Difference between revisions of ".Mjkz.MjQ2OA"

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[Black and white photograph of the writer]
+
[Black and white photograph of the writer signed to the writer of the article]
  
 
[Caption] Kenneth Roberts, Kennebunk, Maine Author.
 
[Caption] Kenneth Roberts, Kennebunk, Maine Author.
Line 48: Line 48:
 
and shops cluster.
 
and shops cluster.
  
Ieadlnar to second-floor quarters for
+
Kenneth Roberts keeps his hand
sleeping also gave access to hangIng book-cases tn w·h lch Mr. Roberta keeps Intimate data. on current books he ls Wl"lting.
+
on the tiller and sailropes of his
Paintings and old engravings ot
+
days, and manages his precious
historical Interest caught the eye;
+
craft of hours against adverse
but the two impressive features,
+
winds of modern usages and interruptions.
apart from the man. himself, were
+
One feels the even keel of
n eight-foot eagle that once or-
+
busy weeks in this study that is a
 +
transfigured stable. Hid behind a
 +
walled-in court where apple-trees
 +
grow Japanese-fashion, flat against
 +
the facade, and where pansy borders
 +
flourish, he charts and follows
 +
his course thru history and
 +
romance.
 +
 
 +
But when one once penetrates his
 +
seclusion, Mr. Roberts surrenders
 +
completely to the transient demand
 +
upon his time. He has been
 +
a reporter and special writer, back
 +
in his Boston Post days. Under his
 +
skin he is sensitive to the feelings
 +
of this clan of wandering question-marks,
 +
and sympathetic with their
 +
struggles against obstacles.
 +
 
 +
Morning sunshine outlined the
 +
fountain-figure among the flowers,
 +
making one think of Margaret Deland's
 +
strange bronze nestled in a
 +
birch-cluster at her river-side cottage
 +
a mile or two eastward. Mrs.
 +
Deland was out for an afternoon
 +
social affair, later that same day,
 +
and could not be seen; but in her
 +
cloistered retreat was spied the
 +
same engaging garden-statue
 +
which had found photographic
 +
record by the writer a decade ago.
  
I
+
Thru an arched doorway at the
 +
Roberts' study, carefully screened,
 +
came the familiar click of type-keys.
 +
The author was at his day's
 +
work. A tap, and a robust voice
 +
called, "Come in!"
  
I
+
What a room! The roof was
I
+
high. The stable-like size ensured
 +
spaciousness, but the tall wall-spaces
 +
were broken on two sides
 +
by a narrow balcony with slender
 +
railing; and an open-stairway
 +
Ieading to second-floor quarters for
 +
sleeping also gave access to hanging
 +
book-cases in which Mr. Roberts
 +
keeps Intimate data on current
 +
books he ls writing.
  
.namented with. unusual grace of
+
Paintings and old engravings of
form and line the first aupreme
+
historical Interest caught the eye;
 +
but the two impressive features,
 +
apart from the man, himself, were
 +
an eight-foot eagle that once ornamented
 +
with unusual grace of
 +
form and line the first supreme
 
court building In this country and
 
court building In this country and
whloh Is now hung against the
+
which Is now hung against the
· balconT at the rear, and an unique
+
balcony at the rear, and an unique
 
fireplace that projected Into the
 
fireplace that projected Into the
room at tll.e opposite end. something. like an Eskimo Igloo In white
+
room at the opposite end, something  
 +
like an Eskimo igloo In white
 
plaster.
 
plaster.
 +
 
An high-backed, tapestry covered
 
An high-backed, tapestry covered
 
chair that might have come out of
 
chair that might have come out of
 
some palace scraped the boards.
 
some palace scraped the boards.
The occupant rose alertly-and the
+
The occupant rose alertly -- and the
 
welcome, vigorous and warm, was
 
welcome, vigorous and warm, was
 +
over.
 +
 
Beautification
 
Beautification
"Our Maine vacationland!,. Ike
 
ejaculated, with an Immediate conver.sational dive tnto the aubject
 
  
neanu1t his hea.l"t, outside of bla 1
+
"Our Maine vacationland!" he
 +
ejaculated, with an immediate conversational
 +
dive into the subject
 +
nearest his heart, outside of his
 
books.
 
