The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-01-01
WELCOMED
AMID FROST
New Year Ushered in I'm
der Conditions the Cold
dest Of the Winter
MANY OBSERVANCES
THROUGH THE CITY
Combination of Weather
and Holiday Puts Qui-
etus on Business

Zero weather, the coolest in the Moon
of Snowshoes, ushered in the new year
last night, But there were Others be-
sides Jack Frost who had hand in
bidding farewell to old 1918 and welcom-
ing his promising young successor into
the calendar of time. In keeping with
a custom established long, long ago,
many of the residents OF the city were
about at midnight greeting their friends
and exchanging the fluctuations of the
occasion. Elsewhere there were special
preparations for marking times mile
stone as at the Church of the Good
Shepherd, where services which began at
1880 We're continued through until the
new year was half-hour old or older.
The rector, Rev. w. j. NJ. Beattie, had
charge of the service.
In Masonic hall, many members of
Ruth chapter, No. 33, 0. e. S., with a
sprinkling of Masons as their guests,
gathered to watch the old year out
There was an attractive program for
those who came in the earlier hours of
the evening and ample refreshment was
provided for those who remained until
the vigil was finished. A number OF
old-time Swedish customs peculiar to the
New Year celebration were revived in
Eagles hall, when large company of
Scandinavian folk came together under
the auspices of Court Granite City, No.
1885,, S. B. of A. Supper was followed
by postprandial exercises. In the
Knights of Columbus hall, the brand
fired new year was welcomed by
merry party of 200 dancers, the occa-
sion being the annual New Years con-
cert and dance Of Barre council, No.
40I. X. G.
In addition, New Years eve was the
oqasion for many private watch par
ties around the city. To-day there were
the usual family gatherings and reun-
ions. Morning dawned with the mer-
curry hardly yet recovered from its sud.
den drop to minus "a and other points
in the lower region of the thermometer.
There was little stirring about on the
street, and the impression seemed to
prevail that most people would stick to
their fire-sides unless the weather mod
Grated lot before nightfall. Buinesss
in general was suspended. All stone
sheds were closed, and, with the few
usual exceptions, stores and shops were
not opened. The usual holiday hours
were observed at the postoffice.
To-day is the appointed time for
church gatherings, and there are few re-
ligious societies in the city that do not
hold their annual meetings or special
either this afternoon or to-
night. In notable instances the busi-
ness meeting is preceded by dinner or
a supper. For those who are seeking
secular diversion, there are the "mov-
les" this afternoon, as well as matinee
performance of the Whitney Opera Co.'s
'The Chocolate Soldier" with a second
tonight. At Goddard SEM
mary this evening the Tufts glee club
will make its appearance.
Court Granite City, No. l53, Scandi-
navian Brotherhood OF America, observed
New Years eve at the Eagles hall in
the Worthen building, in character
stic Swedish manner. About $50 people
gathered to make the observance of this
went memorable. The evening was de-
voted to dancing and program. Dur
ng the earlier hours of the evening, the |
,ntire company was seated to a Swedish |
supper, and general satisfaction was ex- |
pressed by the banqueters. When the ap- |
pointed time arrived for the departing |
If the old year. special exercises were /
instituted by the committee in charge of !
he event. 1t was not until nearly 3 |
,'clock that the celebrators left the hall. /
An impromptu orchestra furnished mu-
nc for the dancing. The committee in
harge of the affair was composed of the
ollowing membersi Paul Piersen, Ed
ward Ericsson, Mrs. Andrew Knutson,
Hrs. Gustavus johnson, Mrs. Edward
Ericsson, Mrs. John johnson and Alfred
bison.
The ninth New Years eve concert and
,all of the Barre council, Knights of
Columbus, was held in the Scampini
uilding with an attendance of about
90 couples. The hall was becomingly
in Yuletide decorations and
dorned entirely befitting the occasion.
he concert program consisted of num-
ers by the orchestra and several vocal
olos by members. Dancing was in order 4
ntil about o'clock this morning. /
lruce's full orchestra furnished music
or the dancing. The event was in
barge of Lecturer A. II. Burke, who
at the vigil kept to usher in
he new year.
The dance in the Rowland hall last
vening was attended by 100 couples.
.iley's singing orchestra furnished mu-
ic for the dancing.
Special Services at st. Monica's.
The Feast OF the Circumcision was
bserved to-day at St. Monica's church !