Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-12-15
ROTARY WEEK STARTS
WITH BIG RECEIPTS
Society Crowds Orpheum Theater
to See Belgium Bene-
fit Show
BESSIE WYNN IS HEADLINER
Farber Sisters and Joe Jackson
Win Hearts of Vaudeville
Patrons

Success for the Rotary Club of Har-
risburg in its efforts to raise funds for
the Belgian sufferers was forecasted
yesterday in two record audiences at
the Orpheum Theater.
This is Rotary Week" az Harris
burg's popular vaudeville house. with
the slogan that An empty seat at the
Orpheum this week means an empty
stomach in Belgium" efforts are being
made TO have the standing room
only" sign out at every performance.
Aside from the charitable spirit back
of this enterprise to send cheer
into many homes abroad the Rotarlans
are offering strong inducements Tor a
liberal patronage in the way of an eN-
ceptionally pleasing vaudeville pro-
gram.
The big week started with the after
noon performance. but last nights s
audience marked the official opening
of Rotary Week. Not since the open
ing of the Orpheum has a more fash
ionable crowd filed the seats. In con-
trast with the colors of the Rotary
Club, Old Glory and the other deco
rations were the handsome gowns of
beautiful women and the flowers they
wore.
Changing Tears to Smiles
The spirit of giving did not stop
with the purchase of a ticket of ad-
mission. The Home and Foreign Re-
lief Committee and Junior Rotarians
are big factors this week in the effort
to change tears to smiles in Belgium.
Wearing ribbons across their breasts
on which are inscribed Junior Rotary
Club and red crosses on their arms,
more than hundred sons of the big
Rotarians moved about the theater
selling flowers, candy and lemonade.
lntermissions were arranged so the
Juniors could work without interfering
with the interesting bill.
With the flash of the opening letter.
the signal for the overture by the or
chestra, the enthusiasm started. APP
plause was mingled with the introduce
tion of Rotary features, KlaXon horns
and other noise instruments helped
swell the applause. Professor Herman
that also helped stir up the big crowd.
Essick Welcomes the Folks
When the orchestra ceased playing
and the second curtain went up Will
liam s. Essick, president of the Rotary
Club. stepped to the front of the stage
and welcomed the audience in happy
vein. Mr.. Essick called attention to
the fact that while the Rotary Club
has secured the Orpheum theater for
the week in an effort to send cheer to
the Belgian sufferers. the needy at
home will in no wise be overlooked
MT. t1SSith lndnheu Ine auulenCe
its liberal patronage and urged a con-
tinuatiOn of the giving" spirit during
the rest of the week. Mr.. Essick re-
quested the audience to sing Amer
lea And sing it they did.
Next came the big show.
The Big Show
When G. FLOYD Hopkins manager of
the Wilmer & Vincent theaters in Har-
risburg sent word from New York
= CT hn
great show he was modest in his in
formation. Any vaudeville bill on
which Bessie Wynn is a headliner is
extraordinary of necessity. Bessie is
here this week. and her sweet voice,
petite and refined mannerisms, with
songs that reach the heart, are win
ming her new laurels.
As finale to her act Miss Wynn
sang the national Rotarian song and
everybody Joined in the chorus
The show starts off with rush. Two
young men, both live wires, McCloud
and Carp by name, are the openers.
With a banjo and violin they offer
classic selections and wind up with a
rspid-fire introduction of ragtime
melodies that make everybody move
their feet The boys do their work
in whirlwind fashion.
Those Were Happy Days" is the
title of a sketch by Ed Howard and
clever artists. Bill Blaisdell and Ed
Coward as the fun producers Pathos
mixed with the comedy makes the act
n most enjoyable Offering.
joe Jackson Here, Too
Joe Jackson. in the role of a speech-
less vaGabond. had the audience in a
continuous uproar with his funny ac-
tions and efforts to ride an old bicycle
that was always falling to pieces. II
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