davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20
Thanksgiving Day Celebrations Here There

Dorchester House all day and evening
AS many as 5000 Americans will attend
the great reception. to which practically
every American in London will be in
vited. Then there will be a luncheon,
with a big attendance, and later dinner,
at which many notables will gather. The
American Society will have ceremonies OF
its own. and Americans will have ample
reminder that the flag still waves DER
the home of the free and so forth.
In Paris and probably in Berlin, where
the ambassador Is a more democratic
man than his predecessor. who loved
pOmp and display, the legation will hold
a reception. a buffet luncheon and
dinner to which select list of guests
will be hidden This will be supplemented
by public and private dinners given by
Americans in the French capital. There
will not be any difficulty In securing the
viands appropriate to the occasion. as
there are now several markets in Paris
that make a speciality 'of American
dishes.
Elsewhere. at least in ell the larger
capitals and cities of the world, there
are large American societies that observe
the day with a reception and probably
big dinner at which the ambassador,
minister or consul general IS the guest
of honor. and at which the diplomatic
staff and any other high officials are
likely to be found. There is also gem
orally a ball in the evening. and much
visiting and social intercourse.
As travellers better than others can
realize. there are occasions and localities
where and when II is difficult and per-
haps impossible to secure the things
which at home are considered essential
to a Thanksgiving feast. Not everywhere
is a turkey or even fowl of other do
nestle breed to be had. Pumpkins would
look strange in some parts of the world,
and, inconceivable as II may seem here
at home, there are places where none
ever heard Of the delectable pumpkin
pie or pastry filed with mincemeat:
where celery and olives and oysters and
the dozens of things cooks work into the
grand ensemble known as a Thanksgiving
dinner could not be had for love or
money or by threats or cajolery. Many
are the devices In such cases by which
a dinner worthy Of the occasion is pro-
vided. One of the diplomatic corps, now
in a high position In the home Office, tells
with gusto how on a certain Thanks
giving the legation in Honduras sent to
San Francisco by wire for three pump
kins," to be dispatched in urgent haste.
The recipient Of the order studied up all
his codes and consulted all his friends
and family connections as well as the
''men in the street" to see IL any one
could tell what was meant by such a
peculiar order. and finally he wired back
to ask what the legation wanted with
three pumpkins? why. for Thanksgiv-
ing pies, of course" he was informed,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20

unless there is formal entertainment OF
some kind, when 1t is served at o'clock.
The regular early dinner hour is OBJ
served because the Taft family is fond
of the drama and make it point to be
in their box when the curtain rises on
the play.
pretty innovation Mrs. Taft inaugu-
rated at dinner is to wait in the blue
room to see all her guests in line before
she falls In the procession with her es-
cort. coming in at the end after seeing
her guests nicely paired off and ar
ranged. It was formerly the custom for
the Presidents wife to lead the line with
her escort.
Another feature Of the home life of the
President Is the total elimination Of strict
formality among the members OF the
family. Mr.. Taft was never fond Of fuss
and feathers and he dispenses with 1t as
much as possible I'm the White House. It
has been the custom for many years
there that when any member Of the pres
idential family was late for breakfast.
luncheon or dinner he or she would be
escorted into the dining room by serv-
ant and duly announced, whether or not
there were any guests present. Mr.. and
Mrs. Taft soon put a blue pencil through
this regulation and the family enjoys
the privilege of being as late as 1t
pleases. Thus. abolition of formality has
led the children of the household to un-
derstand that because the roof over
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20

days or two generations ago ever
boasted. For the Tafts are Of the old
New England strain; they are strong
for the home life. plain and substantial;
they are Iusty people Of good appe-
tites, and there is an Aunt Della up
Massachusetts, way, who is authority
On pies and cranberry sauce.
So the dinner at the White House Is
to be one of the old Thanksgiving day.
with its accompaniment Of roast tur-
key, boiled ham, pies-oh. such pies!-
its nuts, even it's old-fashtoned cider,
but with few Of the more up-to-the-
minute frills For the White House,
the temporary abiding place Of the chief
executive, has been struggling to get
back to the basis of a home. Mrs.
Taft's greatest endeavor has been to
convert the old-fashioned mansion from
a house where the family Is temporarily
putting up to a home with the air or
Iermanency.
Sc at the home of the President of
the United States there will be cele-
brated the old-fashioned Thanksgiving.
There will be no suggestion OF holi-
day, of foot ball games. golf parties
matinees, country club dinners. no din
ing at the club, no ignoring of prec-
edent Instead, there will be the re-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20
appropriate

