The History of
Our Chruch Couples and Their Organizations
written by Dr. Raymond VanderWyk
The Marry Mates 1952-1974
The Marry Makers 1974-1982
The 1952 Annual Report of The Rev, Harold Leland, who was largely Instrumental in bringing our married couples together as a group stated. "The Merry Mates, is an organization for all married couples in the parish. Many of our new people moving Waltham do not find it easy to make the friendships, which all of us need. The Merry Mates provides couples with an opportunity to make Christian friends, and to participate in Christian sendee under the auspices of the Church.
Other than good fellowship, the By-laws stated that Christian Service should also be included as an objective. The Officers included both husband aad wife, working together to fulfill their duties. After having attended two meetings, all married couples were eligible to join. In addition to the Executive Committee, which comprised the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, there was a Supper Committee, a Program Committee, (appointed by the Vice-President), and a Membership Committee. The Vice Presidents were given the task of compiling a Year Book entitled "Who's Who In the Merry Mates". Membership dues were $2.00 per year, and suppers were $5.00. If you addressed another member by his or her full name, you were assessed ten cents per offense. The records show thatihis By-law was enforced several times. Meetings were held four times a year on the first Wednesday of October, December, April, and the Annual Meeting in June. The first meeting was held in October, 1952, with Phil and Ardelle Janes presiding, and with 30 couples in attendance.
1953 There were a variety of activities including games, dances, quiz programs, singing, and a film on India, narrated by Fred Flagg. The By-law, which stated that service was one of its goals, became apparent. A stop watch was given to the Pilgrim Fellowship Basket Ball Team, and paint was supplied to brighten the kitchen floor. The task was carried out during the summer by a group of members.
1954 Membership had increased to 42 couples. There was a square dance party at Halloween. Money was given to purchase material to make drain board covers in the kitchen. Ed Colter and Dick Putnam did the work. The Supper Committee put on a ham supper for the Steeplecock Fair.
1955 The members learned about a new card game called Crazy Whist. A student from Andover Newton Theological School spoke about his country, the Phillipines. A sum of money was donated to the Church for improvements.
1956 A demonstration of "Hi-Fi" was presented by Nate Towne and Janet Keyes, recording "Three Blind Mice" There was a talent night with participants, Beverly and Elva Worth, Marilyn Keyes, Eleanor Lazarus, Betty Olson, and Jeanne Falzone. Among other activities were: charades, a talent night, a film on canning pineapples in Hawai, a square dance, a cookotit at Cedar Hill, a "Protestant's Tour of Rome", and a Christmas Party, when gifts were collected for The Metropolitan State Hospital
1957 Crazy Whist had apparently on. There was a movie on deep sea diving, a takeoff on, I've Got a Secret, a presentation on guided missels, a cookout on Prospect Hill, the Steeplecock Fair Dinner and NateTown in charge, and a Square Dancing Night,.
1958 The Singing Juniorettes from the Waltham Junior Women's Club joined with Bernice Kilcullen at the piano, and with Nate Town and his Barber Shop Quartet, A Lenten Service brought Dr. Edmund Linn from Andover Newton, and in the fall there was a picnic at Prospect Hill.
1959 Membership was now at 50 couples. The programs provided education., service, worship, serious thoughts, (and some not too serious), fellowship, and comedy skits. The Steeplecock Dinner raised $167.00 for the Church, and $75.00 was raised at a Box Lunch Auction, which went to the John Meikle Scholarship fond.
1960 The Merry Mates attended Lenten Services conducted by Rev. Paul Barnes, who spoke on "The Blessings of Life'". Brenton Tyler demonstrated the technique of playing a pipe organ, and at Christmas time carols were sung, and gifts were exchanged. Dream interpretations, and handwriting analysis were topics of a speaker from the Museum of Science.
1961 The show of the year, "All Around Towne" was produced and directed by Nate and Peggy Towne. A slide show on Germany was presented by our Youth Ministers, Jim and Nancy Fisher.
1962 A joint meeting with the Couples Club of Christ Church was held. A Hobby Night was enjoyed, and a lobster supper/picnic was attended by 47 couples.
1963 The story of Tel-Star was explained by a representative from N. E. T @ Tel, and at Christmas time, ten patients from the Metropolitan Hospital were invited guests.
1964 Herbert Howe gave a talk on the History of Way Side Inn. There was a talk on birds and bird feeders, a home talent night with a Hootenanny band, and a talk on juvenile delinquency by Lome McCarthur. The Waltham Teacher's Choral Group entertained on another occasion.
1965 A picnic at Farrington Memorial was enjoyed by all.
1966 The Hovey players did a one-act play. Dr. Emil Guba spoke about Nantucket Island, which he loved so dearly. In December, Dick and Dora Putnam, Paul and Helen Barnes, and Tom and Bernice Kilcullen were the hosts of a progressive supper.
1967 Membership stood at 28 couples. At the Valentines Day meeting, six acts by talented Merry Mates were performed. One act featured a song and dance called. "Its Ben Worth It", featuring Tom Kilcullen,, Ben Worth, and assisted by Bernice Kilcullen at the piano. Following a Lenten Service, Dick and Dora Putnam invited everyone for coffee and desert at their home.
