Daffodils in bloom

Each spring, Joan Ashley of Falmouth alerts me when the lovely daffodil display at Saco’s Laurel Hill Cemetery is in bloom. She called last week to say that many of the flowers have blossomed, but with more to come. They are blooming early this year, I presume because of the lack of snow last winter. I viewed them on April 28, 1999, on May 3, 2000, on May 1, 2001; and on April 24, 2002. Several of my friends inform me each year that they have visited the display, too.

On Easter Sunday, April 16, we drove out to Laurel Hill, and there were several cars parked on the road at the bank of the cemetery, admiring the display, too. I always walk down the path below the road too, where the daffodils are growing up the banking near several tombstones. There are hundreds (probably thousands) of plants wherever one looks – a lovely sight. I will repeat the first verse of British poet William Wordsworth’s “Daffodils.”

“I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”

Antiques group meets

The Antiques group of the Woman’s Literary Union met at 1 p.m. April 10 in Alexander Hall on the University of New England’s Westbrook College campus.

At the meeting, members brought items of silver, brass and pewter, etc. which were discussed and appraised by John Holverson. He also displayed and discussed several antique objects he had brought.

There were a variety of objects brought in and passed around, after Mr. Holverson had identified them. Among the antiques were coin silver spoons, a small Victorian silver base with a little fiddle attached for matches, a pewter teapot, a pewter candle holder set in a large dish (also pewter) to catch the wax, ornately designed sugar tongs, a set of small knives with a silver blade and mother-of-pearl handle, a glass candy dish with silver inlay, a berry spoon and fork, a silver meat fork and a silver pie knife with an ornate handle, two brass figures together on a pedestal, one selling newspapers, the other polishing shoes and a small copper bowl with silver lining, made by Cebelein, a famous Boston jewelry firm.

Holverson gave a history of silver making, and advised members on care of silver objects. He does not approve of silver polish, and suggested using a silver polishing cloth. Also silverware should not be placed in dishwashers. When wrapping silver objects, do not use newspaper or plastic; but use a soft cloth, like flannel.

There is much to learn about care of silver objects, and John Holverson, who is very knowledgeable about antiques and art, gave members several helpful suggestions at that April 10 meeting.

Women’s Literary Union’s annual meeting

At the Woodfords Congregational Church on April 14, the Woman’s Literary Union held its annual meeting, with scholarship presentations given at the 12:30 luncheon.

Doris Chapman, chairman of the Scholarship Committee, introduced the two winners and their families. The Eunice Frye Scholarship was awarded to Sara Beneman, a senior at Scarborough High School. She will attend Bates College and has received early admission there. Her parents, David and Christine Beneman, as well as her grandparents, were luncheon guests. Sara told us how much she has always enjoyed reading.

The Union’s Past Presidents’ Scholarship was awarded to Hans Tobiason, a senior at Yarmouth High School. He has also received early admission to Bates College. He has been captain of the lacrosse team at Yarmouth High School, and is interested in youth groups. He has been involved in work at his church. His parents, Cindy Perkins and David Tobiason, were also guests at the luncheon.

The Women’s Literary Union was founded in 1889 by Eunice Frye, and offers lectures, classes, and field trips to its members. A major focus is support of high schools in greater Portland. A creative writing contest for high school juniors is held each year, as well as several fund raising events to benefit the scholarship fund.

The luncheon was a nice one, with lasagna, a vegetable salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, onion rings, ripe olives, and bread slices. The desserts were also popular, including cannoli and slices of cheesecake, with a strawberry on top. Amato’s catered the luncheon.

The table decorations were lovely, with pastel-colored paper napkins, small bouquets of pink and yellow carnations, with ferns, and baskets of Easter eggs here and there.

I talked with Olivia Hamilton, who had decorated many eggs herself, as well as the basket in which they were placed. It was on the serving table. She is an accomplished artist!

Also Cay O’Brien, who is Women’s Literary Union chaplain, brought a beautiful vase that had belonged to her uncle. It was a pretty rose color, full of white roses, and it sat on a small table beside the table where the officers and scholarship winners sat. The vase was set on the table that was covered with pretty white pillow cases, which Cay also brought. Her mother embroidered them in the corners.

We were pleased to talk with Anne Powell, our office manager, who greeted the scholarship recipients and their family members.

A book review

I recently received a book, hand-written and illustrated by Edith Holden. The title is “The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady.” She was born in Worchester, England in 1871. Her family lived in the small village of Olton, and it was there that she wrote and illustrated the book. She later moved to London where she met and married Ernest Smith, a sculptor. In March 1920, she died tragically, drowning in the river Thames, while gathering buds from chestnut trees.

She wrote about and illustrated flowers, leaves, butterflies, and birds she observed, from January through December. It is a beautiful book; the illustrations are all in color. Her book has established itself as a best-selling hardcover classic. Now her cherished nature drawings, favorite poems, and personal thoughts are available in an unabridged paperback edition. My paperback was printed in 1982.

Some examples of her writing follow: For April 7 she wrote: “Another glorious day. Cycled to Knowle. On the way found some marsh marigolds and black thorn in blossom. The tadpoles have come out of their balls of jelly and careen madly about the aquarium, wagging their little black tails. A gudgeon which had been put into the aquarium has made a meal of a good many of them. Ground ivy in blossom.”

For April 11: “Glorious day. Went for a stroll round the fields in the morning and gathered primroses, some of them the largest I ever saw. The wild strawberry, early vetch, wood sorrel and greater stitchwort are in blossom here. I saw two wall butterflies fluttering about in the sunshine.”

Her writing is delightful. It makes me wish I could have accompanied her on her walks.

RECIPE

In “Maine’s Jubilee Cookbook,” 1970, I found this meat loaf recipe, giving our family a change from the usual hamburg and canned spaghetti with tomato sauce combination which I use quite often. (It is a favorite).

BECKY’S MEAT LOAF

1-1/2 lb. ground beef

3/4 cup oatmeal

1 tsp. onion salt

1 tsp. celery salt

1 can tomato paste

1 egg, beaten

Combine all ingredients thoroughly. Pack firmly into an ungreased 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 2-1/2 inch loaf pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for one hour and 15 minutes. Let stand five minutes before serving. Makes eight servings. Submitted by Becky Wiers, St. Albans, Maine.

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