Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-05
A LEAP YEAR FESTIVAL
Formal Opening of the New Hall of the
Saengerbund.
The Whole Building Thrown Open 70
"A Big Crowd Present.

The beautiful new hall at the Saenger-
bund club house, 314 c street, was inau-
gurated last evening under most favorable
auspices. 1t was the opening night of the
| leap year festival instituted by the lady
| friends of the organization for the purpose
of assisting in liquidating the heavy ex-
penses the club has sustained in improving
their club house. That the organization
has legions OF friends is attested by the
crowd in attendance. The building is large
enough for all ordinary occasions, but it's
capacity was taxed to the extreme limit
| last evening. 1t was specially decorated for
the occasion, and presented most attrac-
tive appearance. Arches of evergreens
spanned the entrance and prepared the
visitors for the beautiful sights within. The
entire building was thrown open to guests,
but the special objects of attraction were
the new hall on the first floor and the
bowling alleys III the basement The hal!
vas lined with highly ornamental booths
and lavishly decorated with flowers, plants
ard evergreens. A mammoth Illuminated
Tyre, the insignia of the society, occupied
the place of honor at the front of the stage.
The Opening Exercises.
The exercises began shortly after s
o'clock, when the singing members of the
society marched into the hall, headed by
Donch's Band and, making their way to
the stage, sang Greet Thee, God" as an
opening chorus An address was then made
by Mr.. Simon Wolf. He congratulated the
society on the possession of such lovely
home, and regretted the unavoidable alb
sence Of their president, Mr.. Frank Claudy,
who had been called away to Chicago by the
illness of his wife. Mr.. Wolf said he knew
he voiced the sentiment of all present in
wishing her speedy return to health. He
referred to the many beautiful features Of
the nah and building, dedicated as they
Were to music and song, and expressed the
hope and conviction that they would long
survive for the benefit of their present
music-loving occupants and their descend
ants. He closed his remarks by formal
declaration that the fair open.
An aria from Tannhauser You Dear
Hail., was excellently rendered by Miss Mae
b. Whitesell. after which the Saengerbund
sang the chorus, THE Hymn of Unity"
by Frank Van der Stucken. The program
closed with the reading by Mr. Jos Co
lignon of a dedicatory poem written by Mr.
Frank Claudy. Prof. William Waldecker
conducted the choruses, and played the ac-
compartments in his usual mastery style
Baron Thielmann, the German ambassa-
cor, and the Baroness Thielmann were
among the early visitors. They showed a
friendly interest in the affair and made
themselves popular with the ladies by their
liberal purchases. The baron gave a BOUQUET
to each of the ladies in charge of the various
VI w
Tor her solo. He was also a distinguished
guest at an Informal supper given in the
private private dining room by the officers of the
absence of President Claudy.
Officers of the Festival.
The officers of the festival are: F. Claudy
president: Mrs H. Donch Mrs H. Klnge.
Mrs r. F. De Grain, Mrs. A. Lerch, Mrs
A. Lepper, Mrs. F. Escherich, vice presi-
Z
mer, treasurer; and the following executive
committee: John Waldman, chairman; r.
Brauner. A. Daetz. Chas. Dismer, Louis
Dorr, A. Eberly. F. Escherich, l.. Faber,
P. Havenstein. Chr. Heurich, A. Joerss ].
karr. H. klinge, A. Lepper W. F. Myers
.. Wehner, Simon Wolf Karl Nander
In Charge of the Booths.
The booths were in charge of the follow
ing-named ladies':
Confectionery stand-Mrs. H. Don-h. Mrs
]. Colignon, Mrs c. Donch, Miss Minnie
Meyers, Miss Carrie Waldkoenig, Miss NJ
Melick, Mrs. Ed. Sander and Mrs. Auracher
Fancy stand-AIrs. De NJ. De Grain, Mrs
L. Lerch, Mrs. G. Schmid, Miss NJ HAITI
field, Miss S. krumke. Miss c. lander, Miss
L. Isemann.
Fish pond-Mrs. A. Lepper, L. Aura cher
Mrs A. Lerch, Miss r. Huck L. Lerch
Lerch.
Flower stand-Mrs sauberg, Mrs Mar
shall, Mrs. Freise. Mrs Fiesse, and Mrs.
Court.
Paddle stand-w Berens. ir.. O. Borch-
arding. F. Altrup, A. Lepper, A. F. Joerss
G. Lohrer, H. Leonhardt, F. Rebstock,
f. Gundersheimer. G. Beveridge c. Wild
meyer; G. Fritsch. w. Lehman. s. Deso,
J. Waldman, w. Suess and W. Walter
Fancy stand No. Mrs Klinge. Miss L,
klinge. Mrs. F. Escherich. Miss j. Klinge.
Mrs. w. F. Meyer. Miss NJ Magee. Miss
Ida Nollad and Miss Q. Neuhaus.
Lemonade stand-Mrs Brandes Mrs
Buehler, Mrs. Schlever Mrs Collins. Mrs.
Weber and Mrs Rennel
Post ohce-Mss Clara Donch, Miss
Schlotterbeck, Miss Louisa Donch MIS-
Mamie Thomas and Mrs. Louisa Thomas.
The National Rifles were the special
guests of honor last evening, and they
played their part well. This evening it
Is expected that the Platdeutscher Verein
the Columbia Turn Verein, the Columbia
Either Club and the Jolly Fat Men will
visit the fair in a body.
The new bowling alleys, said to be the
finest In the District, were probably the
liveliest parts of the house last evening.
Prizes are offered for the best scores each
evening, and the competition is keen and
active.
Program for Tonight.
The festival will continue every evening
this week. A musical program, in which
the best local talent will take part. will
be given every evening from to $50
O'clock. The program for this evening is
as follows:
% Chorus, Springs Charms" Vein
zierl, Saengerbund; (0 soprano solo, Sc
lected, Mrs Hattie Meads-Smith. C3) vio-
lin solo, selected, Miss Annie Louise Rein
hardt: "a male chorus, selected. Arion
Singing Society. Prof. Emil Holer, d.
rector.