1968 Lome McCarthure gave a talk with slides on his year of teaching in Germany. Viva and Ernest Garner described their recent trip to Europe. A contribution was made to the Waltham Track Team as a Memorial to the late Fred Kneisel, a long time member of the Merry Mates.
1969 The year featured talks on drug abuse, the technicalities of television, the experiences of Walter and Mary Ann Neevel (our youth leaders) in India, and slides on the activities of the Merry Mates through the years by Dick Putnam and Ben Worth. Activities were a square dance, a Christmas Work Shop, and a fashion show. A contribution was made to the Scholarship Fund in memory of Arthur Lazarus.
1970 The organization known as "FISH", which deals with "People Helping People was discussed by Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Kay, of the Melrose Highland Congregational Church. An "April Fool's Backward Dinner" with the dessert first, and the appetizer last, proved to be an hilarious event with the Committee _^ properly attired in foolish outfits to set the theme and spirit. A buffet dinner was served on the opening night of the Steeplecock Fair with Porter Archibald as Chef and Chairman,.
1971 Two one act plays were presented: The One That Got Away", and "The Santa Who Couldn't Say No". A "Trick or Treat" Halloween Party was "filled with laughter". The Annual Cook-out was held at the beautiful seaside home of Roger and Alma Perkins in Gloucester. Contributions included: a gift of money to the Cub Scouts for a flag, and the serving of the Steeplecock Fair Dinner.
1972 Programs were: a combined meeting with the Women's Association, featuring a hypnotist: a "Sew and Tell Night" with Rosemary DePonte of Framingham and her models: a pool party at Nancy and William McDonald's, a Mock Wedding Ceremony by the "Merry Male Mates". A sum of money was appropriated toward the purchase of a round table in Page Hall.
1973 February Valentines and Games (34 attended)
April Steeplecock Players in "Charge It, Please (47)
June Cookout at Farrington Memorial (44)
October Frank Mooney gave a demonstration of "Scrimshaw" (42)
December Christmas Carols and Gifts.(48)
1974 Betty Kornegay and Ed Putnam were disc jockeys for an evening of dancing. A group from the Waltham Park and Recreation Dept. Children's Theater was invited to sing.
The Marry Makers 1974-1982
1974 The Merry Mates now have changed its name to Merry Makers. The By-laws were revised, which permitted widows and widowers to enjoy a fellowship with married couples. It turned out that Alice and Leo Judge were given a free year's membership for having chosen the new name. In April, a corned beef and cabbage dinner was followed by fun and games led by Wade and Betty Kornegay. In October, a pot roast dinner was followed by "Elissa" who instructed, and demonstrated the art of belly dancing. The Steeplecock Fair Dinner raised $266 for the Church. A contribution of $25 was made to the Waltham Committee for Community Residences. It sponsors a home for mentally retarded adults.
1975 The program for the October meeting was supper and a film, and in December, Peter Lancto led a concert of the Waltham High School Brass Choir.
1977 There were now 44 members. A one act play entitled, "Charge It, Please" was performed by the Merry Makers Players. In June, a steak cookout was enjoyed at the home of Jeanne and Al Falzone.
1978 The members went to see "The Apple Tree", performed by the Hovey Players at their theater on Spring St. Two chefs from the Magic Pan Restaurants demonstrated preparing crepes. The Annual Steak Cook out was held at the home of Bill and Esther Wiley.
1979 The October Meeting was attended by 30 members, who enjoyed a Dinner prepared by the Supper Committee, led by Bob and Priscilla Thayer. At the second meeting, an all- male staff, led by Norman Poirier served stuffed pork chops. The Steeplecock Fair dinner was handled by Frances VanderWyk and her helpers. A sum of $50 was voted for a sound system in Page Hall.
1980 The June Meeting was held at the Mill on Moody St. and was hosted by Victor and Mabel Argonti, who reside there. It was decided to open up membership to all members of the Church.
1981-1982 The Merry Makers met on June 8, for its Annual Steak Cookout, perhaps for its final meeting. The Minutes of the meeting state, "We had a business meeting during which we could not decide on people to take over as Officers for 1982-1983. It was decided that we set up Committees to take over meetings during the year". Four committees were actually formed, but there are no records of their activities in any of the 1982 editions of the Steeplecock News, nor the 1982 Annual Report of the Church, There had not been an election of a Secretary. The previous Treasurer's Report for June 8, 1982 showed a balance on hand of $49.20, which was turned over to John Baril, the Treasurer of the Steeplecock Fair Committee at that time. An examination of the Treasurer's Ledger reported that a cookout was held on June 22, 1982, and that funds were available for expenditures. Similarly, a Holiday Party was held on December 29, 1982, and the expenses were $58.20, indicating that funds were still being collected. However, no further references to the survival or disbanding of the Merry Makers were found after this date.
Trinity Church
(First Congregational Church of Waltham)
730 Main
Street
Waltham, MA 02451
Copyright 2002
