Members of the Manchester Elder Brethren gather for the group’s 100th anniversary picnic, at Tuck’s Point, in 1978. Who do you recognize in this photograph?
On September 7, Manchester’s Elder Brethren will assemble at Tuck’s Point Chowder House for its 142nd annual picnic. It’s an appropriate spot, considering members of the organization created Manchester’s seaside park to benefit town residents in 1878 and the public has enjoyed this stunning place ever since.
This article originally ran in The Manchester Cricket in July 1978 when the fraternal organization celebrated its 100th anniversary. It’s full of color and details the history of the Elder Brethren, while giving a peek into lives of the residents who organized and put on the annual picnic for the 49-and-older membership of men. Many names here in this 1978 chronicle are familiar to locals who live in Manchester and its neighboring towns. Traditionally, the Elder Brethren picnic has been an all chowder affair (fish and clam), but it’s evolved to include grilled items and side dishes. Enjoy this peek into our local past.
The Manchester Elder Brethren Association met on Saturday, July 8 for the 100th time at Tuck’s Point, and a short but most interesting and enlightening talk by Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge and a digest of the history of the Association, as written by Herbert Kenny and delivered by J. Joseph Flatley, were the highlights of a superlative day.
Approximately 250 were on hand when President Nathaniel C. Andrews called the group to order and turned the meeting over to emcee for the day, Dan Slade. Dan called on the Rev. Neil Harrington, pastor of the Sacred Heart Church, who gave the invocation before the meal.
The Meal, as prepared and served under the direction of master chef Bill Crane, was that befitting a 100th anniversary. Members who have been present for many years acknowledged that the chowder, both fish and clam, have never seen an equal. This was topped off by either steak or lobster, complemented by corn on the cob, apple pie and coffee and not to forget the delicious tossed salad. The meal was superb as would be expected when Bill Crane is in charge of the detail.
Emcee Slade called first on President Andrews for remarks, after the dinner was enjoyed and a picture of the entire group was taken by professional photographer Stephen Gersch of the Essex Photographic Workshop.
President Andrews, whose remarks are always most interesting, said: To the meeting here assembled I take great pleasure, on behalf of the officers and the 100th anniversary committee, to welcome one and all on this auspicious occasion.
My remarks will be brief, I wish to thank Eric Ericson, Jr., chairman, Louis Ranieri, co-chairman, and their anniversary committee for a tremendous and very successful effort in preparing for this anniversary.
It goes without saying that the Elder Brethren is a very unique group, perhaps the only on of its kind. It has been my privilege to have known many men over the years who have attended these meetings. I mention two of our old-time members that I especially remember, Chester L. Crafts and Frank Tyler Parson, both no longer with us. Each one lived to a ripe old age, were native sons of Manchester and, to me, were men of self-reliance and possessed of great personal integrity.
There were other, not native sons, who came to this town and became successful in business. I mention several of these, namely George Arena from Italy, Dominick Flatley from Ireland, William Hoare from England and Axel Magnuson from Sweden. I must mention Julius Rabardy, a native of France, veteran of the Civil War, former Postmaster and builder of the Rabardy block (1884) in Central Square.
It is my pleasure to present this group with a flag on this occasion.
My special thanks go to Mr. Hazel Fritz Dame, a native of Manchester, and now of Rochester, N.H., for furnishing the material and making the flag.
She would accept no remuneration. Her wish was to have a small part in this observance as a remembrance to her father, the late Charles Fritz, and her brothers, Charles E. Fritz Sr. and Lewis J Fritz.
I respectfully request that these remarks be spread upon the records of this meeting and suitable mementos of this occasion be forwarded to Mrs. Dame.
I feel I would be remiss should I not pay tribute to our hard working and genial Treasurer, John Alden Eaton, better known to us as Allie. He has been, at all times, most helpful and a pillar of strength within this organization. Our thanks to you, Allie, for all you have done for us.
May this beautiful spot, Tuck’s Point, forever be available for our gatherings and may this day be long remembered.
Slade then called on Secretary-Treasurer J. Alden Eaton, who reported that the organization was solvent, but not by a large amount of money and his report covered briefly the 99th meeting of the Association which was held last year.
