Iditarod pioneer., 1915-01-02
(COnt.ribllted)


 erly love which blossoms forth every now | and then and characterizes number ot the leaders of the social life of Flat City, the idea was hit upon some time ago of giving a grand Thanksgiving ball. the pro ceeds of which were to be used in providing big Christmas tree and supper on Christ mas eve absolutely free to the people of this camp and vicinity The dance was given and our creek merchants always to the front in matters of this kind, bought several tickets, while our nimble footed terps!chorean devotees purchased one or more, as well as a number of those who do not dance but whose sentiments were Tn ac- cord with the worthy undertaking, And SO it was that a neat little sum was realized and Flat City's first annual Christmas tree and free Christmas dinner was launched and an assured fact.
 Situated as we are here, away from home l ties and those dear to us; where by close association We come to know one another by our Christian names, what could be more fitting and proper than to give big free | Christmas tree and social, where the young folks and the grown folks could all get together in one big family reunion, so to | SINPuh, OH llit Ol!t liSlil III 'hS Nei "A4Ni our hearts are filled with joy and gladness and extend to each other the tlme-honorcd greeting of Christmas cheer and good will, Cordial invitations were issued to the people | of ldlt arOd to come over and partake of | Flat City's hospitality. and invitations were also extended to all those residing at q dis l t&nCe.
 l While the young folks were to have their l Christmas tree, the grown folks also were 1 treated to an excellent program of songs and recitation5 by the children. This was followed by a real old fashioned Christmes dinner and concluded with an evening of dancing and general socability. But while l the "bovs' could give a dance to give a | Christmas tree, where the welfare and pleas | ura of the little ones Is concerned, and to provide and serve a home cooked dinner | here, indeed, Is 8 task that naturally and i rehtfuIy belongs to the ladies. So the la dies of Otter creek, Upper Flat and Flat City got together, efficient committees and subcommlttees were appointed and those not actively engaged on committee work were busy at their homes cooking and pre- pairing the many good things that went to make up the dinner.
 The Order of Moose kindly donated their hall for the occasion, and for several days prior to Christmas eve 1t had the appear ance of a ladies convention. Everywhere were the ladies, busily rearranging things decorating the walls, and providing rest rooms for the women and children.
 All during the day people from distant creeks began to arrive in town, and Flat Civ was fast assuming genial holiday spirit. Early in the evening and long be fore the appointed hour Moose hall began to fill and was soon packed to capacity. A number of seats had been provided and with true northern gallantry these were re served for the ladies, the parents and the children. \ temporary stage was erected and tastefully set off by curtains. Al the rear w;.s an improvlsed chimney and fire place which promised later developments and the children eyed it with curiosity. To one side real Christmas tree was set, with snowy cotton. glistening tin2el stringed pop corn, and lighted by numbers of small can dies. Around it lay pile after pile of neatly wrapped Christmas gifts, big and small, for young and old waiting to gladden. the hearts f the recipients. And in keeping With the spirit of the occasion, above the stage shone forth large, beautiful star, emblematic of the Star of Bethlehem. On all sides were the happy, glowing, smiling faces of the children, reflected in turn by the pleasure it gave their elders; ard if any there were who up to this time failed to become i'm bUed with the Christmas spirit, they soon succumbed to the childish rapture and hap pine5s about them
 The Prooram
 Promptly at s 80 p: m. Dr. Moore opened the exercises by giving brief address on The Star of Bethlehem" setting forth its meaning and what it stands for, The pro- gram was then adhered to as given out pre- viousy in The Pioneer, and all the chil- Gren, especially the little tots, acquitted themselves most admirably showing per 1 feet ease and compCsure as they were called upon for their respective numbers The opening chorus, Little Town of Bethle- hem" by all the school children, was ex- ceptonalIy we'll rendered. Little Herbert l Solibakke, Viola Stranberg Theodore Au- ] dette. Olga Stranberg Doris Bagoy, Harold 1 Stranberg and Charles Johnson all had their little recitations to speak, and bravely stepped before the large audience, made 1 their little courtesy and acquitted them 1 selves with credit Herbert Stranberg was right at home as a ''recltationlst," and Flor ence McGiboney also did herself proud. Lit tie Margery kettlewell, with her clear enun- citation and perfect composure, made quite hit The vocal duet, Cherry Blossoms" " by Della Mcdowell and Arthur Stranberg, was exceptionally good, as was also the chorus, Come, Play With Us, by Esther Stranberg and the children. The swing song, Christmas Dolls" by Margery Kettle we'll, Olga Stranberg, Herbert Solibakke and Harold Stranberg, won the hearts of all. Mrs. O. Solibakke, accompanied by Mrs. Frank Monkman on the piano, rendered n a soft sweet voice and with much feeling a beautiful Christmas solo, which was very appropriate. The Christmas play, Christ mas with the Old Woman in the Shoe, v was one of the big surprises of the evening. A mammoth shoe had been built, repre- sentng the abode of the "Old Woman Who Lived in Shoe" Della Mcdowell assumed the part of the Old Woman, and all the children who took part in the previous pro gram were her little charges Each one was
 dressed as some little fairy or character so familiar to us in the nursery rhymes Of childhood
 At this juncture Herbert Stranberg,
 dressed as Santa Claus, stepped too closely
 to one of the lighted candles on the tree,
 and the flimsy material of his costume took