The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1908-05-23
annual

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Affair. Eloquent Ora
tors Laud Home City.
Dr.. Stickney Presides in
Usual Happy M a n n e r.
Wind, snow and sleet without, light,
beauty and music Within, were the con-
ditions that met the members and guests
of the Dickinson Commercial Club as
they gathered in the armory Wednesday
evening for the second annual banquet.
The unreasonable and disagreeable
weather doubtless kept many at home
but the brilliant function of a year ago
set the pace and the annual banquet of
the club has become social affair few
care to miss.
The Commercial Club library and
office were utilized as dressing rooms
while in the parlor the guests lounged,
smoked or played cards during the inter-
walls of banquetting and dancing. The
balcony was a favorite resort both before
and after the banquet. Before for the
pretty view of the hall, still gay with its
elaborate dedication decorations and the
three long tables spread for the feast,
and afterward to watch the mazes of
the dance.
The Dickinson Military Orchestra,
stationed on the stage, played at inter-
vals during the arrival OF the guests and
while the banquet was in progress,
rendered pleasing program.
At half-past eight o'clock Pres. van der
Las announced, "all things are now
ready" and the guests sat down to one
OF the finest banquets ever served in the
city. The tables were most daintily
spread and profusion Of carnations and
ferns, both in vases and at the covers,
containing also the toasts and respond
menu included the delicacies of the
and we'll served. The ladies Of St.
Patrick's church, who served the supper,
have long had reputation for serving
delicious repasts, but this spread would
have done credit to professional
caterer.
At the head of the center table sat the
retiring president of the club and toast
master Of the evening, Dr. V. H. Stick
ney, and at his right hand Ex-Mayor and
Mrs. Manning. At the opposite end of
this table was the new president, Judge
John van der Las, and Mrs. van der Las,
while near were Mayor and Mrs. George
M. Frye.
When the inner man had been fully
satisfied, DR.. Stickney arose to introduce
the "feast of reason and the flow of
soul" The doctor apologized for being
unprepared and for putting off prepara-
tions from day to day until the last day
had brought blizzard, hole in his
side walk, a busy day on the South Side
and no help to be had, threatened swim.
ming pool in his basement unless he in
oilskins and with a wheelbarrow pro.
ceeded to transfer an ash pile to the
threatened hole. A friends remark that
he "looked like the devil" had not
tended to sooth his feelings and he in.
formed said friend that he had the happy
faculty of rejecting his surrounding
and of bringing to the surface his inner.
most feelings. The afternoon was all
he had left in which to prepare speech
and the book which he wished, on after
dinner speeches, Judge van der Las had
DR.. Stickney spoke of what the lub had
accomplished for the city and felt that
the objects of the body had in great
measure been attained. That it hac
been a benefit to the city, none coulc
deny Previous to its organization
the citizens had not worked collec
lively and some projects had failed or
this account. For this reason the clut
was organized and results have proven
the wisdom of the movement. Unity O.
action has been secured; the citizens O.
the city are now on working basis
measureably sure Of attaining any objec
they may desire. They have learned
that the good of one is the good of all
that what enhances the value of property
in one section of the city, adds value t
holdings in any other part. No projec
for the improvement of the city has no
had the support of the club and mos
have had their oyigin there. The Com
mercial Club should receive the heart,
support of every loyal citizen and nj
personal animosities should keep goot
people from helping good cause along
The club had 80 members when organ
lied and has not many more than tina
now and the trouble seems to be mis-
conception of the object to be obtained
The doctor closed by urging everyone
regardless of religious creed or politica
belief, to come in, give and receive bene
fits and all get down and boost for tn
best little city in North Dakota. H
thought the club wise in selecting as it
president such stalwart worker, an.
predicting prosperous year, introduced
"the president, Judge John van der Las.
Mr.. van der Las facetiously referre'
to the book from which he was suppose!
to have cleaned his speech and passed
on Responding to the toast what
See in the Future the president sal
that we arrive at conclusions relative +
the future from the past. The achieve
ments of the Dickinson Commercia
Club are the fruit of much thought an
earnest deeds. The future of the cit
and club is what we individually an
collectively make it, If, after deliberat
thought, we put our thoughts into exec,
results. There remains much to do
<;o,, +ho f,,t,,ra u,il1 he laden With fyOO