Putnam patriot., 1916-03-10
FIREMEN'S BALL
Hard Snow Storm Does Not Proven Big
Attendance and Big Time
Sixty Couples 10 Grand March Led by
Mayor and Mrs. MeGarry

Ii was an awful night was Monday
night. There was a raging blizzard
cut of doors but 1t did not dampen the
spirits of 500 people in attendance at
the Sixteenth Annual Concert and
Ball of the Putnam Fire Department
The attendance was reduced somew hat
of course. Two auto trucks scheduled
to come from Southbridge did not ven
ture to make the trip and Others did
not care TO brave the storm. But this
is not saying there was not a large
crowd. There were many dancers, in
fact all that eonld dance comfortably
in the big hall. There were also many
on-lookers. The ball was a success in
every particular.
The Simons Il Fox Company of
Hartford had transformed the hall into
gaily decorated ball room. The cell
ing was festooned with red and white
bunting with group of American
flags as a center piece. Blue and white
were the eolors used on the side walls
ar d the drapery was interspersed with
shields of the National colors. The
stage was draped in light blue with
border of white, the font wa~ banked
with ferns, potted palms and frs and
the letters, T. +. ID. were outlined in
colored electric lights. Overhead the
National colors we're again given
prominence and there was center
piece where picture of a fire engine
was used with effect On the stage
was seated the Cargill orchestra, Ed
ward Irving director, and Frank MUIR
ray acted as prompter.
The guests began to arrive shortly
before s o'clock and were received by
members of the reception ,committee
dressed in uniform and wearing
badges and boutonieres. From s to 8
the orchestra furnished an excellent
musical program of six numbers. Each
number received hearty recognition.
1t was just O'Clock when Pfompter
Murray took charge and ordered the
formation Of the grand march and cir
Gle. This was led by Mayor and Mrs.
j. J. McGarry with sixty couples par
ticipaliug Those present expressed |
the opinion that never had they seen n I
grand march handled better. After |
the circle sixteen numbers were dane
ed with an intermission about II I
O'Clock when refreshments were served I
in the hall by Caterer Charles Mayhae,
consisting Of sandwiches, ice cream,
cake and coffee.
The scene was gay one. There |
were many pretty gowns displayed by |
the ladies'. The gay colors, the bright |
and the catchy music all |
went to enliven the scene. The six |
tenth annual was up to the high |
standard set in former years by the de-
paTtmenI.
There were number of out-of-town |
people present. Visiting firemen were
present from Southbridge, Webster
and Danielson and were entertained at
fire headquarters. Soda and fruit |
punch were on sale during The even
ing.
Dancing was kept up until nearly
z O'Clock In the morning and many
would have gladly remained longer ms
all were thoroughly enjoying them
selves.
The committees in charge of the six
tenth annual were as follows:
Floor director, Thomas r. Ryan.
First assistant, Clarence Myers.
Second assistant, John b. Byrne.
Third assistant, OviIa Guertin.
Aids, T. j. Miller, Louis Winslow,
Harry Morse, William sullivan, II. ;.
Bruce, Henry Guertin, James Barnes,
J. j. Ryan, Eugene Bibeault.
Committee of arrangements, Frank
Dunes, chairman; j. b. DaigIe, secre-
tary; Louis Winslow, treasurer; Will
liam Fuller, p. cloutier, henry WEIGH,
Joseph Page, T. p. Ryan, Eugene
Berthiaume, William Donovan, Irv-
ing Cutler.