By By Helen Cook
MIDDLEFIELD — Nearly half the town’s 307 inhabitants turned out for the community picnic yesterday at the local fairgrounds.
Until 1971, the Fourth of July picnic was a tradition here that extended back into the 19th century, although it was canceled some years by heavy rain on the holiday.
The estimated 150 people who turned out yesterday feasted on a variety of hot dishes, salads, breads and cakes brought by those attending, topped off by ice cream bars, coffee and punch provided by the committee in charge.
The food was served cafeteria style from two long tables in the dining hall. The other tables in the hall were quickly filled by the diners, with the overflow spreading to the grounds outside.
A program of reminiscences followed, introduced by Richard A. Waite. Mrs. Wayne A. Suriner read excerpts from Eric Sloane’s book, “Spirit of ’76.” Other speakers were Mrs. Emil Andersen, who told of the plays and musical productions directed by her mother, the late Mrs. Herbert Youtz. Held in the old Town Hall, which no longer serves as a community center, the productions included in their casts several persons present at yesterday’s picnic.
Mrs. Alton M. Sternagle spoke of her school-teaching days here in the early 1920s. Mrs. Kenfred A. Root, now of Easthampton, told of the old Junior Grange.
The story of the Middlefield cannon, written in 1973 by the late Carl H. Sternagle, was read by Edward J. Batorski. The cannon, a Revolutionary War relic, had been buried for years at the Middlefield Fairgrounds. It was unearthed and set off in the center of the town the night before July 4, 1928. Pieces of the 400-pounder flew all over the center of town, one portion landing in the church, but no one was injured.
The story related in a humorous vein the experiences of those involved, the subsequent court case and its conclusion.