books.
''People may not Uke to hear It,.
+
 
 +
''People may not like to hear It,
 
but all up and down our coast
 
but all up and down our coast
 
officials are doing their best to
 
officials are doing their best to
wreck the State!" There wa~ conviction here.
+
wreck the State!" There was conviction  
"See what 111 being done, or not
+
here.
being done, to bring into .Maine and 1
+
 
 +
"See what is being done, or not
 +
being done, to bring into Maine and  
 
keep here the people who are most
 
keep here the people who are most
deslrable--peopla who will establish their summer homes along
+
desirable--people who will establish  
our eoast. pay substantial taxes
+
their summer homes along
 +
our coast, pay substantial taxes
 
and ensure the future welfare of
 
and ensure the future welfare of
the State. Southern Ma.lne is caterlng almost entirely to tawdriK
+
the State. Southern Maine is catering
h Rober._, Kennebunk,
+
almost entirely to tawdriness
ennet
+
and impermanence. Why, we
""
+
in Maine until we cross the
ness and impermanence. Wh)r, we
+
Kennebec!"
Ken neth R,obet'ts keeps his hand a1·en't In Maine until we cross the
+
 
BY ALICE FROST LORD
+
Mr. Roberts needed no jockeying
r on the tiller and sailropes of his Kennebec!"
+
to swing into his pace on this
NTIL yesterday K enneth Rob- , days a.n<t manages his precious...::.'.:.':'..'.:'.::::'..'.:::::..:_ _____ _--:--::---:-.erts to the writer was but a craft of . hours against adverse I Mr. Roberts needed no jocke~1{:lg
+
familiar theme. He was on his feet,
nune, a distinguished name, winds of m.odern u·s ages and inter· 1, to swing Into his pace on feei8
+
his eyes flashing, words pouring
to be sure, but only a name. r uptions. One feels the even keel o! familiar theme. He wa~don hliuring
+
out with fluency, tho low-spoken
1 l~w~spokeb
+
after the manner of a gentleman.
Mention blm and one thought of busy weeks in this study that is a his eyfili 1lf8hin;,
+
Talking, he strode around his big
bis fong association with the Sat- trans figured st&ble. · Hid behind a out w
+
chair, and suddenly sat down again.
u;~P~ of a gentleman.
+
 
arday Evening Post as eta.ft cor- walled-In court where apple-trees atter. the hmastrode around his big
+
"They tell me the State has committed
respondent. of his novels increasing grow Japanese-fashion, flat against J;!rr!Df~d ~uddeoly sat down again.
+
a new billboard atrocity
In fame with the later produc\~on
+
this season down this way; and
the facade, and where pansy bord"They tell me the State has com" Arundel", "The Lively Lady an era flourish, he charts and follows mltted a new billboard atrocity
+
look at what summer visitors,
"Rabble in Arms", a.nd of hill con- hlii course thru history
+
whom we invite here, see as they
and
+
cross this part of the State: Regiments
neotlona with Maine as a. resident romance.
+
of telephone poles! Acres of
this sea.son down this way; and
+
overnight camps! Winrows [Windrows] if billboards,
of Kennebunk Beach a.nd an "a.g!taBut when one once penetrates his look at what summer visitors,
+
and more billboards! Are
tor of the people" In the modern secl usion Mr. Roberts surrenders whom we invite h ere, see as they
+
they any fewer since the campaign
ca.use of roadside and community completeiv to the transient debeauti!l<:a.tlon.
+
started against them in Augusta?
mand upon his time. He has been cross this part of the State: ReglUntll yesterday be was a liter- a reporter and special writer, back ments ot telephone poles! Acres of
 
In his Boston Post days. Under his overnight camps! Wlnrows of billary light hiding securely under
 
•kln he Is sensitive to the feelings boards, and more billboards!
 
bushel of a small Maine coast re- of this. clan of wandering question- they any fewer since the campaign
 
111>rt, u far as personal acessibility marks, and sympathetic with their , started against them at Augusta.?
 
le concerned. Banish the thought struggles a.gains~ obstacles.
 
