopping. A few joined in a good old scotch reel, and contra dances, when the artistic old steps came out in bold relief, and reminded one of the “gold old times.” The Amusements on the grounds were various, such as pitching quoits, archery, jumping, wheelbarrow and sack races, for which prizes were offered. The Band the meanwhile played some select pieces. A more agreeable and happy gathering could not take place than that of Wednesday last, and the young men who carried it out so successfully merit the thanks of the community. When the shades of evening came on, the large party returned to town, pleased and delighted with the Pic Nic. On Friday evening the young men, composing the committees of arrangements, had a super at Morrison’s Hotel, provided in the host’s usual excellent style.
Pilot
Aug 28, 1879
[Picnic at Mowatt’s Grove]
The picnic club, which embraces in its membership, a number of the most active and intelligent young men of SA, believing with Higginson, “Civilization is tiresome unless we occasionally give it the relish of a little outlawry,” and that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” annual invite their fellow townsmen, for one day at least, “to throw dull care aside” and to meet together for the purpose of indulging in innocent games and sports, and for the “nonce” forget, those in many cases, senseless distinctions, which are so prone to exist in feeble minds. On Friday last the members of the Club and their guest, which embraced all classes and creeds of the community, assembled at Mowatt’s Grove, ( lovelier spot for such purposes can scarcely be found). The Committee of the Club, had made complete and satisfactory arrangements for the comfort and amusement of all those in attendance. During the day, foot, sack, and hurdle races were run, and hotly contested. Swings in the grove were kept occupied; the Bagatelle table, Archer, etc., were well patronised. Those not engaged in the sports of games were to be found grouped together in shady nooks, ‘neath the umbrageous shade, with contents of what had been well filled basket, spread before them, enjoying the pleasure of the hours. The lovers of the dance, had ample opportunity for indulgence in that pleasurable exercise, to the strains of Messrs. Holden and Rooney’s Strong Band. When the shades of evening closed down, the dancing platform was lighted by a large number of Chinese lanterns, that had a very pretty effect. The Pembroke Cornet Band, relieved the St. Andrews Band, by playing in remarkably good time and taste, a choice selection of popular airs. The whole party are indebted to the Bands for their gratuitous service, which added so much to the general pleasure. The picnic was a success, and so long as the Club continues such good management, they may expect a thorough appreciation of their efforts, by a grateful and gratified public.
Pilot
Aug 24, 1882
The Seventh picnic of the picnic Club [first would have been 1876]
The greatest success that has ever yet attended the praiseworthy efforts of the picnic Club, was at their Seventh picnic of Tuesday last. In the early part of the morning the weather looked unfavorable, and some serious anticipations were entertained, but soon the clouds dispersed, and a gentle breeze, which tempered the hot rays of the sun, mad the day all that could be desired by even the most fastidious. At an early hour flags and bunting were displayed from every available flag staff on Water street and colours were hung from the windows of man y private dwelling, which together with a string of colours that extended the width of the street from Magee’s to the Megantic Hotel conclusively demonstrated to the onlooker that eh day in Saint Andrews was to be one of unusual gaiety. About 9:30 am the steamer Charles Houghton arrived at the wharf with the Calais City Band and a large crowd of excursionists drawn hither to enjoy the rare entertainment of the far famed Picnic Club. Later in the day a large party arrived on board the steamer City of Calais, and with those who came by the first excursion sauntered about town longing for the arrival of the hour when they could embark to the picnic grounds.
Precisely at one o’clock pm the first train, consisting of three flats (neatly fitted up for the occasion) and two passenger cars, started for the grounds laden wit human freight. Two more trips followed in rapid succession, and at 2:25 About one thousand persons had been landed at the scene of amusement. The programme of sports, consisting of foot racing hurdle racing, archery, bagatelle, etc., was carried out in a manner both satisfactory and creditable. Animated by the sweet strain of music discourse by Wyatt’s Orchestra, many of the party early in the afternoon found themselves upon the platform lost in the clamorous jollity of the waltz and cotillion. The tea an coffee was made by Mr. Norris [Charles Norris?] under the supervision of the tea and Coffee Committee, and was both abundant and delicious. The train made its first rip from the grounds as 6:30 pm taking all children and old person who were not desirous of participating in the dance, together with the excursionists who had to connect with the steamer for St. Stephen and Calais. Another train ran at 8:30 and the last one at eleven—the latest bringing the largest crowd of the three-all regretting that the hours had sped so quickly.
