Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1916-11-29
COMMERCIAL CLUB
OPENS SEASONS WORK
Members Discuss Chautauqua,
Improvements, Conventions,
Etc., For 1917.

or the Nlllmar commercial CluO occur
red last night at the Masonic building
with a good attendance. An appetizing
to which ample justice was done. While
the members were seated at the tables,
the matter of next years chautauQua
was brought up by Judge Gilbert, presi-
dent of the club. He called upon Mr..
NJ. Canyon Smith,, one of the organizers
Of the American Lyceum Bureau, of
it's first season last year. to address the
meeting, and Mr.. Smith responded in a
very graceful talk on the chautauqua
movement and on what the new organ
ization is trying to do. He said the
chautauqua has drifted away from it's
original purpose and was trying to COM
pete with the Orpheum circuit. The
new organization was attempting to get
back to the first principles, which had
actuated Bishop Vincent in inaugural
ing the movement at Lake Chautauqua
many years ago. Mr. Smith outlined
what it is proposed to give Willmar In
the six day chautauqua being negoti-
ated for to be held here next summer.
Eleven solOists of the world famous
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, with
vocal soloist of international reputa-
tion will be one of the musical attrac-
tions. The American Girls including
Miss Holmquist, niece Of Gustaf Holm
HNl,~
ter String Quartette of the Kansas City
Symphony orchestra is included. The
entire line of talent will be of the high
est grade.
Judge Gilbert made the suggestion
that one or two days program be added
to the chautauqua in a homecoming
festival. This is an idea that met with
favorable comment among those present
and no doubt will take root and lead to
plans being made for a civic celebra-
tion next summer.
At tho close of the dinner the club
members adjourned to the rooms on the
first floor where the business session
was held. Five new members were
elected-Col. c. w. Burdick, DR.. Geo.
H. Freeman, Atty. H. G. Young, F. j.
Halltn and Herbert ,Hengstler.
--AAayOC W31l1l-kASAAS AI0pOEt-1 luS
public improvement committee. He
said the work of setting out boulevard
trees and caring for them had been
continued during the year, and that the
results Of this work during the past
few years are beginning to show and
be appreciated.
He proposed that special attention be
given next season to the beautifying of
| 49, G~>@
pike leading out to the cemetery. The
county board has promised to assist in
placing a new bridge over the outlet
during the coming year. At the close
Of the Mayors remarks the club appro-
priated $50 for the purchase of boule-
ward trees for next year, and this
amount was promptly duplicated by Mr..
D. n. Tallman. 1t must be a source of
much satisfaction to Mr.. Tallman to
see the improved appearance of our
very helpful hand every year to this
work. by donating an amount equal to
the Commercial Club appropriation.
Reports made at the meeting indicate
that several Norwegian bygde-lags are
| heading for Willmar for their annual
reunions next summer. Those especially
| brandsdals-laget, Landslaget and Stav-
anger-laget.
Messrs L. A. Tjosvold and D. N.
Tallman spoke Of road improvement,
| ACCOMPLISHED and prospective. Mr..
| Tjosvold, who is also the President OF
the Willmar Motor Club, was very ac-
tive last year in securing improvement
of the road leading south. He report
| ho1 of ir,f SnQoiQ1 SVpa
road fund which was turned over to
the Good Roads committee to be used
in continuing the improvement of this
| road next season.
Mr.. Tallman spoke of the good work
that has been done during the past
year, and about the appropriations made
by the County Board for the coming
year. BY the end of next year, he said,
the east and west and north and south
roads through the county will be in
good shape.
Mayor Wellin spoke Of the Barnolt-
Griffee grand concert which occurs at
the Opera House next Tuesday as some
thing worth while, and recommended II
as relief for the monotony of toe
much movies"
It was decided that luncheon should
be held in connection with the annua
meeting of the club to be held in Jan
uary, and President Gilbert urged tina
all who have suggestions for the i'm
provement Of our city prepare to pre-
sent them for consideration at tina
time.
The newly elected members wer
called on for remarks. Col. Burdicl
said he had cast his lot with Willmal
and thinks 1t has chance to becom
one of the best cities in the state. d.
Freeman and F. J. Hallin also spok
and pledged their support to the wor
Of tho club.