Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1896-01-02
CHRISTMAS FESTIVALS.
Santa Claus Visits the Ellsworth Sun
day Schools.


day Schools.
The Sunday schools of the city held
their usual Christmas tree festivals. In
spite Of the fact that three of the enter
tainments occurred at the same hour,
Santa Claus in some inexplicable way was
present. at all of them, and none of the
children were neglected.
BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.
The Baptist Sunday school held its fes-
tivsl on Christmas eve. The entertain
ment opened with singing by the school,
followed by prayer by the pastor, and an
anthem. The following programme was
then presented
Recitation. 49,. Linwood Beckwith
Reading. -................Fr Frances Cook
Duet Mrs Tinker and Maud Woodward
"a Christmas Calendar" ...........T Twelve Girls
Duet ...........E Ethel SWEET and Blanche Stone
Recitation. ........................L Laura Trip
Recitation by three boys, with response in
singing by five girls.
kecitatlon...'.... Florence Bowden
Duet-"Savcd by Grace"
Recitation. :. ......Austin Maddox
At the close OF the programme, which
was admirably presented throughout,
Santa Claus appeared. He announced
that this year he made his trip as far as
Machias on bicycle, and from there
proceeded to Ellsworth by the Shore
Line railroad. Then followed the distri-
button Of presents from the huge bag
which he carried, and from the tree The
good saint was impersonated by Clifton
Woodward. After the distribution of
presents refreshments were served and
general good time was enjoyed.
UNITARIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL.
The Unitarian Sunday school Christ
mas entertainment was held Christmas
eve. 1t was found impossible to give the
"Mother Hubbard party as intended,
and the following short but interesting
programme was presented:
Piano soo.....................Mi Miss Bessie Byrn
,oio'''''' Leon Mooie
Piano solo Miss Lizzie Wiggin
Recitation Helen Weicn
n,o, Mrs. Grace Royal
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Miss Alice Moore
At he close of this programme there was
a jingling of bells, and Santa Claus ap-
peared, accompanied by his wife. This
was Mrs. Claus first visit here, and the
climate evidently did not agree with her.
She was suffering with a severe cold,
which sorely affected her voice. E. +.
Parker was Santa Claus and IL. E. Walker
was Mrs. Claus. Gifts and candy We're
distributed from the tree.
At THE CONGREGATIONAL vEsTRY.
The devotees of Santa Claus awaited
impatiently the coming of the evening
hour, at which the jolly old myth was
scheduled to arrive. BY O'Clock the
vestry Was filled with the children of the
Sunday school, their parents and other
members of the parish.
Shortly after the hour Il messenger
rus he'd i'll shouting "Telegram.' 1t Was
delivered to the pastor who read it aloud.
1t was from Santa Claus who said he was
on the way and expected to arrive on
schedule time-7.30.
The intervening time WAS spent in
singing Christmas carols and at the close
of the singing brief prayer was offered
by he pastor.
At 80 the doors leading TO the ladies'
parlor were thrown open, and there was
revealed to the children the brilliantly
lighted and presentlad Christmas tree.
Santa Claus, accompanied by his wife,
both mounted on bicycles, rode from be
hind the tree and around the vestry.
Mrs. S. made schedule time, but a piano
stool insisted in getting in the old mans
way, and he was compelled to dismount
and disentangle the stool. Other OBJ
stacles, animate and inanimate, en-
barrassed the rider, but he finally
reac he'd the ladies' parlor in safety.
Santa Claus then dismounted, and COM
ing forward introduced himself and then
his wife to the audience. \ witty d;a-
logue was spoken, the local hits being
heartily enjoyed.
Then came the Distribute of the
presents, and the customary scenes about
Sunday school Christmas tree We're
enacted. Every scholar WAS remembered.
After the presents We're distributed, the
classes We're called up, one by one, and
each scholar received box of candy and
an apple.
1t was very happy time. Erastus f.
JOY as his v life, acted their parts credit
ably.
The affair was III charge of Misses Eva
Aiken, Annie JOY, Sadie Burrill ana Alice
Scott, all of whom worked like beavers;
to them, together with Santa and his
wife. all credit is due for the success of
the affair.
METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.
At the Methodist Sunday school the
Christmas tree entertainment was pre-
coded by a half hour stereopticon lecture
by the superintendent of the school,
L. w, Lord Bjh'e views We're shown,
and Interestingly described.
After the lecture, Santa Claus appeared
in the person OF w. \. Bonsey, and gifts
were distributed from the two prettily-