Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-12-26
CHRISTMAS OBSERVANCE IN
WAUSAU
Community Tree Pleasing Feature
Special Programs in Churches
Charities Do COmmendable Work.

With the happleSt season Oh all the
year. The festivities of Yuletide be-
gan the middle part of last week with
the little entertainments in the schools
of the city Then followed the church
celebrations for the children, the
special Christmas services in all the
churches, the distribution of gifts in
one form or another to the poor by the
Federated Charities, and the family re-
unions with the return of sons and
daughters from various colleges and
with the arrival of relatives to visit
here for the holidays.
The community Christmas tree was
an innovation in this city. A beauti-
full tree was secured by the committee
of Elks in charge. 1t is fully 35 feet
high and has been very attractively
decorated and lighted with electric
lights of all colors. Placed in front
of the new city hall, the Christmas tree
can be seen from way up Third street
and presents a very impressive ap-
pearance, especially with the back
ground of the American flag, lighted
by electric rays, and the Work for
Wausau'' electric sign, which is in a
straight line to the rear of the tree.
No more perfect place could have been
secured in the city for the location
of this public tree.
The community celebration started
at $50 p. m, when the tree was IL
Illuminated and the children who had
assembled at the various schools, gath
cred about it. Speeches were made by
Mayor Herman E. Marquardt and
Frank P. Regner. A large number of
children Joined in the singing of
Christmas carols which they had
learned in the public schools. The en-
tire affair was a great success and is
something which affords common
gathering for old and young and an
enjoyable hour. 1t was cold on Sun
day evening, however, and also be-
cause of the other Christmas Eve eel
ebrations, the large crowd did not re-
main long. The tree will be lighted
on each evening this week.
The church celebrations for the
children were given on Friday, Sat
urday and Sunday evenings. Special
programs had been prepared by the
little ones for the entertainment of the
many mothers and fathers, and friends
who attended in order to share in the
enjoyment which the little ones OBJ
tanned from the church Christmas trees
when candy and little gifts were dis
| tributed. In practically every church
in the city programs consisting of
songs and recitations were rendered.
On Sunday morning all the churches
in the city had special services and
special music. appropriate to Christ
mas. Laws ence Bernhard, on Christ
mas Eve, played some beautiful selec-
lions as a part of the Episcopal pro-
gram. Mrs. l.. A. Pradt had ar
ranged for the Episcopal musical pro-
gram. The Universalist program Sun
day morning included a solo by Knox
Kreutzer, Hank, Hear the Hosts of
Heaven Singing by Perry. 1t was
his first appearance before Wausau
audience and it was surprise to all
who heard him, and the congratula-
lions which were showered upon him
were highly merited. He possesses
rich baritone voice of wide range
and power.
The Federated Charities gave many
unfortunate families a happy Christ
mas this year by distributing baskets
Sunday afternoon which were filled
with everything that goes to make a
and the committee of the Federated
Charities had charge of purchasing
the provisions and packing the bas-
kets, while the Elks distributed them.
Nothing could be more in accordance
with the spirit of Christmas than the
providing of those who are deserving
by those in charge. Mrs. Stockum has
reported that 127 baskets were sent
out and that the total number of per-
sons therefore, provided for, was over
600. Out of the 127 baskets, 50 were
given to widows who are most de-
serving and in need of such aid.
Most of the clubs in the city are
keeping open house during the holt
days and are decorated in honor of
the season. The members gather and
there is q general exchange of greet
ings, which makes the time pass
pleasantly.
The Marathon County asylum en-
joyed a real Christmas. The asylum
was decorated for the holidays and the
usual trees were provided. A
delicious dinner was prepared and in
the evening an oyster repast was
served.
The Children's Infirmary and the
hospitals, st. Mary's and the General.
were filled with the Christmas atmos-
phere by trees, beautifully decorated.
and placed where those who were
confined could most enjoy them. Gifts
from friends and flowers made the
day about as pleasant as it could
be under such unfortunate conditions.
The renewing of old friendships and
the joyous family festivities were
without a doubt the big feature of
| Christmas. One could hardly walk
down the street without coming across
one old time friend, and Wish you
Merry Christmas" was heard on
every hand. In many homes. Christ
mas dinner meant the reunion of