The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-12-24
SOCIAL CIRCLES
MRS. II. s. Hayward, Editor
N. w. phone, 80 Citizons, 21i
Christmas at the Normal.

Christmas at the Normal.
Christmas at the normal school this
morning was a very merry occasion
and the seasons greetings were in evil
dence at every turn of the way.
Christmas friezes of holly and berries
mistletoe and brilliant poinsettias were
on the background, and Christmas trees
decorated by the pupils were in each
of the department rooms, the latter
to be sent to the hospitals in the
city
Holiday programs and exercises
were given by nearly every class, and
the pupils and teachers were alike
happy in the Christmas thought. There
was touch of the true Christmas
spirit to be seen in all of the Christ
mas preparations, the blessedness and
pleasure of giving rather than receiv-
ing having been made a very impor-
tant factor by the teachers.
The intermediate and grammar de-
partments enjoyed an hour of Christ
mas songs from nine o'clock on, in the
assembly room which presented a most
CHEEKY Christmas aspect, with its
lighted Christmas tree, ladened with
all that suggests the holiday season.
In the primary department was an
other Christmas season of story and
song to which the parents were invit-
ed. Miss Reynolds, the principal, en-
tertained both parents and pupils in a
cycle of Christmas stories, the first
an adaptation from Ben Hur, "The
meeting of the three kings in the des-
ert and the finding of the Christ
Chld;' also the symbol and the
Saint" from Eugene Fields book
Profitable Tales" Gifts were pre-
scented to the parents which the little
folks hsd fashioned themselves, and
the children were gwen Christmas
candies from the teachers, the whole
affair being a much enjoyed one.
The grammar department also had a
special program from ten to eleven
when a dramatization was given of
scenes in the life of the Ruggles
family in the Birds Christmas CAROL
The kindergarten department, wner'
the very little folks spend their school
hours was one of the specially attrac,
tive and merry scenes this morning
pupils and parents both being present
TO celebrate the Christmas season.
The room was prettily clad in holi
day attire and the Christmas tree
made the scene gay and festive one.
Songs were sung, games were played
and nothing overlooked that would add
to the Christmas JOY and spirit.
The time passed all too quickly, so
happy were the children in their holi-
day party, and the wishing of a
merry Christmas" between children
teachers and parents very appropriately
brought the happy Christmas event to
close.
Yesterday afternoon an exhibition
took place from three to four o'clock,
when all of the Christmas work, which
the pupils had made for friends and
parents, was displayed for the benefit
of all the normal students.
Elks' Dancing Party, and the Christ
mas Doings for Children.
The dance to be given by the Elks
lodge on New Years eve is already
being much talked of, and the indica-
tons are that the dancing party will
be one of the most enjoyable and de.
lightful lodge affairs that the Elks
have given for a long time. Dances
have not been frequent so far this
season and many are greatly antici-
pating an evening of dancing. The
party is to be given at the Saul
paugh, where the dining room has
been newly decorated. The floor has
also been put in excellent condition
and with Lamm's full orchestra the
New Years eve party cannot be other
wise than a great success.
The Christmas committee of the
Elks lodge has received up to date
about twenty five postals from mem
bers stating that packages were
ready. Today, George Pond and NJ
+. Sullivan collected the donations
and turned them over to the relief
societies, who are to arrange the fur
ther details. The Elks lodge has
given $3.50 to the two relief societies
for the Christmas charity work. Won
dcrland and Unique theatres have also
been engaged by the lodge for Christ
mas afternoon when all children of
the city, between the ages of four
and fourteen will be admitted free to
the performance from two to three
o'clock. The Christmas committee has
also purchased from Rosenberger &
Currier and the Pay Candy company
six hundred pounds of candy for dis
tribution on Christmas day, each child
on leaving the theatres to be presented
with box of sweets. The clothing
and other donations will be delivered
by the Elks on Friday.
- :. y
Sleighride Party.
Harry Carney entertained a number
of his little friends this afternoon at a
sleighride party in honor of his fifth
birthday. The little folks had a royal
good time.
= >. :.
II. Z. Carney went to st. Paul yes
terday.
Charles Neale of Minneapolis is IN
the city today.