Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-03-09
A fine BANQUET
Was That of the Business Mems
Association.
Their First Annual Gathering Last
Friday Nighta Brilliant Affair.

There never was a finer company
of Belongs progressive business men
and their wives gathered in the spac-
ious and tastefully decorated parlors
of Hotel Belding than assembled
there last Friday evening on the oc-
casion of the first annual banquet of
the association.
The plans and general scheme for
this first banquet of the association
had been some time in maturing and
had been placed in charge of the
President, T. Frank Ireland (whose
executive ability is unquestioned) and
an efficient corps of helpers, as COM
mittee in the different lines neces.
sary, and most ably were the ar
rangements for the evenings enter
tainment planned and executed
AS the guests arrived (to the num-
Der of one hundred or more they
were received in the upper hall by
the reception committee consisting
of Nj. A. Reed and wife, Harry Lamb
and wife. and DR.. Morris and wife
and given hearty welcome, after
which all we're ready to join in the
parlors in the general spirit of cor
diality prevailing and a most social
hour was passed, an original guessing
contest, representing fifty OF the
business firms of the city and arrang
ed by the entertainment committee
consisting of M. +. Peck and wife, Il
r. Edwards and wife, Earl Wilson
and wife, T. c. Lloyd and wife and G.
A. Wheeler and wife, contributing
the humor TO this part of the social
hour and giving all an opportunity of
greeting and touching elbows with
their neighbor. Fine music was in
terspersed, the instrumental by Miss
Minerva Cook Hall, violiuist, accom-
panied by Miss Imogeue Ireland, was
much enjoyed, as also were the songs
by the quartet, composed of Messrs.
Tooley, Pierce, Jersey and Wagner.
AT nine o'clock at the sound of the
DldhO anu NlOllu DClOht NHO
formed for the march TO the banquet
room, where one of the banquets for
which Hotel Belding is famous was
waiting. The tab'e decorations were
red carnations and small national
hags, each guest receiving carna-
tion ard flag as souvenir of the occa
sion. The four pastors of the city
with their wives were seated at one
table and made a fire looking table
company. At the invita- ion of Presi-
dent Ireland, Rev. H. N. Spear arose
and invoked divine blessing The
speakers of the evening were also
given seats at the east end of the
dining room.
When all had discussed and done
ample justice to the abundant menu
set before them, President 7. Frank
Ireland, in short but able speech,
opened the ceremonies of the even
ing and then in a most felicitous
manner proceeded to introduce him
self as POSTMASTER and one of the
best he proved, combining both wis
dom and wit in a most happy vein IN
his introductions of the different
speakers and leaving each to feel
that they had little score to settle
with him in the sharp points of re-
partee given.
Mr.. w. ID. Ballou was the first to
respond to "Our Ruler" and after
numerous amusing anecdotes which
called forth many laugh, he in a
most logical manner proceeded to
discuss "Our Ruler" as the dollar
which all we're seekidg, claiming that
the evil was not in the possession of
the dollar, as that of itself was quite
a necessity, but in the manner of
getting and the use made of the dol
lar.
Next followed Mr.. ID. c.. Sheldon
with an equal gist OF fun and anec-
dote leading up to the response Of
the toast "Qur Neighbors," the fun
all having : under current of earn
est truth with fine closing of ora
tory which called forth warm APP
plause.
''Our Citizens was responded to by
Mr.. Z. B. Lapham, who it was said
"did himself proud;" hitting back at
the toastmaster and closing with the
assertion that no city in our county
could boast finer or more progress
sive class of citizens.
''Our Wives" was given a most de.
lightful response by Rev. j. w.
Sheehan, combining fun, pathos and
truth, closing with these words;
"You Belding business men have no
business to be SO busy about your
business that when you leave your
business you should neglect to make
your chief business the making OF
your homes what they'should be and
your wives happy