appropriate TO the occasion. when
Thanksgiving day comes, with its re-
minders of home ties and tender associa-
tions
AS beseems his high station. the Presi-
dent himself sets an example for the rest
of the people by partaking with his fam
lily in the White House of a feast at
which the International bird occupies the
position of honor. and in other ways
sanctioned by long usage the President
observes the day set apart by custom
and by presidential proclamation as the
one in which every one shall unite In
taking thought Of the favors Providence
has bestowed on him and in making due
acknowledgment and voicing his graft
tude for the same.
In every legation and consulate of the
United States In foreign lands the
Thanksgiving proclamation of the Presi-
dent is received and preparations are
made to comply with its terms. At the
legation I'm London the event is of great
Importance. Ambassador Reid practically
keeps open house for his countrymen at
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20

dom, however, is It found obligatory to
be at sea Thanksgiving. Plans are made
long beforehand to tie up in some friend
ly port, for the the traditions of the navy
call Tor sports-bcat races. field sports
ashore, visiting and feasting and jollifica-
ton
For weeks and even months before hand
preparations are made to observe the day
in manner BETTING it's Importance The
commisSary sees that the ships larder
lacks nauEht in the way of turkeys and
materials for pumpkin and mince pies
and all the other things which are es-
sential to the. proper kind of a spread.
The navy ration is probably the most
OF scope for the commissary and cook to
show their genius. Plum pudding, fruits
of all kinds. nuts and raisins are but a
few Of the good things brought forth at
the proper time Liquor alone is taboo.
If some one has little slowed away for
a special occasion to drink the healths Of
"SweetheartS and wives" 1t is not known
officially. and one may be sure that II is
used moderately and with due discretion.
What there is of formal proceedings Is
brief. The captain does what seems 10
him proper in the way of religious ex-
ercises. Perhaps he reads the proclama-
ton of the President. and the chaplain
does his part; but the day is not solemn
or gloomy. Rather is it real Thanks
giving and a joyous celebration by a
small army of men who are patriots to
the core and full cf the lusty joy of liv-
ing. Shore leave IS at discount. for
nowhere could the men find mere agree
able form Of diversion than has been pro-
vided for them by the committees which
for many weeks have been getting their
programs polished up for the big event.
II the vessel is perchance in company
with other ships hospitalities are ex-
changed, and this is especially. true i'll
China seas in South Africa and In for
eign ports generally. The crews particf-
pate in games on shore II circumstances
are favorable fer that kind OF diversion.
There may be foot ball games and per-
haps base ball. field sports and boxing
matches, foot races and other athletic
events, all contested with keenest rivalry.
There is sure to be one or more boat
races provided there is suitable course.
and either before or after the big dinner
there is likely to be a smoker and Q very
aIa'bitious program, with Minstrel stunts
and music by the ships band. transform
ed for the occasion into an orchestra.
The men who have good voices take part
in a concert and the program Is az va
rfed and as excellent as the ingenuity of
the committee and the talent at hand per-
mit-and that is almost boundless.
Should there be any lack OF talent
among the members OF the ships COM
pany there is the welfare fund. accumu-
lated from the profits OF the ships can
teen, to be drawn on. With this money
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20
ALL Souls CHURCH WHERE The TAFTS ATTEND
THANKSGIVING SERVICE.

