The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-26
State School
Heads Dined
SUPERINTENDENT STEARNS EN-.
TERTAINS AT "OLD VIRGINIA
DINNER"

February's FIRSTLY churlish atti-
tude towards the hundreds of educa-
tors now in Richmond in no way af-
fected the pleasure of the fortunate
company which assembled at the
Westmoreland club last night to par
take of the "Old Virginia dinner"
given by Superintendent and Mrs.
r. c. Stearnes In honor Of the Wis
ting State superintendent of public
instruction and their wives.
One and all of the distinguished
visitors had 1.-The time of their lives.
for the occasion. aside from its en-
joyable culinary, oratorical and mus
ical features, was marked by touch
of easy iuformaiity that made 1t gem
ninel ydelightful.
The visiting State superintendents,
representing as they did all parts of
the country, naturally had some
curiosity as to just what the 'Old Viz
GINA dinner would bring forth in the
way of good cheer Doubtless they
expected much of the menu---which
assuredly did not disappoint them
but, they hardly anticipated the
other entertaining features which
added so much to the pleasure Of the
occasion. Indeed. the evening may
be described as a chain of delectahie
surprises. for Superintendent Stearnes,
who presided in a most happy fash
ion, was quick 10 cut loose from con-
ventaonalities. His one aim was to
make his guests have t'fun"--sure-
enough genuine. mirth provoking fun
and feel thoroughly "at home" from
start TO finish.
About hundred gathered around
the fTower-decked boards and there
was not one who failed TO catch the
spirit of the occasion. The ''get-to-
knox another process was quickly
accomplished under the tacfful guild
ance Of Mr.. and Mrs, Stearncs and
their reception committee,
The vocal music was furnished by
Messrs. Howard Bryant and Joseph
Ehittamore. while Mrs. Florence ID.
Hequambourg held all entranced BY
the witchery Of her violin
A no BILE aud educative feature Of
Messrs. Bryant and Whittamore' $
program was the singing Of two
quaint old ballads collected from the
mountain people OF Virginia by the
State Folklore society. These vener-
able ballads naturally elected much
comment, as they have been handed
down among the hill people Of the
State fer generation after generation
Lieutenant Governor j, Taylor
Eiiyson, who responded to the toast
Virginia" had some most gracious
things TO say 10 the assembled
strangers, while Superintendent j. Y.
Joyner. of North Carolina, replied
most felicitously on behalf of the other
States.
Other speakers were: DR. Ben
Blewett. St. Louis. The n. E A.; DIR.
A. E. Winship.. editor of New Eng
land journal of Education. Boston:
Woman As She. Is" E. r. Chester
man. Richmond: Woman AS She
Was" Delegate s. II. Love. OF Lunen-
burg county: Woman AS She VIII
Be- Miss Grace NJ. Shepherd, State
of Idaho: .Auf Wied-
ersehen,'' Hon. r. p. Claxton. United
States commissioner of education.
Among those present were Lieuten-
ani-Governor J. Taylor Ellyson and
Mrs. Ellyson. A. @. Weaver, Mr.. and
Mrs. George T. Rison, S. III. Love. Mr..
and Mrs. Edwin r. Cox, Mrs. Landonia
II. Dashieil, Mrs. r. r. Munford. DR..
A. T.. Winship, Boston, DR.. and Mrs.
p r. Claxton. Washington; o. l..
Stearnes, Salem: Mr.. and Mrs. n f.
Clement. Chatham: Mrs. Virginia Ar
mold, Washington: Superintendent and
Mrs. II. c. Stearnes- Miss Bessie
Continued on Second page)