Harry E. Slade, Jr., chairman of the nominating committee, was called on by brother Dan, and he reported the recommendations of his committee as follows. President, George H. Burchstead, Vice-President, Eric H. Ericson, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer, John A. Eaton and the Board of Directors, O. Kelley Anderson, William Crane, Marshal Fabyan, J. Joseph Flatley, Raymond Doane, George Rice and Dan Slade.
On motion duly made and seconded the slate as presented was voted into office.
Members of the nominating committee included: Chairman Slade, Archie Gillis, Thomas Baker, Charles E. Howell, Jr. and Wilbur Stanley.
Emcee Slade interspersed his remarks with a few well-selected stories that seemed to be enjoyed by the gathering and were pointed at some of the more prominent in attendance, retired Doc. Charles Herrick, Postmaster Jerry Noonan, et al.
In his opening remarks Slade noted the excellent work of the entire committee, headed by Chairman Eric Ericson and co-chairman Louis Ranieri. He spoke particularly of the work of O. Kelley Anderson in coming up with “up front” money to help keep the ticket price down, Herb Kenny in writing the History of the Association; Ed Corley for producing the magnificent booklet which commemorated the day: Marshal Fabyan for handling the finances, Jerry Noonan for supervising the ticket sales and J. Joseph Flatley for performing in two capacities.
Emcee Slade then called on Mr. Flatley to present the highlights of the Association History as written by Herbert Kenny. Mr. Flatley first congratulated Mr. Kenny for the marvelous and extremely interesting work he did and said it was indeed a shame that he could not be with us today, but of course, the Kennys being Irish would naturally be in Ireland when he should be here with us to accept the plaudits for a job exceptionally well done.
Joe did an exceptional job as he highlighted the beginning of the Association, the years when everything, as reported by secretary I. M. Marshall, was not up to par and then the return to the superlative years when the Association again flourished. Joe pointed out the contributions of the late Nathan B. Sargent to the Association and noted that Harry E. Slade was named in 1973 Honorary President, a title never before granted to a member, but granted in this case because of the unique service he had given the Association, serving for several years as President and for a great many years as Secretary-Treasurer.
Joe Flatley did a superlative job in presenting the highlights and was deservedly applauded by the large audience.
Emcee Slade then called on the featured speaker of the day, the Honorable Henry Cabot Lodge. Ambassador Lodge’s remarks were succinct and greatly enjoyed by the gathering. He noted that the life expectancy of Americans is up 50 percent, the hours in a work day cut in half and the output of production had more than doubled. He commented that he was asked to speak on great Americans and that he selected General George Marshall “the greatest American of the 20th century”. As Chief of Staff of the Army during World War II, General Marshall directed the creation and training of the Army and then its operation in the field. These accomplishments, Ambassador Lodge stated, were significant, but more importantly he devised the Marshall Plan. This unique and talented contribution prevented the European countries from being overrun and ravished by the victors. It sought to relieve the woes of these war-torn countries and help them to rebuild into healthy countries that had pride and self-respect left.
Ambassador Lodge also touched on the possibility of drafting men for the Presidency of our country. He said there were only two men who had obviously been drafted for the position, George Washington and Dwight Eisenhower. He was strong in his conviction that the traits needed for this office were not found in the ordinary man and that perhaps the country would be far better off if we did indeed make our selection and draft our Presidents.
In concluding, Ambassador Lodge noted that the Ideals as put forth in the preamble of our Constitution must be practiced and not be just put forth as empty words, meaningless expressions.
A standing ovation was given the Ambassador for his thought provoking and inspiring talk.
Emcee Slade before concluding the ceremonies noted that Eric H. Ericson, Sr. at 87 years of age, was the oldest in attendance and that Robert Fraser of California had traveled the farthest distance to attend the event. He was remiss in not pointing out that Jim Hatcher was the youngest of the group as “young Jim” had just reached the magic mark of 49 and was enjoying the party for the first time.
Slade then turned the meeting over to newly elected President George Burchstead who call on Father Harrington for a few brief remarks and concluded the meeting with his thanks to all who had helped to make it a tremendous success.
