HomeMy WebLinkAbout1955-11-15-TCC-min.pdf 21
TOWN CELEBRATIONS COMMITTEE
November 15, 1955
The meeting was called to order at 8 00 p.m
by Chairman Lewis
Mrs. Ruth. Nillsen of 75 Simonds Road spoke to
the committee offering the suggestion that President SUGGESTIONS
Eisenhower or his representative be asked to Lexing-
ton on the 19th of April and that a pamphlet or letter
written by him be offered to the people of Lexington.
She thought that possibly he could be seen on tele-
vision or film on the 19th; the evening of the 18th
television show on WABH TV to be presented by the
children and others presenting skits of historical
interest, etc
The minutes of the last meeting were read by
Chairman Lewis
Mr. Poehler submitted five slogans for our
theme for the 19th of April as follows
1) We the People THEME
2) Spirit of 175
3) Heritage of Freedom
4) Lest We Forget
5) Let It Begin Here
Mr. Poehler commented on No. 5 and pointed
out that "It" contained in the theme was of great
importance inasmuchas it would leave to the imagi-
nation of each individual or organization what
should—be-represented- Mr- Lewis qucstfaned whether
or not "What a glorious morning for America" had been
considered. It was generally agreed that the fifth
suggestion be adopted.
Mr. Lewis reported that Mr Adams had been
written a note by Mrs Cheever of thanks for his
editorial relative to the Town Celebrations Committee
The next item of business discussed was the
budget for the 19th of April After some discussion
and revision, it was voted to request for 1956
$3,625 00 and for 1957, $4,000.00. Many of the
items are the same as in 1954 and others have been
increased. Mr Poehler brought out the fact that,
in a letter from Mr. Smith, he finds that if the
schools were to be notified when a particular build-
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ing was needed, such as the Munroe or Adams schools r'
on the 19th of April, much confusion could be avoided
and a form is available and should be properly filled
out Mr. Rooney questioned the need for additional
police on the 19th, but it was generally thought that
the situation could be handled as in the past. Mr
Gustin questioned whether or not enough money had
been appropriated for fees for bands to be invited and
as a result, the original appropriation was increased
to include some fifteen bands as against seven. Mr.
Gustin made the further suggestion that the committee
should create a structure of units to be invited so
that we would have detailed information to present to
the town when making our request for funds Mr Gustin
asked for a breakdown for transportation costs per band
and it was felt that the average would be around $40
In relation to this suggestion the following was worked
out the First Division (Federal Troops) - two service
bands; the Second Division ( Veterans ' Organizations) -
one Veterans' band, one high school or college band,
one CYO band; the Third Division ( Colonial Troops) -
Norwich University band, two high school bands; the
Fourth. Division (Lexington Division) - Lexington High
School Band and two CYO bands It was felt that in
the Fourth Division anadditional four high school
bands should be added and that we should also consider
bands in, addition to CYO such as the South Weymouth
Demolay Band and the Boston University Band. Mr.
Hutchinson made the suggestion that a good kiltie band
might be an asset. A discussion relative to awards
and prizes was entered into and it was felt that they
should be limited to ribbons and scrolls in order to
avoid any public criticism of spending town funds for
prizes Mr. Sawyer made the suggestion that possibly
outside donations could very well be used for prize
money for the best float On motion by Mr. Poehler,
it was voted to adopt the budget for 1956 and 1957 as
revised
Mr Lewis made the suggestion that the town
reception for dignitaries be held here in Lexington
and not in Bedford as last year. Mr Poehler made
the suggestion that the new Hastings school may be a
possibility for either the reception or feeding of
the participants of the parade
Mr. Hutchins reported that he had been in
touch with Mr Mutty of Concord and that, if our
secretary would write to the secretary of the Board
of Selectmen in Concord, they would be glad to for-
ward any information for which we should ask
L.
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Mr Gustin felt that we should meet with the
representatives of the various organizations that
could be incorporated in the celebration so that
each could know of our theme and take appropriate
steps to publicize it He felt that we should meet
before too long in order to determine the heads of
the various organizations that should be contacted
Mr Gustin also felt that the manner in which the
theme was handled in the beginning would determine
its scope and if properly directed, would attract the
attention of those outside our town and thereby
eliminate our problem of having to seek them out for
publicity and interest Mr Frothingham thought that
the adopted theme would make an excellent subject for
the essay contests that are sponsored annually by the
Minute Men Mr. Poehler, reading from a letter from
Mr Smith, suggested that advance notice be given the
school department in any program such as essay con-
tests, etc so that it may be properly handled.
Mr Dearborn suggested that we should meet in
the not too distant future to discuss the method of
publicizing the theme , to determine the organization
heads with which we should meet and the proper pro-
cedure for inviting the president or his representa-
tive
Mr Lewis pointed out that an appropriation
for the Color Guard was not included in our budget
but that each individual could act as a liaison offi-
cer with the public and eventually it may be that the
school committee could include suchan item in its
budget
Mr. Gustin questioned in what manner we were
to obtain actiononour theme Mr Lewis suggested
that pnaaibly w-e-_ahoulr-work back—through the—o.,hvvi
to get a reaction from the students as to what can be
done and how it can be accomplished
December 13 was suggested for our next meeting
and it was so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 10 :19 p.m.
Murray Dearborn
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