Taft sees that they have nourishing.
varied food. and her servants table
would shame that OF many a house
holder. The men and women in tho
servants hall are given 10 understand
that there is no rank i'm their positions
and that there is no chief except the
housekeeper. who rules them all.
An individual touch has been given by
Mrs. Taft to the family quarters by the
distribution of personal trinkets, bric-a-
brac and silver she has picked up I'm
the course Of her worldwide travels In
her private suite are to be found some
finely carved chairs and tables Of teak
wood, many of the articles being gifts
from foreign notables. The quaint Old
colonial cabinet in the red room is filled
with silver trophies of one sort or an
other of Mr.. Taft's long years OF public
life. Loving cups and silver toys an.
some fine examples of Chinese and Japa-
neSe curfOS make an interesting exhibit.
On Mrs. Taft's five-o'clock-tea table.
which is the principal innovation of the
new administration, are to be found
some attractive examples of oriental pot
terry, tea and toast being served i'm dis
tractingly fascinating dishes. while the
entail embroideries.
Automobiles have replaced the carriages
used by former President Roosevelt and
his family The automobiles are used
exclusively by President and Mrs. Taft,
and all that remains to keep the stable
force busy are a few unpretentious car
riages furnished by the government for
business use and the convenience of the
housekeeper for her innumerable errands.
So ii is the energy and activity of Mrs
Taft and the congenial appreciation OF
her husband that has had to do with
the transformation of the White House
into a home. And it is on such ccasions
as Thanksgiving that these TRANSFORMED
tons are to be seen to best advantage.
And when the people OF all the land
next Thursday gather about their festive
boards to celebrate that occasion. which
came into being because our Puritan an
cestors were grateful for the many bless
ings showered upon them in a new land
there will be no home In the nation tnat
will make the observation more nearly
what 1t was intended to be than will
the home of William II. Taft, who lives
down Pennsylvania avenue between the
Treasury and the State, War and Navy
building
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20

menage of the White House.
President Taft is not obliged to live
without cooks for he has three,
the very best of southern culinary
artists. for. after all is said and
done, President Taft is a southerner at
table, and prefers southern cooking to
any other. 1t is these women who
cook the Presidents Thanksgiving turkey.
No caterers get up state dinners in the
White House. Everything is prepared by
the woman cooks in the kitchen of the
White House. This even extends to the
ices and the confectionery.
The exclusive green grocers and pur-
veyors Of the city do not get the
White House trade. Nearly every
thing is purchased at the markets, and
Mrs. Jaffray personally goes to market
every morning. Occasionally Mrs. Taft
VIII call up some Of the dealers by tele-
phone and add articles to the days or
der, some special dish that she thinks
might tempt the President or the chill
dren. Everything is purchased in season,
and the table set is bountiful, delight
full one, the President being a hearty
eater and one who enjoys rich cuts of
meat and pounds of sweets.
There are regular meal hours at the
White House Breakfast is served at
$50, luncheon at 80 and dinner at 7:3O
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20
The 3TNHE D1ale keo51 MRE A5dN1l7q DINNER Will Be- 5Ry6

own hand to carve a Thanksgiving tur-
key? Like other good American fathers,
Mr.. Taft dishes it out a little dark meat.
some of the breast and lot of dressing.
Then comes the vegetables of the good
old-fashioned kind mashed potatoes.
cranberry sauce, mashed turnips, boiled
onions, Acreamed carrots, caulifiower,
celery. The table groans beneath its
sters are at it in the same way as the
children of Tom Brown, the carpenter,
who lives just down the street
There is single distinction in the
Taft Thanksgiving dinner that makes it
different from that of other old-fashion-
ed spreads of its kind The turkey is
fanked by special dispensation by a
fat Georgia 'possum with later in it's
mouth There is an element of sentiment
in Mr. Taft's insisting On the opossum,
and it is found to make no mean auxiliary
to the turkey.
This is the program that was observed
last year and that will be adhered to this
season. Mr.. Taft is to a certain extent
responsible for this going lack to old
custom, and to an emphasis of the oc
casion of Thanksgiving, for the President
Is man who is fond of his eats and
the holiday makes a special appeal to
him. But it still further fits into Mrs.
Taft's general scheme of making home
of the White House.
~ the average <AiIieIlcdu housewife IL
would seem that on salary of $4,000
yearly, forty-room house rent free, a
magnificent ten-acre park, two automo-
biles and other perquisites for the ask
ing, the Presidents wife should have
every chance to become an ideal home
maker.
This supposition Is not borne out by the
facts, however. Some Of the White House
administrations have been notable for
their lack of home comforts and serenity.
Frequently the first lady of the land has
just made the best of things and not
cared to make home out of the historic
White House.
American housewives might well pat
tern after Mrs. Taft's splendid house
keeping. Every detail Of the gigantic
task of keeping the Executive Mansion
in spotless order is known to her and
she insists on overseeing everything her
self.
Since her illness, which temporarily
released her from her more strenuous
social duties, Mrs. Taft has never allowed
her vigilance in regard to household mat
tiers to relax. She is domestic genius.
In character she resembles greatly the
new Queen of England, who Is the ruling
first effort toward home-making achieved
by Mrs. Taft was the dismissal of police
men from the private entrance to the
White House and the substitution of
liveried negro doormen. The same CRATE
full innovation took place in the private
corridors.
Nowadays house guests at the White
House do not feel like suspected criminals
under the eye of the police every moment
Of their stay. This flaw had curtailed the
pleasure Of staying at the White House
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20