 
No! Nor have the legislators done
 
No! Nor have the legislators done
Morning sunshine outlined the more than to license them and
+
more than to license them and
that Kenneth Roberts could endure 11:>untaln.-tigure among the flowers, drive them back certain distances
+
drive them back certain distances  
lfvlng In a nltch ln a shrine sought . making one think of Margaret De· from the highway. They have not
+
from the highway. They have not
1,y pilgrims. Seclusion, quiet, a land's strange bronze nestled in a restricted them
+
restricted them to commercial
to commercl&l
+
areas. Thousands of letters of protest
chance to work uninterruptedly, and birch-cluster at her river-side cot- , areas. Thousands of letters of probeauty all around him, in his home, tage & mile or two eastward. Mrs. test In the office of the Maine
+
in the office of the Maine
Publicity Bureau prove that
+
Publicity Bureau prove that people
in his study, and thruout the tiny • Deland was out for an afternoon ple with brains regard the peobllleommunlty or which he is so Im- social affair, later that same \tay, boarded sections of southern Maine
+
with brains regard the billboarded
portant a part-this is his taste and and could not be seen; but in her as residential slums; and a slum
+
sections of southern Maine
to a re.markable degree his achieve- cloistered retreat wa• spied the never was worth anything to a.nT111.ent.
+
as residential slums; and a slum
engaging
+
never was worth anything to anybody.
garden-etatue body.
+
 
8 am e
 
Accent on thlii: situation was giv- 1 which had found
 
photographic
 
 
"Do not mistake me," he added,
 
"Do not mistake me," he added,
en by discovery that no telephone record by the writer a decade ago.
 
 
as he rose again and backed against
 
as he rose again and backed against
connections link the author with
+
table and typewriter, as if
Thru an arohed doorway at the table and typewriter, as If by
+
by standing he could better visualize
the outside world. No tinkling bell Roberts' study, carefully screened, standing he could better visualize
+
the picture before his mind.
by day or night distracts. Business came the fa.mllla.r click of type- the picture before his mind.
+
 
and social life ls pushed
 
back keys. The author was at his day's
 
 
"I recognize the right of people
 
"I recognize the right of people
around the poplar corner and over I work. A tap, and a robust voice to have access to our wondertul
+
to have access to our wonderful
the oa.k-shadb- knoll, where the ma.- called, "Come In!"
+
ocean front, but not to make a mess
ocean front, but not to make a. mess
+
of it. Give them parking areas well
ca.dam runs beachwlse and inns
+
back from the shore, from which
What • a room! The roof was of It. Give them parking area.a well
+
they may walk, as the rest of us
and shops cluster.
+
summer cottagers walk, to enjoy the
hlgh. The stable-like size ensured .back from the shore, from which
+
beach and rocks! But don't let them
spaciousness, but the tall wall- 1 they may walk, as the rest of us
+
make life hideous with their automobiles,  
spaces were broken on two sides summer cottagers walk, to enjoy the I
 
by_ a narrow balcon.,r with slender , beach and rocks! But don't let them
 
railing; and an open-stairway
 
make ·lite hideous with their automobiles,  
 
 
their noise and their
 
their noise and their
 
debris!"
 
debris!"
 +
  
  
 
[Handwritten note:  Lewiston Journal Aug. 3, 1935]
 
[Handwritten note:  Lewiston Journal Aug. 3, 1935]

Latest revision as of 04:21, 27 March 2017

[Black and white photograph of the writer signed to the writer of the article]

[Caption] Kenneth Roberts, Kennebunk, Maine Author.

BY ALICE FROST LORD

Until yesterday Kenneth Roberts to the writer was but a name, a distinguished name, to be sure, but only a name. Mention him and one thought of his long association with the Saturday Evening Post as staff correspondent, of his novels increasing in fame with the later production of "Arundel", "The Lively Lady" and "Rabble in Arms", and of his connections with Maine as a resident of Kennebunk Beach and an "agitator of the people" in the modern cause of roadside and community beautification.

Until yesterday he was a literary light hiding securely under the bushel of a small Maine coast resort, as far as personal accessibility is concerned. Banish the thought that Kenneth Roberts could endure living in a nitch [niche] in a shrine sought by pilgrims. Seclusion, quiet, a chance to work uninterruptedly, and beauty all around him, in his home, in his study, and thruout [throughout] the tiny community of which he is so important a part -- this is his taste and to a remarkable degree his achievement.

