Scio Grange Annual Picnic

Held at Farm of J. W. Wing Yesterday

A Large Gathering

Enjoyed a Delightful Day - Good Speaking, Singing and Recitations on the Program

The Scio Grange, No. 329, gave a picnic Tuesday afternoon and a most successful and enjoyable affair it was too.  Mr. Wing and his son George Wing, were royal hosts and every one present from the gray-haired men and women, down to the youngest child, thought they had never had a better time.  Over one hundred guests were present to enjoy the hospitality of the Wings.  The invitation had been general to the various Granges of Washtenaw county and all of the surrounding townships were represented, in fact the flower of the Washtenaw County Granges were there.

The big front porch of the Wing residence was decorated with flags and bunting.  Under the big trees plank seats were placed and to many the scene recalled a good old fashioned camp meeting.  Across the road from the house is a beautiful little park, enclosed with a thick hedge of cedar, finely trimmed.  Here old men and women renewed their youth in a great swing made of poles hung between two large elms, and the seat was the old time width, big enough for two.  The young people kept the hammock swinging and even the babies were not forgotten, for a jumping chair which whirled and tettered caused the babies to laugh and coo.  Here too, the stars and stripes waved.

After an old time picnic dinner had been served upon long tables a fine program was rendered.  The first number, a duet by Misses Foster and Lyon of Scio, was played most cleverly.  C. M. Fellows of Saline then gave a most interesting talk on nature, pointing out the great good to be acquired by keeping close to and communing with nature.

No picnic could be a real success without "Jim" Harkins, and his audience would not allow him to take his seat until he had sung "Baby Mine," Trouble," Irish Jubilee," and "I've Got Mine."  Next came Miss Clema Hills of Pittsfield, with a very pleasing recitation, delivered in a most taking manner, and was followed by Andrew Campbell of Ypsilanti, who spoke on the subject of the development of the Grange work along educational lines.  Another recitation was then very cleverly delivered by Miss Ethel Lyon of Scio.  John MacDougal of Ypsilanti, then spoke.  The key note of his discussion was the unlimited success of the Grange, pointing out that it had accomplished almost the impossible.  Rev. Morrison of Webster is always a favorite with an audience.  His theme was "Thought forms a habit, habit begets character, and character makes destiny."

Miss Buell of Ann Arbor, who is secretary of the State Grange, sketched briefly the work and regeneration of the Grange.  Andrew Campbell then sang a number of good old Scotch melodies.  The speech of Hon. W. W. Wedemeyer was the last on the program.  He spoke in his usual characteristic and energetic manner, his talk being of a political nature.  As the hour was late and he felt the people might wish to get home he compared himself to Senator Blackburn, who, while attending a hanging down south, was asked to sit on the scaffold with the sheriff and other dignitaries.  The condemned one on being asked to give a last talk sullenly refused.  Senator Blackburn asked to speak in his place and took the opportunity of electioneering.  The culprit finally asked the sheriff if he would just as lief go on with the hanging and let the senator continue his speech afterwards.