The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-10-08

iilk OuI SOCldl CIe6QSs
Perhaps from this honily it may
strike you that we are a bit provin-
cial in Pensacola, but this is not so.
We are simply still intensely south
ern and conservative In many ways.
Life has passed us by in some of its
more flagrantly modern channels,
and we are still taking the MONDAY
siesta of the. spirit If not of the flesh,
and happily auctioning our hours
away, or dancing ourselves young at
the Country Club or the San Carlos
hotel, or some other place, while
war goes on in Europe.
And why not? Life is hard enough,
at its best. And even here, where life
is perpetually and legendarily young.
there is enough to bring lines in
ones face and silver in ones hair,
without looking for trouble, or be-
coming too serious over other peoples
miseries.
| have travelled far from the sub
ject with which / started out. meant
to tell you Of the lovely Country Club
they have here. I do not think any
where in the world / have ever seen
a clubhouse more perfectly located.
1t faces the water, and there is the
most wonderful view in the world
from the verandas, or the galleries as
they call them, in the old southern
way, and to the rear of the building
are the golf links, one of the clubs
most important assets.
I have talked this week with sew
eral of the members of the board of
control, and / find they are making
some very important plans for en-
larging the links, which will mean
very much not only to Pensacola in
a social way, but also in a business
way.
Each winter the travel to Pensa-
cola increases, and golf is the IA
vorite pastime. Last winter there
were people from all over the states
here, for Pensacola is becoming quite
an important convention city, and the
presence of the naval vessels and the
activities at the aviation station made
life very full socially. The golf links
were extremely popular, and were
found so almost necessary for the
entertainment of the professional
| and business men who were visitors
here, as well as the enthusiastic golf
ers who are members, that the club
voted bond issue for the enlarge
ment of the links, and the work will
be started this winter, so I was told
Friday afternoon by one of the Coun-
try Club officers.
Not only is the clubhouse beauti-
fully situated, with the bay and the
woods adding to its charm, but the
interior is admirably arranged for
entertaining. The reception hall
downstairs, with its great fireplace,
and its charming outlook is lovely
and comfy, and the card tables, the
ballroom and the diningroom are well
adapted to their several uses, and
are now being renovated for the win
| ter.
The tropical storm of July, which
worked so much havoc in the states,
| slightly damaged the building, and
ruined the tennis courts, and work
men are very busy just now getting
everything spick and span, inside and
out, for the season. The tennis courts
are being put in order, as well as the
interior, and by cold weather every
thing will be very lovely, indeed, for
! the clubhouse is becoming quite
famed for the charm of its atmos-
phere.
This is very largely due to a Gus
tom they have introduced here, and
which / have found in few Country
| Clubs | have visited-they have a
Country Club hostess, such as they
have in some of the larger and newer
hotels Of the country.
At the McAlpine Hotel, in New
York, for instance, where I once STOP
ped, they have very charming wo-
man who is hostess of the woman's
floor. On this floor, as well as 1 re-
member, the seventh-the hostess
greets the women guests, and If they
have proper credentials, introduces
them to the club life of the city. She
also arranges sightseeing tours fol
them, or interests herself in various
ways for their comfort or pleasure
1t is a delightful custom, and well
worthy of emulation.
Here at the Country Club they
have much the same idea adapted
locally. The Country Club hostess Ii
always at the clubhouse to arrange
for parties, serve lunches, and SEE
that the maid properly carries out the
duties assigned to her.
Il Miss Marguerite Ingraham, wht
has been in charge of the Country
Club for some months, seems admir-.
ably adapted to this work, for she
possesses artistic sense with rare ca.
4 liabilities which is evidenced in the
setting she so often gives to parties