Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-12-01
ElKS NEW HOME
BesuilluI Quarters luspscled By Buptreds ol People.

k, Those who had promised strange and remarkable changes in thu Elks new home on West Main street when the rooms would be thrown open to the public, were not one whit too exaggeratiye in that promise, for even the Elks themselves were astonished at the marvellous wonders that had been worked in the old Curtis home stead, now the palace of the local Elks, when they assembled for the informal opening last evening. Ev- cry room had been converted into a scene of beauty, with handsome and costly furniture, oil paintings, etch- ings and bric-a-brac. The heavy, golden chandeliers shown out bril-. liantly with their many electric bulbs and gas jets. The main entrance at. tracted the eye on the swinging open of the front portals and the hand of the artist was in evidence from that point until the last nook and corner of the big building had been examined. On the first floor were the parlors, reception rooms, smoking rooms in the rear, dining rooms, all tastefully dressed and each calling |sfor the enthusiastic praise of the many lady friends of the Elks who were the honored guests last even- ing. Many of the ladies looked with sad eyes at the beautiful and com fortable quarters, for they realized that such attractions must mean but one thing, but they were frightened up by the fact that during the winter months, there would be many ladies nights, when all could congregate there together.
 Potted plants dotted the floor space there and there, while an; orchestra under Dolph Lallier made the mo- ments pass still more pleasantly. Passing up the grand staircase the second floor disclosed the billiard and pool parlors, so arranged that the I cue experts could not but feel elated. On this floor too was Secretary E. F. l Moran's private office and the esthet- l ic hand of the secretary was plainly visible in the decorations of this l pretty room. The ladies fingered l longer Lucy in this handsomely equipped office. A journey was then made to the mems delight, the raths-
 keller in the basement and here the
 ladies opened their eyes in further
 wonderment. All finished in mission
 style with curious dotting the walls i and mantels, the miniature counter and mirror shining in splendor,
 comfortable chairs and commodious
 tables scattered about, it was not
 surprising that the women were
 struck with the taste, in decorations
 only, that the men displayed. From top to bottom the building presented
 a scene of beauty and the ladies
 left the building, wishing that they | too were Elks. Each was presented with a little souvenir of the. occasion
 and ligl. lunch was served in the l dining room. pus nn1
 But it was after the ladies had
 retired to their homes that the req
 fun of the night was inaugurated
 My, how they did make things hum i. around that rathskeller. How busy
 that telephone was, too, and even
 Mayor Thoms and Dave Hartford l bit like any other tenderfoot. There
 was sport every minute of the time
 and for an informal opening it was
 one of the biggest things that Water, bury has seen in many a day. The
 reception was informal and lasted
 from 8 o'clock until 10, the guests lbeing received by Exalted Ruler and
 Mrs Charles A. Jackson, assisted bs
 the following, who acted as the re. l