Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-03-04
BANQUET WELL
ATTENDED
Many Enjoy Bounteous Spread
in N. E. Church ParIors
Wednesday Evening. Feb. "a

Atout one hundred or the repreSen-
tatiye citizens of Grand Rapids, Port
Edwards and NekooSa, in response to
the cordial invitation issued by the
pastor of the Methodist church, Rev.
Richard Evans, attended the '.Centen-
nlal" Banquet held in the NJ. E.
Church parlors Wednesday evening
Feb. "a. Owing To the SNOW block
AIDED streets and the inclemency of
the weather, Il great many others who
had been invited could not attend.
Shortly after six O'Clock the guests
began 10 arrive and assemble in the
church proper, where hats and coats
were discarded. Promptly at the
hour of seven the call for dinner was
given by the pastor and all repaired
to the basement where a bounteous
repaSt, consisting of three course
dinner prepared and presided over by
the ladies of the church awaited
them, of which all heartily pArtook.
The banqueting Hall had beea simply
but prettilv decorated with ever
green's for the OCCASION, and presented
very slightly appe france.
Following the b lnquet a number OF
rare literary toaStS were given by vari-
Gus members present, which had been
previously arranged for by the social
committee. The "Centennial" Ban
quet 50 called because commemorative
of the birth of a number of illuStriOuS
characters of the nineteenth century,
statesmen, scientists, poets and musi
clans, was presided over by Rev. Evans
as toastmaster, who with his keen
irish wit ana rare gift of repartee was
most eminently qualified for this
office.
The first speaker Of the evening, was
our worthy mayor, DR.. Frank Pomain-
vile. introduced nv the toastmaster
aS sour chief citizen" The mavOr
responded with few pleasant i'm
prUmptu remarks, which were hearth
ly encored by the well pleased audi
ence.
The second speaker called upon was
Rev. L. E. Peckham, who delivered a
very interesting dissertation on the
"Autocrat of The Breakfast Table" :"
Oliver Wendell Holmes.
Following Rev Peckham the large
audience was treated 20 scholarly por-
trayal of the life aud character of the
eminent musician and composer
"FeliX Mendelssohn Bartholdi" popu-
larls known as MendeISsohn, by L. NJ.
Alexander. Prof NJ. I'll. Jackson then
gave most interested talk on the life
and literary productions of that most
maligned and oft times Incompetent
Sible poetic genius, edgar Allen
Poe" He was followed by w. j.
Fisher, who had selected as his theme
the highly renowned statesman and
scholar, historically designed as Eng
lands Grand Old Man." William f.
Gladstone. Rev. Fred Staff pastor Of
the Congregational church was also
called on and spoke very entertaining
ly on that other great character of
English History, and the theories
which he promulgated, Charles Dar-
win," the scientist.
The life and character of Abraham
Lincoln, our first martyred president
whose centenary was recently so fitting
ly observed by the entire American
nation, was very ably discussed by T. j..
Cooper, interpolating his remarks
with the reading of Lincoln'S In
auguraI address. A toast to the
ladies' present, who had so ably and
bountifulIy provided for the wants of
the .sinner man" was then given by
DR.. A. L. Ridgman, after which the
gathering adjourned.
All present were mostI prOfuse in
their expressions of appreciations of
this banquet. Many personally
rendered their thanks to the pastor,
Rev. Richard Evans. with whom the
idea Of MEMS Meeting originated.
As the experiment has proven so high
ly agreeable to all concerned, we sim
cerely trust the same will be repeated
next year.