Accent on this situation was given by discovery that no telephone connections link the author with the outside world. No tinkling bell by day or night distracts. Business and social life is pushed back around the poplar corner and over the oak-shade knoll, where the macadam runs beachwise and inns and shops cluster.

Kenneth Roberts keeps his hand on the tiller and sailropes of his days, and manages his precious craft of hours against adverse winds of modern usages and interruptions. One feels the even keel of busy weeks in this study that is a transfigured stable. Hid behind a walled-in court where apple-trees grow Japanese-fashion, flat against the facade, and where pansy borders flourish, he charts and follows his course thru history and romance.

But when one once penetrates his seclusion, Mr. Roberts surrenders completely to the transient demand upon his time. He has been a reporter and special writer, back in his Boston Post days. Under his skin he is sensitive to the feelings of this clan of wandering question-marks, and sympathetic with their struggles against obstacles.

Morning sunshine outlined the fountain-figure among the flowers, making one think of Margaret Deland's strange bronze nestled in a birch-cluster at her river-side cottage a mile or two eastward. Mrs. Deland was out for an afternoon social affair, later that same day, and could not be seen; but in her cloistered retreat was spied the same engaging garden-statue which had found photographic record by the writer a decade ago.

Thru an arched doorway at the Roberts' study, carefully screened, came the familiar click of type-keys. The author was at his day's work. A tap, and a robust voice called, "Come in!"

What a room! The roof was high. The stable-like size ensured spaciousness, but the tall wall-spaces were broken on two sides by a narrow balcony with slender railing; and an open-stairway Ieading to second-floor quarters for sleeping also gave access to hanging book-cases in which Mr. Roberts keeps Intimate data on current books he ls writing.

Paintings and old engravings of historical Interest caught the eye; but the two impressive features, apart from the man, himself, were an eight-foot eagle that once ornamented with unusual grace of form and line the first supreme court building In this country and which Is now hung against the balcony at the rear, and an unique fireplace that projected Into the room at the opposite end, something like an Eskimo igloo In white plaster.

An high-backed, tapestry covered chair that might have come out of some palace scraped the boards. The occupant rose alertly -- and the welcome, vigorous and warm, was over.

Beautification

"Our Maine vacationland!" he ejaculated, with an immediate conversational dive into the subject nearest his heart, outside of his books.

People may not like to hear It, but all up and down our coast officials are doing their best to wreck the State!" There was conviction here.

"See what is being done, or not being done, to bring into Maine and keep here the people who are most desirable--people who will establish their summer homes along our coast, pay substantial taxes and ensure the future welfare of the State. Southern Maine is catering almost entirely to tawdriness and impermanence. Why, we in Maine until we cross the Kennebec!"

Mr. Roberts needed no jockeying to swing into his pace on this familiar theme. He was on his feet, his eyes flashing, words pouring out with fluency, tho low-spoken after the manner of a gentleman. Talking, he strode around his big chair, and suddenly sat down again.

"They tell me the State has committed a new billboard atrocity this season down this way; and look at what summer visitors, whom we invite here, see as they cross this part of the State: Regiments of telephone poles! Acres of overnight camps! Winrows [Windrows] if billboards, and more billboards! Are they any fewer since the campaign started against them in Augusta? No! Nor have the legislators done more than to license them and drive them back certain distances from the highway. They have not restricted them to commercial areas. Thousands of letters of protest in the office of the Maine Publicity Bureau prove that people with brains regard the billboarded sections of southern Maine as residential slums; and a slum never was worth anything to anybody.

"Do not mistake me," he added, as he rose again and backed against table and typewriter, as if by standing he could better visualize the picture before his mind.

"I recognize the right of people to have access to our wonderful ocean front, but not to make a mess of it. Give them parking areas well back from the shore, from which they may walk, as the rest of us summer cottagers walk, to enjoy the beach and rocks! But don't let them make life hideous with their automobiles, their noise and their debris!"


[Handwritten note: Lewiston Journal Aug. 3, 1935]