version to the customs of the genera.
tiOA of our grandmothers.
For Mrs. Taft Is the sort of woman
who superintends these things person
has been preparing for Thanksgiving
day. Every corner in the big white
mansion has been given a thorough
cleaning. The master florist out in the
choicest blooms, while up in New Eng.
land, on the big turkey farm Of Mr.
Horace Vose. the pride Of the flock, a
forty or forty-five FOUNDER. is eating his
mightiest. glad. perhaps. that he is to
be the piece de resistance of the presi-
Dental table.
Every year at Thanksgiving and
Christmas Mr.. vose sends the pick. of
is always SO large that Charlie Taft,
the kid of the Taft household. and heir
to the drumstick. even owns up that he
cannot finish one of these in an ordinary
family safely off his mind. the Presi-
dent still is one Of the heaviest turkey
buyers In the Washington market. for
to each married male employee of the
White House. from Mr.. Norton. his Sec
rotary, down, he presents a Thanksgiv-
ing turkey.
Thanksgiving eve and with the big
mansion looking its very best. the children
come home in the good. old-fashioned way
from school to spend the holidays. There
are no grandchildren in the presidential
family, but there are lots of nephews and
nieces. who consider Thanksgiving spent
In the White House as the very best ever.
So Master Charlie Taft comes home from
Taft School. Watertown, Conn. and Rob-
ert Taft from Harvard Law School. Each
brings his favored friends, and cousins are
requisitioned from the families Of the Taft
brothers. The somber old Executive Man
sion is alive with youthful laughter. and
the occasion is such as its originators in
tended 1t should be.
Thanksgiving morning, after a jolly
good breakfast. everybody goes to church
There is no excuse accepted for not do
ing so, for is this not the day on which
thanks are returned for the mercies of
the year, and Is not ingratitude the worst
and Mrs. Taft each go to separate
churches. their religious faiths being Diff
ferent, but Thanksgiving day the whole
White House party go together. usually
to All Souls Unitarian Church.
Church over. a light luncheon Is served
to keep away the hunger until turkey
time, and the children are encouraged to
cut loose for a hilarious time until even
ing. 7:3O o'clock being the dinner hour
Other than the children there are no
guests at the White House on Thanksgiv-
which the President sits down. But for
the occasion the table Is set in the state
dining room, with its richest array of
damask and bloom.
The President sits at the head OF the
table and draws the carving knife across
the steel, for where Is the right sort of a
family head that will allow other than his
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20