Too much cannot be said in praise of the members of the Picnic club, who hive their time and labour to provide one day of enjoyment out of each year, for the rich and the poor, the old and the young, at a mere nominal expense, without any hope of reward, save the satisfaction of doing good. It is nearly wonderful to an observer to see how systematically these entertainments are carried on and with out any effort, apparently, on the part of any person. Like some might machine, moved by an unseen power, every part of the programme was carried out without a hitch or a flaw, and it was truthful observed to our reporter, that their management was characterised by English thoroughness, by French art, and by Austrian hospitality. We hope the club may never weary of well-doing, and with the return of each season may they feel encourage to do by the public as in the past they have done.
Pilot
Dec 28, 1882
Mrs George Mowatt, was on Saturday last by the St. Andrews picnic club presented wit a very chaste and elegant silver water pitcher.
Pilot
March 31, 1883
[Town’s 100th Anniversary]
it does not seem to be much in the though of our citizen, that this is the hundredth year of the existence of St. Andrews as a town. We have not heard that any of them are intending to celebrate its centennial. We have seen how the people of Saint John , with solemn services and gay festivities, made the 18th of May, which was the centennial anniversary of the landing of the Loyalists there, a day distinguished among all the days of their history. In this Saint John did well, and we were glad to join in their celebration. We too cherish the memory of the Loyalists; their principle of love of country and sovereign is ours also; we have shared the fruits of their labours; many of us are their descendants. But while our friends of the metropolis spoke of the anniversary as being one of provincial interest, and were ready to acknowledge that the Loyalists, their noble deeds and fragrant memories belonged to us all, they yet made their celebration wholly a local one. It was of the founders of Saint John and Saint John itself they talked and sang. In them only they gloried. The volume of just prise, which was poured from Pulpit and Platform, was all for the men who came to Saint John. With it there mingled no tribute to the gallant company who landed at SA, and founded our beautiful town. This was all right, and we make these remarks, only, that we may impress upon our readers the idea, that if the Loyalist founders of St. Andrews are to be honored in this centennial year, it must be done here, on the soil they trod, on the level straight streets they planned and built, beside the waters they knew better how to use for commerce than we, and by ourselves, as indeed it ought to be.
At Saint John the Loyalists found a town already on the site of the present city; here they found no settlement and no white men, as that St. Andrews is a Loyalist town in even a fuller sense than Saint John. Thus we see that in making a demonstration in honor of the Loyalists themselves, we should at the same time be celebrating the foundation of our town, as well, as the advent of a second century, during the early years of which, we hope to see St. Andrews regain the prosperity enjoyed by her fifty years ago.
We confess that we are not very well informed as to the founders or early history of the town. Most of our reader would probably have to make a like acknowledgement. But if the men were worthy of honor, if the history of their town is worth reviewing, and its future bright with any promise, then we ought not to let its centennial year go by, unmarked by some suitable observance.
We may not now enter upon the subject of the character such as observance should take. If our suggestion should find favor, the details could be readily arranged. The “landing” we believe took place in the month of March. The day has passed unobserved, and indeed that would have been a very unfavorable time for demonstration which must largely be an outdoor one. A day during the year might yet be set apart, by a common consent to be kept as a holiday, and otherwise suitably observed as may be devised. In the Picnic Club there already exits an organization well fitted to plan and carry out the proposed celebration, and if they would take the mater into consideration at their approaching annual meeting, they would no doubt find many citizens willing to aid them. A still better way would perhaps be the forming of a Centennial Club, to include all who feel any interest in the subject and having for its object, the collecting of such information as may still be had concerning our early history, as well as the conduct of a Centennial celebration.
We shall be pleased to hear from any of our readers, who have any suggestions to make regarding gad Centennial Celebration in St. Andrews.
Pilot
Aug 23, 1883
10th anniversary of Picnic Club—1873 to 1883. Long article.
Beacon
Aug 20/1891
For the twelfth time the Picnic club, of Sa, held their annual picnic at Mowatt’s Grove on Friday last. President Snodgrass was to the fore and he had behind him an able corps of assistants. The weather left nothing to be desired, and the crowds of people who visited the grounds during he afternoon spent the time very pleasantly. About 300 excursionists from St. Stephen and Calais, together with the Calais band, came down in the forenoon, and after having partaken of lunch, re-embarked and were conveyed to the picnic grounds. These, with the townspeople, made the Grove a very lively place. The amusements were many and various, and embraced dancing on the green, foot racing, archery and other sports. Mrs. Bignall [***black?] and partner danced a “breakdown,” to the intense amusement of the crowd. She had an excellent partner who was grotesquely decorated for the occasion. A sailor’s hornpipe danced by a young woman attracted a good deal of attention. The snake contortionist also has many admirers. In the three-mile race, Andrew Hunt was the winner. An excellent string band provided music for dancing, and scores of young people enjoyed themselves in this manner until the night was well advanced.