The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-03-04
GREAT ODD FELLOW EVENT.
WOOdbine Rebekah Lodge Entertains
Ruth Lodge Of Auburn.
Those Who Were Present to Take Part
Elaborate Decoration.

Saturday last was ''Red Letter Day. with
Woodbine Rebekah lodge of Odd Fellows of
this city. About year ago this lodge was
royalty entertained by Ruth lodge of Au-
burn. But how to square accounts with
Ruth" for the elaborate spread they gave
the Portland lodge has been a perplexing
question for some time past. 1t was finally
settled that Mr.. Samuel B. Kelsey was the
one to lead Woodbine in this move, and he
has been diligent worker from the COM
meneement to make this grand banquet a
success. very large and efficient CON-
mlttee was selected. and under Mr.. Kelsey's
supervision. the following were appointed:
Entertainment Comn,ittee-Mr. and Mrs.
L. j. Briggs. Mr.. and Mr.. G.. E. RoWes, Mr..
and Mrs. J. A. Martin.
Reception Committee-Mr. and Mrs. Peter
s. Nlckerson, Mr.. and Mrs. Milton Higgins.
Mr.. and Mrs. Joshua Davis. Mr.. and Mrs. j.
X. Brett. Mr.. and MIS-. Fred Loring.
Supper Committee-Mr. and Mrs. S. b.
Kelsey. Mr.. and Mrs. E. J. Skillin, MI. and
Mrs. g. A. Barrows. Mr.. and Mrs. j. H.
Wisn, Jr., Mr.. and Mrs. j. E. Walker, Mr..
and Mrs. Frank NJ. Floyd, Mr.. and Mrs.
A. J.. York. Mr.. and Mrs. G. A. Sloman. MI.
and Mrs. B. A. Heseltine, Mr.. and Mrs. A.
Spaulding.
The work was SO systematically laid out
that the whole arrangements was complete
success A sumptuous Iepast was prepared
under the lead OF Mrs. s. b. Kelsey, and
when the tables were set for the invited
guests they presented a very beautiful APP
pearance. Prof. bennett of Auburn, who
was here with the Auburn lodge. says that
he has been present at many fine panquets,
but he never attended one before where the
tables were so lavishly laden. and the
guests SO admirably served. The banquet
hall was profusely decorated, and notwith-
standing That it was accomplished by one of
Woodbine's own members, We doubt if many
of the so-called expert decorators. could
have done the job more tastefully and satis-
factory. Three or four hundred yards of
bunting. of different colors. besides nearly
one hundred pennants adorned the ceiling
and walls. some of the designs being strik-
ing. The one receiving the most compli-
ments was in the shape Of a shield, and
occupied space of about twelve feet
square on one side &ofs sethe Ioom, in the
centre of whio b wasaa n oval space with the
words. "Woodbine Welcomes Ruth. Around
this was twined a woedbne. This was a
feature in which Mr.. Kelsey was very
|desirous should prove d success. and
he was, amply. rewarded in. this, under
taking With d number OF assistants one
day was consumed in putting up the deccra-
tions. The reception committee procured
horse-nars to transport the company from
the Union station and return. and were in
waiting about ! O'Clock, when the Auburn
special train rolled into the depot with their
guests. After entering Odd Fellows build
ing they were conducted to the large hall
md welcomed by Chairman Kelsey in few
appropriate remarks. After which the
visitors were escorted to the banquet room.
headed by Mr.. G. E. Howe's orchestra of
nine pieces. both lodges numbering over
three hundred. Divine blessing was
asked by Mr.. Steel. During the supper the
orchestra rendered some choice seleotios.
Then followed the entertainment which
took place in the large lodge loom, the sue
cess of which is chiefly due to the untiring
efforts of Mrs. Maria II. Briggs. The first
thing on the programme, pretty selection
from the orchestra; then vocal solo. 30,
Promise Me- by Mr.. Frank Shaw. one of
Portland's best singers. The reading by
Miss Ciough deserves special mention The
vocal solo by Miss Emma Martin was en-
Enthusiastically received. The audience went
Wild W0en hi6S I'LL WAS
called on for a reading. She is particularly
nleasing, and is very popular among the
musical fraternity. Miss Hill is graduate
from Emerson College Of Uratory, Boston;
also . we'll known teacher of elocution, now
rasident of Portland. The vocal solo by
Miss Edith Robinson of High street choir,
was excellent. Prof. bennett of Ruth lodge,
though not on the programme. gave read
;no by request, which won many admirers.
vocal duet was next in order, Uy Misses
Robertson and Halves, and they received
many congratulations. The wind up was a
vocal Solo. ''The Sailors Anchor by Mr..
c,arence Brooks. He was one of the big
orns of the evening. and needs no intro
auction TO Portland audience. He was
beo~tily encored. and in response he more
than pleased all present by singing The
Cat Came Back"
Mr.. Kelsey says that he attributes the
s,ccess of this time to the efficient COM
u;ttee associated with him. When Ruth
lodpe departed for home, they all expressed
themselves as being fully paid Tor their
visit TO Woodbine looge and that it Is no use
for them TO undertake to compete with
Portland people in entertaining.
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:, Repnblican should neglect to vote on