their heads has been changed their home
life is the same, and they need not be
bound about by tiresome restrictions.
The details of those domestic recesses
from which such spreads as a Thanks
giving dinner come may be Of general
interest.
In the basement are the industrial quar-
tiers. Two kitchens. one a very large one
used by the Taft family. and a smaller
kitchen which heretofore was scrt Of
storeroom. are we'll lighted and equipped
with every convenience not only for the
family, but for large formal entertain
ments. Just off the kitchens and laun-
dry are the quarters of the male and
female employees respectively.
One OF the most attractive rooms in
the basement is the flower room, where
all the flowers for the table and rooms
are prepared A large ice chest keeps
them fresh until they are ready for use.
to supply every flower within Of decora-
ton, and the gardener and his assistants
are always on duty whereabouts to see
that every cluster and every growing
plant is looking its prettiest before 1T Is
taken upstairs Flowers are always kept
in the drawing room and the private
apartments of the family, and in the
Presidents study. They may be only a
vase of carnations at his hand while he
works. but they are always fresh and
fragrant.
When Mrs. Taft went into the White
House she inaugurated the practice of
cleaning silver by electricity instead of
by hand. as formerly. a practice which
saves much time each day. OF course.
she has the great advantage Of being
able to tell the White House to get any
new furniture. appliances. and order
dozen housecleanings a year il she likes,
and 1t IL all paid out Of the approprta-
ton for the upkeep OF the White House.
All the White House accounts are
O.K.'d by Mrs. Taft. Food is bought in
large quantities. potatoes by the barrel
and butter by the tub. Only the food
personally used by the family and it's
guests is paid for by the President. He
is given an allowance for the food of
the employees of the White House. Mrs.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20

T the nations
first home. the
residence of it's
President, I h . r g
will be spread
next Thursday a
Thanksgiving din
ner that would
gladden. the heart
of the most dyed
in-the-wool New
Highlander t h a t
I h Q rock-ribbed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20

IT, ATS Pattern Life of
! Presidents Home After
Those of New England
Thanksgiving Celebration Is
Old Fashioned-Old Time
Viands Grace the Table-A
Forty Pound Turkey En-
larges the Feast - Children
Return From College for
Occa How White
House Thanksgiving Dinner
Is Prepared.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20

so with a sigh of relief to learn that
the dispatch did not conceal news of an
uprising or something else direful and
kins were safely landed at the nearest
port, and then they took a 1OO-mile jour-
ney on muleback over mountains and
barrancas before they reached their des-
tination, where with unconcealed triumph
they were converted into the noblest dish
into which an humble pumpkin can en-
ter. The turkeys which contributed their
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20

a hand
full of Americans
may happen to be
gathered together.
no matter in what
out OF the way
neck on the face
of the earth, one
may look with GER
tainty for roast
turkey and pump
kin pie. with other
dishes additionally
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20

the board But be it where it NAV the
day will be observed in spirit, and. as
well as may be. in the letter also.
Not less ENTHUSIASTICALLY it NAV be
even more SO than elsewhere-is Thanks
giving celebrated in the navy. The day
is complete holiday. The men have no
duties to perform. save only those which
cannot be suspended. Even at sea the
sailors scrub up and don their best and
make the day one OF merrymaking. Sell
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20

lives to the celebration were trapped in
the wilds. and were carefully fed on all
descriptions of dainties to fit them for
the feast.
1t might be interesting to discourse of
the experiences of Americans who found
themselves where neither turkey or other
fowl appropriate to a Thanksgiving din
ner made shift with strange dishes; where
q pot roast of elephants foot, or ragout
of water buffalo, or perchance q roast of
polar bear occupied the place Of honor on
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20

Copyright. 1910. by W. A. DuPuy.,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20

6HXNn IA HEREvER a hand
The Washington herald., 1910-02-02
CONTRIBUTORS ARE THANKED
Charities Still Need Money to Make
Up $4,000 Budget.
Chairman Lisner, of the joint Eli
nance Committee, Issues Circu-
lar Urging More Support.

a. Lisner, chairman Of the Joint COM
mittee Of the Associated Charities and
Citizens Relief Association. thanks those
who have swelled the budget. but states
that only about half OF the ST. needed
has been received.
The committee wishes 20 remind those
who have not contributed their share
to do so at once. as the demand FOR
help at this time OF the year is appar-
ent. The circular says:
Those who have not helped US regu-
larry in doing this work should Join the
ranks Of regular subscribers. We are
anxious 10 recruit those who have never
been with us regulars. Sums, no mat
ter how small. will be acceptable. They
all help TO make up the needed amount
Judging from the experience of former
years. which has always shown the peo-
pie Of Washington are ever ready TO
show a helping hand whenever needed,
we shall not be hampered in our work
for lack of funds. With this help We
shall be able to turn much distress into
happiness"