The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-11-10
DIAMOND MEDAL:
CONTEST BROUGHT
VIC. 1.U. CONVENTION
TO A CLOSE

medal contest participated in by five
contestants for Florida.
! The evenings program was opened
by chorus of Philathea girls in a
patriotic song well rendered The
High school orchestra gave an excel
lent selection and responding to an
encore they played several patriotic
airs closing with the Star-spangled
Banner which brought the large au-
6ience to their feet. Miss Neal, pres
ident. called for the salute to the flag
which has been a feature of every
season
DR., J. Edgar Wilson conducted the
devotionals with scripture reading
and prayer, following music the class
of contestants were presented by the
State chairman of this department,
Mrs. Mendenhall. Each contestant
was announced only by the subject
OF the selection and number. the
judges not knowing them either as
to name, or location of home. Five
splendid selections were well pre-.
sented, each in line with the theme
of the temperance work eloquently
pleading for prohibition of the liquor
traffic. Three young women and two
young men were heard with pleasure
by a large audience of interested lis
teners, and when the judges were
asked to retire for decision many
were heard to express the relief that
the decision did not rest upon them.
Judge whereby each speaker is
marked on certain points. as voice,
gesture, etc. Each Judge adds these
markings. then the markings of the
three are added and the ultimate sum
proclaims the standing of the contes-
tants. Oonly five points difference in
the standing of the highest and low
est show the clOseness of the con-
test c. Rucker Adams as chairman
of the judges. presented the diamond
medal, prefacing his presentation
with the words that such a contest
contestants. In fitting words he pre-
sented the trophy to Number s. Ken
meth Wilson of Taft, Florida
Presentation of banners and
: awards for service throughout the
. year to various Unions of the state
were made by chairmen Of depart
ments Love tokens were presented
to Mrs Riggin of Bradentown. retir-
! ing vice president and to Miss Neal
president. for faithful service.
Solo by Miss Annie Laurie Waring
Y of the White Ribbon was a pleas
: ing feature Of the evening. Both in
strumental and vocal number wete
4 well given by W.. G. T. U. members
. during the evening.
Y The contestants were. Misses Eliz
r abeth Stevenson. Allie Clay, Mrs
t Ethel Thornton and Master Garland
Head of Tampa, and Master Kenneth
: Wilson of Taft.
; With regular business motions the
I convention adjourned and the 1917
: State Convention of the Florida w
I. e. T. u. passed into history Lake
T land welcomed this convention glad
". entertained them ably and regret
ted to have them go. but hopes each
+ delegate will return to enjoy oul
It town and homes at a future date.
G Mrs T. e. Bridges of Ocala. Flori
a da. as delegate to the w. c. I. U
G Convention has plan whereby ever,
I soldier boy who has lost his mother
i nv death may have letters from some
>, good woman who will be interested
in his welfare. giving enough moth
er's thought to write letter eacf
month to him. To this end she ha'
:. written the following poem which W.
take pleasure in publishing:
have no mother to pray for me
As march away across the sea,
No mother on earth, no mother true
She's 5 gone away across the blue.
Tho shot and shell may round me
pour
Fighting, | stand at deaths darl
door.
On the wings of love there goes N
prayer
81 To God in heaven from mother
~ care.
'e There's no mother in the home
" sweet home
u To place a chair by the old hearth