The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-02-17
CRITERION CLUB ANNUAL BALI. ! ]. IS
 SEASONS APEX
Brilliance of Costume, Wo:
 mems Beauty and General ! Cor,diality Mark Affair.

The Criterion club has fully sus- tained it's name. At The Stratfield last night it's members shed a reful- gent glow upon the social guidepost or Bridgeport's winter festivities that points the road to pleasurable assem- ly, rnodish masterpieces, and dancing and dining delightful.
 The four points of the golden dla- mond emblematic of the club were tipped with beauty, style, elegance and courtesy. Beauty~was personlhed throughout the large assemblage which thronged the ball room of The Strat- field and filled to overf1owing the dln- ing room and the corridors of the mo- tel. Style was seen throughout the affair, the gowns of the women in many cases combining the simple ia brics of the American looms with the cloth of gold and silver woven as of old. Elegance was a predominant note throughout in the orders of dance, the simple but handsome dec- orative scheme of the ball room, the quality of the food served especially by The Stratfield and the hundreds of handsome limousines from far and near which conveyed the guests from and to their homes. Courtesy was the touchstone which made ones presence golden.
 The Criterion club, noted in the so- cial annals of Bridgeport for the suc- cessful dances it has held under em- inent patronesses, excelled it's own efforts last night through the work of the reception committee appointed for that purpose.
 Not alone in the abstract details hn o1yn fo the novelty and refreshing pleasur- ableness of the latest music, the unique viands, and the Harmony of the color scheme utilized in decora- tion, but it's members, refraining from participating in the dance, sought partners for those temporarily disen- gagged. Through their efforts the stiff formality which sometimes pervades the dance was brought to a minimum and the maximum enjoyment was at tained by all present
 Though the dance was scheduled at o'clock, scarcely a guest arrived be- fore o'clock They, were at once ushered to the parlors adjoining the handsome ball room, which through the care of the hotel management sparkled under the gleaming radiance of many electric lights, carefully dis tributed about.
 The patronesses were Mrs. Winthrop B. Baldwin, Mrs. Harry L. Crabtree, Mrs. Fred R. Christensen, Mrs. Will liam H. Donning, Mrs. Roland G. Lane. Mrs. J. Burton Smith, Mrs. Philip R. Seeley, Mrs. Frank H. Stans- field, Mrs. John J. Toomey, Mrs. c. Albert Towe.
 On the reception committee and not failing in their duty, were Harry O. Wheeler and w. Carlton Damn, whose entire day was spent in per sonal supervision of the details and who virtually spent the night in sec ing to the comfort of their guests, as- sisted by Rowland F. Hill, George E. Sistrand, J. Richard Berg, Charles H. Bailey, Francis D. Becker, William J. Howley, Edwin F. Washburn, s. Ray mond Frederick, w. c. T. Allen, Frederick A. Aufford and Frank H. Stansfie1d.
 A seven piece orchestra occupying the southeasterly corner of the ball room began 24 number program shortly after 9:30, offering suitable but we'll regulated encores that kept the spirit of the occasion at it's pinnacle.
 At midnight intermission for an hour gave those present an oppor- tunity to refresh themselves in the main dining room of the building which had been especially reserved for carefully prepared midnight lun- cheon of several codrses served under the personal direction of Manager Frank Cantwell.
 Dancing resumed shortly after 1 o'clock and continued until 3 with scarcely defection from the ranks of those who participated in the opening number of the evening.
 The affair undoubtedly is one of the most brilliant of the seasons many formal dances, is criterion in point of Its many pleasurable features, pretty dancers and handsome cos tunes, and will lend additional strength to the club
 FT0nAV,C