Dear Readers: Please bear in mind that historical articles such as “High Hats & Parasols” present our history — good and bad — in the language and terminology used at the time. The writings contained in “High Hats” are not our words. They are quoted from Pacific Grove/Monterey publications from 100 years in the past. Our journalistic predecessors held to the highest possible standards for their day, as do we at Cedar Street Times. Please also note that any items listed for sale in “High Hats” are “done deals,” and while we would all love to see those prices again, people also worked for a dollar a day back then. Thanks for your understanding.
The News … from 1911.
Monthly storytime a success
PaGrovian children were treated to another in the monthly storytelling series held at the library. Not all who attended Saturday morning were children either. Many adult faces sat there as mesmerized as the youngsters. There were also music and games and all sorts of fun. The folks—both big and little—went home afterward saying: “Everything was good” and “Didn’t we all have a fine time.
Story tellers were Irene Grant, Leola White, Hazel White, George Culp, Helen Barbour, Leroy Todd, Ruth Gibson, Jessie Leslie, Lottie Kidd, Jessie Harper, and George and Jim Davis.
Storytelling is planned for the second Saturday of each month. I
Chautauqua Alumni Meet
The Chautauqua Alumni Association met this afternoon in the facilities provided by Miss Etta Lloyd in the Lloyd building on Lighthouse avenue. The president, Mrs. Wallace Clarence, held the chair. Plans for the coming season were talked over and committees were appointed to look after the various matters connected to the Chautau- qua. It was decided to vigorously push the canvas for funds for the Feast of Lanterns and the hope was expressed that everyone will go their full mile toward this unique and beautiful feature of the Chautauquas. II
Committees were appointed as follows, it being the intention to add to the number as it becomes necessary. Ticket Sales: Mesdames A. E. Coterick, J. H. Neighbor, and S. S. Middicknuff. Old First Night: Mesdames M. E. Hisser, S. L. Fritz, J. T. Elliott, and C. J. Meyers. Field Day: Rev. Joseph Wilkes. Banquet: Mesdames H. E. Kent and Addie Garrigues. Feast of Lanterns: Wallace Clarence, J. P. Pryor, W. C. Fretter, and W. F. Smith. Soliciting committee: Mrs. J. A. Pell. Decorating the headquarters: Mrs. Wilhelmina Rosendale and Miss L. Cordes. Decorating the church: Mrs. M. H. Cartwright and Miss Rena Willey. Mottoes: Mesdames J. K. Paul and H. E. William- son. Badges: Mrs. D. W. Folger. III
Weeds be gone!
It is now clean-up time in preparation for a pristine spring, as ordered by the Grove’s Board of City Trustees.
This august body has passed an ordinance requiring all owners of real estate to remove the weeds and dead grass from the community’s roads and walkways. Do not wait for the street superintendent to serve notice on you to clean up, but get to work at once so that the city may be gleaming by the time spring visitors begin to arrive. Some property owners think that they are required to remove weeds from the walks only, but this is not so. The vegetation must be removed from the roadway as well as from the walkways.
Southern Pacific issues book
The passenger department of the Southern Pacific Railway has just issued a handsome book of nearly 100 pages bearing the title California for the Settler. The publication offers facts and figures about our state as a place of residence. The book promises to be profusely useful for the home seeker. IV
The book is beautifully illustrated with lovely half-tone cuts showing the orchards, fields, and homes throughout the State’s length. There is also a fine map for the informa- tion of the prospective settler. The book takes up the State by counties giving facts in retrospect to the resources, temperatures, price of lands, rainfall, and other matters that would naturally interest parties looking for a home in the west. It is just such a book as people in the east would like to read, particularly during the harsh winter weather.
If you wish a copy delivered to friends and relatives living elsewhere, contact the passenger agent at the nearest Southern Pacific Railroad depot.
Bowling and Box Ball
Those who delight in bowling or box ball should keep in mind the fact that they will be able to play at the Bath House starting in March. The cost is set at 5¢ per person. V
Notes from around the area…
The Fair is stocking up for spring beauty. You’ll find a variety of flower seeds awaiting spring planting in the sweet earth around your home. Make your designs now. A consultant is waiting to assist.
Mrs. L. Smith is headed for Arizona. On the advice of her physician, Dr. N. Gould, Mrs. Smith, long a sufferer of consumption, removed herself to those parts for the drier air and the change of climate. We wish Mrs. Smith well!
Please notice the change in the hour for the C.L.S.C. Banquet. The fete, still planned for Friday evening, has been moved from 7 to 6. Be on time!
There will be no meeting of the Treble Clef Club next week. Members will please pass the word around to the few who do not read this newspaper.
Many have become familiar with Mrs. O. M. Mallory who has been visiting with her sister for several weeks. Mrs. Mallory climbed aboard a departing train Friday morning to return to her home in Los Gatos.
The cost of living…
- Frilly chemises in a variety of colors await you at the Fair. Embroidered cam- bric. 5¢.
- The Campbell Grocery offers summer tomatoes in the middle of winter at 10¢ a bottle.
- The finest, most durable garden hose is sold by T. Cope, plumber. Cut to length. Standard quality rubber. 8¢ a foot.
Author’s Notes
I. With no television (introduced in the 1920s) and few radios (although developed in the 1890s, commercial broadcasts were a decade away), communities like Pacific Grove turned to “participatory activities”. Of note in 1911 were activities that brought the people of Pacific Grove together with the people of Monterey. Certain events, such as the Memorial Day parade and subsequent goings-on, were traditionally blended. Memorial Day featured a parade and the decorating of graves at the Presidio.
II. 1911 saw sea power from sails giving way to steam, but “pushing the canvas” was a hold-over expression. Pushing the canvas was a favorable term, like a crossing of the Atlantic in less than 25 days would have been due to the provident of fair winds pushing the canvas.
III. At the turn of the century, Chautauqua was considered the most important event of the year. The “Soliciting Committee” was responsible for fund raising. A list of participants read like a PaGrovian who’s who. Unfortunately, the Chautauqua did not survive, although there has been talk of its rejuvenation. Fortunately, the Feast of Lanterns did survive.
IV. The book, California for the Settler, and similar efforts, also proved of great assis- tance to the railroad. More people moving west meant the sale of more passenger tickets. The more people living here meant more freight.
V. Also called Four Square, you need at least four people and a bouncy ball to play. The player in square 1 starts with the ball and serves into another player’s square. That player must try to hit the ball out of their square and into another person’s square. The ball must not cross the outer boundary. “Bowling” referred to lawn or beach bowling.
Please note! Readers are advised that the 1911 prices quoted herein are no longer valid, nor are these items / properties available from the mentioned seller. The Cedar Street Times appreciates the callers who have attempted to advantage themselves of these 1911 values, but we can be of no help.
Know some news or trivia from 1911? Contact the author Jon Guthrie: profguthrie@ gmail.com.
