Tom Benjey's Weblog

“A Happy New Year” wrought in red electric lights, and suspended across the gymnasium, welcomed the guests to the annual reception of the Standard Debating Society in the gymnasium last Friday night, and suggested the general theme of the evening’s entertainment. The event took the form of a farewell party to 1909 and a welcome to 1910, an idea which was carried out in the menu cards and souvenirs which each represented a dainty 1910 calendar. The Standard colors, orange and black, were attractively used in the decorations, and the music was good. The address of welcome was given by the president of the Society, Francis Coleman. A novel and very enjoyable feature of the program was the singing of “By the Light of the Silvery Moon” with all the lights extinguished except the tiny red ones in the Happy New Year sign. Just before midnight a seated supper was served in the Y. M. C. A. Hall. The menu consisted of chicken salad, wafers, maple nut ice cream, cake, fruit, mints and coffee. Mr. Whitwell, the Standards’ advisory member, as toastmaster, cal1ed for the following toasts: What standards have accomplished, Ray Hitchcock; Our sister and brother societies, R. Charles; Once a Standard, always a Standard, Mr. Nori. The cakes for the prize dances were awarded by the judges, Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Stauffer and Mr. Dietz, as follows: Twostep, lst, Ruth Lydick, Albert Lorentz; 2nd, Emma Newashe, John Farr; Waltz, lst, Rose Hood, Reno Rowland, 2nd, Inez Brown, Harry Woodbury. After the presentation of the prize cakes by Mr. Whitwell, a solo by Montreville Yuda, “I’m Going to Do as I Please,” set the merry feasters in an uproar of applause which lasted until the ringing of bells and the blowing of whistles proclaimed the arrival of 1910, Then a great wave of Happy New Year wishes swept over the hall, and all returned to the gymnasium to welcome in the New Year with dancing. This number was danced with the lights lowered and with only the red welcome to the New Year shining on the dancers. The home waltz ended the program.